By electronic device. 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 the yeas are 394 and the nays are 21. The rules are suspended, the bill is passed and without objection, the motion to reconsider is laid on the table. The speaker pro tempore for what purpose does the gentleman rom ohio seek recognition . I ask unanimous consent that i may here after be considered as the first sponsor of h. R. 464, a bill introduced by representative jones of North Carolina for the purposes of adding cosponsors and requesting reprints pursuant to clause 7 of rule 12. The speaker pro tempore without objection. So ordered. The chair will entertain requests for oneminute speeches. For what purpose does the gentleman from 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 ne minute. Madam speaker, mr. Payne . I would like to take a moment to honor drr emily clyburn, the ife of majority whip after her passing on september 19. It is often said that behind every great man is an even greater woman. Certainly this was true of dr. Clyburn. She was a great woman who supported a great man. Emily or drrs miss m, she was a generous woman. She spent most of her career as a librarian, first in public schools, then for almost 0 years at the Charleston Naval base and a Medical Center in columbia, South Carolina. She raised millions of dollars to recreate more needbased scholarships for her South Carolina. She knew the importance of a good education and she wanted to create more opportunities for students of color throughout the state. It was part of her strong commitment to equality. We will remember her as a dedicated fighter for civil rights. She was a model of class and character throughout her life. So my thoughts and prayers are with mr. Clyburn and his daughters and the family and all the people of South Carolina during this time of loss. With that, i yield back. The speaker pro tempore for what purpose does the gentleman from South Carolina seek recognition . Ask unanimous consent to address the house for one minute and to revise and extend my emarks. Without objection. The gentleman is recognized for one minute. Mr. Wilson i am participating in for the Prime Minister of india and attended. The president attending, this event was the largest such welcome for a world leader and extraordinary day to appreciate india as the Worlds Largest democracy with the United States eing the oldest. India praysed the president as warm, friendly, and full of witt. Him and paid ed tribute which dynamic contributions. I appreciate being invited by the president of the independent yapamerican international hamber of commerce and council and in conclusion, god bless our troops and we will never forget our troops with the leadership of donald trump. The speaker pro tempore for what purpose does the gentleman from rhode island 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. Mr. Langevin madam speaker, last week, i was proud to support the Christa Mcauliffe coin act. There is no other than Christa Mcauliffe to educate. The explosion was a heartbreaking tragedy but she gave her life. She was not afraid. She boldly went to test our knowledge and push humidity forward. The coins created will inspire the young passion for the young ople who and founded by dean cameon, they use science, technology and math to get young people educated. And in her memory, first competitors and competitions are inspiring the scientists explorers and leaders will solve the problems of today and tomorrow. I yield back. The speaker pro tempore for what purpose does the gentleman from georgia seek recognition . Mr. Carter ask unanimous consent to address the house for one minute and to revise and extend my remarks. The speaker pro tempore without objection. Without objection. The gentleman is recognized for one minute. Mr. Carter i rise today to recognize chief warrant officer harry sweezer. He is a true American Hero who served for more than 20 years in the unions navy for his service. 199, n massachusetts in his father served in the navy and passed away. Nevertheless, his passion to serve our nation persisted and enlisted in the u. S. Navy. After transferring, he fulfilled his dream of becoming a helicopter pilot including the demilitarized and the Czech Republic and middle east. Rising through the middle east, he retired from the army in 1991 and awarded the legion of merit. Joined the u. S. Coast guard nd rising to the rank of tilla commander. Thank you for your service to our country. The speaker pro tempore for what purpose does the gentlewoman from texas 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. Ms. Jackson lee i was speaking to one of our colleagues who indicated he held a town hall meeting where he was explaining in a civic matter the constitution of the United States and the role of the United States congress in holding the executive accountable. He said his constituents relished the opportunity to understand the process. I want to remind our colleagues that any time we move toward a process that is constitutionally based, it is somber and respectful, detailed and efficient. I want to read from article 1, hich indicates the article 2 states that the President Shall be removed from office from conviction of treason, bribery or hore high crimes and merchandise and article 2 that the president take care that the laws are executed. With that in mind, i believe it is important that this congress recognizes its duty to work in a an efficient manner that all of the committees work investing and all contest do their work in a somber manner and educate our constituents about the beauty of this nation and the rule of law. That will mean we are doing our job. I yield back. The speaker pro tempore for what purpose does the gentlewoman from North Carolina seek recognition . Ms. Foxx ask unanimous consent to address the house for one minute. The speaker pro tempore without objection. Ms. Foxx it is fitting that john wood receive a lifetime achieve award. He and