we want to get to question because the business of the american people must be done. we were sent to washington and-n a new democratic majority to get things done for the people. to lower health care costs, to increase pay for everyday americans, to enact the real infrastructure, plan to protect people with pre-existing conditions. >> we'll break away heemplet remind you you can watch all this briefing at c-span.org. the house is gaveling back in for legislative work. ort the ti the resolution. thclerk: house resolution 576, resolution expressing the sense of the house of representatives with respect to complaint of wer august 12, 2019, made to the nspector general of the

intelligence community. the speaker pro tempore: pursuant to house resolution amendments to the text in the preamble specified in resolution arehe adopted and the resolution, as amended, is considered as read. be resolution shall debatable for one hour equally divided and controlled by the hair and ranking minority member of the permanent select committee on intelligence. he gentleman from connecticut, mr. himes, and the gentleman from california, mr. nunes, each control 30 minutes. the chair recognizes the gentleman from connecticut, mr. himes. madam es: thank you, chair. i yield myself such time as i may consume. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman is recognized. mr. himes: madam chair, i rise in support of the amended resolution which demands rovision to the congressional intelligence committees of a whistleblower complaint which withheld. d.n.i. has the law, however, required the submit it to to the committees. this is a serious matter, madam i.c. for

whistleblowering, congressional oversight and the rule of law. it, let me ing to express my deep gratitude for he actions of a courageous and anonymous individual in the intelligence community. that person wanted to report allegations of serious wrongdoing and did the trickeding by acting in ccordans to proper whistleblower procedures. this will protect national security. that mechanism, in august, the whistleblower made a complaint to the inspector intelligence community. according to the justice department's legal opinion complaint, which it today released to the public, the whistleblower's allegations content of a telephone call between president trump and a foreign leader. inspector general determined the complaint to be urgent, matter that the meant -- met important statutory the allegations

appeared to be credible. the inspector general months ater would write that the complaint's allegations not only fell, quote, within the d.n.i.'s jurisdiction, unquote, but that they, quote, relate to one of and ost important significant responsibilities to unquote.can people, that is protecting the united interferenceoreign elections. n strict accordans to the statutory rules, they passed his determination to the acting director of national intelligence. acting director was obligated, was obligated to material to the congressional intelligence ommittees within seven days of receipt. but in controvention of the law, that.used to do there can be no misreading of he provision imposing that

obligation. shall, that the d.n.i. shall forward the materials to the house intelligence committee to our colleagues at the senate intelligence committee. shall, of course, means shall. it does not mean, can if you want to. despite this unambiguous categorical directive, the trump interfered with the time-tested process for i.c. blowing. -- whistleblowing. as public reports suggested, the potentially had the of power by buse president trump, which the public learned this morning. won't detail this episode, but released today plainly shows the president of the united states shaking down ukrainian counterpart for a, quote, favor. ukraine's ation by

authorities with close oordination by rudy giuliani and attorney general bill barr vice he son of former president joe biden. the former vice president for lf, being a candidate the u.s. presidency. so the administration got the of ice department's office legal counsel involved. t got the white house counsel involved. and without invoking national security or making a claim of privilege, it managed to get a staggeringly flawed egal opinion from the department of justice. the opinion's reasoning is face.us on its according to the department of justice, the whistleblower apply to the t complaint and the complaint, therefore, did not have to be orwarded to the committees because the complaint's llegations do not relate to an urgent concern, meaning, the funding, administration, or peration of an intelligence

activity under the d.n.i.'s authority and responsibility. d.o.j. regard, the observed that the alleged conduct was committed by the president who is outside of and above the i.c. i point out that is irrelevant under the statute. all that is required is that the allegation "relate to an intelligence activity within the d.n.i.'s purview." the d.o.j. also faulted the i.c.i.g., inspector general, for not citing a statute or policy that gave the d.n.i. the responsibility to look into foreign interference in our elections. think about t having in mind what our country went through in 2016, when russia under took covert as well as overt measures presidential s. election and to sew discord which the trump campaign welcome with open arms. with that history and nothing

about the rules on the books, we can easily dispose of the claim that the intelligence community as captained by the acting d.n.i. has no operational role in keeping adversary governments from meddling in our democratic processes. that assertion is ignorant, it is wrong, and it bespeaks a serious misunderstanding about the d.n.i.'s authorities and activities of the united states intelligence community. the d.o.j.'s cramp viewed would come as news to president trump, i suspect, given the executive order he issued in september of 2018 regarding foreign interference in our elections, which requires the d.n.i. after every federal election in this country, to assess whether such interference has taken place. and to report his assessment to the rest of the executive branch. that sounds a lot like a serious role for the d.n.i. to me. i immammingin the department of justice's view would also come

as a shock to the acting d.n.i. himself. after all, by statute, the d.n.i. is the head of the u.s. intelligence community and the principle intelligence advisor to the president and the national security counsel, among other things. as the inspector general correctly noted, one mission of the intelligence community among its core missions is to protect the united states against hostile intelligence activities directed against it. that would include any hostile foreign intelligence activities associated with efforts by foreign adversaries to interfere in our elections. so i am stunned that the acting d.n.i. would accept legal advice like this. which strains to minimize or ignore the functions and responsibilities that the d.n.i. carries out or at least i hope, routinely. m also stunned that the odni would acquiesce an advice that if permitted to stand would do

such extraordinary damage. by conferring on the d.n.i. the discretion to opt out of what is plainly mandatory, the department of justice neutered a statute governing intelligence community whistle blowing. overturned years of consistent practice, and most damaging of all, called into doubt important protections from reprisal on which this whistleblower relied and other lawful whistleblowers in the i.c. have relied. i can only imagine the chilling effect that the department of justice's approach will have on lawful i.c. whistle blowing and thus on the intelligence committee's ability to conduct oversight of intelligence activities. madam speaker, let me end with a note about the state of play, which is fluid to say the least. i understand that the executive branch may make some of the whistleblowers' materials available to the committee this afternoon, but the details

remain sketchy and the committee may not yet receive a complete and unredacted form all the information that the acting d.n.i. is obligated to funnish by law and that we have sought by subpoena. the committee will settle for nothing less. however the situation is resolved, madam speaker, the house has no choice but to denounce the extraordinary lengths to which the white house and justice department have gone to cover up and obstruct. i strongly support the resolution as amended and i urge my colleagues to join me. i reserve the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman reserves. for what purpose does the gentleman from california -- >> madam speaker, i yield myself such time as i may consume. i rise today -- the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman will suspend. members are reminded to refrain from engaging in personalities towards the president. the gentleman is recognized. mr. nunes: thank you, madam

speaker. i rise today in support of h.res. 576 as amended. this resolution which mirrors a resolution passed by the senate yesterday expresses the sense of the house that the whistleblower complaint received by the intelligence community inspector general should be immediately transmitted to the congressional intelligence committees. madam speaker, this complaint has given rise to fevered speculation and frenzied media reporting, much of which is based on the transcript of the president's phone call released today. it appears to be exaggerated, misleading, or out right false. it's also serving as a linchpin of a long-standing attempt by the democrats to impeach president trump. and finally, achieve their goal of overturning the results of the 2016 election. the media coverage and democrats hysterical and politicized response to it is reminiscent of countlets episodes during the course of the russia collusion hoax. thus republicans look forward to actually reading the material and which -- on which the

democrats from a position of ignorance are basing their unrestrained accusations, and i should make the house aware that it's roughly 3:00 in the afternoon here in washington, d.c. and at 4:00 this afternoon, in fact the d.n.i. is going to transmit the complaint to the intelligence committee spaces where all the intelligence committee members will have an opportunity to read it. so therefore we have to did ourselves why are we voting on a resolution that is asking for the very documents that are being sent over that are probably on their way right now, if they are not already here. with that i guess it gives an opportunity for the democrats to come down and bash the president, which i know they enjoy doing. but in the meantime we have no h.res. 576, asis amended. we appreciate the majority accepting our amendment so that it mirrors exactly what the

senate passed last night. in the meantime i reserve the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman reserves. the gentleman from connecticut. mr. himes: madam speaker, i ask unanimous consent that mr. schiff of california control the remainder of the time. the speaker pro tempore: without objection. the gentleman from california. mr. schiff: madam speaker, i'm proud to yield two minutes to the gentlewoman from alabama, ms. sewell. the speaker pro tempore: the gentlelady is recognized for two minutes. ms. sewell: madam speaker, this is a sobering moment in our nation's history when the rule of law and constitutional duty requires congress to move swiftly to protect our national security and the integrity of our democracy. in my time on the house intelligence committee, i have been amazed and grateful for the work of our intelligence community performing every day. we hold these men and women accountable to the rule of law and expect them to adhere to the principles of our constitution. in return, those great americans expect their elected leaders to

be held accountable to the same standards. above all, their commander in chief. president trump's refusal to adhere to the whistleblower statute and his unwarranted attacks against one ever these professionals flies in the face of that compact. the statute is clear, madam speaker. the director of the national intelligence shall provide the intelligence community -- committee with all whistleblower complaints, especially those that the i.g. finds credible and of urgent concern. it should not take this resolution or the threat of impeachment to convince the president to uphold the law he swore to obey. i urge my colleagues to support h.r. 576 resolution and honor our oaths and do the right thing. yield back. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from california. mr. nunes: i ask unanimous consent that the gentleman from ohio, dr. wenstrup, control the remainder of the time. the speaker pro tempore: without objection.

