The speaker the house will be in rder. The prayer will be offered by the prayr chaplain, father conr. Chaplain conroy let us pray. Merciful god, we give you thanks for giving us another day. As we meditate on all the blesings of life, we especially pray for the blessig of peace in our livesand in our world. Coronavirus has already caused pmarkets, International Trade ad travl, and the healthare industry worldwide. We ask your blessings on those men and women whose life work is population and whose efforts to stem the spread of this diseae have endangered their own ellbein. In the days and weeks to come. May your special blessing be the members of this assembly, in the important, sometimes difficult,work they do. Give them wisdom and charity that they might wok together for th common good. May all that is done the peoples house be for your greater honor and tpwhrory, men. The speaker the chair has examined the journal of the last days proceedings and announces to the house her approval thereof. Pursuant to clause 1 of rule 1 the journal stands approved. For what purpose does the gentleman from South Carolina rise . Madam speaker, pursuant to to se 1, rule 1, i demand the speakers a vote on the speakers approval of the journal. The speaker pro tempore the question is on the speakers the speaker the question is on the speakers approval of the journal. Those in favor say aye. Those opposed, no. The ayes have it. The journal stands approved. For what purpose does the gentleman from South Carolina seek recognition . Mr. Wilson madam speaker, i object to the vote on the grounds that a quorum is not present and i make a point of order that a quorum is not present. The speaker thank you. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule 20, further proceedings on this question are postponed. Thank you. The pledge of allegiance will be led by the gentleman from ohio, mr. Gonzalez. Mr. Gonzalez those in the gallery, please rise and join in. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of america and to the republic for which it stands, one nation, under god, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. The speaker the chair will entertain up to 15 requests for oneminute speeches on each side of the aisle. For what purpose does the gentleman from massachusetts eek recognition . Unanimous consent to address the house for one minute. The speaker without objection, the gentleman is recognized for one minute. Mr. Kennedy madam speaker, a year ago this house passed the bipartisan h. R. 8, to establish universal background checks, protect our communities from terrifying, paralyzing gun violence. In the 365 days since, Mitch Mcconnell has done exactly what a gun industry has asked him to do. Nothing. Meanwhile, a gunman took five people yesterday in milwaukee and two teenagers were killed five miles from where we stand over the weekend. Meanwhile, it millions live with the physical and emotional scars caused by guns. Meanwhile, the gun industry is wracked a community that shield their profits and puts more guns on our streets. But there is a secret that President Trump and mr. Mcconnell are hiding. That you are subsidizing this industry. Billions m medical costs, covered by your tax dollars. Billions in lost wages, covered by your tax dollars. 87 of the costs incurred after a bullet pierce as persons skin, covered by you. We are propping up an industry that profits off of our pain. Enough. Yield back. The speaker pro tempore for what purpose does the gentleman from South Carolina seek recognition . Mr. Wilson mr. Speaker, i ask unanimous consent to address the house for one minute. Revise and extend my remarks. I the speaker pro tempore without objection, the gentleman is recognized for one minute. Mr. Wilson thank you, mr. Speaker. Last week i was grateful to participate with the delegation for the commission on security and cooperation in europe, cochaired by congressman hastings and senator roger wicker in vienna, austria. We attended the parliamentary assemblys 19th winter meeting. The delegation engaged with osce officials and parliamentary members from 57 nations. Ambassador jim gillmor and his fe assure our allies and potential adversaries of americas commitment from peace through strength. It was meaningful to me with the courageous ukrainian delegation which appreciate President Trumps providing javelin missiles to stop russian aggression. Bulgaria was well represented with a delegation. Today america celebrates Bulgarian National day with the ambassador at the library of congress across the street in washington. In conclusion, god bless our troops and we will never forget september 11 and the global war on terrorism. The speaker pro tempore for what purpose does the gentlelady from nevada seek recognition . To address the house for one minute. The speaker pro tempore without objection, the gentlelady is recognized for one minute. Ms. Lee thank you, mr. Speaker. Today i am here on behalf of the people of nevadas third congressional district. And i rise to recognize the Miller Middle School eighth grade class with whom i met earlier this week on their trip to washington. The timing couldnt be better since it is Public Schools week. We talked about topics such as Stem Education to encouraging creativity in the classroom. They had some terrific questions, but one really stuck out. One student asked me, is investing in Public Education really worth it . Its a tough question, a fair question, especially coming from a Clark County School district. But the student. But the answer for me is overwhelmingly, undoubtedly yes. I just had to look around that room and see each of those students, whether they came from different backgrounds having access to education. And the answers not just about investing but its about if we invest in Public Education as the National Priority that it should be. In a time when public skiles Public Schools are being called upon to help kids beyond the classroom, investment in education should be our National Priority. Thank you. I yield back the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleladys time has expired. For what purpose does the gentleman from ohio seek recognition . Mr. Speaker, permission to address the house for one minute. Revise and extend. The speaker pro tempore without objection, the gentleman is recognized for one minute. Mr. Speaker, today i rise to recognize west lake, ohio rest department colonel luford who received the Ohio Distinguished Service medal last week. He became the first africanamerican astronaut to travel into space in 1983. Here in the Ohio Distinguished Service medal, highest noncombat decoration for service awarded by state for his commitment and dedication throughout his historic career in aviation. Mr. Gonzalez before joining nasa, he flufe over 144 combat nations flue over 144 combat nations with United States air force in vietnam. He earned his doctor degree in Aerospace Engineering at the air force institute of technology at Wrightpatterson Air Force base in dayton, ohio. We are proud and grateful for his military service and dedication to space exploration. As nasa looks to expand mankinds horizon in sparkse his life achievements and aviation accomplishments serve as an inspiration to future generations. Thank you. 