Transcripts For CSPAN U.S. House Of Representatives U.S. House Of Representatives 20240713

The speaker the house will be in order. The chair wishes to make an announcement to the house regarding practices. Members are reminded of the unique tradition and dignity of the house that sets it apart from other institutions and workplaces. Members should refrain from trafficking in the well when another member, including the presiding officer, is addressing the house. The rules establish 15 minutes as the minimum time for electronic voting in the ordinary case and five and two minutes as the minimum time in other cases when members are already in or near the chamber in response to an earlier vote. As a reminder, members should attempt to come to the floor within the 15minute period as proscribed by the first ringing of the bells. As a point of courtesy to each of our colleagues, voting within the allotted time would help with the maintenance of this institution. Members are further reminded that the policy is not to terminate the vote when a member is in the well attempting to cast a vote. Other efforts to hold the vote open are not similarly protected. Members should wear appropriate business attire during all sittings of the house, however brief their appearance on the floor may be. Pursuant to the order of the house of january 7, 2020, the chair will now recognize members from lists submitted by the minority and minority leaders for morning debate. The chair will alternate recognition between the parties with time equally divided between the parties and each member other than the minority and majority leaders or the minority whip limited to five minutes but in no event shall debate go beyond 11 50 a. M. The chair now recognizes the gentleman from rhode island, mr. Cicilline, for five minutes. Mr. Cicilline thank you, madam speaker. As the number of coronavirus cases rises, its important our constituents have the information they need to protect themselves. So im going to use my five minutes today to walkthrough what the doctors and Health Experts know and what congress has done in response. First, there is no vaccine to prevent coronavirus. So taking steps to protect yourself is paramount. As much as possible avoid contact with individuals who are already sick. If you, yourself, are sick stay home. There is no need going to work and risk other people getting sick. Try to avoid touching your face, especially your eyes, nose, and mouth. If you have to could have our sneeze, cover your mouth f you dont have a tissue, use your sleevement be sure you are cleaning or disinfecting frequently touched objects and surfaces like door knobs and phones. If you feel compelled to work facemasks, check the c. D. C. s recommendations. Facemasks are not recommended for people trying to protect themselves from respiratory deseizes. However facemasks are recommended if you are showing symptoms of coronavirus or another disease. Most importantly the c. D. C. Recommends you wash your hands frequently, do so with soap and water for 20 seconds. Especially wash your hands after using the rest room, before you eat, and after you blow your nose, cough, or sneeze. If you are unable to wash your hands but have a sanitizer, the c. D. C. Recommends it be alcohol based with at least 60 alcohol, as the coverage continues and the number of positive cases grows, its also important that the American People know what the symptoms of coronavirus are. According to the c. D. C. Coronavirus symptoms may appear as little as 2 days and as much as 14 days after exposure. If you are suffering from the symptoms stay home. Do not rush to the emergency room, a minute clinic, or another medical facility. While at home do your best to stay away from your heamfeam or other people you may encounter. The next step is call your doctor let them know you are exhibiting symptoms of coronavirus. They will tell you the next steps you should take. If they want to you come in for a test, this call will allow your Health Care Provider to take the necessary steps to keep other people from getting infected. If you are going to the doctors or out in public with symptoms, now is the time to wear facemask. If your symptoms continue to worsen, call your doctor and seek prompt medical attention. Be sure your doctor is contact with your local or state health department. This will make the monitoring or selfmonitoring process easier for both you and health officials. If you are instructed to selfquarantine stay at home until you are instructed to leave. This will minimize the risk of transmitting the disease to others. Finally we have an obligation to each other to do everything we can to prevent the spurt spread of this disease. If you do not feel or have any of these symptoms, do not go to work. This includes my colleagues and my staff here in the capitol, some of whom have already made the responsible decision to selfquarantine themselves. We have had briefings from Administration Officials leading the National Effort to get this outbreak under control. We know how serious this is. Now is the time to lead by example. Thats why last Week Congress approved a massive 8. 3 billion emergency appropriations package to address the scale and seriousness of the coronavirus epidemic. I was especially glad to see this package included several key provision that is need that are specific needs to my home state of rhode island where i have three confirmed cases already. This includes nearly 1 billion for drugs, masks, lab tests, and additional resource that is we provided to state and local health agencies, 7 billion in lowinterest loans to Small Businesses to help cushion the economic blow of the Public Health emergency, 3 billion for research and development of treatments and vaccines. And 300 million to ensure those vaccines are affordable. Most importantly, this bill gives the doctors and public Health Experts the resources they need to do their jobs. We have the best doctors, scientists, and research in the world. Now is the time to let them do what they do best without feeling pressure from politicians including the president. Im pleased also that the