his wife have worked tirelessly to make the ocean cooperation for students to gain the skills they need to lead proukedtive lives that benefit the state of texas and the world. Their focus is ensuring that the programs are on of the highest quality and students are careerready. Having visited ocean and the faculty and staff that john and victoria. In addition, they have maintained their enthusiasm for the value of career education. John is deserving of the award and i commend all who are response i will for recognizing him and his true lifetime achievement. I yield back. The speaker pro tempore for what purpose does the gentlewoman seek reck snigs . Recognition . Without objection, the gentlewoman is recognized for one minute. Ms. Kaptur i rise as a member of the caucus. Im alarpped by President Trumps repeated betrayal in favor of russian dictator vladimir putin. This president , President Trump, has put efforts forward to coerce ukraines new president and allied leader into helping trump win reelection by using congressionally supported military aid as leverage. Thats not only a dramatic betrayal of the president s oath of office itsal the latest example of trump doing putins bidding. I assert this president s relationship with president pew din didnt start with his failed support for putins election meddling or lobbies for russia to be readmitted to g7. Who benefit wheps ukraine loses military assistance . Russia. The country who waged a bloody war on ukraine for over five year, leaving over 13,000 dead, 30,000 injured and over 1. 5 Million People displaced. Whose to say putin wasnt listening in when trump blackmailed zilinski. Lets have the full truth. The speaker pro tempore members are remined to refrain from engaging in personalities toward the president. For what purpose does the gentleman from texas seek recognition . I ask unanimous consent to address the house to for one minute and rhett and revise and extend my remarks. The speaker pro tempore without objection, the gentleman is recognized for one minute. Today i rise to congratulate baylor, scott, and white, the Heart Hospital heart hom, for being named physician hospital of the year. Located in plano, texas the Heart Hospital ranks as one of the topperforming cardiac hospitals in the country and provides tarrant count colin county with the highest level of cardiac care. The Heart Hospital has worked day in and day out to save lives and ensure compassion to everyone who enters there. Our community is proud to be home of the state of the art facility and its many Astounding Health care providers and staff. I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating the Heart Hospital of plano on their recent success and thanking them for all their hard work. Madam speaker, i yield back. The speaker pro tempore for what purpose does the gentleman from california 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. Madam speaker, i rise today to speak on two significant issues that affect the brave individuals who have fought for our nation. First, almost a quarter of all veterans in the United States, approximately 4. 7 million, reside in Rural Communities. While patients may enjoy the benefits of rural living they face unique challenges in accessing the health care they need and deserve. Currently through reauthorization, the department of veteran Affairs Grant program for the transportation of highly rural veterans appropriates 3 million to provide transportation in rural areas. This program should not need annual reauthorization. It should be made permanent. Second, the Veterans Benefits administration has moved to electronically process over 99 of compensation claims. Since the implement akes of implementation of the Veterans Benefits management system. This transition had been key in reducing the backlog of claim, modernizing the federal government and improving efficientcism i propose amending title 38 of the United States code to assist the v. A. As they modernize and utilize todays Technological Advancement in order to best serve our veterans. Madam speaker, i urge my colleagues to join me in working on legislation that will fix these oversights and to further support every person who serve ours nation. I yield back the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore for what purpose does the gentleman from pennsylvania seek recognition . Without objection, the gentleman is recognized for one minute. Thank you, madam speaker. I rise today to thank the York County Economic Alliance for their work to promote Opportunity Zones in york county. Madam speaker, we know that the tax cuts and jbskt and jobs act of 2017 is working for the American People, allowing families to keep more of their hardearned dollars in their picks. Businesses are expanding and creating jobs across york and lancaster county, creating an economy with more opportunity for everyone. One of the strongest tools created by the tcja are Opportunity Zone a way to spur development and job creation in economically distressed communities. In fact, i look forward to hosting the Small Business administration for an Opportunity Zone round table in the near future, to share with our community the potential advantages of investments in their neighborhoods. Have done an incredible job through their website opportunityyork. Org. Sharing how Opportunity Zones can positively transform our communities. This is a great example of a local chamber helping businesses build and invest for the benefit of our shared community. Madam speaker, york county is open for business with the help of the ycea. I thank them for being a reliable and hardworking partner for york countys Economic Growth and prosperity. The speaker pro tempore for what purpose does the gentleman from new jersey seek recognition . 