Congressional Record
U
N
U
M
E
P
L
U
R
I
B
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S
United States
of America
PROCEEDINGS AND DEBATES OF THE
118
th
CONGRESS, SECOND SESSION
b This symbol represents the time of day during the House proceedings, e.g., b 1407 is 2:07 p.m.
Matter set in this typeface indicates words inserted or appended, rather than spoken, by a Member of the House on the floor.
.
H2293
Vol. 170 WASHINGTON, THURSDAY, APRIL 11, 2024 No. 62
House of Representatives
The House met at 9 a.m. and was
called to order by the Speaker.
f
PRAYER
The Chaplain, the Reverend Margaret
Grun Kibben, offered the following
prayer:
Generous God, from Your bounty,
You have graced us with much, with
health and prosperity, opportunity and
positions of honor. For all the gifts
You have given us, we are truly grate-
ful.
Remind us again that, while these
gifts come without conditions, that to
be given these privileges is to appre-
ciate how they compel us to live into
the responsibilities that come with
them.
Truly, You have entrusted us with an
abundance of riches. It is on us to re-
spond with faithful stewardship of
Your generosity.
Call us again to accountability, that
we would not take for granted the pur-
pose You intended when You showed us
Your favor. Open our eyes to the needs
of the people around us who depend on
us to exercise our talents and abilities
faithfully, to apportion our resources
carefully, and to share from our pleni-
tude, acknowledging that all that we
have is Yours to use for the benefit of
Your kingdom.
Bless, then, our faltering attempts to
use wisely all that You have bestowed
on us, that what we do this day would
reflect our desire to glorify You.
We pray these prayers in Your most
holy name.
Amen.
f
THE JOURNAL
The SPEAKER. The Chair has exam-
ined the Journal of the last day’s pro-
ceedings and announces to the House
the approval thereof.
Pursuant to clause 1 of rule I, the
Journal stands approved.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The SPEAKER. Will the gentle-
woman from New York (Ms. S
TEFANIK
)
come forward and lead the House in the
Pledge of Allegiance.
Ms. STEFANIK led the Pledge of Al-
legiance as follows:
I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the
United States of America, and to the Repub-
lic for which it stands, one nation under God,
indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
f
RESIGNATION AS CHAIR OF
COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
The SPEAKER laid before the House
the following resignation as a chair of
the Committee on Appropriations:
H
OUSE OF
R
EPRESENTATIVES
,
C
OMMITTEE ON
A
PPROPRIATIONS
,
Washington, DC, April 10, 2024.
Hon. M
IKE
J
OHNSON
,
Speaker, House of Representatives,
Washington, DC.
D
EAR
M
R
. S
PEAKER
: It has been my distinct
honor to serve as Chair of the Committee on
Appropriations during the 118th Congress.
Please accept this letter as my official res-
ignation from the Appropriations Chair as-
signment, effective today, April 10, 2024.
Thank you for the opportunity to serve
under your leadership. As Chair Emeritus, I
will do my best to assist the new Chair in
this transition and will continue to work
hard for my district for the remainder of my
term in Congress.
Sincerely,
K
AY
G
RANGER
,
Chairwoman, Committee on Appropriations.
The SPEAKER. Without objection,
the resignation is accepted.
There was no objection.
f
RESIGNATION AS CHAIR AND
MEMBER OF COMMITTEE ON
RULES
The SPEAKER laid before the House
the following resignation as chair and
member of the Committee on Rules:
C
ONGRESS OF THE
U
NITED
S
TATES
,
H
OUSE OF
R
EPRESENTATIVES
,
April 10, 2024.
Hon. M
IKE
J
OHNSON
,
Speaker, House of Representatives,
Washington, DC.
D
EAR
S
PEAKER
J
OHNSON
: I am writing to
resign my position as Chairman and member
of the House Rules Committee, effective im-
mediately. Thank you for allowing me the
opportunity to serve as Chairman and look
forward to continuing to serve the House and
my colleagues as Chairman of the Appropria-
tions Committee.
If you have any questions, please contact
my Chief of Staff, Joshua Grogis, at 202–225–
6165 or by email at Josh-
Sincerely,
T
OM
C
OLE
,
Member of Congress.
The SPEAKER. Without objection,
the resignation is accepted.
There was no objection.
f
RESIGNATION AS MEMBER OF
COMMITTEE ON TRANSPOR-
TATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE
The SPEAKER laid before the House
the following resignation as a member
of the Committee on Transportation
and Infrastructure:
W
EDNESDAY
, A
PRIL
10, 2024.
Hon. M
IKE
J
OHNSON
,
Speaker, House of Representatives,
Washington, DC.
D
EAR
S
PEAKER
J
OHNSON
: I write to respect-
fully tender my resignation as a member of
the Transportation & Infrastructure Com-
mittee. It has been an honor to serve in this
capacity.
Sincerely,
J
OHN
E. J
AMES
,
Member of Congress.
The SPEAKER. Without objection,
the resignation is accepted.
There was no objection.
f
RESIGNATION AS MEMBER OF
COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION AND
THE WORKFORCE
The SPEAKER laid before the House
the following resignation as a member
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® Pdnted on recycled papfil
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSEH2294 April 11, 2024
of the Committee on Education and the
Workforce:
A
PRIL
10, 2024.
Hon. M
IKE
J
OHNSON
,
Speaker, House of Representatives,
Washington, DC.
D
EAR
S
PEAKER
J
OHNSON
: I write to respect-
fully tender my resignation as a member of
the Education & The Workforce Committee.
It has been an honor to serve in this capac-
ity.
Sincerely,
J
OHN
E. J
AMES
,
Member of Congress.
The SPEAKER. Without objection,
the resignation is accepted.
There was no objection.
f
ELECTING MEMBERS TO CERTAIN
STANDING COMMITTEES OF THE
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Ms. STEFANIK. Mr. Speaker, by di-
rection of the Republican Conference, I
send to the desk a privileged resolution
and ask for its immediate consider-
ation.
The Clerk read the resolution, as fol-
lows:
H. R
ES
. 1133
Resolved, That the following named Mem-
bers be, and are hereby, elected to the fol-
lowing standing committees of the House of
Representatives:
C
OMMITTEE ON
A
PPROPRIATIONS
: Mr. Cole,
Chair.
C
OMMITTEE ON
E
NERGY AND
C
OMMERCE
: Mr.
James.
C
OMMITTEE ON
R
ULES
: Mr. Burgess, Chair.
Mr. Austin Scott of Georgia (to rank after
Mr. Langworthy).
C
OMMITTEE ON
T
RANSPORTATION AND
I
NFRA
-
STRUCTURE
: Mr. Kiley.
Resolved, That the following named Mem-
ber be, and is hereby, ranked as follows on
the following standing committee of the
House of Representatives:
C
OMMITTEE ON
A
PPROPRIATIONS
: Ms.
Granger, after Mr. Rogers of Kentucky.
Ms. STEFANIK (during the reading).
Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent
that the resolution be considered as
read.
The SPEAKER. Is there objection to
the request of the gentlewoman from
New York?
There was no objection.
The resolution was agreed to.
A motion to reconsider was laid on
the table.
f
ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE SPEAKER
The SPEAKER. After consultation
with the majority and minority lead-
ers, the Chair announces that, when
the two Houses meet in joint meeting
to hear an address by His Excellency
Kishida Fumio, Prime Minister of
Japan, only the doors immediately op-
posite the Speaker and those imme-
diately to his left and right will be
open.
No one will be allowed on the floor of
the House who does not have the privi-
lege of the floor of the House. Due to
the large attendance that is antici-
pated, the rule regarding the privilege
of the floor must be strictly enforced.
Children of Members will not be per-
mitted on the floor. The cooperation of
all Members is requested.
The practice of reserving seats prior
to the joint meeting by placard will
not be allowed. Members may reserve
their seats by physical presence only
following the security sweep of the
Chamber.
f
RECESS
The SPEAKER. Pursuant to the
order of the House of Tuesday, April 9,
2024, the House stands in recess subject
to the call of the Chair.
Accordingly, (at 9 o’clock and 7 min-
utes a.m.), the House stood in recess.
f
b 1047
JOINT MEETING TO HEAR AN AD-
DRESS BY HIS EXCELLENCY
KISHIDA FUMIO, PRIME MIN-
ISTER OF JAPAN
During the recess, the House was
called to order by the Speaker at 10
o’clock and 47 minutes a.m.
The Assistant Sergeant at Arms, Ms.
Kathleen Joyce, announced the Vice
President and Members of the U.S.
Senate, who entered the Hall of the
House of Representatives, the Vice
President taking the chair at the right
of the Speaker, and the Members of the
Senate the seats reserved for them.
The SPEAKER. The joint meeting
will come to order.
The Chair appoints as members of
the committee on the part of the House
to escort His Excellency Kishida
Fumio, Prime Minister of Japan, into
the Chamber:
The gentleman from Louisiana (Mr.
S
CALISE
);
The gentleman from Minnesota (Mr.
E
MMER
);
The gentlewoman from New York
(Ms. S
TEFANIK
);
The gentleman from Indiana (Mr.
B
UCSHON
);
The gentleman from Nebraska (Mr.
S
MITH
);
The gentleman from Arkansas (Mr.
H
ILL
);
The gentlewoman from Virginia
(Mrs. K
IGGANS
);
The gentleman from North Carolina
(Mr. R
OUZER
);
The gentleman from New York (Mr.
J
EFFRIES
);
The gentlewoman from Massachu-
setts (Ms. C
LARK
);
The gentleman from California (Mr.
A
GUILAR
);
The gentleman from California (Mr.
L
IEU
);
The gentlewoman from Colorado (Ms.
D
E
G
ETTE
);
The gentlewoman from California
(Ms. M
ATSUI
);
The gentleman from California (Mr.
T
AKANO
); and
The gentlewoman from Hawaii (Ms.
T
OKUDA
).
The VICE PRESIDENT. The Presi-
dent of the Senate, at the direction of
that body, appoints the following Sen-
ators as members of the committee on
the part of the Senate to escort His Ex-
cellency Kishida Fumio, Prime Min-
ister of Japan, into the House Cham-
ber:
The Senator from Illinois (Mr. D
UR
-
BIN
);
The Senator from Washington (Mrs.
M
URRAY
);
The Senator from Minnesota (Ms.
K
LOBUCHAR
);
The Senator from West Virginia (Mr.
M
ANCHIN
);
The Senator from New Jersey (Mr.
B
OOKER
);
The Senator from Maryland (Mr.
C
ARDIN
);
The Senator from Hawaii (Ms.
H
IRONO
);
The Senator from Kentucky (Mr.
M
C
C
ONNELL
);
The Senator from South Dakota (Mr.
T
HUNE
);
The Senator from Wyoming (Mr.
B
ARRASSO
);
The Senator from West Virginia
(Mrs. C
APITO
);
The Senator from Iowa (Ms. E
RNST
);
The Senator from Alaska (Ms. M
UR
-
KOWSKI
);
The Senator from Idaho (Mr. R
ISCH
);
and
The Senator from Tennessee (Mr.
H
AGERTY
).
The Assistant to the Sergeant at
Arms announced the Acting Dean of
the Diplomatic Corps, His Excellency
Mohamed Siad Doualeh, Ambassador of
the Republic of Djibouti.
The Acting Dean of the Diplomatic
Corps entered the Hall of the House of
Representatives and took the seat re-
served for him.
The Assistant to the Sergeant at
Arms announced the Cabinet of the
President of the United States.
The U.S. Secretary of Transpor-
tation, Pete Buttigieg, entered the Hall
of the House of Representatives and
took the seat reserved for him in front
of the Speaker’s rostrum.
At 11 o’clock and 7 minutes a.m., the
Sergeant at Arms, the Honorable Wil-
liam P. McFarland, announced His Ex-
cellency Kishida Fumio.
The Prime Minister of Japan, es-
corted by the committee of Senators
and Representatives, entered the Hall
of the House of Representatives and
stood at the Clerk’s desk.
(Applause, the Members rising.)
The SPEAKER. Members of Con-
gress, I have the high privilege and the
distinct honor of presenting to you His
Excellency Kishida Fumio, Prime Min-
ister of Japan.
(Applause, the Members rising.)
Prime Minister KISHIDA. Mr. Speak-
er, Madam Vice President, honorable
Members of the United States Con-
gress, distinguished guests, ladies and
gentlemen, thank you. I never get such
nice applause from the Japanese Diet.
Let me introduce my wife, Yuko, who
is in the gallery. The fact that I mar-
ried Yuko should give you great con-
fidence in all my decisions.
I am truly honored to speak here in
this citadel of democracy and before
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CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H2295 April 11, 2024
you, the Representatives of the Amer-
ican people.
Nine years ago, the late Prime Min-
ister Abe, who was a close friend of
mine, stood in this very spot and gave
an address titled: ‘‘Toward an Alliance
of Hope.’’ I was Foreign Minister in his
Cabinet at that time, and I was deeply
struck to witness the bond between our
two countries.
Since childhood, I have felt a connec-
tion to the United States, perhaps be-
cause I spent my first 3 years of ele-
mentary school at P.S. 20 and P.S. 13 in
Queens, New York. Even though I was
the only Japanese student there, my
classmates kindly accepted me and
helped me immerse myself in a new
culture.
We arrived in the fall of 1963, and for
several years, my family lived like
Americans. My father would take the
subway to Manhattan, where he
worked as a trade official. We rooted
for the Mets and the Yankees and ate
hot dogs at Coney Island. On vacation,
we would go to Niagara Falls or here to
Washington, D.C.
I remember things that were strange
and funny to a little Japanese boy, like
watching ‘‘The Flintstones.’’ I still
miss that show, although I could never
translate ‘‘yabba dabba doo.’’
After 60 years, I have a message for
the good people of Queens: Thank you
for making my family and me feel so
welcome. I have never forgotten it.
So I speak to you today as a long and
close friend of the United States.
I know that the National Park Serv-
ice is undertaking a rehabilitation
project in the Tidal Basin. As a gesture
of friendship, Japan will provide 250
cherry trees that will be planted there
in anticipation of the 250th anniversary
of your independence.
As you might also remember, the 1964
World’s Fair was held in Queens. Its
symbol was the giant Unisphere, and
the fair’s theme was ‘‘Peace Through
Understanding,’’ and yet we also know
that peace requires more than under-
standing. It requires resolve.
The U.S. shaped the international
order in the postwar world through
economic, diplomatic, military, and
technological power. It championed
freedom and democracy. It encouraged
the stability and prosperity of nations,
including Japan, and when necessary,
it made noble sacrifices to fulfill its
commitment to a better world.
The United States policy was based
on the premise that humanity does not
want to live oppressed by an authori-
tarian state, where you are tracked
and surveilled and denied from express-
ing what is in your heart and on your
mind. You believe that freedom is the
oxygen of humanity.
The world needs the United States to
continue playing this pivotal role in
the affairs of nations, and yet, as we
meet here today, I detect an undercur-
rent of self-doubt among some Ameri-
cans about what your role in the world
should be.
This self-doubt is arising at a time
when our world is at history’s turning
point. The post-Cold War era is already
behind us, and we are now at an inflec-
tion point that will define the next
stage of human history.
The international order that the U.S.
worked for generations to build is fac-
ing new challenges, challenges from
those with values and principles very
different from ours.
Freedom and democracy are cur-
rently under threat around the globe.
Climate change has caused natural
disasters, poverty and displacement on
a global scale. In the COVID–19 pan-
demic, all humanity suffered.
Rapid advances in AI technology
have resulted in a battle over the soul
of AI that is ranging between its prom-
ise and its perils.
The balance of economic power is
shifting. The Global South plays a
greater role in responding to chal-
lenges and opportunities and calls for a
larger voice.
Turning to Japan’s own neighbor-
hood, China’s current external stance
and military actions present an un-
precedented and the greatest strategic
challenge not only to the peace and se-
curity of Japan, but to the peace and
stability of the international commu-
nity at large.
While such a challenge from China
continues, our commitment to uphold-
ing a free and open international order
based on the rule of law, as well as
peace, will continue to be the defining
agenda going forward.
As a Hiroshima native, I have de-
voted my political career to bringing
about a world without nuclear weap-
ons. For years, I have worked to revi-
talize the Non-Proliferation Treaty re-
gime so that we can gain momentum in
pursuit of the aspiration. But there ex-
ists an imminent danger of nuclear
weapons proliferation in East Asia.
North Korea’s nuclear and missile
program is a direct threat. The issue of
abductions by North Korea remains a
critical issue.
North Korea’s provocations have im-
pact beyond the region. It has also ex-
ported its ballistic missiles to support
Russia’s war of aggression against
Ukraine, greatly increasing the suf-
fering of the Ukrainian people.
Russia’s unprovoked, unjust, and bru-
tal war of aggression against Ukraine
has entered its third year. As I often
say, Ukraine of today may be East Asia
of tomorrow.
Furthermore, Russia continues to
threaten the use of nuclear weapons,
which has contributed to worldwide
concern that yet another catastrophe
by nuclear weapon use is a real possi-
bility. In this reality, close coordina-
tion between Japan and the U.S. is re-
quired more than ever to ensure that
the deterrence our alliance provides re-
mains credible and resilient.
New forms of oppression are being
imposed on the world. Freedom is being
suppressed through digital tech-
nologies. Social media is censored,
monitored, and controlled.
There are growing cases of economic
coercion and the so-called debt trap di-
plomacy, whereby the economic de-
pendency of nations is exploited and
weaponized.
Facing such rapidly changing pres-
sures, how do we continue to safeguard
our common values?
I want to address those Americans
who feel the loneliness and exhaustion
of being the country that has upheld
the international order almost single-
handedly.
I understand it is a heavy burden to
carry such hopes on your shoulders.
Although the world looks to your
leadership, the U.S. should not be ex-
pected to do it all, unaided and on your
own.
Yes, the leadership of the United
States is indispensable.
Without U.S. support, how long be-
fore the hopes of Ukraine would col-
lapse under the onslaught from Mos-
cow?
Without the presence of the United
States, how long before the Indo-Pa-
cific would face even harsher realities?
Ladies and gentlemen, as the United
States’ closest friend, tomodachi, the
people of Japan are with you, side by
side, to assure the survival of liberty
not just for our people, but for all peo-
ple.
I am not saying this out of my strong
attachment to America. I am an ideal-
ist but a realist, too. The defense of
freedom, democracy, and the rule of
law is the national interest of Japan.
The Japanese people are fully com-
mitted to these values. I do not want
to leave our children a society where
human rights were suppressed, where
political self-determination is denied,
where our lives are monitored by dig-
ital technology. I know you don’t ei-
ther.
Upholding these values is both a
cause and a benefit for our two coun-
tries as well as for the generations to
come across the world.
Right now, Japanese and U.S. serv-
icemembers are working side by side to
deter aggression and ensure peace. I ad-
mire them, I thank them, and I know I
speak for all of us when I say they have
the gratitude of both our nations.
On the spaceship called ‘‘Freedom
and Democracy,’’ Japan is proud to be
your shipmate. We are on deck, we are
on task, and we are ready to do what is
necessary.
The democratic nations of the world
must have all hands on deck. I am here
to say that Japan is already standing
shoulder to shoulder with the United
States. You are not alone. We are with
you.
Japan has changed over the years.
We have transformed ourselves from a
reticent ally, recovering from the dev-
astation of World War II, to a strong,
committed ally, looking outward to
the world.
Japan has transformed its national
security strategy. Uncertainty about
the future stability of the Indo-Pacific
region caused us to change our policies
and our very mindset. I myself have
stood at the forefront in making our
bilateral alliance even stronger.
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CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSEH2296 April 11, 2024
In 2022, we announced that we would
secure a substantial increase of our de-
fense budget by fiscal year 2027 to 2
percent of GDP, possess counterstrike
capabilities, and improve cybersecu-
rity. Today, the deterrence that our al-
liance provides is stronger than ever,
bolstered by U.S. extended deterrence
for Japan.
Japan has taken strong sanctions
against Russia in the wake of its ag-
gression against Ukraine. We have an-
nounced over $12 billion in aid to
Ukraine, including anti-drone detec-
tion systems. This is part of NATO’s
aid package; and, yes, we are even
working with NATO on the other side
of the world from us.
I might add that in February, to help
a devastated Ukraine get through these
agonizing times, I hosted the con-
ference for Ukraine’s economic growth
and reconstruction. Japan will con-
tinue to stand with Ukraine.
As the geopolitical landscape
changed and as Japan grew in con-
fidence, we expanded our outlook be-
yond that of being America’s closest
ally. We first became a regional part-
ner of the United States, and now we
have become your global partner.
Never has our relationship been so
close, our vision and approach so
united.
Today, our partnership goes beyond
the bilateral. Examples include tri-
lateral and quadrilateral cooperation
among the U.S., Japan, the Republic of
Korea, Australia, India, and the Phil-
ippines as well as cooperation through
the G7 and with ASEAN. The three
leaders of the U.S., the Republic of
Korea, and Japan convened at Camp
David last summer to inaugurate a new
era of our partisanship.
From these various endeavors
emerges a multilayered, regional
framework where our alliance serves as
a force multiplier and, together, with
these like-minded countries, we are
working to realize a free and open
Indo-Pacific. Here in this Chamber, we
should have strong bipartisan support
for these efforts.
Japan believes in U.S. leadership, and
we also believe in the U.S. economy.
Japan is the number one foreign direct
investor in the United States. Japanese
companies have invested around $800
billion, creating almost 1 million
American jobs. These are good jobs,
with half a million jobs in the manu-
facturing sector alone.
At home, I am embarking on a set of
initiatives called a New Form of Cap-
italism to drive the Japanese economy.
The public and private sectors are join-
ing hands to transform the social chal-
lenges we face into engines of growth.
Wage increases, capital investment,
and stock prices all have attained lev-
els not seen for 30 years.
The Japanese economy is now mak-
ing strides by capitalizing on these un-
precedented and major changes. A
growth-oriented Japanese economy
should also spur even greater invest-
ment in the United States, and we can
then help boost the global economy to
steer it toward a strong growth trajec-
tory in the years to come.
Just yesterday, President Biden and I
demonstrated our commitment to lead-
ing the world on the development of
the next generation of emerging tech-
nologies, such as AI, quantum, semi-
conductors, biotechnology, and clean
energy.
The scope of our bilateral coopera-
tion expands to space as well, illu-
minating our path toward a brighter
and more hopeful tomorrow. The TV
broadcast of Apollo 11’s lunar landing
of 1969 is still seared into my memory.
Japan’s lunar lander mission in Janu-
ary achieved the first pinpoint landing
in history. Yesterday, President Biden
and I announced that a Japanese na-
tional will be the first non-American
astronaut to land on the Moon on a fu-
ture Artemis mission.
We have two astronauts with us
today. Would Mr. Hoshide and Mr. Tani
please stand.
Mr. Akihiko Hoshide has flown to
space three times and served as com-
mander of the International Space Sta-
tion for 5 months in 2021.
Next to him is Mr. Daniel Tani. He is
a retired Japanese-American astronaut
who has conducted six space walks and,
in his two missions, has logged over 50
million miles, which is a lot of fre-
quent flyer points.
Mr. Hoshide and Mr. Tani are living
symbols of our collaboration in space,
and we will have many more such col-
laborations in the future.
Thank you, gentlemen.
Let me close with this final thought.
I want you to know how seriously
Japan takes its role as the United
States’ closest ally.
Together, we carry a large responsi-
bility. I believe that we are essential to
peace, vital to freedom, and funda-
mental to prosperity.
Bonded by our beliefs, I pledge to you
Japan’s firm alliance and enduring
friendship.
‘‘Global Partners for the Future″: We
are your global partner today, and we
will be your global partner in the years
ahead.
Thank you for inviting me, thank
you for your hospitality, and thank
you for the role you play in the world.
(Applause, the Members rising.)
At noon, His Excellency Kishida
Fumio, Prime Minister of Japan, ac-
companied by the committee of escort,
retired from the Hall of the House of
Representatives.
The Assistant to the Sergeant at
Arms escorted the invited guests from
the Chamber in the following order:
The U.S. Secretary of Transpor-
tation; and
The Acting Dean of the Diplomatic
Corps.
f
JOINT MEETING DISSOLVED
The SPEAKER. The purpose of the
joint meeting having been completed,
the Chair declares the joint meeting of
the two Houses now dissolved.
Accordingly (at noon), the joint
meeting of the two Houses was dis-
solved.
The Members of the Senate retired to
their Chamber.
The SPEAKER. The House will con-
tinue in recess subject to the call of
the Chair.
f
b 1230
AFTER RECESS
The recess having expired, the House
was called to order by the Speaker pro
tempore (Mr. G
UEST
) at 12 o’clock and
30 minutes p.m.
f
PRINTING OF PROCEEDINGS HAD
DURING RECESS
Mr. TIFFANY. Mr. Speaker, I ask
unanimous consent that the pro-
ceedings had during the recess be print-
ed in the R
ECORD
.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there
objection to the request of the gen-
tleman from Wisconsin?
There was no objection.
f
ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE SPEAKER
PRO TEMPORE
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu-
ant to clause 8 of rule XX, the Chair
will postpone further proceedings
today on motions to suspend the rules
on which a recorded vote or the yeas
and nays are ordered.
The House will resume proceedings
on postponed questions at a later time.
f
FEDERAL COASTAL STORM RISK
MANAGEMENT PROJECTS
Mr. TIFFANY. Mr. Speaker, I move
to suspend the rules and pass the bill
(H.R. 524) to amend the Coastal Barrier
Resources Act to create an exemption
for certain shoreline borrow sites, as
amended.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
H.R. 524
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Rep-
resentatives of the United States of America in
Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. FEDERAL COASTAL STORM RISK MAN-
AGEMENT PROJECTS.
Section 6(a) of the Coastal Barrier Resources
Act (16 U.S.C. 3505(a)) is amended by adding at
the end the following:
‘‘(7) Use of a sand source within a System
unit by Federal coastal storm risk management
projects or their predecessor projects that have
used a system unit for sand to nourish adjacent
beaches outside the System pursuant to section
5 of the Act of August 18, 1941 (commonly
known as the ‘Flood Control Act of 1941’) (55
Stat. 650, chapter 377; 33 U.S.C. 701n) at least
once between December 31, 2008 and December
31, 2023 in response to an emergency situation
prior to December 31, 2023.’’.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu-
ant to the rule, the gentleman from
Wisconsin (Mr. T
IFFANY
) and the gen-
tleman from California (Mr. H
UFFMAN
)
each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman
from Wisconsin.
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GENERAL LEAVE
Mr. TIFFANY. Mr. Speaker, I ask
unanimous consent that all Members
may have 5 legislative days in which to
revise and extend their remarks and to
include extraneous material on H.R.
524, as amended, the bill now under
consideration.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there
objection to the request of the gen-
tleman from Wisconsin?
There was no objection.
Mr. TIFFANY. Mr. Speaker, I yield
myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R.
524, sponsored by my colleague Con-
gressman R
OUZER
of North Carolina.
This bill amends the Coastal Barrier
Resources Act, or CBRA, to ensure
coastal communities have access to the
resources they need to renourish their
beaches, protect public safety, and
strengthen their local economies.
This bill would amend CBRA to en-
sure communities that have been using
sites located within the CBRA’s system
as a source of sand to renourish beach-
es in response to an emergency be-
tween December 31, 2008, and December
31, 2023, will be allowed to continue
doing so.
Without it, communities like
Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina, in
Mr. R
OUZER
’s district, which has been
using the same site for the last 60 years
to renourish its beach, would be left
with few realistic and cost-effective op-
tions to carry out their necessary
projects, which serve as a critical tool
in protecting vulnerable communities.
As we heard from the mayor of
Wrightsville Beach at the hearing on
this bill, enacting H.R. 524 would en-
able both the Federal Government and
local governments to achieve the pri-
mary goals of CBRA at a lower cost to
taxpayers by avoiding the necessity to
complete beach nourishment using
sand from offshore sites.
For example, the most recent com-
pleted beach nourishment event took
place in 2018 at a cost of $11.9 million.
If Wrightsville Beach is forced to uti-
lize an offshore borrow site, costs could
exceed $25 million for the same project.
This is a commonsense bill that pro-
tects coastal communities while ac-
complishing the goals of CBRA.
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to
support this bill, and I reserve the bal-
ance of my time.
Mr. HUFFMAN. Mr. Speaker, the
Coastal Barrier Resources Act, or
CBRA as we call it, is a great example
of successful Federal land manage-
ment. When President Reagan signed it
in 1982, he explained that without this
statute, the Federal Government would
be subsidizing development in risky
areas and would subsequently be on the
hook for disaster costs when storms in-
evitably hit these vulnerable regions.
He said that CBRA would ‘‘halt the
Federal subsidy spiral,’’ by discour-
aging Federal investments in develop-
ment on storm-prone coastal lands,
lands that, if developed, would put
human lives and property at risk, and
also cost taxpayers billions of dollars
in disaster relief.
In the years since this law was en-
acted, the U.S. taxpayer has saved over
$9.5 billion in disaster costs alone and
the act has protected millions of acres
of habitat.
Mr. Speaker, I will hand it to Presi-
dent Reagan. Signing this bill into law
was actually in line with conservative
conservation, mainly because CBRA
was and is the type of innovative pol-
icy we need to conserve habitat and
make our coastlines more resilient to
climate change, all while saving Amer-
ican taxpayers money.
I thank Mr. R
OUZER
for working with
Democrats to produce a bill that we
can all support today. As the bill was
originally introduced, it would have
amended CBRA to allow taxpayer dol-
lars to subsidize taking sand from
CBRA units for beach renourishment
at a handful of beaches outside the
CBRA system.
Without careful limits, this practice
can be destructive to fish and wildlife
habitat. It can also cause more erosion
for communities downdrift of the sand
borrow site.
I said during our hearing and our
markup on this bill that if we are going
to grant an exception to CBRA like
this, we need to be careful. We need to
ensure that it is in the spirit of CBRA,
meaning that we need to first protect
habitat and coastal barriers and not let
Federal subsidies spiral into a cascade
of more and more Federal subsidies in
these areas.
Democrats raised this concern during
committee consideration, and I thank
Mr. R
OUZER
and my other colleagues
across the aisle for working with us
and finding a bipartisan solution.
This amended version of the bill that
we are voting on today would instead
provide that, in the case of a federally
declared disaster and with careful envi-
ronmental analysis, a narrow exemp-
tion can be granted for using a CBRA
unit as a borrow site for towns in a
state of emergency.
With this clarifying language, I am
pleased to support the solution and the
revised bill. I do also hope that this
bill’s passage in the House will help
build some momentum for the broader
CBRA package that Representatives
K
IGGANS
and B
LUNT
R
OCHESTER
, as well
as Senators C
ARPER
and G
RAHAM
and
others have been negotiating.
We need responsible, equitable,
science-based management of public
lands and taxpayer dollars, and I think
this updated version of H.R. 524, in
combination with that broader CBRA
package, would achieve that objective
by addressing the issues at hand and
protecting the integrity of the CBRA
system.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of
my time.
Mr. TIFFANY. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5
minutes to the gentleman from North
Carolina (Mr. R
OUZER
).
Mr. ROUZER. Mr. Speaker, I thank
the gentleman for yielding.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R.
524, a bill I introduced to amend the
Coastal Barrier Resources Act to cre-
ate an exemption for certain shoreline
borrow sites.
This legislation, which passed the
House Natural Resources Committee
unanimously, resolves an issue for a
handful of coastal communities that
have unique and longstanding beach
nourishment project borrow sites.
For background, the Coastal Barrier
Resources Act of 1982 created certain
protected coastal zones, known as
CBRA zones, along the Atlantic, Gulf,
and coasts of the Great Lakes.
Under that law, the U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service prohibits Federal in-
vestment in these areas due to the risk
associated with coastal natural disas-
ters. While this is intended to protect
human life and taxpayer dollars, in a
few select cases for which this bill is
focused, a recent revision of implemen-
tation has inadvertently created uncer-
tainty for these longstanding projects
necessary to keep these coastal com-
munities safe during storms.
For example, and as has already been
cited, Wrightsville Beach, North Caro-
lina, which is in my district, has been
utilizing sand from Masonboro Inlet for
their beach nourishment project for
more than 50 years. The natural ero-
sion of sand from the beach is guided
by the current and continually deposits
south of the beach in Masonboro Inlet.
Every 4 years, just like clockwork,
the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has
dredged the inlet of this sand and re-
turned it to Wrightsville Beach.
For 50 years, this natural cycle has
served as a reliable ecological borrow
site for our coastal community and, by
the way, is home to an abundance of
wildlife. Placement of the sand solidi-
fies the dunes and berms, creating a
natural protective barrier for the com-
munity that protects both property
and life. This process has been the
most cost-effective and ecologically
friendly for other coastal communities
with similar natural erosion cycles as
well.
To share a little more history for
perspective, CBRA zones eliminated
the use of these natural borrow sites
for nourishment purposes with the en-
actment of the 1982 law. However,
shortly after enactment of that law, a
clarification was made to prevent com-
munities like Wrightsville Beach to
use these historic borrow sites. Lit-
erally decades later, that clarification
was reversed by the U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers at the request of the Depart-
ment of the Interior in 2021, undoing
decades of precedent and preventing
these communities from using such
site.
Under the current interpretation,
communities such as mine at
Wrightsville Beach would be forced to
dredge offshore, leading to sky-
rocketing costs for taxpayers, not to
mention changing the natural ecology
of these areas in ways that may have
significant unintended consequences.
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CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSEH2298 April 11, 2024
Reversing this action to, once again,
permit the use of a beach’s natural,
historic borrow site is imperative for
physical resiliency and safety, as well
as the local economic benefits that ac-
crue. Further, it will save taxpayer
dollars and protect the ecology of these
areas that has developed over all these
years.
Mr. Speaker, simply put, the bill be-
fore us today resolves this issue for
good by putting the original decades-
old clarification into law. It allows for
the use of historical borrow sites with-
in a CBRA zone provided such site has
been utilized for the past 15 years in re-
sponse to an emergency.
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to
support passage of this legislation. I
thank my colleagues on the other side
of the aisle for their work with me to
produce this bipartisan project that
solves a real problem for many in these
particular communities.
Mr. HUFFMAN. Mr. Speaker, I urge
my colleagues to vote ‘‘yes’’ on the
bill, and I yield back the balance of my
time.
Mr. TIFFANY. Mr. Speaker, I yield
myself the balance of my time to close.
Mr. Speaker, America is blessed with
pristine coastlines that are both vital
ecosystems and vital economic en-
gines. CBRA is an important safeguard
that helps us as a Nation balance these
two important factors. H.R. 524 fur-
thers this ideal by ensuring that local
communities who rely on beach re-
nourishment projects to protect their
citizens and their beaches can respon-
sibly continue to do so.
I thank Congressman R
OUZER
, once
again, for his leadership on this legisla-
tion. I urge my colleagues to support
the bill, and I yield back the balance of
my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The
question is on the motion offered by
the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr.
T
IFFANY
) that the House suspend the
rules and pass the bill, H.R. 524, as
amended.
The question was taken; and (two-
thirds being in the affirmative) the
rules were suspended and the bill, as
amended, was passed.
A motion to reconsider was laid on
the table.
f
SEA TURTLE RESCUE ASSISTANCE
AND REHABILITATION ACT OF 2023
Mr. TIFFANY. Mr. Speaker, I move
to suspend the rules and pass the bill
(H.R. 2560) to require the Secretary of
Commerce to establish the Sea Turtle
Rescue Assistance Grant Program, and
for other purposes, as amended.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
H.R. 2560
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Rep-
resentatives of the United States of America in
Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Sea Turtle Res-
cue Assistance and Rehabilitation Act of 2023’’.
SEC. 2. SEA TURTLE RESCUE ASSISTANCE AND
REHABILITATION GRANT PROGRAM.
(a) E
STABLISHMENT
.—The Secretary shall es-
tablish a grant program, to be known as the
‘‘Sea Turtle Rescue Assistance and Rehabilita-
tion Grant Program’’, to encourage and facili-
tate coordinated rapid response and rescue by
awarding grants for the purposes described in
subsection (c).
(b) D
ESIGNATION OF
S
TRANDING AND
R
EHABILI
-
TATION
R
EGIONS
.—The Secretary shall designate
geographic regions of the United States as
stranding and rehabilitation regions for the pur-
poses of carrying out this section.
(c) P
URPOSES
.—The purposes of the Program
are to provide for—
(1) the recovery, short- or long-term care,
transportation, and treatment of stranded ma-
rine turtles;
(2) the release of rescued and recovered ma-
rine turtles;
(3) the collection of data and samples from
stranded marine turtles for scientific research
related to marine turtle health; and
(4) facility operation costs that are directly re-
lated to activities described in paragraphs (1),
(2), and (3).
(d) E
QUITABLE
D
ISTRIBUTION OF
F
UNDS
.—The
Secretary shall ensure, to the extent practicable,
that funds awarded under this section are dis-
tributed equitably among stranding and reha-
bilitation regions, taking into account—
(1) the number of stranding and rehabilitation
events that occurred in each stranding and re-
habilitation region in the preceding 5 years; and
(2) the conservation priorities and recovery
needs of species of marine turtles that are
threatened or endangered under the Endan-
gered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.).
(e) A
PPLICATION
.—An applicant for a grant
under this section shall submit an application in
such form and manner as the Secretary shall
prescribe.
(f) G
RANT
C
RITERIA
.—
(1) D
EVELOPMENT OF CRITERIA
.—The Sec-
retary shall, in consultation with the Director of
the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, es-
tablish by regulation appropriate criteria for
awarding grants under this section.
(2) S
TAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT
.—As part of
the process for developing and finalizing criteria
under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall, in
consultation with the Director of the United
States Fish and Wildlife Service, provide oppor-
tunities for engagement with representatives
from stranding and rehabilitation regions and
representatives of State governments and public
and private organizations with an established
record in coordination, rescue, rehabilitation,
and release, as well as related scientific re-
search, marine conservation, and forensic
science, with respect to stranded marine turtles.
(3) R
EQUIRED CRITERIA
.—The criteria devel-
oped under paragraph (1) shall prioritize appli-
cants with an established record of coordina-
tion, rescuing, rehabilitation, scientific re-
search, and forensic science with respect to
stranded and rehabilitated marine turtles or
conducting scientific research and forensic
science on stranded and rehabilitated marine
turtles.
(g) L
IMITATIONS
.—
(1) M
AXIMUM AMOUNT OF GRANT
.—No grant
awarded under this section may exceed $150,000
in any 12-month period.
(2) M
ATCHING REQUIREMENT
.—The non-Fed-
eral share of the costs of an activity conducted
with a grant awarded under the Program shall
be not less than 50 percent of such costs, includ-
ing in-kind services and the use of property.
(h) D
EFINITIONS
.—In this section:
(1) M
ARINE TURTLE
.—The term ‘‘marine tur-
tle’’ means any member of the family
Cheloniidae or Dermochelyidae.
(2) P
ROGRAM
.—The term ‘‘Program’’ means
the Sea Turtle Rescue Assistance and Rehabili-
tation Grant Program established under sub-
section (a).
(3) S
ECRETARY
.—The term ‘‘Secretary’’ means
the Secretary of Commerce.
(4) S
TRANDING
.—The term ‘‘stranding’’ means
an event in which—
(A) a marine turtle is dead and is—
(i) on a beach or shore of the United States;
or
(ii) in waters under the jurisdiction of the
United States (including any navigable waters);
or
(B) a marine turtle is alive and is—
(i) on a beach or shore of the United States
and unable to return to the water;
(ii) on a beach or shore of the United States
and in need of medical attention; or
(iii) in waters under the jurisdiction of the
United States (including any navigable waters),
and in need of medical attention or other nec-
essary intervention to aid its likelihood of sur-
vival.
(5) S
TRANDING AND REHABILITATION REGION
.—
The term ‘‘stranding and rehabilitation region’’
means a geographic region designated by the
Secretary under subsection (b).
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu-
ant to the rule, the gentleman from
Wisconsin (Mr. T
IFFANY
) and the gen-
tleman from California (Mr. H
UFFMAN
)
each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman
from Wisconsin.
GENERAL LEAVE
Mr. TIFFANY. Mr. Speaker, I ask
unanimous consent that all Members
may have 5 legislative days in which to
revise and extend their remarks and to
include extraneous material on H.R.
2560, as amended, the bill now under
consideration.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there
objection to the request of the gen-
tleman from Wisconsin?
There was no objection.
Mr. TIFFANY. Mr. Speaker, I yield
myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, Representative
K
EATING
’s bill would establish a Fed-
eral grant program for the recovery,
care, and treatment of stranded sea
turtles in the United States.
All six turtle species found in U.S.
waters are listed as threatened or en-
dangered under the Endangered Species
Act. According to the Sea Turtle
Stranding and Salvage Network, their
partners cared for more than 2,000 sea
turtles over the last 2 years. H.R. 2560
will build on the network of these orga-
nizations and further support sea tur-
tles.
At our full committee markup of this
bill last October, an amendment in the
nature of a substitute was offered by
Representative L
UNA
of Florida to in-
corporate feedback from the Florida
Fish and Wildlife Conservation Com-
mission to include rehabilitation as an
intent of the legislation. In addition, to
ensure its compliance with floor proto-
cols, the ANS ensured the program
would be funded through NOAA’s gen-
eral authorities.
Mr. Speaker, I thank Mr. K
EATING
and my colleagues across the aisle for
working with us to amend this bill to
address the concerns of some of our
Members, and I reserve the balance of
my time.
b 1245
Mr. HUFFMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield
myself such time as I may consume.
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Mr. Speaker, this bill, H.R. 2560, Mr.
K
EATING
’s Sea Turtle Rescue Assist-
ance and Rehabilitation Act, would es-
tablish a Federal grant program to sup-
port response and rehabilitation efforts
for federally protected endangered sea
turtles.
As my colleague across the aisle
mentioned, all six of the species of sea
turtles in the U.S. are either threat-
ened or endangered, and human activi-
ties, such as urban development, acci-
dental capture, vessel strikes, and ma-
rine debris entanglement, are causing
increasing sea turtle strandings. A
stranded sea turtle is defined as one
that has been found either dead or still
alive but unable to go about its normal
behavior due to injury or illness.
As a result of more frequent strand-
ing events, the Sea Turtle Stranding
and Salvage Network was created. This
is a coalition of 50 Federal, State, and
private partners that responds to
stranded sea turtles and collects infor-
mation to help us better protect and
ultimately save them.
Now, NOAA Fisheries oversees the
coordination of this network, but it is
the dedicated local organizations that
actively respond to stranded turtles.
They gather crucial scientific data, fa-
cilitate the transportation of sick and
injured turtles to rehabilitation cen-
ters, and play a pivotal role in edu-
cating the public about the importance
of sea turtle conservation. I am pleased
that we are here today supporting
these efforts.
The legislation before us would cre-
ate a grant program that funds the re-
covery, care, and treatment of stranded
marine turtles, as well as the collec-
tion of stranding data for scientific re-
search and facility operating costs.
This act is a step in the right direc-
tion for our national efforts to recover
our endangered sea turtle populations,
and I urge my colleagues to support
this bill.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of
my time.
Mr. TIFFANY. Mr. Speaker, I have
no requests for time and am prepared
to close. I reserve the balance of my
time.
Mr. HUFFMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield
such time as he may consume to the
gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr.
K
EATING
), the author of this important
legislation, a champion of sea turtle
conservation, and a Representative
from the other national seashore. I rep-
resent the great Point Reyes National
Seashore on the West Coast, and Mr.
K
EATING
represents our East Coast
brother seashore, sister seashore in
Cape Cod.
Mr. KEATING. Mr. Speaker, I thank
the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr.
T
IFFANY
) for his support, the gentle-
woman from Florida (Mrs. L
UNA
), and
the gentleman from California (Mr.
H
UFFMAN
) for his great support on this
and so many other issues we work on
together.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support
of H.R. 2560, the Sea Turtle Rescue As-
sistance and Rehabilitation Act of 2023.
This bill is an important piece of legis-
lation that, for the first time, provides
assistance to many organizations that
work to ensure the continued survival
of endangered sea turtle populations in
the United States.
Every species of sea turtle in the
United States today is considered ei-
ther threatened or endangered—every
single one.
