And in one u. S. Territory join us at 7 00 tonight on cspan. [captioning performed by the national captioning institute, which is responsible for its caption content and accuracy. Visit ncicap. Org] [captions Copyright National cable satellite corp. 2020] the speaker pro tempore the house will be in order. The chair lays before the house a communication from the speaker. The clerk the speakers rooms, washington, d. C. , march 3, 2020. I hereby appoint the honorable john a. Yarmuth to act as speaker pro tempore on this day. Signed, nancy pelosi, speaker of the house of representatives. The speaker pro tempore please be seated. Pursuant to thed orer of the house of january 7, 2020, the chair will now remember recognize members from lists submitted by the majority and minority leaders for morning hour detpwhafmente chair will alternate recognition between the parties with time equally allocated between the parties and each member other than the majority and minority leaders and minority whip limited to five minutes. But in no event shall debate continue beyond 11 50 a. M. The chair recognizes the gentleman from texas, mr. Green, or five minutes. Mr. Green thank you, mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, and still i rise, proud to be an american, proud to be a member of the u. S. House f representatives. I rise because i refuse to accept the notion that we should get back to bigotry as usual in the house of representatives. Im one who has fought bigotry most of my life and i will continue to fight it for the rest of my life. Today i want to talk about bigotry not only within the country but i also want to talk about those who aid and abet bigotry in the house of representatives. Right here in this house there are people who aid and abet bigotry. I spoke last on the floor about a news day report, it concerned an investigation that took place in the state of new york and within this investigation it was uncovered that with reference to real estate agents, after having tested them, it was uncovered hat 19 of the time, Asian Americans were treated unequally. Unequally when compared to white americans. 39 of the time hispanic americans were treated unequally. And 49 of the time, africanamericans were treated unequally. We sought to do something about this in the Financial Services committee. We have a piece of legislation that will provide for testing and expand the testing that was started in this country by president ronald reagan. President reagan gave us the paradigm which we seek to enhance, which we seek to expand, because that is the means by which we can eliminate this kind of invidious discrimination. Its not a question of way its whether we have the will to challenge it and take it all. I want to tell you that in my committee there were those who would aid and abet. They came up with specious arguments. Fallacious contentions. The notion that we can do without, without saying we can do without the improvements. I believe this kind of aiding and abetting is the reason we still have this level of invidious discrimination in our country. There are people in this congress who aid and abet beth racism and discrimination. We have to call this out, we cannot continue to pretend that it does not exist right here in the congress of the United States of america. I yield back the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized for five minutes. Every parents Worst Nightmare to learn their Childrens School is the site of mass violence. School should not be a place our kids have to fear but it should be where they learn and grow and follow the dream. No child should have to be more concerned about safety than they are about a science project, band concert or basketball game. Thats why last year i and many others introduced the secure our schools act in the last congress, passed it on to the president and it was signed into law. Mr. Bost i was proud our bipartisan bill passed the house and senate and was signed into law by the president. It creates a Grant Program for local communities to improve security in their schools. School districts, Law Enforcement can use these critical funds to purchase life Safety Technology, panic alert system, communications equipment, cameras, door locks, or to better train authorities when incidents of violence might occur. Last year 33 million in grants were allocated to 103 School Districts nationwide, making four Million Students safer. The application process is now open for grants. For the 2021 fiscal year. Please urge our local officials, those in your district, to visit more information on how to apply for up to 500,000 in grants through the school violence. Cops. Doj. Gov. The application deadline for this fiscal year is april 18. Please reach out to your community, community leaders, Law Enforcement and School Districts. We have advanced Safety Technology in banks, Office Buildings and retail locations. Theres no reasony we shouldnt are this technology at all our schools to protect all of our children. I yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back. The chair now recognizes the gentlewoman from arkansas, ms. Bonamici, for five minutes. Ms. Bonamici thank