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. On june 22, barbara kent hagueman became the first woman, very first woman, to be installed as state commander for new jerseys veterans of foreign wars. Barbara is a u. S. Army veteran who served in saudi arabia and kuwait during Desert Shield an during desert storm. When she returned to america, she joined the v. F. W. And the v. F. W. Was in jackson, new jersey. Mr. Van drew she became the first female post command for the ocean county and then the first female district commander where she served for two terms. Now, as v. F. W. State commander her project for this year focuses on veterans veteran Suicide Prevention. And Mental Health awareness. Subject that is so important and needs so much work. She also works on strengthening networks of support, communication and care for veterans. Across new jerseys communities. Barbara, we are incredibly lucky to have you. Thank you for your Service Abroad and the continued service you bring to our south jersey community. Your state is proud of you, south jersey is proud of you, the United States of america is proud of you. May god bless you. I yield back my time. The speaker pro tempore for what purpose does the gentlewoman from pennsylvania eek recognition . The clerk will report the title. The clerk report to accompany House Resolution 577, resolution providing for consideration of the bill h. R. 2203, to increase transparency, accountability, and community engagement. Within the department of Homeland Security, provide independent oversight of Border Security activities, improve training for agents and officers of u. S. Customs and Border Protection and u. S. Immigration an Customs Enforcement and for other purposes. Providing for consideration of the bill h. R. 3525, amend the Homeland Security act of 2002, direct the commissioner of u. S. Customs an border Border Protection to establish uniform process for medical screening for individuals between ports of entry and for other purposes, providing for consideration of the resolution House Resolution 576, expressing the sense of the house of representatives with respect to the whistleblower complaint of august 12, 2019, made to the Inspector General of the Intelligence Community and for other purposes. The speaker pro tempore referred to the house calendar and ordered printed. For what purpose does the gentleman from florida 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. Thank you, madam speaker. I rise today to highlight that september is National SuicidePrevention Month. This is not an easy subject to talk about, especially since each persons circumstances differ. Yet as the number 1 cause of death in the u. S. , its vital that people understand the issues concerns suicide and Mental Health so that anyone can help a person in crisis. Thats the focus of the advocacy message surrounding National SuicidePrevention Month this year which is be the one to. Because we can all follow the action steps to make an impact on someones life. Be the one to ask. Be the one to keep them safe. Be the one to be there. Be the one to help them connect be the one to follow up. The National Suicide prevention lifeline website provides tips to better identify warning signs before applying these five steps and other resources. For those in crisis, know youre not alone and help is available. I lifeline is run 247, yield back. The speaker pro tempore for what purpose does the gentlewoman from pennsylvania 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 gentlewoman is recognized for one minute. Thank you, madam speaker. I too rise on the issue of suicide. Every day in america 129 people die by suicide. Over a single year, thats more than 47,000 souls. Each an irreplaceable loss. Even more troubling, suicide is on the rise among teens, vets, law ep forcement. Between 2001 and 2017, the suicide rate increased by 31 . That year saw 1. 4 million suicide attempts in this country. These trends have many causes. And we must get to the bottom of them. But we can start saving lives today. Congress recently passed the stoic act and the president signed it into law. Ms. Dean this will fund Suicide Prevention programs for Law Enforcement where death by suicide now outstrip line of duty des. Gun safety legislation will make a difference. Firearms kill 40,000 people each year including 60 to suicide. Background checks, red flag laws save live bus the senate and president have refused to act. We must call monotheir absence of action. Our country needs home to stand up. Our own colleague, representative susan wild, recently lost her partner to suicide and has bravely described its devastating effects and now lifts her strong strong voice so that others will not suffer the same. Its time for us to act. Thank you, madam speaker. I yield back the remainder of my time. The speaker pro tempore for what purpose does the gentleman from mississippi 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. On september 5, 2019, the Madison CountySheriffs Department responded to a hostage situation near canton, mississippi. Upon arrival, the suspect fled and led deputies on a high speed chase throughout the northeastern part of the county before spike strips were deployed to stop the suspects vehicle. Once immobilized, the suspect began to fire on deputies, striking two officers. Deputy Brad Sullivan was shot multiple times as he arrived on the scene and was later transported to the university of mississippi Medical Center. Deputy sullivan remains in serious condition as our community unites with prayers, donations and medical skills to save the life of this brave officer. Mr. Guest on behalf of mississippis third congressional district, i would like to extend my sincerest gratitude and respect for deputy sullivan. The other deputies who responded, and the entire maryland zann Madison CountySheriffs Department. We ask all mississippians to continue to pray for brads recovery and for gods hand of protection on all our Law Enforcement officers. Thank you, madam speaker, i yield back. The speaker pro tempore for what purpose does the gentleman from california seek recognition . Without objection, the