States International Leadership in 5g act as amended. The speaker pro tempore the clerk will report the title of the bill. The clerk h. R. 3763 a bill to direct the discriminate to provide assistance and Technical Expertise to enhance the representation and leadership of the United States at International Standards setting bodies that set standards for fifth and future generations, mobile, Telecommunications Systems and infrastructure, and for other purposes. The speaker pro tempore pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from neverauskas, ms. Titus, and the gentleman from texas, mr. Mccaul, each will control 20 minutes. The chair recognizes the gentlewoman from neverauskas. Ms. Titus thank you. I ask unanimous consent that all members may have five legislative days to revise and and include remarks extraneous material on h. R. 3763. The speaker pro tempore without objection. Ms. Titus 00 on that i yield myself such time as i may consume. The speaker pro tempore the gentlewoman is recognized. Ms. Titus mr. Speaker, let me start by thanking our Ranking Member on the Foreign Affairs committee, mr. Mccaul of texas, for his hard work on the bill we are considering. In the years ahead, mr. Speaker, 5g will revolutionize the way we use technology. The way people interact with wireless devices will change draw matly dramatically. Massive economic benefits but only if were able to take advantage of them. There will also be risks. As people become more dependent n Wireless Communications and generate even more data about themselves in how they live bring with, 5g will it substantial national ecurity, cybersecurity, and privacy challenges. Massive networks in the United States and allied countries vulnerable to spying eyes and cyberattacks. There is the universal agreement on both sides of the aisle that american essential as l be we transition to 5g technology, on the seize opportunities and guard against the risk. We have four bills on the floor address the future expansion of 5g acrossmunication systems the United States and around the world. These bills will protect consumers, strengthen our National Security and that allies and help make sure the United States is taking all the steps necessary to pave the a 5g future that enhances our lives, brings us together, and protects against anyone who wants to technology for harm. The bill before us, the promoting United States in 5g ional leadership act, will help chart that path forward. Requires the on development of a strategy to at ote American Leadership internation International Standard setting bodies for 5g. Across ts our agencies the government to assess security risks posed by chinas this area, and it increases cooperation between he u. S. And its allies and partners in identifying and countering those risks. Start in what nt will be a massive undertaking for our government and our sector. I am pleased to support it, and i reserve the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from texas is recognized. Mr. Mccaul i rise today in support of my promoting United StatesInternational Leadership in 5g act. Which im pleased to introduce with my good friend, mr. Cuellar, also from the great state of texas. Texas is home to many leading Technology Communication companies and is an innovation hub. Cuttingedge Technology Like 5g holds the promise to create millions of jobs and add hundreds of billions of dollars to the United States economy. The standards which are set at the International Bodies such as the i. T. U. And the 3gpp are critical to the future of 5g. They establish a uniform criterion across devices, markets, and more. For example, the standards are the reason that your u. S. B. Memory stick fits into any u. S. B. Port on any device. For years these standards were adopted on merit. However, over the last few years china has been using coercive and underhanded tactics at International Bodies to adopt Chinese Technology in 5g standards. These efforts are unfairly benefit Chinese Companies and empower the communist party of china. The 2018 report to congress by the u. S. China economic and security review commission, states, quote, the Chinese Government is encouraging its companies to play a great role in international 5g standard organizations to ensure they set global standards. Such leadership may result in higher revenues and exports from internationally accepted intellectual property and technology and more global influence over future Wireless Technology and standards development. End of quote. My bill will ensure that the u. S. Maintains and in some cases increases leadership at the International Standards setting bodies. Specifically it creates an international orking group to provide assistance and Technical Expertise to enhance our representation leadership on these bodies. Additionally, my bill will create strategies for increasing engagement with our ally partners and the private sectors. These strategies will help increase the United States leadership in the global race to develop and deploy 5g and future generations of mobile Telecommunication Systems and infrastructure. Finally, my bill will provide an assessment of chinese activities at those International Bodies. This assessment will help us to ensure the standards setting bodies are not unduly influenced to adopt standards that unfairly advantage communist party of china, second and supported Companies Like huawei. China seeks to control Critical Industries and infrastructure by making them reliant on chinese technologies. These Chinese Companies are beholden to the laws and regulations in china that demand cooperation with chinese Intelligence Services. The free flow of information and security of a countrys data cannot be guaranteed using communist party of china supplied technology. There are credible reports of china taking advantage of Network Equipment supplied by its companies for intelligence advantage that date back from almost two decades. Therefore, mr. Speaker, its imperative that the United States leads at the standard settings organizations so we are not beholden to communist party of china control technologies that will severely impact the freedoms and securities that we value here in the United States. And i will say the war on 5g is on. Some would argue in the i. C. We are losing that war. And we need to compete with china and we need to win. This bill will go a long ways towards the United States taking the lead and backing the communist Chinese Party from its Intelligence Service data collection. I urge support and i reserve the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman reserves. The gentlewoman from neverauskas is recognized. Ms. Titus thank you. I now ask unanimous consent for ms. Spanberger to control the remainder of my time. The speaker pro tempore without objection. Ms. Spanberger the gentlewoman from virginia is recognized. Ms. Spanberger thank you very much, mr. Speaker. I yield two minutes to mr. Cuellar. Mr. Cuellar thank you, mr. Speaker. I also want to thank chairwoman for yielding to me and bringing this measure to the floor. I want to thank chairman engel also. I also want to thank my good friend from texas, Ranking Member michael mccaul, for his leadership on this particular issue and for making this bill a bipartisan bill which is very important thing to do. This Bipartisan Legislation will enhance the leadership of the United States at the International Standard setting bodies for 5g mobile Telecom Systems and infrastructure. As we all know, and as has been mentioned, china is the most active power when it comes to industrial espionage and theft of intellectual property and actions against nations regimes. We certainly see this as a threfment once chinas 5g technology has been installed in a country, china owns that nations data, including personal information of its people. This results in unacceptable National Security risks and endangers allied information sharing. Market Analysis Shows that 5g technologies will create, if we do this ourselves here, will create up to three million new american jobs and add over 500 million billion to the countrys to our countrys gross domestic product. This bill aims to increase cooperation between the United States and allies and partners in identifying and countering this risk from china. Furthermore, this bill will increase americas Global Leadership on a 5g technology and provide an alternative to chinas dangerous staterun companies which currently dominate the 5g market. I want to say, i want to thank the Ranking Member, mr. Mccaul, chairman engel for doing this Bipartisan Legislation. Again we got to make sure that our priorities are clear when it comes to facing this danger. With that i would ask all the members to support this legislation. With that i yield back the balance of my time. Ms. Spanberger i reserve. The speaker pro tempore the gentlelady reserves. The gentleman from texas is recognized. Mr. Mccaul thank you, madam speaker. Im pleased to yield three minutes to my good friend, the gentleman from north carolina, mr. Meadows. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized. Mr. Meadows thank you, madam speaker. I thank the gentleman for his leadership on this important piece of legislation. I rise in support of it. I can tell you there are a number of comments that are often made about texas. We see that we have got mr. Mccaul, weve got mr. Cuellar, weve got others behind me from texas. One of those is that everything is bigger in texas. But the more appropriate line here is, dont mess with texas. This legislation is all about making sure that our National Security is put first and foremost at the highest priority to make sure that we are competing internationally, right now, right now our chinese counterparts at huawei are deploying this kind of technology in countries that we would normally associate as our allies. Mr. Mccaul is right, in not only leading on this piece of legislation, but to stress the importance of competing now. In part of my district we are looking for 1g, not 5g. We are just hoping for some kind of cellular service. But i can tell you the country who builds it first will win on the National Security level. They will win because consumers are looking for that next generation of technology as we become more dependent and reliant on our cell phones. Additionally, we have reports that would suggest that some of the people working for huawei right now actually work for the Chinese Government as well. That it is not an independent company. In fact, not only are they working for the Chinese Government, but they are also working in cyber for the Chinese Government and we somehow think that this is going to work out well for the United States of america . It is time that we act. It is time that we come together. I want to applaud the gentlewoman opposite for her willingness to work and for chairman engel and mr. Cuellar to come together in a bipartisan manner. We need to act. Time is slipping away. If we dont act, there will be great repercussions. Not only for consumers, but for our National Security interests. So it is with that that i proudly urge support. I thank the gentleman for his leadership. I yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from texas reserves. The gentlelady from virginia is recognized. Ms. Spanberger i reserve. The speaker pro tempore the gentlelady reserves. The gentleman from texas is recognized. Mr. Mccaul yes, madam speaker. Im pleased to yield two minutes to the gentleman from the great state of texas. The speaker pro tempore another texan is recognized. Thank you, madam speaker. Im honored to rise today in support of a critical piece of legislation, the promoting United StatesInternational Leadership in 5g act. I want to thank my friend and colleague from the texas 10th district. There is no doubt information and technology hold immense power. It is amazing to be in the same uilding where the very first morse code tell gram was received so long ago here in this building. Mr. Taylor as america builds on that legacy of technology, we have an opportunity to help lead the next global revolution. Industry 4. 0. An era of artificial intelligence, autonomous vehicles, 3d printing, and cloud computing. Im proud to represent an area, north texas, that plays an instrumental role in developing 5g. Its imperative that we establish an environment in which american businesses can thrive. One of the Guiding Companies forward in north texas is erickson and their north american Corporate Headquarters with 3,000 employees is in the Third District of texas. They are investing in research and development and partnering with other strategy strategic american players to accelerate 5g commercialization. Americas leadership begins now and we cant allow opportunities to shape the International Conversation pass us by. Which is why this legislation here today is so important. H. R. 3763 will ensure america has a seat at the table when it comes to determining the Global Telecom standards that this era will operate within. Im proud to represent north texas district with business taking an active role in 5g development. I want to again thank my colleague, mike mccaul. Appreciate your leadership on this important issue. Madam speaker, i yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from texas reserves. The gentlelady from virginia is recognized. Ms. Spanberger i reserve. The speaker pro tempore the gentlelady reserves. The gentleman from texas is recognized. Mr. Mccaul madam speaker, im pleased to yield two minutes to the gentleman from the Foreign Affairs committee, from florida, mr. Yoho. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized. Mr. Yoho thank you, madam speaker. Mr. Chairman, thank you. I rise today in support of h. R. 3763, the promoting United StatesInternational Leadership on the 5g act of 2019. I want to thank my colleague, Ranking Member, mr. Mccaul, for his work on this piece of important legislation. Chinese staterun companies are investing in the fifth generation or 5g Network Development and are seeking to dominate the Global Market in this space. This is an issue because the future of businesses, government service, medical services, consumer services, and much more will rely on 5g network. By 2035, its expected that the 5g technologies will create 12. 3 trillion in sales activity, and support 22 million jobs around the globe. Having chinese staterun 5g networks powering our lives puts america and our allys security at risk and give china access to the daily data on people around the world. This should alarm all of us and cannot be accepted. Our daily lives rely on networks now more than ever and the demands for advanced networks will only continue to increase. The specialist things we use every day even in refrigerators continue to be modified to need network connection. By full development, 5g should be able to power every network need in life. Further, 5g by design is meant to help power business equipment from things like Farm Equipments that do not need constant connections but will need 5g data transmitted frequently. This is why its so essential in this piece of legislation is so important and High Pressure this is a starting point and a point we can jump from not to just rely on 5g but to jump forward and leapfrog to 10g. I applaud this legislation because its great start. Thank you. I yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from texas reserves. The gentlelady from virginia is recognized. Ms. Spanberger i reserve. The speaker pro tempore the gentlelady reserves. The gentleman from texas is recognized. Mr. Mccaul im prepared to close. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized. For decades china has been infiltrating the United States, espionage, intellectual property theft. I know the issue today is iran. When i asked the secretary of state whats the greatest threat to the United States long term, its china. We have to compete with china. We can say they are a bad actor, but we have to compete. And when it comes to artificial intelligence, to quantum computing, and, yes, to 5g, if we cant compete, we lose long term. The next generation is counting on us to win this race. When i look at 5g, madam speaker, theyre moving in ou look at the global map, theyre moving from 4g to 5g right 50 of the globe now. What happens when the chinese come into a developing nation nd they plant their cheap telecommunications into the ground . Countrys ll the data. They steal all the data, and reason. It for a because long term they want to dominate. We have to compete with this. Win. Ve to this is equivalent to we had a space race to the moon. Equivalent now to, its Digital Space race, a Digital Space race against the chinese to winagainst espionage, against theft of intellectual the rty, and to win for american people. Ms. Want to thank spanberger for working with my office on this important measure. Know shes very involved in the 5g issue, and i applaud hat, being from the intelligence community, she knows how important this is. A is refreshing to have bipartisan moment in this chamber. I think thats what most people, doing ns want us to be right now, and i look forward to its passage. With that i yield back. The speaker pro tempore the back. Man yields the gentlelady from virginia is recognized. M ms. Spanberger i yield myself such time as i may consume. The speaker pro tempore the gentlewoman is recognized. Spanberger the way evolve and ould shape our lives, with the advent of 5g, were preparing to take massive leap forward and we need to be ready for it. Even with todays technology, we poised by hostile governments and criminal networks and those who seek to security, disrupt our commerce, exploit our personal information. 5g, those risks are even greater, and we cannot stand on anysidelines while china or other power determines how this technology will be developed and managed. To be here today in support of the efforts, the that we have orts made in this body to push up against the threats and the we see. Es i am proud to join with my colleague, mr. Mccaul. Leadership for his on this very important issue. The bills that we are mccauls ng today, mr. Bill, in in particular, will help en in particular, will help ensure our government is on this now as this 5g is taking shape. I support this measure. Urge all of my colleagues to do the same, and i yield back the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the back. Lady yields the question is will the house suspend the rules and pass the 3763, as amended. Those in favor say aye. Those opposed, no. In the opinion of the chair, 2 3 having responded in the affirmative, the rules are suspended, the bill is passed, and without objection, the motion to reconsider is laid on the table. Without objection, the title is amended. The speaker pro tempore for the gentleladyes from new york seek recognition . Ms. Velazquez madam speaker, i move that the house suspend the pass the bill h. R. 5078, as amended. Withoutker pro tempore objection. The clerk will report the title of the bill. He clerk h. R. 5078, a bill to amend the Small Business act to provide reentry ntrepreneurship counseling and Training Services for incarcerated individuals, and for other purposes. He speaker pro tempore pursuant to the rule, the gentlelady from new york, ms. Velazquez, and the gentleman chabot, each will control 20 minutes. The chair now recognizes the new york, ms. Velazquez. Ms. Velazquez thank you, madam speaker. Allk unanimous consent that members may have five legislative days in which to remarks d extend their and include extraneous material on the measure under consideration. The speaker pro tempore without objection. Ms. Velazquez thank you, madam speaker. I yield myself such time as i consume. The speaker pro tempore the gentlelady is recognized. Ms. Velazquez today, we will four bipartisan bills that were unanimously approved Small BusinessCommittee Last november. Wo of the bills will provide Entrepreneurship Training to individuals in prison and postrelease. Other two bills will make meaningful improvements to that cting programs supports Small Businesses. Rise today in support of h. R. Proprietorship act, as amended. I introduced this bill with my ood friend and colleague, mr. Chabot, the Ranking Member of the Small Business committee. Am pleased to be leading this important effort with the Ranking Member. We have worked together over the and have made Great Strides in helping americas 30 entrepreneurs launch and grow their Small Businesses. With this bill, we have an meaningful to make a difference in peoples lives. This legislation will require s. B. A. s Resource Partners to provide entrepreneurship individuals in federal prisons through ntensive, in depth classroom instruction combined with mentoring. Small Business DevelopmentWomen Development centers who provide training nearly at nearly 1,000 locations across the ountry are poised and well positioned to carry out this service in federal prisons. Ast fall, the Small Business ommittee held a hearing to learn more about the role entrepreneurship can play in overcoming barriers to formerly for the incarcerated. We learned that despite steps to and improve our criminal system the formerly incarcerated had significant from reentering reentering the workforce. Be hired because of restrictions in certain industries. Testimony before the Small Business committee a witness said he thought when he got out of prison and served his time he will be able to move on and have life. Nd chance in sadly, that was not the case. A soon realized someone with felony conviction could be legally discriminated against in housing, employment, public benefits, and voting rights. These impediments can prove difficult to overcome. Shown that an estimated 60 of these remained employed a year after release. Recidivism rates tend to be higher for those individuals who lack employment. 