you, mr. Speaker. I rise today in recognition of International Womens day on march 8 to call attention to women around the world who have risked their personal safety and freedom to speak out for the rights of all women and i am particularly inspired by the example of three brave saudi women who have spent nearly two years in imprisoned or under house arrest because of their fearless advocacy. Lujane, neuf men, and alman are outstanding examples of the many tsao dee activists who bravely fought, fought to stop saudi arabias male guardianship, fought to end its prohibition on women drive, fought to open up female participation in elections and public office. Though the government ostensibly granted such freedoms in 2018, thee three women continue to face different injustices. Including torture or threats of murder and Sexual Violence and limited access to family or egal representation. Lujane has been particularly targeted for her courageous leadership. Her selfless commitment has paved the way for crucial social reform bus unfortunately the saudi government has attempted to undermine her cricks with politically motivated criminal charges, a lengthy imprisonment and inhumane abuse. This incredible woman deserves to be honored, not jailed, which is why i recently led several colleagues in nominating her for the Nobel Peace Prize and will continue to advocate for her through the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission defending free doms project. This congress we have adopted a bipartisan resolution in the house to urge for the release of these women and other activists and today we call on saudi arabia once again to prix these women and to lift the threat of their continued persecution. To maintain our International Leadership the United States has a moral obligation to uphold democratic principles. The president , the secretary of state and the entire Trump Administration must increase its diplomatic pressure to demand the release of these women and hold the saudi government accountable for its appalling disregard of human rights. As we recognize this International Womens day, we are reminded to look beyond our borders, to continue to bring attention to the urgent and ongoing Human Rights Violations that the kingdom of saudi arabia is committing. I ask that all women and their allies throughout the United States and the and around the world and all men join me in standing with these amazing saudi feminists and demanding that they be free. I yield back the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentlewoman yields back. The chair recognizes the gentleman from pennsylvania, mr. Thompson, for five minutes. Mr. Thompson thank you, mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, i rise today recognize march as National Nutrition month. Well balanced, nutritious diet is important for all americans, and access to fresh Quality Ingredients shouldnt be a luxury. I had the honor of serving as the chair of the agriculture subcommittee on nutrition. During my time on that subcommittee ive met with many advocates and stake holders who understand the role nutrition plays in the lives of all americans at every stage of life. It plays a particular role in the lives of our nations children. During Critical Development years, children are dependent on foods packed with nutrients. In some cases the meals students receive at school may be the only time they eat during the day. Its important to do what we can to ensure schools have the resources they need to provide students with delicious and nutritious options. In january, we usda announced two proposals to expand nutritious options for our nations schoolchildren. The new these new rules allow schools to offer a greater variety of vegetables options to customize breakfast and the ability to purchase items ala cart. This antiflexibility will not only bolster the consumption of food in our school bus also food waste. At the end of the day, doesnt matter how Nutritious School Lunches are if students arent eating them, theyre not nutritious. Im hopeful that this recent change will encourage more of our nations young people to make increasingly healthy, wellrounded food choices. In addition to a greater variety of fruits and vegetables we can help restore nutritious dairy options in schools. My bill, the whole milk for healthy kids act, would allow flavored and nonflavored milk back into our nations schools calf tieriars. Cafeterias. It would further expand milk options and reverse the decline of milk consumption in schools. While we can all be advocates for healthy diets and nutrition id like to specifically recognize the registered dietitian, nutritions who are one of our most valuable resources in the pursuit of reliable food and nutrition information. Next week, on march 11, we celebrate registered die trigs nutritionist day and thank these individuals for their role in building strong, healthy, families and communities. Thank you and i yield back the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back. The chair recognizes the gentlewoman from new york, ms. Horn for five minutes. Ms. Horn thank you, mr. Speaker. I rise today to highlight the importance of participation