In my region, warming waters in the
North Atlantic have wreaked havoc
with the annual migration of sea tur-
tles. Changing conditions are causing
many sea turtles to become cold-
stunned as they depart Cape Cod Bay
in the fall during their southern migra-
tion. Having become hyperthermic,
these turtles eventually wash ashore
on our beaches, and sadly, they perish
from exposure and predation. They per-
ish at a rate of nearly 100 percent.
There has been a sudden, shocking
change in the incidence of this mor-
tality. As the temperatures in the
ocean have vacillated and gotten cold-
er, within the 2-year period of 2020 to
2022, the amount of mortality has in-
creased twentyfold, a dramatic in-
crease in just a short period of time.
Further, sea turtles face threats from
entanglement and ingestion of marine
debris, from which, nationally, there
were more than 7,000 instances just in
the year of 2022.
This isn’t just about my region. This
legislation is supported by 72 different
organizations in 27 different States,
and it is bipartisan in nature. The Sea
Turtle Rescue Assistance and Rehabili-
tation Act will provide resources to the
Sea Turtle Stranding and Salvage Net-
work, a consortium of numerous aquar-
iums and not-for-profit organizations
that work together to rescue, rehabili-
tate, and eventually release back into
the wild stranded and entangled sea
turtles.
This legislation is very efficient on
many fronts.
Number one, this small amount of
money, if appropriated, will move for-
ward and take advantage of an in-
creased ability to organize nonprofits
and volunteers at no expense whatso-
ever to taxpayers.
It is also a moneymaker. Sea turtles
are an amazing attraction. My wife and
I just recently went to an area where
we witnessed so many excursions, fer-
ries, people coming from all over the
world to go down and not only look at
shipwrecks that are undersea but look
at sea turtles.
In fact, I read just this week in a
publication that there is one sea turtle,
an older sea turtle in an aquarium,
that was marking its 50 millionth vis-
itor view—one turtle. It is a necessary
attraction not only to preserve their
uniqueness and their value but also to
other people. It generates money that,
again, helps taxpayers here.
Finally, the sea turtles themselves
are efficient and helpful. They graze on
sea grass and other areas. Their nat-
ural work enhances a cleansing of the
ocean, so there is a holistic view of the
work where they actually are doing
something, again, at no cost that is
helpful.
The work that this stranding net-
work does in protecting these endan-
gered species is vital to ensuring the
populations of this much-loved species
continue to thrive into the future,
helping to preserve a unique part of the
ocean’s biodiversity for our children
and grandchildren.
I am proud to have sponsored this
legislation. I am proud of the bipar-
tisan support behind this legislation to
support sea turtle conservation, and I
am deeply grateful that the House has
taken up this opportunity to listen to
this today and, hopefully, pass this leg-
islation going forward.
Mr. HUFFMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield
myself the balance of my time to close.
I urge my colleagues to vote ‘‘yes’’ and
yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. TIFFANY. Mr. Speaker, I yield
myself the balance of my time to brief-
ly close.
Sea turtles are an iconic species that
capture the hearts and minds of many.
As I mentioned in my opening remarks,
due to the hard work of organizations
such as the Sea Turtle Stranding and
Salvage Network, the National Aquar-
ium, and others, more than 2,000 sea
turtles have been rescued and rehabili-
tated over the last 2 years.
H.R. 2560 will complement the great
work of these organizations. I again
thank Mr. K
EATING
, Mrs. L
UNA
, and my
colleagues on the committee for their
collaborative work on this legislation.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance
of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The
question is on the motion offered by
the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr.
T
IFFANY
) that the House suspend the
rules and pass the bill, H.R. 2560, as
amended.
The question was taken.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the
opinion of the Chair, two-thirds being
in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
Mr. TIFFANY. Mr. Speaker, on that I
demand the yeas and nays.
The yeas and nays were ordered.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu-
ant to clause 8 of rule XX, further pro-
ceedings on this motion will be post-
poned.
f
RECESS
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu-
ant to clause 12(a) of rule I, the Chair
declares the House in recess subject to
the call of the Chair.
Accordingly (at 12 o’clock and 53
minutes p.m.), the House stood in re-
cess.
f
b 1615
AFTER RECESS
The recess having expired, the House
was called to order by the Speaker pro
tempore (Mr. O
BERNOLTE
) at 4 o’clock
and 15 minutes p.m.
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CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSEH2300 April 11, 2024
ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE SPEAKER
PRO TEMPORE
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pro-
ceedings will resume on motions to
suspend the rules previously postponed.
Votes will be taken in the following
order:
S. 382, if ordered; and
H.R. 2560.
The first electronic vote will be con-
ducted as a 15-minute vote. Pursuant
to clause 9 of rule XX, the second elec-
tronic vote will be conducted as a
5-minute vote.
f
PUYALLUP TRIBE OF INDIANS
LAND INTO TRUST CONFIRMA-
TION ACT OF 2023
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu-
ant to clause 8 of rule XX, the unfin-
ished business is the question on sus-
pending the rules and passing the bill
(S. 382) to take certain land in the
State of Washington into trust for the
benefit of the Puyallup Tribe of the
Puyallup Reservation, and for other
purposes.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The
question is on the motion offered by
the gentlewoman from Wyoming (Ms.
H
AGEMAN
) that the House suspend the
rules and pass the bill.
The question was taken.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the
opinion of the Chair, two-thirds being
in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
Mr. TIFFANY. Mr. Speaker, on that I
demand the yeas and nays.
The yeas and nays were ordered.
The vote was taken by electronic de-
vice, and there were—yeas 401, nays 15,
not voting 14, as follows:
[Roll No. 110]
YEAS—401
Adams
Aderholt
Aguilar
Alford
Allen
Allred
Amo
Amodei
Armstrong
Arrington
Auchincloss
Bacon
Baird
Balderson
Balint
Banks
Barr
Barraga
´
n
Bean (FL)
Beatty
Bentz
Bera
Bergman
Beyer
Bice
Bilirakis
Bishop (GA)
Bishop (NC)
Blumenauer
Blunt Rochester
Boebert
Bonamici
Bowman
Boyle (PA)
Brecheen
Brown
Brownley
Buchanan
Bucshon
Budzinski
Burgess
Burlison
Bush
Calvert
Cammack
Caraveo
Carbajal
Ca
´
rdenas
Carey
Carl
Carson
Carter (GA)
Carter (LA)
Carter (TX)
Cartwright
Casar
Casten
Castor (FL)
Castro (TX)
Chavez-DeRemer
Cherfilus-
McCormick
Chu
Ciscomani
Clark (MA)
Clarke (NY)
Cleaver
Clyburn
Clyde
Cohen
Cole
Collins
Comer
Connolly
Correa
Costa
Courtney
Craig
Crawford
Crenshaw
Crockett
Crow
Cuellar
Curtis
D’Esposito
Davids (KS)
Davis (IL)
Davis (NC)
De La Cruz
Dean (PA)
DeGette
DeLauro
DelBene
Deluzio
DeSaulnier
DesJarlais
Diaz-Balart
Dingell
Doggett
Donalds
Duarte
Duncan
Dunn (FL)
Edwards
Ellzey
Emmer
Escobar
Eshoo
Espaillat
Estes
Evans
Ezell
Fallon
Feenstra
Ferguson
Finstad
Fischbach
Fitzgerald
Fitzpatrick
Fleischmann
Fletcher
Flood
Foster
Foushee
Foxx
Frankel, Lois
Franklin, Scott
Frost
Fry
Fulcher
Gaetz
Gallagher
Gallego
Garamendi
Garbarino
Garcı
´
a (IL)
Garcia (TX)
Garcia, Mike
Garcia, Robert
Gimenez
Golden (ME)
Gomez
Gonzales, Tony
Gonzalez,
Vicente
Gooden (TX)
Gottheimer
Granger
Graves (LA)
Graves (MO)
Green (TN)
Green, Al (TX)
Greene (GA)
Griffith
Grothman
Guest
Guthrie
Hageman
Harder (CA)
Harris
Harshbarger
Hayes
Hern
Higgins (LA)
Hill
Himes
Hinson
Horsford
Houchin
Houlahan
Hoyer
Hoyle (OR)
Hudson
Huffman
Huizenga
Hunt
Issa
Ivey
Jackson (IL)
Jackson (NC)
Jackson (TX)
Jackson Lee
Jacobs
Jayapal
Jeffries
Johnson (GA)
Johnson (SD)
Joyce (OH)
Joyce (PA)
Kamlager-Dove
Kaptur
Kean (NJ)
Keating
Kelly (IL)
Kelly (MS)
Kelly (PA)
Khanna
Kiggans (VA)
Kildee
Kiley
Kilmer
Kim (CA)
Kim (NJ)
Krishnamoorthi
Kuster
Kustoff
LaHood
LaLota
LaMalfa
Lamborn
Landsman
Langworthy
Larsen (WA)
Larson (CT)
Latta
LaTurner
Lawler
Lee (CA)
Lee (FL)
Lee (NV)
Lee (PA)
Leger Fernandez
Letlow
Levin
Lieu
Lofgren
Loudermilk
Lucas
Luna
Luttrell
Lynch
Mace
Magaziner
Malliotakis
Mann
Manning
Massie
Mast
Matsui
McBath
McCaul
McClain
McClellan
McClintock
McCollum
McCormick
McGarvey
McGovern
McHenry
Meeks
Menendez
Meng
Meuser
Mfume
Miller (IL)
Miller (OH)
Miller-Meeks
Mills
Molinaro
Moolenaar
Moore (AL)
Moore (UT)
Moore (WI)
Moran
Morelle
Moskowitz
Moulton
Mrvan
Mullin
Murphy
Nadler
Napolitano
Neal
Neguse
Nehls
Newhouse
Nickel
Norcross
Norman
Nunn (IA)
Obernolte
Ocasio-Cortez
Omar
Owens
Pallone
Palmer
Panetta
Pappas
Pascrell
Pelosi
Peltola
Pence
Perez
Peters
Pettersen
Pfluger
Phillips
Pingree
Pocan
Porter
Posey
Pressley
Quigley
Ramirez
Raskin
Reschenthaler
Rodgers (WA)
Rogers (AL)
Rogers (KY)
Rose
Ross
Rouzer
Ruiz
Ruppersberger
Rutherford
Ryan
Salazar
Salinas
Sa
´
nchez
Sarbanes
Scalise
Scanlon
Schakowsky
Schiff
Schneider
Scholten
Schrier
Schweikert
Scott (VA)
Scott, Austin
Scott, David
Sessions
Sewell
Sherman
Sherrill
Simpson
Slotkin
Smith (MO)
Smith (NE)
Smith (NJ)
Smith (WA)
Smucker
Sorensen
Soto
Spanberger
Spartz
Stansbury
Stanton
Stauber
Steel
Stefanik
Steil
Stevens
Strong
Suozzi
Swalwell
Sykes
Takano
Tenney
Thanedar
Thompson (CA)
Thompson (MS)
Thompson (PA)
Tiffany
Timmons
Titus
Tlaib
Tokuda
Tonko
Torres (CA)
Torres (NY)
Trahan
Trone
Turner
Underwood
Valadao
Van Drew
Van Duyne
Van Orden
Vargas
Vasquez
Veasey
Vela
´
zquez
Wagner
Walberg
Waltz
Wasserman
Schultz
Waters
Weber (TX)
Webster (FL)
Wenstrup
Westerman
Wexton
Wild
Williams (GA)
Williams (NY)
Williams (TX)
Wilson (FL)
Wilson (SC)
Wittman
Womack
Yakym
Zinke
NAYS—15
Biggs
Burchett
Cline
Cloud
Crane
Davidson
Good (VA)
Gosar
Maloy
Ogles
Perry
Rosendale
Roy
Self
Steube
NOT VOTING—14
Babin
Bost
Case
Goldman (NY)
Grijalva
James
Jordan
Lesko
Luetkemeyer
Miller (WV)
Mooney
Payne
Strickland
Watson Coleman
b 1648
Ms. TENNEY changed her vote from
‘‘nay’’ to ‘‘yea.’’
So (two-thirds being in the affirma-
tive) the rules were suspended and the
bill was passed.
The result of the vote was announced
as above recorded.
A motion to reconsider was laid on
the table.
f
SEA TURTLE RESCUE ASSISTANCE
AND REHABILITATION ACT OF 2023
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu-
ant to clause 8 of rule XX, the unfin-
ished business is the vote on the mo-
tion to suspend the rules and pass the
bill (H.R. 2560) to require the Secretary
of Commerce to establish the Sea Tur-
tle Rescue Assistance Grant Program,
and for other purposes, as amended, on
which the yeas and nays were ordered.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The
question is on the motion offered by
the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr.
T
IFFANY
) that the House suspend the
rules and pass the bill, as amended.
This is a 5-minute vote.
The vote was taken by electronic de-
vice, and there were—yeas 332, nays 82,
not voting 16, as follows:
[Roll No. 111]
YEAS—332
Adams
Aderholt
Aguilar
Allred
Amo
Amodei
Armstrong
Auchincloss
Bacon
Baird
Balderson
Balint
Barraga
´
n
Beatty
Bentz
Bera
Bergman
Beyer
Bice
Bilirakis
Bishop (GA)
Blumenauer
Blunt Rochester
Bonamici
Bowman
Boyle (PA)
Brown
Brownley
Buchanan
Bucshon
Budzinski
Bush
Calvert
Cammack
Caraveo
Carbajal
Ca
´
rdenas
Carey
Carl
Carson
Carter (GA)
Carter (LA)
Carter (TX)
Cartwright
Casar
Casten
Castor (FL)
Castro (TX)
Chavez-DeRemer
Cherfilus-
McCormick
Chu
Ciscomani
Clark (MA)
Clarke (NY)
Cleaver
Clyburn
Cohen
Cole
Connolly
Correa
Costa
Courtney
Craig
Crockett
Crow
Cuellar
Curtis
D’Esposito
Davids (KS)
Davis (IL)
Davis (NC)
De La Cruz
Dean (PA)
DeGette
DeLauro
DelBene
Deluzio
DeSaulnier
DesJarlais
Diaz-Balart
Dingell
Doggett
Duncan
Dunn (FL)
Edwards
Emmer
Escobar
Eshoo
Espaillat
Evans
Ezell
Ferguson
Fitzpatrick
Fleischmann
Fletcher
Foster
Foushee
Foxx
Frankel, Lois
Frost
Fry
Gaetz
Gallagher
Gallego
Garamendi
Garbarino
Garcı
´
a (IL)
Garcia (TX)
Garcia, Mike
Garcia, Robert
Gimenez
Golden (ME)
Gomez
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CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H2301 April 11, 2024
Gonzales, Tony
Gonzalez,
Vicente
Gottheimer
Granger
Graves (LA)
Graves (MO)
Green, Al (TX)
Griffith
Guthrie
Harder (CA)
Hayes
Higgins (LA)
Hill
Himes
Hinson
Horsford
Houlahan
Hoyer
Hoyle (OR)
Hudson
Huffman
Issa
Ivey
Jackson (IL)
Jackson (NC)
Jackson Lee
Jacobs
Jayapal
Jeffries
Johnson (GA)
Joyce (OH)
Kamlager-Dove
Kaptur
Kean (NJ)
Keating
Kelly (IL)
Kelly (PA)
Khanna
Kiggans (VA)
Kildee
Kiley
Kilmer
Kim (NJ)
Krishnamoorthi
Kuster
LaHood
LaLota
Lamborn
Landsman
Langworthy
Larsen (WA)
Larson (CT)
LaTurner
Lawler
Lee (CA)
Lee (FL)
Lee (NV)
Lee (PA)
Leger Fernandez
Letlow
Levin
Lieu
Lofgren
Loudermilk
Lucas
Luna
Lynch
Mace
Magaziner
Malliotakis
Maloy
Manning
Mast
Matsui
McBath
McCaul
McClain
McClellan
McCollum
McGarvey
McGovern
McHenry
Meeks
Menendez
Meng
Meuser
Mfume
Miller (OH)
Miller (WV)
Miller-Meeks
Mills
Molinaro
Moore (UT)
Moore (WI)
Moran
Morelle
Moskowitz
Moulton
Mrvan
Mullin
Nadler
Napolitano
Neal
Neguse
Newhouse
Nickel
Norcross
Nunn (IA)
Obernolte
Ocasio-Cortez
Omar
Owens
Pallone
Panetta
Pappas
Pascrell
Pelosi
Peltola
Perez
Peters
Pettersen
Phillips
Pingree
Pocan
Porter
Pressley
Quigley
Ramirez
Raskin
Reschenthaler
Rogers (AL)
Rogers (KY)
Ross
Rouzer
Ruiz
Ruppersberger
Rutherford
Ryan
Salazar
Salinas
Sa
´
nchez
Sarbanes
Scalise
Scanlon
Schakowsky
Schiff
Schneider
Scholten
Schrier
Schweikert
Scott (VA)
Scott, Austin
Scott, David
Sessions
Sewell
Sherman
Sherrill
Simpson
Slotkin
Smith (MO)
Smith (NJ)
Smith (WA)
Smucker
Sorensen
Soto
Spanberger
Stansbury
Stanton
Stauber
Steel
Stefanik
Steil
Stevens
Strong
Suozzi
Swalwell
Sykes
Takano
Tenney
Thanedar
Thompson (CA)
Thompson (MS)
Thompson (PA)
Tiffany
Timmons
Titus
Tlaib
Tokuda
Tonko
Torres (CA)
Torres (NY)
Trahan
Trone
Turner
Underwood
Valadao
Van Drew
Van Orden
Vargas
Vasquez
Veasey
Vela
´
zquez
Wagner
Wasserman
Schultz
Waters
Weber (TX)
Webster (FL)
Wenstrup
Westerman
Wexton
Wild
Williams (GA)
Williams (NY)
Williams (TX)
Wilson (FL)
Wilson (SC)
Wittman
Womack
Zinke
NAYS—82
Alford
Allen
Arrington
Banks
Barr
Bean (FL)
Biggs
Bishop (NC)
Boebert
Brecheen
Burchett
Burgess
Burlison
Cline
Clyde
Collins
Comer
Crane
Crawford
Crenshaw
Davidson
Donalds
Duarte
Ellzey
Estes
Fallon
Finstad
Fischbach
Fitzgerald
Flood
Franklin, Scott
Fulcher
Good (VA)
Gooden (TX)
Gosar
Green (TN)
Greene (GA)
Grothman
Guest
Hageman
Harris
Harshbarger
Hern
Houchin
Huizenga
Hunt
Jackson (TX)
Johnson (SD)
Jordan
Joyce (PA)
Kelly (MS)
Kustoff
LaMalfa
Latta
Luttrell
Mann
Massie
McClintock
McCormick
Miller (IL)
Moolenaar
Moore (AL)
Nehls
Norman
Ogles
Palmer
Pence
Perry
Pfluger
Posey
Rodgers (WA)
Rose
Rosendale
Roy
Self
Smith (NE)
Spartz
Steube
Van Duyne
Walberg
Waltz
Yakym
NOT VOTING—16
Babin
Bost
Case
Cloud
Feenstra
Goldman (NY)
Grijalva
James
Kim (CA)
Lesko
Luetkemeyer
Mooney
Murphy
Payne
Strickland
Watson Coleman
b 1656
Mrs. RODGERS of Washington
changed her vote from ‘‘yea’’ to ‘‘nay.’’
Mr. VARGAS changed his vote from
‘‘nay’’ to ‘‘yea.’’
So (two-thirds being in the affirma-
tive) the rules were suspended and the
bill, as amended, was passed.
The result of the vote was announced
as above recorded.
A motion to reconsider was laid on
the table.
Stated for:
Mrs. KIM of California. Mr. Speaker, had I
been present, I would have voted ‘‘yea’’ on
rollcall No. 111.
Mr. FEENSTRA. Mr. Speaker, I was unable
to cast my vote on H.R. 2560 due to my re-
sponsibility chairing the Ways and Means
Committee. Had I been present, I would have
voted ‘‘yea’’ on rollcall No. 111.
PERSONAL EXPLANATION
Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Speaker, I was unable to
cast my vote for rollcall Nos. 110 and 111.
Had I been present, I would have voted ‘‘yea’’
on rollcall vote No. 110, S. 382, and ‘‘yea’’ on
rollcall vote No. 111, H.R. 2560.
f
RIGHT-OF-WAY APPLICATION
TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNT-
ABILITY ACT
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu-
ant to clause 8 of rule XX, the unfin-
ished business is the question on sus-
pending the rules and passing the bill
(H.R. 6011) to direct the Secretary of
the Interior and the Secretary of Agri-
culture to notify applicants of the com-
pletion status of right-of-way applica-
tions under section 501 of the Federal
Land Policy and Management Act of
1976 and section 28 of the Mineral Leas-
ing Act, as amended.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The
question is on the motion offered by
the gentlewoman from Wyoming (Ms.
H
AGEMAN
) that the House suspend the
rules and pass the bill, as amended.
The question was taken; and (two-
thirds being in the affirmative) the
rules were suspended and the bill, as
amended, was passed.
A motion to reconsider was laid on
the table.
f
REMOVAL OF NAME OF MEMBER
AS COSPONSOR OF H.R. 1139
Mr. BURLISON. Mr. Speaker, I here-
by remove my name as cosponsor of
H.R. 1139.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gen-
tleman’s request is granted.
HOUR OF MEETING ON TOMORROW
Mr. BURLISON. Mr. Speaker, I ask
unanimous consent that when the
House adjourns today, it adjourn to
meet at 8 a.m. tomorrow.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there
objection to the request of the gen-
tleman from Missouri?
There was no objection.
f
HONORING ANDREW GROSETA
(Mr. GOSAR asked and was given
permission to address the House for 1
minute and to revise and extend his re-
marks.)
Mr. GOSAR. Mr. Speaker, I rise
today to honor the life of my dear
friend, Andrew Groseta. Today, Andrew
needs our prayers, and I ask the Lord’s
healing hands land upon him.
Andrew Groseta is a third-generation
rancher from Cottonwood, Arizona. He
and his family have been ranching in
the Verde Valley along the Verde River
in Arizona since 1922.
Ranching and raising beef are more
than just a business. It is a way of life
for Andrew. He is a member of the Ari-
zona 4–H Hall of Fame and a past Ari-
zonan Agriculturist of the Year.
As the former president of the Ari-
zona Cattle Growers’ Association and
the past president of the National
Cattlemen’s Beef Association, Andrew
Groseta has been the voice and brains
of the cattle industry for decades.
Andrew has dedicated his entire life,
time, and energy to mentoring young
people interested in the field of agri-
culture while simultaneously leading
the effort to ensure Arizona’s cattle in-
dustry thrives in the face of many
challenges. He has always been a great
steward and emphasized the impor-
tance of being a good steward of our
land.
Over the years, if I ever had a ques-
tion about water conservation, forest
and land management, food safety, or
anything related to ranching, Andrew
Groseta was the first person I would
seek to call for advice.
It is often said the best people in the
world are in the cattle business, but
none are better than Andrew Groseta. I
am very proud and blessed to know An-
drew and Mary Beth, his wife, and to
call them my friends.
Mr. Speaker, it is my high honor to
recognize Andrew Groseta today. God
bless my friend, Andrew Groseta.
f
HONORING RAHUL CHOPRA
(Ms. D
EL
BENE asked and was given
permission to address the House for 1
minute.)
Ms. D
EL
BENE. Mr. Speaker, I rise
today to honor the life a Rahul Chopra,
a member of our Democrat family who
tragically passed away on March 11.
Rahul was kind, caring, and a constant
source of optimism.
Growing up in California, his interest
in politics started from an early age
and never wavered, turning what was
at first a passion into a profession.
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CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSEH2302 April 11, 2024
Whether working for Senator M
ARK
K
ELLY
, or any one of many Democratic
partner groups and committees over
the years, Rahul was determined to
build a career that would make the
world a fairer and more just place.
What was especially inspiring about
him was the pure exuberance he took
in being a mentor to the members of
his team, often coupled with an irrev-
erent sense of humor and kind word.
Rahul will be remembered for his sig-
nature laugh, encyclopedic knowledge,
and a generosity of spirit that was in-
candescent.
Survived by his parents and brother,
he will be missed terribly by us all.
f
HONORING GEORGE LEWIS ‘‘BUD’’
DYER
(Mr. CARTER of Georgia asked and
was given permission to address the
House for 1 minute and to revise and
extend his remarks.)
Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speak-
er, I rise today to honor the life of
George Lewis ‘‘Bud’’ Dyer. Bud passed
away on Easter Sunday, surrounded by
his loved ones.
Born in 1939 in Daytona Beach, Flor-
ida, Bud’s life of service began when he
joined the Navy in 1961. After his mili-
tary service ended in 1969, Bud earned a
degree from Florida State University.
Bud and his wife, Woodie, moved
their children to Young Harris, Geor-
gia, where Bud served as admissions di-
rector for Young Harris College for
over 30 years. Bud also was a decades-
long, trusted adviser to the college
president and the Kappa Tau Omega
fraternity.
So known and loved by the entire
Young Harris community, he was wide-
ly referred to as ‘‘Uncle Bud’’ on cam-
pus.
Beyond his remarkable career, Bud
also served the community as the first
fire chief of the Young Harris Volun-
teer Fire Department for over 20 years.
Bud was a dedicated member of
Sharp Memorial United Methodist
Church where he faithfully took on a
variety of roles.
My thoughts and prayers go out to
his wife, Woodie, his 4 children, and 10
grandchildren.
f
HONORING ELIZABETH GOMEZ
(Ms. KAMLAGER-DOVE asked and
was given permission to address the
House for 1 minute and to revise and
extend her remarks.)
Ms. KAMLAGER-DOVE. Mr. Speak-
er, I rise today to honor my con-
stituent Elizabeth Gomez. Elizabeth is
a community advocate driven to effect
positive change within underserved
communities.
As a cofounder of the Integrated
Community Collaborative, a coalition
of parents and self-advocates fighting
for individuals and families with intel-
lectual and developmental disabilities,
Elizabeth established the Community
Outreach Integradoras program to ad-
dress disparities and inequities facing
neurodiverse individuals, like her 17-
year-old son, Oscar, who has Down syn-
drome, within California’s support sys-
tems.
Elizabeth also serves on the Local
Advisory Committee on Self-Deter-
mination for Westside Regional Center
and previously served on the board of
Disability Rights California.
As we celebrate Autism Acceptance
Month, please join me in thanking
Elizabeth for her tireless advocacy to
strengthen accessibility and inclusion
in our community.
f
MONTH OF THE MILITARY CHILD
(Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania
asked and was given permission to ad-
dress the House for 1 minute and to re-
vise and extend his remarks.)
Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize
April as the Month of the Military
Child. This month, we focus on the
children whose parents are defending
our freedom at home and abroad.
These children are resilient. These
children have courage. These children
have strength. While they wake up, go
to school, complete their homework,
and participate in after-school activi-
ties like other children, they are also
missing their mom or dad who may be
deployed or away for training, yet they
keep going.
Mr. Speaker, military children’s
strength and sacrifice does not go un-
noticed. That is why, for the entire
month of April, we raise awareness and
give special recognition to military
children.
Military children, youth, and teens
deal with difficult emotions as they
face concerns of their parents’ safety
along with a strong sense of pride for
their parents’ service.
Mr. Speaker, we must recognize the
service and sacrifice our military chil-
dren face. We thank them for their
service, for their sacrifice, and for
their bravery.
f
NATIONAL DAY OF SILENCE
(Mr. PANETTA asked and was given
permission to address the House for 1
minute and to revise and extend his re-
marks.)
Mr. PANETTA. Mr. Speaker, I rise to
once again recognize the National Day
of Silence, a day when students and al-
lies, especially in California’s 19th Con-
gressional District, speak up for the
LGBTQ community by taking a vow of
silence. By remaining silent for an en-
tire day, they are highlighting the
many challenges faced by our LGBTQ
youth.
One student who is taking part is
Sion from Delta High School in Aptos,
California. Sion told me that one’s
statement doesn’t have to be loud to be
impactful. Instead, the National Day of
Silence is powerful because it high-
lights not only the difficulties in dis-
crimination but also the resiliency and
solidarity of the LGBTQ community.
Sion believes that this day proves
that yelling and outrage are not nec-
essarily the only way to be heard and
reminds us and reinforces our shared
dreams of a world where love knows no
bounds.
Mr. Speaker, I commend Sion and
others for taking part in the National
Day of Silence. Their willingness to be
quiet for one day recognizes all of
those with the will to speak up every
day for the LGBTQ community.
f
b 1715
MAKING FORESTS SAFER
(Mr. L
A
MALFA asked and was given
permission to address the House for 1
minute and to revise and extend his re-
marks.)
Mr. L
A
MALFA. Mr. Speaker, we will
soon be heading into fire season, unfor-
tunately, in the West. What does that
mean? Each year, hundreds of thou-
sands, even millions, of acres of
forestland are lost due to wildfire due
to the nonmanagement of these lands.
The U.S. Forest Service needs to in-
crease its pace and scale dramatically
to get the work done out there that
will make a forest safer and also use
the product that we grow in this coun-
try. Since China is now buying a little
less materials these days, the U.S. has
gone from number two to number one
as a wood importer.
Why in the heck are we importing
wood products when we have the tim-
ber in our Western lands, which we
have to instead watch burn year after
year?
We could be putting jobs back in this
country in these rural communities
that have been boarded up in so many
cases.
We are losing lumber mills every day
because the Forest Service is not act-
ing quickly enough or with the pace
and scale that needs to be done. We
need to have the jobs and harvest here
and the healthy forests and much less
wildfire that comes with all that.
It is a win-win-win. Let’s get to
work.
f
NCAA WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
(Ms. KAPTUR asked and was given
permission to address the House for 1
minute and to revise and extend her re-
marks.)
Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Speaker, this past
weekend, Cleveland, Ohio, hosted the
NCAA women’s basketball Final Four.
Americans and people around the globe
were focused on the impressive talents
of Caitlin Clark. As Iowa Hawkeyes
matched up with defending champions
LSU and undefeated champion Univer-
sity of South Carolina, something fan-
tastic happened along the way.
Yes, this story just gets better. For
the first time in NCAA tournament
history, the women’s championship
game had higher viewership than the
men’s championship game. Sunday’s
women’s championship had 18,870,000
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viewers, while Monday’s men’s cham-
pionship had only 14,820,000 viewers.
Yes, Mr. Speaker, you heard that
right. The women had 4-plus million
more viewers than the guys.
As someone who knows a thing or
two about the strides women have
made in this country, I can’t express
how proud I am of these women of
sport and of women’s accomplishments
both on the basketball court and as
representatives for the United States
of America off the court truly writing
a more robust and complete American
history.
f
HONORING USC WOMEN’S
BASKETBALL TEAM
(Mr. CLYBURN asked and was given
permission to address the House for 1
minute and to revise and extend his re-
marks.)
Mr. CLYBURN. Mr. Speaker, I rise to
congratulate the University of South
Carolina women’s basketball team on
winning the 2024 NCAA championship.
In a tremendous demonstration of
skill, teamwork, and depth, the Game-
cocks clinched their third national
title on April 7, 2024. It was the cherry
on top of an undefeated season.
Coach Dawn Staley, whom I am
proud to call a friend, deserves enor-
mous praise. Despite losing all of last
year’s starters, Coach Staley built a re-
markable and talented team of young
recruits and transformed them into a
cohesive unit.
Their dominance wasn’t just about
individual talent. A 37-point contribu-
tion from the bench in the champion-
ship game speaks volumes about their
teamwork. Undoubtedly, this victory is
a celebration of collective strength,
sacrifice, and skillful leadership.
As the confetti settles and the cele-
brations continue, one thing is certain:
The future of South Carolina women’s
basketball is bright, and we will all
gather on Sunday to celebrate more.
Go Gamecocks.
f
VEGAS’ WE THE PEOPLE STUDENT
COMPETITORS
(Ms. LEE of Nevada asked and was
given permission to address the House
for 1 minute.)
Ms. LEE of Nevada. Mr. Speaker, I
rise today to congratulate our team of
very bright students from West Career
and Technical Academy in southern
Nevada who will be competing this
weekend in the national finals of the
‘‘We the People’’ civics competition.
These students have been learning all
they can about our Constitution in
preparation to be tested by seasoned
lawyers and politicians from all around
the country, but these kids aren’t all
future lawyers themselves. Many of
them aspire to have diverse careers
across medicine, science, and the arts.
What ties them together is a commit-
ment to being educated citizens, dedi-
cated to developing their own opinions
and exemplifying the best of our de-
mocracy.
I think we can all learn a thing or
two about their passion for respecting
diverse perspectives and finding com-
mon ground.
Mr. Speaker, I congratulate them.
f
CELEBRATING THE LIFE AND
LEGACY OF CAROLYN WILLIAMS
(Mr. CORREA asked and was given
permission to address the House for 1
minute.)
Mr. CORREA. Mr. Speaker, I rise
today to celebrate the life and legacy
of Carolyn Williams. She was a mother,
wife, grandmother, working profes-
sional, and, most importantly, an in-
spiration to our community.
Carolyn spent her long and successful
career at Pacific Bell, where she blazed
her path from telephone operator to
upper management.
Carolyn was blessed with a beautiful
family, including 27 grandchildren and
9 great-grandchildren, and she made
sure to attend every birthday, gradua-
tion, and family event.
Carolyn also dedicated time to her
southern California community as an
active member of her local union and a
leader in her local PTA.
Carolyn leaves behind a beautiful
legacy of service to her family and to
the Orange County community. Her
husband, Kenny, our community, and I
will continue to celebrate her beautiful
and long life for years to come.
f
LEADERSHIP ON UKRAINE AID
(Mr. HOYER asked and was given
permission to address the House for 1
minute and to revise and extend his re-
marks.)
Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, just hours
ago in this Chamber, the Prime Min-
ister of Japan asked this Congress:
‘‘Without U.S. support, how long before
the hopes of Ukraine would collapse
under the onslaught from Moscow?’’
The answer is not long.
It has been 469 days since we last se-
cured aid for Ukraine. That Ukrainians
continue to mount a courageous and ef-
fective defense despite our inaction is a
testament to their skill on the battle-
field and their determination and cour-
age to defend democracy.
They are running dangerously low on
ammunition, however. They cannot
prevail without our help.
I echo what Prime Minister Kishida
said today: ‘‘The leadership of the
United States is indispensable.’’
Let us not retreat from leadership.
Let us not leave our Ukrainian allies
without ammunition. America is the
world’s hope. Let us not fall short.
f
FUNDING BALTIMORE’S FRANCIS
SCOTT KEY BRIDGE
(Mr. MFUME asked and was given
permission to address the House for 1
minute and to revise and extend his re-
marks.)
Mr. MFUME. Mr. Speaker, today, I
rise to announce my introduction of
the Baltimore BRIDGE Relief Act. I
thank the entire Maryland delegation
for their united and unanimous cospon-
sorship of this bill.
As most know, on March 26, early in
the morning, our Nation experienced a
terrible tragedy when a large cargo
ship collided into Baltimore’s Francis
Scott Key Bridge, leading to the tragic
loss of six lives and contributing to a
major disruption of the Nation’s supply
chain.
With so much at stake, we must have
a successful response to this American
disaster. This bill is a step toward ac-
complishing everything we said we
would do: 100 percent of the way, plain
and simple.
We have a long path ahead of us, and
I, along with my colleagues from every
corner of America, remain committed
to doing what we need to do to move us
along the path of recovery and toward
rebuilding this bridge.
Mr. Speaker, I urge all Members of
this body to join me in voting to pass
the Baltimore BRIDGE Relief Act.
f
SUPPORTING ISRAEL ASSISTANCE
(Mr. DAVIS of North Carolina asked
and was given permission to address
the House for 1 minute and to revise
and extend his remarks.)
Mr. DAVIS of North Carolina. Mr.
Speaker, I wholeheartedly stand in full
support of the $14.3 billion aid package
to our ally, Israel.
Let me be clear. I stand firmly with
Israel, and we must take swift and de-
cisive action against Hamas.
It is heartbreaking that innocent
people are caught in the crossfire, but
we must honor the laws of armed con-
flict. We must never waver.
It is essential that we continue our
efforts to defeat Hamas extremists and
get all hostages back with their loved
ones, hostages like Keith Siegel from
North Carolina, who was known as a
quiet and kind man. We must bring
him home to his wife, Aviva, and his
family.
Bring them home now. We must
never ever lose focus here.
f
IMMIGRATION REFORM
(Mr. MAGAZINER asked and was
given permission to address the House
for 1 minute and to revise and extend
his remarks.)
Mr. MAGAZINER. Mr. Speaker, we
need an immigration system that is
safe, orderly, and fair. We have real
challenges at the southern border. I
have been there, and I have seen it.
There must be a fair process for those
looking to come legally, and anyone
who poses a danger to our country
should be removed. The American peo-
ple are counting on Congress to act.
Unfortunately, House Republicans
prefer a problem to talk about rather
than working together on a solution.
Last year, President Biden requested
$14 billion in funding for the border, in-
cluding 1,300 new Border Patrol agents,
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and the Senate came up with a bipar-
tisan plan to secure the border and re-
form our immigration system. House
Republicans refuse to even call a vote.
Why? It is because Donald Trump
doesn’t want us to solve the problem.
He wants to campaign on it.
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues on
the other side of the aisle to get seri-
ous about working together on real im-
migration reform, securing the border,
providing a path to citizenship to those
who earn it, stopping the
grandstanding, and getting to work for
the American people.
f
LIBERAL BIAS FOUND AT
NATIONAL PUBLIC RADIO
(Mr. GROTHMAN asked and was
given permission to address the House
for 1 minute and to revise and extend
his remarks.)
Mr. GROTHMAN. Mr. Speaker, one of
the problems we have in society that
came to light is that people who influ-
ence public opinion are, particularly
when funded by the government, too
much, in my opinion, in favor of the
left. Public universities certainly
should be giving a very even distribu-
tion of information.
Recently, in an under-published
story, a great guy, a liberal guy, Uri
Berliner, a senior business editor at
NPR, reviewed the party designation of
87 members in the local NPR office.
I asked people how many they think
are registered Democrat and Repub-
lican. People laughed and said all 87, or
they would bet 84 are Democrat and 3
are Republican. Actually, it is 87 and
zero.
Now, I respect Uri Berliner, a liberal,
for digging out this information.
Be that as it may, Mr. Speaker, can
you imagine that, right now, there is
such a complete lack of diversity in the
type of people who disseminate how to
deal with the issues today that the
NPR local office is made up of 87 Demo-
crats and zero Republicans?
I hope everybody in this Chamber,
not only in the field of education but
apparently also in the field of broad-
cast news, realizes we have a funda-
mental problem in this country and
that we have no diversity in the news-
room or in the faculty lounge.
f
b 1730
MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS
(Mr. BOWMAN asked and was given
permission to address the House for 1
minute and to revise and extend his re-
marks.)
Mr. BOWMAN. Mr. Speaker, we are
facing a mental health crisis. Yester-
day, I introduced the ACCESS in Men-
tal Health Act to highlight an issue
that is critical to our democracy and
our collective mental health.
Everyone deserves access to diverse
mental health professionals. That is
why I introduced this legislation,
which will invest in HBCUs, TCUs,
MSIs, and HSIs, to create and expand
graduate programs in mental health
fields and support students pursuing
graduate degrees in mental health at
these institutions.
I am grateful to have the partnership
of Maria Alfaro from Que Paso Latinx
in Westchester County, New York; the
Hispanic Association of Colleges and
Universities; and the American Psy-
chological Association in moving this
bill forward.
As an educator in the Bronx, I saw
how powerful it was for students to
have mentors that looked like them.
Everyone deserves to turn to someone
that they can trust who reflects their
identities. We need to diversify and ex-
pand our mental health workforce to
meet the needs of every American, es-
pecially our most marginalized com-
munities.
f
CITADEL OF DEMOCRACY
(Ms. JACKSON LEE asked and was
given permission to address the House
for 1 minute and to revise and extend
her remarks.)
Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I
first start by indicating that all of the
hostages should be brought home in
this heinous crisis that we are facing,
and the innocent women and children
and others in the Palestinian crisis
should be fed and protected. Addition-
ally, we must find peace, security, and
democracy in the area.
At the same time, I want to come
home to America and apprise the
American people that we must be con-
cerned about having a fair and equal
election season. We must be afraid of
election intrusion from Russia. We
must be afraid of the attack on our
technological systems of elections.
Additionally, I am calling on the FBI
and other Federal law enforcement
agencies to protect the Federal elec-
tions that are coming up in the near
future. Those are congressional as well
as the Presidential election.
We must recognize that we are the
beacon of democracy. The citadel of de-
mocracy is this place where I stand. It
will not have that name unless we call
upon all of our resources to make sure
that we are not attacked by forces that
want to change democracy in front of
our very eyes.
I close, Mr. Speaker, by saying to the
Attorney General: It is imperative that
we have voting rights now in this Na-
tion.
Mr. Speaker, I will talk more next
week.
f
FAKE MESSAGING
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr.
O
GLES
). Under the Speaker’s an-
nounced policy of January 9, 2023, the
gentleman from Arizona (Mr.
S
CHWEIKERT
) is recognized for 60 min-
utes as the designee of the majority
leader.
Mr. SCHWEIKERT. Mr. Speaker, I
yield to the gentlewoman from Vir-
ginia (Mrs. K
IGGANS
).
SUPPORTING U
.
S
.-
ISRAEL RELATIONS
Mrs. KIGGANS of Virginia. Mr.
Speaker, I rise today to recognize the
importance of the U.S.-Israel relation-
ship. I urge Congress to support our
ally now more than ever, and stress the
need to defeat Hamas and all Iranian
proxies.
Israel is a strong and resilient coun-
try. Born in the aftermath of the hor-
rors of the Holocaust and the Second
World War, Israel’s short history is full
of successes. Israel has become one of
the world’s leading nations for innova-
tion and technology. Its contributions
to fields like cybersecurity, healthcare,
and agriculture benefit Americans
every day. Most importantly, Israel is
and always will be our closest ally in
the Middle East.
I recently returned from a trip to
Israel last week with several of my
House colleagues, where we saw with
our own eyes the devastation of the Oc-
tober 7 terror attacks. We visited the
Nir Oz Kibbutz miles outside of Gaza
and also visited the site of the Nova
music festival, where hundreds of
young people were murdered or kid-
napped.
We heard from the parents of an
Israeli-American hostage who has been
held captive by Hamas for 188 days. We
saw burned homes with posters of hos-
tages on the outside. We saw children’s
toys scattered throughout yards. We
could almost feel and smell life there,
the life that had been, that was no
longer.
Everything I saw and everything I
learned verified the brutality of
Hamas’ unprovoked attacks and rein-
forced the need to support our long-
time ally. The message we all walked
away with was the same: Hamas must
be eliminated.
During our trip, we met with Presi-
dent Isaac Herzog and Prime Minister
Benjamin Netanyahu, who shared with
us the importance of continuing a stra-
tegic partnership between our two na-
tions.
The U.S.-Israel relationship is truly
the embodiment of peace through
strength. By standing together, we
demonstrate to our adversaries that we
will not be intimidated and that we
will defend our shared values and inter-
ests.
As malicious regimes like Iran con-
tinue their quest for nuclear capabili-
ties and ramp up their backing of rad-
ical terror organizations, it is essential
that America remain committed to en-
suring a strong and secure Israel. This
starts with defending Israel’s right to
self-defense. Israel did not start this
war, but they have a right to defend
themselves from brutal terrorists.
Hamas’ horrific October 7 attacks, as
well as the more than 170 attacks
against our own Armed Forces by Ira-
nian proxies that have occurred since,
are concrete evidence that our enemies
are emboldened. Because of weak for-
eign policy choices made by this ad-
ministration, starting with the chaotic
Afghanistan withdrawal, I worry that
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our friends don’t trust us as much, and
our enemies certainly aren’t fearing us
as much. We must make smarter
choices on the world stage to fight the
evil that unfortunately exists in the
global arena.
As a Navy veteran who deployed
twice in the Persian Gulf, I know how
volatile this region is and understand
that a key element of our own national
security is the strength and security of
Israel, the only democracy in the Mid-
dle East.