272 262,000 offenders who were released from federal 2002 and 2006, 50 of those who could not find crime or itted a new were sent back to prison. However, 93 of those who were able to secure employment were to successfully reintegrate back into society. Providing a pathway to entrepreneurship has the empower the formerly incarcerated who are of the labor market to start and grow their own businesses. Focus on hat leadership skills, financial business developing a plan, and Building Networks have reduce ntial to recidivism, provide a great leading investment by to economic expansion and face the save the taxpayers millions of dollars. He legislation has the support of 10 Small Business groups, including america Small Business the opment center, association of womens business enters, score, Small Business majority, the national Small Business association, among others. Members to support this bipartisan bill, and i reserve the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentlelady reserves. The gentleman from ohio is recognized. Thank you, madam speaker. I yield myself such time as i may consume. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized. Mr. Chabot thank you. I rise in support of 5078, the to proprietorship act, as amended. Idre i speak on this bill, like to thank chairwoman velazquez for continuing our business in the Small Committee that we had over ecent years of emphasizing bipartisanship. We thank her for that. Its democrats and republicans to pass ogether legislation which is beneficial to the vast majority of americans, whatever their political inclinations may be. Its something we have been for years on the committee. I want to thank her for that. Four strong e have bills coming out of the Small Business committee. Ur first two bills focus on fostering entrepreneurship among he soontobe or formerly incarcerated. Last fall we held a hearing that featured compelling testimony power of entrepreneurship and how that power can help people looking to back on track after having been incarcerated. These individuals typically face rates of unemployment than any other segment of our not surprisingly, really. Providing worthy individuals an entrepreneurial spirit not only helps them react will mate to society reacclimate to society, it acrosss many communities this nation. The bureau of justice statistics reports that almost half of all prisoners, unfortunately, are without access to vocational programs. And studies show that inmates ho go through Vocational Training programs are much more less likely to commit additional they get out. So it just makes sense for us to mphasize these training programs. This bill directs the association of womens business the association of Small Business development reentry coordinate Entrepreneurship Services by providing counseling and services that focus on individuals who have been ncarcerated in a federal prison. This bill will create a pathway to bealified exoffenders successful contributing members of society. And i would urge my colleagues the bill and reserve the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman reserves. The gentlelady from new york is recognized. Ms. Velazquez madam speaker, i have no further speakers, and i am prepared to close if the doesnt have any further speakers. The speaker pro tempore the gentlelady reserves. Mr. Chabot yes, ill close at time. The chair the gentleman from the speaker pro tempore the gentleman from ohio is recognized. Mr. Chabot we have no members this g time to speak on particular bill. We want to thank the gentlelady from new york for working with us on collaborating with this important legislation. I urge my colleagues to support thatBipartisan Legislation can help unlock the power of epreneur slip entrepreneurship for people who are about to be incarcerated or have been. Makes sense to give them a more or get out, commit crimes, which will harm society as well as mess their lives up, obviously, severely as well. This legislation is something that we can we have it before us. We can pass it. Its good for the country, and i urge my colleagues to support it. I yield back. The speaker pro tempore the back. Man yields the gentlelady from new york is recognized. Ms. Velazquez thank you, madam speaker. I yield myself such time as i consume. As the Flagship Agency tasked with supporting entrepreneurs Small Businesses, the s. B. A. Can play a pivotal role in Entrepreneurship Training in federal prisons. Sponsoring to be this legislation which will provide meaningful opportunities and hope for those who are committed to rebuilding their are locked out of the labor market. The legislation will go a long creating more jobs on main street with the added reducing recidivism. I thank Ranking Member chabot and his staff for working with path forward for those who have served time and repaid their debt to society. Just would like to add, with pieces of legislation we have marked in my committee, and the many hearings that we conducted in our committee, his has been one of the most rewarding, moving experience, and we all should be proud of with a second e chance. I urge my colleagues to support legislation. T i yield back the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentlelady yields back. The house n is will suspend the rules and pass the amended. 5078, as those in favor say aye. No. E opposed, in the opinion of the chair, 2 3 having responded in the affirmative ask elazquez on that i for the yeas and nays. He speaker pro tempore the yeas and nays are requested. All those in favor of taking this vote by the yeas and nays and remain standing until counted. A sufficient number having arisen, the yeas and nays are ordered. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule 20, further proceedings on this uestion will be postponed. The speaker pro tempore for what purpose does gentlelady new york seek recognition . Ms. Velazquez i move the house suspend the rules and pass h. R. 5065. The clerk Union Calendar number 273, h. R. 5065, a bill to amend the Small Business act to provide rei have entry, counseling and Training Services for formerly incarcerated individuals and for other purposes. The speaker pro tempore pursuant to the rule, the gentlelady from new york, ms. Velazquez, and the gentleman from ohio, mr. Chabot will each control 20 minutes. Ms. Velazquez i ask unanimous consent that all members may have five legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the measure under consideration. The speaker pro tempore without objection. Ms. Velazquez thank you, madam speaker. I yield myself such time as i may consume. The speaker pro tempore the gentlelady is recognized. Ms. Velazquez i rise in support h. R. 5065 the prison to proprietorship to the formerly incarted act. I commend mr. Jeffries of new york and the gentleman from tennessee for their commitment and dedication to providing opportunities to the formerly incarcerated and giving them a chance to bring their Business Ideas to peruishon and in turn offering hope for a better life. After paying their debt to society, former inmates return to their communities with hopes and goals of starting fresh. Unfortunately for numerous reasons, many are locked out of the labor market. It is my firm belief that entrepreneurship is a great way to help individuals overcome the barriers to reentering the work force. And for the formerly incarcerated, it can be the difference between successfully reintegrating back into the community or returning to prison. This bill complements the prison to proprietorship bill, by quiring the Service Corps to provide Entrepreneurship Training via mentoring, work shops or training videos to individuals upon their release from federal prison. The mentororship will help launch Small Businesses and the work shops will connect them with a community and Small Business owners. As ben franklin once said, teach me and i may remember. Embold me, and i will learn. Interviewership can be one of the best options for gainful employment and score with more than 300 chapters across the country and the nations Largest Network of expert business meantors uniquely positioned to teach and provide this business vice those reentering society. I urge members to support this bipartisan piece of legislation and i reserve. The speaker pro tempore the gentlelady reserves. The gentleman from ohio is recognized. Mr. Chabot i yield myself such time as i may consume. Rise in support the prison to proprietorship act. As our Committee Heard last fall, up to 60 of people released from prison will remain unemployed after a year. Its not surprising then that half of all former inmates commit another crime after they have been another crime. This is not good for them and certainly not good for society. We want these former prisoners to be constructive members of our communities. Small Business Ownership can provide steady employment to nonviolent individuals, which can drastically lower the risk. This bill, h. R. 5065, the prison to pro bright orship act directs the sab administrator to work with the bureau of prisons to provide counseling and Training Services for those who have served time in a federal prison. This counseling will be conducted by score, a resource partner of the sab and Largest Network of expert business meantors with more than 10,000 volunteers in 300 chapters. I thank the gentleman from tennessee and the gentleman from new york, for their bipartisan work on this bill. And i reserve. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman reserves the balance of his time. The gentlelady from new york is recognize dollars. Ms. Velazquez i yield to mr. Jeffries, the chief sponsor of the bill. Mr. Jeffries i thank my good friend from the great state of work and the chairwoman of the Small Business committee for yielding and for her tremendous leadership. I rise in support of h. R. 5065, e prison to proprietorship act. Here in america, we have a mass incarceration epidemic. Last congress, we worked in a bipartisan fashion to pass the First Step Act, to help propel formerly incarcerated individuals towards success when they return home to reduce resiffdism and save taxpayer dollars. The First Step Act was just that, the first step. Thats why together we introduced the prison to pro bright or ship to formerly incarcerated act to address the many challenges faced by returning citizens. This bill is designed to make sure that formerly incarcerated individuals can use their godgiven skills, talent and ability to bring business and entrepreneurial activities to life in their communities. While our federal bureau system, there are incarcerated individuals who have the same intellect, same ability and the same resiliencey as some of the most successful people on wall street. Back at home in new york. But the difference between them can often be as simple as a lack of opportunity, not a lack of entrepreneurial spirit. That is what this legislation is designed to change. This bill will make sure we provide opportunities to those who have been left behind. It is designed to make sure that the American Dream is accessible for formerly incarcerated individuals, their families and their communities. This effort, of course, is consistent with our core value here in america where we believe that hard work and dedication should be rewarded and that opportunities should be available to everyone. H. R. 5065 directs the Service Corps of retired executives, otherwise known as score, to provide mentoring, work shops and training videos on how to launch and grow a Small Business. It would provide individualized business mentoring to support the development of Business Plans and entrepreneurial growth for recipients of prison to proprietorship services for a year after their lease, connect these individuals with networks and resources and identify opportunities to access capital. I would like to thank chairwoman velazquez and Ranking Member member chabot of the Small Business committee for their tremendous leadership. Want to thank the lead republican, representative burchett from tennessee, for his great leadership. Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. But teach him to fish, and you feed him for a lifetime. That is what this effort ultimately is all about. I urge my colleagues to vote yes h. R. 5065 and lift up formerly incarcerated returning citizens by providing them with entrepreneurial resources. I yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentlelady reserves. The gentleman from ohio is recognized. Mr. Chabot i now would like to yield to the gentleman from tennessee, mr. Burchett, and thank hill for his leadership on this legislation. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized. Mr. Burchett thank you, madam speaker. I rise in support of the prison to pro brightorship, legislation i was proud to author with representative jeffries and i appreciate the kind words. Some individuals have paid their debt to society deserve a Second Chance at success and includes giving folks a shot at entrepreneurialship. There are counseling and Training Services for incarcerated individuals who want to start their own Small Business. Im a Firm Believer in giving folks the opportunity to succeed and this bill makes sure those people have the resources to do so. I urge members to support this piece of legislation. I thank representative jeffries for his efforts as Ranking Member chabot and chairwoman velazquez. I want to thank you for your leadership on the Small Business committee in helping this bill come to the floor. I appreciate you reaching out and Ranking Member chabot and i appreciate your mentorship and having a wet behind the ear freshman. I i yield back. The speaker pro tempore the the gentleman from ohio reserves. Ms. Velazquez i yield two minutes to the gentleman from illinois, mr. Schneider. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized. Mr. Schneider i rise today in support of h. R. 5065 the prison to proprietorship for formerly incarcerated act of which im proud to be a cosponsor. Empowering the formerly incarcerated with the skills to start their own Small Businesses can be a powerful benefit both for the individuals and their communities by creating Economic Opportunity, entrepreneurship has the power to break the cycle of incarceration and. I want to thank my colleagues for introducing this Bipartisan Legislation. I have long been a proponent of Small Business administrations Score Program and how it helps Small Businesses expand and grow. Mentorship can play a vital role in the success of entrepreneurs and citizens returning to society after serving time face unique challenges in trying to start their own Small Businesses. This would expand the Score Programming to help the formerly incarcerated. I know this legislation would have a positive impact in my district. Our Small BusinessDevelopment Center based out of the college in lake county is in the process in conjumpings with the local county squail of offering Entrepreneurship Training to a cohort of inmates. Im proud of the initiative and in particular, its director, for what he has done undertaking, designing and authoring this programming. I look forward to hearing the Success Stories of these inmates and im excited to pu push this bill forward because this will provide mentorship that will be instrumental to their success. No one starts a successful business on their own. Score can be invaluable with the help necessary to making the dream a reality. Thank you again to my colleague, mr. Burchett, and mr. Jeffries, for the work you have done on this important bill. I urge my colleagues to vote yes. And i yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentlelady reserves. The gentleman from ohio. Mr. Chabot i have no further members seeking time and im prepared to close. Ms. Velazquez i have no other speakers. The speaker pro tempore the gentlelady reserves. Mr. Chabot well continue to reserve. Ms. Velazquez i yield two minutes to the gentlelady from horn. A, ms. Ms. Horn thank you, chairwoman and Ranking Member and to representatives jeffries and burchett, for big this important legislation forward. I rise today in strong support of h. R. 5065, the prison to proprietorship for formerly incarcerated act. Incarceration rates in the u. S. Are high. My home state has the highest rate of any in our county. According to a study, more than one in 100 oklahoma add utilities were in jail at any given time in 2018. The numbers are even more disturbing for africanamericans with nearly 1 in hour. High incarceration rates are are have economic and human costs. Communities lose so many individuals to incarceration. While congress has spent time focusing on how people end up in prison, we have not submitted enough time on focusing how to prevent formerly incarcerated individuals to returning. While we have made important steps to reduce the harsh prison sentences, releasing is one step in did he keysing incarceration rates. Employment after an individual is released from prison is the single most important predictor. But sadly, 75 of incarcerated individuals are still unemployed after a year of being released from prison causing them too often to resort to criminal activity leading back to prison. H. R. 5065 addresses the critical issue of employment and helps break this cycle by creating a program where Score Association and business counselors can mentor formerly incarcerated individuals. The coupleors provide them with Entrepreneurial Development training and work shops to utilize their skills and gain new experience to go into the workplace or run a business of their own. Helping individuals find a job and Career Opportunities after leaving prison is a critical step in addressing our nations high incarceration rate and ensuring those who went to prison dont return. Im proud to cosponsor this legislation and i encourage my colleagues to vote for h. R. 5065 and i yield back. Mr. Chabo mr. Chabot entrepreneurship has tools to to help overcome barriers for employment which they often face upon their release. Recidivism rates in america remain today unfortunately alarmingly high. Yet, entrepreneurship can be a pathway to success and an recidivism for the formerly incarcerated. This bill is designed to help reacclimate to their desire to start and own businesses. To support leagues this legislation and yield back the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back. The gentlelady from new york is recognized. Veldz velazquez thank you, madam speaker. Ms. Velazquez thank you, madam speaker. Entrepreneurship has been the edrock of american life, and its particularly important for those who have to overcome employment barriers. Todays legislation will provide opportunity and hope for those stiff challenges to employment. Y requiring score to provide mentorship to those who completed the prison to program, we can ensure the investment made for nprison instruction will be fully utilized upon release for those who hope to launch a Small Business. With the cost to incarcerate a federal inmate of nearly 100 a day, and more than 36,000 a makes economic sense to invest in training and give they need the tools to succeed. Thank both representative jeffries and burchett for leading this important effort. Also thank Ranking Member chabot and his staff for working with us to increase pportunities and resources for those who seek to rebuild their lives. I yield back the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentlelady yields back. The question is will the house suspend the rules and pass the h. R. 5065. Those in favor say aye. Those opposed, no. Chair, 2 3ion of the having responded in the affirmative, the rules are suspended, the bill is passed, and without objection, the motion to reconsider is laid on the table. For what purpose does the gentlelady from new york seek recognition . I. Velazquez madam speaker, move that the house suspend the rules and pass the bill h. R. 5130. The speaker pro tempore the clerk will report the title of the bill. The clerk Union Calendar number 285, h. R. 5130, a bill to amend the Small Business act to adjust employment size standard requirements for determining whether a manufacturing concern is a Small Business concern, and for other purposes. The speaker pro tempore pursuant to the rule, the gentlelady from new york, ms. Velazquez, and the gentleman ohio, mr. Chabot, will each control 20 minutes. The chair recognizes the ms. Eman from new york, velazquez. Ms. Velazquez thank you, madam speaker. I ask unanimous consent that all members may have five legislative days to revise and and include remarks material on the measure under consideration. The speaker pro tempore without objection. Speaker, iuez madam yield myself such time as i may consume. The speaker pro tempore the gentlelady is recognized. S. Velazquez i rise in 5130, which r. The calculation used to determine the size of a Small Business. By recognizing congressman veasey and commending him for his to our Small Business community. Mr. Veasey is a valued member of committee, usiness attest to and i unwavering o his work to Small Businesses. I am pleased he worked closely congressman hern to move this measure forward. For your both, collaboration. Its irrefutable that federal and size become larger and scope, one or two sizeable small ts can force a of the Small Business category prematurely. When this happens, small firms contracting o setasides and must compete firms much larger without having built the capacity to do so. Forced ll businesses into this situation have to restrained their growth or sale than compete in an imbalanced marketplace. Simply cannot let this to happen. Matter 0 addresses this by doubling the Employee Base insteadion to 24 months of the 12month standard currently being used. Just like the runway extension act, a companion bill, which 5130 last year, h. R. Helps us keep up with the contracting trends by alleviating the effects of sudden growth caused by a contract. H. R. 5130 grants small firms additional time to grow and mature. Provides parity between the benefits extended to hose subject to the employee and the base standards. Members to support this legislation, and i reserve the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentlelady reserves. The gentleman from ohio is recognized. Mr. Chabot thank you, madam speaker. I yield myself such time as i may consume. