Transcripts For CSPAN U.S. House Meets For Morning Hour 20170726

Pro tempore on this day. Signed, paul d. Ryan, speaker of the house of representatives. The speaker pro tempore pursuant to the order of the house of january 3, 2017, the chair will now recognize members from lists submitted by the majority and minority leaders for morning hour debate. The chair will alternate recognition between the parties. All time shall be equally allocated between the parties and in no event shall debate continue beyond 11 50 a. M. Each member other than the majority and minority leaders and minority whip shall be limited to five minutes. The chair recognizes the gentleman from illinois, mr. Gutierrez, for five minutes. Mr. Speaker, this past saturday i was a guest at Lincoln United Methodist Church in chicago where we had an emergency meeting to discuss how we would defend daca, the deferred action for childhood arrivals initiative, started five years ago. Daca has allowed nearly 800,000 dreamers, immigrants who were brought to the u. S. As children and grew up here, to work and live here if they meet certain requirements, go through a background check, and renew their applications periodically. Now republicans led by the governor of texas plan to sue the president if he doesnt rescind daca. Given this president and his opinion of mexicans, latino, and immigrants, were not expecting the president to put up much of a fight. So, for a few weeks now i have been telling people to prepare for the end of daca. Maybe as soon as september. You can watch the speech on facebook or you tube, and a lot of Trump Supporters got angry at what i said. They didnt take the time to watch or listen to my speech. No, they got fired up by breitbart, the only publication i can count on to cover everything i said. They said, i was unhinged and said in the headline that i said it is time to eliminate trump and bring him to his knees. The Washington Times didnt watch the speech, but saw breitbarts fair and balanced coverage and said i threatened the trump with physical violence. Fox news, then echoed the idea that evening, saying i was threatening violence and would bring our Violent Movement to every neighborhood in america. So by the time you got to the daily stormer, that white whip cream on the top of White Nationalist neonazi banana split, they cited the fox news story and read the headline quote, subversive bean man call for trumps elimination. If fox, bart, and daily storme, report something its got to be true i thought. So i went back to the video to see if i had threatened to assassinate the president. You know what . I didnt. Heres what i said this past saturday. Quote, im going to make sure that i am there to make sure of write those t we articles of impeachment and take the Trump Administration to trial before the senate and eliminate him as president of the United States. He cannot fire comey, threaten to fire mueller, and say im the those articles of impeachment and take the Trump Administration to trial before the senate a di quote. King, i am talking about the impeachment process, which i believe to be nonviolent, i mean clearly am former president bil clinton went through it and hes still alive. In shorthand i am saying we should go through regular order. And thats nothing new for me. I have stood on this floor and called on the chairman of the Judiciary Committee to begin the prosselves hearings and witnesses just as the senate Judiciary Committee is doing. Because thats our jofblet just a moment, later in the speech i said, quote, this is a democracy and we will make democracy work. We will make it work for everyone whether you are gay, straight, brown, white, documented or undocumented, were going to make sure democracy works for you. Meaning the people packed in the church that day. And really everyone else. I continued saying, and were starting here this afternoon at this marvelous church in chicago. Get ready, our movement is coming somewhere in your neighborhood, end quote. So what breitbart imagined as an incitement to violence was really a call to action for people to get involved in their democracy. Which last time i looked is still a form of government we this country. Its still nonviolent. My favorite part of the breitbart headline, the whole bloodthirsty brown people motif that drove the coverage from breitbart to fox to daily stormer, is that i said i this wanted to bring President Trump to his knees. But what i actually said was, gandhi, by employing the techniques and practices of nonviolent resistance, brought the British Empire to its knees, which is actually true. And we should learn from his example. Indeed, dr. King, a disciple of gandhi, applied those strategies to the American Civil Rights movement to great success. And were it not for dr. King and the other heroes who laid down their lives during the Civil Rights Movement, i would not be standing here before you. We wouldnt even be standing or up or about standing talking about the daily storm or breitbart or trump in defending immigrants and other vulnerable communities. We owe the Civil Rights Movement a great debt. I want to follow in those footsteps. So as i up or talking about the daily storm or read the headlines in breitbart and went back to look at what i actually said, you know what . I stand by it. And i wont back down. The speaker pro tempore the chair recognizes the gentlewoman from florida, ms. Roslehtinen, for five minutes. Ms. Roslehtinen mr. Speaker, i rise today to talk about the alarming crisis that is Ocean Acidfication. This is not only an environmental issue, but its an economic issue as well. And one that greatly impacts my Congressional District in south florida. South floridas world famous beaches, delicious food, incomparable fishing, boating, and sailing, and spectacular marine life, are all dependent on a healthy ocean. However, our oceans are becoming more and more acidic as seawater absorbs increasing amounts of Carbon Pollution causing what is known as, Ocean Acidfication. This increased acidity makes it harder for corals, oysters, shrimp, lobster, and other sea animals to develop their shells or skell tons skeletons which they rely on for survival to grow. These organisms are important to the vitality of our ecosystem. In addition, corals host a vast number of ocean species, frokets coastlines from large waves and hurricanes, and attracts visitors with their beauty. Data from the National Oceanic nd spheric administration, noaa, also suggest that is tourism, recreation, and fishing related to south floridas corals alone noaa, also suggest that is generates more than 4. 