Now more than ever, the United
States must stand with Israel to ensure
the safety of not only one of our clos-
est allies, but also that of America and
all freedom-loving people across the
globe.
I remain steadfast in my support for
Israel and will do everything in my
power to provide the Israeli people
with the military and security assist-
ance they need as they fight to defend
their nation. In a world that gets more
dangerous by the day, we cannot fail to
project strength abroad. Standing with
our allies and providing unwavering
support is the right place to start.
Mr. SCHWEIKERT. Mr. Speaker, I
yield to the gentleman from California
(Mr. O
BERNOLTE
), my friend.
HONORING THE LIFE OF ROBERTA DARLENE
MCCARTHY
Mr. OBERNOLTE. Mr. Speaker, I rise
today to honor the life and mourn the
passing of a dear friend of mine and my
wife, Heather, Roberta Darlene McCar-
thy.
Roberta, who was known to her
friends as Bert, was born in Los Ange-
les and moved to Bakersfield, Cali-
fornia, in 1946. She attended East Ba-
kersfield High School, where she met
her high school sweetheart and her fu-
ture husband, Owen McCarthy.
Owen was a captain in the Bakers-
field Fire Department, and Bert spent
much of her time in service to her com-
munity. They were two people who
deeply wanted to help their friends and
neighbors, which was a core value they
passed on to their children, Michelle,
Mark, and last but certainly not least,
one of this Chamber’s very own, the
55th Speaker of the House, Kevin
McCarthy.
Bert was instrumental in getting the
Anti-Graffiti Program for Kern County
started, and she volunteered for many
charities in Bakersfield. Her passion
for helping others meant that she often
worked with some of the people who
needed help the most, patients suf-
fering from cancer.
She regularly volunteered at the
Comprehensive Blood and Cancer Cen-
ter in Bakersfield and at the American
Cancer Society, where she helped pa-
tients and their families fight cancer
and overcome the many difficulties re-
lated to treatment.
Bert was a strong mother and grand-
mother, whose family and their needs
always came first. She loved her com-
munity and helping others, and she
made everyone who met her instantly
feel like they were talking to a family
friend.
Bert had such a gregarious and warm
personality that even people in Wash-
ington who didn’t care for her son,
Kevin—and there were a few—cared for
Bert. She was always willing to lend a
helping hand to those in need. Her self-
lessness knew no bounds, and her acts
of kindness reverberated far beyond the
confines of her immediate circle.
Bert put her faith in God, and she
knew one day she would be called to go
up to Heaven and meet her creator.
Bert’s spirit will continue to live on
in the memories of her children and
their partners, her grandchildren, and
everyone her life touched, including me
and my wife Heather.
Mr. Speaker, I urge that we not
mourn her passing but, instead, cele-
brate the incredible legacy she left be-
hind and carry forward her kindness,
strength, and boundless love for others.
I will miss her.
Mr. SCHWEIKERT. Mr. Speaker, I
am going to try doing something this
evening. This is going to be difficult
because I am going to try to explain
something that has been annoying me
and has me concerned that what I am
learning is actually really dangerous to
our society. Then we are going to walk
through some of the latest budget
numbers.
If you don’t have a life and you are
someone that watches C–SPAN, you
have had to deal with me coming up
here once a week and functionally
doing economic lectures. I don’t mean
to sound like a jerk. I am just trying to
make it so there is an understanding of
the actual fiscal situation we are fac-
ing as a country.
A couple weeks ago, I did one, and
boom. I didn’t believe there were this
many people that don’t have a life and
watch YouTube, but there were about
960,000 views. I have been blessed. This
has happened multiple times over the
last couple of years.
Then I made a mistake. I actually
looked at some of the comments. This
started a couple years ago, and you are
going: Well, that is not true. Well, that
has to be a robot. Well, that is a bot.
Well, why is that one written in hor-
rible English?
So we actually started a little
project in our office a couple months
ago trying to understand what foreign
infiltration is doing in our ability to
communicate in our society. How
many bad actors are basically filling
up our phones with crap, with things
that are completely not true?
It turned out we found academic arti-
cle after academic article; Microsoft
doing huge data analytics. There are
all sorts of things that are out there
that show, in many ways, we are at
war. We don’t actually understand it,
but we have a war going on, and it is a
war for hearts and minds. There are
bad actors all around this world.
The number of data points we have
here is showing, particularly China,
Russia, and Iran, and they are getting
weaponized at a level I don’t think any
of us are intellectually ready for. AI is
here, the plain language is here, and
they are moving off of just your
Facebook page or your social media ac-
counts. It is now moving into fake text
messages, all sorts of other ways where
they are going to try to pollute and
take down the West.
We are not the only ones. We have
map after map of what China just did
to Taiwan. Now, Taiwan actually has
built a policy on how to help combat it.
When they get attacked on social
media with fake stuff, they have teams
that turn around and say: Okay, here is
what they said. Here are the docu-
ments. Look it up yourself.
I don’t think we are ready for this.
How do you and I and our brothers and
sisters on the left and anyone that ac-
tually cares about this country have
honest debates, honest discussions
about, in my case, my fear of the
crushing debt—we are going to walk
through that—but other policy things
where you actually lay out facts, lay
out the information of what is going
on, and 1
1
⁄
2
minutes later, there is a bot
that basically is putting out absolute
crap?
How do you hold a society together
when you can’t even agree on the base-
line facts to build the debate from
when article after article—some of
these are huge. These are the executive
summaries. Some of the ones we have
gone through are hundreds of pages of
tracking entire troll farms. There is
one document here saying that China
may be spending multiple billions of
dollars in influence operations here in
this country to basically distort re-
ality.
The point I am going to right now—
this seems like a weird place to go for
a guy that wants to talk about the
numbers and what is happening in our
government—I am incredibly frus-
trated because I do not know how we
have an honest debate when we have a
disinformation wave coming at us from
governments, let alone the private
troll farms that do it just for clickbait
to make money.
However, how do you have an honest
debate when our brothers and sisters or
constituents at home or activists see
things that are absolutely not true?
We are going to have to find some
way for us to have a commonality of
these are the facts, or, as I hate to say,
how do I make the public absolutely
cynical?
Don’t believe me. Don’t believe half
the crap on your phone. Look it up
yourself. Find things you trust and
confirm it. We have article after arti-
cle here documenting the troll farms,
documenting the new bot farms, docu-
menting the use of new AI. This one is
actually sort of scary because it is
going to be industrialized.
b 1745
If you think things are screwy right
now, wait a couple more months when
we are in the middle of the election
season. This government here has al-
ready decided they are—look what Rus-
sia has done to Ukraine. Look what the
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Palestinians and their teammates in
Iran and, oddly enough coming through
China, are doing to Israel.
We are going to have to grow up and
deal with the reality that as much of
the information that is smashing into
this country isn’t real, and we are
going to have to become much more
discerning on it.
Look, that is my caveat because we
have such incredibly difficult things to
deal with and there is hope, but it is
hard. I have said a dozen times behind
this microphone, a family saying, for
every hard, difficult problem, there is a
simple solution. That is absolutely
wrong.
It turns out complexity often re-
quires complexity, but we have hope if
we just get off our heinies and actually
start to deal with the reality.
Let’s walk through some of the re-
ality of United States math right now.
We made this chart today. It is accu-
rate, but it is also missing a couple
things.
The point I will make here is—you
see this blue area? That is what a
Member of Congress gets to vote on.
That is Defense and what we call non-
defense discretionary, such as the Park
Service, the FBI, the State Depart-
ment. You see all that red? None of
that gets a vote from a Member of Con-
gress.
The vast majority of our spending is
on autopilot, and this interest number
here is actually the net number, not
the gross number, because there is an-
other $300 billion or so that is actually
borrowed from the trust funds that we
still have to pay back. We still have to
pay interest. We sort of hide that
where other European countries actu-
ally have to tell the truth about their
total borrowing.
How do we as Members of Congress
go home and explain every dime you as
a Member of Congress vote on is bor-
rowed?
If you use my projections on the bor-
rowing for this year, $800 billion of
Medicare is borrowed, and the economy
is actually okay. How can we be at the
current GDP—and I didn’t check GDP
now on the Atlanta Fed before I walked
in here, but I think it was like 2.4, 2.5,
which is actually a fairly decent GDP
growth considering where interest
rates are and those things.
Yet, a couple days ago, we were
breaking in—forgive me. I am going to
do this slightly out of order to make a
point—nope. I don’t even have it.
Somehow the board come.
In the last week, we have had two
times where we went over $100,000 a
second in borrowing. Every second, we
were borrowing over $100,000. It came
down a little bit today. Today, I think
we are back to $98,000 a second, and
that is over a 12-month period. That is
365 days of borrowing, averaging it out,
dividing it down so you know what it is
per second.
If I had come to this body a couple
years ago and said, ‘‘We are going to be
borrowing $100,000 a second,’’ you
would have thought I was out of my
mind, but we are doing it. $100,000 a
second is our borrowing, and there is
my anger. We will have honorable de-
bates here on this and that, but we are
often debating over a couple minutes’
worth of borrowing because we are un-
willing to talk about the driver of debt.
It is interest and healthcare.
There is not a lot we can do about in-
terest because here is how bad the in-
terest numbers continue to be for us. I
did this board a month ago and I was
saying my math is gross interest,
which will be $1.67 trillion and I got
some crap for it: ‘‘How can you say
that?’’
Well, you will be happy to know that
yesterday the Treasury announced that
I was wrong. Interest will be $1.1436
trillion. I underestimated it, and if you
saw what interest rates did this week
with the higher inflation data, the
number is going to go higher.
Let’s understand the hierarchy right
now. Social Security is going to spend
$1.450 trillion, but that is off tax re-
ceipts and the trust fund.
Now, the trust fund is going to be
gone in 8, 9 years, but right now it is
self-contained. Interest is the second
biggest spend in this government. The
third is Medicare. Defense is now num-
ber four. Now because I know every
Member of Congress sits around and
doesn’t have a life and reads—this is
the MedPAC report from last week.
Yes, I am an idiot. I read it.
There is one thing in here and I
wanted to make the point because I am
trying to get my head around this. In
2022, way back then, Medicare was 13
percent of functionally income tax,
corporate tax receipts.
In 5 more budget years, Medicare
spending will be 22 percent of all in-
come tax, all corporate taxes. That is a
remarkable movement.
We had a data point a couple days
ago saying Medicare spending is up 10
percent this year, but we are not al-
lowed to talk about that. It is an
earned benefit. You worked in Amer-
ica—it is just like Social Security. You
worked your 40 quarters, you earned it,
but that doesn’t mean we have to lie to
each other.
Just as I am angry about the for-
eigners polluting our information set,
we do something similar. We avoid tell-
ing the truth because the math is un-
comfortable, and we are talking tril-
lions and trillions and trillions of dol-
lars here. Maybe the debate on this
floor shouldn’t be rounding errors, it
should be taking on the actual drivers
of our debt.
Now, back to the point. Even here I
am actually having to adjust, so now
we actually believe what we call net in-
terest. Let me explain the difference
between gross and net. Net interest is
where we have to sell bonds. We have
to get your pension system, your per-
sonal wealth, a nice family in Japan
buying U.S. debt.
Gross is where we sell the bonds over
here and then over here we are bor-
rowing from the trust funds, even
though we have a little technical prob-
lem. The transportation trust fund, the
Medicare Part A trust fund, the Social
Security trust fund, all are gone this
decade. Well, in the next 9 years, they
are all gone.
It is math. Is it acceptable that this
has become a math-free zone? And
these numbers, when I was starting to
show these a couple months ago and
the inbound silliness we would get,
‘‘stop making up numbers.’’ Yeah, you
are right. I missed them. I wasn’t dark
enough.
CBO will be updating all these num-
bers because it turns out interest has
gotten more expensive. Today’s inter-
est rate, we are back up to the highs,
almost to the highs of last November.
They haven’t been going down, they
are going the other direction.
You all saw the head of Chase Bank,
Jamie Dimon, in part of his report to
shareholders this last week, saying his
economists believe there is a very good
chance that interest rates are going
higher.
Look, I will put these down and I will
try not to hit anyone with them.
Please look at this chart. Please look
at this. You see this line over here?
This is 1975 to 2001, the average on U.S.
sovereign debt was 7
1
⁄
2
percent. The av-
erage for all those years was 7
1
⁄
2
per-
cent. That was actually the average
considering—now, I accept that has
some of the 1980s, Paul Volcker, but
that was the average.
Then we go to 2001 to 2022, absolutely
suppressed interest rates. We lived in a
fantasy world. It was down to 2.2.
Okay. That is your juxtaposition. What
is the real interest rate? What is the
real cost of money here? We are only
right now at 3.3. Our economists and
the Joint Economic Committee, Re-
publican side, and even myself, we are
trying to figure out where it is going.
We don’t think it is going down.
We need to somehow understand the
reality. If you are borrowing $100,000 a
second, do you think there is lots of li-
quidity out there to see your interest
rates come falling? What would happen
to the United States debt when you
functionally have a total of 34.7; actu-
ally in May we go to 35, in September
we will be over 36, because we are
clicking off about a trillion dollars of
borrowing about every 110, 115 days
right now.
We need to think about that. What
happens if the interest rates go any-
where back to the historic norm? Are
we allowed to tell our constituents the
truth? It breaks my heart because
there is a path, but you have to be will-
ing to be disruptive, almost revolu-
tionary. You have to be willing to be
moral in saying, if these are the cost
drivers, the actual cost drivers, not the
theatrics—I always love it when I go
and read some of the comments like ‘‘if
you just got rid of your salaries,’’ fine.
Maybe we are overpaid—trust me. For
our work product, we are—but it is 2.6
seconds a day of all borrowing. Foreign
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aid is about 5 days of borrowing. There
is the fantasy. And then there is the
other side, the Democrats. ‘‘Well, tax
rich people.’’ Okay. Fine. Have at it. I
have done the economic studies mul-
tiple times here on the floor showing
that you take your own plans, $400,000
and up and maximize every tax. Maxi-
mize estate tax, capital gains tax, in-
come taxes, just do it all. Maximize it
to the revenue producing maximum
and then do the economic adjustment,
you get 1
1
⁄
2
percent of GDP. That is the
studies, 1
1
⁄
2
percent of GDP. We are bor-
rowing over 9.6 right now.
If someone out there is brilliant and
you have an easier way to explain this,
please send it to me because I feel like
I am just treading water here while
people look at me and go, ‘‘Oh,
S
CHWEIKERT
, you did another speech on
the floor. That was interesting. I didn’t
watch, though.’’
You start to understand that when
you do the comparisons of where we
are heading—this is one—when you
start to see numbers saying in 9 budget
years you are going to have $60, $62
trillion of borrowing—that is what we
are trying to compare.
We are slicing the difference between
our projection and the CBO baseline,
but the punch line here, the President’s
budget in 9 budget years has us at $70
trillion and the CBO has us at $62 tril-
lion. That is 9 budget years from now.
Am I the only idiot here that is terri-
fied? This is moral? But we are going
to engage in theatrics that is not even
a days’ worth of borrowing, maybe
minutes’ worth of borrowing because
that is what we are willing to debate
over because we are terrified to stand
in front of our audiences and say, un-
less we revolutionize the cost of
healthcare, I can’t make the numbers
work.
So what are you willing to do?
And that is with all the leftists
taxes. You start to also look—because
the other day, I was taking inbound
from one of my Democrat friends—
well, you had the tax cut. Have you
seen your own numbers on even just
the Inflation Reduction Act? Seriously,
where you are right down here, oh, that
is only going to cost $20 billion and the
next year will be $14 billion, and the
actual now number projections where
some of the years it is over $120 billion
outlays. That is cash money, subsidies
to corporate America, they basically
bought the love of multinational cor-
porations. God bless them.
b 1800
It is more than the entire 10-year
cost of tax reform, which actually
spread out wealth, but they can’t
admit that.
I am breaking one of my own rules
because I keep coming here and saying
maybe we should spend less time liti-
gating the past and deal with the re-
ality of our demographics and the
math right now. Let’s take a look at
some of the things that we are up
against.
Why is the public so cranky? Seri-
ously, I try to have this conversation
with folks at home. I am blessed. I rep-
resent the Phoenix-Scottsdale area. If
you have to represent a district, I rep-
resent one of the most beautiful spots,
particularly in the winter months. I
represent a fairly prosperous district. I
represent a really well-educated dis-
trict, a really entrepreneurial district.
A lot of my folks appear, on the sur-
face, to be doing fairly well in life, but
they are stressed out of their minds be-
cause, in my district, we have had the
highest inflation in the continental
United States. If you do not make 23.6
percent more money today than you
did the day President Biden took of-
fice, you are poorer.
No matter what economic data the
clown show—excuse me, body of Con-
gress—wants to talk about over and
over: Oh, jobs are this. Unemployment
is this.
This is what matters. When you actu-
ally look at the data of those who are
nonsupervisory or supervisory, today
they are poorer, even when you put
back in wage growth. Our brothers and
sisters in America are poorer today.
In my district, it is worse. I have a
prosperous district. Do you want to un-
derstand why people are struggling,
angry, and frustrated? Maybe an hon-
est conversation that we made them
poorer.
Here is a bit of an intellectual tease:
What is the biggest tax hike in modern
history? Come on, what is the biggest
tax hike in modern history? Let’s work
through this. If I came to you right
now and said the thousand dollars, the
hundred dollars, the dollar you have
saved up, and over the next 3 to 3
1
⁄
2
years we are going to basically take
away almost a quarter of its value, we
made you poorer, right? That is called
inflation.
Where did that value go, though? It
went to the debtors. Who is the biggest
debtor in the world? The United States.
We functionally transferred your
wealth through inflation and devalued
the debt. The problem is now we hit
the interest rate cycle, so we were de-
valuing the debt by inflation. The fi-
nancing of our debt explodes, as well as
the fact—and this is one that is a little
trickier to talk about. Social Security,
Medicare, these other things have
kickers for inflation in there. You get
a short-term benefit. You saw a little
spike about a year, year-and-a-half ago
when debt to GDP, even though the
debt was higher—the GDP had sort of
grown, but it is because of the differen-
tial because of inflation.
Now, all that benefit is gone. Now, it
is getting really ugly because the fi-
nancing of the debt—I just showed
you—if you do the gross number, is on
its way to $1.2 trillion just this year.
Interest now is the second biggest ex-
pense in our government.
In a little while, you have to under-
stand—back to my fixation that we
need to find some way to add tech-
nology, disruption, cures to disrupt the
cost of healthcare because guess what,
Mr. Speaker? In a few years, Medicare
even passes Social Security in total
spending.
The hierarchy used to always be So-
cial Security is number one, defense is
number two, Medicare is number three,
and interest was actually way down
here. Now, interest is number two, but
Social Security is number one.
In just a few years, healthcare costs
will be the number one expense in this
country—just Medicare. This isn’t add-
ing in the Indian Health Service, the
VA, Medicaid.
Now, look, much of it is demo-
graphics. This is where maybe there is
a problem that we are so busy attack-
ing the left, and the left is so busy at-
tacking us. The fact of the matter is,
people getting older, moving into their
earned benefits, is that Republican or
Democrat? It is demographics.
We know it is going to happen. We
have known there were 67 million baby
boomers for how long? Sixty-five years.
We did brilliant planning for it, didn’t
we? Understanding charts like this, it
is coming, it is in front of us, and we
will do everything we can to ignore it.
This chart is a little hard to read,
but I am trying to make a point. This
uses some of the math from our col-
leagues on the left. As we get near the
8-year window, 10-year window, we get
back closer to 18 percent—this is just
structural, 18 percent of GDP coming
in as taxes. Yet, the debt continues to
grow even with that because interest
keeps growing as well as the other ex-
penses, particularly driven by, once
again, healthcare costs.
Unless we are willing to tell the
truth, how do you take on the problem?
This one is a little more for my Re-
publican brothers and sisters. In 2023,
how many times have you heard one of
us get up and say ‘‘growth’’? Growth is
incredibly important, and you can
spike growth by cleaning up the immi-
gration system and moving to a talent
base, not importing massive poverty.
You can do other things, such as get-
ting regulations—adapt to using tech-
nology as much of your regulator in-
stead of armies full of bureaucrats and
file cabinets.
There are dozens of things you can do
policywise to create growth, but if you
had someone who said, ‘‘We will just
grow ourselves out of borrowing
$100,000 a second,’’ they are not good at
math.
Here is the basic simple rule: GDP,
the size of the economy, in 2023 grew a
trillion and a half dollars. However,
you do understand, for that growth,
you only get 17, 18, maybe even 19 per-
cent of that in tax receipts. The growth
is wonderful, but it is not dollar for
dollar. I will get people who say, okay,
you guys borrowed $2.5 trillion, but the
economy grew $1.5 trillion. Yes, it did
grow $1.5 trillion, but I only get 17, 18,
19 percent of that in tax receipts. Do
you understand the scale of growth we
would have to have for the tax receipts
to come close to the borrowing? That
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would require elementary school math,
wouldn’t it? Sorry.
Back to the baseline. Our brothers
and sisters are struggling. If you are in
markets like I am, where housing costs
have gone up dramatically, parts of
your food budget have gone up dra-
matically, we have Americans who are
struggling. I showed the inflation num-
bers, and into that headwind, we have
to find a way to stabilize the borrowing
to that growth of the economy. At the
same time, we have to find a way to
get beyond the liars out there that are
trying to pollute the debate because
they want to see this country fail.
If we don’t step up and do our job,
start telling people the truth, realize
there is a path to stabilize our debt to
GDP—and this could be a stunning cen-
tury for America, but my fear is when
I look at the debt spiral that is coming,
if interest rates continue to go where
they are going, you have maybe 3
years, 5 years. At that point then most
of what this government does is we
have handed over the power of this gov-
ernment to the bond market because
the bond market will be in charge of
us. The bond market will decide what
our priorities are. They will control
the price of our debt. They will control
our resources.
Make a decision: Are you willing to
act like adults, digest facts, vet, dou-
ble-check your facts, and then demand
Members of Congress start thinking
like—it is impolite to curse behind the
mike—start thinking in a way where
they are willing to do difficult things
that are accurate on their calculator
and not their feelings? You can’t make
public policy with feelings and have it
actually work out on your calculator.
As the old family saying for the
Schweikert household goes, the math
will eventually win.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance
of my time.
f
GUN VIOLENCE IN AMERICA
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under
the Speaker’s announced policy of Jan-
uary 9, 2023, the gentleman from Ken-
tucky (Mr. M
C
G
ARVEY
) is recognized
for 60 minutes as the designee of the
minority leader.
GENERAL LEAVE
Mr. M
C
GARVEY. Mr. Speaker, first
of all, I ask unanimous consent that all
Members may have 5 legislative days
in which to revise and extend their re-
marks and include extraneous material
in the R
ECORD
.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there
objection to the request of the gen-
tleman from Kentucky?
There was no objection.
Mr. M
C
GARVEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise
today, I rise this week, with a heavy
heart.
It is exactly 1 year since tragedy
struck my community in Louisville,
Kentucky. It was just last year, a Mon-
day morning, the day after Easter, the
first day back from spring break.
You know what kind of day this was.
It was a Kentucky spring day. The air
was crisp. The sun was bright. It was
perfect. The type of spring morning
that had families heading back into
school and had us heading back into
work with a sense of rebirth and re-
newal.
Unfortunately, it didn’t last. Spring’s
ritual beauty was shattered by the un-
familiar booms from an AR–15, the
acrid smells of smoke, the sounds of si-
rens, of screams.
It was a Monday morning, April 10,
2023, that a lone gunman took an as-
sault rifle into the Old National Bank
on Main Street in Louisville, Ken-
tucky, and opened fire on his col-
leagues. He took the lives of five inno-
cent Louisvillians: Josh Barrick,
Deana Eckert, Jim Tutt, Juliana
Farmer, and my friend, Tommy Elliott.
Eight other people were injured, in-
cluding officer Nick Wilt. He was in
just his fourth shift as a police officer
when he ran headfirst into gunfire. His
heroism saved lives, but he took an
AR–15 round to the head. Miraculously,
he survived, and he continues to re-
cover and get stronger every day.
That wasn’t it. Just hours later and
just a few blocks away, Chea’von
Moore was killed at the Jefferson Com-
munity & Technical College. Another
young woman was struck by bullets in
the crossfire between classes. Thank-
fully, she survived.
That was a Monday morning. It got
worse. There was another mass shoot-
ing in Louisville later that week. Com-
bined with the tragedies of everyday
gun violence, five more Louisvillians
were killed by gunfire by week’s end.
b 1815
It was awful. It ripped into us as a
community. The scars are still there
for so many to see, especially now, es-
pecially this week. I think any decent
person hearing this story recognizes
that it is tragic. Anyone with an iota
of compassion for the families, for the
lives lost, for the senseless waste of
human potential knows how sad this is.
If I told you this story 20 years ago,
the world would have stopped. It would
have been all you heard about on the
news, on the internet, and in news-
papers. It would have been a national
crisis that would have demanded ur-
gent action and all of our attention.
Today, it was off the news quickly.
Why? I can answer that.
We have grown accustomed to this.
Unbelievably, this is our norm.
Now, Louisville, Kentucky, on a per-
fect spring morning, the day after
Easter, the first day back from spring
break isn’t unique in the horrors it ex-
perienced from a mass shooting that
day. No, it just got added to a very
long list of American cities experi-
encing this tragedy.
Gone are the days of recognizing
American cities for their contributions
to our culture—Motown, the City of
Brotherly Love, the Big Apple, the
Gateway to the West, the City of An-
gels, the Big Easy.
No. Now we define our cities by their
tragedies, Aurora, Uvalde, Las Vegas,
Highland Park, Newtown, Orlando,
Buffalo, Nashville, El Paso, Monterey
Park, and Louisville, Kentucky.
It was one of those moments as a life-
long Louisvillian you will always re-
member. I know where I was when I got
the call. I was still with my family. In
these jobs there are times you try to
shield your children from some of the
things you have to deal with here, but
it was too shocking. I looked at my
wife and I said: ‘‘There has been a mass
shooting.’’ My elementary school
daughter heard me. Her face sank. She
was ashen. She just looked at us, and
she said: ‘‘Which school?’’
Of course that was her first reaction.
In elementary schools they now do ac-
tive-shooter drills instead of tornado
drills. Gun violence is the number one
killer of kids in America. We can’t be
shocked by that reaction.
Even though it broke my heart—and
maybe it should—we can’t let it break
our brains.
I actually think we agree that 20
years ago these tragedies would have
hit much harder, that they would have
been an anomaly instead of the norm.
What has changed? Why is it dif-
ferent?
Well, I can point to one thing: The
assault weapon ban has expired. Since
then, the gun culture has exploded, and
I don’t mean hunting and responsible
gun ownership. I mean the toxic cul-
ture promoted by gun manufacturers
and the NRA. The idea that weapons of
war are toys and status symbols. That
the right to arm yourself with the ca-
pacity to kill en masse trumps our
right to live.
America’s epidemic of gun violence
that takes more than 40,000 lives per
year and more children than any other
cause almost always has a slew of com-
mon denominators: a firearm—often a
semiautomatic—purchased under a
legal framework that only exists in
America.
Nowhere else in the world has seen
this epidemic of death and done abso-
lutely nothing about it.
Many of my colleagues on the other
side of the aisle insist that this is a co-
incidence, that the very instrument of
death for hundreds of thousands of our
fellow Americans makes us safer, and
that the more we have, the safer we
will be, that somehow if every Amer-
ican had a gun, rates of gun violence
would decrease.
It would be comically absurd if it
weren’t so dangerous and so heart-
breaking. It should break our hearts,
each time, each loss of life, as if it were
happening 20, 25 years ago; the gut-
wrenching disbelief we felt over Col-
umbine. We can’t let it break our
brains. It isn’t that complicated.
This is not the world we are forced to
live in. This is the world we have cho-
sen to live in. We in this body can do
something about it.
No, nobody is talking about coming
to your house and taking your guns.
Nobody wants to stop hunting trips. We
are talking about the most basic, com-
monsense measures: Like safe storage,
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waiting periods, universal background
checks, stopping the free flow of as-
sault weapons and armor-piercing
ammo.
Will these measures end gun violence
in America? No, sadly they will not.
Will they save American lives? Abso-
lutely. Immediately.
We can debate how many lives, but
isn’t even one worth saving?
This is not some fringe fantasy ei-
ther. These are literally some of the
most popular bipartisan proposals in
America. They are approved by 70, 80,
90 percent of the American public.
Today, the Biden administration an-
nounced a new rule expanding back-
ground checks for gun sales. This
closes the gun show loophole, ensures
that guns aren’t sold or traded for prof-
it without a background check.
Good. However, there is more to do.
Our constituents are crying out to
us. We are all tired of seeing children
killed in their schools and worrying
that ours could be next.
Commonsense gun reforms, not only
are they overwhelmingly popular ev-
erywhere, they are necessary. While
they are overwhelmingly popular ev-
erywhere, they are not overwhelmingly
popular where they need to be. Here. In
this building.
Last year, after the shooting in Lou-
isville, I approached many of my col-
leagues across the aisle. I did it one-on-
one, not in front of the cameras, not
for social media, but to really ask and
say, I think we agree. We want our
communities to be safer. Where can we
meet on this? What can we do to pro-
tect our kids and our communities and
save lives?
I had really great conversations,
talked about things that we have in
common, things what we can do. How-
ever, routinely I was told that at the
end of the day you know that is not
something we can get through here.
Why not? We are ready. We are wait-
ing. I am tired of waiting. The Amer-
ican people are tired of waiting. We can
start saving lives today, and we know
it.
I know that my friends on the other
side of the aisle are good people, and I
mean that. I don’t know in this in-
stance, though, what we are afraid of
by simply putting these things to a
vote.
Gun violence right now is a choice,
and it is time to make a new one. We
can start saving lives today, and we
should.
Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentle-
woman from Michigan (Ms. T
LAIB
), my
colleague.
Ms. TLAIB. Mr. Speaker, I thank my
colleague for his courage and trying to
save lives, especially the lives of our
children and trying again to address
the crisis that we have in our country.
It is always an honor to be able to
serve the families of the 12th Congres-
sional District in Michigan.
Before I was a Congresswoman, my
two sons made me a mother. I am
speaking to you all as a mother more
than anything.
It is important to understand—this is
a true fact—that gun violence is the
leading cause of death for children and
teens in our country. As of today, there
have already been 106 mass shootings—
that is more mass shootings than the
days in the year so far.
You know what is more horrific? It is
more horrific that the gun violence in
our communities that is happening
every single day doesn’t even make the
news anymore.
Congress has become so numb—this
institution—truly numb to the gun vio-
lence crisis in our country that they
are not even paying attention any
longer.
We cannot continue like this, Mr.
Speaker. I refuse to accept that the
death of kids is the status quo.
We have not voted on a single gun vi-
olence prevention bill under this Re-
publican majority.
Guns now have more rights in our
country than women do. It is sick.
It is disgusting that campaign dona-
tions from the NRA and gun manufac-
turers have bought inaction and
bought the silence of many of my col-
leagues and blocked many, many im-
portant, major reforms that we need to
keep our communities safe across our
Nation.
Every one of our colleagues that re-
fuses to vote for commonsense gun vio-
lence prevention I truly believe has
blood on their hands—responsibility.
It is clear. They value guns more
than the lives of our children. I truly
believe our children deserve so much
more than, again, inaction and our
continued silence.
I thank my colleague for hosting this
Special Order. I have seen him on this
floor being a father, being a Congress-
man, and we know what is at stake.
Again, no parent ever should worry
about their child when they leave
home, that they would be a victim of
gun violence.
Mr. M
C
GARVEY. Mr. Speaker, as a
parent, this is heartbreaking. I had a
parent tell me after the Uvalde shoot-
ing they now look at their child’s shoes
every day before they go to school just
in case they have to identify them.
I always said every policymaker in
America should have been required to
drop their kids off at school the day
after Uvalde like I did.
This is something we can do some-
thing about.
Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman
from California (Mr. D
E
S
AULNIER
).
b 1830
Mr. D
E
SAULNIER. Mr. Speaker, I
thank the gentleman for yielding me
time and for hosting this discussion to-
night.
Mr. Speaker, when we talk about gun
violence and all its horror, the images
that often come to mind are mass
shootings, assaults, and murders.
These tragedies are an important part
of the conversation, and, unfortu-
nately, too much discussion in Amer-
ican everyday life, but do not represent
how most Americans will encounter
gun violence.
Every day in America, up to two-
thirds of the gun deaths come about be-
cause of gun suicides, which account,
again, for a disproportionate amount of
gun deaths in the United States every
day. This wasn’t about self-defense,
this was about Americans taking their
own lives.
Mr. Speaker, 35 years ago, on April
20, I lost my own father to gun suicide.
I was the last of my four siblings to
talk to him, and he gave no indication,
from 3,000 miles away from where I
lived at the time, that he was consid-
ering suicide.
Mr. Speaker, 35 years later, we have
not done enough to address this epi-
demic of suicide. For far too many peo-
ple, they continue to lose loved ones
the same way I did.
What is most troubling, gun deaths
amongst children and teens rose 50 per-
cent in just 2 years, between 2019 and
2021, and firearm suicides amongst
those ages 10 to 24 is at its highest rate
in more than 20 years.
Mr. Speaker, 10- to 24-year-olds in
the United States are experiencing an
uber epidemic of gun suicides. These
statistics are sobering, and we need to
take action now.
Fortunately, research has shown that
there are solutions that we can do to
help stop this. Gun suicide rates in
States with the strongest gun safety
laws, like California, have actually de-
creased over the past two decades.
Meanwhile, in States with the weakest
gun safety laws, gun suicide rates have
increased by almost 40 percent. They
have gone down in States with con-
stitutionally, legal, evidence-based re-
search gun violence protection laws,
but they have gone up by 40 percent in
those States with the weakest.
If all U.S. States had experienced the
same trend in their gun suicide rate as
the eight States with the strongest gun
safety laws, approximately 72,000 fewer
people would have died from gun sui-
cides.
The gun lobbyists often counter this
evidence in the debate to say: Oh, well
these people would just have tried
something else. Not surprisingly, they
are lying. They are lying about people
taking their own lives with their prod-
uct.
Research has repeatedly shown that
States that have experienced a decline
in gun suicides, have not seen a cor-
responding increase in suicides using
other methods. The other methods
most commonly used for suicide are ac-
tually vastly slower, research tells us,
than by the availability of guns and
the use of guns.
Mr. Speaker, to honor those who
have lost their lives by taking their
lives and to protect the most vulner-
able, we need to follow the evidence
and enact national commonsense, prov-
en reforms because where you live
should not determine the probability of
losing a loved one to gun suicide.
Mr. M
C
GARVEY. Mr. Speaker, I
thank Representative D
E
S
AULNIER
for
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his wonderful words and his courage in
telling his personal story.
We have talked about mass shootings
today, and I think it is also important
that we put some focus on everyday
gun violence. We have talked about
guns. Let’s also talk about crime. Let’s
talk about the root causes of crime as
well, and make sure that we are doing
everything we can—from public safety
to guns, to things like jobs, affordable
housing, healthcare, hunger, education.
We also do need to talk about mental
health and make sure that people in
this country have the mental health
support they need and they deserve.
There is no argument that the number
one cause of gun deaths in this country
is death by suicide, but when you talk
about suicide and death by a firearm,
there are ways to help prevent it.
I met this week with the UofL trau-
ma team, who did an amazing job on
April 10, 2023, keeping people alive and
navigating an incredibly difficult situ-
ation. And because suicide is the num-
ber one cause of gun deaths in this
country, I talked with them about it.
I spoke with Dr. J
ASON
S
MITH
, who is
a trauma surgeon at the University of
Louisville, and he shared a person is
most at risk of taking their own life
when they reach their lowest point,
and that lowest point typically only
lasts for about 10 minutes. If you can
get someone through that lowest point,
they have an amazingly increased
chance of living a full life.
We know that there are laws that
work to protect us. In my State of Ken-
tucky, we watch it across the river in
Indiana where they have a State red
flag law.
We can make this a national priority,
through law and through funding, to
help people get what they need, to help
people who are in crisis and tempo-
rarily remove them from a firearm
while retaining their rights.
Representative D
E
S
AULNIER
ref-
erenced that suicide is growing among
young people, and, unfortunately, it is.
But that is not the only group affected.
In fact, a statistic that worries me, be-
cause Louisville is located just north of
Fort Knox, we have about 50,000 vet-
erans who live in our community. The
single-most at-risk group for death by
suicide with a firearm are White men
over the age of 50 who own a firearm
and are a veteran.
Mr. Speaker, I sit on the Committee
on Veterans’ Affairs, where even today
in a committee hearing with the Sec-
retary, death by suicide was brought
up for veterans. The people who were
brave enough to put on a uniform and
sacrifice everything for us, we should
be brave enough to pass policies in this
body that will help them.
Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman
from Colorado (Mr. N
EGUSE
), my distin-
guished colleague.
Mr. NEGUSE. Mr. Speaker, first let
me thank the distinguished gentleman,
my good friend, from the Common-
wealth of Kentucky, whose leadership
with respect to addressing the scourge
of gun violence that has, unfortu-
nately, taken hold in so many parts of
our country, has been unparalleled
since he first stepped into this august
Chamber last year.
We are grateful for his service, we are
grateful for his leadership, and we are
grateful for him initiating this impor-
tant conversation tonight.
Mr. Speaker, I must say that there
are many constituents of mine who are
frustrated, who are outraged, who are
anguished at the inaction of this body
to address an issue as fundamental as
this one.
What could be more important, Mr.
Speaker, than the safety of our fami-
lies, of our friends, of our neighbors, of
our colleagues, of our children, of our
fellow citizens.
This Congress has a job to do, and
that job must include addressing gun
violence and enacting commonsense re-
forms that we know will save lives.
I have the distinct privilege, Mr.
Speaker, of representing the great
State of Colorado, and we have been no
stranger to the anguish of gun vio-
lence.
Next week will mark the 25th anni-
versary of the tragic and devastating
massacre at Columbine High School.
Mr. Speaker, 13 Coloradans murdered
in cold blood, 12 students, and 1 teach-
er, 25 years ago next week.
Mr. Speaker, 3 years ago, my commu-
nity was devastated by yet another
mass shooting at our local grocery
store. Mr. Speaker, 10 community
members gunned down, including 1 po-
lice officer, who bravely died in the
line of duty, saving lives, making the
ultimate sacrifice.
Mr. Speaker, we have lost far too
many. There are far too many mothers
and fathers, brothers and sisters, chil-
dren, Americans, dying from gun vio-
lence. We have the power to stop it if
we follow the articulate admonition of
my friend and colleague, Mr.
M
C
G
ARVEY
, by passing commonsense
solutions here in this Chamber.
For those who doubt our ability to do
so, Mr. Speaker, I will point you to
fairly recent history.
There were many, many who doubted
the ability of the United States Con-
gress and the President to enact laws,
commonsense laws that ultimately
would and could save lives. They were
wrong.
Because of President Biden’s leader-
ship, we passed a bill in the last Con-
gress, the 117th Congress, the Bipar-
tisan Safer Communities Act. That law
is saving lives today.
Earlier today, the White House, next
to the leadership of President Biden,
Vice President H
ARRIS
, the leadership
of our attorney general, Attorney Gen-
eral Garland, announced yet another
reform, a new rule pursuant to the Bi-
partisan Safer Communities Act that
will finally close the gun show loop-
hole, an important step forward, Mr.
Speaker, and one that I applaud. I
hope, I sincerely hope that it can be a
building block for us to take on.
Now, I have to confess, I looked at
the notice in the Committee on Rules,
the committee on which I serve, with
great dismay, just a few hours ago.
What did that notice portend for next
week? What have House Republicans
decided we will spend our time on next
week—not gun violence prevention, the
Refrigerator Freedom Act.
I kid you not, that is literally on the
agenda next week: The Refrigerator
Freedom Act.
How about a bill to address gun vio-
lence? Is that too much to ask? My
constituents don’t think so, and I don’t
think the people of Kentucky think so
either.
I thank the gentleman from Ken-
tucky (Mr. M
C
G
ARVEY
) again for his
leadership, for initiating this impor-
tant conversation. It is the beginning
and not the end.
Mr. M
C
GARVEY. Mr. Speaker, I
thank Representative N
EGUSE
for his
wonderful words. I can’t believe it has
been 25 years since Columbine, another
tragedy which I can remember exactly
where I was when I found out that
news. We went to our TV screens to
watch in horror as students fled from
the building, as parents wondered if
their kids were alive. We grieve with
Colorado, not just for Columbine, but
for Boulder and for Aurora, for the
tragedy you all have endured.
Hearing Representative N
EGUSE
talk
about the tragedies in his community
reminded me that when the mass
shooting happened in Louisville on
April 10 last year, I had several Mem-
bers of Congress reach out to me imme-
diately. They were not only offering
their condolences and their sympathies
and asking what they could do to
help—many of them had experienced
the same tragedy in their commu-
nities—they offered advice on how to
deal with it and how to help your com-
munity get through it while you your-
self grieve. In essence, there is a play-
book on what to do after a mass shoot-
ing.
Mr. Speaker, I would like this body
to act and have a playbook on how to
stop the shootings from happening in
the first place, because we know how to
do it.
We know the damage that assault
weapons cause. We know the need for
safe storage and universal background
checks, and I am tired of hearing there
is nothing we can do when we are doing
nothing.
We can solve this uniquely American
problem, and we can solve it together,
keeping our kids and our communities
safer. It just takes the political will
from this body to do it.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance
of my time.
f
b 2300
RECOGNIZING FAITH MONTH
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under
the Speaker’s announced policy of Jan-
uary 9, 2023, the Chair recognizes the
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CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H2311 April 11, 2024
gentlewoman from Illinois (Mrs. M
IL
-
LER
) for 30 minutes.
GENERAL LEAVE
Mrs. MILLER of Illinois. Mr. Speak-
er, I ask unanimous consent that all
Members may have 5 legislative days
in which to revise and extend their re-
marks and include in the R
ECORD
ex-
traneous material on the topic of this
Special Order.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there
objection to the request of the gentle-
woman from Illinois?
There was no objection.
Mrs. MILLER of Illinois. Mr. Speak-
er, tonight, I am incredibly privileged
to join the patriots at Concerned
Women for America for the third year
in a row by recognizing April as Faith
Month. It is a time when we can set
aside our differences and talk about
the most important aspect of our lives:
our faith.
Since our founding, in America, we
have believed that God governs in the
affairs of men. Actually, every day
here in Congress, we acknowledge God
by opening Congress with daily prayer.
It was my faith in God that first in-
spired me to run for public office. As a
Christian, my faith is at the heart of
everything I do. Before any major deci-
sion and during moments of conflict, I
ask for God’s guidance and wisdom to
guide me in accordance with his will.
For my husband, Chris, and I, our
Christian faith was central to raising
our seven children. Now, they are mak-
ing faith a central pillar for the up-
bringing of our 20 grandchildren. We
also put our Christian faith first in
running our family farm, seeking to
honor God as stewards of the land and
everything he has blessed us with.
Faith was key to our Nation’s found-
ing. In fact, the Pilgrims came to the
new world in search of religious free-
dom, making the voyage across the At-
lantic to the shores of Massachusetts.
The right to publicly express their
faith was so important that they
risked their very lives.
Contrary to public opinion, our
Founders did not believe America
should be an atheistic society that
shuns God. Benjamin Franklin called
for prayer at the Constitutional Con-
vention when it seemed destined for
failure. The convention then proceeded
smoothly, and a few weeks later, the
delegates adopted the Constitution
that endures to this day.
John Adams believed that our Repub-
lic could not function without faith. In
fact, he said: ‘‘Our Constitution was
made only for a moral and religious
people. It is wholly inadequate to the
government of any other.’’
Thomas Jefferson attended and pro-
moted a church service in this very
building every Sunday.
Our Founders never meant for faith
to be separate from public life. Quite
the opposite, they intended for faith to
play a central role in our Nation.
In Matthew 17:20, Jesus said: ‘‘If you
have faith as small as a mustard seed,
you can say to this mountain, ‘Move
from here to there,’ and it will move.
Nothing will be impossible for you.’’
I believe faith is what is needed in
this body today. We need faith to over-
come our mountains of division so we
can do what is right for our country
and the American people.