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized. Mr. Chabot thank you. Support of h. R. 5130, the capturing all small 2019. Sses act of our next two bills focus on longstanding goal of our increasing Small Business access to the federal marketplace. The. S. Government is largest purchaser of goods and services in the world. Very important that Small Businesses have ample opportunity to compete for contracts. A vibrant Small Business presence in federal contracting competition, increases quality, and most importantly, owers prices for the american taxpayer. All of these things are good. This Bipartisan Legislation will small firms r for to compete against larger firms. Bipartisan r, this legislation will increase our sma businesses and will encourage them to grow uccessfully and competitively into the midsized marketplace. Weve heard too many stories of successfully es providing significant value to the federal government and steady pace only to hit a wall once they grow out of threshold. Sized we need to ensure theres a pathway for sustained nations t for our small manufacturers, and this bill takes us a step in the right direction. To thank the gentleman from oklahoma, mr. Hern, and the gentleman from pennsylvania, mr. Joyce, and the gentleman from texas, mr. Veasey, who all worked together and showed great leadership on this issue and, again, did it in a bipartisan anner, so i thank all three of them. I urge its adoption and reserve the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman reserves. New york is y from recognized. Ms. Velazquez madam speaker, i yield as much time as he may consume to the gentleman from texas, mr. Veasey, a valued member of the Small Business ommittee and sponsor of the bill. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized. Mr. Veasey thank you. H. R. I rise in support of 5130, the capturing all Small Businesses act, bipartisan egislation that i sponsored to protect our nations Small Businesses against being out of the forced Small Business category due to sudden growth. Lengthens from 12 to 24 months the time period used by the s. B. A. To determine average number of employees a business has. Alongside revenues, the average on of the number of employees is one of the standards used by s. B. A. To if a business is still small. By extending s. B. A. s period for employeebased standards, congress recognizes that the 12month time frame can have detrimental effects on that have esses temporary spikes in employment. These additional 12 months factors, that many including large contracts or seasonal contracts and seasonal small ent can cause a business to take on extra mployees but only take them on temporarily. While in fact they are still a Small Business for the majority of the year. In my home state of texas, which great economy, Small Businesses make up 99. 7 of usinesses and employ 1. 4 million texans. When i am back at home, i do business, where i go and learn about what people do jobs. Ir ive had this experience working constituents and employers and employees in the area. Are he Small Businesses really the lifeblood of our economy. Anything we can do to help them benefit for the entire state of texas and the economy. End my remarks by giving a special thanks to congressman hern of oklahoma for colead of this legislation and i want to give a to the chairwoman velazquez for really taking Small Business seriously as the this committee. She came down to dallasfort had an opportunity to talk in person with Small Businesses about some of the things they need. Her t really want to thank and the Ranking Member chabot for taking the time to really Small Businesses in this country seriously. I yield back the remainder of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentlelady reserves. The gentleman from ohio is recognized. Mr. Chabot thank you, mr. Speaker. As much time eld as he may consume to the gentleman from oklahoma, mr. Hern, and thank him for his on this p on working legislation. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized. Mr. Hern thank you, madam speaker. Obviously its not always you Work Together, being from oklahoma, with somebody really as, but its great to work with somebody on this particular bill. I rise today in support of h. R. 5130, the capturing all Small Businesses act. Id like to thank my colleague, veasey from e texas, for his leadership on this important legislation, which will help Small Businesses, manufacturers gain a greater Competitive Edge in the open marketplace. Parity with vides another important Small Business bill that the committee passed, which was signed into law nearly a year ago. The previous bill extended the revenuebased Small Businesses allowing them to stay maller for a longer period of time. Rapid growth in Small Business can sometimes push them out of a before siness status they are prepared to tackle the challenges of a large corporation. And revenuebased employeebased firms differ in many respects, one thing remains constant. Competing in the open marketplace when a firm is not ready to leave the Small Business arena can have effects on a Small Businesss Growth Business trajectory. There are many reasons they compare this to jumping off a cliff. Small firms cannot compete against the giants in their particular Industries Industries rticular of a company art supply chain. None of these options are good particulars. For competition. Therefore, its critical we ensure our small manufacturers of successfully and smoothly transitioning out of the Small Business space and open marketplace without falling off of this cliff. Hats exactly what this bill does for small manufacturers. By extending the measurement of from L Manufacturing size a rolling 12month average to a rolling 24month average, we provide these Small Businesses time to build their Competitive Edge and infrastructure so they are handle the ped to more robust competition once they graduate out of the Small Business space. Short, h. R. 51 h. R. 5130 is at encouraging Small Business growth and competition at the highest levels. Support colleagues to this legislation, and i yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman reserves. He gentlelady from new york is recognized. Ms. Velazquez i continue to reserve. The speaker pro tempore the gentlelady reserves. The gentleman from ohio is recognized. Mr. Chabot thank you, madam speaker. I now like to yield such time as e may consume to the gentleman from pennsylvania, dr. Joyce, and thank him, also, for his working on this important legislation. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized. R. Joyce thank you, madam speaker. I rise today in support of h. R. Capturing all Small Businesses act of 2019. Small mber of the business committee, i have personally heard from many usiness leaders who tell me that the guidance and the canurces provided by s. B. A. Be instrumental for success in marketplace. Often, these tools pave the way rapid growth. Yet, as these businesses experience success, hire more and grow our economy, the owners can be hesitant to operations beyond certain parameters, fearing if become too successful too quickly that the resources no ided by the s. B. A. Would longer be available. Their 30 would address concerns by allowing companies to maintain their designated encouraging them to continue growing and graduate successful businesses. I thank my colleague, mr. Hern rom oklahoma, for this important legislation. I thank the bipartisan nature from our hair and Ranking Member, mr. Chabot. This is important legislation, encourage all my colleagues to support it. Thank you and i yield back the alance of the speaker pro tempore the gentlelady from new york. Ms. Velazquez i have no further speakers and am prepared to close. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from ohio is recognized. Mr. Chabot in closing, madam speaker, this bipartisan bill allows small firms to have the additional time as a Small Business to solid file that competitiveness and infrastructure and achieve greater success when they eventually must compete against much larger companies. After all, about 70 of the jobs created in america are created by Small Businesses. So we need to help them in every way we can and i thank all the members who spoke here this afternoon here on the floor for their leadership in this important area and i urge my colleagues to support this Bipartisan Legislation and i yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back the balance of his time. The gentlelady from new york is recognized. Ms. Velazquez thank you, madam speaker. Supporting our Small Business community and ensuring they are able to thrive is a top priority for me and the Small Business committee that i chair. H. R. 130 supports the Small Business community by providing them with additional time to grow and mature. By steppeding the lookback and Employee Base standard, h. R. 5130 allows small firms an opportunity to gradually and successfully transition out of the Small Business category. Most importantly, this bill ensures equal treatment of Small Business concerns by granting manufacturing firms the same benefit provided to concerns subject to the formula. I congratulate mr. Veasey and mr. Heroin, for bringing forward a bipartisan solution. I urge my colleagues to support h. R. 5130 and i yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentlelady yields back. The question is, will the house suspend the rules and pass the bill h. R. 510. Those in favor say aye. Those opposed, no. In the opinion of the chair, 2 3 being in the affirmative, the rules are suspended, the bill is passed. And without objection, the motion to reconsider is laid on the table. For what purpose does the gentlelady from new york seek recognition . Ms. Velazquez madam speaker, i move that the house suspend the rules and pass the bill h. R. 5146 as amended. The speaker pro tempore the clerk will report the title of the bill. The clerk h. R. 5146, a bill to amend the Small Business act to require Contracting Officers to take a Small Business concerns past performance as part of a joint venture into account when evaluating the Small Business concern and for other purposes. The speaker pro tempore pursuant to the rule, the gentlelady from new york, ms. Velazquez and the gentleman from ohio, mr. Chabot, each will control 20 minutes. The chair now recognizes the gentlelady from new york, ms. Velazquez. Ms. Velazquez i ask unanimous consent that all members may have five legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the measure under consideration. The speaker pro tempore without objection. Ms. Velazquez madam speaker, i yield myself such time as i may consume. The speaker pro tempore the gentlelady is recognized. Ms. Velazquez i rise in support of h. R. 5146 the unlocking opportunities for Small Businesses act of 2019, which will eliminate barriers to entry for Small Businesses seeking to perform as prime contractors in the federal marketplace. As the largest buyer of goods and services in the world, the federal government needs contractors it can rely upon and knowing how a business performed previously is a strong predicate of its ability to successfully perform in the future. However, one of the challengeses Small Businesses experience while offering products and services to the federal government is showing that they have relevant past performance. Usually the government relies on the past Performance Records its compiled. However, such information solely on the Small Business may not exist. Thus Small Businesses cannot effectively compete for contracts. Moreover, Small Businesses cannot develop the appropriate past performance without getting a prime contract first. H. R. 5146 offers a solution to this dilemma by allowing Small Businesses to leverage other types of past performance information. Specifically, it requires Contracting Officers to consider a joint ventures past performance record i when evaluating an offer of its of its members. And seemingly, requires acceptance of past performance information generated by a ntractor when reviewing an offer. With this change, h. R. 5146 provides Small Businesses additional ways of showing they have relevant past performance experience. Moreover, by requiring acceptance of joint venture and selfcontracting past performance information, this bill advances uniformity governmentwide. I urge members to support this important piece of legislation. And i reserve the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentlelady reserves. The gentleman from ohio. Mr. Chabot i yield myself such time as i may consume. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized. Mr. Chabot i rise in support of h. R. 5146 unlocking opportunities for Small Businesses act of 2019 as amended. I would like to thank the gentleman from minnesota, mr. Hagedorn and two gentlemen from pennsylvania, dr. Joyce and mr. Evans, for their leadership on this legislation and working in a bipartisan manner which will reduce significant barriers to small contractors in the federal marketplace. As we heard from our colleagues, obtaining relevant past performance information is critical for a Small Business to be competitive for a contract award. Unfortunately, federal agencies take a narrow view on what they might consider as relevant past performance for a prime contract opportunity. This limits the Small Business ability to compete for contracts that they would otherwise would be a perfect fit for which is detrimental to the Small Business and to the government. In short, the important thing for a federal agency to know is whether a business is capable of successfully completing the specific task being requested. If the Small Business can show it has successfully performed that type of work in the past, it should be able to use that as evidence that it can complete the task in the future. Its that simple. This bill will not only unlock prime opportunities for Small Businesses but also have the additional positive impact of eventually growing the industrial base, increasing competition and most importantly, lowering costs to the taxpayer. I urge my colleagues to support this important legislation and i reserve. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman reserves. Ms. Velazquez i continue to reserve. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from ohio is recognized. Mr. Chabot i would like to yield to the gentleman from minnesota, mr. Hagedorn. And thank him for his leadership on this legislation. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized. Mr. Hagedorn i would like to commend our chair velazquez and Ranking Member chabot for their leadership and demonstrating that a Committee Like ours can do very good work and its a good example for many others in the house. I rise in support of h. R. 5146, the unlocking opportunities for Small Business act. Very important legislation that through hearings and discussions with Small Businesses who wanted to be prime contractors with the government were having difficulties because of the criteria that the government wouldnt take into consideration, for instance as mr. Chabot and the chair said, their experience is subcontractors and we wanted to do something about that. I want to thank mr. Evans of pennsylvania who helped me and coauthored the bill along with my friend pennsylvania, good dr. Joyce, thank you, doctor, for all your work. Its like the title of the bill says, we are going to unlock opportunities for Small Business contractors seeking prime contracting with the federal government. Unfortunately, small contractors are caught in a catch22. In order to receive a prime contract, federal agencies require that the contractor is capable of doing the work but only accept past performance conducted as a federal prime contractor as proof. Therefore, companies cant obtain prime contracts and lack a record of performance. But companies cant get the prior performance experience without winning prime contracts. It goes around in a circle. For many Small Businesses in minnesota and our nation, winning prime contracts is the key to sustained growth and making the leap from subcontracting or teaming with other companies to prime contracting as we discussed, can be exceedingly challenge due to this dilemma. This assessment of a contractors capabilities based on their Prior Experience as a prime contractor is a great disservice to many qualified companies and who perform vital work for the government. The work of small contractors, have great relevance to the contractor as its bid and unable to showcase their capabilities due to the agencys narrow focus. These limitations prevent growth for Small Businesses but have a larger impact on the federal governments industrial base. More and more, Small Businesses are taking their considerable talents to the private sector rather than working with the federal government. Past performance rules such as this one are out of step with todays economy and undermines the ability to seek qualified and willing businesses to work with the federal government. By removing this barrier, our bill allows Small Businesses and gives them incentive to rejoin the federal Contracting Company and persuade new businesses to enter the federal marketplace. The more Small Businesses we can attract, the more competition and we will have more outcomes. This bill opens up the world for prime contracting for Small Companies and i urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to join me in supporting h. R. 5146. And i yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from ohio reserves. The gentlelady from new york. Ms. Velazquez i yield to the gentleman from pennsylvania, the vice chair of the Small Business committee. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from pennsylvania is recognized. Mr. Evans thank you. I would like to thank the chair of the Small Business committee, velazquez. He has led this committee in a very positive direction. As the Ranking Member before she became chair. And the Ranking Member chabot has also thankful in this effort. I thank him for his leadership. And mr. Hagedorn from the great as e of minnesota as well dr. Joyce who is a colleague from pennsylvania. I thank you for this leadership on this bill. The wellbeing of our communities depend in part of what we do to create circumstances where Small Businesses can thrive. When Small Businesses thrive, americans enjoy great economic security. In my home city of philadelphia, it constitutes 65 of our population and constitute 80 of those in poverty. Coupled with the fact that the city has a poverty rate of nearly 25 , creating Economic Opportunity for minorities is critical to advance wellbeing, financially, physically and socially. We as members of congress have tools in our toolbox to address economic disparity. One of those is h. R. 5146. This bill will allow Small Businesses to compete more fairly with Large Businesses by to look at past Performance Records. A past performance record is integral to winning contracts to Small Businesses. Most of the work of minorityowned Small Businesses does not count towards past performance such as working in joint ventures, as subcontractors to prime contractors. This hurts Small Businesses to bid, compete and win contracts as primes. In turn, it impairs the business ability to grow, create jobs and contribute economically to the country. With the passage of this bipartisan bill into law, we will create circumstances where all Small Businesses and minorityowned Small Businesses will be best equipped to compete and thrive. I invite all my colleagues to support passage of this bill. And i thank you, madam chair, for your leadership and the staff, too, for working collectively to make this happen. I invite my colleagues to support passage of this bill and i yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from ohio is recognized. Mr. Chabot i would like to yield to the gentleman from pennsylvania, dr. Joyce, and thank him for his leadership and working so hard on this legislation. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from pennsylvania is recognized. Mr. Joyce thank you, madam speaker. I rise in support of h. R. 5130, ing all Small Business act. As a member of the Small Business committee, i have personally heard how important this act is. I additionally want to speak in support of h. R. 5146, the unlocking opportunities for Small Business act introduced by my friend and colleague, mr. Hagedorn of minnesota and fellow pennsylvaniaian, mr. Eaf answer. Which they can develop a reliable workforce, supply chain, or a line of production. These contracts can be a lifeline to Small Businesses or expand, but unfortunately, as designed, the limits the em small smaller companys chance to these contracts. This legislation implements a uchneeded change to allow Small Businesses to use their previous experience to emonstrate their merits and to strengthen their ability to compete for federal contracts. Is an important step in leveling the Playing Field for sma looking to grow their footprint in the federal to et, and i look forward the positive impact that this legislation will have on countless Small Businesses that i represent in South Central and southwestern pennsylvania and across our great country. I yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman reserves. The gentlelady from new york is recognized. Ms. Velazquez madam speaker, i have no further speakers, and i am prepared to close. The speaker pro tempore the reserves. The gentleman from ohio is recognized. Mr. Chabot thank you, madam speaker. To close, so i thank the ain, gentleman from minnesota, mr. Hagedorn, and the two gentlemen pennsylvania, mr. Evans and dr. Joyce, for their leadership on this important piece of legislation. Increasing federal contracting opportunities for small firms is a winwin situation. Taxpayers get better value for their tax dollars, and small spur our economy forward. This is really commonsense, legislation. I want to urge my colleagues to support it and, again, thank the entlelady from new york, the chairwoman of the committee, who nce again has shown that shes working together in a collegial and bipartisan fashion and we really do appreciate that. Reasons that the all four of the bills we have taken up this afternoon have had republicans s and working together. That doesnt happen in every committee, but it does happen in the Small Business committee. Want to thank her for that. I yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back. The gentlelady from new york is recognized. Ms. Velazquez thank you, madam speaker. I want to thank the gentleman hagedorn, sota, mr. And the gentleman from pennsylvania, mr. Evans, for 5146, and dr. H. R. Joyce from pennsylvania, too. Easier for Small Businesses to pursue federal opportunities. In the Small Business committee e recognize the crucial role Small Businesses play in providing goods and services to the federal government. Why we are always searching for ways to simplify process. Racting h. R. 5146 achieves this by Contracting Officers o accept sell vant past performance, information obtain by a Small Business. Reiterate our steadfast commitment to the Small Business opportunity. Encourage t will Small Businesses with relevant performance experience to be in prime contracts which in turn will have the effect of the growth of the industrial base, enhancing ompetition and decreasing costs. In close, i would like to thank anking member chabot for his support these four bills. When passed, that will bring the total number of Small Business ills approved by the house of representatives to 27. That is not a small feat, and i support and the members of the committee who have rolled up their sleeves and worked together to help our nations 30 million Small Businesses succeed. I urge my colleagues in the senate to follow our lead and expeditiously to approve this bill. I urge my colleagues to support and i yield back the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempo the gentlelady yields back. Is will the house suspend the rules and pass the as amended. 46, tho in favor say aye. Those opposed, no. In the opinion of the chair, 2 3 having sponded in the affirmative, the rues are spended, the bill is passed, and without obction the motion to reconsider is laid on the table. The speaker pro tempore excuse me. For what purpose does the gentleman from pennsylvania seek recognition . To adam speaker, i move suspend the rules and pass h. Res. 575, as amended. The peaker pro tempore clerk will report the title of the resolution. The clerk House Resolution 575, resolution expressing the sense of the house of representatives the all stakeholders in deployment of 5g Communications Infrastructure should carefully adhere to the recommendations of the prague proposals. The speaker pro tempore pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from pennsylvania, mr. Doyle, and the gentleman from ta, each will control 20 minutes. The chair recognizes the gentleman from pennsylvania, mr. Doyle. Mr. Doyle thank you, madam speaker. Unanimous consent that all members may have five legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on h. Res. 575. The speaker pro tempore without objection. Mr. Doyle thank you. Speaker, i yield myself such time as i may consume. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from pennsylvania is recognized. Thank you. I rise in support of h. Res. 575. Bipartisan legislation was introduced by mr. Flores and mr. Of whom were members of the communications and Technology Subcommittee, which i chair. Expresses thee us sense of the house of representatives that all takeholders in the deployment of 5g Communications Infrastructure should carefully adhere to the ecommendations adopted at the prague 5g security conference in may, 2019, known as the proposals. These proposals serve as a Cybersecurity Framework for the doption and deployment of 5g networks and were agreed upon last year in prague at a meeting 30 western allied nations as well as technical xperts and equipment manufacturers. This framework acknowledges the 5g posed by untrusted etwork equipment offered by hinese Telecom Providers such as huawei. This will help begin the ransition to the next generation of Wireless Technologies. The communications and Technology Subcommittee has done extensive work this congress on implementation of 5g technologies. To thank mr. Flores and mr. Soto for the good work they ave done in bringing this important legislation to the floor. I also want to thank the committee on Foreign Affairs and with an engel for working the energy and Commerce Committee to advance this legislation. This is a good bill, and i urge colleagues to support it and with that, madam speaker, i reserve the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the reserves. The gentleman from ohio is recognized. You, atta well, thank madam speaker. I yield myself such time as i may consume. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized. R. Latta thank you, madam speaker. I rise today in support of house to lution 575, a resolution encourage all stakeholders involved in the deployment of Communications Technology to adhere to the prague proposals. He prague proposals resulted from the prague 5g security year, nce earlier last where representatives from 30 countries met to discuss about equipment supplied by certain vendors who pose a threat to National Security. Poise with 5g poised to support an array of critical functions and services the next decade, its imperative that we ensure the quipment used to build these networks is secure. By encouraging all stakeholders, abide by broad, to these principles, we are sending a strong message that we take networks ty of our seriously. I urge my colleagues to support this resolution. I reserve the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman reserves. The gentleman from pennsylvania is recognized. Mr. Doyle thank you, madam speaker. At this time id like to yield two minutes to the gentleman a valuable member of the energy and commerce done extensiveas work on this legislation and glad to yield him two minutes. The speaker pro tempore the florida is om recognized. Thank you, madam speaker. Thank you, chairman doyle. Ranking member latta as well as representative flores for all your great work in the energy and Commerce Committee. Soto it is essential that the United States be at the deployment and development of 5g technologies. That the infrastructure will allow our country to be the eader in the 21st century economy. There is a fundamental importance of Internet Connectivity across the country metropolitan and rural areas, highlighting both cities areas and this is a need that Telecom Technology practicalveloped in a but secure way. In a district like mine, we have suburban and rural, so we look out for all these different areas. Equipment and Services ProvideCritical Infrastructure them g deployment, making appealing targets for foreign adversaries. For these companies in noted lar, experts have that china has, quote, the eans, opportunity, and motive to use Telecommunications Companies for malicious purposes, unquote. Weve seen this problem in Chinese Telecom chips made by huawei and other supply Chain Companies that have made news of late. Started local efforts along with the university of central to produce others omponents that are tamper resistant, but we must do more. For these reasons i am proud to colead on ratic house res. 575. This resolution provides a sense representatives hat developers of 5g technology some of the prague communicationsde network and services be designed and security in mind. Every country is free in accordance of International Law requirements. Ty mr. Doyle i yield the gentleman another two minutes. Soto policies governing 5g deployment should be guided by transparency and equitablity. Conduct riskshould mitigation of products and be able to be informed affects the hat security levels of the products they use. Doyle, mr. Hairman latta, and others, and i ask h. Res. 575 upport and i yield back the balance of my time. Mr. Doyle i reserve. The speaker pro tempore the is leman from ohio recognized. Mr. Latta i yield three minutes to the gentleman from texas and his hard work on this legislation. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from texas is recognized. R. Flores madam speaker, i thank chairman doyle. I thank my friend, mr. Soto from florida. Also thank chairman doyle and latta for yielding me time to support our bill. Rise in support of our resolution, h. Res. 575, which introduced with my colleague is en soto of florida, pressing strong support for the prague proposals. Security recommendations agreed to by officials from the u. S. And 31 a er countries during conference of may, 2019. 5g Communication Networks have he potential to transform the way we live. Collaboration with our International Partners is a amount in development of secured Network Infrastructure for the interconnected world of future. 5g networks have the capacity to support innovative echnologies such as telemedicine, remote surgery, interconnected devices on the internet of things and importantly, bring high Speed Broadband to the far reaches of Rural Communities to close the divide. But if the Underlying Network that the services operate on is properly secured, bad actors will be able to exploit vulnerabilities to disrupt infrastructure, harming public safety, and jeopardizing National Security. Imperative we secure our networks on the front end of avoid eventually atastrophic things down the road. Recognizing this, the u. S. And agreed on a tries common set of principles ecessary to maintain a secure and resilient network. Hese proposals urged the 5g stakeholders across the Global SupplyTechnology Chain practical, Proven Solutions to mitigate risk and to protect against security threats. These proposals, the conference of 32 countries recognized the need for sharing and encoura encourage regular Risk Assessment tests to mitigate while taking s into consideration technological changes to address the risks we the utt if er in the. Our resolution expresses the house of representatives support or these recommendations as an encouragement for stakeholders, government entities, and our nternational partners to Work Together to secure our 5g networks. I thank my colleague, mr. Soto, and i for his work, yield i urge my colleagues to support this important resolution, and i yield back the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the reserves. Mr. Latta madam chair, we reserve. The speaker pro tempore the entleman from pennsylvania is recognized. Mr. Doyle id say to my friend that i have no more speakers so whenever. Red to close the speaker pro tempore the gentleman reserves. The gentleman from ohio is recognized. Mr. Latta it is so important that we pass thisest priest of legislation, its a good piece of Bipartisan Legislation, i urge its support from this house. I close. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back. The gentleman from pennsylvania is recognized. Mr. Doyle i ask unanimous consent to include in the record an exchange of letters between the chairman of the committee on energy and commerce and the chairman of the committee on Foreign Affairs on the resolution h. Res. 575. The speaker pro tempore without objection. Mr. Doyle let me just echo what my good friend mr. Latta says. That is a good bill. I urge my colleagues to support it. I yield back the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back. The question is, will the house suspend the rules and agree to House Resolution 575 as amended. Those in favor say aye. Those opposed, no. In the opinion of the chair, 2 3 being in the affirmative, the rules are suspended, the resolution is agreed to and without objection the motion to reconsider is laid on the table. Without objection, the title is amended. For what purpose does the gentleman from pennsylvania seek recognition . Mr. Doyle i move to suspend the rules and pass h. R. 2881, the secure 5g and beyond act of 2019, as amended. The speaker pro tempore the clerk will report the title of the bill. The clerk h. R. 2881, a bill to require the president to develop a strategy to ensure the security of next Generation MobileTelecommunication Systems and infrastructure in the United States and to assist allies and Strategic Partners in maximizing the security of next Generation MobileTelecommunication Systems, infrastructure and software and for other purposes. The speaker pro tempore pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from pennsylvania, mr. Doyle, and the gentleman from ohio, mr. Lat tarks each will control 20 minutes. The chair recognizes the gentleman from pennsylvania, mr. Doyle. Mr. Doyle thank you, madam speaker. I ask unanimous consent that all members may have five legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on h. R. 2881. The speaker pro tempore without objection. Mr. Doyle i yield myself such time as i may consume. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized. Mr. Doyle i rise in support of h. R. 2881, the secure 5g and beyond act, which directs the president to develop the secured next Generation Mobile communication strategy in consultation with the heads of he f. C. C. , ntia and department of homeland security, as well as the d. N. I. And second retear of defense. The bill then requires the development of a strategy Implementation Plan to be carried out by ntia. This Bipartisan Legislation was introduced by ms. Spanberger and five other house members including mrs. Brooks and mr. Ohalleran, both members of the communications and Technology Subcommittee which i chair. The secure next Generation Mobile communication strategy is intended to first ensure the security of 5g and future generations of mobile Telecommunications Systems and infrastructure in the united our s secondly to assist mutual defense treaty allies in maximizing the security of 5g networks in infrastructure and Telecommunications Systems in their country and finally to protect the competitiveness of u. S. Company the privacy of American Consumers and the integrity of standard setting bodies against political influence. As our nation works to deploy 5g Wireless Technologies and develop next generation Communication Networks, we need a National Strategy that brings together an all of the above government approach to securing this Critical Infrastructure. We also need to work with our strategic allies and International Partners to secure ensure the security of their administration networks as well. This is an important piece of legislation, i applaud ms. Spanberger for introducing it, i urge my colleagues to support this bill and i reserve the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman reserves. The gentleman from ohio is recognized. Mr. Latta i yield myself such time as i may consume. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized. Mr. Latta i rise in support of h. R. 2881, the secure 5g and beyond act of 2019. In todays digital age, we rely on Communications Network for everything from Grocery Shopping to applying for jobs. In the past decade we have upgraded from 2g to 4g and are in the process of entering the fifth generation of Communications Networks to ac078 date americas demand for access. Making a simple transaction online is Second Nature for Many Americans and we expect a network on which the information is transmitted to be secure. The legislation before us is a step forward in enhancing network security. It requires the president in consultation with appropriate federal agencies to develop a strategy to ensure that the security of 5g and future generations of Telecommunications Systems and infrastructure. The Administration Must also identify potential security threats or vulnerabilities and promet responsible International Development and deployment of networks. Lastly, the bill requires the strategy Implementation Plan in charge and charges the national telechune cases and Information Administration to carry it out. Its essential that the administration continue to take steps to secure our networks and this bill provides direction to do just that. I urge my colleagues to support this piece of legislation and madam speaker, i reserve the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman reserves. The gentleman from pennsylvania is recognized. Mr. Doyle thank you, madam speaker. It gives me great pleasure to yield two minutes to the gentleman from arizona, a valuable member of the energy and Commerce Committee, mr. Ohalleran. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized. Mr. Ohalleran thank you. Thank you, mr. Doyle, mr. Chairman, mr. Latta, for the opportunity. I want to thank congresswoman spanberger for her great work on this and the introduction of the billism rise today in support of the secure 5g and beyond act. This spring, i joined a bipartisan gupe of lawmakers to cosponsor this important legislation to protect next generation Telecommunications Systems and mobile infrastructure in the United States. According to a 2018 nato report, huawei, a Chinese Multinational Technology Company and supplier of 5g technology could be exploited by china to engage in espionage, monitor foreign comp rations and governments, and support Chinese Military operations. N fact, earlier this year, former chairman of the joint chiefs of staff, joseph dun forth, calls the risk of a chinese built 5g network a rit call National Security issue for the United States. To combat these potential threats, our bill requires the administration to develop an unclassified National Security to protect u. S. Consumers and assist allies to maximize the security of their 5g Telecommunications Systems. The next generation of Telecommunications Systems is going to revolutionize our economy. And it is important that every corner of our country has access to the latest technology. Especially the area i represent, rural arizona and the rest of rural america. With the rapid expansion of new technology, Infrastructure Technology infrahaveture, it is critical that these systems are secure and the privacy of all americans is protected. I urge my colleagues to vote in support of h. R. 2881 and i yield ack. Mr. Doyle i restemb. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman reserves. The gentleman from ohio is recognized. Mr. Latta i yield two minutes to the gentleman from utah. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized. I rise today in support of. R. 2881, which is critical to protect the security of our nation. H. R. 2881 or the secure 5g and beyond act tasks the federal government with developing strategies to protect against some vulnerabilities associated with cutting edge 5 generation or 5g communication systems. The Rapid Development of 5g Cellular Technologies is another example of the resolve and innovative spirit unique in the United States economy. 