the gentleman from ohio. mr. wenstrup: thank you, madam chair. i appreciate this. i'm glad we are having the opportunity to bring this resolution -- the speaker pro tempore: yield him -- does the gentleman yield himself time? mr. wenstrup: as much time as i may consume. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman is recognized. miss wenstrup: i'm pleased we are going to be able -- mr. wenstrup: i'm pleased we are going to be able to get to the documents requested in this resolution. if there is going to be a resolution, that it is the one the senate put forward in a bipartisan fashion. this is what we asked for in rules last night and i'm glad that it has come forward today. the question in hand, we have heard lots of comments, some of it rehashing old history, some of it rehashing history that it was disproven by the mueller report, but at the same time we are questioning what the d.n.i.'s authority is in this situation according to statute.

it should be discussed. in this situation why the d.n.a. determined that this did not -- that this should not be sent to congress, it also did not end the review of the complaint because the complaint was given to d.o.j. for appropriate review. d.o.j. officials reviewed the complaint, in light of legal issues identified by the icig and his cover letter and determined no further action was warranted. tomorrow we are going to hear from the d.n.i. in the intelligence committee, which i think is appropriate. as i pointed out last night in rules, i don't think that the other side would be happy if we only heard from the d.n.i. and not the i.g. so it is appropriate that we do that. talk about the timely fashion of it. well, i think it is appropriate that you go through the department of justice make sure that you are doing everything right. d.n.i. to hear from the

tomorrow. we also have received the transcripts of the conversation between the president of the ukraine and the president of the united states. the president made supposedly and is being accused of making mysterious promise to zelensky in return for ukraine -- reviving and investigation against joe biden and his son. the fact there was no such promise. the president wanted allegations of corruption potentially involving an american official to be investigated. what i see in this transcript is the president of one country speaking to a president of another country about trying to eliminate corruption within their governments. the other comment that had been made is the president offered a quid pro quo related to military aid for ukraine. there is no quid pro quo in that conversation. there is no mention of aid package to ukraine at all. it's not in there at all. so while one might want to deep saying that -- keep saying that,

it's not in there. another myth, the president urged president zelensky to work with rudy giuliani to investigate biden's involvement in securing the firing of a ukrainian prosecutor eight times. fact, the president mentioned rudy giuliani in that conversation only after zelensky mentioned him first. and referred to biden in only one exchange. i, myself, have some confusion on what the rules are within the intelligence community and involving the executive branch. a couple years ago in an open hearing when we were discussing with john brennan, this is in an opening hearing, former c.i.a. director, an expert in intelligence, when i asked him about the conversation between president obama and president medvedev, whether it was caught on tape, he said i'll have more flexibility after my re-election. and medvedev said i'll stand with you and let president putin in a moment i asked him if that

was a red flag. his answer was, i'm not going to comment on a private conversation between two heads of state. so since that time i have wondered what the rules are within the intelligence community. are conversations between two heads of state completely off limits within the i.c.? i don't know. and i have asked that will question time and time again and i have asked some people, high ranking officials that should know the answer to that and i have gotten no answer. what i heard in the testimony here today, i heard someone say, quote, favor. quote, favor. in response to potential of this president asking for a favor. i did not see that, and i don't know who made the quote. i would like some clarification on that. but where we stand right now is kind of a recurring playbook. it's always moving the goal posts. we want to see these documents, ok. president's giving you the documents. ok. we are going to see what the

whistleblower had to say. and now what do we hear? well, i'm concerned that there may be more out there that we are not getting. always moving the goal posts. i sneak in favor of this resolution. we should get -- i speak in favor of this resolution. we should get to it. move on to the business of the country. at this time i reserve the balance of my time. . the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman reserves. the gentleman from california. mr. schiff: madam speaker, i ask unanimous consent that all members may have five legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include on house material resolution 576. the speaker pro tempore: without objection, so ordered. also ask to yield myself such time as i may consume. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman is recognized. we are here today month ago, a courageous employee or detailee contractor within the intelligence community brought o the inspector general a

complaint that the inspector general reviewed. 14 days to review that complaint. the inspector general found that credible. he found that complaint urgent, complaint should e provided to congress, as the whistleblower intended. that complaint then went to the of national intelligence who had a week to statute , and then the says that complaint shall be provided to the committee. the ay, not might, not if d.o.j. doesn't write an opinion, not if the white house doesn't like it. says shall transmit to the committee. and the reason congress wrote is that te that way particularly in the intelligence reliant on e are whistleblowers. through the vast majority of our earings, there are no witnesses. they're not conducted in open session. outside not stakeholders that can take us

what this agency represented or is not correct. we are reliant on the intelligence community to self-report, and most of the do, but when they don't, we are completely reliant on whistleblowers. if the whistleblower process doesn't work, if a subject of a whistleblower can be held up by the subject of a t complaint, that is, if whistleblower says that the impropriety that they have committed by x person and x person is given the whether n to decide congress ever sees that report, that system is broken. certainly not how congress intended it. complaint ng this involves the conversation that to, because itness some read out-of-that of that ion -- readout conversation was made public, that whistleblower may have been trying to communicate to the president of the the united states was pressuring

a foreign president to dirt on his complotcal opponent for -- olitical opponent for help in his presidential campaign, and doing so at a time when the president of the united states supportholding military that we approved on a bipartisan basis. readout saysee that hat the president, after the ukraine president expressed the need for further arms to the united states, our president said, we're doing a lot for ukraine. we're doing more for ukraine countries. but you know something, there's here.uch reciprocity i have a favor i'd like to ask. my nt you to investigate opponent, and i'm going to have and my ney general personal lawyer follow up with you. this was the constant theme of request to the president of ukraine.

wasn't, what are the national ecurity needs of ukraine, it wasn't, what are the economic needs of ukraine, it wasn't, separatists doing in ukraine. it is, this is what i want from you. done so much for ukraine. you.is what we want of a complaint that with these allegations, if is about s complaint this call, would be withheld by ongress and would be held -- withheld on the basis of an opinion written by the attorney general, someone who was mentioned in that very conversation. of interest.nflict if not far worse. brought this resolution up a month after this complaint was filed, we brought committee, in the rules committee last night.

the argument was, this is the argument we're hearing today, this is postmature. i guess this is never mature. the never mature for congress to insist that the director follow the law. need second opinions on whether shall really means shall. we're here. if we don't validate the whistleblower process, if we whistleblower unprotected, even as the president suggests that the somehow -- has betrayed his or her country, that means the orruption is not exposed and is the uption here nation to the olitical needs of the president. that's why i urge support of this resolution and i reserve the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman reserves. the gentleman from ohio. >> at this time i'd like to

ield two minutes to the renowned minority whip, the gentleman from louisiana, mr. scalise. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman is recognized for two minutes. mr. scalise: i thank the peaker and thank my colleague from ohio for yielding. and as we're talking about this and as my colleague ohio, also - from from california earlier, talked about, as we speak, the white house is actually transmitting documents that are mentioned in the resolution. so the white house has been doing more than has been done before to make sure congress has all the about this they need issue. i think what really is at where this all leads to. and i think we know where it all leads to. with an started intention by many in the majority when they took the majority was they were going to work to impeach the president. many of them talked about it. have the gavels in their hand yet, and they were

talking about impeaching the president. committee ofof the jurisdiction said he wants to bring articles of impeachment to by the end of this year. keep in mind, there's not a single article of impeachment they've listed. because there have been no crimes. they thought the mueller report to give them the crimes. turned out it showed there was no collusion. up, they f wrapping it move on to look for something else. it's not the job of a prosecutor, by the way, to look hope to go and indict somebody and then look around and see if they find evidence. to follow posed facts, and if the facts lead them there, that's where they go. that's not happening here. speaker of the house yesterday saying the resident committed crimes, please name one crime that's been listed. we've seen the report now. of a conversation between president trump and of ukraine.lensky there's a lot of niceties here. the president congratulating him an election. there's not a single quid pro

quo which we were told there be.d there's not an exertion of pressure, which we were told would be. now, they bring up joe biden. biden himself said he exerted pressure on the ukrainians. ragged about the fact he withheld a billion dollars in aid from the ukrainians. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman's time has expired. mr. wenstrup: i yield one more minute to the gentleman from louisiana. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman is recognized for one minute. mr. scalise: i thank the gentleman. so, again, when we talk about omething as serious as impeachment -- and obviously that's where they said they'd go. the speaker says she wants to get the committee working inquiry.mpeachment why? why, madam speaker, haven't they vote on the house floor to start an impeachment inquiry? they're scared to death having a on on this house floor impeachment. nd yet, they keep moving down that train track. it's a reckless track when they