gentleman s recognized for one minute. Madam speaker, i rise tonight to commend vicki kristenson, the Forest Service chief, for proposing a new rule to add to our fire danger mitigation that we need to do in california and across the west. Mr. Lamalfa building on my bill from a year and a half ago, the electricity reliability and force protection act this allows streamlining of the process to clear trees and brush around power lines to make that make it a fire hazard. We certainly suffered enough fire loss in california. The campfire right in my district, the karr fire last year as well and this year ready 54,000 acres burned in plumas county. Our utilities have trouble getting out to do the work because the permit process is difficult. So we have right in the middle of the district a power shutoff as a precaution with heat and wind conditions being able to cause wildfire. We shouldnt put utilities in that position of being cursed if they do, cursed if they dont. We need to get the work done around power lines. I hope this measure will help us accomplish that. I yield back. The speaker pro tempore are the speaker pro tempore are there any further requests for time . Under the speakers announced policy of january 3, 2019, the islands from virgin is recognized as the designee of the majority leader. Ms. Plaskett i ask unanimous consent that all members may have five legislative days to revise and stepped their remarks and include any extraneous material on the subject of this special order. The speaker pro tempore without objection. Ms. Plaskett i rise as a member of the congressional plaque caucus to speak about the issues that are important to americans, every day americans. The coppingsal plaque caucus is the conscious of the congress and it is our responsibility in our special order hours to address those issues and concerns that are most important to the people of america. We represent 70 million america caps in our caucus, 55 members strong and we are using this time to address this congress on the issues of agriculture and the plaque community. Agriculture and the plaque community, its more than just snap for us. At this time, i would like to yield five minutes to the distinguished the gentleman from georgia, mr. Scott. R. Scott thank you, ms. Plaskett. Madam speaker. I come before you as the chairman of the agriculture subcommittee on commodities credit exchanges and energy. And madam speaker, i rise at this moment to speak out against the United States department of agricultures food and Nutrition Service proposed rule to change the eligibility requirements for snap. And let me tell you why, madam speaker. Its because this proposed rule, number one, it would eliminate broadbased eligibility for snap d effectively end all snap benefits for more than three million seniors, veterans, working families with children and individuals with disabilities. Current eligibility simply allows lowincome families and children to receive snap benefits if they have already qualified for other Antipoverty Programs. Thats it. But, madam speaker, in fiscal ar 2018 alone, over 10,000 gear households were helped to meet their basic need as a direct result of current eligibility. This proposed change is founded pon an unfortunately common, but incorrect assumption of bad actors wasting government funds. Nothing could be further from the truth. Its not about that. In reality, these programs have encouraged work and increase savings in order to transition out of the program. Millions of americans, madam speaker, are just one lost job. Just one health crisis, or another emergency. Maybe a bread winner passed on. These things happen unexpectedly. And any other emergency issues that may arise, it keeps them from becoming food insecure. And a lot of things we can do without. The food, we cannot ever do without. So it is up to us, members of congress, to look out for the most vulnerable among us. If implemented, this will not only remove food from the tables of americans, but also reduce their potential for economic distress and Financial Security. Eliminating the ability of states to use the he gibblet would mean jeopardizing the futures of many hardworking americans. So i urge my colleagues to join us within the black caucus, its about all of us. And speak out against this proposed change in order to protect the health and wellbeing of all of our American People. , i yield back the balance of my time. Ms. Plaskett thank you very much for that enlightening information that you have shared with us. We know the years of experience and the seniority you have gained on the Agriculture Committee have given you not only a passion but a real understanding of the issues that are important, not om to americans that utilize snap but to the farmers who are supportive of the things we are trying to push forward and this administration are trying to impede. Mr. Scott that is correct. And that is why we are here tonight with great compassion and great fairness and asking our members of congress on a you nan mouse basis to join us in this fight. Its just not our fight. This is a fight that appeals to the basic nature and purpose of the American People. Thats all. And i appreciate you inviting me to share in to share in making this appeal. Ms. Plaskett thank you. I think of all the america spends us and we are squabbling and providing nutritionon and assistance to our veterans, to our elders and children who need these programs. It is astouppeding that we have to have this conversation. Mr. Scott you are right. And i eve you with the words of Thomas Jefferson when he gave us the meaning of our great nation. Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. One thing is for certain, we ant be happy without food because we cant live without food. There is no greater meaning for the implementation of Thomas Jeffersons words, life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. That remains true. Ms. Plaskett thank you you, mr. Scott. As you can see, im here along side my colleagues of the Congressional Black Caucus in opposition to the administrations proposal. This rule would kick millions of people struggling with hunger Supplemental Nutrition Program as well as approximately 250,000 children from preschool meals. 