5g will pave the way for first of their kind products and services and more reliably give consumers quick and easy access to live and work in the digital age. But the potential threats these advancements pose to National Security, to our allies and Consumer Privacy can cannot beover stated which is why im urging my colleagues to support this legislation. Im proud to vote for this important legislation, thank you, i yield the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman reserves. The gentleman from pennsylvania is regular niced. Mr. Doyle it gives me great pleasure now to yield five minutes to the gentlelady from virginia, ms. Spanberg. The speaker pro tempore the gentlelady from virginia is recognized. Ms. Spanberger thank you, mr. Chairman. I rise in support of my bill, h. R. 2881, the secure 5g and beyond act. First id like to thank my fellow members of the house Foreign Affairs committee for improve for approving this legislation and the house energy and Commerce Committee for passing my bill out of committee on a strongly bipartisan basis last year as well. Id also like to thank my colleague, representative brooks, representative ohalleran, representative rooney, and representative stefanik for joining my effort to protect the next generation of u. S. TeleTelecommunications Systems. Im proud to have such a Strong Coalition backing my bill and id like to thank my colleagues in the senate, senator cornyn, and his bipartisan coleads for those in favor say aye work in prioritizing this important issue. When you turn on the tv you might hear a lot of commercials advertising 5g and the expansion of u. S. 5g networks. Its true this Technology Holds incredible potential for future Economic Growth here in the United States. Particularly in our Rural Communities as they rely on these high Speed Technologies to connect to the rest of the world. However, the adoption of certain 5g Wireless Technologies presents many serious National Security challenges for our country and the american people. Chinese Companies Like z. T. E. And huawei continue to grow their global 5g footprint around the world and as their equipment becomes more integrated into the economies of the United States and ourall lies, chinas leverage grows as does the threat of chinese exploitation. It is difficult to overstate the longterm effects of the global transition to 5g. An article in the atlantic earlier this week said, yet, the rollout of seedy new Cellular Networks is a turning point, end quote, and china is working hard to take advantage of this rare moment. Unfortunately, chinas longterm strategy and ambitions extend beyond global commerce. A 2018 nato report washed that huaweis close ties to the Chinese Government could lead to their 5g technology being used to spy on adversaries, monitor foreign governments and support Chinese Military operations, all of which could be targeted at the United States and the american people. The adoption of chinese 5g could invite a deluge of foreign influence, espionage and interference into u. S. Mobile networks and wireless systems. But simultaneously, chinas innovation edge is growing thru Companies Like huawei and z. T. E. As of february, 2019, Chinese Tech Companies owned 36 of all key 5g patents while u. S. Based companies owned only 14 . This makes clear to me that the United States needs a comprehensive strategy, a strategy to respond to this growing level of economic competition and to protect against the security risks posed by z. T. E. , huawei and other 5g focused companies. From afar weve seen how china disregards the privacy of its own people and we should be very wary of chinas growing 5g influence in the west. We need a game plan to defend our mobile networks. The United States, the country responsible for so many of the remarkable developments of the digital age, needs to strengthen our resilience against potential Cyber Threats directed against american famlirks companies and consumer data. Thats why im proud to lead the secure 5g and beyond act, it would require the administration to develop a public strategy to protect u. S. Consumers, companies and federal agencies against potential threats posed by emerging 5g technologies. By developing a National Interagency strategy we can better identify where security gaps currently exist and work to close them. Additionally my bill will help spur new 5g research and development here at home, something thats critical for Central Virginia and the rest of the United States. In the face of potential chinese dominance in the 5g space, the secure 5g and beyond act would put our country and its companies on a path toward achieving and maintaining greater skirt and a Competitive Edge. But in our interconnected world, we cannot do it alone. This Bipartisan Legislation would also encourage our allies to pursue similar strategies and as we look ahead to future generations of Wireless Technology we need to deploy a strong, evidencebased approach toward improving our cyber defenses. Last year, thenchairman of the joint chiefs of staff Jennifer Joseph dunford called the rise of chinese 5g networks a critical National Security issue. This bill recognizes that fact and does something about it. We can continue to achieve faster internet speeds, wider connectivity across america but this bill makes sure that these exciting achievements are accompanied by a smart strategy. One that can successfully prevent foreign influence in our 5g networks and keep our citizens safe. I call on my colleagues to pass the secure 5g and beyond act and i yield back. I would like to let the Ranking Member know, we have no further speakers. We have no further speakers on the legislation. I reserve. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman reserves the balance of his time. The gentleman from ohio is recognized. Mr. Latta madam speaker, im ready to close. Again, i thank my colleague, the gentleman from pennsylvania, the chairman of the subcommittee, for making sure this bill came to the floor today. Because we have to win this race for 5g as a nation. Because we have to make sure that it helps every segment of our society. The legislation is going to help us develop a strategy to ensure the security of 5g and future generations of Telecommunication Systems and infrastructure. We also must identify potential security threats for vulnerabilities and for responsible International Development. I urge my colleagues to support this legislation and, madam speaker, i yield back the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back the balance of his time. The gentleman from pennsylvania is recognized. Thank you, madam speaker. I want to recognize the good work the gentlelady from virginia has done on this bill, a former c. I. A. Agent, and someone that knows a lot of these issues inside and out, has worked very hard and brought us a very good piece of legislation. Its a good bill. I urge all my colleagues to support it. And i yield back the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back the balance of his time. The question is, will the house suspend the rules and pass the bill, h. R. 2881, as amended. Those in favor say aye. Those opposed, no. In the opinion of the chair, 2 3 of those voting having responded in the affirmative mr. Doyle madam speaker. Id like to request the yeas and nays. The speaker pro tempore the yeas and nays are requested. All those in favor of taking this vote by the yeas and nays will rise and remain standing until counted. A sufficient number having arisen, the yeas and nays are ordered. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule 20, further proceedings on this uestion will be postponed. For what purpose does the gentleman from pennsylvania seek recognition . Mr. Doyle madam speaker, i move to suspend the rules and pass h. R. 4500, the promoting United States wireless leadership act of 2019, as amended. The speaker pro tempore the clerk will report the title of the bill. The clerk h. R. 4500. A bill to direct the assistant secretary for communications and information to take certain actions to enhance the representation of the United States and promote United States leadership in Communications Standard setting bodies and for other purposes. The speaker pro tempore pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from pennsylvania, mr. Doyle, and the gentleman from ohio, mr. Latta, each will control 20 minutes. The chair now recognizes the gentleman from pennsylvania, mr. Doyle. Mr. Doyle thank you, madam speaker. I ask unanimous consent that all members may have five legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on h. R. 4500. The speaker pro tempore without objection. Mr. Doyle madam speaker, i yield myself as much time as i may consume. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized. Mr. Doyle madam speaker, i rise in support of h. R. 4500, the promoting United States wireless leadership act. This Bipartisan Legislation was introduced by mr. Walberg, mrs. Dingell and mrs. Brooks. The promoting United States wireless leadership act directs the National Telecommunications and Information Administration to encourage participation by American Companies and other stakeholders in standardsetting bodies such as the 3gpp and the ieee and offer Technical Assistance to those stakeholders that elect to participate in the course of developing standards for 5g networks and future generations of Communication Networks. Other governments around the world are engaging in the standardsetting process for 5g and other advanced teleCommunication Technologies. Countries such as china and russia are doing so directly and through companies that are closely allied with their governments. This engagement is at least in part intended to skew the standards for these next generation technologies to favor their National Interests and their companies. This legislation will give stakeholders the ability to better engage in policy choices that are being made today by these standardsetting bodies and which will have farreaching implications for the development of 5g and other advanced Communication Technologies in the future. We want to ensure that the United States continues to lead the world in advanced Communication Technologies and deployments, and ensuring that these standards meet the these standards meet the needs of the United States and our partners, this is critical to that end. I want to thank mr. Walberg and mrs. Dingell and mrs. Brooks for the good work theyve done in bringing this important legislation to the floor. Id also like to thank the committee on Foreign Affairs and chairman engel for working with the energy and Commerce Committee to advance this legislation. This is a good bill and i urge my colleagues to support it. I reserve the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman reserves the balance of his time. The gentleman from ohio is recognized. Mr. Latta thank you, madam speaker. I yield myself such time as i may consume. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized. Mr. Latta thank you, madam speaker. I rise today in support of h. R. 4500, the promoting United States wireless leadership act. Our Communications Networks are critically important assets for facilitating domestic and international commerce. For decades the u. S. Has led the development of Wireless Technology, with likeminded nations. With the deployment of the next generation Wireless Technology, 5g, expected to skyrocket in 2020 we must continue to focus on boistering foundational elements to make sure the United States continues to lead on future advancements. As these standards are set in global industryled standard bodies, we must enhance participation by u. S. Companies and remain vigilant that bad actors dont game the system for their own economic and National Security interests. To keep accountability and ensure proper transparency, we must encourage participation by trusted partners. The National Telecommunications and Information Administration plays a central role in these efforts, as the executive Branch Agency with technical experience. They have decades of expertise, working with industry and other stakeholders to develop these technical standards globally. Id like to thank the dedicated staff who worked tirelessly to advance u. S. Global wireless leadership. As we move into the next decade, it is vital that we continue to enhance participation in critical standardsetting bodies and preserve u. S. Wireless leadership. I urge my colleagues to support this legislation and, madam speaker, i reserve the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman reserves the balance of his time. The gentleman from pennsylvania is recognized. Mr. Doyle thank you, madam speaker. It gives me great pleasure to yield two minutes to my good friend, the gentlelady from michigan, mrs. Dingell. The speaker pro tempore the gentlelady from michigan is recognized. Mrs. Dingell thank you, madam speaker. And thank you, mr. Chairman, for all of your leadership. I rise today in strong support of h. R. 4500, the promoting u. S. Wireless leadership act, which we are considering now. This bill, which my colleague and good friend from michigan, mr. Walberg, has taken the lead, and my good friend from indiana, mrs. Brooks, the three of us have worked closely in a bipartisan fashion to direct the ntia to encourage participation by trusting American Companies and other stakeholders in International Standardsetting bodies. This is about american competitiveness. In short, it helps ensure that americas interests are protected and the companies have a seat at the table as the world is deciding what 5g is going to look like. The policy choices that are being made right now will have lasting implications for 5g Technology Development around the world. It is imperative that the United States have a strong voice in these decisions so we continue to lead in an increasingly competitive market. We cannot give up a Competitive Edge or give another country it. The energy and Commerce Committee advanced this bill and i urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support it today. I yield back the balance of my time. Mr. Doyle madam speaker, i would note that i have no other speakers. So i will reserve the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman reserves the balance of his time. The gentleman from ohio is recognized. Mr. Latta thank you, madam speaker. At this time id like to yield three minutes to the gentlelady from indiana, mrs. Brooks, and thank her very much for her work on this legislation. The speaker pro tempore the gentlelady is recognized. Mr. Brooks mrs. Brooks madam speaker, i rise today today to express my strong support for the legislation weve been talking about today, not only h. R. 2881, the secure 5g and beyond act, but now h. R. 4500, promoting u. S. Wireless leadership act. I want to commend my colleagues, the chair of the subcommittee, chairman doyle, Ranking Member latta, as well as my colleagues that ive been working with, both representative dingell and walberg. We have come together because we know these two bipartisan bills are critically important to secure our Communications Networks and protect our next generation Telecommunications Systems and the mobile infrastructure in the u. S. From dangerous foreign actors. As the cofounder and the cochair, with my colleague from michigan, of the 5g caucus, we understand how important it is that our laws protect 5g innovation, but also how critically important it is to keep our citizens and country safe. I also represent a portion of indianapolis, indiana, an original test site for 5g. Our city has seen the benefits of 5g firsthand and were continuing to see those benefits grow as we progress. Indianapolis was the first city in the country where both verizon and at t deployed, tested 5g technology. Purdue university has partnered with these companies to create a 5g acceleration zone that will serve as an incubator for research and development in exciting new technologies for 5g. And thats why securing the 5g and beyond act is so important. To protect the country from potential Cyber Threats, while ensuring innovation continues to move forward. But we need the administration to develop a National Strategy to maximize the security of those 5g systems. With promoting the u. S. Wireless leadership act, it will make sure that we are at the forefront, that the u. S. Remains at the forefront in the conversation, by bringing appropriate industry and Government Experts to the standards body table. As our world becomes even more interconnected, through new technologist and innovations than it is today, its important that we ensure our National Security and our Global Competitiveness within these industries. So im proud to be an original cosponsor of both of these bills. I urge our body to support securing the innovation of 5g while protecting the competitiveness of u. S. Companies and the privacy of u. S. Citizens. Thank you. I yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman reserves the balance of his time. The gentleman from pennsylvania. Mr. Doyle i reserve. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman reserves the balance of his time. The gentleman from ohio is recognized. Mr. Latta thank you very much. At this time, madam speaker, id like to recognize the gentleman from michigan for two minutes, and thank him also for his hard work on this legislation. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from michigan is recognized. Mr. Walberg thank you, madam speaker. Thanks to the Ranking Member and the chairman for moving this bill forward. I rise today in support of h. R. 4500, the promoting United States wireless leadership act. Im plased that my colleague from michigan worked with me on this important legislation to enhance United States leadership in the developments of wireless standards. Michigans economy has become surgent in no small part thanks to the renewed foc under past Governor Snyder on Stem Education and chnical careers in the i. T. Field. As cochair of the 5g caucus, i understand the importance of bringing not only these technical jobs to michigan, but also the jobs that will come as a result of leading the world on 5g deployment. As industry continues to send their best and brightest to these global tenical standardsetting bodies, we must continue supporting them with necessary Technical Expertise and continue leading the world in wireless innovation. I urge myolleagues to support this bill and i yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman resves the balance of his time. The ntleman from pennsylvania is recognized. Mr. Doyle i continue to reserve. The speaker pro tempore the gentlen reserves the balance of his time. The gentleman from ohio is recognized. Mr. Latta thank you, madam speaker. At this time id like to recognize the gentleman from georgia for two minutes. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from georgia is recognized. Mr. Carter i thank the gentleman for yielding. Madam speaker, i rise today in suppor of h. R. 4500, the promoting United States wireless leadership act of 2019. Make no mistake, the United States is in a race to modernize and build out the next generation of wire wireless infrastructure. As with countless other industries, weve seen how American Leadership can benefit not only americans, but consumers around the globe. This bill, sponsored by my good friend and colleague, mr. Walberg of michigan, would ensure federal and private coordination and cooperation when it comes to american participation in standards standardsetting bodies. We all know by by now the potential concerns associated with technology that we cant fully trust. By ensuring we have representation on essential standardsetting bodies, such as the International Organization for standardization, we will have a seat at the table to help guide these policies in a helpful and secure direction. As many of my colleagues in this body would agree, a forwardleaning effort in this space will will have positive effects long down the line. I want to thank my colleagues on the energy and Commerce Committee for their work on this, and i urge all of my colleagues to support the underlying legislation. Madam speaker, thank you, and i yield back. Mr. Latta madam speaker, we reserve. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman reserves the balance of his time. The gentleman from pennsylvania is recognized. Mr. Doyle i reserve. Youre ready to close . Mr. Latta i have one more speaker. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman reserves the balance of his time. The gentleman from ohio is recognized. R. Latta thank you very much, mr. Latta at this time i yield one minute to the gentleman from north dakota, mr. Armstrong. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized. Mr. Armstrong i thank the gentleman for yielding. I rise in support of h. R. 4500 the promoting United States wireless leadership act. American companies have time and again proven themselves as Global Leaders in the development and deployment of new technology. To ensure we haintain our Competitive Edge, the government must work with private sector to position the u. S. As a Global Leader in the development of 5g standards. H. R. 4500 fosters this relationship by Encouraging Companies and other stake holders to participate in International Standard setting bodies while also offering technical steens parties papts. With china seeking to erode our technical advantage at every turn its more important than ever to promote American Leadership and innovation in our telecommunications net without objection. I yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman reserves. The gentleman from ohio is recognized. Mr. Latta thank you, madam speaker. It is absolutely important that the United States develop these standards so we can stay at the top of 5g deployment. As i mentioned earlier in the earlier bill, we want to make sure that 5g is for everyone across the United States. Because of that, we have to make sure that we have these standards in place. With that, i yield back the balance of my time and urge support of this legislation. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back. The gentleman from pennsylvania is recognized. Mr. Doyle thank you, madam speaker. I would first like to ask unanimous consent to include in the record an exchange of letters between the chairman of the committee on commrge and commerce and the chairman of the committee on Foreign Affairs on the resolution h. L. H. R. 4500. The speaker pro tempore without objection. Mr. Doyle in closing, madam speaker, this is a good bill. I uverage my colleagues to support it. With that, i yield back the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from pennsylvania yields back. The question is will the house suspend the rules and pass h. R. 4500 as amended. Those in favor say aye. Those opposed, no. In the opinion of the chair, 2 3 being in the affirmative, the rules are suspended, the bill is passed and without objection the motion to reconsider is laid on the table. Proceedings will resume on questions previously postponed. Votes will be taken if the knoll in the following order. Ordering the previous question on House Resolution 779, adoption of House Resolution 779 if ordered, and the motion to suspend the rules and pass h. R. 2881. The first electronic vote will be conducted as a 15minute vote. Pursuant to clause 9 of rule 20, remaining electronic votes will be conducted as fiveminute votes. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule 20, the Unfinished Business is the vote on ordering the previous question on House Resolution 779 on which the yeas and nays are ordered. The clerk will report the title of the resolution. The clerk house calendar number 66, House Resolution 779, resolution providing for consideration of the bill h. R. 535, to require the ad mrtor of the Environmental Protection ency to designate per and polyfluoroalkyl as substances under the compensation and Liability Act of 1980. The speaker pro tempore the question is on ordering the previous question. Members will record their votes 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 proempore on this vote, the ys are 225,he nays are 193. Therevious question is ordered. The question is ondoption of the resolution. Those in favor say aye. Those opposed, no. The ayes have it. The resolution is adopted. Madam speaker, i ask for the yeas and nays. The speaker pro tempo the yeasnd nayare requested. Those favoring a vote by the ye ad nays will rise. A sufficient number having risen, the yeas and nays are ordered. Memberwill rerd the votes by eleronic device. This is a fiveinute vote. [captioning madpossible by the national captioning initute, inc. , in cooperion with the United States house of representatives. Any use of the closedcaptioned coverage of the house preedings for political or commeral purposes is expressly ohibited by the u. S. Ouse of representatives. ] the speaker pro tempore on this vote, the yeas are 217, the nays are 199. The bill is passed. The resolution is adopted. Without objection the motion to reconsider is laid on the table. The house will come to order. Please take your conversations off the floor. For what purpose does the gentlewoman from arizona seek recognition . I. Lesko madam speaker, request one minute to address the house. The speaker pro tempore without objection. Madam speaker, this is a very emotional day for me. A day nine years ago that Gabrielle Giffords was ounded, shot and wounded in ucson, and federal judge john killed. S mrs. Kirkpatrick gabby had been the state n legislature, somebody i looked admired. She had gone to scripps college, i was so glad my daughter got accepted because thats had gone. Y shes just outstanding in every single way. Remains so. That. Ank heavens for thank heavens. I was a law clerk for judge john man, another outstanding and i have to tell you, this is so personal for me. Hunting in rural arizona, and i was a very strong dvocate for the second amendment. Still am. But we have to do something gun violence in this country. O i thank my colleagues for standing here with me, speaker of the the senators, all arizona delegation. Wanting united today in to honor congresswoman gabrielle judge john federal ruhle. So please stand for a moment of silence. You. K the speaker pro tempore members, please stand for a moment of silence. Mrs. Kirkpatrick madam speaker, the may, i want to mention other people who were killed hat morning and wounded and my colleague, ruben gallego, will read the names. Yeaingo Christina Taylor green, a 9yearold girl, morris, phyllis, dorwin, zimmerman, gabbys outreach director. Phil badger, ron barber, former direct director former congressman, ken, gardner, er, randy congresswoman gabby giffords, george morris, mary reid, gabbys outreach coordinator, molly, jim tucker, kenneth. Mrs. Kirkpatrick thank you, back. Speaker, and i yield the speaker pro tempore 20,uant to clause 8 of rule the Unfinished Business is the vote on the motion of the pennsylvania, mr. Doyle, to suspend the rules and h. R. 2881, as amended, on hich the yeas and nays were ordered. The clerk h. R. 2881, a bill to require the president to develop strategy to ensure the security of next generation Telecommunication Systems and infrastructure in the United States and to assist allies and partners in maximizing the security of next generation Telecommunication Systems, infrastructure, and software, and for other purposes. The speaker pro tempore the house n is will the suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended. 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 413. Excuse me. Three. S are 2 3 having responded in the affirmative, the rules are passed, the bill is and without objection, the motion to reconsider is laid on table. The speaker pro tempore the house will be in order. Order. Conversationsyour off the floor. The chair will now entertain requests for oneminute speeches. For what purpose does the gentlewoman from florida seek recognition . Mr. Speaker, i ask anytime to address the house for one minute. The speaker pro tempore without objection, the gentlewoman is recognized for one minute. Thank you, mr. Speaker. With the escalation with onflict in iran, we are currently living through uncertain times. Today and every day, the safety my priority, and i am grateful for the brave men Armed Services who put their lives on the line safety. S. Mucarselpowell we must always remember our veterans at home. Throughout my district, ive stories from veterans and their loved ones whove told me just how transition back to civilian life can be. To veterans should not have worry about putting a roof over heir familys heads, having access to Quality Health care, and obstacles to pursuing Career Opportunities. Although we can never fully repay them for their service and sacrifice, we must all be committed to ensuring that veterans and their families have access to all the benefits they earned from their service. Troops, ourrget our veterans, and all the brave women and men in uniform who each day for our nation. The speaker pro tempore for what purpose does the gentleman from florida seek recognition . Unanimous ker, i ask consent to address the house for one minute. The speaker pro tempore without objection, the gentleman is minute. Ed for one thank you, mr. Speaker. I rise to recognize three from my e young ladies district who recently received award. L scouts silver they are freshmen in high in Hillsborough County and to earn this, they were tasked with creating a project a change for the better in their school or neighborhood and after itnessing their classmating engaging in vaping, the children hose to engage an antivaping presentation about the dangers of tobacco use. Spano sailor, presley, amanda, shared this during their to school forum. Id like to thank these brilliant Young Leaders for the time to educating their pierce. Im from their peers. We will see more from these Outstanding Young ladies in the future. I yield back. The speaker pro tempore for does the gentleman from new jersey seek recognition . 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. Mr. Speaker mr. Payne mr. Speaker, i rise today to thank my colleagues for passing my important Cancer Screening bill as part of a Critical Health care bill. The Cancer Screening act was aed to the Elijah Cummings lower drug costs now act, h. R. 3, on december 12. My bill would allow medicare to cover the cost when cancerous polyps are removed in colorectal Cancer Screening. No longer will patients have to wake up to a surprise charge after their screening. These are charges that could cost from 400 to 20,000. It will improve the health and save lives of millions of americans. My father, former congressman donald payne sr. , died from colorectal cancer. I introduced this bill so more fathers, brothers, and sons can survive this deadly cancer. With that, i yield back. The speaker pro tempore for what purpose does the gentleman from pennsylvania seek recognition . Request 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. Mr. Thompson i rise in recognition of veteran james with the big jim hibbert. A retired staff sergeant, big jim hibbert served in the United States marine corps and army for more than 30 years, in three deployment in more than six deployments including three ombat deployments. He met a young army veteran after his medications were. Arged, he had lost his job he had been trained in listening skills and immediately took action, establishing a rapport and assisting the suicidal vet rand ultimately yim helped save his life that day. Because of this selfless act and commitment to his fellow vet raps, jim is being recognized by the federal unlimited Veterans Service program. Big jim continues to serve and support his fellow veterans every day. Thank you, big jim. I yield back the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore for what purpose does the gentleman from indiana seek recognition . Without objection, the gentleman s recognized for one minute. Thank you, mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, i rise today to honor a trail blazing Public Servant and an iconic hoosier as one of the first africanamerican mayors of a major american city, mayor hatcher was a constant source of inspiration not only across indiana but through the our nation and around the world. His history making election in 1967 as gary indianas first black mayor showed the pow ore they have possible, that 9 11 a state once controlled by the ku klux klan a person of color could rise above hatred and into the halls of power. Mr. Carson mayor hatchers example advocating for justice, civil rights and equality for every american is why so many of my colleagues and i are Public Servants. His death is a sad loss to all americans but his legacy and his work will live on. We must all Work Together to continue this quest for greater representation and rights for all. I send my deepest condolences to mayor hatchers loved ones and thank him for a life well lived. I yield back. The speaker pro tempore for what purpose does the gentleman from georgia seek recognition . Mr. Carter 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. Mr. Phase one of the tiny house project was officially completed. Mr. Carter in this part of the for ct, chathamsavannah e homeless gave 12 gentleman rabs a place to live and will house 24 more. Veteran homelessness is one of the most persistent problems facing those who risked their lives to serve our country. I could not be more proud to serve in this district of georgia to ensure our veterans are taken care of when they rush home. I would like to thank the over members of our community, including the home depot found ey chatham foundation, anson architect, thomas and hutton, better life properties, Wesley Monumental United Methodist Church and henry and suzanne croce. Thank you and i yield back. The speaker pro tempore for what purpose does the gentlewoman from ohio seek recognition . Ms. Kaptur i ask unanimous consent to address the house for one minute. The speaker pro tempore without objection the gentlewoman is recognized for one minute. Ms. Kaptur tomorrow, President Trump is scheduled to arrive in toledo, ohio, for his First Campaign rally of 2020. Does he know ohio has lost 286,332 manufacturing jobs since the first nafta went into effect and even more jobs during his presidency . President trump will not brick back those jobs and since his nafta 2, the usmca, the u. S. Automotive companies have announced plans to expand production in mexico. G. M. Is closing numerous u. S. Plants including in ohio while making popular models in mexico. Ford is even making its new electric mustang in mexico, the first mustang not to be made in the United States of america. American manufacturing workers who find reemployment are typically taking pay cuts. Whats more, the president has nothing to say or to do about providing for pensions for over 60,000 ohioon ohioans who are going to have them cut substantially because he doesnt support the Butch Lewis Act which is waiting for passage in the other poddy. I would like to end my comments by saying maybe the president when he lands should announce that toledos f16s should get a complement of f35s which they have duly earned. I yield back. The speaker pro tempore for what purpose does the gentleman from texas seek recognition . 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. Mr. Olson mr. Speaker, every time i come home from washington, d. C. , im welcomed clements high school. Clements high school has a marquee on the corn over sweetwater and elkins that tells information about their school. That marquee was heartbreaking for this past week. One of our icons, tennis coach , n four low, mr. Clements sprout angel winged and flew to hetch last thursday. Coach furlow was our coach since 1983. He wasnt just content with winning titles, he wanted each with players to win class, dignity and respect. The furlough way. His players loved him. They loved the fact that coach always had warm doughnuts for the bus road at 6 00 a. M. Before dawn for saturday meets. When they were coming home, they had to stop at what theaburger. Whataburger. Coach, thank you for shipleys, what theaburger and for your love. All of us are better off because of you. I close with your final statement. Once a ranger, always a ranger. I yield back. The speaker pro tempore for what purpose does the gentleman from pennsylvania 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. Recently i went on a tour of a Public Elementary School in my district, a school i attended. As i describe what i saw i want everyone in this body to imagine having to send your child to a school with these conditions. Moldcovered ceilings. Exposed wires and pipes. Lead paint chipping down the walls. These issues are felt across my city of philadelphia. Three schools in my district have had to close this school year because of asbestos. Mr. Boyle school should foster an environment that stimulates intellectual curiosity. Instead our students and teachers are surrounded by health hazards. Thats why i urge this house, late they are year when we consider a comprehensive infrastructure package, to ensure that we include rehabbing and rebuilding americas schools. We cannot leave our nations kids and educators behind. Thank you and i yield back. The speaker pro tempore for what purpose does the gentleman from new jersey 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. Mr. Van drew i would like to recognize the various casa branches throughout our region that dedicated themselves to Vulnerable Children in southern new jersey. Casa stands for a Court Appointed special advocate. They are selfless volunteers that act as a childs voice during legal proceedings. These volunteers specialize in understanding the physical and emotional needs of the child and work tirelessly until finding them a permanent home, preferably with family members or with an adopted family. Because of organizations like casa, abused or neglected children have a present, trustworthy adult in their life who sympathizes with their struggles, who understands them and fights on their behalf. Therefore, i would like to thank all of the casa branches in our district for protecting the youth of south jersey and ensuring that every child has a caring home. Thank them for their good work, for their love, and the difference that they make in peoples lives. I yield back. The speaker pro tempore for what purpose does the gentleman from illinois 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. I rise to pay tribute to brown whobert lee roe spent 11 years working for the federal Aviation Administration after he got out of the mill tear. Hubert was a stellar member of our community, an active member of the character centenary a. M. E. Church and a proud member fraternity. Psi mr. Davis though i wear different colors, black and gold, im still proud to call him my brother. Brother hubert, may you rest in peace. 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. The United States has adopted an aggressive, proactive approach of gathering intelligence on our enemies and removing those individuals who seek to cause us harm in order to save american lives. President trump did just that. On january 3, our military, acting under the direction of our commander in chief, can killed iranian general soleimani to protect the lives of americans and end his reign of terror in the middle east. The actions of our president and military damaged irans ability to tsao unrest in the middle east and we have no doubt saved countless lives by removing a terrorist who intended to harm our nation. Mr. Guest we must continue to support our troops serving abroad and we must remain vigilant in our fight against terror and and our ongoing efforts to bring lasting peace to the middle east. Thank you, mr. Speaker, i yield back. The speaker pro tempore for what purpose does the gentleman from california seek recognition . Without objection the gentleman is recognized for one minute. Thank you, mr. Speaker. I rise to commend President Trump for his actions in dealing with iran. Mr. Lamalfa the white house has shown restraint up to this point since iran has been a bad actor going all the way back to 1979. One of the largest sponsors of terror the world has ever seen. The president has been patient and finally, with the actions at the embassy, took that step to eliminate general soleimani which was needed in order to not only send a message but to stop a lot of the carnage. Moving forward, we hope for, we the for true freedom for people of iran so they will be live more like they did re1979, the freedom, especially for women to associate as they please. Regime change. Ut its not about wanting to start a war. Indeed, helping our neighbors and our colleagues in the middle east to have from the state sponsor of terror. I yield back. Are peaker pro tempore there further requests for oneminutes . The chair lays before the house the following personal request. Clerk leave of absence requested for mr. Lewis of for january 7 and 8. The speaker pro tempore without request is he granted. Speakers announced policy of january 3, 2019, the arizona, mr. Schweikert, is recognized for 60 of the as the designee minority leader. Schweikert thank you, mr. Speaker. The hazard when you come behind podium and you have someone really tall behind it. Three ng to cover two or different subjects today. Ittle different than we typically come where we walk through some of the Economic Data and the concept of the, i our greatest threat to our society is not telling the the scale of the unfunded liabilities, the made, and the fact of the matter is, there is keep hematical way we yet, i have s and the blessing of being here in congress. Ive been here nine years, and grown to just this intense frustration that we do math a partisan lens. Saying, have a family the math always wins. The math always eventually wins. Why is it so hard in this truth,to actually own the to own a calculator and say, heres whats going to happen, our demographics, but heres also the good things that working and another thing i actually got from my father figure out what works, do more of that, figure out what doesnt work and do that. F so think about this. Over the christmas break, i did lots of reading and was just furious and frustrated with a number of the columns that i came across about the twoyear anniversary of tax reform, where rewrote much of the tax code to grow the u. S. Economy, and we of the ill call them the smartest. T least the most wellknown economists, commentators on the tax side trashing the reform. Except you will notice if any of articles, if hose youre willing to, go back and facts, they use almost no math in them. There arent numbers. Like this. We thought they should have done that. Having the blessing of being on committee, means having the blessing to have reform, do he tax understand much of what was the orporate portion of tax reform was based on the obama recommendations and modeling to make us again. Tive in the world but once again, we work in a place where if i walk in the i am a conservative and i say the sky is blue, instantly there is this knee jerk reaction. Sisters on the other side, believe me, we are say, no, its ill not. The math is the math. Just for the fun of it, i pulled a number of the headlines from two years ago when we were we ing on tax reform, when had just finished tax reform. Conomists excuse me basically umnists spoke of armageddon, spoke the apart, going to fall said this is going to crush and people. Understand, the last two years had been some of the most in modern progress u. S. History for the working poor. Behind these microphones thewe pretend we care about poor, particularly the working poor. Do you understand whats math . Ing in the because the math will always and the math is the truth. Did you think when we did tax did m a couple years ago, you think we would live in a ountry with more jobs than workers, where the bottom 10 of workers incomewise, what we refer to as the working poor, wages growing more than two times the mean and in times ers four lmost four times the mean in wages . I know the math gets a little confusing, but its important. You cant walk around here and say you care about the poor, particularly the working poor, not have some little oy in your heart about whats gone on the last two years, particularly this last year. Last year, a woman had no partner in the house wages. Growth in we are seeing Remarkable Growth n wages for the very folks whove been most dispossessed over the previous decade. Es, i will have a chart that actually shows that. Hy is the truth off your calculator seen through partisan lenses . Take a breath st and say, hey, something really is working . Tax reform . Was it some of the things regulatorywise . Remember, if you go back just a couple years ago and i at on the joint Economic Committee for a few years. We were being told with the demographics, r we were in for stagnation. Ago, u remember four years five years ago, three years ago, normal . The new the get an apology from folks that wrote these headlines hat had been so dramatically wrong . And lets just walk through, first, some of the tax reform were actually living in the reality of the math. And theres a simple point i make. O 2017 fiscal year. So the end of the fiscal year during that time we were working on tax reform. O you know what the growth in receipts were for this country . 1 . 