bring impeachment and even people that read this, not one of them pointed out a high crime or misdemeanor that's in here. quid pro quo that they promised doesn't exist. these are the same people that was sed that there collusion with the mueller report, and there was no collusion. of moving on, they keep going down the impeachment path. people are sick and tired of the harassment justice of the president. go read the transcript and a president gain, congratulating another president who was elected on a platform to out corruption and he's working to root out corruption and we should cheer that. instead of doing this we should focus on usmca, lowering drug prices, solving real problems. i yield back the balance of my time. i reserve the time.e of my mr. schiff: with respect to my colleague, the only corruption that the president seems to be he's not involved with. and that seems to be an

increasingly narrow category. i yield one , inute to mr. carson from illinois. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman is recognized for one minute. mr. carson: thank you, chairman. madam speaker, i rise today in this resolution, demanding that the administration release the histleblower complaint to congress. to be merican ought extremely concerned about the circumstances surrounded this complaint. n outrage that this president and members of his administration are hiding it. mr. ongress has the responsibility to get the information required by law. the administration is blocking gather the to information necessary to respond to the public's needs. case, these needs are our -- table from inseparable from the security, the safety of our nation. congress is entitled to the full complaint, not only for the sake

of national security, madam ensure that our ability to hold public servants remains.ble this isn't about partisan politics. this is about protecting our and its people. i urge all of my colleagues to support this resolution. thank you, madam speaker. i yield back the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman yields back. ohio.ntleman from mr. wenstrup: at this time i'd like to yield three minutes to he gentleman from florida, mr. spano. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman is recognized for three minutes. mr. spano: thank you, madam speaker. today to express my disappointment at what the house is devoting its time to this afternoon. it's certainly not the issues that my constituents elected me and me to washington advocate for on their behalf. we're not on the floor today talking about how we can improve and service for veterans. we're not talking about how to fix the crumbling nfrastructure, how to fix the broken immigration system. we're not talking about how to tailor e and personally

health care. we are not on the floor how we to implement policies further strengthen our booming economy. instead, we, again, find on the house floor talking about president trump and his administration. sound familiar? this morning in the interest of full transparency, the trump released the complete memorandum, outlining the telephone conversation the president and the ukrainian president, just as the resident promised he would do yesterday. but before reading the transcript, my colleagues on the aisle ide of the prejudged the memo and called for impeachment. to see and ker wait review this information? no. instead, she went before the to announce that the house would begin the formal into hment inquery president trump. well, i -- inquiry into president trump. well, i read the transcript and bombshell the democrats promised. there is no quid pro quo, no this for that. nowhere did the president say he

would withhold military aid they continue. it's not there. so in rushing to judgment and verpromising, if it sounds familiar, that's because it is. we waited nearly two years for counsel mueller to finish his report on the 2016 election. andover we heard democrats promise the report that would lead to president trump's impeachment. disappointing reports and appearance inting for special counsel before congress, they went fishing for attacks against the president trump. what happened to the standard of innocent until proven guilty in this country? learned that in law school. how have we strayed so far from this fundamental principle? are operating under the presumptive belief president is guilty. they believe if they look long nough and hard enough and maybe, just maybe they'll run cover something, anything they can impeach him for. is wrong. i will not support their

efforts. stand by and wait until it happens. f my colleagues on the other side of the aisle truly believes it warrants impeachment and if they're not willing to wait one transcript, then why are they sending us back to our districts for the next two weeks? leader said this morning, there are no plans to cancel the recess because, gote, it's important members home to their constituents and explain what we're doing, closed quote. need er words, they still to convince the american people that today's revelations, which promise,ve up to their should lead to president trump's removal on office. call on the democratic leadership -- the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman's time has expired. mr. wenstrup: i will allow one more minute. minute to the gentleman from florida. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman is recognized for one minute. spano: i call on the democratic leadership to keep us in session the first two weeks october. if this is as urgent and serious as you're telling the american the e, i will not support political impeachment that

emocrats are incessantly pursuing. i implore this house and its leadership to put this behind us all and get to work, get to work and do the important work that the american here to do.us i yield. . the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from california. mr. schiff: i yield one minute to mr. quigley of illinois. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman is recognized. mr. quigley: quid pro quo exists on its face. but a criminal conduct does not have to be quid pro quo. the president asked a foreign government to investigate his political rival and interfere in our election. and our friends across the aisle have confirmed something, they imagine that this administration would have released this

whatever it is this morning relating to a transcript, the complaint and allow the d.n.i. to formally testify, the president thought we should know not because there was a complaining witness. without the complaining witness, no one knows about this. without their courage that emphasizes the point of how important complaining witnesses are because without their courage, we don't know about wrongdoing or there are further leaks, both of which put our country at risk. thank you. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from ohio. mr. wenstrup: just let me make a few comments if i can. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman is recognized. mr. wenstrup: this was reviewed by a criminal division at d.o.j. today and found no violation whatsoever. let me make another point

because i have heard accusations along the way that certain entities in congress don't care about whistleblower protections. we do care. we care about the whistleblower process, we care about their protections. let's be perfectly clear on that and sitting on the intelligence committee we recognize the value of this process. we are for it. you know, we see a lot of comments -- yesterday especially, comments that were made that would imply guilty until proven innocent. when we haven't even seen the whistleblower claim. we just got the transcript of the president and president of ukraine today. and we don't even know the circumstances of the claim. i don't know if anyone on the other side has had contact with the whistleblower, but i know nothing about this whistleblower except that there is a

whistleblower. and i have not seen the complaint. and i look forward to seeing it. you know, we have been through a lot as a country. time and time again our country gets challenged, challenged from outside and challenged from within. we have been through a lot. we are about ready to go home yet we have an urgent matter on our hands, we have been told and yet leadership is saying, just go home. well, if this is such an urgent, why are we going home? tomorrow, we are scheduled to hear from the d.n.i. let's give that process its due. and let's no facts before we speak and before we pass judgment and that's all we're asking to do. i reserve. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman reserves the balance of his time. the gentleman from california. ship mr. schiff: i yield one minute

to the gentlelady from california, ms. speier. ms. speier: this is a powder keg. this is not as my colleagues on the other side are trying to suggest it is, but they are dealing with alternative facts. as co-chair of the whistleblower caucus i can point to the fact that $54 bill quon has been returned to the taxpayers of this country because men and women had the courage to stand up and point out tax evasion, fraud, abuse and waste. now we have a whistleblower here who is defined as not being a whistleblower by the attorney general and now we are saying he is a whistleblower. he doesn't have the protections of a whistleblower based on the analysis of the attorney general. but for the fact that this whistleblower came forward, but for the fact that the inspector general that it was both credible and urgent and but for the fact after the d.n.i. did

not deem it to be sent to the committee, it was the inspector general who had the courage to contact the chair of this committee to inform him that there was a whistleblower pending that brought this all to the floor. so let's be very clear. there was a concerted effort by the administration to shut down this whistleblower, to restrict the money that was supposed to go to ukraine on june 18 or july 18 -- and with that, i yield back. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from ohio. mr. wenstrup: i reserve. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman reserves the balance of his time. the gentleman from california. mr. schiff: i am proud to yield one minute to the speaker, speaker pelosi from california. the speaker pro tempore: the distinguished speaker is recognized for one minute. the speaker: i thank the

gentleman for yielding and i commend him for his great patriotism and all that he does with great wisdom and judgment. thank you, mr. chairman for yielding. just over a week ago when on the anniversary of the adoption of our constitution, on that very day, news broke of great allegations which was a threat to our constitution. n that day, the intelligence community inspector general notified the congress that the white house was forbidding him to turn the whistleblower complaint. the administration refusal to turn over the full complaint is a violation of the law which is unequivocal saying that the director of national intelligence shall provide congress with the full complaint. i repeat, the obligation is mandatory.

shortly thereafter, the american people learned of a phone call by the white house calling upon a foreign power to intervene of an upcoming election. this undermines the integrity of our election and the dignity of presidency and national security. let us repeat the facts. the intelligence committee inspector general who was appointed by president trump said the complaint was urgent concern and credible and its disclosure relates to the most significant important duties of the director of national intelligence's responsibilities to the american people. i want to talk a moment about whistleblowers. first let me state an asset the intelligence community is to the security of our country. we talk about our men and women

in uniform and praise them and could never thank them enough. our intelligence community personnel are significant part of the national security of our country. whistleblowers in any part of the government are important. but whistleblowers can be defined as an act of reporting waste, fraud, abuse and corruption in a lawful manner to those who can correct the wrongdoing. the intelligence community has publicly recognized the importance of whistleblowers and supports protections for whistleblowers who conform to guidelines to protect classified information. this is a very important balance and when laws were written and i was there for it as members of the committee and ranking member , gang of four before i became leadership, i saw the evolution of these laws and also there for

the creation of the office of director of national intelligence and the relationship between the two. and it's a careful balance of protecting whistleblowers but also protecting our national security and our intelligence, our intelligence. soon, in any event, one of the bills we wrote was the intelligence community whistleblower protection act. it plays a vital role in our democracy and enables our am of separation of powers to maintain the rule of law to make sure that the abuses of unlawful actions are known, first to the inspector general of the intelligence community and then the congressional intelligence committees, house and senate, which can act upon it. the statute does not permit the d.n.i. to second guess the inspector general's recommendation.