I am humbled to share my faith on
the House floor and recognize that this
sacred right has been preserved by
those who have selflessly laid down
their lives for our freedom.
I am honored to share this Special
Order with several other friends and
colleagues in this body.
Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman
from Alabama (Mr. A
DERHOLT
).
Mr. ADERHOLT. Mr. Speaker, I
thank Congresswoman M
ILLER
for or-
ganizing this and working with Con-
cerned Women for America to make
April Faith Month. It is an honor to be
a part of this, to recognize a country
where we can recognize our faith.
I know and understand and recognize
the distinct opportunity that we have
as Americans to worship freely, to
come alongside each other with great
respect and also to respect various
viewpoints. We are blessed to live in a
country where we can worship freely.
It is a very important part of the fabric
of the United States of America.
When I have visitors come to the
United States Capitol, I like to take
them into the rotunda. In the rotunda,
there is a painting called the ‘‘Embar-
kation of the Pilgrims.’’ That painting
depicts a pastor as they are getting on
board the deck of the Speedwell in 1620,
gathered in prayer as they go toward
and look for a new nation where they
can worship freely, which would ulti-
mately become the United States of
America. I like that painting because
it reminds us of the freedom that we
have here in this country even today.
Tonight, there are about 11 pastors in
Nicaragua who don’t have that free-
dom. They are in prison for 12 to 15
years, because of their faith, in the
country of Nicaragua.
Here in the United States, we don’t
have to worry about that. As a young
boy back in Alabama who recognized
that I needed Christ in my own life and
accepted Christ as my Savior, I am re-
minded that I have that freedom and
don’t have to worry about going to
prison or facing jail time merely be-
cause of my faith to follow Christ,
which is something I try to do, as you
say, Congresswoman, on a day-to-day
basis, even though, as you know, we all
fall short of that standard.
In closing, I thank my colleague from
Illinois for organizing this time, bring-
ing us together, and reminding us that
this country was built not on moun-
tains of money and not on great pros-
perity but on the faith of so many peo-
ple who came before us wanting to wor-
ship freely and to honor our God and
maker.
Mrs. MILLER of Illinois. Mr. Speak-
er, before I yield to Mrs. H
ARSHBARGER
,
I thank her for being a co-chair of the
Congressional Family Caucus. We
know two things made our country not
only good but great, and that is faith
and family.
Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentle-
woman from Tennessee (Mrs.
H
ARSHBARGER
).
Mrs. HARSHBARGER. Mr. Speaker,
our Founding Fathers believed that de-
mocracy and our system of government
could only prosper in a Western society
guided by Judeo-Christian values. I
raised my son with these values, and he
is raising his sons with this same set of
values. For nearly 30 years, I have in-
stilled these same values to our youth
as a Sunday school teacher.
As we have all observed, America is
at a social and political crossroads,
which stems from a profound loss of
traditional Judeo-Christian values that
make up the foundation of our families
and, therefore, our Nation. Religious
devotion among Americans is col-
lapsing. More than a third of the coun-
try declines to attend religious serv-
ices. Less than 75 percent of the coun-
try holds strong, solid religious beliefs.
Is there any wonder we see the crime
rates continue to surge and America’s
mental health crisis continue to wors-
en? The conclusion is simple. It is the
direct effect of the erosion of our Chris-
tian values, and it started with taking
prayer out of the schools.
America needs spiritual guidance
now more than ever. Christian values
promote personal responsibility, com-
passion, and a sense of community.
These are the essential pillars missing
in today’s society. When these values
are absent in a family or in a society,
you will see a decline in morality that
can be generational.
We, as leaders, need to not only re-
mind ourselves but our colleagues and
constituents that restoring the Judeo-
Christian values that our country was
founded upon offers a pathway for our
country to heal. If our country or our
families fail to embrace the principles
that made our Nation great, our Nation
risks further division and decline.
That is why I am proud to co-chair
the Congressional Family Caucus,
which seeks to restore the guiding
Judeo-Christian values and principles
that exemplify our Nation’s greatness
by promoting God-driven and family-
focused policies.
It is time to reinstate the teachings
of Jesus Christ and chart a course to-
ward renewal, reconciliation, and re-
vival for our great Nation.
Mrs. MILLER of Illinois. Mr. Speak-
er, as I yield to my friend, Congress-
man A
NDREW
C
LYDE
, I thank him for
making it obvious that his faith is so
important to him by being such a prin-
cipled and courageous man in how he
handles his opportunity here as a Con-
gressman.
Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman
from Georgia (Mr. C
LYDE
).
Mr. CLYDE. Mr. Speaker, I thank my
friend, Congresswoman M
ARY
M
ILLER
,
for hosting this Special Order and for
being a leader in defending religious
freedom.
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CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSEH2312 April 11, 2024
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor
and celebration of Faith Month. During
Faith Month, we rejoice in God’s gift of
salvation, thank our Lord and Savior
for his many blessings, and celebrate
the everlasting power of prayer and His
Word.
As is said in Matthew 5:16, ‘‘Let your
light shine before others that they may
see your good deeds and glorify your
Father in Heaven.’’
The Bible calls on us to proudly dem-
onstrate our faith and boldly champion
our Christian beliefs. As a believer, I
am thankful for this opportunity to
celebrate our faith and our precious
freedoms, especially at such a time as
this when it is critical for Americans
to be grounded in faith.
Our country is hurting, and Ameri-
cans are crying out for strong, effective
leadership. It is becoming harder to
achieve the American Dream. Commu-
nities are being overwhelmed by vio-
lent crime, dangerous drugs, and illegal
aliens. Our unalienable rights are being
chipped away by the very people re-
sponsible for safeguarding our Con-
stitution.
We need more leaders here in Wash-
ington who are rooted in faith, who put
their trust in the Lord, and who use
His Word as a guiding light through
these challenges.
Our Founders not only knew the im-
portance of Christianity in society but
proudly acknowledged and gave def-
erence to our creator in the foundation
and core principles of our Nation. They
correctly declared that our liberties
are not granted by the government but
by our Almighty God. This includes
our most fundamental freedoms out-
lined in the First Amendment, which
preserves our unalienable right to reli-
gious liberty.
By safeguarding religious freedom
and drawing the Lord into our govern-
ment, our Founding Fathers were en-
suring unity and prosperity for genera-
tions to come. As George Washington
asserted in his farewell address: ‘‘Of all
the dispositions and habits which lead
to political prosperity, religion and
morality are indispensable supports.’’
I pray that we don’t lose sight of
those supports, especially as we work
to save our country and protect our
freedoms.
Let us proudly join together to re-
joice in and lead with our faith. May
others come to know the salvation that
only comes through faith in Jesus
Christ.
Let us continue finding strength and
wisdom in God’s Word, and let us pre-
serve and maintain our Founders’ reli-
gious principles. A government whose
foundation is built on God and His
Word is a government that will have
peace, prosperity, and liberty.
Mrs. MILLER of Illinois. Mr. Speak-
er, the freedom to share our faith is
not something we should take lightly.
To preserve that right, we need to exer-
cise it.
Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman
from Georgia (Mr. A
LLEN
), my friend,
and I thank him for always taking op-
portunities to share his faith.
Mr. ALLEN. Mr. Speaker, I thank
Congresswoman M
ILLER
for giving me
this opportunity and for hosting to-
night’s Special Order recognizing this
week as Faith Week. I am deeply hon-
ored to stand here tonight to express
my personal faith and all that God’s
Word has meant to me in my life.
As I reflect on the timeless teachings
of the Bible, I am reminded of the di-
vine wisdom of Exodus. In those sacred
passages, God established laws and gov-
ernance to uphold justice and right-
eousness.
I am looking right now at the full
face of Moses, who led with unwavering
faith and divine guidance, looking
down on this body. So too must we en-
sure that our actions align with the
purpose of restraining evil and pro-
moting good in our society.
Above the flag is ‘‘In God We Trust.’’
That means we are without excuse in
this body.
During times of such division and un-
certainty, the words of Mark 3:24 reso-
nate deeply within me, reminding us
that a kingdom divided against itself
cannot stand.
It is through our collective faith and
drawing near to the Word of God that
we find the path to unity, truth, and
freedom.
Joshua 1:8 speaks to the power of
Scripture in guiding our actions and
decisions. In fact, God’s instructions to
Joshua in Joshua 1:8 is one of the
greatest promises in the Bible. He says
do not let this book of law depart from
your lips. Be careful to do what it says.
Meditate on it night and day, and you
will be prosperous and successful.
As we meditate upon God’s Word, we
are promised prosperity and success.
Like Abraham, whose faith was cred-
ited to him as righteousness, we must
trust in God’s promises and live obedi-
ently by His Word.
Our lead House ministry is reading
through the ‘‘Change Your Life’’ study
Bible. Easter was especially meaning-
ful this year, as I was reading on that
particular day about the trans-
figuration of Jesus in Luke 9:28–36.
Now, you have to understand there
were three witnesses here in this pas-
sage, which I would like to share with
you. Jesus took Peter, John, and
James with him and went up onto the
mountain to pray.
b 1900
He was praying, and while he was
praying, the appearance of his face
changed, and his clothes became as
bright as a flash of lightning.
Two men, Moses and Elijah, appeared
in glorious splendor talking with
Jesus. They spoke about his departure,
which was about to be brought to ful-
fillment at Jerusalem. Peter and his
companions were very sleepy, but when
they became fully awake, they saw his
glory and the two men standing with
him, and they were afraid.
As the men were leaving, Peter said
to Jesus: ‘‘Master, it is good for us to
be here. Let us put up three shelters,
one for You, one for Moses, and one for
Elijah.’’
As he was speaking, a cloud appeared
and covered them, and they were afraid
as they entered the cloud. A voice
came from the cloud saying: ‘‘This is
my Son, whom I have chosen. Listen to
Him.’’
‘‘Listen to Him.’’
Jesus also said in Luke: ‘‘If you love
me, you will obey my commands.’’
During this special week, let us seek
God’s blessing and protection as we
navigate through the complexities of
government and acknowledge his sov-
ereignty over all things. During this
special week, we are aware of so many
things that profoundly impact our
faith. One is hope guiding us through
life’s trials and triumphs, and it unites
us in a bond stronger than earthly ties.
I hope those watching will join me in
reaffirming our commitment to wor-
ship the Lord and to draw strength and
inspiration from His Word.
What was so meaningful at Easter
was that here we had three eye-
witnesses of the transfiguration of
Jesus Christ.
In 2018, Billy Graham was laid in
honor in our Capitol. I have read many
of his inaugural prayers as a reminder,
and every week for the past 16 years, it
has resonated with me. This prayer was
given in 1969. It is as if Billy Graham
was predicting the future.
He said:
Our Father and our God, Thou hast said:
‘‘Blessed is that nation whose God is the
Lord.’’
We recognize on this historic occasion that
we are ‘‘a nation under God.’’ We thank Thee
for this torch of faith handed to us by our
forefathers. May we never let it be extin-
guished. Thou alone hast given us our pros-
perity, our freedom, and our power. This
faith in God is our heritage and our founda-
tion.
Thou hast warned us in the Scriptures: ‘‘If
the foundations be destroyed, what can the
righteous do?’’
As George Washington reminded us in his
farewell address, morality and faith are the
pillars of our society. We confess these pil-
lars are being eroded in an increasingly ma-
terialistic and permissive society.
The whole world is watching to see if the
faith of our fathers will stand the trials and
tests of this hour. Too long we have ne-
glected Thy Word and ignored Thy laws.
Mr. Speaker, does that sound famil-
iar today?
Too long we have tried to solve our prob-
lems without reference to Thee. Too often we
have tried to live by bread alone. We have
sown to the wind and are now reaping a
whirlwind of crime, division, and rebellion.
And now with the wages of our sins staring
us in the face, we remember Thy Words: ‘‘If
my people who are called by my name will
humble themselves and pray and seek my
face and turn from their wicked ways, then
I will hear from Heaven and will forgive
their sin and heal their land.’’
Mr. Speaker, I also served as the
chairman of the Congressional Prayer
Caucus. One thing that is important to
highlight is that prayer has played a
vital role in strengthening the fabric of
our society and the bond in this Cham-
ber. The Congressional Prayer Caucus
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CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H2313 April 11, 2024
is a bipartisan congressional Member
caucus consisting of Members from
across the country who meet at first
votes every week and who believe in
the power of prayer.
Mr. Speaker, you can go to my
website, Allen.House.gov, and submit
your prayer requests, and members of
the prayer caucus will lift you up in
prayer.
May God bless each of us abundantly
during this Faith Week as we seek to
help others understand the faith that
we share and that we hold so dearly.
Mr. Speaker, as we walk in his faith
and righteousness, we are grateful.
May God’s grace be upon you and the
peace of Jesus be with you.
Mrs. MILLER of Illinois. Mr. Speak-
er, I thank Mr. A
LLEN
for his words. I
can give testimony that he is very
faithful to share the prayer requests of
other Members, and we pray over them.
Mr. Speaker, may I ask how much
time is remaining.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gen-
tlewoman has 8 minutes remaining.
Mrs. MILLER of Illinois. Mr. Speak-
er, it is hard to constrain ourselves
when we are talking about our faith
and the impact that the faith of many
Americans who have gone before us
have had on our country and the world.
We know that faith without works is
dead, and when you consider, Mr.
Speaker, just the amount of mission-
aries that have been sent from our
country into the world, it is very pro-
found. It is something to really cele-
brate tonight.
Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman
from Florida (Mr. W
EBSTER
). It is a
real privilege to meet regularly with
Mr. W
EBSTER
and another group to
pray for our country on a weekly basis.
Mr. WEBSTER of Florida. Mr. Speak-
er, I am grateful for the opportunity to
talk about an important subject.
This is a simple word, faith. Faith is
defined in the Scriptures as the sub-
stance of things hoped for, the evidence
of things not seen, for by it the elders
obtained a good report.
So faith has substance. It is evidence.
It is touchable. It is tangible. It is not
just something in the air, although it
is a simple word.
Where does faith come from? Faith
comes by hearing, hearing by the Word
of God. It comes from the Bible. That
is where we get faith from. We hear it,
read it, study it, understand it, and
then practice it. By doing so, our faith
grows.
It is important to note, though, we
can’t please God without faith. A lot of
people want to please God in all kinds
of ways, but the Scripture says that it
is impossible to please Him—impos-
sible—without faith.
So without faith, it is impossible to
please Him, for he who cometh to God
must believe that he is and that He is
a rewarder of them who diligently seek
Him.
Then, also, though, with all that, it
adds up to really a simple life, a life
that takes a simple word, turns it into
a real faith, believes it, and lives it
out.
The Scripture says: ‘‘Thou hast held
me by my right hand.’’ That is when we
find that first initial faith, faith in
Christ, faith that He is our Lord, faith
that He is our Savior, and faith that He
is the God He said He is.
Not only does He take me by the
right hand, but Thou shalt guide me
with Thy counsel. Where is his coun-
sel? It is in the Bible, so we study the
Bible. We know it, and we live a life.
Eventually, that life comes to an end.
The Scripture says: Then Thou shalt
take me to glory. That is Heaven. It is
a simple life. God holds us by our hand.
He leads us by his counsel, and after-
ward, He takes us to glory, to Heaven.
What a great thing.
It is a simple word. It is a simple life.
It is a simple faith.
Mrs. MILLER of Illinois. Mr. Speak-
er, I yield to the gentleman from Vir-
ginia (Mr. G
OOD
).
Mr. GOOD of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I
thank Congresswoman M
ILLER
for
hosting this important initiative to-
night.
After ratifying the Constitution in
1789, the Founders had the wisdom to
compose and pass the Bill of Rights in
1791 to further protect Americans from
a potentially oppressive Federal Gov-
ernment. They believed that we needed
to codify into law, in fact, into the
highest law of the land, the enumera-
tion of certain rights, God-given rights,
for which it was the specific responsi-
bility of the Federal Government to en-
sure and to protect.
The Bill of Rights did not begin with
the right to free speech, to a free press,
to assemble, to petition our govern-
ment, to keep and bear arms, or even
the right to be free from unreasonable
searches and seizures. No. The first en-
shrined protected right was the free-
dom of religion, the free exercise there-
of, and the freedom from a govern-
ment-established religion.
Founders understood that the most
important, most precious, and most
fundamental right is the right to freely
believe or not to believe, to worship or
not to worship, and to exercise or prac-
tice our faith or not to do so.
Throughout human history and
across every corner of the globe, man-
kind has exercised the God-created
yearning to reconcile with his creator.
Mankind has wrestled with the purpose
of life and the question of the afterlife.
Sadly and unfortunately, those ques-
tions cannot be asked freely and those
rights cannot be practiced freely in
many parts of the world today.
Be that as it may, we are so blessed
to live in a country where we still have
that freedom today, and it is critical
that we endeavor to ensure that unob-
structed freedom endures for those who
come behind us.
The good news is that those ques-
tions about the purpose of life and the
reality of an eternal afterlife have been
answered in the Bible: God’s inspired,
inerrant, and infallible written Word.
The Bible is the good news of Jesus
Christ, the death and resurrection of
the Savior, the Son of God, the Savior
of the world.
2,000 years after his sacrificial death
on the cross, which is an undisputed
historical fact, this son of a carpenter
remains the most prominent figure in
human history.
How did someone who had no formal
education, never traveled more than a
few miles from his home, never held
any kind of public office, had no mate-
rial wealth, and was executed at the
young age of 33, how did he literally
change the world, with billions of fol-
lowers ever since, including around the
world today? This, despite many efforts
to prohibit the distribution of the Bible
and the free exercise of the Christian
faith around the globe and throughout
history.
The answer is that He was and is the
Son of God and the Savior of the world.
That is why his disciples, his inner cir-
cle of chosen followers who witnessed
his crucifixion, died in testimony of
having also witnessed his resurrection.
They gave everything to spread the
gospel, the good news of their Savior,
Jesus Christ, so that others might
know the salvation they had experi-
enced.
I am eternally grateful that others
shared that faith with me, as when I
was a young child of 9 years old, I sur-
rendered my life to Jesus Christ, my
Lord and Savior. It is my Christian
faith that shapes every area of my life.
It is my purpose, my joy, my peace,
and my confidence in my eternal des-
tination.
Mr. Speaker, I thank Congresswoman
M
ILLER
, again, for hosting this Special
Order recognizing the importance of
our faith.
b 1915
Mrs. MILLER of Illinois. Mr. Speak-
er, I yield to the gentleman from Wis-
consin (Mr. G
ROTHMAN
).
Mr. GROTHMAN. Mr. Speaker, I
thank the gentlewoman for yielding.
Mr. Speaker, as has been said earlier
tonight, John Adams said: ‘‘Our Con-
stitution was made only for a moral
and religious people. It is wholly inad-
equate to the government of any
other.’’
We are right now in danger in this
country. We know that the government
cannot establish a religion, but we live
in a time in which our government is
outright hostile to religion in general
and to Christianity in particular.
We live under a welfare state in
which we are openly hostile or cer-
tainly financially hostile to a tradi-
tional family.
During the 1960s, Kate Millett, a fa-
mous feminist, said that one of her
goals is to destroy the American fam-
ily, and the feminists had a lot of influ-
ence in the 1960s.
We have Black Lives Matter desiring
to destroy the so-called western nu-
clear family, and countless Members of
Congress stand with people like that.
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CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSEH2314 April 11, 2024
The Marxists, of course—and many
people are apparently following Marx—
were hostile to the family.
We live in a time in which our sex
education class is partly paid for by
the Federal Government. When the
Governor of Florida tries to delay
these classes with graphic sex edu-
cation until a person is 10 years old and
that should have been 17 or 18 anyway,
he is under attack.
We have the FBI monitoring Chris-
tian or religious parents who object to
this anti-Christianity.
We are using our material wealth to
lean on other countries around the
world—Hungary, in particular, African
countries, hostile to the practice of re-
ligion in those countries.
It is important that Congress, in par-
ticular, and Americans, in general,
stand up and protect the Christian val-
ues and religious values that our coun-
try was founded under and stand up
and prevent our current government
from the hostility—not just neutrality;
hostility—to the moral and religious
people that our country was founded to
protect.
Mrs. MILLER of Illinois. I thank my
friends and colleagues for participating
in this year’s Special Order on Faith
Month.
None of us knows what tomorrow
holds, but we can rest assured that our
sovereign God is watching over our Na-
tion.
America has endured nearly 250
years, and I believe the secret to our
greatness has been our faith in God.
Through vicious wars, economic
hardships, and conflicts that threaten
to rip us apart, God has graciously pre-
served the United States of America as
a shining city on a hill.
As 2 Chronicles 7:14 says: ‘‘If my peo-
ple, who are called by my name, will
humble themselves and pray and seek
my face and turn from their wicked
ways, then I will hear from Heaven,
and I will forgive their sin and heal
their land.’’
If we truly humble ourselves, pray,
repent, and turn from our sins, I be-
lieve that God will hear our prayers,
forgive us, and heal our deeply divided
land. We are never beyond the reach of
His grace.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance
of my time.
f
HOUSE BILLS APPROVED BY THE
PRESIDENT
The President notified the Clerk of
the House that on the following dates
he had approved and signed bills of the
following titles:
January 19, 2024:
H.R. 2872. An Act making further con-
tinuing appropriations for the fiscal year
ending September 30, 2024, and for other pur-
poses.
February 9, 2024:
H.R. 1568. An Act to amend the Tariff Act
of 1930 to protect personally identifiable in-
formation, and for other purposes.
March 1, 2024:
H.R. 7463. An Act making further con-
tinuing appropriations for fiscal year 2024,
and for other purposes. (thru March 8, 2024
and March 22, 2024)
March 8, 2024:
H.R. 7454. An Act to amend title 49, United
States Code, to extend authorizations for the
airport improvement program, to amend the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to extend the
funding and expenditure authority of the
Airport and Airway Trust Fund, and for
other purposes.
March 9, 2024:
H.R. 4366. An Act making appropriations
for military construction, the Department of
Veterans Affairs, and related agencies for
the fiscal year ending September 30, 2024, and
for other purposes.
f
SENATE BILLS APPROVED BY THE
PRESIDENT
The President notified the Clerk of
the House that on the following dates
he had approved and signed bills of the
Senate of the following titles.
January 26, 2024:
S. 3222. An Act to ensure the security of of-
fice space rented by Senators, and for other
purposes.
S. 3250. An Act to provide remote access to
court proceedings for victims of the 1988
Bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 over
Lockerbie, Scotland.
February 6, 2024:
S. 3427. An Act to extend the authority to
provide employees of the United States Se-
cret Service with overtime pay beyond other
statutory limitations, and for other pur-
poses.
March 18, 2024:
S. 206. An Act to require the Commissioner
of U.S. Customs and Border Protection to
regularly review and update policies and
manuals related to inspections at ports of
entry.
S. 1858. An Act to amend the Robert T.
Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency As-
sistance Act to establish a deadline for ap-
plying for disaster unemployment assist-
ance.
f
ADJOURNMENT
Mrs. MILLER of Illinois. Mr. Speak-
er, I move that the House do now ad-
journ.
The motion was agreed to; accord-
ingly (at 7 o’clock and 16 minutes
p.m.), under its previous order, the
House adjourned until tomorrow, Fri-
day, April 12, 2024, at 8 a.m.
f
EXECUTIVE COMMUNICATIONS,
ETC.
Under clause 2 of rule XIV, executive
communications were taken from the
Speaker’s table and referred as follows:
EC–3771. A letter from the Chief, Legisla-
tive and Regulatory Staff, OBPA, FCIC/
RMA, Department of Agriculture, transmit-
ting the Department’s final rule — Area Risk
Protection Insurance Regulations; Common
Crop Insurance Policy Basic Provisions; and
Common Crop Insurance Regulations, Coarse
Grains Crop Insurance Provisions [Docket
ID: FCIC-20-0005] (RIN: 0563-AC69) received
April 9, 2024, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A);
Public Law 104-121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868); to
the Committee on Agriculture.
EC–3772. A letter from the Chief, Legisla-
tive and Regulatory Staff, OBPA, FCIC/
RMA, Department of Agriculture, transmit-
ting the Department’s final rule — Area Risk
Protection Insurance Regulations; Common
Crop Insurance Policy Basic Provisions;
Common Crop Insurance Regulations, Sun-
flower Seed Crop Insurance Provisions; and
Common Crop Insurance Regulations, Dry
Pea Crop Insurance Provisions [Docket ID:
FCIC-20-0008] (RIN: 0563-AC70) received April
9, 2024, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Pub-
lic Law 104-121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868); to the
Committee on Agriculture.
EC–3773. A letter from the Chief, Legisla-
tive and Regulatory Staff, OBPA, FCIC/
RMA, Department of Agriculture, transmit-
ting the Department’s final rule — Northern
Potato Crop Insurance--Quality Endorse-
ment; Northern Potato Crop Insurance--
Processing Quality Endorsement; Potato
Crop Insurance--Certified Seed Endorsement;
and Northern Potato Crop Insurance--Stor-
age Coverage Endorsement [Docket ID:
FCIC-21-0001] (RIN: 0563-AC71) received April
9, 2024, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Pub-
lic Law 104-121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868); to the
Committee on Agriculture.
EC–3774. A letter from the Chief, Legisla-
tive and Regulatory Staff, OBPA, FCIC/
RMA, Department of Agriculture, transmit-
ting the Department’s final rule — Common
Crop Insurance Regulations; Dry Pea Crop
Insurance Provisions and Dry Beans Crop In-
surance Provisions [Docket ID: FCIC-21-0004]
(RIN: 0563-AC72) received April 9, 2024, pursu-
ant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104-
121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868); to the Committee
on Agriculture.
EC–3775. A letter from the Chief, Legisla-
tive and Regulatory Staff, OBPA, FCIC/
RMA, Department of Agriculture, transmit-
ting the Department’s final rule — Common
Crop Insurance Regulations; Small Grains
Crop Insurance Provisions [Docket ID: FCIC-
21-0002] (RIN: 0563-AC73) received April 9,
2024, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public
Law 104-121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868); to the
Committee on Agriculture.
EC–3776. A letter from the Chief, Legisla-
tive and Regulatory Staff, OBPA, FCIC/
RMA, Department of Agriculture, transmit-
ting the Department’s final rule — Area Risk
Protection Insurance Regulations and Com-
mon Crop Insurance Policy Basic Provisions
[Docket ID: FCIC-21-0005] (RIN: 0563-AC74) re-
ceived April 9, 2024, pursuant to 5 U.S.C.
801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104-121, Sec. 251; (110
Stat. 868); to the Committee on Agriculture.
EC–3777. A letter from the Chief, Legisla-
tive and Regulatory Staff, OBPA, FCIC/
RMA, Department of Agriculture, transmit-
ting the Department’s final rule — General
Administrative Regulations, Administrative
Remedies for Non-Compliance; Area Risk
Protection Insurance Regulations; Common
Crop Insurance Policy, Basic Provisions;
Common Crop Insurance Regulations, Sun-
flower Seed Crop Insurance Provisions; Com-
mon Crop Insurance Regulations, Coarse
Grains Crop Insurance Provisions; and Com-
mon Crop Insurance Regulations, Dry Bean
Crop Insurance Provisions [Docket ID: FCIC-
21-0008] (RIN: 0563-AC76) received April 9,
2024, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public
Law 104-121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868); to the
Committee on Agriculture.
EC–3778. A letter from the Chief, Legisla-
tive and Regulatory Staff, OBPA, FCIC/
RMA, Department of Agriculture, transmit-
ting the Department’s Major final rule —
Pandemic Cover Crop Program [Docket ID:
FCIC-22-0001] (RIN: 0563-AC77) received April
9, 2024, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Pub-
lic Law 104-121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868); to the
Committee on Agriculture.
EC–3779. A letter from the Chief, Legisla-
tive and Regulatory Staff, OBPA, FCIC/
RMA, Department of Agriculture, transmit-
ting the Department’s final rule — Crop In-
surance Reporting and Other Changes
(CIROC) [Docket ID: FCIC-22-0004] (RIN: 0563-
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CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H2315 April 11, 2024
AC79) received April 9, 2024, pursuant to 5
U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104-121, Sec.
251; (110 Stat. 868); to the Committee on Ag-
riculture.
EC–3780. A letter from the Chief, Legisla-
tive and Regulatory Staff, OBPA, FCIC/
RMA, Department of Agriculture, transmit-
ting the Department’s final rule — Walnut
Crop Insurance Provisions [Docket ID: FCIC-
22-0007] (RIN: 0563-AC80) received April 9,
2024, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public
Law 104-121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868); to the
Committee on Agriculture.
EC–3781. A letter from the Chief, Legisla-
tive and Regulatory Staff, OBPA, FCIC/
RMA, Department of Agriculture, transmit-
ting the Department’s final rule — Increas-
ing Crop Insurance Flexibility for Sugar
Beets [Docket ID: FCIC-22-0009] (RIN: 0563-
AC81) received April 9, 2024, pursuant to 5
U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104-121, Sec.
251; (110 Stat. 868); to the Committee on Ag-
riculture.
EC–3782. A letter from the Chief, Legisla-
tive and Regulatory Staff, OBPA, FCIC/
RMA, Department of Agriculture, transmit-
ting the Department’s final rule — Small
Grains and Processing Sweet Corn Crop In-
surance Improvements [Docket ID: FCIC-22-
0008] (RIN: 0563-AC82) received April 9, 2024,
pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law
104-121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868); to the Com-
mittee on Agriculture.
EC–3783. A letter from the Chief, Legisla-
tive and Regulatory Staff, OBPA, FCIC/
RMA, Department of Agriculture, transmit-
ting the Department’s final rule — Common
Crop Insurance Regulations; Canola and
Rapeseed Crop Insurance Provisions [Docket
ID: FCIC-19-0007] (RIN: 0563-AC66) received
April 9, 2024, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A);
Public Law 104-121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868); to
the Committee on Agriculture.
EC–3784. A letter from the Chief, Legisla-
tive and Regulatory Staff, FCIC/RMA, De-
partment of Agriculture, transmitting the
Department’s final rule — Common Crop In-
surance Regulations; Forage Seeding Crop
Insurance Provisions [Docket ID: FCIC-20-
0003] (RIN: 0563-AC67) received April 9, 2024,
pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law
104-121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868); to the Com-
mittee on Agriculture.
EC–3785. A letter from the Chief, Legisla-
tive and Regulatory Staff, FCIC/RMA, De-
partment of Agriculture, transmitting the
Department’s final rule — Common Crop In-
surance Regulations; Dry Pea Crop Insur-
ance Provisions [Docket ID: FCIC-20-0004]
(RIN: 0563-AC68) received April 9, 2024, pursu-
ant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104-
121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868); to the Committee
on Agriculture.
EC–3786. A letter from the Chief of Staff,
Media Bureau, Federal Communications
Commission, transmitting the Commission’s
final rule — All-In Pricing for Cable and Sat-
ellite Television Service [MB Docket No.: 23-
203] received April 8, 2024, pursuant to 5
U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104-121, Sec.
251; (110 Stat. 868); to the Committee on En-
ergy and Commerce.
EC–3787. A letter from the Program Ana-
lyst, Space Bureau, Office of the Managing
Director, Federal Communications Commis-
sion, transmitting the Commission’s final
rule — Amendment of Parts 2 and 25 of the
Commission’s Rules to Enable GSO Fixed-
Satellite Service (Space-to-Earth) Oper-
ations in the 17.3-17.8 GHz Band, to Mod-
ernize Certain Rules Applicable to 17/24 GHz
BSS Space Stations, and to Establish Off-
Axis Uplink Power Limits for Extended Ka-
Band FSS Operations [ID Docket No.: 20-330]
et al received April 8, 2024, pursuant to 5
U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104-121, Sec.
251; (110 Stat. 868); to the Committee on En-
ergy and Commerce.
EC–3788. A letter from the Deputy Director
of Congressional Affairs, Bureau of Industry
and Security, Department of Commerce,
transmitting the Department’s final rule —
Additions of Entities, Revisions of Entries,
and Removal of an Entity from the Entity
List [Docket No.: 240215-0049] (RIN: 0694-
AJ53) received April 8, 2024, pursuant to 5
U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104-121, Sec.
251; (110 Stat. 868); to the Committee on For-
eign Affairs.
EC–3789. A letter from the Director, Office
of Acquisition Policy, Office of Government-
wide Policy, General Services Administra-
tion, transmitting the Administration’s final
rule — Federal Acquisition Regulation: Es-
tablishing Federal Acquisition Regulation
Part 40 [FAC: 2024-04; FAR Case 2022-010,
Docket No.: FAR-2022-0010, Sequence No.: 1]
(RIN: 9000-AO47) received April 8, 2024, pursu-
ant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104-
121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868); to the Committee
on Oversight and Accountability.
EC–3790. A letter from the Director, Office
of Acquisition Policy, Office of Government-
wide Policy, General Services Administra-
tion, transmitting the Administration’s
Small Entity Compliance Guide — Federal
Acquisition Regulation; Federal Acquisition
Circular 2024-04 [Docket No.: FAR-2024-0051,
Sequence No.: 2] received April 8, 2024, pursu-
ant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104-
121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868); to the Committee
on Oversight and Accountability.
EC–3791. A letter from the Director, Office
of Acquisition Policy, Office of Government-
wide Policy, General Services Administra-
tion, transmitting the Administration’s
summary presentation of a final rule — Fed-
eral Acquisition Regulation; Federal Acqui-
sition Circular 2024-04; Introduction [Docket
No.: FAR 2024-0051; Sequence No.: 2] received
April 8, 2024, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A);
Public Law 104-121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868); to
the Committee on Oversight and Account-
ability.
EC–3792. A letter from the Chairman, Of-
fice of Proceedings, Surface Transportation
Board, transmitting the Board’s final rule —
Civil Monetary Penalties--2024 Adjustment
[Docket No.: EP 716 (Sub-No.: 9)] received
April 8, 2024, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A);
Public Law 104-121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868); to
the Committee on the Judiciary.
EC–3793. A letter from the Chief, Publica-
tions and Regulations Section, Internal Rev-
enue Service, transmitting the Service’s IRB
only rule — Announcement and Report Con-
cerning Advance Pricing Agreements (An-
nouncement 2024-16) received April 8, 2024,
pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law
104-121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868); to the Com-
mittee on Ways and Means.
EC–3794. A letter from the Chief, Publica-
tions and Regulations Section, Internal Rev-
enue Service, transmitting the Service’s IRB
only rule — Low-Income Communities Bonus
Credit Program for 2024 (Rev. Proc. 2024-19)
received April 8, 2024, pursuant to 5 U.S.C.
801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104-121, Sec. 251; (110
Stat. 868); to the Committee on Ways and
Means.
EC–3795. A letter from the Director, Regu-
lations and Disclosure Law, U.S. Customs
and Border Protection, Department of Home-
land Security, transmitting the Depart-
ment’s final rule — Extension of Import Re-
strictions Imposed on Archaeological and
Ecclesiastical Ethnological Material from
Honduras (RIN: 1515-AE86) received April 8,
2024, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public
Law 104-121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868); to the
Committee on Ways and Means.
f
PUBLIC BILLS AND RESOLUTIONS
Under clause 2 of rule XII, public
bills and resolutions of the following
titles were introduced and severally re-
ferred, as follows:
By Mr. ALFORD (for himself, Mrs.
H
ARSHBARGER
, Mr. B
URLISON
, Mr.
R
OSENDALE
, and Mr. D
UNCAN
):
H.R. 7937. A bill to terminate the authori-
ties of certain entities of the Federal Gov-
ernment, and for other purposes; to the Com-
mittee on Oversight and Accountability.
By Mr. BENTZ:
H.R. 7938. A bill to amend the Klamath
Basin Water Supply Enhancement Act of 2000
to provide the Secretary of the Interior with
certain authorities with respect to projects
affecting the Klamath Basin watershed, and
for other purposes; to the Committee on Nat-
ural Resources.
By Mr. CAREY (for himself and Mr.
D
AVIS
of Illinois):
H.R. 7939. A bill to amend title XVIII of the
Social Security Act to improve Medicare
beneficiary access to new medical tech-
nologies that improve health care quality
and outcomes by ensuring that breakthrough
devices are eligible for conditional approval
under the Medicare New Technology Add-On
Payment (NTAP) Program, enabling these
medical breakthroughs to be provided to
Medicare beneficiaries without unnecessary
delay; to the Committee on Ways and Means,
and in addition to the Committee on Energy
and Commerce, for a period to be subse-
quently determined by the Speaker, in each
case for consideration of such provisions as
fall within the jurisdiction of the committee
concerned.
By Mr. CARTWRIGHT (for himself,
Mrs. D
INGELL
, Mr. C
LEAVER
, Mr. G
RI
-
JALVA
, Mr. H
UFFMAN
, Ms. J
AYAPAL
,
Mr. N
ADLER
, Mrs. N
APOLITANO
, Ms.
N
ORTON
, Ms. O
CASIO
-C
ORTEZ
, Ms.
T
LAIB
, and Ms. L
EE
of Pennsylvania):
H.R. 7940. A bill to amend the Surface Min-
ing Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 to
protect taxpayers from liability associated
with the reclamation of surface coal mining
operations, and for other purposes; to the
Committee on Natural Resources.
By Mr. CARTWRIGHT (for himself, Mr.
D
ELUZIO
, Mr. G
RIJALVA
, Mr.
H
UFFMAN
, Ms. L
EE
of Pennsylvania,
and Ms. T
LAIB
):
H.R. 7941. A bill to amend the Surface Min-
ing Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 to
establish additional considerations with re-
gard to the adequacy of permit performance
bonds, and for other purposes; to the Com-
mittee on Natural Resources.
By Mr. CASTRO of Texas (for himself
and Mr. G
ALLAGHER
):
H.R. 7942. A bill to establish the Open
Translation Center, and for other purposes;
to the Committee on Foreign Affairs.
By Mr. CASTRO of Texas (for himself
and Mr. F
ITZPATRICK
):
H.R. 7943. A bill to amend title 5, United
States Code, to provide law enforcement au-
thority to the Inspector General of the
United States International Development Fi-
nance Corporation; to the Committee on
Oversight and Accountability.
By Mr. CURTIS (for himself and Ms.
P
EREZ
):
H.R. 7944. A bill to exempt certain entities
from liability under the Comprehensive En-
vironmental Response, Compensation, and
Liability Act of 1980 with respect to releases
of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl sub-
stances, and for other purposes; to the Com-
mittee on Energy and Commerce, and in ad-
dition to the Committee on Transportation
and Infrastructure, for a period to be subse-
quently determined by the Speaker, in each
case for consideration of such provisions as
fall within the jurisdiction of the committee
concerned.
By Mr. D’ESPOSITO (for himself, Mr.
L
AWLER
, Mr. F
LEISCHMANN
, and Ms.
T
ENNEY
):
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CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSEH2316 April 11, 2024
H.R. 7945. A bill to provide a definition of
antisemitism for the enforcement of covered
civil rights laws; to the Committee on the
Judiciary, and in addition to the Committees
on Oversight and Accountability, and Edu-
cation and the Workforce, for a period to be
subsequently determined by the Speaker, in
each case for consideration of such provi-
sions as fall within the jurisdiction of the
committee concerned.
By Mrs. DINGELL (for herself, Ms.
B
ROWNLEY
, Ms. P
INGREE
, Mr. P
A
-
NETTA
, Ms. N
ORTON
, Mr. M
ORELLE
,
Mr. H
UFFMAN
, Mr. B
LUMENAUER
, Ms.
C
ASTOR
of Florida, and Ms.
P
RESSLEY
):
H.R. 7946. A bill to require the Adminis-
trator of the National Oceanic and Atmos-
pheric Administration to establish a Climate
Change Education Program, and for other
purposes; to the Committee on Energy and
Commerce, and in addition to the Committee
on Education and the Workforce, for a period
to be subsequently determined by the Speak-
er, in each case for consideration of such pro-
visions as fall within the jurisdiction of the
committee concerned.
By Mr. FITZGERALD (for himself, Mr.
M
OONEY
, and Mr. B
IGGS
):
H.R. 7947. A bill to protect State and Fed-
eral courts’ primary and inherent authority
to regulate and oversee the legal profession
by prohibiting Federal agencies from regu-
lating licensed attorneys and law firms en-
gaged in litigation activities, prohibiting op-
posing parties in legal actions from bringing
private rights of action against such attor-
neys and law firms for their litigation activi-
ties, and for other purposes; to the Com-
mittee on the Judiciary, and in addition to
the Committee on Financial Services, for a
period to be subsequently determined by the
Speaker, in each case for consideration of
such provisions as fall within the jurisdic-
tion of the committee concerned.
By Mr. FOSTER (for himself, Ms. N
OR
-
TON
, Ms. D
EAN
of Pennsylvania, Mr.
J
OHNSON
of Georgia, Ms. B
ONAMICI
,
Mr. M
C
G
OVERN
, and Mrs. B
EATTY
):
H.R. 7948. A bill to include reasonable costs
for high-speed internet service in the utility
allowances for families residing in public
housing, and for other purposes; to the Com-
mittee on Financial Services.
By Ms. GARCIA of Texas (for herself
and Mr. M
OORE
of Alabama):
H.R. 7949. A bill to combat the sexual ex-
ploitation of children by supporting victims
and promoting accountability and trans-
parency by the tech industry; to the Com-
mittee on the Judiciary, and in addition to
the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for
a period to be subsequently determined by
the Speaker, in each case for consideration
of such provisions as fall within the jurisdic-
tion of the committee concerned.
By Mr. GOOD of Virginia (for himself,
Mrs. M
ILLER
of Illinois, Mr. O
GLES
,
Mr. M
OORE
of Alabama, and Mr. H
IG
-
GINS
of Louisiana):
H.R. 7950. A bill to impose certain require-
ments relating to the renegotiation or re-
entry into the Joint Comprehensive Plan of
Action or other agreement relating to Iran’s
nuclear program, and for other purposes; to
the Committee on Foreign Affairs.
By Mr. GREEN of Tennessee (for him-
self, Mr. M
C
C
AUL
, Mr. G
UEST
, Mr.
H
IGGINS
of Louisiana, Mr. B
ISHOP
of
North Carolina, Mr. C
RANE
, Mr.
E
LLZEY
, Mr. S
TRONG
, Mr. D’E
SPOSITO
,
Mr. L
UTTRELL
, Mr. O
GLES
, Mr.
O
WENS
, Mr. N
EHLS
, Mr. G
OOD
of Vir-
ginia, Mr. T
IFFANY
, Mr. P
OSEY
, Mr.
C
RENSHAW
, Mr. W
EBER
of Texas, Mr.
D
UNCAN
, Mr. R
ESCHENTHALER
, Mr.
V
AN
D
REW
, Mr. P
ERRY
, Mr. R
OSE
, and
Mr. C
RAWFORD
):
H.R. 7951. A bill to prohibit transportation
of any alien using certain methods of identi-
fication, and for other purposes; to the Com-
mittee on Transportation and Infrastruc-
ture, and in addition to the Committee on
Homeland Security, for a period to be subse-
quently determined by the Speaker, in each
case for consideration of such provisions as
fall within the jurisdiction of the committee
concerned.
By Mr. JACKSON of North Carolina
(for himself and Mr. N
UNN
of Iowa):
H.R. 7952. A bill to amend title 10, United
States Code, to extend parental leave to
members of the Coast Guard Reserve; to the
Committee on Armed Services.
By Mrs. KIGGANS of Virginia (for her-
self, Mr. K
IM
of New Jersey, Mr.
W
ITTMAN
, Mr. T
URNER
, Mr. G
IMENEZ
,
and Mr. K
ELLY
of Mississippi):
H.R. 7953. A bill to amend title 10, United
States Code, to allow members of the Se-
lected Reserve and National Guard holding
employment within the federal government
the choice between military and civilian
healthcare plans, and for other purposes; to
the Committee on Armed Services.
By Mr. LUETKEMEYER (for himself
and Mr. T
ORRES
of New York):
H.R. 7954. A bill to amend the Financial
Stability Act of 2010 to establish an Advisory
Committee on Economic Fallout From Chi-
nese Military Aggression Towards Taiwan,
and for other purposes; to the Committee on
Financial Services.