4 billion in local sales and 2 billion in local income. Ocean conver vancy, a tremendous Environmental Advocacy group, has been a champion in raising awareness about the negative impact of Ocean Acidfication. Recently they premiered an outstanding documentary, a short film, which highlighted two gentlemen who either work for or own ocean dependent businesses that are located in my Congressional District. Dale, right over here, this fine looking young man, hes the general manager and head chef at captains at that verne restaurant and seafood market. A familyowned business in miami and one of my Favorite Places to dine with my husband and our grandkids. Captain roy, right here, who prates miss brit charter fishing and r r tack until coconut grove, also located in my Congressional District. In addition this film highlights ocean expert, dr. Chris langdon, a professor from my alma mater, the yuff of miami. His research has allowed us to better understand the capacity and limitations of coral to adapt to a changing physical and chemical environment. Dr. Langdon has also been a leader in bringing stakeholders together to learn about the threats posed by ocean idfication to commercial and Recreational Fishing and Tourism Industry throughout florida. These two gentlemen know a lot about the impact of Ocean Acidfication on their business. Because saltwater recreational and commercial fishing combined support Recreational Fishing and an estimated 175,000 jobs across our beautiful sunshine state. Speaker, it is truly weapgrowviding jobs and new trooants for the family. From the Pacific Northwest to the lobster maine and reefs and fish in florida, the real world implications of Ocean Acidfication will spell trouble for these ocean dependent jobs, which is why we must not wait until the tragedy truly unfolds. My constituents and i are also blessed to live, to work, to play in the paradise that is south florida. But our kids and our grandkids, they want to enjoy the same positive experiences we have. It is order to do so vital we act now. In congress, we need to do a better job at listening to all stakeholders who are speaking out. And we need to continue to promote the valuable work of researchers, people like dr. Langdon, the work that they are doing to ensure that these important Marine Research institutions and organizations have the resources they need. My district is home to a community that cares deeply about the ocean. It is because of the efforts of folks like these two gentlemen and dr. Langdon of south florida that i have learned more about the issues and whats at stake. I remain committed to continuing to work with my colleagues, with industry experts, with all stakeholders in tackling head on these important issues and lead in mitigation and adappings solutions to the changing ocean around us and across the globe. Thank you, mr. Speaker, for the time. The speaker pro tempore the chair recognizes the gentleman from maryland, mr. Hoyer, for five minutes. Mr. Hoyer i ask unanimous consent to address the house, revise and extend. The speaker pro tempore without objection. Mr. Hoyer mr. Speaker, yesterday we watched as senator john mccain returned to the capitol after having been diagnosed with cancer and undergoing a serious operation. All of us are praying for his swift and full recovery. In earlier days as we all know, he faced danger with courage. Hes doing the same again right now. From spoke yesterday the senate floor, he talked about a time when legislators, republicans and democrats, despite their differences, worked together from to make progress. All be it incremental. On albeit incremental. On major issues through discussion and compromise. The recent s do i tendency to seek total partisan victory or nothing at all. Something we see as much in the house as in the senate. Senator tendency to seek total partisan victory or nothing at all. Something we mccain said this, quote, we have been spinning our wheels on too many important issues because we keep trying to find a way to win without help from across the aisle. E concluded in that paragraph, nothing done. Instead, senator mccain proposed legislators ought to return to regular order. Regular order for those who arent familiar with the daytoday nothing done. Instead, senator mccain workings of congress simply means doing things in the proper way. Rafting a bill in committee. Holding open hearings workings bringing it to the floor for amendment and debate before voting on it. This process, this regular order of business, affords every member an opportunity, regardless of party or district, to have input and help shape the policy. That is the way it should be. The product of such a plosssess process, as senator mccain described it, would be, and again i quote, something that will be imperfect. Full of compromises, and not very pleasing to implacable partisans on other side. But he concluded it was one that, quote, might provide Workable Solutions to problems americans are struckling with today. Mr. Speaker, that is how our system is supposed to work. I started my career in this body in 1981. Shortly thereafter i joined the appropriations committee. I like to tell people that i served on the laborhealth committee and there were 13 of us. The democrats were in the majority, and there were eight democrats and five republicans. And i used to tell people that can take the 13 of us, have throw us up in the air and throw us down in different seats and you would have a markup and it would be hard pressed to find the party each person represented. Today, lamentably, mr. Speaker, it would take you about a minute to determine those differences. On october 29, 2015, we will advance major legislation one issue at a time. Mr. Speaker, were about to. Nsider a socalled minibus the former chairman, my republican friend, mr. Rogers is seated here in this chamber with us. He and i both recall a time when we considered one bill at a time. We brought it to the floor. We amended it. We debated it. And we voted on it. One bill at a time. Thats what speaker ryan was referring to when he said we will advance major legislation one issue at a time. Apparently, mr. Speaker, thats become inconvenient or impossible, but it is not the regular order that we are pursuing. Speaker ryan went on to say we will not duck the tough issues. We will take them head on. Mr. Speaker, we will adopt a rule that will duck the issue, that will preclude full debate and it deals with President Trumps proposal to build a all that many in his Administration Believe will be ineffective. In accomplishing the objective we all support and that is keeping our country secure and making sure that those who come into this country are known to us and dont sneak in to the country, but the wall will not work and we will not be able to debate that fully because it will be included in the rule. And i suggest, mr. Speaker, that is ducking the issue. It will be deemed passed. We wont vote on it. We will vote for the rule or against the rule. And the wall and 1. 6 billion will be deemed passed. Mr. Speaker, thats not how our system is supposed to work. Neither side ought to let the perfect become the enemy of the good. Neither side can claim credit for all the best interests. Thats why working together is imperative. That was my experience when i served for 23 years on the appropriations committee. Thats why regular order is so important. It protects the American People. It protects each member who is here representing some 700,000 people give or take. Thats why regular order is so important. It facilitates dialogue and debate. It brings out every view and idea and provides the framework for compromise. Compromise is the essence of democracy, and i suggest its the essence of successful families, whether they be countries or mom and dad and kids. They come together and they agree, not because they get everything they want or the other side gets nothing they want, but because both sides compromise. Mr. Speaker, i agree with senator mccain. We need to return to regular order. Speaker ryan, as ive said, told us shortly after his elevation that he wants and i quote, the house to work its will. Minibuses dont allow that, omnibuses dont allow that, frankly, c. R. s dont allow that. The speaker adopted in principle an open and transparent process. Sadly, mr. Speaker, we havent always seen that, but theres still an opportunity for the 115th congress to reflect that vision. Thats what senator mccain was talking about yesterday. He was appealing to the best of us. The american in us, not the partisan in us, not the confrontationalists in us, but the seeker of productive compromise in a democracy. The congress and our country will be better if we return to regular order, and i yield back the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the chair recognizes the gentleman from North Carolina, mr. Jones, for five minutes. Mr. Jones mr. Chairman, thank you very much. On july 8 18, i