in the upcome 20g20 census and specifically the critical importance of getting a full count of tribal nation citizens. Census results affect our communities every day. As the official count of how many people live in our communities, the census determines everything from plans for highways to funding for special education and support for our firefighters. The results of the 2020 census will help determine how hundreds of billions of dollars in federal funding flow into communities every year for the next decade. Think of our local schools. Census counts help determine how many how money is allocated for head start, Early Education programs and grants that support College Access and Education Programs for children with disabilities. But thats not all. The census determines federal funding for student care, foster care program, housing assistance, Infrastructure Investment and so much more. We have to make sure that every oklahoman is counted so that our communities receive the support they need. This past week i was proud to introduce Bipartisan Legislation encouraging federal, state, local governments and tribal nations to Work Together as partners to encourage participation in the 2020 census among American Indians and alaska natives. Today, oklahoma is home to 39 tribes. The census ensures we make a strong investment in oklahoma and provide resources to tribal nations. That fulfill the indian trust responsibility. Funding for Housing Initiatives and Education Programs is at stake. For too long tribal nations have been shortchanged in federal funding due to a census that has historically undercounted native american populations. In the 2020 census, the Census Bureau estimates that American Indians an alaska natives were undercounted by approximately 4. 9 , more than double the undercount rate of the next closest population group. The negative consequences for undercount counting cannot be quickly correct thsmed census only occurs once every 10 years and as a result, undercounting tribal nations can significantly reduce federal funding levels for important programs for an entire decade. Over 300 federal programs rely on data derived from the census and tribal nations relie on many of them. They include thative american schools and Education Programs, native American Work force programs, Tribal Health programs, tribal housing programs, water and projects, transit infrastuckture and Economic Development programs. We must ensure native voices are heard and counted. The census is an opportunity, not a threat. Responses to the 2020 census are confidential, protected by law. Personal information is never shared by the Census Bureau with any other Government Agencies or Law Enforcement. And responses cannot be used against individuals by Government Agencies or in court in any way. All households will receive the census and may respond by mail, by phone or online. Its critically important that all oklahomans participate in the census. I want to thank my fellow members of the native american caucus including congressman cole of oklahoma and other who was helped get a full census count among tribal nations. I urge my colleagues and communities to Work Together as partners to encourage participation in the 2020 census and to inform the public that 2020 census is safe, easy and important. Thank you, mr. Speaker, and i yield back the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentlewoman the speaker pro tempore the gentlewoman yield back. The chair recognizes the gentleman from pennsylvania, mr. Keller, for five minutes. Mr. Keller thank you, mr. Speaker. One of the most absurd and destructive plans being touted by out of touch socialists is a ban on fracking known as hydraulic fracturing for gas and oil. At home in pennsylvanias 12th Congressional District, a region on any given day produces up to 10 of our nations natural gas. Its easy to see how the Energy Economy has benefited everyone. From highpaying jobs to lower energy costs, natural gas has been an economic win for the American People. Even more, thanks to the natural gas boom, america is now energy independent. That means great things for our National Security as we are no longer beholden to Energy Producing nations that hate us. Unbelievably, these great benefits are under attack by radical socialists who seek to ban fracking. According to the u. S. Chamber of commerce, the plan to ban fracking would cost more than 600,000 jobs and 261 billion in g. D. P. By 2025 and that is just in pennsylvania. This is combr i invited the social why i invited the socialists in this congress and those running for president that want to ban fracking to come to pennsylvanias 12th Congressional District and face the families they wish to leave destitute. To face the families who have finally found success and tell them why they want to take it away. For these folks, a ban on fracking would lead to more government dependence, lower wages, fewer jobs, and kyrocketing energy prices. Enter the words ban and fracking would pave the road for america to become a socialist country. There should be nothing scarier or more sickening than that. Mr. Speaker, i also want to take a little bit of time today