at no point in the history of this law has a d.n.i. ever refused to turn over a whistleblower's complaint that has been found by the i.g. as credible. refusing this to do this is a violation of the law. our national security depends on this framework. this vote today is about more than just pu any one president. this resolution is about the preservation of our american system of government. once we pass this resolution and i acknowledge that we are joining the senate which passed it yesterday unanimously, once we pass this resolution, the d.n.i. will be faced with the choice to present vemb the republic or break the law. this passed by unanimous consent in the senate. every member, democrats and republicans should pass this in the house.

while we await the release of the full complaint, we reiterate our call rt of release of the full transcript of the call between president trump and ukranian president and reiterate our call to protect whistleblowers from retaliation and i urge a bipartisan vote to defend our national security and to protect our democracy. i yield back the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from ohio. mr. wenstrup: i reserve. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman continues to reserve. the gentleman from california. mr. schiff: madam speaker, i yield one minute to the gentleman from california, mr. swalwell. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman is recognized. mr. swalwell: thank you, madam speaker, the gentleman from ohio had asked earlier where does it say in the president's notes and these are notes, these are not -- this is not a transcript, where it said the words favor.

page three. i would like you to do us a favor, the president of the united states says. and the problem with this mob-like tactic is that when you ask someone to do a favor, you owe that person something in return. and when that person is a foreign leader, that means as president of the united states, one day, you will have to put a foreign leader's interests ahead of america's interests. this is tip of the iceberg and it is important we hear from the whistleblower and also important to note that ukraine depends on the u.s. economically, militarily and the credibility we afford to them when we support them. so you don't need to be explicit to them when you tell them you need a favor and you are withholding military funds. in this case, the whistleblower did everything right. so now it's time for the acting director of national intelligence to do the same.

and i yield back. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from ohio. mr. wenstrup: reserve. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from california. mr. schiff: i yield one minute to the gentleman from texas, mr. castro of texas. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman is recognized. >> thank you to the whistleblower. i don't know if it's a man or woman, but i want to say thank you for having the courage and bravery to come forward and reveal at least in terms of what we have seen from the transcript, abuse of power by the president of the united states. we must protect a whistleblower who comes forward and puts himself or herself and their career on the line. i hope that this congress will be committed to doing that. these are very serious charges. an abuse of power that includes

coercing a foreign leader into digging up dirt against a political rival for the president's political gain, to win re-election. asking his personal lawyer to go along with this. it appears as though the state department and perhaps the secretary of state may also be implicated in this scandal. i look forward to passing the resolution. i hope all will support it. i yield back. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from ohio. mr. wenstrup: reserve. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from california. mr. schiff: i yield one minute to the gentleman from vermont, mr. welch. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman is recognized. mr. welch: this resolution really raises a question to each one of us who is a member of congress. and that question is, do we

believe in the separate independent authority of the legislative branch to conduct oversight? the contents of this resolution and the whistleblower to be sure are extremely explosive and important. but the question that we have to ask as a congress, republicans and democrats is are we willing to stand up for the constitutional authority of the house as a representative branch of government? that's the constitutional question. this resolution goes to the heart of our responsibility. we must pass it in order for us to be a co-equal branch of government. i yield back. . the peaker pro tempore: gentleman from ohio. mr. wenstrup: i reserve. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from california. i ask unanimous consent that the gentleman from connecticut, mr. himes, control

time. the speaker pro tempore: without objection, so ordered. mr. himes: thank you, madam speaker. yield one minute to mr. maloney of new york. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman is recognized for one minute. maloney: madam speaker, if i understand the republican argument is that the document quid't contain an explicit pro quo. well, let me remind my friends, ou don't need to state an explicit quid pro quo to break your oath. an don't need to state explicit quid pro quo to break the law. you don't need to state an quid pro quo when you have conducting the quid pro withheld the have military aid. state an need to xplicit quid pro quo by refusing to submit the whistleblower complaint, as you are required to do.

ll these actions are contained in the recent statements by the president and in the plain language of the white house idea, the ideathe that we can't wait a day to get the transcript ignores the fact three weeks they have ignored the law in producing the and we lower complaint would not have it ever if it weren't for the actions by the democrats in this house. and the talking point this issue the explicitness of the quid pro quo is nothing more than a smokescreen to hide fact that the president's conduct is a violation of the law and a violation of his oath than justifies the roduction of the whistleblower omplaint and launch of impeachment inquiry. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from ohio. to yieldrup: i'd like to the gentleman from georgia, mr. woodall, two minutes. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman is recognized for two minutes. mr. woodall: thank you, madam

speaker. for nk my friend from ohio yielding the time. i listen to what my friend just came to the well to say and it we're not working on a nonbinding house resolution today. it sounds as if we're working on impeachment today. if folks want to get on articles of impeachment, get on with it. myself to myociate friend from vermont who said 1, article 2 ticle question. i want to ask my colleagues, again, if you're ready to get impeachment articles, bring them and let's have that debate on the floor. nonbinding resolution that says to our co-equal branch government, we have an oversight responsibility and we want to see some paperwork. the senate already passed the same nonbinding resolution yesterday. new not breaking any ground here. yes, if the intelligence committee wants to review session, in a closed they ought to have access to those documents. hat's not a complicated question. want to ask my colleagues how

we're advantaged as an institution by turning this into them.against again, when you get ready to go down the road of articles of against nt, it's us them. i have seen no crime and lots of hearings. promises and s of absolutely no there there, but an opportunity, i dare say an obligation, to conduct a way that forbid the thought should one day our path,n should go down that we have the credibility to lead that discussion. hour of debate here that we can absolutely use and the speaker can continue to engage members not to in personalities with the president. we can absolutely conduct ourselves in that way if that's like, or we can follow the pathway of the united states senate, do this in a bipartisan way to say we have a co-equal we ch of government to say have a right to see these documents and be done with it. remind my colleagues who are

raising their constitutional ire constitution s held president obama's attorney general in both civil and contempt and we got no support, save 17 members, to make that happen. the peaker pro tempore: gentleman from connecticut. to the s: i inquire as time remaining for the majority. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from connecticut has 6 1/2 minutes remaining. mr. himes: madam speaker, i minutes to the gentlelady from florida, ms. demings. the speaker pro tempore: the twolelady is recognized for minutes. ms. demings: thank you very much, mr. chair. epublican president teddy roosevelt said that patriotism means to stand by the country. by the not mean to stand president at any cost. he whistleblower is a patriot who stood up for their country. mrs. demings: it's time for good conscience, starting with every member of this committee, to follow in

patriot's footsteps and no e behind the belief that one is above the law. the president has abused the office.f his perhaps he's afraid of losing election. perhaps the just who he is. when the president of ukraine buy ht up a request to military equipment from the united states, the president clear, d yes it's quite i would like you to do us a favor. even worse, press reports whistleblower he complaint was far more x-tensive than any one -- ex-tensive than any -- extensive call.ny one we need to review the report that's required by law. further, the administration must immediately move to ensure that he whistleblower is fully protected, as required under

law. my colleagues, history is bout to be written at this moment. i ask you to think about your place in that history. decide whether you want to defend and stand up for abuse of power or tand up for the country we all swore to protect. thank you, madam speaker. i yield back. the speaker pro tempore: the gentlelady yields back. once again, members are reminded to refrain from engaging in personalities toward the president. ohio.entleman from mr. wenstrup: i would like to reserve the remainder of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman reserves. the gentleman from connecticut. mr. himes: madam speaker, it may turn out that this resolution is unnecessary. procedures are eing made to provide the complaint. i hope the full whistleblower and aint to the congress, specifically to the intelligence committee. f that is true, that's a good

first step. it is a step, of course, that's blatant violation of law that this administration they chose to stop the transmittal of that congress.to the but i do want to take this opportunity to clear up some things that were said, because serious matters, and it's important that the american people understand the truth. mr. scalise came before this body and ridiculed the majority, promised a quid pro quo, a statement that's of it.se absurd on the face of we made no such promise. in fact, we spent the day quid pro quo t a is not necessary for the kind of that is evident in the so-called transcript that we today.d bribery requires a quid pro quo. f you do this i will pay you that. extortion is simply saying, you else. do me a favor or

so there was no promise of a quid pro quo. necessary for this ehavior to be well beyond the pale. i remind my colleagues, we did bring this upon the congress. the inspector general came to his own ress of volition and i will say at his personal risk because of his oncerns over the action of the administration. it emerges today that the acting d.n.i. perhaps threatened to his position unless the department of justice gave a egal justification for his stance. so we are not here because we want to be here. speaker of the house, as every member of this chamber resisted until yesterday. even using the word impeachment. that focused on the sentiment of the american people and the consequences of that dramatic step. i do not want to hear from my friends in the minority this has

been a train we have been down.ng we are not here because we are happy. we are here because there's a republic,reat to this to this democracy. we were brought here by members of the congress who raised their and and said something is not right. so this resolution and its later s may be remedied this afternoon. i certainly hope so, but let's be clear about what really here.ed and how we got because i suspect this is not he final word in this discussion. the american people deserve to truth.e and with that, madam speaker, i yield back the time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman yields back. the gentleman from ohio. mr. wenstrup: i reserve the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the entleman has the only time remaining. mr. wenstrup: sorry. the speaker pro tempore: would close?tleman care to the gentleman has the only time remaining. the gentleman from california yielded back -- from connecticut. yes, i'd like to use the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman is recognized. mr. wenstrup: thank you very much. something before, no one asked for a favor that doesn't want something in return.