speaker yesterday sent a Dear Colleague letter which identified some of the issues that remain of importance to us. That we are going to focus on in the second effort by the congress. Paid sick leave, enhanced unemployment insurance, food security, clear protections for frontline workers, and widespread testing for the coronavirus, as well as affordable treatments for all, antiprice gouging protection, and increasing the capacity of our medicalcies tefment i want to thank the speaker for identifying those issues which remain unaddressed and the Congress Must address in a full and comprehensive response to this Public Health crisis. With that, mr. Speaker, i yield back the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the chair recognizes the gentleman from minnesota, mr. Emmer, for five minutes. Mr. Emmer mr. Speaker, i rise today to recognize the hard work of the alzheimers association. This month over 1,000 men and women will come together in washington for the annual Alzheimers Impact Movement advocacy forum. These advocates like so many of us have faced the pain of alzheimers. Either through a friend, loved one, or through their own experience. By sharing there are stories, we can raise awareness and hopefully implement policies that improve the lives of those suffering from this disease. One of these policies is the improving hope for alzheimers act. I encourage my colleagues to join me as a cosponsor of the bill which provides medicare outreach and reporting on alzheimers care. I commend the association and many advocates who will be in washington this month for sharing their stories, especially canada, a constituent of minnesotas sixth congressional district. Not only does she have family members who have been diagnosed with disease, she also also alzheimers. Everywhere and anywhere people will listen, she spreads the word about alzheimers and impact on families and the urgent need to find a cure. I urge my colleagues to join us in standing up to stop this devastating disease. Mr. Speaker, i rise today to commend the Mckinley Area Learning Center for their participation in the securities industry and Financial Markets Associations Annual capitol hill challenge. This challenge which matches teachers and students with members of Congress Gives teams of three to five middle or High School Students a hypothetical 100,000 portfolio of stocks, mutual funds, bonds, and liquid assets. The 10 teams with the best performing portfolios win a trip to washington. The challenge highlights essential Financial Literacy like investing. The students also Work Together to manage this portfolio and in the process learn the value of teamwork. Good luck to the Mckinley Area Learning Center students participating in the capitol hill challenge. We look forward to hearing more about your progress and good luck in the competition. Mr. Speaker, i rise today to recognize minnesotas National Space Grant College and fellowship program. The Minnesota Program distributes funds to sponsor student fellowships and kohl larships related to space research, education, and pub slick lick servants. This can advance the stem field by supporting women and other students from underrepresented groups. I want to highlight the work of Saint Cloud State University working with the Leech Lake Tribal college to develop native american knowledge of astronomy and model rocketry in the community and workshops for teachers across our state. Thank you to the universities and colleges across minnesota contributing to the program and to alt students whose work today will advance our future in space. Mr. Speaker, i rise today to ecognize mary who announced in january that she is retiring in july after 16 years of working sartel. Ity of she joined the city as financial director no 2004. Since 2013 she has served as a strong and capable city administrator. In her tenure, she has overseen rapid growth with projects like updating facilities at watab park and Lake Francis Park to build agnew Community Center and Public Safety if acy. As a Community Leader shes helped to build a city ready to welcome new generations of citizens, rapid expansions in the area, including Industries Like medal technology, presented challenges that mary overcame. Congratulations on your retirement, mary. We are grateful for your service. Mr. Speaker, i rise today to applaud andover high school, the huskies womens hockey team who won the class aa state championship just a couple weeks ago. The huskies win is the first Minnesota State High School League championship in the history of andover. In the championship came at the center in st. Paul, they upsit the High School Hornets by a score of 53. The huskies championship is all the more sweet considering the favored hornets had won three straight state championships. And i yield back. The speaker pro tempore the recognizes mr. Barrow for five minutes. Mr. Barrow i rise today as a Public Health expert, someone who spent his time in congress thinking about Global Pandemic urity and preparedness. Rise today because of novel coronavirus. Its on everyones mind and we have to talk about it, we have got here, out how we what we know and where were going. Think nna first, lets about how we got here. If you think about in late 2019 reports the first that r. Bera first, lets think about how we got here. If you think about in in late we heard the first reports that it was locking down wuhan portions of their country. We had our first briefings ago. , eight weeks i identified, one, you need a structure. Trol you have to identify one person political, but is a Public Health expert and has the bility to work across the interagency policy. And you need a supplemental and get resources out to the the public Health Experts, etc. , to make sure those are on the front lines needed. T they number three, we had to get our scientists and experts, we have in the world, the c. D. C. , n. I. H. , to the to the hot zone in china. That was delayed, not because we didnt want to get there, but would not allow us direct access. And number four, we had to be with the public. We had to let people know the occurring. Ey were