wrote to President Trump about my concern about the fact that he and secretary of defense mattis are discussing how many more american troops must be sent to afghanistan. Mr. Speaker, you being a marine, you know that i represent Camp Lejeune Marine base and Cherry Point Marine station. Weve been there 16 years. Nothing has changed. In fact, its gotten worse. I would like to read a few sentences, again, from my letter. This was delivered to the white house on july 18. Im going to read just sentences very quickly. Disappointed because after 16 years in afghanistan, Congress Deserves another vote on this conflict. Disappointed because almost 1 trillion of taxpayers money has been spent with no direct goal or strategy. And most importantly, i am disappointed because we continue to lose american lives. Sir, im writing today because you seem to have changed heart on this issue. I gave four examples of positions hes taken and tweets hes sent out. I am just going to read two of them, mr. Speaker. In august of 2011, you agree with ron paul and said the United States was wasting lives and money in iraq and afghanistan. Another tweet, the next year you said, do not allow our very stupid leaders to sign a deal that keeps us in afghanistan through 2024 with all costs by u. S. A. And the last i would like to read, you also tweeted that you, lets get out of afghanistan. Our troops are being killed by the afghani that we train and we waste billions there, nonsense, rebuild the United States of america. I further stated to mr. President , i agree with these remarks and so does the 31st commandant of the marine corps, my friend and unofficial advisor, general krulat, and he said in a recent email to me, no one has ever conquered afghanistan and many have tried. We will join the list of nations that have tried and failed. I do not understand why this congress and the leadership of this house will not let us have another debate. I put a bill in with John Garamendi, 1666, for the only reason that after 16 years we have not debated the future of afghanistan. Report was out last night that the russians are sending sophisticated weapons to the taliban in afghanistan who will be fighting and killing americans. I continue to call on the house leadership to please let us meet our constitutional responsibility and debate. I have said with the 1666 that John Garamendi and i have put in, join us in forcing a debate in the house and then vote against us, but give us a debate. I further said to the president that once you come to a consensus and this is raising the troop levels i encourage you to go before the American People and explain why were going to send more americans to fight and die in afghanistan and also give the American People an idea, an idea of what were trying to achieve because for 16 years, very few of the marines in my district whove been there three, four, five times, and i will say to them, what have we accomplished, they will say back to me, very little. Very little. And yet we sit here in congress and we fund billions of dollars. We will have a vote in two days to spend billions of dollars to afghanistan and theres very little accountability. This is not what this house needs to be doing, especially when were sending our young men and women to give their life for this country. So mr. Speaker, with that i would like to submit this letter for the record to the president , President Trump, and ask President Trump to please stay strong in your beliefs that it is a waste of money, life and time to be in afghanistan. And with that, mr. Speaker, i close by wanting to show the faces of a little girl who is standing there with her mother and wondering why her daddy is in a flagdraped coffin, and i cannot i cannot explain to her. He died in afghanistan. I dont know why he is dead in a flagdraped coffin. God bless our men and women in uniform and god bless america. I yield back. The speaker pro tempore without objection, the gentlemans letter will appear in the record. The air recognizes gentlewoman from ohio, ms. Kaptur, for five minutes. Ms. Kaptur thank you. Mr. Speaker, last week the Trump Administration released its nafta renegotiating objectives which laid out its plan for how to fix that bad trade deal for americas workers, but it lacks specifics. Yes, America Needs a better deal, better jobs, better wages for a Better Future for our people and the people of our continent. As renegotiations begin in august, let us remember the devil is in the details. The president s rhetoric alone is not enough. Action is what creates jobs. Nearly 30 years ago, nafta was sold as the epitome of a modern trade agreement. Its supporters promised u. S. Job growth. They guaranteed trade balances and even surpluses. They said there would be increased economic trade flexibility for north American Industries and new buyers of american goods, but guess what, those promises didnt materialize. Instead, u. S. Workers faced enormous job loss, declining wages, sublevel wage competition from desperate millions in mexico whose workers have no rights. The recent tragedy in san antonio with all those desperate workers in that truck is the tip of an iceberg of labor exploitation on this continent that was caused by nafta, enhanced by nafta. It is so ugly. The cold, critical measure of the job hemorrhaging truth this country has faced since naftas balance is our trade balance. That is how many more products and services our country exports rather than imports from offshore sweatshops. That translates into jobs. Since the inception of nafta, our trade deficit has ballooned to unprecedented levels. This chart basically goes through whats been happening recently each month, each year we go deeper and deeper into trade deficit, not just with mexico but with a number of other countries, but theres not been a single year of trade balance with mexico since naftas passage. Just more job dislocation and job loss. Just in may, the United States experienced an overall 46 billion trade deficit with the world which nafta is a part, but since naftas passage, get this, our country has accumulated nearly 2 trillion net negative balance with mexico and canada, and that translates into lost jobs here at home and the American People know it. This import deficit supports millions of jobs abroad, not u. S. Workers. It means less money left in the wall etc. Of hardworking americans wallets of hardworking americans. Corporate interests feed on desperate workers. Look at naftas job numbers. Between 1997 and 2010, our country bled over 696,000 manufacturing jobs to mexico alone. Youd recognize the names of the firms. Its an alphabet soup of companies. U. T. C. Ignal, louisent, wirehouser. Stems, the midwest has suffered the most. For ohio the trade deficit for mexico alone resulted in tens of thousands of lost jobs. Ohio workers have had their net incomes go down by 7,000 per family since naftas passage. Neighboring michigan lost over 300,000 jobs. Since 2000 alone to mexico. There is little doubt the original nafta agreement failed to create a modern opportunity for americas workers. It undercut them. Today, the trurp today the Trump Administration has a chance to change this. President trump campaigned and promised to bring high quality jobs back to the United States. How can a renegotiated nafta do that . It must include the most modend labor agreements to yield rising standards of living, the wages and job training across borders is equallyized. If nast why were working more u. S. Jobs could be created outnumber be job losses. Mr. Trump promised a good deal for americans as a candidate. Now he has to deliver on that promise. The old expression, dont tell me what they say, show me what they do, will be the true test of this administrations renegotiation. Renegotiation of nafta. The