my wife asked me for a favor, i don't ask for something in return. i got to tell you. and i have to say, i agree with what mr. welch had to say today. thank you for your words. we do have an oversight, but we also have process in our country. curious to hear tomorrow, fortunately in an open has to what the d.n.i. say and how he may have differently he law or d.o.j. did, and i think the american people deserve that. an glad it's going to be open hearing -- in an opening hearing. talk aboutlot we can this. we can going about an and forth on this. what i hear from my constituents home, there is a lot of hypocrisy out here. you know, when you talk about quid pro quoght or and you're only willing to look or one event it of it or one one possible event say, only hould willing to look in one direction, you lose the trust of

american people. you lose the trust of the american people. a child, i watched the watergate hearings. do you know what i was impressed with? you had both sides of the aisle eeking the truth regardless of who was in power or who was in question. haven't seen that for three years. resolution on is the floor. conclusion.ne we are all in agreement. this is something we want brought forward. been, andt already has the other half is being delivered at 4:00. hat's what we were here to debate today. this resolution. you wouldn't know it was a favor ion we were all in of. so let's have our vote and move i yield back at, the remaining balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the yields back. pursuant to house resolution 577, the previous question is ordered on the resolution, as

amended. is on adoption of the resolution. those in favor say aye. those opposed, no. the ayes have it. the resolution is agreed to. the gentleman from connecticut. mr. himes: madam speaker, i ask for the yeas and nays. the speaker pro tempore: the yeas and nays are requested. the favoring a vote by yeas and nays will rise. a sufficient number having arisen, the yeas and nays are ordered. pursuant to clause 8 of rule 20, further proceedings on the question will be postponed.

the speaker pro tempore: for the gentleman es from mississippi, mr. thompson, seek recognition? mr. thompson: mr. speaker, to h.res. 577, i call 2203 and ask for its immediate consideration. the speaker pro tempore: the of k will report the title the bill. the clerk: h.r. 2203, a accountability, and community engagement within the department of homeland security, provide independent oversight of border security activities training for agents and officers

of u.s. customs and border protection and u.s. immigration and ustoms enforcement customs enforcement and for other purposes. the speaker pro tempore: ursuant to house resolution 577, in lieu of the amendment in the nature of a substitute committee on the homeland security printed in the bill, an amendment in the nature consisting of the text of rules committee house report 116-27, modified by a member printed in house report house report 116-217 is adopted, nd the bill, as amended, is considered as read. the bill, as amended, shall be ebatable for one hour equally divided and controlled by the chair and ranking minority on er of the committee homeland security. the gentleman from mississippi, mr. thompson, and the gentleman alabama, mr. rogers, each will control 30 minutes. the chair recognizes the gentleman from mississippi, mr. thompson.

mr. thompson: i ask unanimous consent that all members may have five legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and to include extraneous material on this measure. the speaker pro tempore: without objection. . mr. thompson: thank you, mr. speaker. mr. speaker, i yield myself such time as i may consume. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman is recognized. mr. thompson: thank you, mr. speaker. the homeland security improvement act as amended seeks to enhance accountability for how the department of homeland security carries out its border security and immigration enforcement activities. for years the complaint process at d.h.s. has been fragmented. while the inspector general of d.h.s. reviews allegations of unlawful activity by department personnel, other complaints must go through customs and border protection or immigration

customs enforcement first. the process of filing the complaint can be complicated and confusing. additionally there are no central mechanism for residents of border communities to speak out how d.h.s. operations affect their day-to-day lives or the environment around them. h.r. 220 as we are considering it today would establish a new ombudsman to carry out an independent, neutral and confidential process to help resolve complaints with respect to the department's border and immigration enforcement activities. the ombudsman would also note patterns and the types of complaints received to identify any system attic issue. the communities most directly impacted by the enforcement

activities are those that are on our borders with mexico and canada. under h.r. 2203, the ombudsman would appoint border community liaisons to serve as inspectors along the northern and southern borders to foster better communication and meaningful engagement with these communities. the ombudsman is also required to stand up of border oversight panel to make recommendations on border and immigration policies and programs with attention to d.h.s. activities that affect due process, property rights and safety of migrants and officers. h.r. 2203 is also intended to ensure greater oversight of the training that front line personnel receive. specifically, the ombudsman would annually evaluate the

c.b.p. and i.c.e. agents and officers' training particularly on standards on professional and ethical conduct and make recommendations on any needed improvements. dibblely, the bill directs the ombudsman to develop an implementation plan to require the use of body-worn cameras by i.c.e. officers while engaged in border security or immigration enforcement activities. while the current administration activities in this area warrant scrutiny, several issues such as conditions in i.c.e. detention or improper consultation have persisted for years. h.r. 2203 represents a step in the right direction to bring greater transparency and accountability to d.h.s. with that, i urge my colleagues

to support this legislation and reserve the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman reserves the balance of his time. the gentleman from alabama is recognized. mr. rogers: i yield myself such time as i may consume. mr. speaker, i rise in strong opposition to h.r. 220 . over this past fiscal year, law enforcement has encountered nearly a million migrants illegally crossing the southwest border. for months, they have overwhelmed border protection facilities creating a humanitarian crisis. and for months, democrats did nothing. they said, the crisis wasn't real and then said the president manufactured it. after months of ignoring pictures of children and families living in overcrowding conditions democrats agreed to emergency funding. now thanks to that funding and the administration's agreements

to reach agreement, the crisis has finally abated. congress should use this opportunity to advance a bipartisan bill to address the causes of the border crisis and prevent another one from happening. unfortunately, democrats have chosen to squander the opportunity. they decided to use another partisan messaging bill that stands no chance of becoming law. this wastes taxpayer dollars on a new office to demoralize law enforcement and serve to the demands of illegal immigrants. it should be called the illegal immigrant customer service act. it will collect and review complaints made by illegal immigrants against law enforcement officers. the department has an inspector general office and an office for civil rights and liberties required by law to collect and investigate complaints against

d.h.s. personnel as well as recommended relief for the complainant. both offices have tiplines and web sites to collect complaints and both regularly report to congress on the case load. it is unclear how creating another buyer attic mission will improve the process. it is clear that this new bureaucrat will demoralize the men and women in law enforcement. the ombudsman will scrutinize the training of i.c.e. and c.b.p. officers and it includes a bogus oversight panel with quality of life indicators to make recommendations how officers should carry out their law enforcement mission. every day the men and women put their lives in danger to keep our communities safe. they carry out their duty to

enforce federal immigration law. congress should be moving legislation to thank them not second guess and criticize them. mr. speaker, this legislation started out as an attempt by democrats to apiece left-wing border activists. it was so chalk full of absurd amendments that the speaker pulled it from floor consideration. the bill has been rewritten six times. where just enough democrats will vote for it to pass it. but it didn't have to be such a partisan exercise. we could have worked together to move comprehensive legislation to truly prevent another crisis at our border. republicans are willing to work with democrats to reform our asylum laws. to protect vulnerable families and children from exploittation by human smugglers, to expand

migrant processing and long-term housing facilities to eliminate dangerous overcrowding and hire additional immigration lawyers and judges to reduce the backlog in asylum cases. i hope democrats will choose policy over politics and will agree to work with republicans on solutions to our border security problems. with that, i reserve the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman reserves the balance of his time. the gentleman from mississippi. mr. thompson: i yield five minutes to the sponsor of this legislation, the gentlelady from texas, ms. escobar. the speaker pro tempore: the gentlelady is recognized. ms. escobar: i rise in support of the homeland squret improvement act. i thank speaker pelosi and chairman thompson for their leadership and helping get this bill to the floor. this moment would never have

been possible without your hard work. h.r. 220 started at our southern border as a community-driven effort to boost accountability and transparency within d.h.s. to that end, i would like to thank the border network for human rights, an organization that works to ensure migrants and border communities are treated with the dignity and respect that we all deserve. those of us who live within the 100-mile border enforcement zone have often had our civil rights impeded because some basic constitutional principles don't fully apply to us. since the creation of d.h.s. in 2003, our government has spent ver $300 billion including two supplemental bills passed this year on the agencies that carry out immigration enforcement largely within that 100 mile mile zone. this has created a situation

where the american taxpayers spends more money on immigration enforcement than all other federal law enforcement agencies combined. unform, especially for those of us who live within that 100-mile enforcement zone, this spending has not included corresponding oversight or accountability measures. this bill seeks to change that with the creation for ombudsman. the ombudsman, in conjunction with the inspector general will be charged with establishing an independent, neutral and confidential process to assist individuals, including personnel with complaints against immigration and customs enforcement and u.s. customs and border protection. the ombudsman is responsible for reviewing compliance with all departmental policies and standards related to the treatment of migrants in custody.