to congratulate Bucknell University on achieving a great recognition this week. According to the United States peace corps, Bucknell University located in lewisburg, pennsylvania, produces the fourth most peace corps volunteers of all small colleges and universities nationwide. In their 2020 report, the peace corps noted bucknell produced 13 volunteers for the peace corps, an amazing feat for an institution whose student body is just over 3,600 students. According to its mission statement, bucknell educates students for a lifetime of Critical Thinking and strong leadership characterized by continued intellectual exploration, creativity, and imagination. By forming students in that mission it is no wonder why so many bucknell students find themselves seeking Greater Service to humanity through the peace corps. In noting the type of schools that make up the list of peace corps volunteers, peace corps director said, these schools are institutions that emphasize service minded students. On behalf of the people of pennsylvanias 12th Congressional District, i congratulate Bucknell University and the president on this great recognition and on creating service minded students. Thank you, mr. Speaker. I yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back. The chair now recognizes the gentleman from New Hampshire, mr. Pappas, for five minutes. Mr. Pappas thank you, mr. Speaker. I rise today to address three issues of critical importance to my constituents. The first is the urgent need to prepare for the coronavirus. Mr. Speaker, Public Health officials are now reporting the first presumed positive test in my home state of New Hampshire. As members of congress, our foremost responsibility is to keep our communities safe. That is why yesterday i joined the governor and my colleagues in the New Hampshire congressional delegation to receive an update from Public Health officials on our states ongoing efforts to combat this epidemic. The state of New Hampshire is currently ramping up testing capabilities, investigating potential cases, communicating with federal partners, and working with individual communities on containment and mitigation. Here in washington, we must ensure that the emergency coronavirus spending package is responsive to the urgent needs of state and local Public Health officials on the frontlines of this situation. We can only succeed in containing the virus if states like New Hampshire can depend on the full support of the federal government for costs associated with the response effort. Mr. Speaker, if there were ever a moment for renewed spirit of bipartisanship in congress, this is it. As our country focuses on the deadly virus outbreak. We must communicate Health Information clearly. We must develop effective and affordable vaccines made available to all who need them and ensure state and local governments, as well as medical facilities can sustain the arduous task of containing this outbreak in the weeks and months ahead. The American People are looking to us for levelheaded leadership that rises above politics and we cant let them down. Lets past a robust corona package as soon as possible. I continue to encourage all my constituents to folt c. D. C. Guidelines and visit the department of health and Human Services website for updated Health Information. I also rise today in support of veterans who are seeking services in the community and providers who care for them. For too long hospitals and providers in New Hampshire have been owed millions of dollars in unpaid claims for the care they provide to veterans. The Community Care providers impacted include large hospital networks, Home Health Care providers, massage therapists, and acupuncturist. I have personally met with them to hear their stories and convened meetings of affected stakeholders in New Hampshire and here in washington. Heres the bottom line. Without real progress, the mission act will never fulfill its promise and care for our veterans will be compromised. Last week at a hearing of the committee on veterans affairs, i received a promise from secretary wilkie that they will take immediate action. We must hold the v. A. To this commitment. My office is bringing v. A. Leaders, veterans, provide herbs, and Third Party Administrators to the table to solve these problems once and for all. When our veterans return home, they shouldnt have to fight to receive the care that they have earned. And local providers shouldnt have to fight a stubborn bureaucracy to get their bills paid, to keep their doors opened, and continue treating our treat violence. We can and must do better. Timely, i rise today to talk about empowering parents in New Hampshire to develop the skills they need to pursue the american dream. No parent should have to choose between carrying for a child and providing a better life for their families. Thats why im introducing the American Jobs Centers family accessibility act, which will create a competitive Grant Program for job centers to provide access to childcare for Individuals Receiving Services at their centers. In 2018, more than 5. 