president hawes take bold action in renegotiating nafta and it must result in reversing these negative balances and making them positive. He must stand up for americas workers, for their jobs, not just for global, corporate interest whose shareholders have been making a fortune off the backs of desperate labor. Making America Great again was more than a slogan to the people in ohio and the greater midwest. Looking to shake up what was called the swamp. We need a better deal for america. Better jobs. Better wages for a Better Future. We can start by renegotiating nafta. Thank you. I yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentleladys time has expired. The chair recognizes the gentleman from North Carolina, mr. Holding, for five minutes. Mr. Holing thank you, mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, i rise today to honor and recognize the life of dr. Henry o. Lineburger jr. He was born in raleigh, North Carolina, on january 5, 1927. He graduated from high school in 19 had 4 1944 as president of his senior class. There he went on to the u. S. Naval academy where he served as part of the medical corps during world war ii. Mr. Speaker, after the war henry enrolled at Duke University where he met his wife. After they were married in 1950, they moved to chapel hill where henry studied at the university of North Carolina school of dentistry as part of hat dentistry schools inaugural class. He opened his First Departmental practice in 1954. Mr. Speaker, henry practiced dentistry in raleigh for more than 50 years. That time he served on numerous gentdental boards. And he was known by his patients as being available day or not. Henry was an active member of the Methodist Church where he enjoyed Teaching Sunday School and gathering for fellowship. In fact, mr. Speaker, henrys Christian Faith was the foundation of his life. He spent a number of years immersed in bible study. Henry shared his love for duke football and basketball with his children and his grandchildren. His grandchildren, by the way, mr. Speaker, like to call dr. Call him pinky. Despite his best efforts to turn them into duke fans, they all attended the university of at chapel hill. Sadly he passed away on the 11th of july. Hes remembered by his family as a caring husband, father, and grandfather. And he will be deeply missed by his community that he helped build. With that, mr. Speaker, i yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back the balance of his time. The chair now recognizes the gentleman from oregon, mr. Blumenauer, for five minutes. Mr. Blumenauer thank you, mr. Speaker. Is is really an amazing time on capitol hill. The republican internal battles and inability to deliver a coherent, effective, alternative to fulfill all their counter particulartry Campaign Promises on health care has done more than just expose their political and policy dysfunction. They are obviously flirting with a serious political backlash. They have managed to make the ffordable care act, obamacare, with all its shortcomings, popular with the majority of the American Public for the first time ever. With including so many small businesspeople. Small business people. They made the public more aware and concerned about medicaid that has expanded and made such a difference in kentucky, in oregon, in states all across the country providing care for people otherwise who had not had it. They managed to accelerate the move towards single payer by more than a decade. Medicare for all, medicaid for more. I dont know the exact form, but well move in that direction and the republicans have helped raise the awareness and accelerate that progress. But i hope that were going to take a step back. Take a step. In the meantime, i suspect that the american the Affordable Care act the core reforms and structure are going to, in fact, stay in place. Because there arent the votes in the senate to do anything more. Frankly, it doesnt look like there are votes to do that in the house. Socalled skinny bill notwithstanding. But i hope that we can pivot towards modest, bipartisan actions that are consistent with the Affordable Care act but dont depend on it. Bipartisan ber of initiatives that are teed up and ready to go. I have worked for years with congresswoman black bipartisan tennessee on value based insurance design. Bipartisan legislation that would reward value over volume. And make insurance much more effective in paying for what we need. I have an initiative with congressman jason smith and with senator todd young dealing with kidney health. To be able to leverage that weekly those weekly sessions for dialysis for some of our most vulnerable americans in terms of their health. And it costs 1 of the entire federal budget to be able to use that time and attention to deliver wrap around services. More care and less strain on people with multiple health needs. We ought to be able to act on empowering our citizens and their families to know what they are facing at end of life. I have Bipartisan Legislation with my friend and colleague, congressman roe from tennessee, along that line. Congress ought to accept the challenge from President Trump to deal meaningfully with Prescription Drug costs. Theres support on both sides of the aisle. We can save billions of dollars for americans and the taxpayers nd we can provide better care. Mental Health Initiatives with our friend tim murphy, bipartisan progress was made in the last congress. Theres much more that needs to be done. In fact, we can Work Together to overcome the opposition of chairman sessions and the rules committee denying the house the right to vote on extending to our veterans access to consultation about medical marijuana. No one can listen to the heartbreaking stories of veterans and their families about what that has done to sufferers of ptsd, chronic pain, traumatic brain injury. Its legal in 29 states. But the rules Committee Denied the right of the house to vote that service to our veterans and their doctors. Despite the horrible record that the v. A. That has in preve veteran suicide, and the opioid addiction rate is twice the general population. These are things we can do tomorrow, not dealing with denying millions of people care through the Affordable Care act and the various permutations are spinning around now. Do our job, Work Together, follow regular order, deal with initiatives that nning around will benefit the American People, save the taxpayer money, and improve the Health Initiatives that will benefit americans. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back the balance of his time. The chair recognizes the gentleman from kentucky, mr. Rogers, for five minutes. I rise americans. Aker, today to pay tribute to my long time advisor and expert case worker, sarah, upon her much deserved retirement. After dedicating more than 40 my side. Service by when i reflect upon sarahs career, i stand in awe of her loyalty, her unwavering patience, perfect her advocacy and undying compassion for those in need. As congressman i have the duty and the privilege of assisting the people of advocacy and Eastern Kentucky as they grapple with federal agencies. At the heart of those coices has stood sarah, providing sout expert advice and staunch pport for individuals in our region who need help with social security, disability, and retirement claims. Among many other issues. In fact, over region who need help with the last 36 years sarah has worked on approximately 150,000 cases. Representing an unmatched record of assistance for more than 4,000 individuals each year. Sir a has gained so much notoriety in her field the last staff from other Congressional Offices and officials even from the Administration Contact her for guidance in casework. In this line of work there are very few, if any