this function was a priority for me after learning about children deaths in federal custody and witnessing severe overcrowding, after hearing in my community in el paso, texas, concerns from agents over and over again about leadership not listening to them and about policies they were forced to ennorsigian and after interviewing i.c.e. detainees in my hometown who were subjected to force feeding, an inhumane practice that is tantamount to torture. i heard from my constituents that they need to have a voice in cracking border policies because we are the ones most impacted. h.r. 2203 will allow the opportunity through the accomplishment of both a border community liaison and border oversight panel. both seek to foster communication and cooperation between d.h.s. and the community

by giving border residents an opportunity to provide feedback and recommendations regarding border policies. this panel will also help improve conditions for agents and officers. for example, one responsibility of the border oversight panel is to evaluate policies to enhance their safety. the bill also requires the ombudsman to conduct annual evaluations of all training provided and will examine whether key areas are covered, including community policing which builds trust, enforcement near sensitive locations, interacting with vulnerable populations and ethical and professional conduct such as lawful use of force, lgbtq sensitivity and sexual harassment. el paso has been at the epicenter like being the testing ground for the cruel family separation policy that continues to this day.

to help speed up reunifications of these families, h.r. 2203 requires the ombudsman in conjunction the commissioner and office of refugee resettlement to on establish an electronic number system on a single interoperable interface. the ombudsman is responsible for developing a plan for outlining the use of body-worn cameras by agents when graged in border security, something local police forces have embraced. the plan must be crafted in conjunction with the c.b.p. commissioner, the i.c.e. director and labor organizations who represents these officers and agents and must consider existing state and local body-worn -- the speaker pro tempore: the gentlewoman's time has expired.

mr. thompson: i yield the gentlelady an additional minute. ms. escobar: it must consider existing state and local body-worn camera policies and principles developed by human rights and civil organizes so d.h.s. can build upon best practices. this plan further ensures that safety needs are met and trust is built. all of these all these will be valuable tools to ensure we address our nation's challenges in a commonsense and humane way. today we have the opportunity to come together and begin to make a powerful and well-funded agency more accountable to the congress and the people they serve. the ombudsman's role will fill much-needed gaps in transparency, oversight, training and trust. i'm very proud of this legislation. it comes right from the communities that are impacted the most and i would urge my colleagues to support it. i yield back the remainder of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the

gentleman yields. the gentleman from mississippi reserves. the chair will receive a message. the secretary: mr. speaker, a message from the speaker. the messenger: mr. speaker. the speaker pro tempore: madam secretary. the messenger: i have been directed to inform the house that the senate has passed senate joint resolution 54, relating to the national emergency declared by the president on february 15, 2019, in which con turns of the house is requested. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from alabama is recognized. >> thank you, mr. speaker. i find it amazing that the majority -- the democrat majority would like to see us prioritize establishing electronic medical records for illegal immigrants when we still haven't been able to provide that for veterans in our country or our military and we have been working on it for years. with that, i would like to now yield to a member of the committee on homeland security, the gentleman from pennsylvania, dr. joyce, for three minutes.

the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman is recognized for three minutes. mr. joyce: i rise today in opposition to h.r. 2203. yet another one of the majority's messaging bills that would do nothing to address the crisis on our southern border. at home, in pennsylvania's 13th congressional district, nearly 2,000 miles away from the southern border, this crisis is taking tangible toll on our communities as ill list drugs continue to pour across the southern border and infiltrate into my district. addiction and death are occurring. if we can't to kick the solution down the road, we are choosing simply not to act. today, we could be voting to stop the human trafficking, to stop the drug trafficking, to top -- to stop the cartels and

violent criminals who permeate into our country. h.r. 2203 does not address the real problem. instead of passing this do-nothing bill, i ask that we return to homeland security committee and work on a bipartisan basis to secure our border. to end the asylum loopholes. and to protect this great country. thank you and i yield back. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from alabama reserves. the gentleman from mississippi is rehe -- is recognized. mr. thompson: thank you very much, mr. speaker. i yield two minutes to the gentlelady from texas, ms. garr see. the speaker pro tempore: the gentlelady is recognize for two minutes. ms. garcia: thank you, mr. speaker. and thank you, mr. chairman. i support h.r. 2203, a bill introduced by my dear friend from texas congresswoman veronica escobar. last humanitarian crisis at the southern border and within the

american immigration system. the homeland security improvement act is a critical bill, not a do-nothing bill. it's a critical bill that addresses our nation's immigration challenges at the border in a responsible and humane manner by ensure accountability and oversight for the creation of an ombudsman. our american values, moral conscience and constitution require that we treat all individuals on american soil humanely and respectfully. this bill helps ensure that that happens. congress must continue working to finally end the humanitarian crisis at the southern border. this is a step in the right direction. i urge my colleagues to join me in support of h.r. 2203. thank you and i yield back the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentlewoman yields. the gentleman from mississippi eserves. mr. thompson: i reserve. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from alabama is

recognized. mr. rogers: i would like to yield two minutes to the gentleman from florida, mr. rutherford. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman is recognized for two minutes. mr. rutherford: thank you, mr. speaker. i thank my colleague from alabama. we have a crisis at the border. finally our colleagues across the aisle have recognized that this is not a manufactured crisis. just this month over 800,000 illegal aliens have now crossed our southern border in 2019. that is two times more than crossed in all of 2018. these numbers are at historic highs, in large part due to a broken immigration system that incentivizes illegal crossings. h.r. 2203 does nothing to fix it. this bill does nothing to stop children from being used as baines photographicers to cross our border. this bill does nothing to stop law enforcement officers, or to support law enforce. officer which is is a lifelong

ens forment officer myself i take particular issue with. this bill does nothing to hire more immigration judges which are desperately needed in order to decrease the growing and historic backlog of cases we have now seen. this bill does nothing to alleviate the pressure on our detention facility. in fact, it will make these problems worse. worse, mr. speaker. requiring the release of all migrants after 72 hours in detention will incentivize even more people to cross our southern border because they're guaranteed to be released into the interior of our country. this bill negates the steps president trump has take ton secure our southern border. a bipartisan bill in the house and senate did not support these ideas before when we passed the border supplemental in june and will not support them now. instead of giving law enforcement the resources they

need to keep our community safe, house democrats are tiptoing around real solutions and are more interested in obstructing our president than solving problems for the american public. i encourage my colleagues to vote no. with that, i yield back. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from alabama reserves. the gentleman from mississippi is rerecognized. mr. thompson: mr. speaker, i yield four minutes to the gentlelady from texas, ms. jackson lee. the speaker pro tempore: the gentlewoman from texas is recognized for four minutes. ms. jackson lee: i thank the chairman and certainly the ranking member for his position on this bill. but i rise with great enthusiasm to support h.r. 2203 by the distinguished gentlelady from texas and as well to indicate to her that i had wished that the joy of doing this would be that

we were passing productive legislation. but the sadness is that it is based on the history and the evidence of what is going on at the southern border where you live. soy hope those who are waiting for this bill will realize that it is going to pass this house. and that we're going to move this bill to the united states senate and ask the senate whether in fact they believe in the humanity of all people. let me share with you what this bill is about from my perspective. first of all, i take no back seat to dealing with the border patrol agents, c.b.p. and any others. 2004, senator kerry and i, he in the senate and i in the house, helped contribute to the modernizing of the border patrol because when i went down to the border, they didn't have the tools that they needed. we gave them the night goggles. we gave them the kinds of equipment that they needed.

those heavy terrain vehicles. we gave them the fast boats we -- they needed. we gave them their equipment recognizes that we had just been organized just a few years as the homeland security committee and we wanted our border to be safe and secure. but at the same time, we wanted had e sure that we comprehensive immigration reform. that was imploded when we could not pass a -- pass a major bill that came to this house. so i am curious why anyone would not want to have a bill that says it is a homeland security improvement act, and so i stand here in the name of roger, roger, 9 months old, who was separated from his parents by the trump administration's heinous policies of family separation. this bill deals with eliminating family separation. or to the mother who had had a baby and 45 days that baby was,

she had in the been to a hospital but she was in a detention center. i think it is fair that there be a policy for border patrol agents so wear those cameras like any other law enforcement to protect them and others. the limitation on the separation of families. the prohibition of exceeding 72 hours in short-term detention. the ombudsman which is so very important so we have a fair investigation. to my friend on the floor dealing with human traffic, any day of the week i'll join him in a bill that deals with human trafficking. i held the first hearing by homeland security on human trafficking in the field almost eight years ago because houston is a known epicenter for human trafficking. but right now we're dealing with the improvement of this department. and i believe this commission is going to be important and crucial for migrant families and children that have been separated and abused by the trump administration. do you want to see human beings in cages or do we want to have a fair system that protects the

united states and the border if the intrusion of those who would do us harm? a regular immigration system would allow these desperate families to come and be processed. i would have wanted the mexican program to be out. i would have wanted to have my amendment that deals with making sure that the foia amendment covers every detention center, private and nonprivate, that would have ensured that you had the reports about whats of -- about what was going on inside these detention centers. those amendments were not allowed at this time. we'll work with the gentlelady, we'll work with homeland security, to make sure we do not have members of congress blacked from coming to these private detention centers that women and children are in. but this is a good start. this gives tools to those who are in need of those particular tools. the speaker pro tempore: the jerusalem's time has expired. mr. thompson: i yield an additional minute to the gentlelady. the speaker pro tempore: the gentlelady is recognized for one minute. ms. jackson lee: i thank the gentleman, i want to focus on