well, fast forward, you know, the first go, i held hearing in my first subcommittee hearing on the asiapacific. Focused on the first step containment. It was evident at that hearing public Health Experts we had that you really cant contain this novel coronavirus, as coindividual covid19. Likely be seeing ommunity events and community spreading. That was pretty evident. We lost time. That china tried to contain things gave us a little we of time, but the fact didnt develop a test, we didnt ut things in place really set us behind the 8ball. The first case in sacramento county. Hat patient was moved to ucdavis, my home facility, and based on that we changed the testing criteria. Have enough tests out there but we changed the criteria to allow the health they rofessionals if suspect a case of coronavirus they should be able to order that test. Now, we have a problem, though. Tests that arehe available. We now are moving into the second phase of coronavirus, is mitigation. And in order to do that, you first ongress took the important step last week of the splul. Llion emergency we got emergency supplemental. Get the resources, the those on tests for the front line. Yesterday, we had the first city ity case in my home of elk grove, the School District. We had a grammar schoolchild who tested positive, both his parents also tested positive. Unified School District became the first School District in Northern California down for a week. I dont know if thats the right ove or wrong move but i understand having spoken to the superintendent, the security and ealth of the children are paramount. Now, we have to make sure that our folks on the front line, the having to make some of these decisions have the best advice possible. Sure why we got to make the c. D. C. Puts out guidelines and updates those guidelines on basis. Ar we got great personnel at the c. D. C. Director and others, we got to let them do their work, even not what the administration wants to hear, even if its bad news. Out important for us to put transparent information and guidance to the public. Now, i also got on the phone and talked to my hospital directors and others. Whats concerning to me is they starting to get those calls, etc. They still dont have the they need. Abilities that is of paramount emergency right now. I applaud Vice President pence allowing the commercial sector to step in here and start developing those tests. Remove those bureaucratic barriers and allow our private Public Health labs, Academic Health centers, the support they need to get testing and running. Up now, i think about this as a doctor. Us at the ant for commandvel to have good control structures in place, good lines of communications. Lets let the doctors and do their jobs. Our job as congress is to support those on the front they have the e resources they need and we will get through this. Thank you and i yield back. Tempore the o chair recognizes the gentleman from south carolina, mr. Norman, for five minutes. R. Norman thank you, mr. Speaker. I rise today to recognize an citizen, ms. Crystal sk skidmore. Around 121,000 children were adopted. 3. 1 million unintended pregnancies ended in birth. Nstead of giving up hope or having an abortion, crystal looked to jesus and chose life child. She protects her sons name when she shares her story. Y the grace of god, she still has a close relationship with him and his adoptive family. Those who soar on wings angels. Of has described the miracle a her son and it says, today made, within the womb inside of me, my precious little son. Day you changed me. See. Hrough your eyes i i want your eyes to look at the me. Things as i look around the world. I think its safe here for my son. Ous little sadly i know the answer is no. So i dropped down to my knees, i jesus, help me. Where are the Smiling Faces for your new eyes to see . World, not hear in my if i die, they may never see. I can only protect you for a while you are safe inside me. So i search for smiling, happy for your brand new eyes to see. Again, i ask jesus to help me love this life inside of me. My precious little son. Waiting, god is has chosen them to give you all he love you need, and make you part of them. How i know you need them, how they pray for you to come. Share a part of their world with a precious little son. The happy, Smiling Faces i want you to see. And they cant wait to meet lives inside of me. Their world is so much brighter you. Share my love for lots of happy, Smiling Faces and they will let me love you too. Always love you, i want you to know. You are ever where i go. On your arrival. We cant wait for you to see. How good it feels to share a only through god can be. Standy, Smiling Faces now together as one. Me. Ove the life inside of my precious little son. May god be with you. The speaker pro tempore the chair recognizes the gentleman from maryland, mr. Trone, for five minutes. Thank you, mr. Speaker. Rise today to recognize the allwomen team of scientists lab in avox vaccine gaithersburg, maryland, that are working to develop a vaccine for coronavirus. Nita, the director for Vaccine Development and antibody at novavax, is working 10. Vaccine since january while they still need to be ested, the team has already developed three potential vaccines. Womens History Month is a time to highlight how women have contributed to our continue to contribute to the world now and into the future. We recognize this group of scientists and emphasize the women nce of having across all industries, in eadership positions around the world. Mr. Speaker, i rise today to county e the montgomery lumni chapter of Delta Sigma Theta sorority for all the work they have done in the community, over their rich 50year history. Montgomery county chapter as founded in march of 1970 by 28 women under national benbow. Nt lillian p. The organization was founded to help promote the equality of both africanamericans and the community at large in Montgomery County. Myself am lucky enough to have a member of the delta sigma in my office serving the people of marylands sixth district. Part of womens History Month we recognize the county of delta sigma heta