medals or certificates of honor. To honor those worthy of recognition twike sarah. Her drive and consistency has never failed. Day in and day out sarah has answered countless phone calls, set up personal meetings, listened to some of the most heartbreaking stories from families who were denied benefits on multiple occasions. Consistency has never failed. Those in desperate need of recouping benefits. Others who lost hope in a mountain of federal paperwork. Sarahs reward has been the simple words of appreciation from the thousands upon thousands of individuals that shes helped over the years. In my eyes she deserves so much more. While i wish sarah the best in her years of retirement, the absence of her daily presence in the office will be insurmountable. When i was elected commonwealths attorney for pulaski and rock castle counties in 1969, sarah was there. When i was the republican nominee for Lieutenant Governor in 1979, sarah was there. When i was elected to congress in 1980, sarah was there. In fact, shes been with me , even ay since volunteering her personal time for Campaign Work along the way. Ensuring we both could continue serving the public for another two years. During her tenure sarah welcomed u. S. President s and Vice President s to our region on, befriended eight kentucky governors and their staffs, and assisted hundreds of local leaders across southern and Eastern Kentucky as they navigated through federal issues. However, its the People Living of he hills and hollers kentuckys fifth conal of kentuckys fifth conal Congressional District that have driven her Public Service w every call and personal visit, sarah offered an encouraging word of hope to our constituents. Very few people can find the Silver Lining in every cloud, like sarah does. Or bring a smile and laugh to a broken heart. Her comical canneder and candor and storytelling have been a bright spot in everyones day. I am forever grateful to have such a great friend and loyal advisor over these last four decades. Sarahs lifes work has given countless families hope in their darkest hour and comforted them through lengthy and complex federal issues. Simply put, sarah is irreplaceable. Both her Institutional Knowledge of federal casework nd her kind enduring spirit. Mr. Speaker, if every Congressional Office and federal agency had a sarah, our nation would operate much better. Shes been the jewel of my congressional operations and the truest friend to the people of southern and Eastern Kentucky. My wife and i wish sarah and her husband many joyful and restful years of retirement with her children and grandchildren. I yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back the balance of his time. The chair recognizes the gentleman from massachusetts, mr. Kennedy, for five minutes. Mr. Speaker, when our bravest men and women raise their hand and volunteer to defend our nation, they defend all of her people. , ch and poor, young and old democrat and republican, gay and straight. Americans of all races, ligions, ethnicities, gender identities. Our soldiers do not discriminate. They dont offer to pay the ultimate sacrifice for some americans and not for others. Their government owes them that same courtesy, that same decency in return. Instead, this morning our president has told thousands of american soldiers that they will fight for us but we will not fight for them, that their deeply personal medical decisions are somehow the publics business, that although they are willing to sacrifice their life to protect our freedom, we will not offer them the most basic freedom in return. Today, the president of the United States looked american soldiers in the eye and dared to question their patriotism, their courage. He doubted their commitment to the brothers and sisters in uniform. He said that our military couldnt or wouldnt stand for all of us. To the thousands of brave transgender men and women serving today in uniform, please know that a grateful nation does not take your service, your patriotism for granted. You deserve better from your president , you deserve better from your government, you deserve better from your country. Thank you and i yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back. The chair recognizes the gentleman from texas, mr. Poe, or five minutes. Mr. Poe mr. Speaker, during the long dark lamentable days of world war ii, serbians and americans forged a bond in a secret mission that remained classified for almost 60 years. What was known as operation halyard, it became the largest rescue mission of american airmen in history. It would not have been possible without the courage of the serbian people. In 1944, as the allies advanced into fortress europe, american bombers based in southern italy began to strike germanys vital oil supplies in romania. The 15th air force launched sordis into eastern europe. To do this they had to fly over nazioccupied yugoslavia. As many as 1,500 pilots and airmen were shot down during the dangerous flights. Serbians who had been resisting German Forces since 1941 risked their own lives to rescue american aircrews, hide them from patroling nazis. One of them was george, the father of elaine, my chief of staff, when i was a judge in texas. For months, george and the other serbians aided down americans, carrying and protecting the pilots and then smuggling the aircrews back to allied lines. By august, 1944, hundreds of other downed aircrews were being sheltered by the serbian guerillas, the o. S. S. , the predecessor to the c. I. A. , devised a plan in a Daring Mission coordinated with the serbian resistance. August 10, unarmed american c47s flew deep into Enemy Territory and landed at an improvised air field built and protected by serbians. The 18th, more than 500 allied airmen had been secretly rescued and flown back to italy. Here on the poster you see the serbian resistance along with the airmen that had been downed running from the hiding nazis that had been patroling the area. Or over 60 years, this bold, unbelievable operation was kept classified. Our relationship goes back further to the first world war. 100 years ago, serbia stood up from the aggression of larger austrian empire. We should admire such defiance over odds. Serbias stance againstty ranne would lead the u. S. To take up the cause of freedom in world war i. That common devotion to liberty and the spirit of the halyard lives today with the close ties between the United States and serbia. As was the case in both wars, serbia and the United States still face shared threats. We Work Together now to preserve each others security. Serbian soldiers serve along with u. S. Forces in fighting terrorism in afghanistan, and serbia is a partner in keeping terrorism from spreading in serbia and in europe. However, russian propaganda efforts in the country are particularly strong and antiwestern. We must be vigilant to thwart the kremlins efforts to poison our relationship with serbia. Fortunately, serbias integration into the west has continued to move in spite of russian disinformation. In 2006, serbia joined natos partnership for peace, and in 2015 signed an individual Partnership Action plan with the alliance to strengthen cooperation. Serbia has no stronger a supporter for increased integration with the Euroatlantic Community than with the United States. For more than 100 years we have been friends of the serbian people, and as cochair of the serbian caucus along with Emanuel Cleaver from missouri, i want to welcome the serbian ambassador and his staff to the House Chamber today. With our shared events in the halyard operation and our combined history and our fight for freedom, the American People are forever grateful for those serbs who came to americas rescue during those bleak days of world war ii. And thats just the way