this. we know in the past year under this administration seven-plus children have died. how many adult have also passed? it is as much important to report the deaths of individuals in our own prison system as it is to report migrant deaths. they are human beings. and to be able to use and to understand the use of force in every law enforcement officer, i say to their families, i want them to go home to their families. but to every human being who comes, desperate, for the hope and blessings of america who has not come to do us harl, i want to be able to have the oversight in this bill, the accountability and trands parentcy in that border area. we well know that el paso has been touted as the most safe city in the nation. it was not an immigrant that killed 22 people. it was not an immigrant whose violence and victimization and utilization of an automatic weapon caused the people who i had to visit in the hospitals of

el paso. it was not an immigrant. that is a worthy bill. that will in fact provide the right direction for the homeland security department. i rise to support h.r. 2203 and i yield back my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentlelady yields. the gentleman from alabama reserves. the gentleman from alabama is recognized. mr. rogers: i yield four minutes to the gentleman from mississippi, mr. guest. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman is recognized. mr. guest: thank you, mr. speaker. as a member of the committee on homeland security and a former prosecutor, i rise today to express my concerns regarding h.r. 2203. while the bill is referred to as the homeland security improvement act, the legislation does not make improvements to our homeland security. and in fact would have no positive impact on resolving the crisis at our southwest border

of preventing any future homeland security crisis. it is the responsibility of congress to fix gaps in our immigration system that benefit criminals such as human traffickers and drug smugglers. instead of addressing these needs, this bill would create even more loopholes. h.r. 2203 would establish a new and unnecessary position at the department of homeland security that would serve as an additional barrier for law enforcement officers charged with protecting our communities. this new position would overlap with existing positions at d.h.s. and a panel of appointees or bureaucrats with no prior experience in law enforcement would oversee the border and immigration enforcement process. democrats must recognize the efforts, dedication, an sacrifices made each day by members of our law enforcement

community to uphold the rule of law. rather than undermining their roles and duties we should be focusing on how we can assist these brave men and women who work to maintain our nation's security. i recently introduced h.r. 3990, the operation stone guard authorization act. this bill would establish a grant program for states bordering mexico or canada or with a maritime border. these grants would provide much needed resources to help customs and border protection and local law enforcement officers efficiently carry out their mission -- their mission on behalf of the american people. . i urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to join me in promoting respect for our law enforcement community, and providing a sense of gratitude for the work they do to keep us, our families and our communities safe. as a member of the committee on

homeland security, i voted against this bill when it was considered in committee, and now i strongly encourage my colleagues to join me in voting against this partisan measure, and to instead work across the aisle to find real solutions, bipartisan solutions to make america a safer place to live, to worship, and to raise a family. thank you, mr. speaker, i yield back the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman yields back the balance of his time. the gentleman from alabama reserves. the gentleman from mississippi is recognized. >> thank you, mr. speaker. mr. speaker, i yield one minute to the gentlelady from california, ms. lee. the speaker pro tempore: the gentlelady from california is recognized for one minute. ms. lee: thank you very much. first, let me thank chairman thompson for yielding and for your tremendous leadership. not only on issues of security, but on so many issues that affect our country. also,, i just want to thank -- also, i just want to thank congresswoman escobar, who i call my congresswoman, because she represents the wonderful people of my hometown of el

paso, texas. mr. speaker, i rise today to support h.r. 2203, the homeland security improvement act. now, i have visited mcallen, texas, brownsville, homestead. i've witnessed children in cages, sleeping on concrete floors. i had a chance to talk to mothers and fathers who had no idea where their children were. i served on the conference committee on homeland security as we moved to open the government up earlier -- government -- moved to open the government earlier this year, and i have to just tell you, there were so many suggestions that were made that weren't accepted. there were good, rational, concrete suggestions. this bill, this is a critical bill that really addresses some of those concerns. it creates this independent -- the speaker pro tempore: the gentlelady's time has expired. mr. thompson: i yield an additional minute to the gentlelady. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman is recognized for an

additional minute. ms. lee: thank you. creates the independent ombudsman, which will establish a confidential process to assist individuals with complaints against i.c.e. and c.b.p. what's more, this bill is important to our children, for our children, and would develop recommendations for the establishment of an electronic tracking system to track the location of children who have been separated from a parent, legal guardian or other relative. now, we will not stand by while the trump administration separates children from their families. so this bill takes an important step in the right direction. by passing this bill today, we are putting critical protocol and protections in place for migrants and making sure that they're well-being and -- their well-being and their health is uplifted at every step. we cannot allow migrants to be abused by c.b.p. and i.c.e. any longer. it's past time to protect my grants who are seeking a chance to start a new -- migrants who are seeking a chance to start a new life in america. it's time we recognize people fleeing violence are human beings who deserve a chance to

address and be part of a just immigration system. so i urge my colleagues to vote yes on this bill. i want to thank you, chairman thompson and congresswoman escobar, for finally getting this bill to the floor. thank you. the speaker pro tempore: the gentlewoman's time has expired. the gentleman from alabama -- from mississippi reserves. mr. thompson: yes. the gentleman reserves. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from alabama is recognized. >> mr. speaker, i would like to at this time make my friend from mississippi aware that i have no further speakers and i'm prepared to close and in the meantime, i will reserve. mr. thompson: mr. speaker, i have no more speakers and i'm prepared to close after the gentleman from alabama closes. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from alabama is recognized to close. >> thank you, mr. speaker. i yield myself such time as i may consume. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman is recognized. >> this bill demonstrates just how disingenuous democrats are about securing our borders and fixing our broken immigration system. their caucus is in such disarray on this issue, it took them 10

weeks and a hatchet just to find a compromise among themselves. now they're going to send yet another partisan messaging bill to the senate where it will promptly die. congratulations on the press release. mr. speaker, we watched an unprecedented humanitarian crisis unfold on our southwest border this year. it used to be that when this country faced a crisis, democrats and republicans came together to solve it. and ensure it didn't happen again. unfortunately, that's no longer the practice under democrat control. mr. rogers: when democrats are ready to legislate with real solutions to problems, this country faces, republicans stand ready to wore -- problems this country faces, republicans stand readier to would work with them -- stand ready to work with them. i yield back the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman yields back the balance of his time. the gentleman from mississippi is recognized to close. mr. thompson: thank you, mr. speaker. mr. speaker, i ask unanimous consent to include in the record an exchange of letters between the committees on homeland

security and the committee on ways and means and the committee on judiciary. the speaker pro tempore: without objection. mr. thompson: thank you, mr. speaker. mr. speaker, the trump administration's cruel and inhumane approach to border and immigration enforcement has subjected d.h.s. frontline personnel and border communities to chaotic conditions. it's also hurt families and children. from the remain in mexico policy that puts children and families n harm's way indeaf -- indefinitely, to family separation, to metering, the trump administration has people dly reshaped how who people who seek safety in the u.s. are treated. it is essential that there be greater transparency and accountability regarding what d.h.s. is doing along the border. more remains to be done, but h.h.s. 2203 includes several

first steps. i urge my colleagues to support this measure and i yield back. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman yields back the balance of his time. all time for debate has expired. pursuant to house resolution 577, the previous question is ordered on the bill, as amended. the question is on engrossment and third reading of the bill. those in favor say aye. those opposed, no. the ayes have it. third reading. the clerk: a bill to increase transparency, accountability and community engagement within the department of homeland security, provide independent oversight of border security activities, and prove -- improve training for officers and agents of u.s. immigration and customs enforcement, and for other purposes. the speaker pro tempore: pursuant to clause 1-c of rule 19, further consideration of .r. 2203 is postponed. the chair lays before the house

the following communication. the clerk: the honorable the speaker, house of representatives. madam, on september 19, 2019, pursuant to section 3307 of title 40, united states code, the committee on transportation and infrastructure met in open session to consider six resolutions included in the general services administration's capital investment and leasing programs. i have enclosed copies of the resolutions adopted. signed, sincerely, peter a. defazio, chairman. the speaker pro tempore: pursuant to -- referred to the committee on appropriations. pursuant to clause 8 of rule 20, the chair may postpone further proceedings today on the motions to suspend the rules on which a recorded vote or the yeas and nays are ordered. or votes objected to under clause 6 of rule 20. the house will resume proceedings on postponed questions at a later time.

for what purpose does the gentleman from colorado seek recognition? mr. perlmutter: thank you, mr. speaker. i move the house suspend the rules and pass h.r. 1595, the safe banking act, as amend. the speaker pro tempore: the clerk will report the title of the bill. the clerk: h.r. 1595. a bill to create protections for depository institutions that provide financial services to cannabis-related legitimate businesses and service providers for such businesses and for other purposes. the speaker pro tempore: pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from colorado, mr. perlmutter, and the gentleman from north carolina, mr. mchenry, each will control 20 minutes. the chair recognizes the gentleman from colorado. mr. perlmutter: thank you, mr. speaker. i ask unanimous consent that all members may have five legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and to include extraneous materials on h.r. 1595. the speaker pro tempore: without objection, so ordered. mr. perlmutter: mr. speaker, i yield myself as much time as i may consume. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman is recognized. mr. perlmutter: thank you.