1 . As functioning not even at inflation. Falling behind, and this is under the old tax code that those headlines were functionally defending. What tax receipts we dont call them revenues. Receipts. Em do you know what they were at the end of the last fiscal year, ended at the end of september . We grew slightly more than 4 in our receipts. Now, we still have a spending here. Em around a tremendous demographics problems. One of the things we dont tell the substantial part of our spending is driven by our demographics which isnt or democrats. We are getting older very quick as a society. Are we able to get up in front of our groups at ome, our fellow members of congress and not see the math through partisan lenses . Math is the math. Collapsed as has a society. We had 12 states in really good times that had growth in their birth rates. Ome of those were just by a couple hundred. About to tell the truth the math, and ive been coming ehind this microphone almost every week were here saying unified a holistic, a theory. If you do the things necessary in tax reform, as were talking and do the now, things necessary in immigration, do the things in labor force if icipation encouragement, you do the things in the adoption of technology that crashes the price of health care, if you do these things and we can em all together, make the math work where we do by get crushed as a nation our debt. Simple ant even do things without with agreeing upon it. We cant even agree when the actually says it worked. We still have to spend it lenses. Partisan so the chart next to me is just very, very, very simple. Receipts. 2018, 2019 not revenues. Receipts. Notice something . Columnists before, my brothers and sisters on the eft were telling us, revenues are going to crash. Its armageddon. This is the apocalypse. Except for one small problem. Weve had the Fastest Growing revenu evenues weve had in modern times. The math is the math. Look, ive been there. Ive been one of those who something, you get the data, and you have to swallow except i was wrong, this place is incapable of stepping up and saying, hey, somethings working. Aybe we should figure out whats working and find a way to do more of it. Because once again, this has some of the most remarkable brothers andor our sisters, particularly in the lower quartiles. I hate that terminology. If you want to designate the working poor, weve had more and theres a couple modelers out there. I dont know if the numbers will real. Looking at 2019 fiscal year and first that might be the year where wage inequality, ealth inequality actually wage inequality actually stayed maybe didnt grow or even shrank because those at the spectrum have had the Fastest Growing wage movement. Joy and we take some work on it . So the fact of the matter is, math. Th is the so a simple point. More time, 2017, the iscal year before tax reform, 1 growth in revenues, receipts. Fiscal year, over 4 growth under the new tax code. Hows that possible . Turns out it is. And it was possible in a really way because people were working. If you take a step back and of so many of the programs we have as the safety net to elp our brothers and sisters when they are in hard times, there should have been dramatically less demand on because so many people were working. If you look at the b. L. S. Labor , bureau of statistics numbers, the numbers back in the labor force, were over 63 labor force participation. I can show you an economic paper from three, four years ago saying we were never going to get close to that again until we got through the baby boomers. Something is working. We are seeing numbers where and eds and hundreds hundreds of thousands of people are coming back in the labor looking. Were not even isnt this joyful . Look. Et me relay a simple experience. The phoenix area, we have a homeless campus. Off involved nd with it for many, many years. I believe we do something very, very well. A concentration of services where many churches and here you get dental work, over here you get your i. D. , over here you have a day running a. A. Are bunk beds. Josephs, the st. Catholic charity. There is a situation where they a stack of Job Opportunities because theres uch a labor shortage in the phoenix market. And im very pleased we just worked out a deal they worked with lyft to actually help deal with the transportation barrier of these individuals to work. But shouldnt there be joy in our society that theres such a labor shortage that businesses and organizations are taking chances on the folks that we used to off . Completely write remember, it was only a couple give speechesould around here, if you hadnt finished high school, if you hadnt developed certain skills going to be part of the permanent underclass. We were writing you off. Away from you as a society. And guess what happened . Something happened, whether it the tax code or other things weve done that theres such a for d for their labor, their work, and their wages are going up faster than any other quartile. You cant give speeches how you care and then Say Something is working, how do we do more of it . Lets look at the reality of the math of the last couple decades. The red line are highincome earners. The blue line are those in the 25 or lower lets call it the bottom 25 . Lets go to 2010 and over and you see through 2010, 2015, 2016 , higher income earners were winning the battle. Huge separation and making money while the lower population we were walking away from that didnt have college education, their wages were crashing. And then something happened over here. The tax reform. Do you notice the separation . Turns out their labor became valuable, became something in demand, became something that employers had to pay more for. Isnt that what we were trying to accomplish . Its in the math. So it frustrates me that you will come across these articles that demagog tax reform, refuse to actually use the math and not embrace the fact that its been one of the most remarkable couple years in modern history of the United States of the working poor starting to see their wages move forward, move up, their labor having value in our society again. Look, for many of us, we truly believe Economic Growth is moral. It helps families. It helps individuals. It helps selfworth and produces opportunity. D yet, we seem to completely turn the discussion of the things that create that Economic Growth into a partisan battle, a partisan malaise and it breaks my heart because the chart i just put up, this is the greatest threat to my fouryearold daughter, which i believe to every american, do you understand what is coming at us. This is not inflationadjusted, but the mathis true and honest because it is done by an outside group that is nonpartisan. If i strip Social Security and medicare out of the 30year number, we have 2 trillion in the bank. If you pull Social Security and mostly medicare back in, the promise, these are earned promises that we have a moral obligation to keep for 10 rillion in 103 trillion in debt. This is over the next 0 years. Isnt that an incredible moral obligation to tell the truth. These numbers, you can take every dime of the rich. You can cut the benefits and you cannot deal with these numbers and not crash u. S. Economy and crash the World Economy by doing so. Our office and a handful of others, trying to make the argument, tax reform, grow the onomy, incensetives in the work force. Legalize technology that can crash the price of health care. This is the massive driver of have bt, we can disruptions. You realize almost 30 of that medicare spending is going to be diabetes. So investment is a smart investment. So are other technologies and tells you have the flu and allowing that technology be part of how you keep yourself healthy. But the reality here is there is no magic bullet. Youve got to grow the economy and demonstrated the growth in these 24 months since we dl tax reform, is working. One of the pillars is working. How do we build off of it . You dont try to make major policy changes in a time of economic stress. Do it in a time when you actually have economic stability and build off of it. Because, this is the greatest threat to our society. Its demographics and not republicans or democrats. Its baby boomers. Its 74 million who were born in an 18year period and we have earned our benefits, a couple for the medicare spending will put in 150,000 and take out close to 5,000 and multiply that difference by 74 million. These are the issues that should be driving every bit of policy. The simple way to think about this experiment, next five years , just the growth, next five years, just the growth of Social Security and medicare and health care entitlements, just the growth equals the entire Defense Department spending. If you start to do that math, you could get rid of every portion of Discretionary Spending except defense, and you buy yourself five years. I know this is uncomfortable. Its very hard to go home and talk to constituents on the republican side, we can take care of waste and fraud and on the democrat side, we can tax people more, that mathis so graud you lent. Why is it so hard to pull out a calculator. We work in a mathfree zone. Dont see it through the lenses of partisanship, its math. So, look, i wanted to do a little cheerleading for my home. I am blessed to be from arizona and we worked really hard to be friendly to those who are willing to come to our state and open up new businesses. We have worked really hard to limit the bureaucracy. We worked really hard to make it easy as a state to file paperwork online and do these things efficiently. And we are at the very top of Economic Growth, population growth and quarters in the last couple of years where we had the fastest wage growth. But its a demonstration that many, Many Americans are making economic decisions, packing up their lives and a lot of the country and moving to places like arizona. We are number three in total growth and we are 7. 25 million people. When you do the per population growth, we are at the very top. Arizona, we should be very proud. We have been very proud. We have built good infrastructure and electrical power is abundant and we have been friendly to those willing to bring businesses because they create jobs and create opportunities and create growth and wages. And now it looks like the rest of the country is starting to see the headlines. So a community i grew up around, scottsdale, just got rated, number one for finding a job in. Much of the rest of the community, incredibly well. Im trying to build an argument here that if Economic Growth is moral, then you see headlines ike this, when we do suradvise about food gin security, it is the lowest in a decade because of that Economic Growth, because of those folks that we were writing off just a couple of years ago, whose labor is in demand and wages are up and we see headlines Food Insecurity at a decade low in arizona. Why is it so hard to understand doing smart tax policy and smart economic tax policies are the path to help our brothers and sisters . And we always start and end with his chart. If we care about what is actually going on, if congress intends to keep the promises to americans for their Social Security and medicare, if we believe its a moral obligation of our society to keep that promise, then you need to deal with the reality that the unfunded liabilities are monstrous. There is a path. But its not a path of paying off the debt. Its basically, in our model and our office, 95 debt to g. D. P. And dont blow up and get through the demographic bubble. You have to do everything. You have to have that legalized technology that crashes. Makes the environment cleaner and health care more available. And those who are older, encourage them to participate in the labor force. How do we get millenial men that are underperforming in showing up in the labor force. Every policy that moves through here, we should test, does this benefit Economic Growth. When we work on immigration policy. Are we doing a talentbased immigration system where we dont care about your religion or gender or who you cuddle with. We care about the Economic Vitality you bring to our society, how do we encourage family formation. This article talks about 12 states had positive birth rates ver the previous year. I know we get caught up in todays shiny object, whether its the, we hate the president s side of this room or we feel we are stuck defending and we are completely missing whats going to end up driving all Public Policy in the next couple of years and thats the fact that we are going to be crushed by our debt. There is a path. Y fear is, is this current congress, are we actually capable of doing complex policy, lots of complex policy on every issue and seeing it as a unified theory to maximize Economic Vitality so we actually have the receipt, so we keep the promises that we go home and tell our constituents were working for, but yet, when we come here and we deny basic math. And with that, mr. Speaker, i yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back the balance of his time. Under the speakers announced policy of january 3, 2019, the gentleman from illinois, mr. Rush, is recognized as the esignee of the majority leader. Mr. Rush i want to thank you, mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, its my distinct onor and privilege to come before the house this evening to a major the memory of trail blazer in our nation trailblazer in our nation, one and a fierce defender , equality. Justice an american who was a quiet man, quiet demeanor, but a giant in. Rms of his accomplishments his daring, his courage. The things he did not only for local constituents constituency, in gary, indiana, but the africanamerican ommunity and america at large. Mr. Speaker, im speaking of the ne and only first mayor of ry, indiana, mayor Richard Hatcher. Sadly, mayor hatcher passed away at the age of 86 on the 13th of ecember, 2019. But although he was no longer. Th us, his legacy lives on his legacy, his work, his love, his sacrifices continue to be felt in these very halls of congress, throughout the city ll of gary, indiana, and indeed throughout these state legislative halls, these halls of municipal governments in cities all across this nation. Mashe hatcher was one mayor hatcher was one who carved and made a way for africanamericans even elected officials to this very day. When mayor hatcher was first gary, indiana, there were but few elected officials of africanamerican descent in the nation. But there now exists upward of 0,000 africanamerican officials. And in some supernatural sense, because of the hard work, the insight, courage and the commitment of mayor hatcher, his storied example, and we all stand on the shoulders of mayor Richard Hatcher. Mayor hatchers surprise victory over the political machine in was indiana, in 1967 indeed a watershed moment for black political participation in this nation. Along with the election of mayor carl stokes, first africanamerican mayor of eveland, ohio, mashe hatcher became the first black mayor mayor hatcher became the first black mayor of a major u. S. City, the city of gary, indiana. Mr. Speaker, in his two decades , service as garys mayor mashe hatch fall valiant mayor hatch et hatcher fought valiantly in his beloved gary, and throughout this beloved nation for fair Political Representation for those whose voices had been previously smissed, disregarded and downright ignored for most of merican history. When mayor hatcher was elected to lead a deeply segregated of this iana, only two great Citys Department heads were africanamerican. In a city that was over 60 africanamerican. Within 10 years during mayor 25 ofrs tenure as mayor, garys 40 Department Heads were fricanamerican. Inally, mr. Speaker, those who work for garys government began garys ore like citizens. Hose who were supposed to be working on behalf of the citizens of gary, indiana. Mayor hatcher y, worked very closely with his with sional delegation, democratic administrations in the white house, and secured millions and millions and millions of dollars in federal funding for job training , ograms for garys citizens subsidized housing for garys itizens, building up a vibrant economy in his beloved city of gary. Singularly and singlehandedly in some instances ensuring that those communities that were previously underserved, that ey received their fair share of city services. Federal funding, federal dollars. Ayor hatchers herculean efforts to ensure fair has gone far beyond gary. , a young man, i was inspired trigued by the electoral political process and system tenure and the political career and the outstanding accomplishments of mayor Richard Hatcher. Mayor hatcher was a visionary, a man who not only talked the talk. But he walked the walk on the streets of gary he was highly visible. But even with all of that, his ision even surpassed and ranscended gary. A historic in 1972 National BlackPolitical Convention. In gary. I was there. I attended. Saw it in action. This National Black political two tion convened with goals. Of establishing an independent lack political agenda, and electing more black officials to public office. , er before, not in any time had this been done before. Over 8,000 individuals, american citizens, attended this historic occasion. Including some who are well known icons even today in our nation. Jacksong reverend jesse , my tta scott king colleague from chicago, congressman danny davis. Involved others were , educated, learned , heard forf the vote the first time that a voteless people is a hopeless people. All because of the singular vision of this one american iant, mayor Richard Hatcher. Mr. Speaker, im just honored this bled to speak in a man. Ut this giant of all who have a listening ear and a seeing eye, tell them that the rk of mayor hatcher and that historic National BlackPolitical Convention, it was not windmills don he quijotelike. It produced results. T the time of this convention, there were just 14 africanamerican members of congress. 14. Just 14. Today there are 56 members who are africanamerican who are members of congress. 56 living and breathing, hardworking members of this a result of the vision of mayor hatcher. And were inspired by his life nd what he had accomplished. Was our inspiration a high ll of us standard, exceedingly high that we live by even today. Mayor Richard Hatcher spurred a wave of black civic articipation that enraptured and reverberated all throughout america. 1973, his one year ring the convention, detroit elected its first fricanamerican mayor, mayor young. Atlanta atlanta elected its rst africanamerican mayor jackson. Its os angeles elected irst africanamerican mayor, mayor tom bradley. All across this nation in major cities all across this nation saw and witnessed and articipated and celebrated the election of mayors in major cities all across this nation. The legacy and inspiration, the example, the instruction doesnt just stop in 1973. With ome 10 years later mayor Harold Washington was elected mayor of the city of chicago. Ollowing another africanamerican. In ere on the front lines mayor washingtons election. Challenged us to register 60,000 new voters. D we rows to the challenge and what was going on in gary indiana. That voter registration, that entrenched chicago political establishment machine. And mayor daly, democratic. Chine was overturned in 1983 mayor small respect by Richard Hatcher in the city of gary, indiana. Just doesnt stop there, mr. Speaker. He story didnt end there. It materialized. The civic awakening was started in gary, indiana, with the election in 1967 of mayor hatcher. Which then the election of mayor Harold Washington. Who red a young man from was living in los angeles, to move to chicago, garys neighbor. And he reminds me of what was going on in chicago and gary, indiana and urban areas throughout the cities throughout , nation and inspired him named barack obama to move to the south side of chicago to Art Community organizing and became our state senator from he state of illinois and senator of illinois and then became president of these United States. So i know in no Uncertain Terms the overwhelming outstanding being a cheefed by Richard Hatcher led to the lection of ba ram obama as president of the United States barack obama as president of the United States. Yor hatcher was critical and Jesse Jackson transcended 1984 nd 1988 president ial campaign. Served asayor hatcher vice chairman and reverend jackson led that Historic Campaign and earned over 6. 