it is. Ill yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back. The chair now recognizes the gentleman from tennessee, mr. Cohen, for five minutes. Mr. Cohen thank you, mr. Chair. I rise today in support of h. R. 1927, which is on the floor this afternoon. The africanAmerican Civil Rights network act. This is to honor the sad yet heroic struggle for civil rights in america. A struggle for those who participated in the Civil Rights Movement. A struggle for people who were in fact soldiers, soldiers in a war for justice and democracy. We appropriately and regularly honor the soldiers who wore uniforms and went to europe and asia to defend our country, and we appropriately and properly give them benefits that they deserve for what they did to protect democracy and justice. But what we forget is those citizens in america who had to fight their own government and their own country for those same rights, justice and democracy. Enslaved for over 250 years and then treated in another world of segregation for 100 years and then slowly creeping in after board brown vs. Board of education in 1954 and the Voting Rights acts and the Civil Rights Act in the 1960s and today, those deserve to be recognize as soldiers for democracy. And this bill will do that. They use protest to gain public attention and eventually to spur judicial and legislative action. It goes all the way back to w. B. Dubois and others who fought when they werent so popular and on television. H. R. 1927 would establish the Civil Rights Network to commemorate and honor the history of the Civil Rights Movement, and i would encourage the proposed sites include the memphis heritage trail which as applied for funding part of that historical effort. It was in memphis, unfortunately in april, 1968, where dr. Martin luther king was slained. Dr. King gave his last speech in memphis the night before, the mason temple. The i have been to the mountain top speech. And it was in memphis where he started his last march about a week earlier marching from historic clay burn temple with garbage can federation workers not recognized as a union and not recognized as men. I am a man. And dr. King came to memphis as part of his fight for justice and freedom. The clay burn temple has risen from the ashes clayburn temple has risen from the ashes as a place for events, worship, concerts and protest. And the Civil Rights Museum has risen at the Lorraine Motel where dr. King was slain, the national Civil Rights Museum which is outstanding and next year well commemorate the 50th anniversary of the assassination. Our own john lewis will be there. H. R. 1927 would help to memorialize these events and these places across the United States and others, from North Carolina where the sitin started, nashville, the Voting Rights march in selma, the atrocities in birmingham and osa parks and the boycott in montgomery. Osa parks, viola, ida b. Wells, joseph lowry, roy wilkins and others will be recognized. I look forward to voting for h. R. 1927 and saying more appropriately represents and remembers heroes, fighters for justice, democracy and freedom, not recognized as such but in fact such. I yield back the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back. The chair recognizes the gentlewoman from missouri, ms. G mrs. Wagner, for five minutes. Ms. Waser in thank you, mr. Speaker. I rise it mrs. Wagner thank you, mr. Speaker. I rise in support of the russia, north korea and iron sanctions act. They threaten the freedoms we enjoy in the United States. Yesterday, congress acted swiftly, voting 4193, to defend the interests of the American People. I commend the leadership of the house, Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman royce and majority leader mccarthy for moving forward strong, meaningful legislation targeting the regimes, tearing out carrying out brutal Human Rights Violations against Vulnerable People across the globe and threatening our National Security. The Obama Administration time and again failed to hold these regimes accountable, and outcomes of that inaction have had lasting ramifications on global stability and security. U. S. Officials are warning that north korea will soon be able a nch excuse me nuclearcapable Intercontinental Ballistic Missile and to be clear, north korea will soon have the capacity to kill american citizens on american soil. These are alarming developments, and the United States must act aggressively to strengthen our own Missile Defense and immediately restrict north koreas access to cash. Murderous, tyrannical regimes have no place in the world, and im confident that these bills will hold corrupt dictators accountable and advance justice for some of the worlds most repressed populations. I thank you and i yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentlewoman yields back. The chair now recognizes the gentleman from minnesota, mr. Emmer, for five minutes. Mr. Emmer thank you, mr. Speaker. I rise today in celebration of the Elk River Municipal Utilities Commissions recent 70th anniversary. The Elk River Municipal Utilities Commission was created or established in 1915 when a private citizen started elk river power and light. The business was eventually purchased by the village of elk river and operated by the city council. The council create throughout the years, this organization has not only seen their responsibilities expand but their jurisdiction expand as well. In fact, today the commission covers dayton, big lake in addition to the elk river area, providing services to more than 11,000 minnesota customers. Thank you to everyone that makes the elk river utilities work and congratulations on 70 years of Great Service to our communities. Mr. Speaker, i rise today to celebrate the 160th anniversary department. Fire this Fire Department has been dedicated to protecting lives and properties in our communities. To give a little perspective on the history of the organization, the Fire Department has been serving the great state of minnesota since it was still a territory and before the civil war. Due to their hard work and often lifesaving efforts, they have been allowed to grow into thriving communities. Want to thank the cities of anoka and champlain. Thank you to you and their citizens. Congratulations on your anniversary and upcoming celebration. It is well deserved. Steve began to suffer a cardian event whipe golfing. Instead of panicking two doctors performed lifesaving efforts. And their efforts were successful in saving steves life. As a result of their actions, dr. Cresse and dr. Schwgler were recently presented with awards at the Stearns County commissioners meeting. Thank you, tom, and the al manny Fire Department for your heroic actions. We appreciate your service. Mr. Speaker, i rise today to congratulate a student in my district for an incredible academic achievement. Tie tyler wilson received a perfect score on his a. C. T. This year making him no doubt a valuable candidate for most colleges and universities across this country. To give an idea on how extraordinary this achievement is, only. 1 of all individuals who take the a. C. T. Receive a perfect score. Tyler is going into his senior year at andover high school. He hopes to attend either Drake University or the university of minnesota in the twin cities with a goal of pursuing a career as a farm sifments we wesh him the best of luck on his senior year in high school and excited to see what this scholar will accomplish in the future. Congratulations again, tyler, were all so proud of you. I yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back the balance of his time. The chair recognizes the gentleman from pennsylvania, r. Thompson, for five minutes. You, mr. N thank speaker. Mr. Speaker, i rise today to congratulation the National Council