250,000 children who rely on this program to provide them with lunch, breakfast, allowing them to be able to utilize their skills in schools and allow them to learn. Many of these children without this program are unable to eat, unable to be able to stay awake in school bus of the hunger that is within them. And so we are fighting to make sure that the children are not removed and millions of americans are not removed. And not provide nutrition been futs to supplement the food budget for needy families and move towards selfsufficiency and providing foot that averages 1. 40,. Snap is a modest benefit with nearly half of the participants running out of benefits. If anything, policy makers should be debating how much to increase this supplemental benefit given there is no room for cuts. Breaks. X law gave tax and if the Trump Administration is looking for strategy to looks strategies in and no further. Raising it to 12, not even the billion and four times as much and they are tter able to afford food instead of punishing. The Trump Administrations proposed rule would recalculate how we remeasure poverty and would result in reducing the criteria for individuals and removing people off of federal programs that are meant to assist poor families. The Trump Administration would recalculate how we measure poverty and reduce the criteria for individuals and removing people off of programs that are met to assist lowincome families. And in a manner that will drive down the number of people counted as officially poor. Gibble built is calculated, each ear as costs go up, many people with low pay would be tripped of that. W. I. C. , medicaid, parts of medicare, head start. School lunch, and tax credits under the Affordable Care act. In my own district, future hurricanes and the department of Human Services executed disaster nap and regular snap rment. The Virgin Islands provided this to approximately 0,000 households and 29,000 households. There are 22,000 people on snap in the Virgin Islands where we have a 3 Child Poverty rate. As a member of the house Agriculture Committee and a concxds con ferey, im proud of the work. This proposal flies in the face of everything we worked on to uild a bipartisan build a bipartisan bill, a bipartisan consensus around the process of snap and the funding and support. House democrats and our colleagues reject changes to this. The end result was the most overwhelming bipartisan farm bill in history. This is only an attempt by the eyed logical white house. The white house is trying to take away the authority of this body and we will not stand by and allow that to happen. At this time, i would like my colleague from new jersey, the honorable dond payne junior, who has worked on this issue as well as poverty issues, issues on how to increase Health Care Benefits to america cap families. And i give him so much time as he would like to speak about those issues. Mr. Payne let me first thank the gentlelady from the u. S. Virgin islands for her continued leadership on issues that impact diaspras throughout the c. B. C. Issues that the finds it necessary to continue to raise. We are known as the conscience as the congress. And although we are the congressional plaque caucus, we represent 78 million americans of all stripes. And that is something that i think is very important for people to understand. But i am but i am not surprised that the gentlelady has once again raised an issue for the caucus that impacts so many people in this nation. And if President Trump has his way, negatively impact so many people in this nation. So im very concerned about trumps latest attack on lowincome americans. His administration would like to make drastic changes to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or snap. The program which used to be called food stamps has helps millions of working parents, disabled americans, and seniors afford a more nutritional diet. Traditionally snap benefits were assigned based on standard of income levels. 130 made less than made less than 130 of the federal poverty level, roughly 23rks00 per month, you were eligible. If you made more than that, you were not. However, there was an important clause in how the state governments assessed that income. If you had a more prosperous year, say you made an extra 100 or 200 per month thanks to a side job, you could still be eligible for the benefit. States knew that such income might be temporary and they did not want to punish hard working people, americans, for seeking a better life. The system worked because it encouraged flishese eating in lower income citizens. A group that studies show have less nutrition nutritious diet across the board. And it allowed home to save a little money for the future. In addition, it saved time because it allowed recipients to enroll automatically. And provided a new market for American Farm products. It was a winwin for everyone involved. So naturally, trump wants to change that. He wants to impose a hard cap on the income levels for recipients. And he wants to eliminate eligibility for people with more than 2,300 in a bank account. If the rule is enacted, it could be disastrous for our countrys lower income workers, disabled citizens, and the elderly. Millions of them could lose their benefits and return to unhealthy eating because thats all they would be able to afford. Study after study shows the cost to our Nations Health care from , the ts with poor diets center for Disease Control and prevention estimates that nhealthy eating costs about 1 trillion with a t, dollars per year in extra health care. And contributes to the death of almost 700,000 citizens annually , the size of a congressional district. These are costs we do not