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. The speaker pro tempore without objection, the gentleman is recognized for one minute. Mr. Speaker, today i introduced a fully Bipartisan Health care bill. The know the price act. It does something very simple im confident we will agree on. Americans should know how much or health care is going to cost before we receive it. Many americans arent aware when we go to a health care provider, there is often a gag clause, a gag clause in the contracts between providers and insurance that block us from seeing the cost and quality of the care we are about to receive. Mr. Malinowski my bill eliminates these gag clauses so we have the power and freedom to make informed decisions about our health care. The bill would also allow employers to access deeidentified claims defmentidentified claims date data so they have the information they need to choose the Health Care Plans that are actually best for their employees. Mr. Speaker, this is commonsense legislation that will offer families and businesses in new jersey and all across our country more joyce in their health care at lower prices. Thank you. I yield back. The speaker pro tempore for what purpose does the gentleman from North Carolina seek recognition . Ask to address the house for one minute. Revise and extend. The speaker pro tempore without objection, the gentleman is recognized for one minute. Thank you, mr. Speaker. I rise today to discuss an ongoing issue that has affected nearly every american. The barrage of annoying and deceptive robocalls. These seemingly endless automated phone calls disrupt our daily lives, constitute a serious form of harassment, and expose millions of americans to americans dangerous financial scams. Thats why i introduced a bipartisan bill alongside my colleagues representative lacy clay and dan bishop. Called the foreign robocall elimination act. Mr. Budd our bill takes on robocalls that originate overseas by directing the s. E. C. To convenient an Interagency Task force to develop effective measures to combat robocalls come interesting abroad. No matter which side of the aisle we find ourselves on, we should all be able to agree its time for these Illegal Robocalls to be stopped. Once and for all. I yield back. The speaker pro tempore for what purpose does the gentleman from rhode island seek recognition . Mr. Cies he leaney i ask unanimous consent mr. Cicilline i ask unanimous consent to address the house for one minute. The speaker pro tempore without objection, the gentleman is recognized for one minute. Mr. Cicilline the American People deserve a coordinated, fully funded response to keep us safe from the coronavirus. Instead of taking the situation seriously, the president has mounted a confusion and chaotic response. He designated mike pence to lead the Public Health response. Mike pence, a man whose Terrible Health policies as governor of indiana allowed the worst h. I. V. Epidemic in States History take route in 2015. The president s budget clashed 30 million from the c. D. C. And left vacant critical positions responsible for managing pandemics. Now hes proposed raiding funds appropriated by congress for other life threatening Public Health emergencies. To be blunt the president s response has been a disaster. The American People deserve better and thats why the house will advance a strong, strategy funding package that fully addresses the scale and seriousness of this Public Health crisis. Lets hope the president follows our lead. I yield back. The speaker pro tempore for what purpose does the gentleman from pennsylvania seek recognition . Mr. Thompson request unanimous consent to address the house for one minute. Revise and extend my remarks. The speaker pro tempore without objection, the gentleman is recognized for one minute. Mr. Thompson thank you, mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, i rise today to recognize National Protein day. Protein is one of the most important elements of a healthy diet. Id also like to recognize wunl of most important sources of protein in the american diet. Talking about milk. We know that the protein in milk helps build reparamusle tissue. Additionally Dairy Products like mil contain nine essential nutrients that help predues the risk of high blood pleasure, os could he teeo perrotcies and some cancers. Despite these quality, milk consumption in the United States has been on the declinement an effort to reverse this trend i introduced the whole milk for healthy kids act last year, a bipartisan bill. To once again allow whole milk in our nations schools. Milk is part of a nutritious and healthy diet packed with protein and flavor. Today id like to remind us all of the nutrients and health ben knits whole milk provide. I yield back the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore for what purpose does the gentleman from pennsylvania seek recognition . Mr. Speaker, ask to address the house for one minute. Revise and extend my remarks. The speaker pro tempore without objection, the gentleman is recognized for one minute. It mr. Speaker, in commemoration of black history month, i am honored to be joined by six of philadelphias most distinguished ward leaders. Mr. Boyle and want to ensure their contributions to our city remain enshrined in our historical congressional record for future generations to recognize. Miss ella moore of ward 37. Mr. Arthur green of ward 14. Shirley gregory of ward 49. Peter of ward 61. Renee of ward 20. And Sharon Vaughn of ward 42 all take after the long lineage of philians who violence our democracy towards an increasingly inclusive system. I extend to them my most sincere gratitude for their leadership on behalf of our shared constituencies and look forward to honoring them here at the capitol later this afternoon. Thank you. I yield back. Speaker pro tempore mr. Speaker, i ask unanimous consent to address the house for one minute. Revise and extend. The speaker pro tempore without objection, the gentlewoman is recognized. Ms. Plaskett thank you, mr. Speaker. The Opioid Crisis has had devastating impact on communities throughout our country. In my conversations with members of law enforcement, Public Safety officials, and pub lig health experts, it has become clear that serious reforms are necessary to ensure our criminal Justice System effectively contributes to