By Mrs. LUNA (for herself and Mrs.
M
ILLER
of Illinois):
H.R. 7955. A bill to increase penalties for
child pornography; to the Committee on the
Judiciary.
By Mrs. LUNA (for herself, Mr. T
IF
-
FANY
, and Mrs. M
ILLER
of Illinois):
H.R. 7956. A bill to require mandatory
minimums for sexual abuse; to the Com-
mittee on the Judiciary.
By Mrs. LUNA (for herself and Mrs.
M
ILLER
of Illinois):
H.R. 7957. A bill to increase penalties for
crimes against children; to the Committee
on the Judiciary.
By Ms. MACE (for herself, Mr.
M
OSKOWITZ
, Mr. N
EHLS
, Ms. K
APTUR
,
Ms. M
ALLIOTAKIS
, Ms. T
ITUS
, Mr.
C
ARTER
of Georgia, Ms. N
ORTON
, and
Mr. S
TEUBE
):
H.R. 7958. A bill to amend the Public
Health Service Act to prohibit the Director
of the National Institutes of Health from
conducting or funding research that causes
significant pain or distress to a dog or cat,
and for other purposes; to the Committee on
Energy and Commerce.
By Mr. MEUSER (for himself, Mr. D
UN
-
CAN
, Mr. R
ESCHENTHALER
, Ms.
M
ALLIOTAKIS
, Mrs. M
ILLER
-M
EEKS
,
and Mr. C
RENSHAW
):
H.R. 7959. A bill to amend the Immigration
and Nationality with respect to inadmis-
sibility and deportability related to squat-
ting; to the Committee on the Judiciary.
By Mr. MEUSER:
H.R. 7960. A bill to amend the National
Voter Registration Act of 1993 to provide for
enhanced penalties for the transmission of
fraudulent ballots in elections for Federal of-
fice through the use of post offices, author-
ized depositories of mail matter, or ballot
drop boxes, to direct the Attorney General to
establish a system for receiving reports of
incidents of the transmission of such fraudu-
lent ballots through such methods, and for
other purposes; to the Committee on House
Administration, and in addition to the Com-
mittee on the Judiciary, for a period to be
subsequently determined by the Speaker, in
each case for consideration of such provi-
sions as fall within the jurisdiction of the
committee concerned.
By Mr. MFUME (for himself, Mr.
H
OYER
, Mr. R
UPPERSBERGER
, Mr.
S
ARBANES
, Mr. H
ARRIS
, Mr. R
ASKIN
,
Mr. T
RONE
, and Mr. I
VEY
):
H.R. 7961. A bill to authorize a higher Fed-
eral share for emergency relief funds for the
reconstruction of the Francis Scott Key
Bridge located in Baltimore City and Balti-
more and Anne Arundel Counties, Maryland,
that collapsed on March 26, 2024, and for
other purposes; to the Committee on Trans-
portation and Infrastructure.
By Mrs. MILLER of West Virginia (for
herself, Mr. P
ANETTA
, Mr. S
MITH
of
Nebraska, Mr. B
EYER
, Mr. L
A
H
OOD
,
and Mr. B
ERA
):
H.R. 7962. A bill to advance United States
long-term trade competitiveness and eco-
nomic leadership in the Indo-Pacific region;
to the Committee on Ways and Means.
By Mr. NUNN of Iowa (for himself and
Mr. C
UELLAR
):
H.R. 7963. A bill to amend title 31, United
States Code, to require FinCEN to submit to
Congress a quarterly report on certain bene-
ficial ownership data; to the Committee on
Financial Services.
By Mr. OGLES (for himself, Mr.
S
TEUBE
, Mr. R
OSENDALE
, Mr. T
IF
-
FANY
, Mr. D
UNCAN
, Mr. P
ERRY
, Mr.
N
ORMAN
, and Mrs. S
PARTZ
):
H.R. 7964. A bill to prohibit the use of Fed-
eral funds to establish, implement, or en-
force any COVID-19 mask mandate; to the
Committee on Energy and Commerce.
By Ms. PETTERSEN (for herself and
Mr. M
C
H
ENRY
):
H.R. 7965. A bill to include requirements
relating to ransomware attack deterrence
for a covered U.S. financial institution in the
Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, and
for other purposes; to the Committee on Fi-
nancial Services.
By Ms. SHERRILL (for herself, Mr.
B
ACON
, Mr. L
ARSEN
of Washington,
Mr. R
YAN
, Mr. P
ASCRELL
, Ms.
S
TEFANIK
, Mr. D
AVIS
of North Caro-
lina, Mr. G
OTTHEIMER
, Ms. T
OKUDA
,
Mr. C
OHEN
, Mr. K
EAN
of New Jersey,
Ms. G
ARCIA
of Texas, and Mr.
M
OLINARO
):
H.R. 7966. A bill to amend title 10, United
States Code, to require the verification of
the financial independence of financial serv-
ices counselors providing services to mem-
bers of the Armed Forces, and for other pur-
poses; to the Committee on Armed Services.
By Mr. SMUCKER:
H.R. 7967. A bill to amend the Trade Act of
1974 to modify provisions relating to with-
drawal, suspension, or limitation of country
designation under the Generalized System of
Preferences; to the Committee on Ways and
Means.
By Mr. SORENSEN (for himself, Mrs.
M
ILLER
-M
EEKS
, Mr. A
LLRED
, and Mrs.
K
IGGANS
of Virginia):
H.R. 7968. A bill to amend the Public Works
and Economic Development Act of 1965 to
provide for the establishment of a Critical
Supply Chain Site Development grant pro-
gram, and for other purposes; to the Com-
mittee on Transportation and Infrastruc-
ture, and in addition to the Committee on
Financial Services, for a period to be subse-
quently determined by the Speaker, in each
case for consideration of such provisions as
fall within the jurisdiction of the committee
concerned.
By Ms. TENNEY:
H.R. 7969. A bill to amend title 18, United
States Code, to provide that the period dur-
ing which a former Member of Congress is
prohibited from lobbying shall begin upon
the expiration of the term for which the
Member was elected; to the Committee on
the Judiciary.
By Ms. WILLIAMS of Georgia (for her-
self and Ms. P
ORTER
):
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CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H2317 April 11, 2024
H.R. 7970. A bill to require direct-to-con-
sumer advertisements for prescription drugs
and biological products to include truthful
and not misleading pricing information; to
the Committee on Energy and Commerce,
and in addition to the Committee on Ways
and Means, for a period to be subsequently
determined by the Speaker, in each case for
consideration of such provisions as fall with-
in the jurisdiction of the committee con-
cerned.
By Mr. ARRINGTON (for himself, Mr.
P
FLUGER
, Mr. M
ANN
, Mr. C
OLLINS
,
Mr. R
OY
, Mrs. M
ILLER
of Illinois, Mr.
G
OODEN
of Texas, Mr. L
AMBORN
, Mr.
M
OOLENAAR
, Ms. B
OEBERT
, Mr.
R
OUZER
, Mr. O
GLES
, Mr. I
SSA
, Mr.
A
RMSTRONG
, Mr. H
UDSON
, and Mr.
W
EBER
of Texas):
H.J. Res. 128. A joint resolution providing
for congressional disapproval under chapter 8
of title 5, United States Code, of the rule
submitted by the Environmental Protection
Agency relating to ‘‘Standards of Perform-
ance for New, Reconstructed, and Modified
Sources and Emissions Guidelines for Exist-
ing Sources: Oil and Natural Gas Sector Cli-
mate Review’’; to the Committee on Energy
and Commerce.
By Ms. STEFANIK:
H. Res. 1133. A resolution electing Members
to certain standing committees of the House
of Representatives; considered and agreed to.
By Ms. STEVENS:
H. Res. 1134. A resolution expressing sup-
port for the designation of April 11, 2024, as
‘‘Remanufacturing Day’’; to the Committee
on Oversight and Accountability.
By Mr. TAKANO (for himself, Ms.
B
ALINT
, Ms. B
ONAMICI
, Mr. D
AVIS
of
Illinois, Ms. G
ARCIA
of Texas, Mr.
G
OTTHEIMER
, Ms. M
C
C
OLLUM
, Mr.
M
C
G
OVERN
, Mr. M
OULTON
, Mr. N
AD
-
LER
, Ms. N
ORTON
, Mr. P
OCAN
, Ms. S
A
-
LINAS
, Ms. S
A
´
NCHEZ
, Ms. T
LAIB
, Mr.
T
ORRES
of New York, Mrs. W
ATSON
C
OLEMAN
, and Ms. W
ILLIAMS
of Geor-
gia):
H. Res. 1135. A resolution supporting the
goals and ideals of the Rise Up for LGBTQI+
Youth in Schools Initiative, a call to action
to communities across the country to de-
mand equal educational opportunity, basic
civil rights protections, and freedom from
erasure for all students, particularly
LGBTQI+ young people, in K-12 schools; to
the Committee on Education and the Work-
force.
By Ms. WEXTON (for herself, Mrs.
K
IGGANS
of Virginia, Mr. B
ILIRAKIS
,
Mr. J
OHNSON
of Georgia, Mr. T
ONKO
,
Mrs. D
INGELL
, Ms. N
ORTON
, Mr.
C
LEAVER
, Ms. W
ILD
, Mr. F
ITZPATRICK
,
Mr. T
HOMPSON
of Mississippi, Ms.
B
ARRAGA
´
N
, Ms. M
C
C
LELLAN
, Ms. S
TE
-
VENS
, Mr. B
EYER
, Mr. T
RONE
, Mr.
B
ACON
, and Mr. L
AWLER
):
H. Res. 1136. A resolution expressing sup-
port for designation of the month of April
2024 as ‘‘Parkinson’s Awareness Month’’; to
the Committee on Energy and Commerce.
f
MEMORIALS
Under clause 3 of rule XII,
ML-99. The SPEAKER presented a memo-
rial of the General Assembly of the State of
New Jersey, relative to Assembly Resolution
No. 117, urging the Congress of the United
States to permanently fund the Affordable
Connectivity Program; which was referred to
the Committee on Energy and Commerce.
f
CONSTITUTIONAL AUTHORITY AND
SINGLE SUBJECT STATEMENTS
Pursuant to clause 7(c)(1) of rule XII
and Section 3(c) of H. Res. 5 the fol-
lowing statements are submitted re-
garding (1) the specific powers granted
to Congress in the Constitution to
enact the accompanying bill or joint
resolution and (2) the single subject of
the bill or joint resolution.
By Mr. ALFORD:
H.R. 7937.
Congress has the power to enact this legis-
lation pursuant to the following:
Article I Sec. 1: All legislative Powers
herein granted shall be vested in a Congress
of the United States, which shall consist of a
Senate and House of Representatives.
The single subject of this legislation is:
Eliminates DEI offices across the federal
government
By Mr. BENTZ:
H.R. 7938.
Congress has the power to enact this legis-
lation pursuant to the following:
Article I, Section 8
The single subject of this legislation is:
This bill amends the Klamath Basin Water
Supply Enhancement Act of 2000 to provide
the Secretary of the Interior with certain
authorities with respect to projects affecting
the Klamath Basin watershed, and for other
purposes
By Mr. CAREY:
H.R. 7939.
Congress has the power to enact this legis-
lation pursuant to the following:
Article I Section 8
The single subject of this legislation is:
To amend title XVIII of the Social Secu-
rity Act to improve Medicare beneficiary ac-
cess to new medical technologies that im-
prove health care quality and outcomes by
ensuring that breakthrough devices are eli-
gible for conditional approval under the
Medicare New Technology Add-On Payment
(NTAP) Program, enabling these medical
breakthroughs to be provided to Medicare
beneficiaries without unnecessary delay.
By Mr. CARTWRIGHT:
H.R. 7940.
Congress has the power to enact this legis-
lation pursuant to the following:
Article I, Section 8, Clause 3 (relating to
the power of Congress to regulate Commerce
with foreign Nations, and among the several
States, and with the Indian Tribes.)
The single subject of this legislation is:
The Coal Cleanup Taxpayer Protection Act
of 2024 would eliminate mining companies’
self-bonding practices, require each state to
submit an actuarial study proving a pro-
posed bond pool will be financially sound
over the next five years and perform a subse-
quent study every five years thereafter, and
would require the disclosure of any appraisal
or valuation of real property or equipment
used for bonding purposes and clarifying that
bonding collateral that is not cash, letters of
credit, certificates of deposit, or treasury
bonds must be re-valued at least every three
years.
By Mr. CARTWRIGHT:
H.R. 7941.
Congress has the power to enact this legis-
lation pursuant to the following:
Article I, Section 8, Clause 3 (relating to
the power of Congress to regulate Commerce
with foreign Nations, and among the several
States, and with the Indian Tribes.)
The single subject of this legislation is:
The Bond Improvement and Reclamation
Assurance Act requires regulatory authori-
ties to recalculate coal mining bonds at per-
mit renewal and transfer, or when cir-
cumstances change that would impact the
cost of a mine’s reclamation.
By Mr. CASTRO of Texas:
H.R. 7942.
Congress has the power to enact this legis-
lation pursuant to the following:
Constitutional Authority—Necessary and
Proper Clause (Art. I, Sec. 8, Clause 18)
THE U.S. CONSTITUTION ARTICLE I,
SECTION 8: POWERS OF CONGRESS
CLAUSE 18 The Congress shall have power
. . . To make all laws which shall be nec-
essary and proper for
The single subject of this legislation is:
Foreign Affairs and National Security
By Mr. CASTRO of Texas:
H.R. 7943.
Congress has the power to enact this legis-
lation pursuant to the following:
Constitutional Authority—Necessary and
Proper Clause (Art. I, Sec. 8, Clause 18)
THE U.S. CONSTITUTION ARTICLE I,
SECTION 8: POWERS OF CONGRESS
CLAUSE 18 The Congress shall have power
. . . To make all laws which shall be nec-
essary and proper for
The single subject of this legislation is:
Foreign Affairs and International Develop-
ment
By Mr. CURTIS:
H.R. 7944.
Congress has the power to enact this legis-
lation pursuant to the following:
Article 1, Section 8
The single subject of this legislation is:
To exempt certain entities from liability
under the Comprehensive Environmental Re-
sponse, Compensation, and Liability Act of
1980 with respect to releases of
perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl, and for
other purposes.
By Mr. D’ESPOSITO:
H.R. 7945.
Congress has the power to enact this legis-
lation pursuant to the following:
Article I, section 8, clause 18 of the U.S.
Constitution
The single subject of this legislation is:
To provide a definition of antisemitism for
the enforcement of covered civil rights laws.
By Mrs. DINGELL:
H.R. 7946.
Congress has the power to enact this legis-
lation pursuant to the following:
The Constitutional authority of Congress
to enact legislation provided by Article 1,
Section 8 of the United States Constitution.
The single subject of this legislation is:
Environment
By Mr. FITZGERALD:
H.R. 7947.
Congress has the power to enact this legis-
lation pursuant to the following:
clause 18 of section 8 of article I of the
Constitution.
The single subject of this legislation is:
Prohibits Federal agencies from regulating
licensed attorneys engaged in litigation ac-
tivities.
By Mr. FOSTER:
H.R. 7948.
Congress has the power to enact this legis-
lation pursuant to the following:
This bill is enacted pursuant to the power
granted to Congress under Article I, Section
8, Clauses 1 and 18 of the United States Con-
stitution.
The single subject of this legislation is:
Adds an allowance for broadband internet
to the utility allowance provided to families
with children in HUD housing programs.
By Ms. GARCIA of Texas:
H.R. 7949.
Congress has the power to enact this legis-
lation pursuant to the following:
This bill is enacted pursuant to the power
granted to Congress under Article I, Section
8.
The single subject of this legislation is:
Crime and Law Enforcement
By Mr. GOOD of Virginia:
H.R. 7950.
Congress has the power to enact this legis-
lation pursuant to the following:
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CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSEH2318 April 11, 2024
Article 1 Section 8
The single subject of this legislation is:
To prevent a nuclear agreement with Iran.
By Mr. GREEN of Tennessee
H.R. 7951.
Congress has the power to enact this legis-
lation pursuant to the following:
Article 1, Section 8
The single subject of this legislation is:
Prohibits illegal aliens from using certain
methods of unreliable identification when
boarding commercial flights.
By Mr. JACKSON of North Carolina:
H.R. 7952.
Congress has the power to enact this legis-
lation pursuant to the following:
Article 1, Section 8
The single subject of this legislation is:
This bill amends title 10, United States
Code, to extend parental leave to members of
the Coast Guard Reserve.
By Mrs. KIGGANS of Virginia:
H.R. 7953.
Congress has the power to enact this legis-
lation pursuant to the following:
Article I, Section 8
The single subject of this legislation is:
This legislation only pertains to: oversight
of the Department of Defense
By Mr. LUETKEMEYER:
H.R. 7954.
Congress has the power to enact this legis-
lation pursuant to the following:
Article 1, Section 8
The single subject of this legislation is:
To amend the Financial Stability Act of
2010 to establish an Advisory Committee on
Economic Fallout from Chinese Military Ag-
gression Towards Taiwan, and for other pur-
poses.
By Mrs. LUNA:
H.R. 7955.
Congress has the power to enact this legis-
lation pursuant to the following:
Article I, Section 8, Clause 18
The single subject of this legislation is:
This bill increases penalties for child por-
nography.
By Mrs. LUNA:
H.R. 7956.
Congress has the power to enact this legis-
lation pursuant to the following:
Article I, Section 8, Clause 18
The single subject of this legislation is:
This bill requires mandatory minimums
for sexual abuse.
By Mrs. LUNA:
H.R. 7957.
Congress has the power to enact this legis-
lation pursuant to the following:
Article I, Section 8, Clause 18
The single subject of this legislation is:
This bill increases penalties for crimes
against children.
By Ms. MACE:
H.R. 7958.
Congress has the power to enact this legis-
lation pursuant to the following:
Article 1, Section 8 of the Constitution.
The single subject of this legislation is:
To prohibit the Director of the National
Institutes of Health from conducting or
funding research that causes significant pain
or distress to a dog or cat.
By Mr. MEUSER:
H.R. 7959.
Congress has the power to enact this legis-
lation pursuant to the following:
Article I, Section 8 of the United States
Constitution.
The single subject of this legislation is:
Make an illegal alien deportable and inad-
missible to the United States upon admis-
sion or conviction of trespassing.
By Mr. MEUSER:
H.R. 7960.
Congress has the power to enact this legis-
lation pursuant to the following:
Article 1, Section 8 of the Constitution of
the United States
The single subject of this legislation is:
Election Integrity
By Mr. MFUME:
H.R. 7961.
Congress has the power to enact this legis-
lation pursuant to the following:
Congress has the power to enact this legis-
lation pursuant to Article I, Section 8,
Clause 1 and Article I, Section 8, Clause 3
The single subject of this legislation is:
To respond to the Baltimore Francis Scott
Key Bridge collapse
By Mrs. MILLER of West Virginia:
H.R. 7962.
Congress has the power to enact this legis-
lation pursuant to the following:
Article 1, Section 8
The single subject of this legislation is:
trade
By Mr. NUNN of Iowa:
H.R. 7963.
Congress has the power to enact this legis-
lation pursuant to the following:
Article 1, Section 8 of the United States
Constitution
To make all Laws which shall be necessary
and proper for carrying into Execution the
foregoing Powers, and all other Powers vest-
ed by this Constitution in the Government of
the United States, or in any Department or
Officer thereof.
The single subject of this legislation is:
To amend title 31, United States Code, to
require FinCEN to submit to Congress a
quarterly report on certain beneficial owner-
ship data
By Mr. OGLES:
H.R. 7964.
Congress has the power to enact this legis-
lation pursuant to the following:
Article I, Section VIII of the United States
Constitution.
The single subject of this legislation is:
Prohibits federal funds be used to estab-
lish, implement, or enforce any COVID–19
mask mandate.
By Ms. PETTERSEN:
H.R. 7965.
Congress has the power to enact this legis-
lation pursuant to the following:
Article I; Section 8
The single subject of this legislation is:
Ransomware
By Ms. SHERRILL:
H.R. 7966.
Congress has the power to enact this legis-
lation pursuant to the following:
Clause 16 of section 8 of article I of the
U.S. Constitution
The single subject of this legislation is;
This legislation would require the DoD to
develop a verification process for financial
counselor annual disclosures to validate that
those individuals are ‘free of conflict’ and
fully poised to provide the best, impartial
services to servicemembers and their fami-
lies.
By Mr. SMUCKER:
H.R. 7967.
Congress has the power to enact this legis-
lation pursuant to the following:
Article 1, Section 8, Clause 18 of the U.S.
Constitution
The single subject of this legislation is:
Amends the Trade Act of 1974 to encourage
the President to consider additional factors
when determining the withdrawal, suspen-
sion, or limitation of country designation
under the Generalized System of Pref-
erences.
By Mr. SORENSEN:
H.R. 7968.
Congress has the power to enact this legis-
lation pursuant to the following:
Article 1, Section 8 of the United States
Constitution.
The single subject of this legislation is:
To amend the Public Works and Economic
Development Act of 1965 to provide for the
establishment of a Critical Supply Chain
Site Development grant program, and for
other purposes.
By Ms. TENNEY:
H.R. 7969.
Congress has the power to enact this legis-
lation pursuant to the following:
Article I, Section 8
The single subject of this legislation is:
This bill changes the lobbying ban for Con-
gress from beginning when the elected or ap-
pointed term ends, rather than when they
leave Congress.
By Ms. WILLIAMS of Georgia:
H.R. 7970.
Congress has the power to enact this legis-
lation pursuant to the following:
Article I, section 8, clause 18
The single subject of this legislation is:
This bill requires the Centers for Medicare
& Medicaid Services to issue a rule requiring
direct-to-consumer television advertise-
ments for prescription drugs that are cov-
ered by Medicare or Medicaid to include a
textual statement of the drug’s list price.
By Mr. ARRINGTON:
H.J. Res. 128.
Congress has the power to enact this legis-
lation pursuant to the following:
Section 8 of Article I of the U.S. Constitu-
tion
The single subject of this legislation is:
Congressional disapproval of the Environ-
mental Protection Agency’s ‘‘Standards of
Performance for New, Reconstructed, and
Modified Sources and Emissions Guidelines
for Existing Sources: Oil and Natural Gas
Sector Climate Review’’ rule.
f
ADDITIONAL SPONSORS
Under clause 7 of rule XII, sponsors
were added to public bills and resolu-
tions, as follows:
H.R. 16: Ms. E
SHOO
, Mr. P
HILLIPS
, Mr.
R
ASKIN
, Ms. S
CHRIER
, Mr. J
ACKSON
of Illinois,
Mr. S
COTT
of Virginia, Mr. B
OYLE
of Pennsyl-
vania, and Mr. M
EEKS
.
H.R. 253: Ms. V
ELA
´
ZQUEZ
.
H.R. 667: Mr. G
ARAMENDI
.
H.R. 704: Mr. F
OSTER
.
H.R. 798: Mr. P
ASCRELL
.
H.R. 807: Mr. L
ANDSMAN
and Mr. M
ORAN
.
H.R. 830: Mrs. H
AYES
.
H.R. 926: Mr. L
ANDSMAN
.
H.R. 936: Mrs. M
ILLER
of Illinois.
H.R. 1015: Mr. V
ICENTE
G
ONZALEZ
of Texas,
Mr. M
OYLAN
, Mr. C
AREY
, and Mr. Q
UIGLEY
.
H.R. 1083: Mr. D
AVIS
of Illinois, Mr. M
RVAN
,
Mr. J
ACKSON
of Illinois, Ms. M
C
C
LELLAN
, Ms.
P
LASKETT
, and Mr. J
OHNSON
of Georgia.
H.R. 1088: Mrs. G
ONZA
´
LEZ
-C
OLO
´
N
.
H.R. 1097: Ms. B
LUNT
R
OCHESTER
.
H.R. 1301: Ms. O
MAR
.
H.R. 1305: Mr. P
ETERS
.
H.R. 1342: Mr. C
ARBAJAL
.
H.R. 1382: Mr. M
ANN
.
H.R. 1424: Mr. P
APPAS
.
H.R. 1582: Mr. B
ANKS
.
H.R. 1668: Ms. B
ROWNLEY
and Mr. M
ORELLE
.
H.R. 1679: Mr. C
ARTWRIGHT
.
H.R. 1770: Mr. P
ASCRELL
.
H.R. 1806: Mr. M
ANN
.
H.R. 1826: Mr. P
ETERS
.
H.R. 1831: Mr. C
UELLAR
and Mr. G
OLDMAN
of New York.
H.R. 2394: Mr. N
ORCROSS
.
H.R. 2413: Ms. S
TRICKLAND
.
H.R. 2422: Ms. J
AYAPAL
.
H.R. 2463: Mr. C
OURTNEY
.
H.R. 2539: Mrs. N
APOLITANO
, Mr. L
ANDSMAN
,
and Ms. L
EE
of California.
H.R. 2584: Mr. L
ANDSMAN
.
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CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H2319 April 11, 2024
H.R. 2662: Mr. H
UDSON
and Mr. S
ESSIONS
.
H.R. 2708: Ms. B
ALINT
and Mr. V
ASQUEZ
.
H.R. 2711: Mr. D
AVIS
of North Carolina and
Ms. J
ACOBS
.
H.R. 2826: Mr. A
MODEI
and Mr. G
ROTHMAN
.
H.R. 2845: Mr. Y
AKYM
and Mr.
K
RISHNAMOORTHI
.
H.R. 2864: Mrs. H
INSON
and Mr. H
IGGINS
of
Louisiana.
H.R. 2870: Mr. L
ANDSMAN
and Mr.
G
ARAMENDI
.
H.R. 2871: Mr. L
ANDSMAN
.
H.R. 2874: Mr. L
ANDSMAN
.
H.R. 2899: Mr. K
RISHNAMOORTHI
.
H.R. 2954: Mr. D
ELUZIO
.
H.R. 3069: Mr. C
ASTEN
.
H.R. 3127: Ms. G
ARCIA
of Texas and Mr.
B
ENTZ
.
H.R. 3170: Mr. A
RMSTRONG
.
H.R. 3204: Mr. P
APPAS
.
H.R. 3206: Mrs. L
UNA
.
H.R. 3228: Mr. L
ANDSMAN
.
H.R. 3350: Mrs. H
AYES
and Ms. P
ETTERSEN
.
H.R. 3387: Mrs. H
AYES
.
H.R. 3413: Mrs. H
AYES
.
H.R. 3433: Ms. M
OORE
of Wisconsin and Mr.
N
ADLER
.
H.R. 3475: Ms. T
OKUDA
.
H.R. 3491: Mrs. H
AYES
, Mr. G
ARCI
´
A
of Illi-
nois, and Ms. L
EE
of California.
H.R. 3501: Mr. G
OTTHEIMER
.
H.R. 3545: Mr. H
UFFMAN
.
H.R. 3599: Mr. M
OSKOWITZ
.
H.R. 3600: Ms. L
EE
of California.
H.R. 3646: Mr. M
C
G
ARVEY
.
H.R. 3651: Mr. L
UTTRELL
and Mr.
L
ANDSMAN
.
H.R. 3721: Ms. M
ALLIOTAKIS
.
H.R. 3808: Mrs. H
AYES
.
H.R. 3876: Mr. T
RONE
and Mr. G
RIJALVA
.
H.R. 3882: Mr. V
EASEY
.
H.R. 3933: Mr. L
ANDSMAN
and Mr. M
RVAN
.
H.R. 4040: Mr. K
ILMER
and Mr. C
UELLAR
.
H.R. 4052: Mr. A
MO
.
H.R. 4125: Mr. S
TEIL
.
H.R. 4190: Ms. T
ITUS
.
H.R. 4221: Mr. L
ANDSMAN
.
H.R. 4261: Mr. P
ASCRELL
.
H.R. 4346: Mr. H
ILL
.
H.R. 4384: Mr. V
AN
D
REW
and Mr.
G
OTTHEIMER
.
H.R. 4455: Mrs. H
AYES
.
H.R. 4525: Mr. J
ACKSON
of Illinois.
H.R. 4721: Mr. N
ORMAN
.
H.R. 4963: Mrs. F
LETCHER
.
H.R. 4978: Mr. P
ASCRELL
.
H.R. 5003: Ms. S
A
´
NCHEZ
, Ms. M
C
C
LELLAN
,
Mrs. S
YKES
, Ms. B
UDZINSKI
, Mr. R
OBERT
G
AR
-
CIA
of California, Mrs. C
HERFILUS
-M
C
C
OR
-
MICK
, and Ms. S
CANLON
.
H.R. 5029: Mr. B
AIRD
.
H.R. 5030: Mr. S
ORENSEN
, Mr. C
ARBAJAL
,
Mr. M
OORE
of Utah, and Mr. M
IKE
G
ARCIA
of
California.
H.R. 5066: Ms. B
ARRAGA
´
N
.
H.R. 5099: Mr. M
ILLER
of Ohio.
H.R. 5131: Mrs. M
ILLER
of West Virginia
and Mr. M
OONEY
.
H.R. 5141: Ms. W
ATERS
.
H.R. 5159: Mr. L
YNCH
and Ms. N
ORTON
.
H.R. 5290: Mr. L
ANDSMAN
.
H.R. 5322: Ms. P
ETTERSEN
, Ms. L
EE
of Penn-
sylvania, and Mr. M
AGAZINER
.
H.R. 5477: Ms. N
ORTON
.
H.R. 5520: Ms. A
DAMS
.
H.R. 5526: Mr. W
EBER
of Texas.
H.R. 5530: Mr. L
ANDSMAN
.
H.R. 5568: Mr. C
LEAVER
.
H.R. 5572: Ms. B
ALINT
.
H.R. 5644: Mr. S
OTO
.
H.R. 5713: Mr. L
UTTRELL
.
H.R. 5770: Ms. T
ITUS
.
H.R. 5840: Mr. L
UTTRELL
and Mr. H
IGGINS
of
Louisiana.
H.R. 5967: Mr. D
UNN
of Florida.
H.R. 6020: Mr. P
ASCRELL
.
H.R. 6049: Mr. L
ANDSMAN
.
H.R. 6129: Mr. B
ABIN
.
H.R. 6159: Mr. Y
AKYM
.
H.R. 6171: Mr. L
YNCH
and Mr. P
ETERS
.
H.R. 6183: Mr. C
ORREA
.
H.R. 6201: Ms. L
EE
of Nevada, Ms.
S
TEFANIK
, Mr. N
ORCROSS
, Mr. G
OLDEN
of
Maine, and Mr. C
ALVERT
.
H.R. 6244: Ms. D
E
L
A
C
RUZ
.
H.R. 6271: Mr. L
ANDSMAN
.
H.R. 6319: Mr. K
IM
of New Jersey.
H.R. 6352: Mr. T
ONY
G
ONZALES
of Texas.
H.R. 6381: Mr. M
OSKOWITZ
.
H.R. 6415: Mr. T
HANEDAR
.
H.R. 6451: Mrs. H
AYES
.
H.R. 6457: Mr. G
OLDMAN
of New York.
H.R. 6538: Mr. L
ANDSMAN
.
H.R. 6720: Mr. P
ASCRELL
.
H.R. 6828: Mr. G
OTTHEIMER
and Mr. A
MO
.
H.R. 6841: Mr. D
UNN
of Florida and Mr.
D
AVIS
of North Carolina.
H.R. 6860: Ms. T
LAIB
.
H.R. 6950: Mr. T
RONE
.
H.R. 7035: Mr. D
UNN
of Florida.
H.R. 7056: Ms. M
C
C
OLLUM
and Ms. L
EE
of
Pennsylvania.
H.R. 7082: Mr. M
ORELLE
.
H.R. 7108: Ms. S
A
´
NCHEZ
, Ms. K
USTER
, and
Mr. T
ORRES
of New York.
H.R. 7109: Ms. T
ENNEY
, Mr. D’E
SPOSITO
, Mr.
L
OUDERMILK
, and Mr. B
ARR
.
H.R. 7203: Mr. L
A
L
OTA
, Mr. K
IM
of New Jer-
sey, and Mr. T
RONE
.
H.R. 7208: Mr. C
RENSHAW
.
H.R. 7216: Mr. B
UCHANAN
.
H.R. 7218: Mr. C
OLE
, Ms. H
OULAHAN
, Mr.
D
UARTE
, Mr. D
AVID
S
COTT
of Georgia, Mr.
B
ISHOP
of Georgia, Mr. P
ASCRELL
, Mr. J
ACK
-
SON
of Illinois, Mr. B
UCSHON
, Ms. S
TEFANIK
,
and Mr. D
UNCAN
.
H.R. 7222: Ms. D
E
L
A
C
RUZ
.
H.R. 7227: Mrs. C
HAVEZ
-D
E
R
EMER
.
H.R. 7234: Mr. K
ILMER
.
H.R. 7261: Mrs. H
AYES
.
H.R. 7297: Mr. G
OTTHEIMER
and Mr. S
UOZZI
.
H.R. 7374: Ms. G
RANGER
.
H.R. 7398: Mr. Y
AKYM
.
H.R. 7401: Mr. B
ILIRAKIS
and Mr.
T
HANEDAR
.
H.R. 7413: Mr. M
OSKOWITZ
.
H.R. 7450: Mr. P
OSEY
and Mr. G
REEN
of Ten-
nessee.
H.R. 7464: Mr. O
WENS
.
H.R. 7474: Ms. N
ORTON
.
H.R. 7478: Mrs. C
HAVEZ
-D
E
R
EMER
.
H.R. 7481: Mr. T
RONE
and Mrs. H
AYES
.
H.R. 7525: Ms. B
ROWNLEY
.
H.R. 7542: Ms. N
ORTON
.
H.R. 7623: Ms. R
OSS
.
H.R. 7629: Ms. M
ALLIOTAKIS
, Mr. P
ASCRELL
,
Mr. B
OYLE
of Pennsylvania, Ms. W
ASSERMAN
S
CHULTZ
, Ms. D
AVIDS
of Kansas, and Mr.
M
OLINARO
.
H.R. 7634: Ms. M
C
C
OLLUM
.
H.R. 7649: Mr. H
ARRIS
and Mr. L
UTTRELL
.
H.R. 7670: Mr. D
OGGETT
.
H.R. 7671: Mr. H
ARDER
of California and Mr.
R
ASKIN
.
H.R. 7680: Ms. B
ROWNLEY
.
H.R. 7688: Mr. C
ONNOLLY
, Ms. H
OULAHAN
,
Mr. J
ACKSON
of Illinois, Mr. P
ASCRELL
, and
Ms. S
ALINAS
.
H.R. 7698: Mr. P
HILLIPS
.
H.R. 7749: Mr. R
OBERT
G
ARCIA
of California.
H.R. 7779: Mr. O
WENS
and Mr. N
EGUSE
.
H.R. 7816: Ms. T
ENNEY
.
H.R. 7838: Mr. F
ITZPATRICK
.
H.R. 7845: Mr. H
ARRIS
.
H.R. 7849: Ms. L
OFGREN
.
H.R. 7859: Mr. F
ITZPATRICK
.
H.R. 7862: Mrs. H
AYES
.
H.R. 7866: Ms. S
TEFANIK
.
H.R. 7889: Ms. M
OORE
of Wisconsin.
H.R. 7892: Mr. J
ACKSON
of Illinois.
H.R. 7900: Mr. B
AIRD
.
H.R. 7907: Mr. S
MITH
of Washington.
H.R. 7909: Mr. H
ARRIS
.
H.R. 7921: Mr. V
AN
D
REW
, Mr. G
OTTHEIMER
,
Ms. W
ASSERMAN
S
CHULTZ
, Ms. L
OIS
F
RANKEL
of Florida, and Ms. S
ALAZAR
.
H.J. Res. 54: Mr. P
ALLONE
.
H.J. Res. 122: Mr. H
UIZENGA
, Mr. W
OMACK
,
Mr. W
EBER
of Texas, Mr. W
ILLIAMS
of Texas,
Mr. N
UNN
of Iowa, Mr. D
ONALDS
, Mr. F
ITZ
-
GERALD
, Mr. T
IMMONS
, Mr. M
EUSER
, Mr. H
ILL
,
Mr. S
MITH
of Nebraska, Mr. F
INSTAD
, and Mr.
L
OUDERMILK
.
H.J. Res. 126: Mr. M
EUSER
.
H. Res. 332: Mr. L
ANDSMAN
.
H. Res. 348: Mr. G
ARAMENDI
.
H. Res. 389: Ms. A
DAMS
and Ms. J
ACOBS
.
H. Res. 428: Ms. M
ALLIOTAKIS
.
H. Res. 616: Mr. A
LLRED
.
H. Res. 946: Mr. Y
AKYM
.
H. Res. 1063: Mr. Q
UIGLEY
and Mr.
F
ITZPATRICK
.
H. Res. 1086: Mr. D
ONALDS
.
H. Res. 1117: Mr. W
ILLIAMS
of Texas and
Mr. F
RY
.
H. Res. 1118: Mr. L
AWLER
, Mr. K
EAN
of New
Jersey, Mr. L
IEU
, Mr. M
OYLAN
, Mr. P
ALLONE
,
and Mr. M
OSKOWITZ
.
H. Res. 1121: Mr. F
ROST
.
f
DELETIONS OF SPONSORS FROM
PUBLIC BILLS AND RESOLUTIONS
Under clause 7 of rule XII, sponsors
were deleted from public bills and reso-
lutions, as follows:
H.R. 1139: Mr. B
URLISON
.
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Congressional Record
U
N
U
M
E
P
L
U
R
I
B
U
S
United States
of America
PROCEEDINGS AND DEBATES OF THE
118
th
CONGRESS, SECOND SESSION
∑ This ‘‘bullet’’ symbol identifies statements or insertions which are not spoken by a Member of the Senate on the floor.
.
S2715
Vol. 170 WASHINGTON, THURSDAY, APRIL 11, 2024 No. 62
Senate
(Legislative day of Wednesday, April 10, 2024)
The Senate met at 12:30 p.m. and was
called to order by the President pro
tempore (Mrs. M
URRAY
).
f
PRAYER
The Chaplain, Dr. Barry C. Black, of-
fered the following prayer:
Let us pray.
Eternal God, our powerful deliverer,
we trust in You for protection, for You
save us from those who shoot from the
shadows. You keep the faithful from
vanishing from our planet, providing a
refuge for the oppressed and a shelter
when gloating evil seems to have the
upper hand.
Today, use our lawmakers to help
bring unity to a divided Nation and
peace to a war-torn world. May our
Senators make their positive impact
by living blameless lives, speaking the
truth, keeping their promises, and hon-
oring You in their thoughts, words, and
deeds.
We pray in Your merciful Name.
Amen.
f
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The President pro tempore led the
Pledge of Allegiance, as follows:
I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the
United States of America, and to the Repub-
lic for which it stands, one nation under God,
indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
f
LEGISLATIVE SESSION
PROHIBITING THE USE OF FUNDS
TO IMPLEMENT, ADMINISTER,
OR ENFORCE CERTAIN RULES OF
THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTEC-
TION AGENCY—MOTION TO PRO-
CEED
The PRESIDENT pro tempore. The
clerk will report the pending business.
The senior assistant legislative clerk
read as follows:
Motion to proceed to Calendar No. 350, S.
4072, a bill to prohibit the use of funds to im-
plement, administer, or enforce certain rules
of the Environmental Protection Agency.
The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr.
K
ING
). The Senator from Maryland.
f
EXECUTIVE SESSION
EXECUTIVE CALENDAR—MOTION
TO PROCEED
Mr. CARDIN. I move to proceed to
executive session to consider Calendar
No. 478, and I ask for the yeas and
nays.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there a
sufficient second?
There appears to be a sufficient sec-
ond.
The clerk will call the roll.
The senior assistant legislative clerk
called the roll.
Mr. DURBIN. I announce that the
Senator from Hawaii (Ms. H
IRONO
), the
Senator from New Jersey (Mr. M
ENEN
-
DEZ
), and the Senator from Vermont
(Mr. S
ANDERS
) are necessarily absent.
Mr. THUNE. The following Senators
are necessarily absent: the Senator
from Alabama (Mrs. B
RITT
), the Sen-
ator from Texas (Mr. C
ORNYN
), the Sen-
ator from North Dakota (Mr. C
RAMER
),
and the Senator from Alaska (Ms. M
UR
-
KOWSKI
).
The result was announced—yeas 49,
nays 44, as follows:
[Rollcall Vote No. 123 Leg.]
YEAS—49
Baldwin
Bennet
Blumenthal
Booker
Brown
Butler
Cantwell
Cardin
Carper
Casey
Collins
Coons
Cortez Masto
Duckworth
Durbin
Fetterman
Gillibrand
Hassan
Heinrich
Hickenlooper
Kaine
Kelly
King
Klobuchar
Luja
´
n
Manchin
Markey
Merkley
Murphy
Murray
Ossoff
Padilla
Peters
Reed
Rosen
Schatz
Schumer
Shaheen
Sinema
Smith
Stabenow
Tester
Van Hollen
Warner
Warnock
Warren
Welch
Whitehouse
Wyden
NAYS—44
Barrasso
Blackburn
Boozman
Braun
Budd
Capito
Cassidy
Cotton
Crapo
Cruz
Daines
Ernst
Fischer
Graham
Grassley
Hagerty
Hawley
Hoeven
Hyde-Smith
Johnson
Kennedy
Lankford
Lee
Lummis
Marshall
McConnell
Moran
Mullin
Paul
Ricketts
Risch
Romney
Rounds
Rubio
Schmitt
Scott (FL)
Scott (SC)
Sullivan
Thune
Tillis
Tuberville
Vance
Wicker
Young
NOT VOTING—7
Britt
Cornyn
Cramer
Hirono
Menendez
Murkowski
Sanders
The motion was agreed to.
f
EXECUTIVE SESSION
EXECUTIVE CALENDAR
The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr.
P
ETERS
). The clerk will report the
nomination.
The legislative clerk read the nomi-
nation of Ramona Villagomez
Manglona, of the Northern Mariana Is-
lands, to be Judge for the District
Court for the Northern Mariana Islands
for a term of ten years. (Reappoint-
ment)
CLOTURE MOTION
Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, I send
a cloture motion to the desk.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clo-
ture motion having been presented
under rule XXII, the Chair directs the
clerk to read the motion.
The legislative clerk read as follows:
C
LOTURE
M
OTION
We, the undersigned Senators, in accord-
ance with the provisions of rule XXII of the
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CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATES2716 April 11, 2024
Standing Rules of the Senate, do hereby
move to bring to a close debate on the nomi-
nation of Executive Calendar No. 478, Ra-
mona Villagomez Manglona, of the Northern
Mariana Islands, to be Judge for the District
Court for the Northern Mariana Islands for a
term of ten years. (Reappointment)
Charles E. Schumer, Richard J. Durbin,
Brian Schatz, Mazie K. Hirono, Tina
Smith, Gary C. Peters, Amy Klo-
buchar, Raphael G. Warnock, Catherine
Cortez Masto, Alex Padilla, Mark R.
Warner, Tim Kaine, Sheldon White-
house, Martin Heinrich, Christopher A.
Coons, Margaret Wood Hassan, Peter
Welch.
f
CALLING FOR THE IMMEDIATE
RELEASE OF RYAN CORBETT
Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, as in
legislative session, I ask unanimous
consent the Senate proceed to the con-
sideration of S. Res. 638 submitted ear-
lier today.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without
objection, it is so ordered.
The clerk will report the resolution
by title.
The legislative clerk read as follows:
A resolution (S. Res. 638) calling for the
immediate release of Ryan Corbett, a United
States citizen who was wrongfully detained
by the Taliban on August 10, 2022, and con-
demning the wrongful detention of Ameri-
cans by the Taliban.
There being no objection, the Senate
proceeded to consider the resolution.
Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, I ask
unanimous consent the resolution be
agreed to, the preamble be agreed to,
and that the motions to reconsider be
considered made and laid upon the
table with no intervening action or de-
bate.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without
objection, it is so ordered.
The resolution (S. Res. 638), was
agreed to.
The preamble was agreed to.
(The resolution, with its preamble, is
printed in today’s R
ECORD
(Legislative
Day of April 10, 2024) under ‘‘Submitted
Resolutions.’’)
Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, today,
I am very proud that the Senate just
passed Leader M
C
C
ONNELL
’s and my
resolution calling for Ryan Corbett’s
immediate and unconditional release.
By passing this resolution today, the
Senate sends a resounding message
that it is time to bring Ryan home.
This weekend is Ryan’s birthday. We
are all thinking about him because it
has now been 609 days since Ryan, a
New York native, was unjustly de-
tained by the Taliban in Afghanistan
during a routine business trip.
I met with Ryan’s beautiful family
this week, and I told them the Senate
is standing with them and has their
back. I promised them that as long as
Ryan is held by the Taliban, I will
never stop fighting to bring him back
home and unite him with Anna, his
children, and his family as quickly as
possible.
Again, I thank Leader M
C
C
ONNELL
for joining me in this legislation.
EXECUTIVE CALENDAR—Continued
NATIONAL SECURITY
Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, on a
few other matters. This morning Prime
Minister Kishida Fumio became only
the second Japanese Prime Minister to
ever formally address a joint meeting
of the Congress.
The best way the House can heed
Prime Minister Kishida’s words is to
pass the national security supple-
mental as soon as possible, to approve
defense funding, not just for Ukraine,
but also for the Indo-Pacific.
If we want to protect against the Chi-
nese Communist Party endangering
Taiwan, the House should quit stalling
and pass the supplemental. If we want
to prevent handing Putin a victory in
Europe, the House should do the right
thing for democracy and pass the Sen-
ate’s aid package now.
GUN SAFETY
Mr. President, on another matter,
today is a big day for America for com-
monsense gun safety reform.
This morning, the Biden administra-
tion announced a rule expanding back-
ground checks and closing loopholes
for online sales at gun shows, a direct
result of the bipartisan gun safety law
passed 2 years ago.
This gun safety announcement has
been decades in coming. It is the first
significant expansion of background
checks since I led passage of the Brady
Bill way back in 1993. Today’s an-
nouncement expanding background
checks shows change is possible when
both sides work together, even if
progress is hard and halting. After all,
a few years ago, this announcement
would have been unimaginable.
Because Democrats and Republicans
both, together, cast aside the influence
of groups like the NRA and worked to-
gether, today’s announcement has been
made possible. The expansion of back-
ground checks will save lives. It will be
easier to prevent guns from falling into
the wrong hands. It will show parents,
kids, and teachers, and Americans ev-
erywhere impacted by gun violence
that Congress is listening.
We have a lot of work to do. But
today is a clear step in the right direc-
tion.
As all through the Brady law, today’s
announcement on background checks
is a proud moment and a galvanizing
one. We should build on these historic
bills passed in 2022 and cure our Nation
of the disease of gun violence.
FEDERAL JUDICIARY
Mr. President, finally, just a note.
Yesterday, I led a group of 40 Senators
introducing a bill that would curtail
judge shopping and restore fairness to
the judicial system. I will work with
my colleagues to enact this important
legislation.
We here in Congress have a duty to
hold the Federal judiciary accountable.
And when the Federal judiciary is
being exploited by dangerous practices
like judge shopping, it is both proper
and appropriate for Congress to exer-
cise oversight authority.
Some of my Republican colleagues
have suggested it is unconstitutional
for Congress to oversee its judicial
branch. That is ridiculous and avoids a
plain reading of the Constitution. Even
the Chief Justice of the Supreme
Court—hardly a liberal—agrees that
judge shopping is a problem and ought
to be addressed.
Congress has clear authority under
the Constitution to exercise oversight
of the courts. We will continue weigh-
ing legislative options to ensure the
Federal judiciary is committed to
equal justice under the law.
UNANIMOUS CONSENT AGREEMENT
Mr. President, I ask unanimous con-
sent that the cloture motion filed
today ripen at 5:30 p.m. on Monday,
April 15.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without
objection, it is so ordered.
f
MOTION TO RECESS
Mr. SCHUMER. I move to recess
until 3 p.m. on Monday, April 15, and I
ask for the yeas and nays.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there a
sufficient second?
There appears to be a sufficient sec-
ond.
The clerk will call the roll.
The legislative clerk called the roll.
Mr. SCHUMER. I announce that the
Senator from Illinois (Mr. D
URBIN
), the
Senator from New Jersey (Mr. M
ENEN
-
DEZ
), the Senator from Vermont (Mr.
S
ANDERS
), the Senator from Arizona
(Ms. S
INEMA
), and the Senator from
Michigan (Ms. S
TABENOW
), are nec-
essarily absent.
Mr. THUNE. The following Senators
are necessarily absent: the Senator
from Texas (Mr. C
ORNYN
), the Senator
from North Dakota (Mr. C
RAMER
), the
Senator from South Carolina (Mr. G
RA
-
HAM
), the Senator from Missouri (Mr.
H
AWLEY
), the Senator from Alaska (Ms.
M
URKOWSKI
), the Senator from Utah
(Mr. R
OMNEY
), and the Senator from
Alabama (Mr. T
UBERVILLE
).
The result was announced—yeas 48,
nays 40, as follows:
[Rollcall Vote No. 124 Ex.]
YEAS—48
Baldwin
Bennet
Blumenthal
Booker
Brown
Butler
Cantwell
Cardin
Carper
Casey
Collins
Coons
Cortez Masto
Duckworth
Fetterman
Gillibrand
Hassan
Heinrich
Hickenlooper
Hirono
Kaine
Kelly
King
Klobuchar
Luja
´
n
Manchin
Markey
Merkley
Murphy
Murray
Ossoff
Padilla
Paul
Peters
Reed
Rosen
Schatz
Schumer
Shaheen
Smith
Tester
Van Hollen
Warner
Warnock
Warren
Welch
Whitehouse
Wyden
NAYS—40
Barrasso
Blackburn
Boozman
Braun
Britt
Budd
Capito
Cassidy
Cotton
Crapo
Cruz
Daines
Ernst
Fischer
Grassley
Hagerty
Hoeven
Hyde-Smith
Johnson
Kennedy
Lankford
Lee
Lummis
Marshall
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CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S2717 April 11, 2024
McConnell
Moran
Mullin
Ricketts
Risch
Rounds
Rubio
Schmitt
Scott (FL)
Scott (SC)
Sullivan
Thune
Tillis
Vance
Wicker
Young
NOT VOTING—12
Cornyn
Cramer
Durbin
Graham
Hawley
Menendez
Murkowski
Romney
Sanders
Sinema
Stabenow
Tuberville
The motion was agreed to.
f
MORNING BUSINESS
NATIONAL SECURITY, ENERGY,
AND SHOP ACT
Mr. M
C
CONNELL. Madam President,
today, a joint session of Congress wel-
comed Japanese Prime Minister
Kishida to the Capitol.
The importance of the U.S.-Japan al-
liance is front-and-center at a critical
moment. As I said earlier this week,
Japan is an essential partner in the se-
curity of the Indo-Pacific.
But its leaders also understand the
global nature of the threats facing sov-
ereign states, free societies, and free
markets today. As the Prime Min-
ister’s office put it ahead of this week’s
visit, today’s security environment is,
‘‘as severe and complex as it has ever
been’’ and that ‘‘from the Japanese
viewpoint, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine
is not a faraway European question.’’
In other words, Japan understands
that the challenges we face can’t be
dealt with one at a time. Last year,
Japan approved the largest ever budget
for its own self-defense forces. And it is
in the process of acquiring nearly 150
fifth-generation F–35 fighters and in-
vesting in long-range counterstrike ca-
pabilities to enhance deterrence.
Meanwhile, Japan also provides sig-
nificant economic assistance to coun-
tries across Asia who may otherwise be
vulnerable to the PRC’s coercion or ag-
gression.
And at the same time, Japan was the
third largest financial contributor to
Ukraine last year.
Our ally is facing linked threats si-
multaneously. But Japan is not an
anomaly. Across the region, America’s
closest regional allies like Australia
and South Korea understand the PRC
poses the greatest long-term strategic
threat to a free and open Indo-Pacific.
But they also understand that what
happens in Europe or the Middle East
in the near-term matters an awful lot
to Asia.
To meet these growing security chal-
lenges, our Indo-Pacific allies are mak-
ing substantial commitments to grow
their defense budgets.
Similarly, as our European allies
grow increasingly concerned about the
PRC, their combined spending rose by
9.5 percent.
This is encouraging progress. But our
allies still look to America to lead.
And our own defense spending is not
keeping pace.
Four times, President Biden has sub-
mitted defense budget requests that
would have amounted to net cuts after
inflation. And even if Congress prevails
in passing an emergency national secu-
rity supplemental, a 1 percent growth
cap on next year’s spending will still
constrain our ability to meet growing
threats.
We have to be honest about the ur-
gent requirements of replenishing
stockpiles, expanding defense indus-
trial capacity, and modernizing our
forces.
Deterring linked threats isn’t a task
America has to face alone. But as we
encourage our allies to continue their
own modernization efforts, we have to
lead.
That means deepening technology co-
operation and trade with our most ad-
vanced allies—similar to what we have
promised to do with AUKUS, an agree-
ment that we must implement with ur-
gency and sincerity.
It also means reforming our sluggish,
bureaucratic foreign military sales
process to help more allies upgrade
their capabilities by buying modern
American equipment.
But most of all, maintaining our in-
fluence and advancing our global inter-
ests means taking our own national de-
fense responsibilities seriously.
Our fundamental constitutional obli-
gation is to provide for the common de-
fense. And it will fall to Congress in
the months ahead—as we consider the
NDAA and FY25 defense appropria-
tions—to make the investments that
sustained American leadership re-
quires.
Now, on another matter, yesterday’s
inflation report did little to help work-
ing Americans make sense of
Bidenomics. The 3.5 percent year-on-
year jump recorded last month puts cu-
mulative inflation since President
Biden took office at 19.4 percent. Gro-
cery prices are up 21.2 percent, gasoline
prices are up 47.8 percent, and rent
prices are up 20.4 percent.
And it is getting particularly dif-
ficult to keep the lights on. The latest
5 percent jump in electricity prices is
just the latest bad news for ratepayers
facing overall energy inflation of 38.8
percent since January 2021. And it is no
wonder why: Working families aren’t
just up against Democrats’ reckless in-
flationary spending. They are also fac-
ing the effects of the mountain of dev-
astating regulations rolled out under
President Biden’s activist climate
agenda.
He has ticked his way down a green
activist wishlist from canceling job-
creating pipeline infrastructure to
freezing LNG export permits to micro-
managing home appliances to imposing
debilitating emissions standards on
automakers and effectively requiring
that two of every three vehicles manu-
factured for America in 2032 be elec-
tric.
Honestly, it feels like the Biden ad-
ministration itself cares less about a
grand green future than about making
the entire country follow the consump-
tion habits of deep-blue California. And
that is particularly bad news.
As the administration races to con-
jure up a market for expensive electric
vehicles, growing evidence suggests
that its grand plans to leave the most
affordable and reliable forms of Amer-
ican energy behind are pushing electric
grids to a breaking point. And grid se-
curity experts are warning that ‘‘over-
ly rigid’’ environmental policies are
creating significant blackout risks
across the country.
Whether you call it Bidenomics or
the Green New Deal, Washington
Democrats are presenting working
Americans with some tough choices.
Here’s how one California retiree de-
scribed it: ‘‘Food has been a worry, but
now electricity is the worry. Unless
you want to go to candles and fire-
wood, we have no other choice but to
bite the bullet and pay.’’
Fortunately, the Senate will soon
have another opportunity to pull an
emergency brake on the administra-
tion’s runaway regulations: legislation
from Senator C
RAPO
to overturn the
President’s disastrous de facto EV
mandate.
The tailpipe emissions rule would ef-
fectively force American auto dealers
to sell two EVs for every gas-powered
vehicle, even at the inevitable expense
of further reliance on Chinese supply
chains. And with electric vehicles al-
ready piling up at dealer lots across
the country due to low demand, it
would force American consumers to
buy vehicles they don’t want.
What utter madness. I am grateful to
the senior Senator for Idaho for bring-
ing this legislation to the floor. And I
will encourage our colleagues to join
me in supporting this step to rein in
some of this administration’s worst
ideas.
Now, on one final matter, yesterday,
with my colleagues the junior Senator
for Arkansas and the senior Senator
for North Carolina, I was proud to in-
troduce the SHOP Act, a comprehen-
sive, nonpartisan solution to venue
shopping in Federal courts.
As I have said before, the problem
with venue shopping is not a judge in
north Texas. It is a national problem
driven by the ability of single judges
everywhere to grant injunctions that
are national in scope.
The SHOP Act would stop that, re-
stricting the relief that judges in Texas
and in California can provide to the
parties in front of them or the geo-
graphic reach of their jurisdictions.
It also addresses the problem of
venue selling in bankruptcy and patent
cases. Venue abuse in those specialized
areas of law comes less from litigants
seeking advantage than from judges
creating artificially attractive venues
in order to enrich their friends in the
local bar. The SHOP Act would impose
uniform standards for where bank-
ruptcy and patent cases should be
heard to solve this problem.
Lastly, the SHOP Act addresses the
practice of actual illicit judge shop-
ping. Recently, the Southern Poverty
Law Center and Lambda Legal engaged
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CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATES2718 April 11, 2024
in this practice in Alabama, going to
great and unethical lengths both to get
their case steered to a particular lib-
eral judge and to strip it from a per-
ceived conservative.
Importantly, when these leftwing
groups were caught red-handed, it was
none other than President Obama’s
White House Counsel himself who ap-
peared in court to defend them in their
disciplinary case. I can’t think of a bet-
ter example of the liberal attitude of
‘‘judge shopping for me but not for
thee.’’
Well, the SHOP Act stops all of it. It
applies everywhere regardless of ide-
ology and addresses the root causes of
the issue. And I invite my Democratic
colleagues to join our bill and further
strengthen public confidence in our
Federal judiciary.
f
VOTE EXPLANATION
Ms. HIRONO. Madam President, I
was absent for one rollcall vote April
11, 2024. On April 11, had I been present,
I would have voted yea on the motion
to proceed to Executive Session for the
consideration of Executive Calendar
No. 478 Ramona Villagomez Manglona,
of the Northern Mariana Islands to be
Judge for the District Court for the
Northern Mariana Islands for a term of
ten years, rollcalll vote No. 123.
f
100TH ANNIVERSARY OF WACO
DINER
Ms. COLLINS. Madam President, in
April of 1924, Nelson Watts and Ralph
Colwell combined forces and syllables
from their last names and opened the
WaCo Diner in Eastport, ME. One hun-
dred years later, the WaCo is still
going strong as the oldest diner in the
State of Maine, proudly serving great
food and friendship in America’s east-
ernmost city.
The WaCo began life as a lunch
wagon converted from a traveling pho-
tographer’s studio. With Eastport
hosting more than a dozen sardine fac-
tories, a deepwater seaport, and visi-
tors arriving by sea and rail to enjoy
the very best of Maine’s rocky coast,
the new establishment thrived, the
wheels were removed, and the wagon
was boxed in to make a permanent
structure.
Under a succession of owners over
the years, the WaCo has expanded from
a narrow lunch counter to a lovely res-
taurant with a spacious dining room.
From the outdoor deck overlooking
Passamaquoddy Bay, patrons enjoy
beautiful views of Canada’s Campobello
Island and a passing parade of marine
activity, from cargo vessels, cruise
ships, and fishing boats to whales, por-
poises, and seals.
The current owners, Mike Del Papa
and Matt Boyle, bought the WaCo in
2022, after Mike’s dad Bob retired at
the age of 83 after many years of oper-
ating and growing the business. Mike
and Matt both brought restaurant op-
erations, general business, and cus-
tomer service experiences with them,
and have invested significant money,
time and energy into the equipment
and facilities to enhance the atmos-
phere and efficiency, while continuing
to offer amazing meals and a great cus-
tomer experience, led by server Tammy
McPhail, a 20-plus-year veteran, and
chef Steve Sonner. In addition to pro-
viding good jobs year-round, the WaCo
brings back summer staff each tourism
season.
The WaCo is a mainstay, not only in
Eastport but also throughout the
Downeast region, welcoming locals and
visitors alike. Among the many
themed evenings featuring special cre-
ations, a local favorite is the ‘‘Dry Fish
Dinner—prepared Robert Patterson’s
Way,’’ a tribute to the late, beloved
owner/chef of the New Friendly Res-
taurant in the neighboring town of
Perry.
The WaCo is dedicated to supporting
other Maine businesses. When possible,
they source seafood locally. All draft
beers are from Maine breweries, and
potato chips are from Maine’s Fox
Family in Mapleton. Several recipes
utilize Raye’s Mustard, made in
Eastport at the last remaining tradi-
tional stone-ground mustard in North
America, while others use Wyman’s
wild Maine blueberries, harvested from
the barrens of the surrounding coun-
tryside.
In addition to dedication to excel-
lence, the WaCo carries on another
great tradition of our State’s small
business community: giving back. Last
year, the WaCo served a free Thanks-
giving dinner to more than 150 people
from the Downeast community and, at
Christmastime, a free pancake break-
fast with Santa for children. Through
charitable events in 2023, the WaCo and
its customers raised more than $5,000
to support Sarah’s House of Maine, a
cancer hospitality house near the La-
fayette Family Cancer Center in Brew-
er, saving rural patients and their fam-
ilies hours of travel for treatments.
The WaCo Diner in Eastport is a
shining example of the entrepreneurial
spirit and community pride that define
the State of Maine. I congratulate the
entire WaCo team on this landmark an-
niversary and wish them much success
in the years to come.
f
ADDITONAL COMMENTS
RECOGNIZING THE TENNESSEE
NATIONAL GUARD
∑ Mrs. BLACKBURN. Madam Presi-
dent, I rise today to congratulate the
Tennessee National Guard on the open-
ing of the Major General Terry M.
Haston National Guard Armory in Mor-
rison, TN.
Since its founding in 1887, the Ten-
nessee National Guard has upheld the
Volunteer State’s distinguished record
of military service, fighting to preserve
our Nation’s security, and aiding our
State in times of emergency. The
Major General Terry M. Haston Na-
tional Guard Armory—with over 30,000
square feet of space dedicated to ad-
ministrative, training, supply, and
storage functions—will do so much to
honor this tradition by strengthening
the Guard’s capabilities for Federal
missions and bolstering their capacity
to respond effectively to local emer-
gencies and disasters.
This facility honors a great Ten-
nessean and a great guardsman. For
nearly a decade, MG Terry M. Haston
served as the 75th adjutant general for
the Tennessee National Guard,
strengthening the Guard’s military
readiness and operational efficiency.
Among his many honors, General
Haston received the Legion of Merit
and the Bronze Star Medal.∑
f
MESSAGES FROM THE PRESIDENT
Messages from the President of the
United States were communicated to
the Senate by Mrs. Stringer, one of his
secretaries.
f
EXECUTIVE MESSAGES REFERRED
In executive session the Presiding Of-
ficer laid before the Senate messages
from the President of the United
States submitting sundry nominations
which were referred to the appropriate
committees.
(The messages received today are
printed at the end of the Senate
proceedings.)
f
MESSAGE FROM THE HOUSE
At 12:43 p.m., a message from the
House of Representatives, delivered by
Mrs. Cole, one of its reading clerks, an-
nounced that the House has passed the
following bill, in which it requests the
concurrence of the Senate:
H.R. 3250. An act to recognize the Margaret
Woodbury Strong Museum in Rochester, New
York.
f
REPORTS OF COMMITTEES
The following reports of committees
were submitted:
By Mr. PETERS, from the Committee on
Homeland Security and Governmental Af-
fairs, without amendment:
H.R. 2754. An act to designate the facility
of the United States Postal Service located
at 2395 East Del Mar Boulevard in Laredo,
Texas, as the ‘‘Lance Corporal David Lee
Espinoza, Lance Corporal Juan Rodrigo
Rodriguez & Sergeant Roberto Arizola Jr.
Post Office Building’’.
S. 3851. A bill to designate the facility of
the United States Postal Service located at
90 McCamly Street South in Battle Creek,
Michigan, as the ‘‘Sojourner Truth Post Of-
fice’’.
H.R. 3865. An act to designate the facility
of the United States Postal Service located
at 101 South 8th Street in Lebanon, Pennsyl-
vania, as the ‘‘Lieutenant William D. Lebo
Post Office Building’’.
H.R. 3947. An act to designate the facility
of the United States Postal Service located
at 859 North State Road 21 in Melrose, Flor-
ida, as the ‘‘Pamela Jane Rock Post Office
Building’’.
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CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S2719 April 11, 2024
EXECUTIVE REPORTS OF
COMMITTEE
The following executive reports of
nominations were submitted:
By Mr. DURBIN for the Committee on the
Judiciary.
Sanket Jayshukh Bulsara, of New York, to
be United States District Judge for the East-
ern District of New York.
Dena M. Coggins, of California, to be
United States District Judge for the Eastern
District of California.
Eric C. Schulte, of South Dakota, to be
United States District Judge for the District
of South Dakota.
Camela C. Theeler, of South Dakota, to be
United States District Judge for the District
of South Dakota.
David O. Barnett, Jr., of New Mexico, to be
United States Marshal for the District of
New Mexico for the term of four years.
Clinton J. Fuchs, of Maryland, to be
United States Marshal for the District of
Maryland for the term of four years.
(Nominations without an asterisk
were reported with the recommenda-
tion that they be confirmed.)
f
INTRODUCTION OF BILLS AND
JOINT RESOLUTIONS
The following bills and joint resolu-
tions were introduced, read the first
and second times by unanimous con-
sent, and referred as indicated:
By Ms. DUCKWORTH (for herself and
Mrs. C
APITO
):
S. 4107. A bill to require Amtrak to report
to Congress information on Amtrak compli-
ance with the Americans with Disabilities
Act of 1990 with respect to trains and sta-
tions; to the Committee on Commerce,
Science, and Transportation.
By Mr. RUBIO:
S. 4108. A bill to amend the Federal Food,
Drug, and Cosmetic Act to provide a process
to lock and suspend domain names used to
facilitate the online sale of drugs illegally,
and for other purposes; to the Committee on
Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
By Ms. WARREN (for herself, Ms.
E
RNST
, Mr. T
ILLIS
, Mr. K
ING
, Mr.
K
AINE
, Mr. S
COTT
of Florida, Ms.
H
IRONO
, Mrs. G
ILLIBRAND
, Ms.
D
UCKWORTH
, Mr. C
ARDIN
, Ms. C
OL
-
LINS
, and Mr. M
ULLIN
):
S. 4109. A bill to amend title 10, United
States Code, to clarify roles and responsibil-
ities within the Department of Defense relat-
ing to subconcussive and concussive brain in-
juries and to improve brain health initia-
tives of the Department of Defense, and for
other purposes; to the Committee on Armed
Services.
By Mr. COONS (for himself, Mr. R
ISCH
,
Mr. Y
OUNG
, Mr. B
ENNET
, Mr. V
AN
H
OLLEN
, Mr. R
OUNDS
, and Mr. D
UR
-
BIN
):
S. 4110. A bill to reauthorize the African
Growth and Opportunity Act; to the Com-
mittee on Finance.
By Mr. KELLY (for himself and Mr.
C
OTTON
):
S. 4111. A bill to provide for a study by the
National Academies of Sciences, Engineer-
ing, and Medicine on the prevalence and
mortality of cancer among individuals who
served as active duty aircrew in the Armed
Forces, and for other purposes; to the Com-
mittee on Veterans’ Affairs.
By Mr. BOOKER (for himself, Mr. K
EN
-
NEDY
, Mr. M
ARKEY
, and Mrs. C
APITO
):
S. 4112. A bill to provide protections from
prosecution for drug possession to individ-
uals who seek medical assistance when wit-
nessing or experiencing an overdose, and for
other purposes; to the Committee on the Ju-
diciary.
By Mrs. SHAHEEN (for herself, Mr.
C
RAPO
, and Mr. R
ISCH
):
S. 4113. A bill to allow States to require
payment of State fees related to boating as
a condition for issuance of a vessel number
and to collect such fees in conjunction with
other fees related to vessel numbering; to
the Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation.
By Mr. CARDIN (for himself and Mr.
V
AN
H
OLLEN
):
S. 4114. A bill to authorize a higher Federal
share for emergency relief funds for the re-
construction of the Francis Scott Key Bridge
located in Baltimore City and Baltimore and
Anne Arundel Counties, Maryland, that col-
lapsed on March 26, 2024, and for other pur-
poses; to the Committee on Environment and
Public Works.
By Mr. KENNEDY (for himself and Mr.
S
CHMITT
):
S. 4115. A bill to amend the Higher Edu-
cation Act of 1965 to prohibit graduate med-
ical schools from receiving Federal financial
assistance if such schools adopt certain poli-
cies and requirements relating to diversity,
equity, and inclusion; to the Committee on
Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
By Mr. BLUMENTHAL (for himself,
Ms. S
MITH
, Ms. S
INEMA
, and Mr.
F
ETTERMAN
):
S. 4116. A bill to amend title 10, United
States Code, to allow members of the Se-
lected Reserve and National Guard holding
employment within the Federal Government
the choice between military and civilian
healthcare plans, and for other purposes; to
the Committee on Armed Services.
By Mr. MARKEY (for himself, Mr.
B
LUMENTHAL
, Mr. B
OOKER
, Ms. B
UT
-
LER
, Mr. C
ARDIN
, Mr. D
URBIN
, Mr.
H
EINRICH
, Ms. H
IRONO
, Ms. K
LO
-
BUCHAR
, Mr. L
UJA
´
N
, Mr. M
ENENDEZ
,
Mr. M
ERKLEY
, Mr. M
URPHY
, Mr.
P
ADILLA
, Mr. S
ANDERS
, Ms. S
MITH
,
Ms. S
TABENOW
, Mr. V
AN
H
OLLEN
, Ms.
W
ARREN
, Mr. W
ELCH
, and Mr.
W
YDEN
):
S. 4117. A bill to require the Administrator
of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Ad-
ministration to establish a Climate Change
Education Program, and for other purposes;
to the Committee on Commerce, Science,
and Transportation.
By Ms. BALDWIN:
S. 4118. A bill to establish the Open Trans-
lation Center, and for other purposes; to the
Committee on Foreign Relations.
By Mr. MARSHALL (for himself, Mr.
D
AINES
, Mrs. B
LACKBURN
, Mr. C
RUZ
,
Mr. L
ANKFORD
, Mr. L
EE
, Ms. L
UMMIS
,
Mr. S
COTT
of South Carolina, Mr.
S
ULLIVAN
, Mr. H
OEVEN
, Mr. M
ULLIN
,
and Mr. R
ICKETTS
):
S.J. Res. 71. A joint resolution providing
for congressional disapproval under chapter 8
of title 5, United States Code, of the rule
submitted by the Environmental Protection
Agency relating to ‘‘Standards of Perform-
ance for New, Reconstructed, and Modified
Sources and Emissions Guidelines for Exist-
ing Sources: Oil and Natural Gas Sector Cli-
mate Review’’; to the Committee on Envi-
ronment and Public Works.
f
SUBMISSION OF CONCURRENT AND
SENATE RESOLUTIONS
The following concurrent resolutions
and Senate resolutions were read, and
referred (or acted upon), as indicated:
By Ms. HIRONO (for herself, Mr. R
EED
,
Ms. B
UTLER
, Mr. W
YDEN
, Mr. V
AN
H
OLLEN
, Mr. K
ING
, and Mr. P
ADILLA
):
S. Res. 637. A resolution expressing support
for the staff of public, school, academic, and
special libraries in the United States and the
essential services those libraries provide to
communities, recognizing the need for fund-
ing commensurate with the broad scope of
social service and community supports pro-
vided by libraries, preserving the right of all
citizens of the United States to freely access
information and resources in their commu-
nities, supporting a strong union voice for li-
brary workers, and defending the civil rights
of library staff; to the Committee on Health,
Education, Labor, and Pensions.
By Mr. SCHUMER (for himself and Mr.
M
C
C
ONNELL
):
S. Res. 638. A resolution calling for the im-
mediate release of Ryan Corbett, a United
States citizen who was wrongfully detained
by the Taliban on August 10, 2022, and con-
demning the wrongful detention of Ameri-
cans by the Taliban; considered and agreed
to.
By Ms. STABENOW (for herself and
Mr. S
COTT
of Florida):
S. Res. 639. A resolution expressing support
for the designation of the month of April 2024
as ‘‘Parkinson’s Awareness Month’’; to the
Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and
Pensions.
f
ADDITIONAL COSPONSORS
S
.
711
At the request of Mr. B
UDD
, the name
of the Senator from New Hampshire
(Mrs. S
HAHEEN
) was added as a cospon-
sor of S. 711, a bill to require the Sec-
retary of the Treasury to mint coins in
commemoration of the invaluable serv-
ice that working dogs provide to soci-
ety.
S
.
738
At the request of Mr. C
ASEY
, the
name of the Senator from Michigan
(Mr. P
ETERS
) was added as a cosponsor
of S. 738, a bill to amend the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986 to allow workers
an above-the-line deduction for union
dues and expenses and to allow a mis-
cellaneous itemized deduction for
workers for all unreimbursed expenses
incurred in the trade or business of
being an employee.
S
.
799
At the request of Mr. B
LUMENTHAL
,
the name of the Senator from South
Dakota (Mr. R
OUNDS
) was added as a
cosponsor of S. 799, a bill to amend
title XVIII of the Social Security Act
to provide Medicare coverage for all
physicians’ services furnished by doc-
tors of chiropractic within the scope of
their license, and for other purposes.
S
.
1064
At the request of Mrs. C
APITO
, the
name of the Senator from New York
(Mr. S
CHUMER
) was added as a cospon-
sor of S. 1064, a bill to direct the Sec-
retary of Health and Human Services
to carry out a national project to pre-
vent and cure Parkinson’s, to be known
as the National Parkinson’s Project,
and for other purposes.
S
.
1303
At the request of Mr. C
RUZ
, the name
of the Senator from South Dakota (Mr.
R
OUNDS
) was added as a cosponsor of S.
1303, a bill to require sellers of event
tickets to disclose comprehensive in-
formation to consumers about ticket
prices and related fees.
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CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATES2720 April 11, 2024
S
.
1430
At the request of Ms. L
UMMIS
, the
name of the Senator from Idaho (Mr.
R
ISCH
) was added as a cosponsor of S.
1430, a bill to exempt certain entities
from liability under the Comprehensive
Environmental Response, Compensa-
tion, and Liability Act of 1980 with re-
spect to releases of perfluoroalkyl and
polyfluoroalkyl substances, and for
other purposes.
S
.
1433
At the request of Ms. L
UMMIS
, the
name of the Senator from Idaho (Mr.
R
ISCH
) was added as a cosponsor of S.
1433, a bill to exempt certain aviation
entities from liability under the Com-
prehensive Environmental Response,
Compensation, and Liability Act of
1980 for the release of certain
perfluoroalkyl or polyfluoroalkyl sub-
stances, and for other purposes.
S
.
1842
At the request of Mr. M
ARSHALL
, the
name of the Senator from Iowa (Mr.
G
RASSLEY
) was added as a cosponsor of
S. 1842, a bill to amend the Federal
Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act with re-
spect to the regulation of zootechnical
animal food substances.
S
.
2016
At the request of Mr. S
CHATZ
, the
names of the Senator from Delaware
(Mr. C
OONS
) and the Senator from Indi-
ana (Mr. B
RAUN
) were added as cospon-
sors of S. 2016, a bill to amend title
XVIII of the Social Security Act to ex-
pand access to telehealth services, and
for other purposes.
S
.
2121
At the request of Mr. C
ASSIDY
, the
name of the Senator from New Mexico
(Mr. L
UJA
´
N
) was added as a cosponsor
of S. 2121, a bill to establish a central-
ized system to allow individuals to re-
quest the simultaneous deletion of
their personal information across all
data brokers, and for other purposes.
S
.
2256
At the request of Ms. H
ASSAN
, the
name of the Senator from Nevada (Ms.
R
OSEN
) was added as a cosponsor of S.
2256, a bill to authorize the Director of
the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure
Security Agency to establish an ap-
prenticeship program and to establish
a pilot program on cybersecurity train-
ing for veterans and members of the
Armed Forces transitioning to civilian
life, and for other purposes.
S
.
2415
At the request of Mrs. C
APITO
, the
name of the Senator from New Mexico
(Mr. L
UJA
´
N
) was added as a cosponsor
of S. 2415, a bill to amend title III of
the Public Health Service Act to reau-
thorize Federal support of States in
their work to save and sustain the
health of mothers during pregnancy,
childbirth, and the postpartum period,
to eliminate disparities in maternal
health outcomes for pregnancy-related
and pregnancy-associated deaths, to
identify solutions to improve health
care quality and health outcomes for
mothers, and for other purposes.
S
.
2465
At the request of Mr. B
OOKER
, the
name of the Senator from Georgia (Mr.
O
SSOFF
) was added as a cosponsor of S.
2465, a bill to require the Secretary of
Veterans Affairs to establish a pilot
program to furnish doula services to
veterans.
S
.
2515
At the request of Mr. C
ARDIN
, the
names of the Senator from Nebraska
(Mrs. F
ISCHER
) and the Senator from
Wisconsin (Ms. B
ALDWIN
) were added as
cosponsors of S. 2515, a bill to amend
the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and
the Small Business Act to expand the
availability of employee stock owner-
ship plans in S corporations, and for
other purposes.
S
.
2626
At the request of Mr. R
UBIO
, the
name of the Senator from Nebraska
(Mr. R
ICKETTS
) was added as a cospon-
sor of S. 2626, a bill to impose sanctions
with respect to the Supreme Leader of
Iran and the President of Iran and
their respective offices for human
rights abuses and support for ter-
rorism.
S
.
2891
At the request of Mr. B
OOKER
, the
name of the Senator from Washington
(Ms. C
ANTWELL
) was added as a cospon-
sor of S. 2891, a bill to reauthorize the
program of grants for innovative pro-
grams to address dental workforce
needs.
S
.
3193
At the request of Mr. W
HITEHOUSE
,
the name of the Senator from Indiana
(Mr. B
RAUN
) was added as a cosponsor
of S. 3193, a bill to amend the Con-
trolled Substances Act to allow for the
use of telehealth in substance use dis-
order treatment, and for other pur-
poses.
S
.
3482
At the request of Mr. B
ARRASSO
, the
names of the Senator from Idaho (Mr.
R
ISCH
) and the Senator from Arizona
(Mr. K
ELLY
) were added as cosponsors
of S. 3482, a bill to establish a multi-
stakeholder advisory committee
tasked with providing detailed rec-
ommendations to address challenges to
transmitting geolocation information
with calls to the 988 Suicide and Crisis
Lifeline, and for other purposes.
S
.
3556
At the request of Mrs. B
LACKBURN
,
the name of the Senator from Idaho
(Mr. C
RAPO
) was added as a cosponsor
of S. 3556, a bill to direct the Federal
Communications Commission to issue
reports after activation of the Disaster
Information Reporting System and to
make improvements to network outage
reporting, to categorize public safety
telecommunicators as a protective
service occupation under the Standard
Occupational Classification system,
and for other purposes.
S
.
3714
At the request of Mr. M
ARKEY
, the
name of the Senator from Maryland
(Mr. C
ARDIN
) was added as a cosponsor
of S. 3714, a bill to amend the Immigra-
tion and Nationality Act to require the
President to set a minimum annual
goal for the number of refugees to be
admitted, and for other purposes.
S
.
3755
At the request of Mr. R
UBIO
, the
name of the Senator from South Da-
kota (Mr. T
HUNE
) was added as a co-
sponsor of S. 3755, a bill to amend the
CARES Act to remove a requirement
on lessors to provide notice to vacate,
and for other purposes.
S
.
3805
At the request of Mr. C
ASSIDY
, the
name of the Senator from Kansas (Mr.
M
ARSHALL
) was added as a cosponsor of
S. 3805, a bill to amend title XI of the
Social Security Act to prohibit health
plans from imposing fees on health
care providers for electronic funds
transfers and health care payment and
remittance advice transactions, and for
other purposes.
S
.
3842
At the request of Mr. P
ADILLA
, the
name of the Senator from Nevada (Ms.
C
ORTEZ
M
ASTO
) was added as a cospon-
sor of S. 3842, a bill to posthumously
award a Congressional Gold Medal to
Muhammed Ali, in recognition of his
contributions to the United States.
S
.
4002
At the request of Mr. C
ASEY
, the
name of the Senator from Vermont
(Mr. W
ELCH
) was added as a cosponsor
of S. 4002, a bill to amend the Richard
B. Russell National School Lunch Act
to improve the child and adult care
food program, and for other purposes.
S
.
4004
At the request of Mr. C
RAPO
, the
name of the Senator from Arizona (Mr.
K
ELLY
) was added as a cosponsor of S.
4004, a bill to amend the Horse Protec-
tion Act to designate additional unlaw-
ful acts under the Act, strengthen pen-
alties for violations of the Act, im-
prove Department of Agriculture en-
forcement of the Act, and for other
purposes.
S
.
4051
At the request of Mr. L
EE
, the name
of the Senator from Tennessee (Mr.
H
AGERTY
) was added as a cosponsor of
S. 4051, a bill to prohibit transpor-
tation of any alien using certain meth-
ods of identification, and for other pur-
poses.
S
.
4072
At the request of Mr. C
RAPO
, the
names of the Senator from Nebraska
(Mrs. F
ISCHER
), the Senator from North
Dakota (Mr. H
OEVEN
), the Senator from
South Carolina (Mr. S
COTT
) and the
Senator from Florida (Mr. S
COTT
) were
added as cosponsors of S. 4072, a bill to
prohibit the use of funds to implement,
administer, or enforce certain rules of
the Environmental Protection Agency.
S
.
J
.
RES
.
39
At the request of Mrs. G
ILLIBRAND
,
the name of the Senator from Michigan
(Ms. S
TABENOW
) was added as a cospon-
sor of S.J. Res. 39, a joint resolution
expressing the sense of Congress that
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CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S2721 April 11, 2024
the article of amendment commonly
known as the ‘‘Equal Rights Amend-
ment’’ has been validly ratified and is
enforceable as the 28th Amendment to
the Constitution of the United States,
and the Archivist of the United States
must certify and publish the Equal
Rights Amendment as the 28th Amend-
ment without delay.
S
.
RES
.
593
At the request of Mr. M
ARKEY
, the
name of the Senator from Vermont
(Mr. W
ELCH
) was added as a cosponsor
of S. Res. 593, a resolution expressing
support for the continued value of arms
control agreements and condemning
the Russian Federation’s purported
suspension of its participation in the
New START Treaty.
S
.
RES
.
610
At the request of Mr. C
OONS
, the
name of the Senator from New Hamp-
shire (Mrs. S
HAHEEN
) was added as a co-
sponsor of S. Res. 610, a resolution hon-
oring Dr. Jane Goodall and her legacy
as an ethologist, conservationist, and
activist.
S
.
RES
.
629
At the request of Mr. D
URBIN
, the
name of the Senator from California
(Mr. P
ADILLA
) was added as a cosponsor
of S. Res. 629, a resolution condemning
the arbitrary arrest of United States
citizens by the Government of the Rus-
sian Federation and calling for the im-
mediate and unconditional release of
such citizens.
f
SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS
SENATE RESOLUTION 637—EX-
PRESSING SUPPORT FOR THE
STAFF OF PUBLIC, SCHOOL, ACA-
DEMIC, AND SPECIAL LIBRARIES
IN THE UNITED STATES AND
THE ESSENTIAL SERVICES
THOSE LIBRARIES PROVIDE TO
COMMUNITIES, RECOGNIZING
THE NEED FOR FUNDING COM-
MENSURATE WITH THE BROAD
SCOPE OF SOCIAL SERVICE AND
COMMUNITY SUPPORTS PRO-
VIDED BY LIBRARIES, PRE-
SERVING THE RIGHT OF ALL
CITIZENS OF THE UNITED
STATES TO FREELY ACCESS IN-
FORMATION AND RESOURCES IN
THEIR COMMUNITIES, SUP-
PORTING A STRONG UNION
VOICE FOR LIBRARY WORKERS,
AND DEFENDING THE CIVIL
RIGHTS OF LIBRARY STAFF
Ms. HIRONO (for herself, Mr. R
EED
,
Ms. B
UTLER
, Mr. W
YDEN
, Mr. V
AN
H
OL
-
LEN
, Mr. K
ING
, and Mr. P
ADILLA
) sub-
mitted the following resolution; which
was referred to the Committee on
Health, Education, Labor, and Pen-
sions:
S. R
ES
. 637
Whereas library staff are cornerstones of
their communities in the United States, pro-
viding visitors with access to books and
media, delivering high-quality programming
to visitors of all ages, ensuring equitable
internet access for all, and linking people to
crucial information about accessing social
services;
Whereas libraries are an economic power-
house in their communities, providing re-
sources to small business owners, job seek-
ers, and individuals learning new skills;
Whereas, in recent years, library staff have
been called on to address the fallout from
difficult public crises in the United States,
taking on roles that exceed the traditional
role of providing a space for, and access to,
educational and cultural enrichment;
Whereas library staff provide lifesaving
care to members of their communities who
are suffering the effects of the ongoing and
tragic opioid epidemic in the United States,
including being called on to administer
medication to treat overdoses;
Whereas libraries are a safe haven for indi-
viduals and families who are unhoused, and
library workers provide the supportive com-
munity environment and resources needed
by unhoused individuals and families;
Whereas libraries are often the only source
of internet for underserved communities;
Whereas library staff maintained public
access to essential library services and were
relied on to distribute personal protective
equipment and provide testing to the public
during the worst days of the COVID–19 pan-
demic;
Whereas libraries have met an expanded
and intensified demand for community, pub-
lic health, and safety net services, often
while contending with severe funding cuts,
creating unsustainable and frequently unsafe
working conditions for library staff;
Whereas the health and survival of democ-
racy in the United States requires that ev-
eryone be able to exercise rights to informa-
tion and services, and it is especially impor-
tant for young people to have the oppor-
tunity to learn, encounter, and debate all
manner of ideas, including controversial
ones;
Whereas students have been shown to
spend more time reading and exhibit higher
reading scores when given access to diverse
titles, and library staff play a crucial role in
curating diverse book offerings for young
readers;
Whereas a fundamental responsibility of
the job of library staff is making decisions
about the books and media in their collec-
tions and assisting visitors in accessing
those materials without fear of censorship or
reprisal for fulfilling the role of providing in-
formation and resources to the public;
Whereas, from 2023 to 2024, there were de-
plorable incidents throughout the United
States that were orchestrated to intimidate
library staff and prevent them from fulfilling
their central work responsibility to provide
the public with free and unfettered access to
information;
Whereas library staff across the United
States are mobilizing for a collective union
voice in their workplaces to elevate their
profession, to ensure safe and adequately
resourced spaces that meet the needs of the
communities they serve, and to protect the
essential role of libraries in the democracy
of the United States; and
Whereas the week of April 7 through April
13, 2024, would be an appropriate time to cel-
ebrate ‘‘National Library Week’’: Now,
therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Senate—
(1) commends the work of library staff in
the United States;
(2) supports the goals and ideals of Na-
tional Library Week;
(3) recognizes that libraries and library
staff provide critical infrastructure for the
United States and are essential to the future
of the United States;
(4) supports the prioritization of full fund-
ing of library services at the Federal, State,
and local levels to ensure the continuation
and improvement of library services;
(5) reaffirms—
(A) the fundamental right of the people of
the United States to access information,
which is made real through the efforts of li-
brary staff;
(B) the fundamental right of library work-
ers to organize and collectively bargain at
work and to have a protected voice in their
workplace; and
(C) the civil rights of library workers to
exercise their responsibilities to the public
without threats or intimidation; and
(6) recognizes the right of library staff—
(A) to speak out on matters of public con-
cern;
(B) to address themselves to elected offi-
cials and to the administration of the enti-
ties that employ library staff; and
(C) to inform the people of the United
States about their right to free and unfet-
tered access to information, and about
threats to that access.
f
SENATE RESOLUTION 638—CALL-
ING FOR THE IMMEDIATE RE-
LEASE OF RYAN CORBETT, A
UNITED STATES CITIZEN WHO
WAS WRONGFULLY DETAINED
BY THE TALIBAN ON AUGUST 10,
2022, AND CONDEMNING THE
WRONGFUL DETENTION OF
AMERICANS BY THE TALIBAN
Mr. SCHUMER (for himself and Mr.