need, especially at a time when many economists say a recession is looming. There are several other problems with this proposed rule. It promotes the belief that lower income americans should stay lower income because it punishes people who want to save a little money. If you save too much, you could lose your benefits. But the greatest harm would be done to innocent schoolchildren. The Free School Meal programs across the country use snap eligibility to determine whether children can qualify for the meals. Their parents get eliminated from the system. At least 265,000 students could go hungry during the school day. If they lose those meals, Academic Studies show that their performance in school will drop significantly. You cannot think about math when youre thinking about an empty stomach. They will have lower standardized test scores and they are more likely to come to school late, if they come at all. Cheese children feel the shame of being in the free and reduced eal program already. This will reduce that chain by making sure they do not have any meals at all. These are students who need support the most. So we need to support them the most. What we do not need are rules designed to keep them in poverty. From an administration dedicated to enriching the wealthy and themselves. We need to give states the freedom that assesses their snap eligibility in the way that empowers them, to empower their citizens. We need to promote Healthy Living with proper diet and nutrition choices. We need to protect our schoolchildren and do Everything Possible to ensure they get every educational benefit possible. That is why we need to fight this proposed rule change to snap to the nap program. Our farmers are struggling. Thanks to trumps trade wars. And our students are struggling. From inequality already. We do not need to make both of hose problems worse. And we are just mortifies but of surprised by the actions a ka louse administration toward people of need. It is not surprising that the administration has looked into how it could once again penalize poor people, struggling children , the elderly who have paid their dues and played by the rules, and now need a little assistance, that they just dont atter. This is not the country i was led to believe that i was growing up in. This is not what i learned in school. Hat we see here is disassembling of a nation. Everything that we have stood for. Is falling apart around us. Because of this president. And his administration. And so we will continue to fight. I think our nation is stronger than one man. And we will come together as a great nation once again and take care of the least of us. It is our obligation. And with that, i yield back to the gentlelady from the u. S. Virgin islands. Ms. Plaskett thank you so much for the great information and the statistics, the science thats there that shows, explains to us what happens when snap is denied to young people, as well as your heart felt words about where our nation is going, when were unable to feed our own. I have some remarks from another member of the Congressional Black Caucus, congresswoman marcia fudge, the chairperson of the subcommittee on nutrition oversight and Department Operations on the ag committee. She has asked, mr. Speaker, madam speaker, over 40 states an territories use broad based cat gorical eligibility for broad based cat gorical eligibility to streamline the administration of snap and provide critical assistance to households receiving benefits and services through the temporary assistance for needy families block grant. Bbce is proven to help millions working poor families, move toward Financial Security by easing the benefits cliff as their earnings increase. On july 24, 2019, usda proposed a rule to restrict the use of bbce and eliminate snap benefits estimated 3. 1 million lion americans. This includes children, working families, military veterans, disabled individuals, and our seniors. Most shameful is the proposal to impact on Hungry School age children. By usdas own estimates the new policy would take away direct access to flee school meals for at least 500,000 schoolchildren. Nearly half a million children would go hungry in the school day, shifting the burden to strapped school districts. In her state of ohio, according to Robert Wood Johnson undation, over foundation, over 61,000 snap households would lose their benefits. Usda reports that in 2017, the prevalence of Food Insecurity among those in ohio were higher than the national average. 3. 7 of ohioans were food insecure in 2017 compared to 1237b9 nationally. Even usda admits the proposed changes for snap would make Food Insecurity worse and make it hard for millions of americans to get by. Most notably it would remove the current flexibility for states and territories to use bbce to tailor snap to best meet the food needs of their own populations. Republicans love to talk about states rights when it suits them but when it comes to the flexibility of states to meet the needs of food insecure population, then they want something very different. As the economy continues to leave working families in our and our most vulnerable behind, programs like snap are needed more than ever. Congress already debated these issues. We came together and rejected this policy both in 2014 and 2018 farm bills with a record a record bipartisan vote. This proposed rule is shameful and cruel and contrary to the will of congress. This unilateral action by the administration only complicates legitimate bipartisan efforts to make programs like snap more effective and efficient for millions of people who rely on it to put food on the table. I thank congresswoman fudge for her remarks and i am going to put the rest of those remarks into the record. I would note that in may of 20 that may 22, 2019, i sent my own governor of the Virgin Islands a letter reminding him of the need for us to speak out on the proposed rule that would recalculate how we measure poverty, a move