for on independent living for celebrating its 35th anniversary this year. Their persistent advocacy has had a tremendous impact on the Disability Community and not unnoticed. As you may know before i was elected to serve in congress i worked for many years as a therapist, Rehab Services manager, worked in the community with individuals living with intellectual disabilities. As a licensed unnoticed. As you may know before i was elected to serve nursing home administrator. Working with individuals facing life changing disease and disability has been one of the greatest joys of my life after my wife and children and two grandsons. There is nothing extraordinary. There is something extraordinary about supporting an individual as they set out on challenging journeys towards rehabilitation and autonomy. My passion for improving the quality of care for my patients and helping them achieve independence is what brought me here to congress. Last year i was proud to turn my experience into advocacy by guiding the special Needs Trust Fairness act through the legislative process. His commonsense bill empower those living with disabilities to set up their own special needs trust, an action barred by previous law. After receiving overwhelming bipartisan support in both the ouse and senate, language those living with disabilities to set up their own special needs from the bill was included from the bill was included in the 21st century cures act which was signed into law on december 13, 2016. Mr. Speaker, safeguarding the rights of americans living with disabilities is a cause im honored to fight for and i look forward to continuing my efforts. Mr. Speaker, id like to recognize a member of the medical community who we recently lost. Today i honor the life and memory of dr. Howard kirk lapd who passed away last week after years of Selfless Service to his community and employees ugh his pack terrorist practice. If he was wellknown for his kindness, his again rossity throughout the community. Those closest to home will be closest to him will be deeply impacted by the loss of a man who was loved for his mentorships, selflessness, incredible work ethic. He founded the kirkland Cancer Foundation with his personal resources. To financially assist Cancer Patients and their families, as well as providing scholarship money to Students Affected by the disease. He was born in san antonio, texas, and raised in pakip i ask pew kip i ask, new york, during his residencecy at the university of virginia he left school to join the army. On behalf of the people of pennsylvania i recognize and honor dr. Kirkland for his incredible life of service to those around him. Hell be greatly missed. Thank you, mr. Speaker. 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 pennsylvania, mr. Fitzpatrick, for five minutes. Mr. Speaker, k as a f. B. I. Agent my job was to keep america safe from all enemy, both foreign and domestic. On the National Security front, those components include a sound terrorism streanl, a sound counterintelligence strategy, a sound cybersecurity strategy, a sound foreign polcy, and a sound Border Security strategy. Before us today, mr. Speaker, border sue of security. An issue that, quite frankly, has been largely ignored over the past several decades by both parties. And as a Border Security. Result, our National Security remains compromised at a point in time where we live in a more dangerous world now than we ever have. When you combine the fact that our enemies are now both more sophisticated and bert funded, coupled with our Border Security better funded, and coupled with our Border Security apparatus, this is an embarrassment for our nation. The time is now to protect our border, all its components in all the regions. As a mefment Homeland Security committee i spent time on the boarder with our brave women and men on the frontlines working as c. B. P. Officers and Border Patrol agents. I spent time both on the ocean and in the sky with the brave women and men in our coast guard. Mr. Speaker, they are pleaing for our help and shame on us if we do not deliver for them. Their requests are simple. Increase their manpower to provide them with a sufficient number of agents to interdict not just drugs and guns from cartels but also criminals and terrorists who seek to do us harm. Invest in the technology that they need to do their job, to include droughns and aerial surveillance. Infrared technology, heat sensors, motion detectors both above and below the ground, and 21st century hightech options that serve as force multiply on the border. They need physical barriers on various forms along various stretches of the border in order to slow down the cartels and allow for sufficient for the agents to century interdict. Moreover, we must invest in a heavily invest in a robust human intelligence program, giving our agents the resources they need to recruit human sources on the other side of the border. To provide our agents with advance notice of both the sources and the methods of criminal conspiracies that are forming along the border. In addition, we must bolster the office of Inspector General to crack down onboarder corruption. Through the use of drug testing, financial screening, and polygraph examinations. Mr. Speaker, the concept of Border Security is a multiprong challenge that requires action on all fronts. Not just one or two. And i urge my friends and colleagues on both side of the aisle, please do not politicize this issue. Securing operational control of our border is a National Security emergency. My former Law Enforcement colleagues who are putting their life on the line every while protecting our borders are asking for our help. Let us not let them down. Mr. Speaker, i yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back the balance of his time. Now recognizes while protecting from florida, mr. Curbelo, for five minutes. Mr. Curbelo mr. Speaker, i rise today in support of h. R. 1164, the taylor force agent. This legislation conditions Financial Assistance from the United States on the Palestinian Authoritys termination of support for terror committed by individuals under its jurisdictional control. In order for the Palestinian Authority to receive aid, it would also be required to condemn acts of terror and cease providing payments to those who have committed such acts. The bill is named after taylor force, a former u. S. Army officer who was stabbed to death during a terrorist attack in tel aviv. This legislation is a commonsense solution that we must address. The Palestinian Authority upped the leadership of abbas has continued to support efforts that undermine attempts at peace between the palestinians and our great ally, israel. The blatant encouragement of terrorist activity by the Palestinian Authority must end. Why should we be rewarding this kind of behavior . The balance balance thorn Palestinian Authority perfect pets waits terrorism. Terrorism. Et waits those increase the longer they are in jail those encouraging the terrorists to commit more violent acts. This is unacceptable, the United States must do something to end this conduct because the reality is its costing innocent terrorism. Lives. Goals of h. R. 1164, the taylor force act, are a step in the right direction and i urge my colleagues to join goals of h. R. 1164, the taylor force act, are a step in the right direction and i urge my colleagues to join me in calling for its consideration and passage in the house. Americans ability to provide food. My hometown in florida is particularly hard hit. In my district, the florida ys continue to face an Affordable Housing crisis that has made it difficult for the workers and entrepreneurs of its evergrowing economy. Affordable housing crisis thats why earlier this year i attended the opening of the