M
C
C
ONNELL
) submitted the following
resolution; which was considered and
agreed to:
S. R
ES
. 638
Whereas United States citizen Ryan
Corbett has lived a life of service by sup-
porting humanitarian projects in Afghani-
stan that help the Afghan people start and
operate small businesses;
Whereas Ryan Corbett moved his family to
Afghanistan in 2010 to help the local popu-
lation and lived there for more than a decade
aiding the Afghan people;
Whereas, in 2017, Ryan Corbett founded
‘‘Bloom Afghanistan’’ to provide consulting
and microloans to Afghan small businesses
to help build a self-sustaining local econ-
omy;
Whereas Ryan Corbett is known to his
family, friends, colleagues, and associates as
a loving father and husband as well as a
kind, service-oriented man;
Whereas, in August 2021, Ryan Corbett was
forced to leave his life, community, and Af-
ghan partners behind when the Taliban
seized Kabul and United States citizens were
evacuated;
Whereas, in August 2022, Ryan Corbett
traveled to Afghanistan for a 10-day trip to
check on his business and employees and was
detained by the Taliban;
Whereas the Taliban detained Ryan
Corbett without charging him with a crime
or granting him due process in any judicial
proceedings;
Whereas, on September 29, 2023, Ryan
Corbett was designated as wrongfully de-
tained by United States Secretary of State
Antony Blinken;
Whereas Ryan Corbett is being held in a 9-
foot by 9-foot underground cell with two
other Taliban detainees and has been held in
solitary confinement on multiple occasions;
Whereas Ryan Corbett has not been grant-
ed access to any physical consular visits by
United States Department of State personnel
but has had limited consular access via
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---
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATES2722 April 11, 2024
phone to a United States consular represent-
ative;
Whereas, during his detention, Ryan
Corbett seldom has had phone calls with his
family and has only had limited in-person
visits with personnel from Qatar, the United
States’ protecting power in Afghanistan;
Whereas at least five third-country nation-
als previously detained with Ryan Corbett
have been released and have reported on
Ryan’s horrific and deteriorating conditions;
Whereas Ryan Corbett’s former cellmates
who have been subsequently released stated
that prisoners at the detention facility must
survive on scraps of fatty meat, seldom have
access to sunlight, and cannot use the bath-
room without permission;
Whereas Ryan Corbett’s former cellmates
who have been subsequently released stated
that, during their captivity, Ryan Corbett
was suffering from seizures, fainting, and
discolored extremities;
Whereas Ryan Corbett turned 40 years old
during his wrongful detention, and his phys-
ical and mental health is rapidly declining
due to the stress and harsh conditions, such
that his family fears he will not survive his
wrongful detention; and
Whereas the Taliban’s pursuit of inter-
national legitimacy and recognition is with-
out merit due to the Taliban’s continued use
of hostages as a political tool, the Taliban’s
support for terrorism, and the elimination of
freedoms for women and girls in Afghani-
stan: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Senate—
(1) calls on the Taliban to immediately and
unconditionally release Ryan Corbett;
(2) condemns the wrongful detention of
Ryan Corbett by the Taliban;
(3) urges the Taliban to respect Ryan
Corbett’s fundamental human rights and to
provide full, unfettered, and consistent
health and welfare visits to Ryan Corbett
while he remains in detention;
(4) urges all United States executive
branch officials, including President Joseph
Biden, Secretary of State Antony Blinken,
National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan,
Special Representative for Afghanistan Tom
West, and Special Presidential Envoy for
Hostage Affairs Roger Carstens, to continue
to raise the case of Ryan Corbett and to
press for his immediate release in all inter-
actions with the Taliban;
(5) condemns the Taliban’s continued use
of the wrongful detention of United States
citizens and lawful permanent residents for
political purposes and demands that the
Taliban stop unjustifiably detaining United
States nationals for political gain;
(6) calls for the immediate release of other
United States citizens and lawful permanent
residents who are wrongfully detained in Af-
ghanistan;
(7) expresses sympathy for and solidarity
with the families of all other United States
citizens and lawful permanent residents
wrongfully detained abroad; and
(8) expresses support for the family of
Ryan Corbett and the family’s commitment
to bringing Ryan Corbett home.
f
SENATE RESOLUTION 639—EX-
PRESSING SUPPORT FOR THE
DESIGNATION OF THE MONTH OF
APRIL 2024 AS ‘‘PARKINSON’S
AWARENESS MONTH’’
Ms. STABENOW (for herself and Mr.
S
COTT
of Florida) submitted the fol-
lowing resolution; which was referred
to the Committee on Health, Edu-
cation, Labor, and Pensions:
S. R
ES
. 639
Whereas Parkinson’s disease—
(1) affects over 1,000,000 individuals in the
United States with nearly 90,000 individuals
diagnosed each year;
(2) is the fastest-growing and second most
common neurodegenerative disease in the
world;
(3) is believed to be caused by a combina-
tion of genetic and environmental factors,
but the exact cause in most individuals is
still unknown; and
(4) is the 15th leading cause of death in the
United States, according to the Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention;
Whereas, by the year 2037, it is estimated
that the number of individuals in the United
States with Parkinson’s disease will nearly
double, and Parkinson’s disease will cost the
United States at least $80,000,000,000 annu-
ally;
Whereas the symptoms of Parkinson’s dis-
ease can include dementia and cognitive im-
pairment, tremors, slowness of movement
and rigidity, gait and balance difficulties,
speech and swallowing difficulties, depres-
sion, and a variety of other symptoms;
Whereas there are millions of family care-
givers, friends, and loved ones whose lives
are greatly affected by Parkinson’s disease;
and
Whereas more research, education, and
community support services are needed—
(1) to find better treatments and a cure for
Parkinson’s disease; and
(2) to maintain the dignity of individuals
living with Parkinson’s disease: Now, there-
fore, be it
Resolved, That the Senate—
(1) expresses support for the designation of
the month of April 2024 as ‘‘Parkinson’s
Awareness Month’’;
(2) supports the goals and ideals of Parkin-
son’s Awareness Month;
(3) continues to support research to find
better treatments and a cure for Parkinson’s
disease;
(4) recognizes the individuals living with
Parkinson’s disease who participate in vital
clinical trials to advance the knowledge of
the disease; and
(5) commends the dedication of organiza-
tions, volunteers, researchers, and millions
of individuals across the United States work-
ing to improve the quality of life of people
living with Parkinson’s disease and their
families.
f
NOTICE OF INTENT TO SUSPEND
THE RULES
Mr. SCOTT of Florida. Madam Presi-
dent, I submit the following notice in
writing:
In accordance with Rule V of the Standing
Rules of the Senate, I hereby give notice in
writing that it is my intention to move to
suspend the following portions of the Rules
and Procedure and Practice in the Senate
When Sitting on Impeachment Trials in re-
gard to debate by Senators during the trial
of Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro
Mayorkas: (1) The phrase ‘‘without debate’’
in Rule VII; (2) The following portion of Rule
XX: ‘‘, unless the Senate shall direct the
doors to be closed while deliberating upon its
decisions. A motion to close the doors may
be acted upon without objection, or, if objec-
tion is heard, the motion shall be voted on
without debate by the yeas and nays, which
shall be entered on the record’’; and (3) In
Rule XXIV, the phrases ‘‘without debate’’,
‘‘except when the doors shall be closed for
deliberation, and in that case’’ and ‘‘, to be
had without debate’’ for the purposes of al-
lowing Senators to debate in open session
during any portion of the trial.
AUTHORITY FOR COMMITTEES TO
MEET
Mr. SCHUMER. Madam President, I
have four requests for committees to
meet during today’s session of the Sen-
ate. They have the approval of the Ma-
jority and Minority Leaders.
Pursuant to rule XXVI, paragraph
5(a), of the Standing Rules of the Sen-
ate, the following committees are au-
thorized to meet during today’s session
of the Senate:
COMMITTEE ON ARMED SERVICES
The Committee on Armed Services is
authorized to meet in open and closed
session during the session of the Sen-
ate on Thursday, April 11, 2024, at 8
a.m., to receive testimony.
COMMITTEE ON FINANCE
The Committee on Finance is author-
ized to meet during the session of the
Senate on Thursday, April 11, 2024, at
10 a.m., to conduct a hearing.
COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN RELATIONS
The Committee on Foreign Relations
is authorized to meet during the ses-
sion of the Senate on Thursday, April
11, 2024, at 9:30 a.m., to conduct a hear-
ing.
COMMITTEE ON THE JUDICIARY
The Committee on the Judiciary is
authorized to meet during the session
of the Senate on Thursday, April 11,
2024, at 10 a.m., to conduct a hearing.
f
RECESS UNTIL MONDAY, APRIL 15,
2024, AT 3 P.M.
The PRESIDING OFFICER (Ms. B
UT
-
LER
). The Senate stands in recess until
3 p.m. on Monday.
Thereupon, the Senate, at 2:37 p.m.,
recessed until Monday, April 15, 2024,
at 3 p.m.
f
NOMINATIONS
Executive nominations received by
the Senate:
MORRIS K
.
UDALL AND STEWART L
.
UDALL
FOUNDATION
HEATHER M. CAHOON, OF MONTANA, TO BE A MEMBER
OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE MORRIS K. UDALL
AND STEWART L. UDALL FOUNDATION FOR A TERM EX-
PIRING OCTOBER 6, 2024, VICE ERIC DRAKE EBERHARD,
TERM EXPIRED.
HEATHER M. CAHOON, OF MONTANA, TO BE A MEMBER
OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE MORRIS K. UDALL
AND STEWART L. UDALL FOUNDATION FOR A TERM EX-
PIRING OCTOBER 6, 2030. (REAPPOINTMENT)
DEPARTMENT OF STATE
AMANDA S. JACOBSEN, OF WASHINGTON, A CAREER
MEMBER OF THE SENIOR FOREIGN SERVICE, CLASS OF
COUNSELOR, TO BE AMBASSADOR EXTRAORDINARY AND
PLENIPOTENTIARY OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
TO THE REPUBLIC OF EQUATORIAL GUINEA.
CHRISTOPHE ANDRE TOCCO, OF CALIFORNIA, A CAREER
MEMBER OF THE SENIOR FOREIGN SERVICE, CLASS OF
CAREER MINISTER, TO BE AMBASSADOR EXTRAOR-
DINARY AND PLENIPOTENTIARY OF THE UNITED STATES
OF AMERICA TO THE ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF MAURI-
TANIA.
CORPORATION FOR NATIONAL AND COMMUNITY
SERVICE
SHIRLEY SACHI SAGAWA, OF MARYLAND, TO BE A
MEMBER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE COR-
PORATION FOR NATIONAL AND COMMUNITY SERVICE
FOR A TERM EXPIRING OCTOBER 6, 2029. (REAPPOINT-
MENT)
POSTAL REGULATORY COMMISSION
ANN C. FISHER, OF SOUTH DAKOTA, TO BE A COMMIS-
SIONER OF THE POSTAL REGULATORY COMMISSION FOR
A TERM EXPIRING OCTOBER 14, 2030. (REAPPOINTMENT)
ASHLEY JAY ELIZABETH POLING, OF NORTH CARO-
LINA, TO BE A COMMISSIONER OF THE POSTAL REGU-
LATORY COMMISSION FOR A TERM EXPIRING NOVEMBER
22, 2030. (REAPPOINTMENT)
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EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS
∑ This ‘‘bullet’’ symbol identifies statements or insertions which are not spoken by a Member of the Senate on the floor.
Matter set in this typeface indicates words inserted or appended, rather than spoken, by a Member of the House on the floor.
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E331 April 11, 2024
HONORING THE RETIREMENT OF
DR. GLENDA BASKIN GLOVER AS
PRESIDENT OF TENNESSEE
STATE UNIVERSITY
HON. TERRI A. SEWELL
OF ALABAMA
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Thursday, April 11, 2024
Ms. SEWELL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to
honor the retirement of Dr. Glenda Baskin
Glover as the 8th and first woman President of
Tennessee State University. Dr. Glover is retir-
ing after 11 exemplary years of service to her
alma mater and the surrounding community.
Dr. Glover obtained her Bachelor of Science
in Mathematics at Tennessee State University
and her Master of Business Administration in
Accounting at Clark Atlanta University. She
continued her education at George Wash-
ington University to obtain her doctorate in
Philosophy in Economics and Business and
she received her juris doctorate from George-
town University. Due to her extensive edu-
cational achievement, Dr. Glover is one of two
African American women to hold the combina-
tion of Ph.D.–CPA–JD nationwide.
Before taking the helm of Tennessee State
University, Dr. Glover had already been suc-
cessful in academia and business. At Howard
University, she served as the Chairperson of
the Department of Accounting and Assistant
Professor in the School of Business from 1990
to 1994 before joining the faculty of Jackson
State University. From 1994 to 2012, Dr. Glov-
er led the JSU College of Business as the
dean, spearheading the implementation of the
first Ph.D. program in business at an HBCU.
She has also held numerous high-profile posi-
tions in the business arena, including Senior
Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of
an engineering firm, tax manager at a major
public utility company, and accountant for a
Big-Four CPA firm.
Dr. Glover made history as the first woman
to serve as President of Tennessee State Uni-
versity on January 2, 2013. Her acclaimed
five-point vision has served as the foundation
of her tenure-focusing on academic progress
and customer service; fundraising and partner-
ships; diversity and inclusion; shared govern-
ance; and community outreach.
Under her direction, Tennessee State Uni-
versity’s academic offerings have increased to
45 bachelor degrees, 24 master degrees, and
seven doctorate degrees. Most notably TSU
added a Professional Science Master’s De-
gree in Applied Geospatial Sciences and a
Master of Computer Science degree. She
proudly led the institution to receive its first ac-
creditation and reaffirmation of public health.
She is also proud of creating two new col-
leges: the College of Physical and Life
Sciences and the Honors College. As a result
of her leadership, research, sponsored pro-
grams, and alumni contributions have reached
record highs, elevating the University to new
heights. Her efforts received the recognition of
President Joe Biden in 2022, earning her the
appointment to serve as the Vice Chair of the
President’s Board of Advisors on HBCUs.
Dr. Glover’s civic affiliations include serving
as a board member of several companies, in-
cluding The Student Loan Corporation—a pub-
licly traded subsidiary of Citigroup; First Guar-
anty Bankshares; and The Lenox Group, Inc.
She is the recipient of numerous awards
and honors, including the prestigious
Thurgood Marshall College Fund Education
Leadership Award as the 2018 HBCU Presi-
dent of the Year and Essence Magazine’s
2019 ‘‘Woke 100’’ List of influential African
American women change agents. She also
had the honor to be named to the Diverse
Issues in Higher Education’s ‘‘Top 25 Women
in Higher Education’’ list in 2013.
Dr. Glover serves as the immediate past
International President and CEO of Alpha
Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated (AKA)
from 2018 to 2022. She Joined our beloved
sorority in November of 1971 at Tennessee
State University’s Alpha Psi Chapter, where
she served as Chapter President and Vice
President. She also has served as President,
Vice-President, and Treasurer of the Beta
Delta Omega Chapter in Jackson, Mississippi.
Prior to serving as International President
and CEO, Dr. Glover held a number of other
national offices in AKA, including International
Vice-President; Treasurer; and Treasurer to
the Educational Advancement Foundation
(EAF). Dr. Glover is a lifetime member of AKA
and her leadership and service to the sorority
has been impactful and will far outlast her ten-
ure.
On a personal note, I know Dr. Glover as
Soror Glenda, my beloved sorority sister. My
mother, the late Nancy Gardner Sewell, was a
proud mentor and advisor of Dr. Glover. She
was so proud of her ascension to the highest
office in our sorority in 2018, becoming the
International President and CEO of Alpha
Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated. My moth-
er was also thrilled when she became the first
woman to serve as the President of Ten-
nessee State University. Soror Glenda has al-
ways been a trailblazer who lifts and elevates
others as she climbs. Her service and life
stand as an inspiration to young ladies and
girls, irrespective of race. Her legacy at TSU
and her leadership of Alpha Kappa Alpha So-
rority, Incorporated will have a lasting impact
on so many. We are grateful for her service
and wish her well in her future endeavors.
On behalf of Alabama’s 7th Congressional
District, I ask my colleagues to join me in cele-
brating the extraordinary leadership and serv-
ice of Dr. Glenda Baskin Glover and her con-
tributions as President of Tennessee State
University.
RECOGNIZING LYON COUNTY
BASKETBALL
HON. JAMES COMER
OF KENTUCKY
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Thursday, April 11, 2024
Mr. COMER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to
recognize the Lyon County High School bas-
ketball team for achieving their first-ever state
championship.
The Lyon County basketball team was the
first state championship game to feature a
county school since 2011. Lyon County fin-
ished their season with a school record of 36
wins.
The Lyon County basketball learn is the fifth
team from the Second Region to win the state
title. I am honored to stand with the commu-
nity of Lyon County to celebrate their state
basketball championship.
I am proud to recognize this tremendous
achievement by the Lyon County basketball
team as they add this trophy to their case.
f
RECOGNIZING MS. DORINDA
‘‘DORI’’ NICHOLSON, MARCH 2024
CONSTITUENT OF THE MONTH
HON. JUAN VARGAS
OF CALIFORNIA
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Thursday, April 11, 2024
Mr. VARGAS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to
honor Ms. Dorinda ‘‘Dori’’ Nicholson, an out-
standing citizen and reproductive rights advo-
cate who serves our community, both as a
health care worker and a volunteer of Planned
Parenthood of the Pacific Southwest.
Dori is being honored for her efforts to pro-
vide high-quality reproductive health care ne-
cessities to constituents and educate our com-
munity about women’s health issues. She is a
long-time resident of City Heights and works
as an X-ray technologist in the South Bay,
providing care for those in need. Dori was
moved to join the fight for reproductive rights
after Roe v. Wade was overturned in 2022, an
impactful decision that changed the lives of
many.
From a young age, she received edu-
cational and health resources from Planned
Parenthood and is proud to work alongside
the organization she has since admired on
projects and initiatives that benefit residents
throughout our community. As a volunteer of
Planned Parenthood of the Pacific Southwest,
Dori provides care kits for patients, an impor-
tant basic need that may be non-existent or
disregarded in regular health care facilities.
She has also helped Planned Parenthood with
several important events, including the San
Diego Pride Parade and the Planned Parent-
hood 60th Anniversary Annual Dinner.
I am proud to honor Dori Nicholson as the
52nd Congressional District Constituent of the
Month for March 2024. Her dedication, com-
mitment, and advocacy have made our com-
munity a better place, and I can’t think of a
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CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of RemarksE332 April 11, 2024
better person to have recognized during Wom-
en’s History Month.
f
TRIBUTE TO LUPE MARTINEZ
HON. GWEN MOORE
OF WISCONSIN
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Thursday, April 11, 2024
Ms. MOORE of Wisconsin. Mr. Speaker, I
rise today with great respect and admiration to
honor the extraordinary life and contributions
of Lupe Martinez, President and Chief Execu-
tive Officer of UMOS, as he transitions into the
esteemed newly created title and role of Presi-
dent Emeritus.
For an impressive fifty-four years, forty-nine
of which he served as President and Chief Ex-
ecutive Officer, Lupe Martinez dedicated his
boundless energy, unwavering commitment,
and visionary leadership to UMOS, a non-prof-
it advocacy organization tirelessly working to
improve the lives of under-served populations
across Wisconsin and beyond.
Under his steadfast guidance, UMOS has
evolved from its humble origins in Milwaukee
to become one of the largest Hispanic-man-
aged non-profits in Wisconsin and one of the
most expansive multi-state nonprofit corpora-
tions in the United States. Through his stra-
tegic vision and tireless advocacy, Lupe has
overseen the expansion of UMOS’s reach into
seven states, securing over $100 million in
contracts and ensuring vital programs and
services are accessible to those in need. Lupe
served as a unifying force, reaching out to fel-
low citizens regardless of then ethnic back-
grounds and mobilizing them toward a shared
purpose that transcended personal boundaries
and influenced all involved groups.
Lupe Martinez’s dedication to empowering
others and fostering long-term sustainability
for UMOS exemplifies his decision to step
back from day-to-day management, which pro-
vides opportunities for others to step up into
leadership positions. As he assumes the role
of President Emeritus, Lupe remains steadfast
in his commitment to the organization, focus-
ing on long-range planning, strategic partner-
ships, securing funding, and assisting with the
transition to new leadership.
Throughout his illustrious career, Lupe Mar-
tinez has been a tireless champion for migrant
and seasonal farm workers and other
marginalized communities, locally and nation-
ally. His advocacy efforts have extended to
the highest levels of government, where he
has served on numerous boards and councils,
including the National Farmworker Alliance,
Farmworker Justice, and the Wisconsin Coun-
cil on Migrant Labor.
Lupe’s impact transcends organizational
boundaries, as evidenced by his involvement
in community events and organizations such
as the Mexican Fiesta and the Employ Mil-
waukee Workforce Investment Board. His re-
lentless pursuit of social justice and equity has
garnered widespread recognition, earning him
prestigious awards such as the Hispanic Herit-
age Leadership Award from the Green Bay
Packers Foundation and the Lifetime Achieve-
ment Award from the Hispanic Professionals
of Greater Milwaukee.
Mr. Speaker, for these reasons, I am hon-
ored to have this opportunity to pay tribute to
Lupe Martinez for his impeccable service to
Milwaukeeans, Wisconsinites, and Americans
everywhere. May his legacy inspire us all to
continue building a more just and equitable
society for generations.
f
CONGRATULATING THE WINNING
STUDENTS AND THEIR APPS
FROM THE 2023 CONGRESSIONAL
APP CHALLENGE
HON. TED LIEU
OF CALIFORNIA
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Thursday, April 11, 2024
Mr. LIEU. Mr. Speaker, on behalf of myself
and my fellow Congressional App Challenge
Co-Chair, Representative Z
ACH
N
UNN
(IA–3), I
rise to congratulate the winning students and
their apps from the 2023 Congressional App
Challenge.
The 2023 Congressional App Challenge
saw 11,334 students from all 50 states and
the U.S. territories submit applications. Collec-
tively, these students created 3,645 fully func-
tioning apps. In the nine years since its incep-
tion, the Congressional App Challenge has
helped motivate 58,262 students to create
16,589 applications. With 374 Members of
Congress, nearly 84 percent of the House of
Representatives, hosting an App Challenge in
their district, this year marks tremendous suc-
cess and growth of the program. We look for-
ward to continuing to celebrate the successes
of these students here in Washington, D.C. at
‘‘House of Code’’ later this month.
The 2024 Congressional App Challenge
launches on May 1, 2024, and concludes on
October 24, 2024. I am thrilled to continue to
support this terrific program and its students at
this milestone moment. Please join us in cele-
brating the program, and all our student alum-
ni on September 17, 2024 for National App
Challenge Day.
To learn more about the winning apps and
the student winners, visit
www.congressionalappchallenge.us/2023-win-
ners/.
f
CELEBRATING DR. GLENDA GLOV-
ER ON THE OCCASION OF HER
RETIREMENT
HON. NIKEMA WILLIAMS
OF GEORGIA
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Thursday, April 11, 2024
Ms. WILLIAMS of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I
rise today to honor the service of Dr. Glenda
Glover, Ph.D , JD, CPA, as President of Ten-
nessee State University upon the celebration
of her retirement following this academic year.
After 11 years of service successfully leading
her alma mater, Dr. Glover will turn her voice
to a national platform, and all Americans will
be better off for the privilege of Dr. Glover’s
voice playing a greater role in our country.
Dr. Glover was born in Memphis, Ten-
nessee, the daughter of a civil rights activist
and raised in the Civil Rights Movement. She
graduated from Tennessee State University,
an illustrious Historically Black College and
University, before getting her MBA at another
incomparable HBCU, Clark Atlanta University,
proving that, truly, Atlanta Influences Every-
thing. Not yet satisfied, she moved to Wash-
ington, D.C. and obtained a Ph.D. in Econom-
ics from George Washington University and a
law degree from Georgetown University.
Professionally, Dr. Glover is a star. She
spearheaded the creation of the country’s first
HBCU-based Ph.D program in business at
Jackson State University, and chaired the De-
partment of Accounting at Howard University’s
School of Business. She has been a leader in
the private sector, and has served as the
President of her beloved alma mater since
2013. Dr. Glover is not just the President ei-
ther: she was the Thurgood Marshall College
Fund’s HBCU President of the Year in 2018,
and HBCU Digest’s 2019 Female President of
the Year.
During her time as President, Dr. Glover
has elevated the brand, the reputation, and
the legacy of TSU, put TSU on a national plat-
form, and attracted a broader array of stu-
dents than ever before, including the Fall 2022
largest freshman enrollment among HBCUs.
She has more than doubled TSU’s endow-
ment and more than doubled research grant
funding received. She has tripled the number
of employers recruiting TSU students, and
made TSU a more competitive place to work.
She established new degree programs and
raised TSU into the R2-high research cat-
egory, one of only 11 HBCUs in that level,
with a plan to move up to R1. TSU became
the first HBCU to establish a national tech-
nology and innovation center, and the first stu-
dent-operated physical therapy and occupa-
tional therapy clinic. They have the No. 1
HBCU forensic and debate champions three
years running, and their marching band be-
came the first collegiate marching band to win
a Grammy.
I am a proud third generation HBCU grad,
and I know first-hand what HBCUs mean for
economic mobility for the Black Community.
And so does Dr. Glover She is the Vice-Chair
of President Biden’s HBCU Initiative, and has
been out loud and on purpose demanding that
our illustrious HBCUs get the funding they so
deeply deserve, including playing a leading
role in the record $2.7 billion investment in
HBCUs in the American Rescue Plan and
holding Tennessee accountable for long-term
underpayment.
Congratulations to Dr. Glover on her well-
deserved retirement. The Tennessee State
University community is so privileged to have
had her at their helm for the last 11 years, as
is the entire HBCU community. I know that Dr.
Glover’s next chapter will have her remaining
as one of our country’s foremost Conspirators
for Justice. I look forward to joining her wher-
ever that fight may be.
f
PERSONAL EXPLANATION
HON. PATRICK T. McHENRY
OF NORTH CAROLINA
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Thursday, April 11, 2024
Mr. M
C
HENRY. Mr. Speaker, due to unfore-
seen circumstances, I was unable to cast my
vote for H.R. 3250.
Had I been present, I would have voted
YEA on Roll Call No. 109.
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TRIBUTE TO HONOR BILL
SOMERVILLE
HON. ANNA G. ESHOO
OF CALIFORNIA
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Thursday, April 11, 2024
Ms. ESHOO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to
honor the work of Bill Somerville, an extraor-
dinary philanthropist, maverick grant-maker,
advisor and a generous, creative, and devoted
advocate for those in need. He retired as
President of the Philanthropic Ventures Foun-
dation (PVF) on December 31, 2023 and is
being honored for his work on April 12, 2024.
Bill Somerville served for 17 years as the
highly regarded Executive Director of the Pe-
ninsula Community Foundation. Eager to exer-
cise his creativity he established PVF in 1990,
with funding by the David and Lucile Packard
Foundation. Since that time PVF has given
nearly $250 million in grants, and in 2023
made grants totaling $23.6 million, with a lean
staff of 8 people. PVF gives grants of $500 to
$10,000, without requiring the usual proposals
or paperwork.
Among his many accomplishments, Bill
Somerville proposed placing Stanford grad-
uates in a year-long fellowship to bring more
young people into philanthropy. He created
the Parent Involvement Worker Program which
places recent ESL graduates into classrooms
to ease the transition for students. He wrote
Grassroots Philanthropy with Fred Setterberg
to show other foundations how to use wealth
to improve the world. He is a consultant and
advisor at Stanford and other area universities
and has shared his approach to philanthropy
with more than 400 community and family
foundations.
Larry Purcell, the beloved Director of the
Catholic Worker House in Redwood City, said
recently that, ‘‘everywhere I look as a Catholic
Worker in Redwood City, I see the footprints
of Bill Somerville. He organized entire commu-
nities by targeted grants to the poor ‘‘ Somer-
ville funded the first truck that the Catholic
Worker House used to pick up and distribute
free fresh food to the poor. Bill helped estab-
lish a food bank which is now the San Mateo
County Second Harvest Food Bank which
serves tens of thousands of families a month.
Mr. Speaker, as I did on August 2, 2019, I
ask the entire House of Representatives to
join me in honoring the transformational work
of an extraordinary man, Bill Somerville, and
thank him for his unique leadership. He has
strengthened our communities and bettered
our Nation through his vision/ passion, and in-
tegrity, and he stands as a role model of what
a citizen can do to create change in the lives
of so many.
f
HONORING SPECIALIST JUSTIN
MEDINA, CLEMENTON TOWN
HALL HOMETOWN HERO
HON. DONALD NORCROSS
OF NEW JERSEY
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Thursday, April 11, 2024
Mr. NORCROSS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today
to honor and commend Specialist Justin Me-
dina, Clementon Town Hall Hometown Hero.
Born and raised in Blackwood, New Jersey,
Specialist Justin Medina has shown dedication
and commitment throughout his life. During his
time at Highland Regional High School, he
was involved in sports. Immediately after grad-
uating from Highland Regional High School
Specialist Justin Medina enlisted in the United
States Army.
Specialist Justin Medina enlisted in Feb-
ruary of 2021 and served for two years
achieving the rank of PSE E–4 before he was
honorably discharged in 2023. Specialist Me-
dina served as a paratrooper during his enlist-
ment, and he was stationed at Fort Bragg,
now known as Fort Liberty.
During his tenure in the United States
Armed Forces, he served with distinction. Spe-
cialist Justin Medina was the recipient of mul-
tiple Army Commendation Medals which are
granted for sustained acts of heroism or meri-
torious service.
Following his military service, Specialist Jus-
tin Medina began working as a security officer
and is presently employed at a local smoke
shop. Throughout his career he has shown a
willingness to learn in different environments.
Today, Specialist Justin Medina is deter-
mined to further his education and pursue a
college degree and he desires to earn a Real
Estate License. Specialist Justin Medina has a
strong work ethic, and there is no doubt that
he will continue to make significant contribu-
tions to our community.
Mr. Speaker, I ask you to join me in hon-
oring and commending Specialist Justin Me-
dina for his service to his community, the
United States Army, and to the United States
of America.
f
RECOGNIZING MRS. NICOLE VAN
HELDEN
HON. MIKE GALLAGHER
OF WISCONSIN
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Thursday, April 11, 2024
Mr. GALLAGHER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today
to recognize the extraordinary leadership and
contributions of Nicole Van Helden in safe-
guarding the land and water resources of Wis-
consin’s Eighth Congressional District.
Throughout her career, Nicole has excelled
at bringing partners together to produce re-
sults through shared conservation efforts. She
played a key role in the growth of Save the
Bay, an initiative to reduce the amount of sedi-
ment and nutrients leaving rural landscapes
and entering tributaries. By facilitating con-
versations with leaders in a variety of sectors,
Save the Bay hosted conversations on solu-
tions to improve water quality and improve soil
health. Nicole’s leadership, vision, and ability
to engage diverse groups were key to expand-
ing Save the Bay’s scope and objectives,
identifying needs and gaps, and applying strat-
egies to improve and expand conservation
farming practices. Since 2015, Nicole has vol-
unteered numerous hours planning and facili-
tating meetings for Save the Bay.
Nicole has been involved in land conserva-
tion for her entire professional career. Shortly
after receiving her Bachelor of Science in Zo-
ology and Biological Aspects of Conservation
from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, she
joined The Nature Conservancy. Over the past
25 years, she has continued to rise in the
ranks at The Nature Conservancy (TNC) start-
ing as assistant of land stewardship and land
protection all the way to her current role as
TNC’s Director of Land Conservation. In this
role, she leads conservation staff, projects,
and partnerships focused on conserving and
improving Wisconsin’s resilient landscapes.
This includes overseeing TNC’s land protec-
tion and management work in Wisconsin and
forging cooperative relationships with partners
from various backgrounds. Her most recent
projects include the evaluation of natural lands
for inclusion as a National Estuarine Research
Reserve, constructed treatment wetlands to
capture agricultural runoff, stream and wetland
restorations, improved fish passage for migra-
tory Great Lakes fish, and priority-setting tools
for conservation actions in the Green Bay wa-
tershed. During her career she also played a
key role in the protection of St. Martin Island,
which is now part of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Services Green Bay National Wildlife Refuge.
Nicole has clearly been a leader in multiple
facets of her career. From being a founding
co-chair of the Green Bay Conservation Part-
ners to chairing the Site Evaluation Committee
for the Bay of Green Bay National Estuarine
Research Reserve. She is also active in her
sons’ Boy Scouts troop and volunteers on the
Park, Recreation, and Forestry Committee for
the Town of Ledgeview.
Highly respected throughout the conserva-
tion community in my district and across Wis-
consin, Nicole’s extensive institutional knowl-
edge has been an invaluable resource to me
during my term in office, and her can-do spirit
is an inspiration to all who know her.
It has been my great privilege to work with
Nicole during my term in Congress. I thank
her for giving generously of her time and tal-
ents to advance the Save the Bay initiative,
and I ask my colleagues to join me in ap-
plauding her unfailing dedication as a cham-
pion of conservation.
f
FRANCIS SCOTT KEY BRIDGE
SPEECH OF
HON. ROSA L. DeLAURO
OF CONNECTICUT
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Wednesday, April 10, 2024
Ms. D
E
LAURO. Mr. Speaker, the collapse of
the Francis Scott Key Bridge was a national
tragedy that impacts all Americans.
I continue to pray for the families of the
bridge workers who were lost in this catas-
trophe. While our hearts are with them, and
with Maryland, the impacts of this disaster
have a national and global reach.
The Port of Baltimore is one of the most
critical pieces of maritime infrastructure in the
United States, directly and indirectly employing
thousands of hardworking Americans far be-
yond the Chesapeake Bay. Small businesses
up and down the East Coast and across the
country will feel the impacts of this disruption,
and we must do all we can to minimize the
economic toll they will bear, and to protect the
workers they employ.
While the focus remains on clearing the
channel and returning port operations to their
full capacity, I stand with President Biden
along with Maryland’s state and local leaders
and Congressional delegation—we will do all
we can to assist those impacted by the loss of
this thoroughfare and the closure of the Port
of Baltimore.
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I will continue working with my colleagues
on both sides of the aisle to provide the re-
sources needed to rebuild and recover.
f
CELEBRATING THE 248TH ANNI-
VERSARY OF THE HALIFAX RE-
SOLVES
HON. DONALD G. DAVIS
OF NORTH CAROLINA
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Thursday, April 11, 2024
Mr. DAVIS of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker,
I rise to recognize history and a momentous
occasion that shaped the very fabric of our
Nation. Two hundred and forty-eight years
ago, on April 12, 1776, in the politically emi-
nent town of Halifax, North Carolina, a gath-
ering of visionary leaders took an audacious
step toward freedom and self-determination.
Imagine the scene: 83 delegates assem-
bled, their hearts filled with determination and
their minds resolute in purpose. These coura-
geous men, representing the people of North
Carolina, dared to challenge the oppressive
grip of tyranny imposed by the King of Eng-
land. In bold defiance, they authorized their
delegates to the Continental Congress to vote
for independence. But it was more than just a
vote; it was an affirmation of our unyielding re-
solve to break free from the chains of colonial
subjugation.
The Halifax Resolves were not merely a
symbolic gesture but a beacon of hope for all
who yearned for liberty and justice. The words
echoed the sentiments of a nation yearning to
breathe free. They laid bare the injustices in-
flicted upon a young country by a distant mon-
arch and enumerated the usurpations and acts
of violence perpetrated against the people and
land.
However, the significance of the Halifax Re-
solves extends far beyond the borders of
North Carolina. It catalyzed the cause of inde-
pendence, igniting a flame of rebellion that
spread like wildfire throughout the colonies. In-
spired by the courage and determination of
our forebears, other colonies followed suit,
echoing the call for freedom and self-govern-
ance.
The Halifax Resolves were not crafted in
isolation. They culminated a year of vigorous
discussions and deliberations at the grass-
roots level, reflecting the will of the people
who had long suffered under British oppres-
sion. The legacy of the Halifax Resolves en-
dures to this day, a testament to the indomi-
table spirit of the American people. It reminds
us that sometimes freedom is earned through
sacrifice, perseverance, and unwavering dedi-
cation to the principles of liberty and justice for
all.
As the community commemorates the 248th
anniversary of this historic event, let us not
only celebrate the bravery and foresight of
those who came before us but also reaffirm
our commitment to upholding the ideals en-
shrined in the Halifax Resolves. May we al-
ways cherish the precious gift of freedom and
never forget the sacrifices made by those who
dared to defy tyranny.
In the words of the Resolves, let us remem-
ber one of the first calls for American freedom:
‘‘Resolved that the delegates for this Colony in
the Continental Congress be impowered to
concur with the delegates of the other Colo-
nies in declaring Independency . . .’’
I look forward to the next two years of
events and preparations for what I know will
be the magnificent Semiquincentennial in
2026. Happy anniversary to the Halifax Re-
solves.
f
CELEBRATING THE 20TH ANNIVER-
SARY OF THE WILDFLOWER
LUNCHEON
HON. PAT FALLON
OF TEXAS
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Thursday, April 11, 2024
Mr. FALLON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to
celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Frisco
Garden Club’s Wildflower Luncheon in Frisco,
Texas.
In 2002, the City of Frisco established a me-
morial composed of wildflowers in honor of the
victims of the September 11, 2001 attacks on
our Nation. In the following year, Frisco Gar-
den Club member Edna Willits proposed the
addition of a native plant garden and monu-
ment at the memorial. Through her passionate
advocacy and dedication, the Freedom Mead-
ow memorial was constructed. In benefit of
Freedom Meadow, the Club held its first
‘‘Wildflower Tea and Silent Auction’’ on April
29, 2004. This successful luncheon yielded
the Club over $4,500 and allowed Freedom
Meadow to expand into the beautiful and mov-
ing monument it is today.
Since then, the Club has hosted the
Wildflower Luncheon every year to raise funds
in support of gardens throughout Frisco and
conservation initiatives for Texas bluebirds.
Additionally, the Club has annually awarded
two high school seniors with scholarships
thanks to funds raised from this event. I am
proud to recognize the Frisco Garden Club’s
incredible efforts to support and uplift our com-
munity. Their important work represents Amer-
ican strength, hope, and resolve against those
who would harm us.
I have requested the United States flag to
be flown over our Nation’s Capitol in recogni-
tion of this historic occasion. I wish the Frisco
Garden Club and the Wildflower Luncheon
continued success for many more years to
come.
f
ADDRESSING THE CRIMES OF
CHILD RAPE
HON. ANNA PAULINA LUNA
OF FLORIDA
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Thursday, April 11, 2024
Mrs. LUNA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ad-
dress the horrific crimes of child rape.
A fundamental principle of justice: the pun-
ishment of those who commit the most egre-
gious crimes against the innocence of our chil-
dren. It is a matter that strikes at the very core
of our values and demands our unwavering at-
tention and action.
There will be those who argue that the
death penalty is unconstitutional. But let me
be unequivocal: when it comes to protecting
our children from the horrors of child rape, the
death penalty is not only constitutional, it is a
moral imperative.
Our Constitution stands as a beacon of free-
dom and justice, crafted to safeguard the
rights and liberties of every American. Yet,
what greater violation of those rights could
there be than the brutal and unforgivable
abuse of our most vulnerable—our children?
The federal minimum for child rape must be
upgraded to the death penalty, and a min-
imum of life behind bars. For it is not merely
a matter of punishment, but of deterrence and
justice.
We must send a resounding message to
those who would prey upon our children: such
heinous crimes will not be tolerated in our so-
ciety, and those who commit them will face
the most severe consequences, a life for a
life. Protecting our children is not just a duty,
it is our sacred obligation as a Nation. We
cannot turn a blind eye to the suffering of in-
nocent victims or allow such predators to roam
freely among us. We must hold these mon-
sters accountable.
It is our responsibility to ensure that our chil-
dren are safe from harm, and that those who
would seek to harm them are swiftly and deci-
sively punished. Upgrading the federal min-
imum for child rape to the death penalty is not
about vengeance—it is about justice. It is
about standing up for the most vulnerable
members of our society and sending a clear
message that their safety and well-being are
paramount.
The time has come to reaffirm our commit-
ment to protecting our children from harm. Let
us stand together, united in our resolve, and
demand that those who commit such heinous
acts face the full force of the law.
f
RECOGNIZING STAN LYFORD’S 50
YEARS WITH PORTSMOUTH HIGH
SCHOOL’S TRACK PROGRAM
HON. CHRIS PAPPAS
OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Thursday, April 11, 2024
Mr. PAPPAS. Mr. Speaker, I rise in recogni-
tion of Stan Lyford’s more than fifty years of
outstanding contributions to the Portsmouth
High School Track Program. Since 1975, Stan
has been a committed coach and mentor for
the Portsmouth High School girls track and
cross-country teams where he works to moti-
vate his athletes to succeed not just on the
track, but also in their academic and personal
lives. With a lifelong passion for giving back to
his community and ensuring that every student
can succeed, Stan embodies the value of
service above self and has had an immeas-
urable effect on strengthening the Portsmouth
community.
In addition to his profound impact on the
Portsmouth High School Track Program, Stan
was also a math teacher at Portsmouth High
School where he worked to engage with stu-
dents and equip them to reach their highest
academic potential. Although he retired from
teaching in 2007, his continued role as head
coach showcases his lifelong commitment to
his students.
On behalf of New Hampshire’s First District,
I commend Stan for reaching this remarkable
fifty-year milestone in his continued service to
his community. The amount of trust placed in
Stan for over half a century is a testament to
his efficacy and compassion as a teacher,
coach, and leader. I look forward to seeing
what he will continue to achieve as he carries
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on his commitment to the Portsmouth Track
Program.
f
CELEBRATING THE 100TH ANNI-
VERSARY OF DAVID CHAPEL
MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH
HON. GREG CASAR
OF TEXAS
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Thursday, April 11, 2024
Mr. CASAR. Mr. Speaker, it is my privilege
to recognize the David Chapel Missionary
Baptist Church’s celebration of its 100th anni-
versary this year.
In 1924, 28 African American members
founded the Church out of a former black-
smith’s shop in Austin, Texas. David Chapel
would move twice, landing in its current site at
MLK and Chestnut in 1958. Its membership
continued to expand, and the need for larger
accommodations became clear. At the height
of racial segregation in the American South,
White-owned banks refused to provide the
loans necessary for the building of a new
space of worship.
Undeterred, David Chapel pursued the
funds, development, and construction they
needed for the structure, becoming a truly
community-driven project. Additionally, the
building was designed by John Chase, the first
Black graduate of the University of Texas at
Austin’s School of Architecture. Through the
commitment and dedication of many, the con-
struction of the current David Chapel Mis-
sionary Baptist Church building was finished
only a year after it started.
Since 1992, David Chapel has been led by
its Senior Pastor, Rev. Joseph C. Parker, Jr.,
Esq., D. Min. Under Rev. Parker’s leadership,
David Chapel has increased its community in-
volvement by developing and implementing
the Chestnut Neighborhood Plan, and co-
founding the Texas Congregations United for
Empowerment (TCUE), an organization of
Black churches in Central Texas working to in-
crease their economic and community em-
powerment.
As the Congressman representing the 35th
District of Texas, I am honored to congratulate
Rev. Packer and David Chapel Missionary
Baptist Church on its 100th anniversary of pro-
viding spiritual guidance and serving the
needs of our community in East Austin and
beyond.
f
PROTECTING OUR WILD HORSES
HON. STEVE COHEN
OF TENNESSEE
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Thursday, April 11, 2024
Mr. COHEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to in-
clude in the R
ECORD
a statement from
Josselyn Wolf, a young woman from Rhode
Island, who appears with me in the documen-
tary film ‘‘Wild Beauty: Mustang Spirit of the
West’’ about the plight of America’s wild
horses. She is an advocate for H.R. 3656, the
Wild Horse and Burro Protection Act, of which
I am an original cosponsor, and has some in-
sightful thoughts to share about how the Wild
Horse and Burro Program is being run by the
Bureau of Land Management. This is her
statement:
‘‘We need the tonic of wildness.’’ This pow-
erful sentiment, articulated by Henry David
Thoreau in his reflective piece Walden, was
embodied when millions of children sent let-
ters to Congress—more letters than any non-
war-related movement has generated in
American history—begging for the protec-
tion of one of our nation’s most treasured
species: the wild horse.