efforts to combat the Substance Abuse epidemic. The 2018 National Institute on drug abuse data shows that every day 128 people in the United States die from overdose of opioids. The misuse of and addiction to opioids including prescription pain relievers, heroin, and synthetic opioids is a severe National Crisis that affects Public Health as well as social and economic welfare. Next month im going to host a round table discussion on this in my district to ensure best practices and make sure we stem this form. Im going to use the measures that my democratic colleagues instituted to bring that to our community, to make sure that it does not happen in the virgin islands. Thank you, and i yield back. The speaker pro tempore for what purpose does the gentleman from illinois seek recognition . Mr. Speaker, 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. Davis thank you, mr. Speaker. I rise to pay tribute to a friend of mine who passed away a few days ago. His name is dennis hood. Dennis lived in Public Housing and has been a fierce advocate for implementation of the section 3 program. Despite many illnesses that he had, he developed himself a small contracting business, worked it well. Unfortunately passed away. So, dennis, we contribute and salute you for your efforts to advocate for those lowincome residents who lived in Public Housing. And i yield back the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore for what purpose does does the distinguished but tardy gentleman seek recognition . I request unanimous consent to address the house for one minute. The speaker pro tempore without objection, the gentleman is recognized for one minute. Mr. Speaker, i rise today to honor my constituent, dr. Mohamed khalid. A man who truly bomedies the American Dream embodies the American Dream. He came here from pakistan and settled on Staten Island in 1975, are we opened his dental practice and worked hard to provide for his children, for his family. Both of whom are now successful attorneys. Dr. Khalid says he considers it his moral and ethical duty to help. Mr. Rose and he shows that every single day, not just in his professional life, but in all of his Extraordinary Community service. Dr. Khalid is a cultural ambassador on Staten Island. Serving as the president of the iron hills civic association, and the Pakistani Civic Association. After the tragic events of 9 11, dr. Khalid and the Pakistani Civic Association worked to bring Staten Islanders together. Now, doing this for 15 years, theyve served meals and shared their culture all for the betterment of our community. Im proud to represent such a diverse and Inclusive Community full of leaders like dr. Khalid. Who exemplify the hard work, grit, determination that make this country so great. Thank you. Nd i yield back. The speaker pro tempore for what purpose does the gentlewoman from florida seek recognition . Mr. Speaker, by direction of the committee on rules, i call up House Resolution 866 and ask for its immediate consideration. The speaker pro tempore the clerk will report the resolution. The clerk house calendar number 74. House resolution 866. , that aupon adoption of this resolution it shall be in order to consider in the house the bill, h. R. 2339, to amend the federal food, drug, and cosmetic act with respect to the sale and marketing of Tobacco Products, and for other purposes. All points of order against consideration of the bill are waived. In lieu of the amendment in the nature of a substitute recommended by the committee on energy and commerce now printed in the bill, an amendment in the nature of a substitute consisting of the text of rules Committee Print 11651, modified by the amendment printed in the report of the committee on rules accompanying this resolution, shall be considered as adopted. The bill, as amended, shall be considered as read. All points of order against provisions in the bill, as amended, are waived. The previous question shall be considered as ordered on the bill, as amended, and on any further amendment thereto, to final passage without intervening motion except, one, 90 minutes of debate equally divided among and controlled by the chair and ranking minority member of the committee on energy and commerce and the chair and ranking minority member of the committee on ways and means, and, two, one motion to recommit with or without nstructions. The speaker pro tempore the gentlewoman from florida is recognized for one hour. Ms. Shalala mr. Speaker, for purposes of debate only, i yield the customary 30 minutes to the gentleman from texas, pending which i yield myself such time as i may consume. During consideration of this resolution, all time yielded is for the purpose of debate only. I ask unanimous consent that all members be given five legislative days to revise and extend their remarks. The speaker pro tempore without objection. Ms. Shalala mr. Speaker, on wednesday the rules committee met and reported a rule, House Resolution 866. Providing for the consideration of h. R. 2339, protecting american lungs and reversing the Youth Tobacco epidemic act of 2020. Under a closed rule. The rule provides 90 minutes of debate equally divided and controlled by the chair and the Ranking Member of the committee on energy and commerce, and the chair and Ranking Member of the committee on ways and means. The rule selfexecutes a managers amendment to make technical corrections and provides one motion to recommit. Mr. Speaker, i rise in strong support of the bill in this rule. Mr. Speaker, as our nation anticipates the probability of a pandemic, here today in this house, in the peoples house, we have the opportunity to save almost six million young lives that would be cut short by nicotine if we fail to act. I am not exaggerating. The c. D. C. Has predicted that if the children of our country continue to use Tobacco Products at the current rate, 5. 6 million children will have premature deaths. This is a test of our courage. Lets look at the facts. 1997, 24. 6 of all 12th graders reported daily use of cigarettes and 36. 5 reported some use in the last in the past 30 days. Thanks to smart, tough policies and a National Commitment to reduce cigarette use by children, those numbers dropped 2018. And 7. 6 by nearly 90 of adult smokers began smoking before the age of 18. If you do not start smoking as a child, it is very unlikely you will smoke as an adult. This is not a secret. Public Health Officials know this. And Tobacco Companies know this too. They also know that nicotine is a highly addictive substance. This dramatic reduction in cigarette use by children put Tobacco Companies in a bind. If children and teenagers have stopped using cigarettes and 90 of all adult smokers began smoking as children, how can they maintain their pipeline of customers . Their answer arrived in the form of a new technology. Ecigarettes. And vaping products. Companies knew that the pipeline of lifetime smokers was dwindling. So they started marketing new vaping products to young people through instagram ads and influencers and other social media platforms. They also handed out free vaping products at music events and movies. They clearly targeted children, our children, and their strategy worked. Today 26. 