7 and on votes and jackson through the hard work through the hard work of Richard Hatcher, won 11 primary contests. And you cant undervalue or underestimate how important that was. This happened before the lection of barack obama. Indebted to Richard Warren hatcher and his life, the life that he lived and the life that he led. Ayor hatchers victory was a collarion call to all of us who forire and inspire to serve our nation. , the imagination go to the real need of our onstituents, we could also raise our voices in the spirit solidarity, justice, that we only in the nd not well of congress, but in the state house, in the city haul of r nation in states and municipalities all over this country. Even in the white house. We miss mayor hatcher. We will miss his counsel. Again, he was a man who was not a selfpromoter. , like a professor and laid back, but a mighty, mighty, mighty warrior, a mighty man, a giant. Im just grateful for all that he done for this nation and everything hes done for poor people all across this nation, for the middle class all across this nation, all he has done for africanamericans. Not only was he in gary, but in chicago, los angeles, new york, philadelphia, cleveland, detroit , other places all across this nation. E inspired young people, young being onals to look as an honorable pursuit, an honorable career professional and get in there and do something, not just for yourself, but do something for your nation, for your community and for people who need a voice, those who are voiceless. In conclusion, mr. Speaker, i tot to extend my condolences , e hatcher family, his wife ellen, his daughters and let them know that our prayers are is great. Nd your loss our loss is great. We lost a friend. We lost a colleague. We lost a champion. T in some sense, we lost a steadfast, rock solid inspiration to us all. We mourn the loss of this , erican giant, former mayor Richard Hatcher. I h that, mr. Speaker, recognize now the gentleman from the ntleman who represents city of gary right now. Nother man of unmatched wisdom and intellect, the chairman of the appropriations subcommittee on defense, my friend and pete gue, congressman visclosky. Mr. Visclosky i also thank you for organizing this special order. I thank my colleague from chicago, mr. Davis, for participating. And earlier in the day, andre carson, a member from indianapolis, also expressing deep regard and respect for mayor hatcher. I appreciate your eloquence in describing the incredible contribution of Richard Hatcher made to our world and in particular, those most in need. It is absolutely correct and certainly transcended the city of gary and his immediate responsibilities. Everyone knows the contributions that mayor hatcher has provided to advance the cause of civil rights and racial equality in all of our communities and throughout our nation. On a personal level, i would note that my father, john visclosky, also was once mayor of gary. While the mayors may not have always agreed on every issue, mayor hatcher treated with my father with respect and grace and for that, i will always be grateful. Everyone he met and worked with was treated with similar dignity and respect. Mayor hatchers value of respect is one we should all strive to emulate. It was this value that he became a trailblazer to the city of gary and our nation. And it was through his selfless leadership and desire to bring other people along that led to countless other trailblazers for civil rights. One of those trailblazers who was inspired by Richard Gordon hatcher as mr. Rush pointed out, so eloquently, is my predecessor from the 1st Congressional District of indiana, representative hall. And mrs. Hall was sworn into office as u. S. Congressperson from the 1st district and became the first black woman from ep woman to serve in the United States house of representatives. As mr. Rush pointed out there are many more africanamericans in this chamber today. Congresswoman hall established the dr. Martin luther kings birthday as a federal holiday. As we take time honoring dr. King this month, let us remember that that legislations sponsor was mentored by mayor Richard Gordon hatcher. As a resident of gary, i would conclude by saying that i knew richard first and foremost as a dedicated husband and a proud and loving father and grandfather. And his three bloved daughters and six beloved in his three beloved daughters and six grandchildren, its evident that he has instilled his dedication to hard work, the value of education, and a commitment to public service. Again, i appreciate that this time was organized. Let us never lose sight of the example that mayor hatcher provided for all of us to follow. I thank the gentleman for yielding. Mr. Rush i certainly thank the gentleman from indiana for his kind remarks. Stands in the wonderful splendor of mayor and of his work and commitment to public service. I want to thank you so very much. Mr. Speaker, it now is my honor yield time, as much time as he may consume, to my colleague from the city of chicago, my coconspirator and my true friend, the gentleman from the seventh district of illinois, none other than the renowned u. S. Congressman danny k. Davis. Mr. Davis thank you, mr. Speaker. And let me first of all thank you, representative rush, for your leadership, your vision, your diligence and how well you have reminded us of those glory ears during the 1960s, 1970s that we Call Movement years. As i look at the photograph of mayor hatcher, i couldnt help but smile thinking that in 1967 thats the way we looked. We obviously had more hair. It was a different color. And its a great reminder of what it was like during that period of time. There was so much momentum in the air in terms of hope for change in america. From what america had been to some of what america was to become. I was thinking that, you know, with just a little different in i might have ended up gary, indiana, rather than in chicago, illinois. Because as we were leaving the south, coming to other places to live and work, i didnt know that i had a bunch of relatives ho lived in gary who were also involved in politics. The allen family who grew up, some of, with mayor hatcher. At the same time my cousin, dozer allen, and his son, who is now on the county board, and his cousin who was on the county board before that, roosevelt allen. If i had known that the allens were there and were my cousins, i might have gone to gary instead of coming to chicago. But i remember 1967. I remember 1972. I can remember those huge crowds people who converged on Roosevelt High School where the National BlackPolitical Convention was taking place. And all of the eloquent speakers ho were there. Charlie diggs from detroit. It was the most exciting thing i had ever done. I mean, just to be in the presence of all this action. And it seemed as though each speaker would be more ilconsequent and more compelling than whoever spoke before would be more ilconsequent and more compelling morelle uantity and more more eloquent and more compelling than the than whoever spoke before them. You have pointed out how much not only did his presence on an individualized basis mean as a motivator, stimulator and activater for so many others throughout the country who decided they wanted to do this, they could do this because Richard Hatcher had shown the way. And the individual cities that looked at gary. Of course gary was a different gary. Steel mills, steel jobs, opportunities, people were flocking. So a lot of folks who dont look at history in terms of nderstanding and knowing how things became and have become, the way that they were, i mean, it is good to see gary on the way back. Its been good to work with mayor rudy clay, with mayor karen wilson and with others who re using what mayor hatcher its good to know his daughter, its good to come in contact with the individuals who are there who have refused to give up. Pete, i want to congratulate you. Because you have been a real part of the rebirth and redevelopment and reconstitution and reinstitution of gary, indiana, to become one of our cities that we knew in the past. So we can think of what is yet to come. So, congressman rush, again, i thank you for your vision. I thank you for your foresight, for your insight and for giving us getting us to share, along with representative carson and representative schakowsky and yourself, so that people who really didnt know the history of mayor Richard Gordon hatcher might have a better understanding of what his esence has meant not just to gary, but to america. Thank you and i yield back. Mr. Rush mr. Speaker, as i inse this significant moment the an you wills of this congress, let me annuls of this congress, let me just say to the family of mayor hatcher my again, as i reflect on blic career and i reflect on l of us who are Public Officials who represent africanamerican communities, as i reflect on all public official, but particularly those of us who have historically been denied the opportunity to serve, this wonderful thefor giving me and others audacity, the audacity to act, to believe, to run, to get elected, to lead. Thank you, mayor hatcher, for showing us the way to contribute , to add our voices to the polite of those who are plight of those who are seeking the American Dream. Thank you, mayor hatcher, for to act. S the audacity mr. Speaker, with that, i yield back the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back the balance of his time. Under the speakers announced policy of january 3, 2019, the gentlewoman from michigan, ms. Stevens, is recognized for 30 minutes as the designee of the majority leader. Ms. Stevens thank you, mr. Speaker. I rise this evening to recognize a new year and a new decade in which we find ourselves. The second half of this session, an he 116th congress, incredible delegation of individuals who have come together on behalf of the american people, for the american people, to usher in an agenda of renewal, of standing up for everyday, hardworking americans, to protect their health care, to advocate for infrastructure and good, sound infrastructure spending, as well as to stand up for hardworking americans who have always played by the rules and have worked for their retirement savings. My pensioneers back home in michigan. It was a delight to close out the end of the decade back home in my district with so many of my beloved constituents and the Community Members who make us so strong. T is a fact, mr. Speaker, that on january 3, 2020, this new year, this new decade, one year from when this congress was sworn in, this session of congress was sworn in, the headline became pronounced that industrial activity has come down to its lowest point since 2009. Since the heart of the recession. With production, inventories and new orders falling. These are real headlines. These are headlines that affect the heart of america. And while so much hums in our National Media and in our national news, this is a reality for so many. This is a reality for michigans 11th district. D we were delighted, we were pleased to see us pass the usmca overwhelmingly, bipartisan, for the manufactures, manufacturers, for the manufacturing economy, for the hardworking Union Members who will get a better deal because we are advocating for buy american content. We know the road to implementation will be long. But is an implementation that the suppliers in my district, from auburn hills down to plymouth, it is an implementation that they are preparing for. Thatet the reality is such a manufacturing recession hangs before us. A manufacturing recession, as marked by low levels of productivity. Over the last six months, the last six months of 2019, manufacturers lost a net of 23,000 jobs and an average and average hours worked fell to its lowest levels in eight years. Who is talking about this . Your congresswoman from michigans 11th district is talking about this here tonight. He reality of tariffs reality of tariffs is talking about this. As of october, 2019, as marked by that date since they were implemented. Lso, october, 2019, marked manufacturing taxpayers have id 1. 8 billion in 2019 in additional tariffs, in additional money. I talk to these employers and i talk to these Small Businesses and i talk to the lifeblood of the American Economy and they are paying more. And can this continue . No, it cannot. So that agenda that we are ushering in here, first month of 2020, is that we dont forget that we need to address the problem of tariffs for our manufacturers. We knew we needed to give certainty, in part because the jobs are going to go elsewhere. Wasnt going to be made in the american workforce. We are in a global race to compete. Weve got to compete as americans and got to compete as manufacturers in small communities in suburban communities like the ones that i have the privilege and honor that i represent and within that are the people who are going to work every single day in snowstorms and rormse and season days in the middle of the summer, and putting food on the table. And we ask ourselves, as we are now in this third decade of this new millennium of this new century, what has transpired with wages . The alarming headline as we were closing out 2019 is the richest, the wealthiest 500 individuals increased their wealth in 2019 1 trillion by over 1 trillion while wages for our middle for our middle class were stagnant and wagers, we are trying to raise the minimum wage from 7 just about. Its the year 2020. Who is working those jobs, by the way . Single mothers. People who have played by the rules and who have children who arent working temporary jobs. This is the promise of the American Dream and who i am fighting for all of you, where my sleeves are rolled up, the things that im eying here. Because if we dont start addressing this, we stop winning. We stop having an american first agenda. We have to put the American Manufacturing at the forefront. We saw with that the passage of the usmca. 95 , over 95 of the worlds consumers are outside of american borders. We want to sell the best made in america or michigan workforce to the world. We want to get it into these markets and look at how to be smart and look at the things that we have done in the big recession. And ig recession of 2008 what got us out of that, the policies and strategies that we an export aagenda ave. I acknowledge my friend from south carolina. He is in a port destination. We got smart about how we sold american product, how we invested in Small Businesses, the Small Business jobs act. It rewarded money through the Small Business administration to states like michigan. We qualified for these dollars, 200,000 that the state of michigan got and made awards to companies who applied who met the qualifications of Small Businesses gaminged in seed money that they p matched with their own money to sell their products in europe and overseas and to different consumers. That money paid for itself. And then the political tides changed and we got rid of it and still here 10 years later figuring out how to make the investments. Look at that Small Business jobs act of 2010 and get in front. Its technical. Its technical. Look at auto sales. They are down in 201. Not as dramatic in 2008 as we had a drop. But auto sales are down. They are down because hardworking men and women put things on the line and went on strike and asked for Better Health care and asked for fair wages, they asked for retirement packages. Hen we talk about middle class jobs growth, when we talk about growing our middle class, what are we talking about . We are talking about lifting people out of poverty. The facts are clear. Productivity is not at its highest level. Productivity is at its lowest level and inequality is at its lowest level. It matched by wage disparity. And then we have this interesting reality with our skills gap in this country and this is something i hear all over my district every time im talking to a manufacturer or educator or a champion in my community and its where are we going to find the workers. Just today, i was talking with lks from the organization, gave me a few minutes and i had the opportunity to be reminded that we have tens of thousands of openings of computer hifere science jobs in this country and we are not graduating the level of computer scientists. We have to invest in our own. This is something in michigan we know very well. We have great universities. Our students stick around and we want them to stick around. Part of my charge here, what im trying to represent as your member of congress, the attraction agenda, the boomer angs, those who took a job but have come back to invest in our community. We see that all over. We see that in the rich innovation transpiring throughout the district, 21 patents in vehicle. And wethe R D Technology remind ourselves in the previous congress, in the 115th congress, there was a big tax bill that got passed into law and it was so partisan in certain respects and now the effects of this tax bill are playing out. Who has benefited and who hasnt. The wealthiest individual americans have seen their wealth increase by over a trillion dollars. Our middle class is still paying and not seeing the growth that they have expected to see. Many large multinational corporations are paying nothing in taxes, while we all pay. And yet our deficit has balooned yet again. Balooned s case, it astro no, maamically by 1. 5 trillion as projected from this tax scam. When are we going to start investing in the middle class . Thats what the second part of this second session of congress is about, the infrastructure guarantee when we say guess what . Every single american has got the right to clean and safe drinking water, to fresh air to breathe, to safe and maintain rodways and bridges so we can continue to create jobs. This is why i created the Plastic Solutions task force in partnership with our recycling caucus. We have a plastics problem globally and in this country. Why . Because of a trade war, tariff war that has been started. China stopped taking our recycled goods and stopped taking our plastic. You talk to our municipalities. Who is paying . You are. Our taxpayers yet again, our communities yet again, if you didnt know that, your municipality of residence pays to do the recycling. Lets think about this really clearly. Because we have the greatest opportunity to create an awakeend an incredible supply chain. As the subcommittee chair for le search and technology on the house science committee, i had a hearing and it was brilliant, research and my municipality from preliminary mouth all saying the same thing, give us standards. Tell us the what to do with that and tell us how we can invest and pilot and inspire, more so, get strategic about how we want to do recycling in this country to create jobs. If we think about the sorting and materials and how we think about it, the own us is on us as a federal government and as a partner with local government, State Government and individual consumers and the companies who want to see the reuse of these materialsment so we are quite enthusiastic about these opportunities, but it begins with investing in r d, research and development. And this is what kind of gets my goat with the tax bill that was passed before i got here. Because according to the International Monetary fund, only 1 5 of the tax paid to businesses were dreggetted towards capital and r d ex pen difficult turs and we arent seeing that new investment that will create new jobs or employ more people. We know its exciting and know its there. If we gave every municipality in this country the opportunity to recycle to their full potential to reuse those materials, we would not only gain back those materials, but we would have new jobs as a result of that. Mr. Speaker, if we talk about the jobs and as we look at the skills that our employers are looking for, that we are training for in this 2020 and this new decade, some reference, enforced industrial revolution. This is where i came out of before i was in this body. I was working in the industrial internet. Collaborating with nonprofits and universities and Community Colleges and local School Districts like my good friends in the public schools, we had a lot of funs and we are identifying those skill. We codified the job polls. Technology and computer skills, Digital Skills and programming skills for robots and automation. These are things that have great meaning to those of us in michigans 11th district because im be holden to the company that has the largest robe on the. It is quite exciting. Working with tools and techniques, different technical skills. These are things that dont know partisan lines. These are things when you stand up and say im going to be a champion for this, addressing the root pain that is seeping in to our economy. These are reality. 6200 n, last year, plus jobs. We are creating and decided to go alone with tariffs and paying the price and we are being squeezed and we can Work Together to solve this. We need to hold china accountable. And this has been a project of mine throughout my career, which is how to take on the bad actors with the illegal dumping, the currency manipulation, the tealing of our patents and not Playing Field, we know we value american work. We value the craftsmanship and what goes into making an economy like mine hum. We understand that. We recognize that we can come together in meaningful ways. We also continue to call on the senate to pass the bills that we have sent forth, the many bipartisan bills, the Butch Lewis Act, very bipartisan, to protect the pensions of hardworking americans. Those who did everything right and are still waiting. Have not forgotten in 2020. We are still working to get that deal done. We are still working to increase the wage. This is something in michigan that we voted on, to increase the minimum wage. One job should be enough. Your valued work should be enough. And were not seeking to overregulate and get rid of good deals, but what we are looking to do, mr. Speaker, is stand up for individual, hardworking americans, those who are counts on counting on us. It is incumbent upon us. We sit in this body of 435 individual, they increase that number the last time in 1913. Many, many years later, population has grown. History is important, my friends. I enkrge you to read your history. I encourage you to learn the facts and figures. And also embrace how that has changed. Changed our future. We are in some trying times. With some t 2019 things that i was very proud of. I got my first bill signed into w, stem act, bipartisan, bicameral, signed by the president. On december 24, i believe it was. A bill that was that will support investments in Early Childhood education. The National Science foundation, a lot of n. S. F. Dollars in michigan, millions. The investment in Early Childhood education, mr. Speaker, is priceless. That continuity for those jobs of the future. Thats how we get in front of the skills gap. Thats how we start addressing some of the rumbling in our regional economy. We also, though, recognize that the headlines that weve embraced in this new year, in this new session of congress have Many Americans concerned. Many individuals asking what is going to happen . What is taking place in the middle east . What does this mean for my family . Ive got teenage sons, constituents say to me, ive got teenage sons, are they going to be drafted . We take that responsibility that the congress is charged with very seriously and mr. Speaker, i look to this, which is that president barack obama gave us the words that change will not come if we wait for some other person or some other time. He said we are the ones we have been waiting for. We are the change we seek. That is what our House Majority is about. That is what our agenda is representing. That is what we are taking up this week when we say no to war, mr. Speaker. Thank you. I yield back the remainder of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentlewoman yields. Pursuant to clause 12a of rule 1, the house stands in recess subject to the call of the chair