sorority for 50 years of service and the positive impact theyve had on Montgomery County. Mr. Speaker, i rise today to work of federick recently ef ed who retired after 4 1 2 years of service as the top law nforcement officer in f frederick, maryland. He had 30 years of law from ement experience around the country. During his tenure, he worked with city leaders and citizens ensure the city was safe and a Welcome Community for everyone. Hargess showed tremendous federick and we like to commend him for his ublic service for our community. I honor the life of ruby ruben, champion for human rights and education in Montgomery County who passed away at the end of 86. Uary at the age of ruby was a force in her community. She was a Founding Member of the don Montgomery County coalition for equal representation in overnment and worked extensively on housing rights with the Montgomery County commission, the u. S. Civil Service Commission and the Social Security administration. She was grateful involved in the education, community as a montgomerylunteer at county public schools. People followed her footsteps, who was her son, joe, a principal at john f. Kennedy high school. A her work, she was recipient of the potter path of chievement award inducted into he Montgomery County human rights hall of fame. She was a constant advocate for those without a voice. Today, id like to honor her and contributions on the floor of the house of representatives. Back. D the speaker pro tempore the chair recognizes the gentleman from guam, mr. San nicolas, for five minutes. You, mr. Icolas thank speaker. Group thatecognize a oftentimes doesnt get recognized. I rise to recognize the congress states. Nited i rise to recognize speaker elosi, leader hoyer, Natural Resources Committee Chairman rijalva, minority leader mccarthy, Natural Resources Committee Ranking member rob bishop. To recognize Senate Leader mcconnell, judiciary designate raham, minority leader schumer and Ranking Member feinstein. Staff of recognize this house. Shjuan. Watkins on the Natural Resources committee. Lliott walden of the Senate Judiciary. Sarah of Senate Judiciary Ranking Member feinsteins office. Rise to recognize staff of the administration. Halworth of the department of interior. Doug of the white house. Rise to recognize these individuals, mr. Speaker, because without them we would able to move forward as expeditiously as we have over the past 13 months, 1365, which was addressed by this house yesterday. 1365, mr. Speaker, brings saga of e a long suffering from the people of uam at the hands of the Imperial Japan during world war ii that finally sees closure recognition and compensation as much as we can that for the t sufferings of the chamorra war. E during the oftentimes, mr. Speaker, it gets very, very difficult for us, territories, to be able to find closure on long because of the fact that territories are underrepresented in this body by the very nature of their distance in this country. That, we are te able to finally bring this issue to closure by the individuals i mentioned. Names in the record today, mr. Speaker, chamorra want the people to be able to look back and be able to identify generations from now the who made such justice possible in this house. Mr. Speaker, to address another injustice, one hats been long standing in territories and one that also addresses a community that really in this country should be ignored. Supplemental security income, mr. Speaker, is something thats afforded to u. S. Citizens throughout this country, but once you move to a u. S. Immediately u become ineligible for supplemental security income, aware, mr. Re speaker, thats something thats provided to the most vulnerable our community, those with disabilities, those who are at certain ages that require that kind of support. For us to neglect our citizens in territories because of where they live is something this body needs address. Unfortunately we run into fiscal constraints and the price tag of having to move forward something of such magnitude. While we shouldnt put dollars and cents to the quality of life of those most vulnerable this this contry, we still face this fiscal realities as territories. And the fiscal realities that this Congress Must grapple with if they were to extend supplemental security income to the territories. Mr. Speaker, we introduce h. R. 208 in the 116th congress. That was intended to address the fiscal constraints in a manner that all territories are willing to come to the table and Work Together on. Rather than having all territories at once try and pursue supplemental security income for their residents, we decided to try and snowball this and handle it one territory as a time. Guam has taken the lead allowing for supplemental security income in guam that we may for just 170,000 people extend a critical quality of life service that this country has made available everywhere else in the united states. After we are able to do this for guam perhaps we can move to other small territories and incrementally address this in our budget, on the greater picture of cost supplemental security income would be a fractional rounding error for justice for those who desperately need it in areas that are so highly affected. Guam, mr. Speaker, as you are aware, is thousands of miles away in the middle of the pacific ocean, we are closer to every asian city than hawaii. Its very difficult for people with disabilities to have Service Providers because they cant drive to the next county or state. And the cost of flying to hawaii to get those services is so exorbitant that its cheaptory go from japan to delull International Airport than from guam to hawaii. Mr. Speaker, its time for us to take the next step and pursue further justice for our territories. I want to recognize those individuals to make it possible for us to finally close the chapter. Now may we address the chapter to those people who have disabilities in our country that we should take care of that happen to be living in u. S. Territories. Thank you, mr. Speaker. I yield back. The speaker pro tempore pursuant to clause 12a of rule 1, the chair declares the house