7 of 12th graders vaped in the last month. This rate has more than doubled in the last two years alone. 2010, only 1. 5 of 12th graders reported vaping. We banned flavored cigarettes in 2009 because they appealed to children. And it encouraged them to take up smoking. Tobacco companies switched to flavored Vape Products and flavored cigarillos because these products are not held to the same standard. Even though they are Tobacco Products and contain nicotine. In 2018 67 of High School Students and 49 of middle School Students who used Tobacco Products in the past 30 days reported using a flavored tobacco product. So while kids cant buy cotton candy or banana smash cigarettes, they can buy those flavors in vaping products or in cigarillos. For the record, nicotine has Health Effects beyond addiction. Nicotine exposes exposure daniels adolescent Brain Development and adolescent brain damagesed a lessent Brain Development damages adolescent Brain Development. It can also lead to a cardiac event. It is time, mr. Speaker, it is time to ensure our children do not face a lifetime of nicotine addiction. It is time to finally pass a bill that protects their health and that is what the protecting american lungs and reversing Youth Tobacco epidemic act will do. Mr. Speaker, i reserve the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentlewoman reserves the balance of her time. The gentleman from texas is recognized. Mr. Burgess i thank the speaker and i thank the gentlelady from florida for yielding me the customary 30 minutes and i will now yield myself as much time as i may consume. Mr. Speaker, i rise today in opposition to the rule providing for the consideration of h. R. 2339, the protecting american lungs and reversing Youth Tobacco epidemic act of 2019. The bill is a misnoemer. It is not aimed at curbing Youth Tobacco or ecigarette use. It is aimed at tobacco generally. Both parties in the house and senate agreed that we needed to act in order to prevent youth access to these products. In december, this past december, we fulfilled that commitment by sending a bill to the president s desk which he signed that raised the legal age to purchase all Tobacco Products to 21 years of age. President trump signed what has been termed t21 into law on december 20 of 2019. This policy will break down youth access and the social networks in schools where 18yearolds can purchase Tobacco Products legally and then disseminate to those those products to younger students. Other significant efforts, such as the flavor ban by the administration, will help limit Youth Tobacco use, the food and Drug Administration has issued a ban on flavored ecigarette products that appeal to children , including fruit and mint flavors. This ban will help deter youth use in the future and prevent companies from targeting children with appealing flavors. When we first held a hearing on the vaping lung injury at the start of the outbreak back in october, the cause of this lung injury was unclear. However, these lung injuries were disproportionately affecting the youth the young population. After diligent efforts by the centers for Disease Control and prevention and state health departments, we have since found that the vast majority of these the injuries were caused by vaping products containing is rightman e, an additive. E, and attive. In children are buying these on the black market an additive. Children are buying these on the black market. An article entitled many vaping illnesses linked to black market , dankvapes or other that article walks through how two brothers in wisconsin were arrested for running a t. C. H. Videotape ring. Vape ring. The captain of the wanes borrow, virginia, Department Said these products are labeled dank vapes and appear commercially packaged and there are a variety of different flavors. His Police Department has recovered 35,000 worth of videotaping products. Vapping products. At this point, madam speaker, i think it is worthwhile to point out it is probably not a good idea for anyone to take into their lungs something that is labeled dank vape. According to the c. D. C. Dank vapes appeared to be the most prominent in a class of largely counterfeit brands with common packaging easily Available Online and used by distributors to market t. H. C. Containing cartridges. H. R. 2339 does absolutely nothing to crack down on that black market. These deliciously named vapping products with flavors such as lemon slushy, bumble gum will likely continue to be sold illegally, especially on line. The Trump Administration has already released guidance to ban delivers. The f. D. A. Is requiring companies to stop the manufacture, distribution, and sale of certain unauthorized flavored ecigarette products within 30 days of their published guidance. This guidance took effect on february 6, 2020, and is now in in effect and enforceable. This bill takes the flavor ban further and bans all flavor Tobacco Products, delug menthol including menthol. This will take flavored cigarettes, cigars, smokeless tobaccos away from lawabiding adults who must now by law be 21 years of age to purchase any tobacco product. Additionally, this bill contains a potential infringement on the First Amendment by requiring Health Warnings on cigarette labels and advertising. There are other ways to educate individuals, particularly our young population, of the harmful effects of smoking. Without impinging on freedom of speech. Congress has already taken steps to protect our young people from a future of tobacco addiction when we passed tobacco 21 and the Trump Administration has stepped up the band flavored ecigarette products. You know the house also passed h. R. 3942, the preventing online sales of ecigarettes to children act, which requires age verification by all retailers at the time of sale and delivery. These policies will prevent young people from accessing ecigarettes and will deter future use. On the other hand, h. R. 2339 does not address Youth Tobacco use. This bill would ban all flavored Tobacco Products for all ages, taking away choices for lawabiding adult americans. Lets be clear, tobacco is not healthy. However, lawabiding adults are capable of making these decisions for themselves. Tra contiguousal traditional cigarettes remain the leading cause of preventable death in the United States. Claiming an estimated 480,000 lives or more each year. This is a personal issue for