4 million unemployed workers, including more than 500,000 veterans took advantage of Career Services at job centers in their communities. Despite clear evidence that job centers are effective, barriers to access for job seekers still remain. In New Hampshire state officials tell me the number one obstacle to job training is access to childcare. No one who works hard and wants to develop new skills should be denied that opportunity simply because they cant find quality affordable childcare for their kids. I urge my colleagues to support the American Jobs Centers family accessibility act so that working mothers and fathers arent unfairly denied the chance to earn a better job and better life for their families. Thank you. I yield back the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back the balance of his time. The chair recognizes the gentleman from texas, mr. Cloud, for five minutes. Mr. Speaker, today i rise to congratulate mrs. Stacey convitcha, this years recipient of the educator of the year award. This award is given to a teacher who exemplifies professionalism, dedication, leadership, and enthusiasm. Shes a fourth grade math and Science Teacher at wharton elementary scoofment having been a teacher for 22 years, shes learned the value of going above and beyond for they are students in the classroom. Wharton Elementary School is a title 1 campus, which means over 90 of the students come from economically disadvantaged homes. She invests so much into her students. At the end of the day she wants to ensure that they feel cared for. Many have benefited from her high quality instruction as they are pushed to do their best. American ragtime composer once said teachers have three loves. The love of learning, the love of learners, and the love of bringing the first two loves together. Many she has these three loves and we are thankful for her service in lovingly shaping the minds for future generations. Thank you. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back. No, sir. Mr. Speaker, i rise today to remember marie jordan spear who passed away at 98 years of age in Corpus Christi, texas, on ctober 19, 2019. Maries kindness and compassion touched the lives of those around here and through her various achievements she served her community well. In 1942, she married mr. Edward jordan, but two years later he was drafted to fight in world war ii and heroically but tragically died in combat. Marie ultimately used her suffering and loss to help others. She founded the gold star wives of america in order to comfort and to create a community for other widows who lost her husbands in the war. The first meeting she organized was a lunch with other military widows from town. This lunch more hed into a small volunteer group which drew into a National Organization that today has 34 chapters throughout the United States. The gold star wives not only provide comfort and support for families who lost loved ones, on capitol hill they fight to secure victories for the spouses and childrens of fallen soldiers. We owe it to these families a debt that we cannot replay. Repavement their husbands and fathers have made the ultimate sacrifice in order to protect our country. Today and every day we pray for gods peace for these families. Marie continues to work on behalf of the gold star wives, eventually settling in Corpus Christi texas, where she start three local newspapers and became heavily involved in the community. South texas is a better place because of marie. Her life truly is a testament of the power and sacrificial love, determination, and compassion. To maries family, thank you for sharing her with our nation. We are sorry for your loss. Thank you. I yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back. The chair now recognizes the gentleman from north carolina, mr. Budd, for five minutes. Mr. Budd thank you, mr. Speaker. I rise to discuss the coronavirus. I want to reassure folks since we first learned about this virus, our government has been very proactive in its response. The president took charge, he assembled a task force headed by the Vice President that brought together the best and brightest doctors and scientists and Health Experts that our country has to offer. The president also took the crucial step of implementing a travel ban on china to slow down the spread of the outbreak within our borders. While our government is appropriately handling the spread of the coronavirus, our citizens can help as well. I would urge everyone to go to c. D. C. Org. Thats cdc. Gov follow the latest developments and learn about easy ways that you can avoid getting sick. America must always be ahead of the game on viral threats like these and im proud to say our leaders are doing a great job. Mr. Speaker, i rise today to highlight the essential support that faithbased organizations give to the communities around them, including during times of crisis. During Hurricane Florence in 2018, volunteers from samaritans purse were on the ground after the hurricane devastated thousands of homes across my state. Lorraine jenkins, a resident of newburn, my mothers childhood home in north carolina, she said she had faith but needed a little more strength. When she returned to her home to find her home flooded with 18 inches of water. Thankfully, several