Harnessing the power of our democratic re-
public, these voices inspired the unanimous
passage of the 1971 Wild Free-Roaming
Horses and Burros Act. The Act reserved
roughly 47 million acres of Western range-
lands for the unbridled existence of wild
horses and burros and promised the dwin-
dling numbers of mustangs—then at extinc-
tion level—protection from ‘‘capture, brand-
ing, harassment, or death.’’
Over fifty years since the passage of that
vital legislation, half of designated herd
management areas have been eliminated and
the protections promised by the Act con-
tinue to be grossly and sometimes violently
violated under a system that misleads and
misinforms Congress, the media, and the
American people.
Each year, Congress allocates over one
hundred million dollars to the Bureau of
Land Management to support the Wild Horse
and Burro Program: a system that endan-
gers, kills, incarcerates, and separates close-
knit equine families through the use of trau-
matic helicopter-induced stampedes and dis-
mal holding facilities, a system overseen by
land managers who claim to restore the land
while destroying it, a system that has sent
thousands of wild horses—wild horses: the
icons of freedom and grit that define our
great nation—to the slaughter pipeline.
Why? To support millions of livestock who
produce less than two percent of American
beef, much of which is shipped overseas to
China. Livestock who, by the Bureau of Land
Management’s own statistics, graze nearly
six times more public land than wild horses,
vastly outnumbering them on their own des-
ignated territories. Not only does public
grazing of cattle and sheep degrade biodiver-
sity, it also subsidizes billion-dollar cattle
corporations at the expense of hundreds of
millions of taxpayer dollars: a stark contrast
to small ranchers who are forced to pay ris-
ing grazing fees.
As human beings, we wield unprecedented
power to disrupt the thriving natural eco-
logical balance of our planet and therefore
unprecedented responsibility to sustain it.
As the National Academy of Sciences along
with a multitude of independent scientists
and researchers have attested, our land’s ec-
ological harmony is, in its current state,
fundamentally broken. As law scholars have
passionately voiced, our legal compliance
with the Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Bur-
ros Act is fundamentally broken. As Indige-
nous representatives have testified, our rela-
tionship with the land is fundamentally bro-
ken.
You, Members of Congress, wield the power
to defend this untamed wildness that is the
history and heart of America before it
reaches extinction level. Each of you, Mem-
bers of Congress, are in a unique position to
rectify this dysfunctional system that is
compromising our environment, our econ-
omy, and the natural wonders and gifts we
are collectively responsible for, to pass down
to our children untarnished and undestroyed.
Therefore, I am not asking for a radical,
partisan rewrite: I am asking for a conversa-
tion. It is up to you to reevaluate the prior-
ities of our nation . . . before it’s too late.
As a sixteen-year-old constituent, it is of im-
perative importance to me that the planet of
my future is managed sustainably, and that
carelessness does not forever eliminate the
tonic of wildness that makes our Earth a
home.
RECOGNIZING PROFESSOR
MARIELAINE MAMMON FOR EX-
CEPTIONAL SERVICE TO OUR
STATE AND ACADEMIC COMMU-
NITY
HON. MIKIE SHERRILL
OF NEW JERSEY
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Thursday, April 11, 2024
Ms. SHERRILL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to
recognize Professor Marielaine Mammon as
she is honored as a recipient of the 2024 Dale
P. Parnell Distinguished Faculty Award. This
national award recognizes exemplary faculty
members from America’s community colleges.
Through her decades of service to the County
College of Morris (CCM) in New Jersey’s Elev-
enth Congressional District, Professor
Mammon continues to inspire classes of stu-
dents.
Professor Mammon dedicated her education
and career to the performing arts. Of her 51
years of teaching experience, she dedicated
47 years to CCM and has made a lasting im-
pact on our community. Professor Mammon is
a tremendous mentor and she inspires her
students to see their full potential while honing
the skills needed to reach their goals. Through
her extraordinary career in the performing arts,
including performances at Carnegie Hall and
Lincoln Center’s Alice Tully Hall, Professor
Mammon leads her students by example.
Outside of the classroom, Professor
Mammon is deeply involved on campus,
whether she is chairing Hispanic Heritage
Month celebrations, leading choir perform-
ances at local senior living facilities, or cre-
ating interdisciplinary opportunities for stu-
dents. She has served on numerous commit-
tees, including the Pandemic Response Team,
Academic Standards Committee, and Cur-
riculum Committee. Through these extra-
curricular efforts, Professor Mammon hears di-
rectly from both students and faculty on their
needs on campus and she brings this under-
standing to her work.
I am honored to recognize Professor
Mammon for her exemplary career and con-
gratulate her on this well-deserved recognition.
f
RECOGNIZING QUIRINA OROZCO
HON. DORIS O. MATSUI
OF CALIFORNIA
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Thursday, April 11, 2024
Ms. MATSUI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to
Join the Sacramento Metropolitan Chamber of
Commerce in recognition of the 2023 Al Gei-
ger Memorial Award Honoree, West Sac-
ramento City Council Member Quirina Orozco,
for her ongoing exemplary public service to
the Sacramento region. Council Member
Orozco is an excellent leader in our commu-
nity who demonstrates that the Sacramento
region’s approach to everything from eco-
nomic development, innovation, community
outreach, and advocacy can and should be a
model for the rest of the country. Council
Member Orozco’s commitment to public serv-
ice illustrates the very reason why I love my
congressional district. Our leaders have al-
ways sought to innovate, to push the enve-
lope, and—most importantly—to deliver for out
constituents.
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Even before her time in elected office,
Council Member Orozco had demonstrated a
commitment to public service, serving in the
White House while crafting federal education
policy and later as an advisor to then Lt. Gov-
ernor Cruz Bustamante on tribal community
and veteran issues. To this day, Council Mem-
ber Orozco continues her service to the public
as a prosecutor for the Sacramento County
District Attorney’s Office, with a focus on sex-
ual assault and child abuse cases. Council
Member Orozco’s commitment to our commu-
nity has been an ongoing facet of her life—a
commitment that the West Sacramento com-
munity is both grateful for and counting on.
As a member of the West Sacramento City
Council, Council Member Orozco has contin-
ued to champion the West Sacramento chap-
ter of the Downtown Streets Team to create
opportunities for unhoused individuals who are
seeking to break out of the cycle of recurring
systemic trauma and incarceration. Council
Member Orozco’s support was critical for the
West Sacramento Home Run program, which
provides community members with access to
high-quality early learning for young children,
college savings accounts, and internships.
Council Member Orozco’s service continues to
demonstrate how diligent and focused advo-
cacy can create real change in our commu-
nities.
Mr. Speaker, today we honor West Sac-
ramento City Council Member Quirina Orozco
for her extraordinary service to the City of
West Sacramento and the Greater Sac-
ramento Region for many more years to
come.
f
COMMEMORATING SIXTH BAPTIST
CHURCH’S 100TH ANNIVERSARY
HON. JENNIFER L. McCLELLAN
OF VIRGINIA
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Thursday, April 11, 2024
Ms. M
C
CLELLAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today
to commemorate the 100th anniversary of
Sixth Baptist Church in Richmond, Virginia.
In 1923, Reverend Edward D. Caffee led 25
members from Mount Carmel Baptist Church
to establish a Mission, initially known as St.
Luke’s Mission. Despite initial challenges in
obtaining recognition, on December 12, 1923,
the Mission was officially recognized as St.
Luke Baptist Church.
Under Reverend Caffee’s guidance, the
church flourished, moving to North Sixth Street
in 1924, where it held its first service on De-
cember 28, 1924. In November 1927, the Rev-
erend Joseph Arrington was appointed as pas-
tor of Sixth Baptist Church. At Arrington’s rec-
ommendation and with the congregation’s con-
sent, the church officially changed its name
from St. Luke Baptist Church to Sixth Street
Baptist Church.
Despite financial struggles during the Great
Depression, the church persevered, paying off
its mortgage in 1944. In 1952, recognizing the
changing landscape of Richmond, the con-
gregation moved to the West End, renaming
itself Sixth Baptist Church. Under the leader-
ship of Reverend Arrington, the church’s mem-
bership grew to an astounding 350 members.
After 33 years of faithful service, Reverend
Arrington stepped down as pastor, paving the
way for the appointment of Haywood Knight
as Sixth Baptist Church’s new senior pastor.
Under Reverend Knight’s leadership, the
church renovated its fellowship hall and estab-
lished the Fellowship Club and Youth Church.
Reverend Knight served as pastor until 1968,
when Reverend Dr. Emmett L. Fleming Sr. be-
came the fourth pastor of the church.
Under Reverend Dr. Fleming’s tenure, the
church embarked on ambitious projects, in-
cluding erecting an educational building and
renovating the sanctuary. His legacy of com-
munity outreach and ministry development laid
a strong foundation for the future.
In 2001, Reverend Dr. Yvonne Jones Bibbs
became the fifth pastor of Sixth Baptist
Church, continuing the tradition of stewardship
and community engagement. As pastor, Rev.
Dr. Bibbs has overseen the church through
two phases of construction and renovations to
improve facilities and worship spaces for the
growing congregation.
Throughout its 100 years, Sixth Baptist
Church has remained a steadfast place of
worship for congregants and members of the
Richmond community. As we celebrate Sixth
Baptist Church’s centennial, we honor the
past, embrace the present, and look forward
to a future filled with continued growth and
service.
f
HONORING SPARTA UNICO’S 25TH
ANNIVERSARY
HON. THOMAS H. KEAN, JR.
OF NEW JERSEY
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Thursday, April 11, 2024
Mr. KEAN of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I
rise today to recognize and congratulate Spar-
ta UNICO on its 25th anniversary.
As the name UNICO attests, this organiza-
tion is truly unique. It combines a celebration
of Italian-American culture with a passion for
charitable initiatives and local community serv-
ice. From awarding students in our school dis-
tricts with academic scholarships, to fund-
raising for local food pantries and other char-
ities, Sparta UNICO has impacted the lives of
many residents in New Jersey’s Seventh Dis-
trict. Our communities have certainly bene-
fitted from the noble efforts of Sparta UNICO,
and I am grateful to have such an exemplary
organization operating in our district.
I wish UNICO a wonderful 25th anniversary.
I thank them again for promoting such incred-
ible cultural diversity in our communities, and
for admirable dedication to making our district
a healthier, safer, and more vibrant place to
live.
f
RECOGNIZING KIM HUSTON
HON. BRETT GUTHRIE
OF KENTUCKY
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Thursday, April 11, 2024
Mr. GUTHRIE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to
honor Kim Huston on her retirement from
nearly 30 years of working in local economic
development in Nelson County.
As President of the Nelson County Eco-
nomic Development Agency and Bardstown
Industrial Development Corporation, Kim has
been a tireless advocate for Nelson County
and ensuring their economic success. During
her time in economic development she has
overseen more than $1,500,000,000 in invest-
ments in her area and made sure Nelson
County had a seat at the table in a global
economy by building relationships with busi-
ness leaders worldwide.
Kim has been a champion for making Nel-
son County a global tourist destination. Along-
side keeping Bardstown the Bourbon Capital
of the World, she oversaw the city being
named the most Beautiful Small Town in
America by USA Today and Rand McNally in
2012. Her passion for Nelson County is felt by
everyone who has met her and she captured
that passion by proudly authoring three books
about her hometown.
I want to thank Kim for her work in Nelson
County and wish her a happy retirement as
she spends more time with her family.
f
HONORING THE RETIREMENT OF
REVEREND DR. TOMMIE L.
LEWIS AS PASTOR OF BETHEL
MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH
PRATT CITY
HON. TERRI A. SEWELL
OF ALABAMA
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Thursday, April 11, 2024
Ms. SEWELL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to
honor the extraordinary career of a faithful
servant leader, Reverend Dr. Tommie L.
Lewis, as he celebrates his retirement as sen-
ior pastor of Bethel Missionary Baptist Church
Pratt City after 42 years of service to the Bir-
mingham community.
Pastor T.L. Lewis answered the call to min-
istry on January 6, 1973, becoming licensed to
preach at the Shady Grove Missionary Baptist
Church in Birmingham, Alabama, and was or-
dained by incumbent Reverend G.W. Sloan on
July 29, 1973.
Pastor Lewis is an accomplished biblical
scholar. He attended the Birmingham
Easonian Baptist Bible College, earning a
Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Theology
before earning a Master of Divinity degree at
Universal Bible Institute in Brunswick, Georgia.
Pastor Lewis received two honorary doctoral
degrees from both his alma maters for his
contributions to ministry through his public
service.
Pastor Lewis accepted his first pastoral as-
signment at the First Baptist Church Carver in
Bessemer, Alabama. He then served at the
Antioch Baptist Church in Gadsden, Alabama.
In 1982, Pastor Lewis was commissioned to
his final home in Birmingham as head pastor
of Bethel Baptist Church Pratt City, where he
has remained for the past 42 years of his ca-
reer.
During his tenure, Pastor Lewis has served
‘‘Bethel Nation,’’ well, expanding its congrega-
tion to thousands and positioning the church
to its status as a beacon of hope in the Pratt
City community. Pastor Lewis’ legacy has
been fueled by his servant’s heart, commit-
ment to community, and passion for improving
the lives of others. His position as a powerful
force for good extends far beyond the sanc-
tuary walls.
Pastor Lewis has dedicated his life to build-
ing a coalition of community servants that will
far outlast him. His tutelage led to fifty-three
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others heeding the call to ministry that Pastor
Lewis himself answered fifty-two years ago. In
1990, the Bethel Baptist Church erected a
new Worship Center, including a sanctuary
with a seating capacity of 1800, an office
plaza, a conference room, a library, and a
nursery. Pastor Lewis worked to expand Beth-
el’s community service by commissioning a
new Family Life Center. This building also be-
came a permanent home for the Bethel Com-
munity Learning Center, which garnered thou-
sands of state and federal dollars to support
community development and education initia-
tives.
Tragically, in April of 2011, these buildings
were destroyed by a devastating tornado. In
the face of adversity, Pastor Lewis did not
hesitate to spring into action, leaning on his
faith to rally his community together and re-
store their church home. He then established
the Bethel Emergency Management Agency,
which led the restoration and revitalization ef-
forts of Bethel Baptist Church Pratt City and
the surrounding community. Pastor Lewis fa-
cilitated the construction of a new sanctuary
beginning in April 2012, and the new home of
Bethel Nation was completed and consecrated
on August 24, 2014.
In addition to his leadership in Birmingham,
Pastor Lewis has also been the guiding force
behind international missions, spreading his
spiritual teachings across the globe. He has
delivered sermons on different continents
throughout the world. No matter how far his
ministry has taken him, Pastor Lewis has al-
ways remained committed to home. He has
displayed his commitment to public service
through his leadership and religious affili-
ations, which include the Pratt City Ministerial
Alliance, the Birmingham Metropolitan Baptist
Ministerial Conference, and the Southern
Christian Leadership Conference.
Beyond his work in the clergy, Pastor Lewis’
civic affiliations include former Captain for the
Bessemer Police and Fire Department Chap-
laincy Corps, Chairman of the Board of Direc-
tors for the Jefferson County Transit Authority,
Chairman of the Board of Directors for the Jef-
ferson County Commission of Economic Op-
portunity, and State President for the National
Rainbow Push Coalition. Pastor Lewis was
honored by the Magic City in 1988 with his in-
duction into the City of Birmingham’s Gallery
of Distinguished Citizens—a bust of him is dis-
played in the Birmingham City Hall to com-
memorate this achievement.
On a personal note, Pastor T.L. Lewis holds
a special place in my heart as a dear friend
and trusted spiritual advisor. I was honored to
host Pastor Lewis at the National Prayer
Breakfast in Washington, D.C., as one of the
first pastors in our district to attend. I know I
can always count on his wise words and coun-
sel when I need inspiration. Pastor Lewis’
mentorship has meant so much to me over
the years and has positively impacted me as
a public servant. After the devastating storms
of 2011, Pastor Lewis’ leadership and faith
were a beacon of hope for me and so many
others as we rebuilt. His deep love for his
community renews my passion for public serv-
ice and reminds me of why I am in Wash-
ington. I am proud to congratulate him for his
42 years of service to the Bethel Baptist
Church Pratt City congregation and sur-
rounding community. Though he is retiring, I
know his service will not end here, and I wish
him the best in his future endeavors.
On behalf of Alabama’s 7th Congressional
District, I ask my colleagues to join me in rec-
ognizing the extraordinary leadership and ex-
emplary service of Reverend Dr. T.L. Lewis
and his contributions to the Birmingham com-
munity and the State of Alabama as the senior
pastor of Bethel Missionary Baptist Church
Pratt City.
f
HONORING PETTY OFFICER ART
SCHNEIDER, CHERRY HILL
HOMETOWN HERO
HON. DONALD NORCROSS
OF NEW JERSEY
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Thursday, April 11, 2024
Mr. NORCROSS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today
to honor and commend Petty Officer Art
Schneider, Cherry Hill Hometown Hero.
Petty Officer 3rd Class Art Schneider was
born in Cherry Hill, New Jersey. Following in
the footstep of both of his grandfathers and
two of his uncles, Petty Officer Schneider en-
listed into the United States Navy on Sep-
tember 5, 1990.
After joining the United States Navy, Petty
Officer Schneider became a Nuclear Machinist
Mate and throughout his service was stationed
in Orlando, Idaho Falls, Alameda, Puget
Sound, Naval Shipyard, Ballston Spa Naval
Nuclear Power Training Unit, and was de-
ployed during Operation Desert Storm.
Throughout his tenure in the armed services,
he earned several military commendations in-
cluding but not limited to the Navy Achieve-
ment Medal, two Good Conduct Awards, a
Letter of Commendation, the Southwest Asia
Service Medal with a Bronze Star, the Battle
Effectiveness Award, and the Sea Service De-
ployment Ribbon.
Following his active-duty service, Art pur-
sued a career in Cryogenic Field Service, be-
came a Mechanical Instructor, and went on to
become a Welding Equipment Repair Techni-
cian. Today, Art Schneider is a member of the
Cherry Hill American Legion Post 372, Vet-
erans of Foreign Wars Post 8051, American
Veterans Post 101, and Disabled American
Veterans E J Newton Memorial Chapter 4.
Petty Officer Schneider continues to serve his
community assisting veterans throughout the
region and specifically in his role as the Vet-
erans of Foreign Wars National Aide-de-Camp
from 2016 to 2017, and Senior Vice Com-
mander of the Philadelphia Veterans of For-
eign Wars District 1 from 2016 to 2020.
Mr. Speaker, I ask you to join me in hon-
oring and commending Petty Officer 3rd Class
Art Schneider of Cherry Hill, New Jersey, a
resident dedicated to his family, community,
and country, who has intrepidly served each to
the best of his ability.
f
CONGRESSIONAL PATRIOT AWARD
FOR MICHAEL WYSOCKI
HON. PAT FALLON
OF TEXAS
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Thursday, April 11, 2024
Mr. FALLON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to
recognize Mr. Michael Wysocki of Dallas,
Texas, and present him with the Congres-
sional Patriot Award. Michael is an experi-
enced jurist and courtroom litigator who has
dedicated himself to faithfully serving our com-
munity.
Michael is a distinguished graduate of the
University of Texas at Tyler and Texas Tech
University School of Law. In 2006, he was ad-
mitted to the State Bar of Texas and became
board-certified in Family Law in 2011. Michael
is licensed to practice law in Texas, New Mex-
ico, and before the U.S. Supreme Court. He
became the Managing Shareholder of O’Neil
Wysocki, P.C., with offices in Dallas, Fort
Worth, and Houston. Over the years, Michael
has successfully represented many clients
who are experiencing family and domestic
legal issues.
For his extensive work and efforts, Michael
was named a Texas Rising Star lawyer three
times and recognized as a Texas Super Law-
yer since 2014, a prestigious title awarded to
less than five percent of all lawyers statewide.
Additionally, he has been honored by the An-
nette Stewart Family Law Inns of Court for his
professionalism. In his free time, Michael vol-
unteers on political campaigns to elect Repub-
lican candidates and helps appoint qualified
Judges throughout Texas. Whether he is in
the courtroom or on the campaign trail, Mi-
chael is a fierce fighter and advocate for
American values.
It is an honor to bestow Michael with the
Patriot Award for his exceptional service to our
Nation and the people of North Texas. I wish
him continued success for many years to
come.
f
RECOGNIZING ELAINA MURPHY
HON. BRETT GUTHRIE
OF KENTUCKY
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Thursday, April 11, 2024
Mr. GUTHRIE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to
honor Elaina Murphy for her service to Ken-
tucky’s Second District. A Nicholasville, Ken-
tucky native, Elaina obtained her Bachelors
Degree from Centre College in 2015 and her
Masters Degree from George Washington Uni-
versity in 2017.
Nearly a decade ago, I welcomed Elaina to
my team as a summer intern in July 2015 be-
fore she transitioned to become my Staff As-
sistant until December 2015. In August 2016,
I welcomed her back to my office as my Legis-
lative Correspondent. She has since advanced
to roles as Legislative Assistant, Senior Legis-
lative Assistant, and most recently Senior Pol-
icy Advisor. Elaina has worked tirelessly in
nearly every legislative area in my office with
particular interests in foreign affairs, energy,
and telecommunications. She has been es-
sential to many projects in my office, including
spearheading the Spectrum Caucus, and has
been a passionate advocate for America’s
gold standard military installation, Fort Knox.
I want to thank Elaina for her work serving
her home state and Kentucky’s Second Dis-
trict as a constant, reliable member of my
team. I wish her the best as she excels in this
next chapter of her career on Capitol Hill ex-
panding her work in foreign affairs as she
goes to work for the House Intelligence Com-
mittee.
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D341
Thursday, April 11, 2024
Daily Digest
HIGHLIGHTS
House and Senate met in a Joint Meeting to receive His Excellency
Kishida Fumio, Prime Minister of Japan.
Senate
Chamber Action
Legislative Day of Wednesday, April 10, 2024.
Routine Proceedings, pages S2715–S2722
Measures Introduced: Twelve bills and four resolu-
tions were introduced, as follows: S. 4107–4118, S.J.
Res. 71, and S. Res. 637–639.
Page S2719
Measures Reported:
H.R. 2754, to designate the facility of the United
States Postal Service located at 2395 East Del Mar
Boulevard in Laredo, Texas, as the ‘‘Lance Corporal
David Lee Espinoza, Lance Corporal Juan Rodrigo
Rodriguez & Sergeant Roberto Arizola Jr. Post Of-
fice Building’’.
H.R. 3865, to designate the facility of the United
States Postal Service located at 101 South 8th Street
in Lebanon, Pennsylvania, as the ‘‘Lieutenant Wil-
liam D. Lebo Post Office Building’’.
H.R. 3947, to designate the facility of the United
States Postal Service located at 859 North State
Road 21 in Melrose, Florida, as the ‘‘Pamela Jane
Rock Post Office Building’’.
S. 3851, to designate the facility of the United
States Postal Service located at 90 McCamly Street
South in Battle Creek, Michigan, as the ‘‘Sojourner
Truth Post Office’’.
Page S2718
Measures Passed:
Calling for the Release of Ryan Corbett: Senate
agreed to S. Res. 638, calling for the immediate re-
lease of Ryan Corbett, a United States citizen who
was wrongfully detained by the Taliban on August
10, 2022, and condemning the wrongful detention
of Americans by the Taliban.
Page S2716
Measures Considered:
Certain Rules of the Environmental Protection
Agency: Senate continued consideration of the mo-
tion to proceed to consideration of S. 4072, to pro-
hibit the use of funds to implement, administer, or
enforce certain rules of the Environmental Protection
Agency.
Page S2715
Manglona Nomination—Cloture: Senate began
consideration of the nomination of Ramona
Villagomez Manglona, of the Northern Mariana Is-
lands, to be Judge for the District Court for the
Northern Mariana Islands. Pages S2715–16
A motion was entered to close further debate on
the nomination, and, in accordance with the provi-
sions of Rule XXII of the Standing Rules of the
Senate, and pursuant to the unanimous-consent
agreement of Thursday, April 11, 2024, a vote on
cloture will occur at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, April
15, 2024. Page S2716
Prior to the consideration of this nomination, Sen-
ate took the following action:
By 49 yeas to 44 nays (Vote No. 123), Senate
agreed to the motion to proceed to Executive Session
to consider the nomination.
Page S2715
By 48 yeas to 40 nays (Vote No. 124), Senate
agreed to the motion to recess until 3 p.m., on Mon-
day, April 15, 2024. Pages S2716–17
Nominations Received: Senate received the fol-
lowing nominations:
Heather M. Cahoon, of Montana, to be a Member
of the Board of Trustees of the Morris K. Udall and
Stewart L. Udall Foundation for a term expiring Oc-
tober 6, 2024.
Heather M. Cahoon, of Montana, to be a Member
of the Board of Trustees of the Morris K. Udall and
Stewart L. Udall Foundation for a term expiring Oc-
tober 6, 2030.
Amanda S. Jacobsen, of Washington, to be Am-
bassador to the Republic of Equatorial Guinea.
Christophe Andre Tocco, of California, to be Am-
bassador to the Islamic Republic of Mauritania.
Shirley Sachi Sagawa, of Maryland, to be a Mem-
ber of the Board of Directors of the Corporation for
National and Community Service for a term expiring
October 6, 2029.
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CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — DAILY DIGESTD342 April 11, 2024
Ann C. Fisher, of South Dakota, to be a Commis-
sioner of the Postal Regulatory Commission for a
term expiring October 14, 2030.
Ashley Jay Elizabeth Poling, of North Carolina, to
be a Commissioner of the Postal Regulatory Com-
mission for a term expiring November 22, 2030.
Page S2722
Messages from the House: Page S2718
Executive Reports of Committees: Page S2719
Additional Cosponsors: Pages S2719–21
Statements on Introduced Bills/Resolutions:
Pages S2721–22
Additional Statements: Page S2718
Notices of Intent: Page S2722
Authorities for Committees to Meet: Page S2722
Record Votes: Two record votes were taken today.
(Total—124) Pages S2715–17
Recess: Senate convened at 12:30 p.m. and recessed
at 2:37 p.m., until 3 p.m. on Monday, April 15,
2024. (For Senate’s program, see the remarks of the
Majority Leader in today’s Record on page S2722.)
Committee Meetings
(Committees not listed did not meet)
DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION REQUEST AND
FUTURE YEARS DEFENSE PROGRAM
Committee on Armed Services: Committee concluded
open and closed hearings to examine the posture of
United States European Command and United States
Transportation Command in review of the Defense
Authorization Request for fiscal year 2025 and the
Future Years Defense Program, after receiving testi-
mony from General Christopher G. Cavoli, USA,
Commander, United States European Command/
North Atlantic Treaty Organization Supreme Allied
Commander Europe, and General Jacqueline D. Van
Ovost, USAF, Commander, United States Transpor-
tation Command, both of the Department of De-
fense.
MEDICARE PHYSICIAN PAYMENT
Committee on Finance: Committee concluded a hearing
to examine bolstering chronic care through Medicare
Physician Payment, after receiving testimony from
Amol S. Navathe, University of Pennsylvania
Perelman School of Medicine and The Wharton
School, Philadelphia; Steven Furr, American Acad-
emy of Family Physicians, Jackson, Alabama; Patri-
cia L. Turner, American College of Surgeons, Chi-
cago, Illinois; and Melanie Matthews, MultiCare
Connected Care, Olympia, Washington.
TRANSNATIONAL CRIMINAL NETWORKS
Committee on Foreign Relations: Subcommittee on
Western Hemisphere, Transnational Crime, Civilian
Security, Democracy, Human Rights, and Global
Women’s Issues concluded a hearing to examine
countering transnational criminal networks and cor-
ruption in the Western Hemisphere, after receiving
testimony from Richard Nephew, Coordinator on
Global Anti-Corruption, Mark Wells, Principal Dep-
uty Assistant Secretary for Western Hemisphere Af-
fairs Bureau, and Christopher A. Landberg, Deputy
Assistant Secretary for International Narcotics and
Law Enforcement Affairs, all of the Department of
State.
BUSINESS MEETING
Committee on the Judiciary: Committee ordered favor-
ably reported the nominations of Sanket Jayshukh
Bulsara, to be United States District Judge for the
Eastern District of New York, Dena M. Coggins, to
be United States District Judge for the Eastern Dis-
trict of California, Eric C. Schulte, and Camela C.
Theeler, both to be a United States District Judge
for the District of South Dakota, and David O.
Barnett, Jr., to be United States Marshal for the Dis-
trict of New Mexico, and Clinton J. Fuchs, to be
United States Marshal for the District of Maryland,
both of the Department of Justice.
h
House of Representatives
Chamber Action
Public Bills and Resolutions Introduced: 34 pub-
lic bills, H.R. 7937–7970; and 5 resolutions, H.J.
Res. 128; and H. Res. 1133–1136, were introduced.
Pages H2315–17
Additional Cosponsors: Pages H2318–19
Reports Filed: There were no reports filed today.
Committee Chair Resignation: Read a letter from
Representative Granger wherein she resigned as
Chair of the Committee on Appropriations.
Page H2293
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CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — DAILY DIGEST D343 April 11, 2024
Committee Resignation: Read a letter from Rep-
resentative Cole wherein he resigned from the Com-
mittee on Rules.
Page H2293
Committee Resignation: Read a letter from Rep-
resentative James wherein he resigned from the
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
Page H2293
Committee Election: The House agreed to H. Res.
1133, electing Members to certain standing commit-
tees of the House of Representatives.
Page H2294
Recess: The House recessed at 9:07 a.m. for the
purpose of receiving His Excellency Fumio Kishida,
Prime Minister of Japan. The House reconvened at
12:30 p.m., and agreed that the proceedings had
during the Joint Meeting be printed in the Record.
Page H2294
Recess: The House recessed at 12:53 p.m. and re-
convened at 4:15 p.m.
Page H2299
Suspensions: The House agreed to suspend the rules
and pass the following measures: Puyallup Tribe of
Indians Land Into Trust Confirmation Act: S. 382,
to take certain land in the State of Washington into
trust for the benefit of the Puyallup Tribe of the
Puyallup Reservation, by a
2
⁄
3
yea-and-nay vote of
401 yeas to 15 nays, Roll No. 110; and
Page H2300
Sea Turtle Rescue Assistance and Rehabilitation
Act: H.R. 2560, amended, to require the Secretary
of Commerce to establish the Sea Turtle Rescue As-
sistance Grant Program, by a
2
⁄
3
yea-and-nay vote of
332 yeas to 82 nays, Roll No. 111.
Pages H2298–99, H2300–01
Suspension—Proceedings Resumed: The House
agreed to suspend the rules and pass the following
measure. Consideration began Tuesday, April 9th.
Right-Of-Way Application Transparency and Ac-
countability Act: H.R. 6011, amended, to direct
the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Ag-
riculture to notify applicants of the completion sta-
tus of right-of-way applications under section 501 of
the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of
1976 and section 28 of the Mineral Leasing Act.
Page H2301
Meeting Hour: Agreed by unanimous consent that
when the House adjourns today, it adjourn to meet
at 8 a.m. tomorrow, April 12th.
Page H2301
Quorum Calls—Votes: Two yea-and-nay votes de-
veloped during the proceedings of today and appear
on pages H2300 and H2301.
Adjournment: The House met at 9 a.m. and ad-
journed at 7:16 p.m.
Committee Meetings
MEMBER DAY
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Agri-
culture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Admin-
istration, and Related Agencies held a hearing enti-
tled ‘‘Member Day’’. Testimony was heard from
Representatives Flood, McGovern, and Moore of
Wisconsin.
APPROPRIATIONS—U.S. AGENCY FOR
INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on State,
Foreign Operations and Related Programs held a
budget hearing on the U.S. Agency for International
Development. Testimony was heard from Samantha
Power, Administrator, U.S. Agency for International
Development.
APPROPRIATIONS—FEDERAL BUREAU OF
INVESTIGATION
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Com-
merce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies held a
budget hearing on the Federal Bureau of Investiga-
tion. Testimony was heard from Christopher Wray,
Director, Federal Bureau of Investigation.
MEMBER DAY
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Home-
land Security held a hearing entitled ‘‘Member Day’’.
Testimony was heard from Representatives Manning,
Moylan, Stanton, and Van Drew.
APPROPRIATIONS—NAVY AND MARINE
CORPS MILITARY CONSTRUCTION AND
FAMILY HOUSING
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Mili-
tary Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related
Agencies held a budget hearing on the Navy and
Marine Corps Military Construction and Family
Housing. Testimony was heard from Lieutenant
General Edward D. Banta, Deputy Commandant, In-
stallations and Logistics, U.S. Marine Corps; Mere-
dith Berger, Assistant Secretary of the Navy, Instal-
lations, Energy and Environment, and Chief Sustain-
ability Officer, Department of the Navy; and Vice
Admiral Jeffrey T. Jablon, Deputy Chief of Naval
Operations for Installations and Logistics, Depart-
ment of the Navy.
MEMBER DAY
Committee on Armed Services: Full Committee held a
hearing entitled ‘‘Member Day’’. Testimony was
heard from Representatives Moore of Utah, Stanton,
Kilmer, McGovern, James, Budzinski, and Perez.
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CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — DAILY DIGESTD344 April 11, 2024
POSTURE AND READINESS OF THE
MOBILITY ENTERPRISE—U.S.
TRANSPORTATION COMMAND AND U.S.
MARITIME ADMINISTRATION
Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on
Seapower and Projection Forces; and Subcommittee
on Readiness held a joint hearing entitled ‘‘Posture
and Readiness of the Mobility Enterprise—
TRANSCOM and MARAD’’. Testimony was heard
from General Jacqueline D. Van Ovost, Commander,
U.S. Transportation Command, Department of De-
fense; and Rear Admiral Ann C. Phillips (Retired),
Administrator, U.S. Maritime Administration, De-
partment of Transportation.
A REVIEW OF THE DEFENSE INTELLIGENCE
ENTERPRISE’S POSTURE AND
CAPABILITIES IN STRATEGIC
COMPETITION AND IN SYNCHRONIZING
INTELLIGENCE EFFORTS TO COUNTER THE
PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA
Committee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Intel-
ligence and Special Operations held a hearing enti-
tled ‘‘A Review of the Defense Intelligence Enter-
prise’s Posture and Capabilities in Strategic Com-
petition and in Synchronizing Intelligence Efforts to
Counter the People’s Republic of China’’. Testimony
was heard from the following Department of Defense
officials: Milancy D. Harris, Acting Under Secretary
of Defense for Intelligence and Security; General
Timothy D. Haugh, U.S. Air Force, Commander,
U.S. Cyber Command, Director, National Security
Agency, and Chief, Central Security Service; and
Lieutenant General Jeffrey Kruse, U.S. Air Force,
Director, Defense Intelligence Agency.
UNLOCKING OPPORTUNITY: ALLOWING
INDEPENDENT CONTRACTORS TO ACCESS
BENEFITS
Committee on Education and Workforce: Subcommittee
on Workforce Protections held a hearing entitled
‘‘Unlocking Opportunity: Allowing Independent
Contractors to Access Benefits’’. Testimony was
heard from public witnesses.
WHERE ARE WE NOW: SECTION 230 OF
THE COMMUNICATIONS DECENCY ACT OF
1996
Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on
Communications and Technology held a hearing en-
titled ‘‘Where Are We Now: Section 230 of the
Communications Decency Act of 1996’’. Testimony
was heard from public witnesses.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on House Administration: Subcommittee on
Modernization held a markup on H.R. 7592, the
‘‘Eliminating the CONAN Print Requirement’’; and
H.R. 7593, the ‘‘Modernizing the Congressional Re-
search Service’s Access to Data Act’’. H.R. 7592 and
H.R. 7593 were forwarded to the full Committee,
without amendment.
FIGHTING FOR A FREE PRESS:
PROTECTING JOURNALISTS AND THEIR
SOURCES
Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on the Con-
stitution and Limited Government held a hearing
entitled ‘‘Fighting for a Free Press: Protecting Jour-
nalists and Their Sources’’. Testimony was heard
from public witnesses.
ENERGIZING THE TERRITORIES:
PROMOTING AFFORDABLE AND RELIABLE
ENERGY SOURCES FOR THE U.S. INSULAR
AREAS
Committee on Natural Resources: Subcommittee on In-
dian and Insular Affairs held a hearing entitled ‘‘En-
ergizing the Territories: Promoting Affordable and
Reliable Energy Sources for the U.S. Insular Areas’’.
Testimony was heard from John Brewer, Jr., Direc-
tor, Office of Insular and International Affairs, De-
partment of the Interior; Kyle D Fleming, Director,
Virgin Islands Energy Office, and Chairman, Gov-
erning Board, Virgin Islands Water and Power Au-
thority, U.S. Virgin Islands; and public witnesses.
OVERSIGHT OF THE U.S. FOOD AND DRUG
ADMINISTRATION
Committee on Oversight and Accountability: Full Com-
mittee held a hearing entitled ‘‘Oversight of the U.S.
Food and Drug Administration’’. Testimony was
heard from Robert Califf, Commissioner, U.S. Food
and Drug Administration, Department of Health
and Human Services.
REFORMING INTELLIGENCE AND
SECURING AMERICA ACT; EXTENDING
LIMITS OF U.S. CUSTOMS WATERS ACT;
DENOUNCING THE BIDEN
ADMINISTRATION’S IMMIGRATION
POLICIES; OPPOSING EFFORTS TO PLACE
ONE-SIDED PRESSURE ON ISRAEL WITH
RESPECT TO GAZA
Committee on Rules: Full Committee held a hearing on
H.R. 7888, the ‘‘Reforming Intelligence and Secur-
ing America Act’’; H.R. 529, the ‘‘Extending Limits
of U.S. Customs Waters Act’’; H. Res. 1112, de-
nouncing the Biden administration’s immigration
policies; and H. Res. 1117, opposing efforts to place
one-sided pressure on Israel with respect to Gaza.
The Committee granted, by a record vote of 8–4, a
rule providing for consideration of H.R. 7888, the
‘‘Reforming Intelligence and Securing America Act’’,
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CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — DAILY DIGEST D345 April 11, 2024
H.R. 529, the ‘‘Extending Limits of U.S. Customs
Waters Act’’, H. Res. 1112, Denouncing the Biden
administration’s immigration policies, and H. Res.
1117, Opposing efforts to place one-sided pressure
on Israel with respect to Gaza. The rule provides for
consideration of H.R. 7888, the ‘‘Reforming Intel-
ligence and Securing America Act’’, under a struc-
tured rule. The rule waives all points of order
against consideration of the bill. The rule provides
one hour of general debate equally divided among
and controlled by the chair and ranking minority
member of the Committee on the Judiciary or their
respective designees and the chair and ranking mi-
nority member of the Permanent Select Committee
on Intelligence or their respective designees. The
rule provides that an amendment in the nature of a
substitute consisting of the text of Rules Committee
Print 118–27 shall be considered as adopted and the
bill, as amended, shall be considered as read. The
rule waives all points of order against provisions in
the bill, as amended. The rule makes in order only
those amendments printed in the Rules Committee
report. Each amendment may be offered only in the
order printed in the report, may be offered only by
a Member designated in the report, shall be consid-
ered as read, shall be debatable for the time specified
in the report equally divided and controlled by the
proponent and an opponent, shall not be subject to
amendment, and shall not be subject to a demand
for division of the question. The rule waives all
points of order against the amendments printed in
the Rules Committee report. The rule provides one
motion to recommit. The rule further provides for
consideration of H.R. 529, the ‘‘Extending Limits of
U.S. Customs Waters Act’’, under a closed rule. The
rule waives all points of order against consideration
of the bill. The rule provides that the amendment
in the nature of a substitute recommended by the
Committee on Ways and Means now printed in the
bill shall be considered as adopted and the bill, as
amended, shall be considered as read. The rule
waives all points of order against provisions in the
bill, as amended. The rule provides one hour of gen-
eral debate equally divided and controlled by the
chair and ranking minority member of the Com-
mittee on Ways and Means or their respective des-
ignees. The rule provides one motion to recommit.
The rule further provides for consideration of H.
Res. 1112, Denouncing the Biden administration’s
immigration policies, under a closed rule. The rule
provides that upon adoption of this resolution it
shall be in order without intervention of any point
of order to consider H. Res. 1112. The rule provides
that the resolution shall be considered as read. The
rule provides one hour of general debate equally di-
vided and controlled by the chair and ranking mi-
nority member of the Committee on the Judiciary or
their respective designees. The rule further provides
for consideration of H. Res. 1117, Opposing efforts
to place one-sided pressure on Israel with respect to
Gaza, under a closed rule. The rule provides that
upon adoption of this resolution it shall be in order
without intervention of any point of order to con-
sider H. Res. 1117. The rule provides that the reso-
lution shall be considered as read. Finally, the rule
provides one hour of general debate equally divided
and controlled by the chair and ranking minority
member of the Committee on Foreign Affairs or
their respective designees.
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS
BUDGET REQUEST FOR FISCAL YEARS 2025
AND 2026
Committee on Veterans’ Affairs: Full Committee held a
hearing entitled ‘‘U.S. Department of Veterans Af-
fairs Budget Request for Fiscal Years 2025 and
2026’’. Testimony was heard from Denis
McDonough, Secretary, Department of Veterans Af-
fairs.
EXPANDING ON THE SUCCESS OF THE 2017
TAX RELIEF TO HELP HARDWORKING
AMERICANS
Committee on Ways and Means: Full Committee held
a hearing entitled ‘‘Expanding on the Success of the
2017 Tax Relief to Help Hardworking Americans’’.
Testimony was heard from former Senator Phil
Gramm and public witnesses.
Joint Meetings
No joint committee meetings were held.
f
COMMITTEE MEETINGS FOR FRIDAY,
APRIL 12, 2024
(Committee meetings are open unless otherwise indicated)
Senate
No meetings/hearings scheduled.
House
Committee on Armed Services, Subcommittee on Strategic
Forces, hearing entitled ‘‘FY25 Budget Request for Mis-
sile Defense and Missile Defeat Programs’’, 9 a.m., 2212
Rayburn.
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CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — DAILY DIGEST
Congressional Record
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of Congress, as reported by the Official Reporters thereof, are
printed pursuant to directions of the Joint Committee on Printing as authorized by appropriate provisions of Title 44, United
States Code, and published for each day that one or both Houses are in session, excepting very infrequent instances when
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U
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D346 April 11, 2024
Next Meeting of the SENATE
3 p.m., Monday, April 15
Senate Chamber
Program for Monday: Senate will resume consideration
of the nomination of Ramona Villagomez Manglona, of
the Northern Mariana Islands, to be Judge for the Dis-
trict Court for the Northern Mariana Islands, and vote on
the motion to invoke cloture thereon at 5:30 p.m.
Next Meeting of the HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
8 a.m., Friday, April 12
House Chamber
Program for Friday: To be announced.
Extensions of Remarks, as inserted in this issue
HOUSE
Casar, Greg, Tex., E335
Cohen, Steve, Tenn., E335
Comer, James, Ky., E331
Davis, Donald G, N.C., E334
DeLauro, Rosa L., Conn., E333
Eshoo, Anna G., Calif., E333
Fallon, Pat, Tex., E334, E337
Gallagher, Mike, Wisc., E333
Guthrie, Brett, Ky., E336, E337
Kean, Thomas H., Jr., N.J., E336
Lieu, Ted, Calif., E332
Luna, Anna Paulina, Fla., E334
Matsui, Doris O., Calif., E335
McClellan, Jennifer L., Va., E336
McHenry, Patrick T., N.C., E332
Moore, Gwen, Wisc., E332
Norcross, Donald, N.J., E333, E337
Pappas, Chris, N.H., E334
Sewell, Terri A., Ala., E331, E336
Sherrill, Mikie, N.J., E335
Vargas, Juan, Calif., E331
Williams, Nikema, Ga., E332
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