me as i lost both parents to tobacco related disease. According to the c. D. C. An estimated 34 million adults in the United States currently smoke cigarettes, and more than 16 million americans live with a smoking related disease. While i am certainly concerned about the effect of ecigarettes on our young people, we do need to remember that there is a large Adult Population with a whole host of Health Problems related to tobacco, some early studies show that current Adult Tobacco users may benefit from the less harmful alternative that an ecigarette poses. Additionally rning the Adult Population will seek out attorneys if their tobacco product of choice is eliminated from the legal market. A bill like this makes legal products used by Many Americans and could contribute to an already existing and thriving black market for Tobacco Products. As we saw last year, the outbreak of lung injuries was linked to counterfeit and black market products. There were reports of illicit operations by individuals taking t. C. H. Vape cartridges and cutting the product with other oils to maximize their profit. If h. R. 2339 becomes law, it could inspire similar black Market Operations to create products that lawabiding americans currently enjoy. This bill is not about the use of vapping products. It is about eliminating all adult use of Tobacco Products. We have seen a surge in lung injuries in the United States. An issue not adequately addressed in this bill. The centers for Disease Control has linked these injuries to t. C. H. Products not tobacco. Protecting our youth from tobacco is an important priority. However, h. R. 2339 does not do that and goes too far and therefore i cannot support it. I urge members to oppose the bill, oppose the rule that delivers the bill, and oppose this assault on free choice for the mesh people American People. With opposition to the rule, i reserve the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentlelady from florida. Ms. Shalala thank you, madam speaker. Madam speaker, let me simply say we can never go too far when we are protect our children. I ask for a unanimous consent to insert into the record a february 5 nbc news article entitled, federal flavor ban goes into effect thursday, but many flavored Vape Products will still be available. The speaker pro tempore without objection. Ms. Shalala madam speaker, many teens today have moved from using flavored ecigarettes to other flavored nicotine laced products, including things like flavored pouches and drops and pods. These products are still on the market today. The recent national ban, which my distinguished colleague referred to, didnt take them off the shelves. Something more is needed to make sure our children dont go from one bad addictive product to the next. The products might be different, but the impacts are the same. Its a distinction without a difference, madam speaker. Thats why we have to pass this bill to keep life threatening products out of the hands of our children. Madam speaker, i yield two minutes to the the gentlewoman from connecticut, ms. Delauro. The speaker pro tempore the gentlelady is recognized for two minutes. Madam speaker, i rise to report the support the rule and this comprehensive legislation which prohibits all flavored Tobacco Products. I want to commend chairman frank pa lowell and congresswoman Donna Shalala for their leadership. The youth videotaping epidemic is a vapping jepped a Public Health emergency that threatens our youngsters. One in four High Schoolers are using ecigarettes and not just occasionally. More than a third of users in high school said that they were smoking ecigarettes at least 20 days a month. My granddaughter, who is a high schooler, when i asked her about this, she said, it is everywhere. Everyone is smoking ecigarettes. Last year, i hosted a hearing on youth vapping crisis in a subcommittee. As experts have said, the flavors are a key factor in this. Many one out of seven out of 10 current ecigarette users say they use them because, quote, they come in flavors i like. And nearly all or 97 use flavored ecigarette in the past month. Mango, mint, cotton candy are some of the 15,000 flavors Still Available thanks to the loophole laden action the Trump Administration took in january. The president made a promise in the oval office to the american families, to ban flavors, which are hooking our youngsters. They are becoming addicted. Special interests appear to be more important. He allowed popular flafertse like tall to remain for products like the popular jule device. Its unacceptable. The health of our children must be our priority. So the democratic majority of the United States house of representatives is stepping up for our children by voting for this bill and this rule we can ban flavors, take comprehensive action to defend our kids. I urge my colleagues to vote for the rule and the bill. Yield back. Le the speaker pro tempore the gentleman from texas. Mr. Burgess i yield myself a minute. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized. Mr. Burgess madam speaker, id like to ask unanimous consent to insert into the record an article from the hill today, written biee yemb clarke, making a point about the unintended consequences of this legislation. The bill carves out an exemption for certain cigar products. But it also creates a ban on menthol products which would have the unintended consequence of adversely and selectively affecting individuals, tobacco users in communities of color. The speaker pro tempore without objection. Yes. Rgess the speaker pro tempore the gentleman from reserves. The sheal from florida. Ms. Shalala madam speaker, id like to just clarify some misunderstanding related to the bill that i just heard. Some have suggested that h. R. 2339 allows certain cigars to be exempt from a flavored prohibition. I want to be very clear, under this legislation all Tobacco Products are subject to the flavor prohibition, including cigars. In fact, the text of the definition of cigar product explicitly states that these cigars cannot contain a characterizing flavor. Under the legislation, menthol is a characterizing flavor. The only way to tackle the Youth Tobacco epidemic is to prohibit all flavors in all products, which is exactly what h. R. 2339 does. Madam speaker, i yield three minutes to the gentleman from california, the distinguished member of the rules committee, mr. Desauliner. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized for three minutes. Mr. Desauliner thank you, madam speaker. I want to thank the gentlelady for yielding and her leadership on issues of Public Health, particularly this bill. I rise in support of the reversing the Youth Tobacco epidemic act. Im proud of long history in the San Francisco bay area, which i have been privileged to represent, live in for many years, starting in the 80s with the amazing work by stan glance, a researcher in San Francisco who discovered that Tobacco Industry were pathologically lying to the American Public and hiding the effects of their products. We responded to that by trying to pass laws here in congress, but we were unable to because the tobacco lobby. Tried at the state legislative opportunities, but failed to do that. But in local government we passed hundreds of local ordnances banning Secondhand Smoke to protect employees and to protect customers. At the time i was a member of the California Restaurant Association and restaurant owner. Many of my colleagues were part of the same arguments we hear today, that youll put retailers out of business. That this is all legal product. We listened to those and we enacted these laws and we worked with people who were affected by it. The Economic Impacts were positive not neglect tifment restaurants were more successful than they have ever been in the bay area. Lead the country many in ways. When we passed these ordnances, you Public Health people came together with labor and others to be sure the truth came out. In the early 1990s as mator of a city of 130,000 people, i authored one of the first in the nations efforts to curb Secondhand Smoke. In fact, it has been illegal to smoke in bars, restaurants, and other Public Places in california entirely since 1998. We worked together then to stop big tobaccos hold over millions of addicted americans and we won. Unfortunately, big tobacco has a new partner, the vapping industry. Companies like jule unfortunately headquartered in San Francisco, in my view, represent the very worst of the bay Area Business culture. They dont ask permission. They apologize after they have addicted millions of americans, particularly young people. They deceptively and illegally marketed their poisonous products to children and much like big tobacco did decades ago. Our efforts led to almost 70 decrease in the use of Tobacco Products across the country, according to the center for Disease Control. In 2016, on the other hand alone, seven out of 10 u. S. Mied middle and High School Students all cigarette ads on tv scores and online. They use flavors like cotton candy to attract young people to try vaping and get hooked on nicotine. We know better. We have a long history of this. These products are not safe. They are not Smoking Cessation devices. We need to take action to protect our children. Just as we did years ago. In local government in the bayaire we have started to do what we did in the 1990s. Passing bans on these products. So if we wont do it here, well do it at the local level. We should do it here and pass this bill. The longer we wait, millions are addicted and millions more are being targeted. The reversing the Youth Tobacco epidemic act will help save lives and keep widespread nicotine addiction in the past in the United States. We beat big tobacco once before. And we can do it again. I urge my colleagues to support this bill. I yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from texas. Mr. Burgess its my pleasure to yield to the gentleman from utah, mr. Curtis, four minutes. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized for four minutes. Mr. Curtis madam speaker, i rise today in opposition to the rule underlining the bill. Reducing the alarming rates of youth ecigarette seuss and must remain a top priority for use is and must remain a top priority for lawmakers. My greatest joy in life has been watching my children grow into the men and women that they are today. Protecting their health and safety and that of their children in order to ensure their future success is personally a top priority of mine in congress. However, h. R. 2339 before us today is concerning for numerous reasons. First, this onesizefitsall bill was drafted without republican input. The committee of jurisdiction passed legislation virtually along partisan lines. This legislation was finalized just monday night, but it is receiving a vote this week. With details negotiated outside of public view. A bill of this magnitude, which includes over 100 million in new taxes, deserves a lengthy public debate. Second, congress recently passed needed legislation to raise the minimum age to purchase Tobacco Products from 18 to 21. On a bipartisan basis. Additionally, the food and Drug Administration already has the ability to regulate flavored i cigarette products and this bill ecigarette products and this bill would permanently hinder ongoing efforts. This would undercut ongoing efforts by utah to combat youth vaping. The legislature and Governors Office acted decisively to keep these out of the hands of our youth. The state of utah is a great example of what we can accomplish when partisanship is put aside for the greater good. In closing, i want to reiterate the importance of keeping these products out of the hands of children. But we cant do that without a lengthier, bipartisan conversation and especially if were ignoring the work state and local governments is and has been doing to keep our children safe. I yield my time. Thank you. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back the balance of his time. The gentlelady from florida. Ms. Shalala i reserve the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentlelady reserves the balance of her time. The gentleman from texas. Mr. Burgess thank you, madam speaker. At this time i yield myself one minute. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized. Mr. Burgess madam speaker, id like to ask unanimous consent to insert into the record a letter from mothers of the movement. They state in part that we ask at the same time you consider health issues, you look carefully at the criminal justice impact of such a change in health policy. Our community has had plenty of experience living under laws passed with the best of intentions. Under your bill, cigarettes preferred by africanamericans would be illegal. Cigarettes preferred by nonafricanamericans nonafricanamericans would remain legal. I ask unanimous consent to place this in the record. The speaker pro tempore without objection. Mr. Burgess i reserve the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentlelady from florida. Ms. Shalala i reserve. The speaker pro tempore are the embers ready to close . The gentleman from texas. Mr. Burgess madam speaker, i yield myself such time as i may consume. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized. Mr. Burgess madam speaker, if we defeat the previous question, i will offer an amendment to the rule to immediately bring up a resolution condemning the comments of democratic socialist president ial candidate bernard sanders. Madam speaker, i ask unanimous consent to insert the text of this amendment in the record, along with extraneous material immediately prior to the vote on the previous question. To explain this amendment, i now yield five minutes to my friend, representative from florida, mr. Diazbalart. The speaker pro tempore without objection. The gentleman is recognized for five minutes. Mr. Diazbalart thank you very much, madam speaker. I urge the defeat of the previous question so that we can amend, as the gentleman just explained, the rule to immediately consider my resolution, condemning senator sanders blatantly false comment regarding the castro regime in cuba. The racist, terrorist, murderous castro regime in cuba. Ive said this before. If anybody wants to know the devastation of socialism and the tyranny that so often accompanies it, i invite you to speak to some of my constituents, including thousands, thousands of former Political Prisoners now in compile. Let me just mention some of those exile. Let me just mention some of those. Luis. Angel. Roberto. Theres so many others who are in south florida who have suffered in the prisons of cuba just because they have asked for and fought for freedom. But there are also former Political Prisoners who are still on the island. And i can mention many of them. Let me just mention dr. Oscar who just recently was arrested, harassed and then it looks like potentially released. And the relatives of current Political Prisoners such as jose daniel ferrar, miguel iaz bausa. You cant speak to them because theyre in prison currently. But you can speak to their relatives. All of them have witnessed it firsthand, firsthand the destruction that socialism causes. All of these Political Prisoners have to be released at once. Thats what we should be demanding. Now, unfortunately this is not newcombing from the Progressive Movement new coming from the Progressive Movement. But i remind senator sanders and the Progressive Movement that the castro regime is not only a threat, a threat to the National Security interests of the United States, but also to the democracies, the democracies in our hemisphere. I want to remind senator sanders of cubas close relationship, of the cuban regimes close relationship with some of the worlds worst thugs. Such as iran. Iran and the cuban regime held the first irancuban Business Forum in tehran in august of 2019. And have signed memorandum of understandings affirming their commitment to expand trade and coordination. There were just recently two highprofile visits of iranian socalled Foreign Ministers and also the socalled president of iran in cuba in 2016. You see, for years the cuban regime has been on the list of state sponsor of terrorism for its support of other terrorist states. Terrorist organizations and violence states, terrorist organizations and violence around the world and in this hemisphere. In 2013 the cuban regime, i remind folks, was caught, caught smuggling weapons to north korea in the largest violation of International Sanctions against that rogue regime. It has been propping up the maduro regime with thousands of intelligence operatives to oppose the venezuelan people. In some cases to kill the venezuelan people. The cuban regime has been harboring fugitives from u. S. Justice, including f. B. I. s most anted terrorist, and terrorist bomb maker william morales. Thats just to name a few. So that is why, madam speaker, i filed the resolution that condemns the blatantly false comments of democratic socialist candidate for president , senator person where Sanders Bernie sanders. This resolution also rejects the false claims that cubas health care, education and Literacy Rates have improved as a result of the castro regime. The castro dictatorship. So, those claims have been debunked by so many sources. Let me just throw a couple of facts. According to the state department report, a state department report, cubas infant mortality rate was 32 of 1,000 live births. One of the best in the western hemisphere. But, madam speaker, this was not castro, this is in the 1950s, precastro. Cubas Life Expectancy walz one of the highest in was also one of the highest in latin america in the 1950s. Precastro. No, it wasnt castro, this is precastro. Cubas Literacy Rate was one of the highest in the western hemisphere. Precastro. In the 1 50s 1950s. Those are the facts, madam speaker. The realities of cuba in cuba now, over a million people, in a country of just 11 million, have risked everything to try to find freedom, to try to get away from that socialist tyranny. Many have perished on rafts as they placed themselves, their children at risk in sharkinfested waters for just a chance at freedom. The speaker pro tempore the gentlemans time has expired. The gentleman is recognized. Mr. Diazbalart madam speaker, why would they do this if things in cuba are just not all that bad . Again, in contrast, during the precastro cuba, more americans were traveling to cuba and going to cuba than cubans coming to the United States. Today, now, madam speaker, here we have an opportunity to condemn senator Bernie Sanders blatantly false and hurtful comments regarding the racist, terrorist castro regime. Join me in standing in solidarity with the cuban people. By the way, by extension also in solidarity with the venezuelan people who are working to regain their freedom against what the o. A. S. Secretary general has called a cuban army of occupation in venezuela. So join me in standing in solidarity with the people and not with the regime that oppresses them. Thank you, madam speaker. I yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentlelady from florida. Ms. Shalala i reserve. The speaker pro tempore the gentlelady reserves the balance of her time. The gentleman from texas. Mr. Burgess madam speaker, i have no additional speakers and am prepared to close if the gentlelady is. The speaker pro tempore all right. The gentleman is recognized. Mr. Burgess madam speaker, i yield myself the balance of our time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized. Mr. Burgess this bill claims to curb Youth Tobacco use, including vaping. The reality is it bans many types of Tobacco Products that are legally and voluntarily used by adults. While i do not support any form of tobacco use, it is a choice for lawabiding adults to make. The unintended consequences of suddenly making legal Tobacco Products illegal will likely push people to the black market, to seek the same products or worse. If we really want to address vaping, we need to target tetra s containing the t. H. C. We just made tobacco use illegal for those under the age of 21 and the Trump Administration has banned certain flavored i segrit ecigarette products. This requires a multilevel approach. Unfortunately, the provisions in this bill will not proud desired result and could even create more harm than good for some populations. Republicans do stand