volunteers were there to pray with lorraine to give her the strength that she needed. And during Hurricane Dorian in 2019, the Salvation Army provided over 43,000 meals, 55,000 drinks, 25,000 snacks, full cleanup kits to vick tifments faithbased organizations also provide Key Support Services to children, many of whom are victims of the opioid crisis. This crisis has left thousands of children in foster care in need of loving homes. Faithbased organizations play a pivotal role in finding homes for these children. Despite the clear benefits faithbased organizations provide to communities around them, there remains a push to strip them of federal funding or shut them down for following their sincerely held beliefs. Thats why im filing a law that will codify parts of the h. H. S. Rules that will ensure equal treatment for faithbased organizations. It reverses a discriminatory policy that required faithbased providers to disclose religious affiliation and refer to other providers. It allows them to apply for federal funding on equal footing with secular organizations. Mr. Speaker, the federal government has no business discriminating against faithbased organizations purely on the basis of their sincerely held religious beliefs. Im proud to leave this legislation and to protect the good work that faithbased organizations do every day. I yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back. The chair recognizes the gentleman from kansas, mr. Marshall, for five minutes. Mr. Marshall thank you, mr. Speaker. Last week, Senate Democrats blocked a vote in the senate on two prolife bill, eborn alive abortion survivors protection act which provides doctors to provide medical care to a child who survive an abortion and they blocked the paincapable unborn child which would ban abortions beginning at 20 weeks. Senate democrats prevented a vote on both of these bills as House Democrats have done 80 times. I call on democrats on both sides of the capitol, as Senate Majority leader mcconnell said, to take a moral stand to protect innocent life. Mr. Speaker, this week is Severe WeatherAwareness Week its a good reminder to always be prepared for extreme weather event which is we too often faced in kansas. Ready. Gov, ready. Gov which is run by fema is a great place to find resources related to flooding, thunderstorms and Winter Weather or advice on billing an emergency kit. Similarly they offer a free Smart Phone App which provides realtime alert, shelter location and other resources to help during and after Severe Weather event. Its not enough to just communicate Severe Weather events to the public. We need to continue to invest in tools than encourage innovation when it comes to weather modeling an forecasting so we can assure as much lead time as possible before a Severe Weather event occurs from coastal regions to the heartland, Severe Weather impacts us all and we need to work not only with public and private partner bus also encourage and incentivize innovation in the feel. Recently the House Science Committee has taken a look at various modeling efforts across the country and discussed how to better improve warnings. Our hardworking meteorologists back home and Research Institutions across the country are discussing the advances theyre making thanks to new tools and technologies. Its important to stay safe, inform and prepared as we head into Severe Weather season and i hope all americans will take advantage of the tools available to achieve these goals. The eaker, the spread of crow krona viers is top of my mind. While theres no reason to panic its good to be mindle of the on coing challenging situation. As a physician and congressman i feel its important i convey the stops the federal government is currently taking to best respond. First we must demand more transparency from the chinese and iranian governments. American experts must be allowed to get access to information on the ground in both china and iran, particularly in wuhan at ground zero of this outbreak. Unfortunately these can countries have a long history of misinformation coverups and we need to know the full truth to best protect americans. Some in the american medical industry are concerned about a shortage of supplies which are largely manufactured in china. Currently the f. D. A. Is not aware of any National Shortages of medical products. Federal agencies have been proactively reaching out to hundreds of manufacturers to assess potential shortages and to let manufacturers know they can provide assistance. That being said this is an excellent time to review our supply chain for both American Health care as well as all other industries. I personally believe President Trump and Vice President pence are doing everything in their power to protect americans. Consulting with the top medical experts, this administration is moving to swiftly mitigate outbreak os of coronavirus here at home. The media and attempts to place blame are inexcusable, unprofessional, and very harmful. Anything President Trump can possibly do to expedite the development of testing antivirals and vaccines is already degree bone and i might add is being accomplished in record time. The centers for