that wouldic it more than likely to result in reducing the Eligibility Criteria for individuals an removing people off certain federal programs that are meant to assist poor and lowincome families. I ask unanimous consent to place that in the record, along with the letter of my colleague. Additionally we have aarp as well as the United States conference of mayors that have written in, written into the Comment Period to just speak out against, in opposition to the proposed rule changes by this administration. The speaker pro tempore without objection, so ordered. Ms. Plaskett may i ask the remaining time that i have . The speaker pro tempore the gentlewoman has 32 more minutes. Ms. Plaskett wonderful. President trumps latest attempt to slash snap would be harmful for americans across the country but certain communities face particular risk. Six of the groups that trumps proposed rules would hit hardest include Rural Communities, black and latinx america, people with disabilities, people with criminal records that are trying to move on, those in the lgbtq community, women, in Rural Communities given that 76 of rural adults report that good jobs are scarce in their areas, Rural Communities will be among the hardest hit by trumps proposed rule. As it would tie states hands andry move the flexibility they need to help residents of high unemployment areas put food on the table. Indeed, while urban areas experience a net gain of 3. 6 million jobs from 2007 to 2015, rural areas lost 400,000 jobs during that time. Meaning that many rural areas have struggled to recover from the great recession. Additionally in black communities, black and hispanic households are especially likely to be food insecure and thus disproportionately rely on snap to help them meet basic needs, accounting for about 30 and nearly 20 of snap benefits in 2016 respectively. This this is due in large part to the systemic barriers that africanamericans and Latin Americans face to building wealth, purchasing homes, accessing education, and escaping poverty. Poverty rates in these communities are more than double those in white america. And black Unemployment Rate is still more than twice that of white workers. Despite what is spoken of in the white house. In 2016 black americans median wealth was only 13,406 compared with 142,000 for white americans. People with disabilities, the proposed rule purports to apply only to ablebodied adults without dependents. What does that mean . But many of the more than 11 Million People with disabilities who receive snap assistance could lose that assistance under the rule. As people who face limited work capacity due to disability or poor health are regularly misclassified as ablebodied for the purposes of snap. In fact, based on analysis by the centers on budget and policy priorities, the author estimates that 12 of snap recipients age 18 to 59 have at least one physical, functional or work limitation, but are not counted as disabled under snap. People with criminal records, the proposed rule particularly harms people who come into contact with the criminal justice system. Nearly nine in 10 employers use criminal background checks in hiring. This means that even an old minor criminal record can serve as a life sentence to poverty and joblessness. As a result, the Unemployment Rate among formerly incarcerated individuals is approximately 27 . Whats more, one study shows formerly of incarcerated individuals remain unemployed one year following their release. By helping people put food on the table, while they get back on their feet, snap is a owerful tool for supporting, reentry. Supporting compounded by the substantial barriers they already face, recidivism rates increase. Taking snap away from workers is as they struggle to rebuild their lives and reenter the labor market would thus directly undercut the bipartisan gains that the president and congress say they support in the first step act. The lgbtq people. Trumps proposed rule would also be particularly burdensome for the lgbtq community. According to a 2017 nationally representative cap study, lgbtq people are more than twice as likely as nonlgbtq people to receive snap benefits. With 26 of lgbtq women and 18 of men reporting that they or their families received snap. The disproportionate receipt of benefits is just one reason that this rule would be particularly burdensome for the lgbtq community. The rule would especially be harm those workers because theyre especially likely to face labor market barriers that make it more difficult for them to find employment. Women. Women make up 2 3 of the lowwage work force, making them especially likely to face the unstable schedules that would be punished by the trumps proposed punitive time limits. In addition to the challenges of lowwage work, women are disproportionately likely to be caregivers, including caring for people who may not be considered dependent under trumps proposed snap rule. For example, women are nearly 1. 4 times more likely than men to provide unpaid care and help to people who live outside of their home. While women struggle to manage the challenges of an unstable work and care giving, they are also more likely to face Workplace Discrimination than men. For example, nearly 36 of women who file Sexual Harassment charges from 2012 to 2016 claimed that they faced retaliation as a result. Such as their employers forcing them out of their jobs or reducing their hours. Therefore, women who face discrimination may be more likely to be subject to the proposed rule. Africanamericans on average have the lowest Household Incomes among all racial ethnic groups, except native americans. The poverty rate for africanamericans is almost two times greater than the general u. S. Population. This is in fact issues these are in fact issues that we all face and should be aware of. Snap is a powerful Antipoverty Program for all people. In a typical month in 2017, snap helped about 13 million africanamericans put sufficient food on the table. Its benefits lifted about 2. 