ready to work on Bipartisan Solutions to increase the health of our population and to protect our young people. But you i need to urge a no but i need to urge a no vote on the previous question, a no vote on the rule and no on the underlying measure and i yield back the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back the balance of his time. The gentlelady from florida. Ms. Shalala thank you, madam speaker. Im a little confused. I may be a freshman, but i know that my good friend, mario diazbalart, usually gives me a little advanced notice before he presents something. My republican colleagues are promising that if we defeat the previous question they will bring up a resolution to condemn the comments senator sanders, the terrible comments senator sanders made regarding the dictator, fidel castro. Let me be clear, defeating the previous question means that republicans could bring up any germane bill or amendment they want. The key word here being germane. The resolution is not germane to the rule. That means under the house rules, rules that have been in place since the founding of this institution, republicans cannot bring to the floor the resolution they are promising to, because its not germane to the rule. The vote on the p. Q. Is not a vote on the diazbalart resolution. It is a vote to end debate on the rule and proceed to consideration of the legislation at hand. A bill to help prevent kids from taking up smoking. I am not disputing the merits of the resolution. My distinguished republican colleague resolution my distinguished republican colleague is offering. In fact, i support this resolution and, to be very clear, ive requested to be added as a cosponsor. I was the first democratic member of congress to speak out against these misguided, illinformed, hurtful and unacceptable comments made by senator sanders from vermont. Over the last six decades hundreds of thousands of cubans have risked their lives to escape the tyranny of the castro regime. A regime of fear, paranoia and oppression that regularly abuses human rights in order to stifle free thought and democracy in cuba to this very day. Yesterday my good friend and south florida colleague, mr. Diazbalart, spoke about the horrors of castros cuba. He so eloquently explained, and i quote, if anybody wants to know the devastation of socialism and the tyranny that is that often is accompanied by socialism, i invite you to come and speak to some of my constituents, including the thousands and thousands of former Political Prisoners. This is a joint invitation. Please come to my south Florida Community and meet mr. Diazbalarts constituents, meet my constituents who will make it clear, the cuban regime and other similar authoritarian regimes across latin america are instruments of evil and are not worthy of praise. Id like to quote by quoting mr. Diazbalart. Regime is a threat. Not only to the National Security of the United States all democracies in this hemisphere, closed quote. Absolutely correct. I stand with him. I have always stood with him, constituents our in south florida to denounce the regime. An to debate e are here a bill that protects our children from the dangers of and nicotine use. I hope my republican colleagues will join us in voting yes on yes on this rule so we can move on to consideration reverse the Youth Tobacco epidemic. Claiming they will do something that has been against the rules of the House Congress inry first 1789. Rule 16 clearly tates, and i quote, no motion or proposition on a subject different from that under be admitted shall dollcolor of amendment. If it doesnt matter whether or not a member will support my colleagues resolution, which i have not had the opportunity to fully read since it was minutes ago, it is completely unrelated to the Public Health bill we are right now. Nd could not actually be offered. The right way to do this would have been to consult with all of who have spoken out on this ssue and build support in the traditional way. I have always joined my diazbalart, to consult with other members and denounce gether to exist. Wherever it may madam speaker, i am prepared to myself, and i yield myself time. Mainder of the the speaker pro tempore the gentlelady is recognized. Shalala will the gentlewoman yield for a second . Ms. Shalala no, sorry. The speaker pro tempore the gentlelady is recognized. Ms. Shalala i worked on tobacco issues for years. I was secretary of health and human services, we knew we were facing a problem with youth usage of Tobacco Products, particularly cigarettes. Smart, tough policies and comprehensive outreach succeeded in dramatically reducing youth cigaret cigarette use. Extraordinary Public Health achievement, but here we again with favored ecigarettes and Vape Products. Tobacco companies will not give not either. Ll nicotine exposure during youth adulthood is particularly dangerous. The children who are using and vaping garettes products are people who likely ouldnt have taken up smoking otherwise. This is the Public Health crisis of the 21st century. Dont vote or contribute to our campaigns, but future. Our in fairy tales, children are saved by caring adults. We must save them from disease and death. We are the caring adults of this generation. We must save them from an industry that would trade their lives for profit. Its important to acknowledge that weve made a lot of this isan proguess on Public Health issue. Weve raised the age to buy 21, but the cts to administration has enacted a narrow flavor ban. Its too narrow. Only restricts flavors in products like juul. Further, disposable ecigarette puff bar will still be available in flavors or leche. And banana theres clear evidence that teens are already switching to products. We need a comprehensive policy does. Ats what this bill. R. 2339 prohibits the sale of all flavored Tobacco Products and bans the marketing of people under 21 years of age. This is a comprehensive solution. To curb this epidemic now. It is our responsibility to childrens future. Mr. Speaker, i urge a yes vote and on the previous question. I yield back the balance of my time and i move the previous resolution. The the speaker pro tempore the occurs on the previous question. Those in favor say aye. Those opposed, no. In the opinion of the chair, the ayes have it. Mr. Burgess madam speaker. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from texas. Mr. Burgess on that i demand the yeas and nays. The speaker pro tempore the yeas and nays are requested. Those favoring a vote by the rise. Nd nays will a sufficient number having arisen, the yeas and nays are ordered. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule 20, further proceedings on this question will be postponed. Pursuant to clause 12a of rule 1, the chair declares the house in recess subject to the call of the chair