Disease Control and the department of health and Human Services have been prepares for outbreaks like this for year. We are the most prepared, the best equipped nation in the world to take on this coronavirus. On the eve of a potentially global epidemic this situation underscores how imperative it is for our country to be able to prevent unidentified individuals from entering this country. Border security is National Security and families in kansas deserve a home safe from unvetted individuals who may knowingly or unknowingly be Carry Congress dangerous diseases. I visited with the c. D. C. Over five weeks ago, asking what preventive measures they were taking when the virus was in the early stables of outbreak. Ive been staying in close contact with the white house, c. D. C. And other agencies Response National espread of the disease. The safety of kansans is my top priority and ill continue to monitor closely and communicate with officials across our state. In the meantime, as a physician i recommend some commonsense practices, regular hand wash, aplying hand sanitizer, proper nutrition an minimal travel outside your community. This is a time to prepare and plan. A time to make sure you have a plan for your children. For your elderly parents, perhaps. That you have a plan for your place of work. And for your police of worship. Wherever you might gather in your own community. This will be an this also underscores what an absolute disaster a government takeover of our medical system would be. Americas health care abilities are second to none because of competition and free market innovation. The speaker pro tempore the gentlemans time has expired. Mr. Marshall this would be unacceptable. Thank you, mr. Speaker, i yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentlemans time has expyred. Now recognize the gentleman from kentucky, mr. Comer, for five minutes. Mr. Comer mr. Speaker, i rise today to express my Firm Opposition to the new way forward act, a radical piece of legislation that would put american lives at risk in numerous ways. Under this bill, crimes committed by illegal imgrans would no longer result in immediate deportations but even worse, it would allow those who have been deported to come become to the United States legally and on the taxpayers dime. Essentially allowing for the importation of violent and dangerous Illegal Immigrants into our country. I have yet to meet a Single Person who supports that idea. The bill would also decriminalize illegal entry into the country. Including for criminals who have already been deport. This measure is a dream for those who seek to abolish i. C. E. , throw open our National Borders and gut the rule of law in america. Aye heard from constituents who are outraged about that proposal and rightfully so. While sponsored by nearly a fifth of the House Democrat caucus, the legislation stands little chance of advancing past President Trump or a republican senate. But it is nonetheless important for the American People to know the priorities of some members of this body. I will continue to stand strong against policies like the new way forward act and any other legislation which would encourage illegal immigration and cripple the safety of american citizens. Mr. Speaker, i rise today to encourage the body to keep my dear friend, bam carney, of kentucky in your thoughts and prayers as he continues to batal serious illness. Bam has been hospitalized for over two months and has a long journey ahead. However anyone who knows him knows hes the ultimate fighter. As a father, educator, state eptive and kentuckys House Majority leader, he has always fought strongly for what he believes in. But more importantly, he has always fought for his family and friends above all else. Bams community has organized a day of prayer and encouragement for him, where people across kentucky are joining together to lift him up in prayerism ask for this body to join me in keeping my friend and golf buddy in your thoughts and prayers. He means so much to so many people and i ask you all for your prayers as bam continues his fight. I yield back the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back. Pursuant to clause 12a of rule 1, the chair declares the house in so the house is gaveling out for now. Members will be back at noon eastern for debate on several Foreign Affairs bills with votes later this afternoon. Also this week we are expecting work on a bill providing money for the federal response to the coronavirus outbreak. Follow live house coverage here on cspan. When members gavel back in. Our liven coverage will continue this morning shortly for a news conference. With the Federal Reserve after announcing an emergency rate cut in response to the Economic Impact of the coronavirus. A briefing coming up in about 20 minutes or so at 11 00 eastern this morning. Ell have this live on cspan. Watch our Live Campaign 2020 super tuesday coverage of the president ial primaries and caucuses from 14 states. Including alabama, arkansas, california, colorado, maine, massachusetts, minnesota, north carolina, oklahoma, tennessee, texas, utah, vermont, and virginia. With candidate speeches and results. Coverage begins