first ever Affordable Housing project for lowincome seniors outside of key west. I have also been working to ensure Naval Air Station key currently has 166 units on base that have sat vacant for several years, are put to better use. While the process is slow, im grateful for the navys assistance as we work to explore the possibility of opening these units for more Affordable Housing in the keys. Mr. Speaker, finding solutions to making housing more affordable for our constituents, especially the most vulnerable, is a priority of mine here in congress. I am proud to stand with mr. Tiberi of ohio and over 70 bipartisan meverts members to support his efforts to strengthen lowincome housing tax credits. Its time for congress to work towards responsible solutions and make the rental affordability crisis a priority. I rise today to celebrate the passage of sanctions against the iranian, russian, and north korean regimes. This package of sanctions sends a strong message to these regimes that the United States will not tolerate their rogue actions. These sanctions i rise today to accountable those involved in the iranian regimes Ballistic Missile program. Those who attempt to destabilize the region and threaten israel, as well as those responsible for irans ongoing human rights abuses. The legislation also sets us on a path to deter conventional iranian activities in the region and imposes sanctions on any individual that contributes to irans Ballistic Missiles or terrorism. The sanctions against north korea were response to its increasingly hostile threats against the United States and allies in asia. By increasing the president s authority to impose sanctions on persons in violation of u. N. Security Council Resolutions regarding north korea we ensure actions will be taken swiftly when necessary. Last but not least we have strengthened sanctions against russia in response to cyberattacks and interference in ukraine. Increasing sanctions on human rights abuers. Those who apply weapons to assads regime in syria and those conducting cyberactivity on behalf of the russian government. Given the seriousness of the aggression, were strengthening the existing sanctions contained in executive orders on russia and mandating a congressional review if any sanctions are relaxed, bunded, or terminated. I strongly encourage the president to sign this bill into law and will continue to impress upon all of my colleagues the need to not treat russia lightly. These threats posed to our National Security by iran, russia, and north korea cannot be understated. With this passage of sanctions package, congress is doing its job to ensure they will be held accountable. Thank you, mr. Speaker. I yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentlemans time has expired. The chair now recognizes the gentleman from california, mr. Cclintock, for five minutes. Mr. Mcclintock thank you, mr. Speaker. I want to begin by saluting the more than 5,000 firefighters from 40 cooperating agencies that assembled under the coordination of calfire to battle the fire that threatened Yosemite Valley and gateway communities. I spent saturday at the command centers and what i saw is what i have seen time and again at so many fires were having these days in the sierra. Cool, calm, professionalism, selflessness, and devotion to duty. Cafmentfire is an agency that works calfire an agency that works. I want to particularly salute and thank nancy, the unit fire chief for merced. She and her operation literally saved several towns, clueing posea, from annihilation last week. The fire bore down upon the city of mariposa. You can see how the fire burned up to the town eages. I cant tell you how many homes i saw where firefighters stopped literally within a few feet of their front doors. Cal fire battalion chief told me the difference between saving and losing so many homes was defensible space. Cal fires produced a superb phone app to assist homeowners in preparing their homes so that if, god forbid the need arises, firefighters will be able to defend them. It provides fire alerts and anyone in the Mountain Community should have it. Its free for downloading at your phones app store. I cannot say enough about the firefighters who have been working in triple digit heat in 24hour shifts to battle the flames or the aircrews that dropped a staggering 500,000 gallons of fire retardant in a ingle day at the height of the confligration. Fire retardant separate the black and ground on one side from the landscape they saved from the other. They not only saved these communities and hundreds of homes, they also stopped the of within just a few miles a forest that is dying because of federal and environmental restrictions on forest management. The firefighters warned that if the fire had reached these vast stands of dead trees, the fire would have exploded with atomic force. And thats the fine point of the matter. I spoke with Mariposa County supervisor marshall long and many firefighters at the mariposa command center, and the one thing they stressed time and again is they need relief from the regulations that are making it almost impossible to create fire breaks, thin the forests or remove the excess fuels. These policies imposed 45 years ago through legislation like the National Environmental policy act and the endangered species act promised to improve the forest environment. After 45 years of experience with these laws, i think were entitled to ask, how is the forest environment doing, and the answer is damning. These laws have made it virtually impossible to keep our forests properly managed and the result has been severe tree overcrowding, the Sierra Nevada normally support between 20 and 100 trees per acre. The average tree density is now 266 trees per acre. This extreme overcrowding has stressed the trees to the point they can no longer resist drought and beetle infestation and disease. This has caused a massive tree dieoff and we have entire National Forests now just waiting to explode with over 100 million dead trees. The heroic firefighters have kept them out of the hazard zones but the hazard zones are still there. We are only at the beginning of he fire season that combines fresh brush and those that didnt survive the drought. The firefighters i spoke with on saturday bitterly complain they cant cut fire breaks to isolate these zones because of the same socalled environmental laws. The house has pending before it the resilient federal forest act of 2017 that would allow us to restore good forest management, but we may already have run afoul of what churchill called historys terrible, chilling words, too late. Mr. Speaker, i call for expeditious consideration of the resilient federal forest act and other legislation aimed at restoring management to our forests in the hope firefighters can hold these fires at bay until we restore Good Management to our public lands. I yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentlemans time has expired. Pursuant to clause 12a of rule 1, the chair declares the house in recess until noon le muse also expected to are sess for the august break at the end of the week but that could change key pending on the status of the Health Care Bill in the senate. And a live picture now of the senate floor where Health Care Debate continues. Senator rand paul of kentucky on the floor now. Lawmakers have been considering an amendment dealing with federal payments to states and the oneyear defunding of planned parenthood. Votes scheduled for about 10 minutes from now, about 11 30. At 3 30, later today, there will be an amendment dealing with medicaid benefits. You can watch this live right now on cspan2. Were line at cspan. Org going back live toe capitol hill where treasury secretary Steve Mnuchin has been testifying along with i. R. S