1 million africanamericans, including one million children, above the poverty line in 2015. Snap also kept 1. 2 million africanamericans out of deep poverty, above half of the poverty line that year. Approximately 20 billion in snap benefits, about 30 of the total, went to africanamerican households in fiscal year 2016. On average, africanamerican households that participate in ap receive 260 in snap each year. Just 260. A typical participanting africanamerican family of three has an average monthly income of 940 or 46 of the postline. With their snap benefit, the average for a family of three is added to the cash income, total monthly income rises by 29 . Or 1,330. But this is just an example of what this administration is doing. One, going against what this congress has already proposed and agreed to, bipartisan support, getting something across the line, bringing it to the president s desk, he signs it, and then through the administration, agencies or executive order, attempting to slash at the authority of this body, of this first branch of government, to in fact make laws. I know that firsthand, as that is exactly whats happening right now in the Virgin Islands, with the Disaster Relief funding that this body came up with. We recall that this body decided that it was in fact going to give the territories moneys for Disaster Relief, and now were facing femaa guidance delays on new resiliency and rebuilding provisions. Additionally, fema denying local administration a femapermanent housing reconstruction programs, fema not willing to advance funding for major recovery projects, taking too long to approve major work sheets. H. U. D. Delaying releasing cdbg Recovery Funding and segregating it from the rest of the country. Action plan for unmet needs was approved in march 1, but still no Grant Agreement six months later. Two years after the hurricanes. Fema administrations denying cost share waivers on fema aid, which was given to the catrina area, refusal to exercise clear Statutory Authority to do this for the Virgin Islands. This is what this administration appears to be doing. Allowing congress to come up with bipartisan legislation, whether it be snap, assistance to farmers, food programs, Disaster Relief, having bipartisan support in both chambers, getting across the line, signing it and then undercutting it, undermining this body, undermining the democratic process that is in place. We must do something about it. In january of 1865, when Union General william t. Sherman issued an order to allocate 40 acres to each freedman, black ministers who lobbied for the policy envisioned vibrant, selfgoverned black communities dotting the southern countryside. Unfortunately, president Andrew Johnsons revocation of this order later that year and the institution of jim crow regime after reconstruction left rural black americans to build their farming communities from scratch. It wouldnt be the first time the u. S. Government worked to undermine black farmers and it certainly wasnt the last. Were seeing that even today. Yet even in the face of broken promises, not to mention the violence and discrimination aimed at black farmers, and black americans by white landowners and lenders, those farms secured a foothold in american agriculture. At the height of black farming n 1920, black farmers operated 1 7 of all s, about farm operations in the United States. Today, going from 1 7, as of 2012 black farmers make up less than 2 of all farmers. In the Virgin Islands, we recognize this. The u. S. Department of agriculture has a long and welldocumented history of discrimination against black farmers. The Unequal Administration of Government Farm support programs, crucial to protecting farmers from an inherently risky enterprise, has had a profound impact on Rural Communities of color. We have got to stay on this administration to make sure that all americans have a fair shot, not only at food and Food Security through snap, but also to ensure that those farmers, American Farmers, particularly minority farmers, have a fair shot at being part of that food production. We know that in the Virgin Islands, our farmers farm very small acreage of land. But were hoping and looking for the support of usda, to live to their example and the ideal that they are there to support farmers, not to undermine them. They are there to support not just the commodities, but to those specialty crop workers, those smaller farmers who are providing food and suftnence to mericans here in this country. Sustenance to americans here in this country. E know that fresh food is sustenance to americans here in this country. We know that fresh food is the best schooler to our food for our children as part of the school lunch program. And we must expand the support from the farm to the school room programs. That programs that allow local farmers to be the ones to provide the food for those School Programs that are in place. And not allow the administration to undercut any part of the process. We know that the Congressional Black Caucus will be vigilant and ensuring that this administration does not cross the line. And we will be vigilant in bringing to the American People the message that this congress will not sit back and allow any administration, democrat, republican, anybody to shirk their responsibility to the American People. As the conscience of the congress, that is our charge. And we will continue to do that work. I yield back the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentlewoman yields back the balance of her time. Does the gentlewoman from the Virgin Islands have a motion . Ms. Plaskett madam speaker, we move to adjourn. The speaker pro tempore the question is on the motion to adjourn. Those in favor say aye. Those opposed, no. The ayes have it. The motion is adopted. Accordingly, the house stands adjourned until 10 00 am tomorrow for morning hour deabout a a. M. Tomorrow for morning hour debate