i'm proud we are here today to pass this bill about public safety, accountability and respecting states' rights. 47 states, four u.s. territories and the district of columbia, have spoken and legalized some form of recreational or medical marijuana, including cannabis oil. 318.2 million people live in those 47 states. that's 97.7% of the population. however, because marijuana remains illegal under federal law, businesses in these states are forced to deal in cash. these businesses, their employees and ancillary businesses cannot access the banking system. the fact is, the people if in states and localities across -- in states and localities across the country are voting to approve some level of marijuana use and we need these marijuana businesses and employees to have access to checking accounts, lines of credit, payroll accounts, and more. this will improve transparency

and accountability and help law enforcement root out illegal transactions to prevent tax evasion, money laundering and other white collar crimes. but most importantly, mr. speaker, this will also reduce the risk of violent crime in our communities. these businesses and their employees become targets for murder, robbery, assaults and more by dealing in all cash, and this puts the employees and store owners at risk. and congressman heck will speak directly to this point. the safe banking act will create a safe harbor for financial institutions and their employees who choose to do business with a marijuana company. section 3 of the bill is particularly important to not only marijuana businesses, but everyone who might do business with a marijuana-related company. this section would protect ancillary businesses like real estate owners, accountants, electricians and vendors by clarifying that the proceeds

from legitimate cannabis businesses are not illegal under federal laws. this proceed section is the key provision allowing all cannabis-related businesses and their service providers to access the banking system without fear of reprisal. we have worked with our republican colleagues on a few changes to improve the bill, since it was marked up in march. as mr. barr will discuss, the bill now includes protections for financial institutions to provide financial services to hemp and c.b.d. businesses. since we've learned the provisions from the farm bill last year did not provide sufficient clarity for banks and credit unions to provide these services. and mr. stive -- at mr. stivers' urging, we expanded protections for insurance products, such as workers compensation, and additionally we added language from a financial institution customer protection act which passed the house 395-2 last congress. this language would prohibit bank regulators from directing a

bank to close an account for reputational reasons. in summary, if someone wants to oppose legalization of marijuana, that's their prerogative. but american voters have spoken and continue to speak and the fact is, you can't put the genie back in the bottle. prohibition is over. our bill is focused solely on taking cash off the streets and making our communities safer, and only congress can take these steps to provide this certainty for businesses, employees and financial institutions across the country. i want to thank representative heck for his partnership through the years on this bill, i also want to thank representative stivers and davidson for their support, and co-sponsorship of the banking act -- safe banking act. subcommittee chairman greg meeks and representative katie porter have been very helpful in the process. finally, i want to say thank you to chairwoman maxine waters for shepherding this bill through the financial services committee, and making this a priority. i urge my colleagues to join me in voting yes and with that, i

reserve the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman reserves the balance of his time. the gentleman from north carolina is recognized. mr. hensarling: mr. speaker, i yield -- mr. mchenry: mr. speaker, i yield myself such time as i may consume. the speaker pro tempore: without objection. mr. mchenry: i rise in opposition to h.r. 1595. but i want to begin, before i go into the contents of my argument against this legislation, i want to start by commending the bill's sponsor, mr. perlmutter of colorado. for his tireless advocacy, his reasonableness in his approach, and his willingness, even in the midst of the toughest negotiations around this subject matter, to keep his cool, to think through the import of the bill, and to seek compromise where he could. and it is quite a legislative endeavor that he's taken upon himself, but for this institution, for his state, and for states around the country. he's been a fantastic advocate and i would say that standing in

opposition to this bill, it's not because of his lack of goodwill, it's not for lack of his willingness to engage, but for a fundamental disagreement in the approach. and we've been able to have real discussions around this that i think would make the american people more proud or more confident in this institution and our body politic more broadly speaking. and i also want to thank my friend and i also want to thank our colleague, mr. stivers of ohio, for his work on. this together they have conducted themselves with wonderful integrity and respect for their colleagues and their -- for their colleague's views and ideas. especially on an issue like this where it can create an enormous amount of controversy. 21 states have legalized medicinal marijuana and 10 have legalized the recreational use of the drug. however, cannabis remains

completely illegal in 19 states. federal law defines this drug as, quote, a high potential for abuse, no current accepted medical use and treatment in the united states and a lack of accepted safety for quse of the drug undered me -- for use of the drug under medical supervision, end quote. that's current federal law. this bill doesn't change the fact that cannabis remains a prohibited schedule 1 substance under the controlled substances act. that that end if we seek to give financial institutions certainty we should deal with the lists of cannabis as a schedule 1 substance, not debating a partial solution for financial institutions to what is a much larger problem and a larger societal issue that we must wrestle with. should states be allowed to continue to violate federal law? does federal law need to be changed when it comes to the scheduling of cannabis?

we have an f.d.a. that regulates cigarettes and e-cigarettes which as we know the recent announce. , they'll seek a ban on flavors e-cigarettes. but f.d.a. has no regulatory uthority to regulate cannabis. the bill we're considering today is one of the biggest changes to u.s. drug policy in my lifetime. yet it is done with lit dell bait. while our committee has jurisdiction over financial institutions, and in the nature of our debate it's usually about the nature of regulation for the capital markets and for banks, we heard lit frl the committees of jurisdiction over the controlled substances act or the criminal code. in fact the financial services committee is the only one who has held a hearing on the issue of cannabis this congress. now i would say that is due to the leadership of mr. perlmutter and his tireless advocacy for this. we only have one panel of

witnesses. i voiced my concerns in our juferse diction to chairwoman waters and congressman perlmutter about my concerns for this. and in march of this year i wrote chairwoman watters to express my belief we need to have a better comprehension of the nature of this substance an i dress the supervisory and regulatory issues that would result from enactment of h.r. 1595. i ask unanimous consent that uni submit a letter of this for the record. the speaker pro tempore: without objection, ordered. mr. mchenry: i in that i listed veral steps to be taken, including institutions' obligations with respect to the bank secrecy act, any money laundering requirement, suspicious activity reports and currency transaction reports. what are the implications of this bill on nonbank financial firms including investment

companies? i know there's been additions since we've come to the floor toin collude insurance companies and i think that's a positive step. but these are some of the basic questions that still need to be resolved. it's also important that we understand whether this legislation could lead to bad actors like drug cartels that could more easily access our banking system in the united states. these concerns have been echoed by several former directors of the office of national drug control policy and former administrators of the drug enforcement agency. in a july letter from this year, former law enforcement officials serving from 1981 to 2014 voiced concerns that the safe banking act could be exploiting to provide easiering more cost-effective ways for nefarious groups to launder moneyism ask unanimous consent to submit this leder -- letter for the rod. the speaker pro tempore: without objection, so ordered. mr. mchenry: mr. speaker, drug cartels are a significant problem in cannabis legal states

like california, washington and colorado. the cartels have found that it's easier to grow and process marijuana in legal states like colorado and ship it throughout the united states than it is to bring it from mexico or cuba. i ask unanimous consent to submit for the record this article. the speaker pro tempore: without objection, so ordered. mr. mchenry: thank you, mr. speaker. and beyond the regulatory issues, congress has yet to examine the potential societal harms and implications for health. in a january article regarding research on the health effects of marijuana, author malcolm gladwell wrote, quote, before any drug gets permitted to go on the market, basic questions have to be answered about its safety and efficacy. we don't know -- we don't know relatively basic questions about marijuana, end quote. i commend this piece from the new yorker and ask unanimous

consent to submit it for the record. the speaker pro tempore: without objection, so ordered. mr. mchenry: i appreciate the gentleman from colorado's willingness to work with several of my colleagues on this side of the aisle. i want to commend him and the gentleman from ohio, mr. stivers, once again for their commitment to this effort. this version of the legislation before us right now is dramatically improved and includes a number of republican priorities such as language on operation choke point and a solution that will help industrial hemp farmers across the country but most especially in kentucky. yet mr. speaker, there are many questions left to be answered. we do not fully understand the sweeping implications of this legislation.

resulting regulatory regime will look like, nor do we have any assurance it will not expose the current financial system ill list activity. in particular as it's currently drafted h.r. 1595 offers insufficient safeguards for drug cartels from accessing the banking system. what this legislation does is provide a half answer to a much larger problem than just banking. we owe it to our constituents and to the public to have a serious debate on the underlying issue and that is the issue of whether or not cannabis should be considered a schedule 1 substance under the controlled substances act. i know mr. perlmutter and i share that same sentiment that we should have that larger debate. in the meantime, congress is working in a bipartisan way to come up with at least a measure of solution but i'm hopeful we can get the medical research necessary to -- and the f.d.a. process necessary for us to have the larger debate as well. i welcome that debate as i know the american people would as well. with that, i reserve the balance of my time.

the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman reserves. the gentleman from colorado is recognized. mr. perlmutter: i say to my friend thank you for the kind words about working across the aisle, this has been a partnership, lots of interchange. i would say also to my friend, the financial services committee has certain jurisdiction we couldn't take up all the different things that you have, or that he has suggested, mr. speaker. but we were able to take up this marijuana bill, it's the first time this congress has done it certainly in my terms here. and the reason we did that was because the chairwoman was a driving force to get this matter in front of the congress. with that, i yield four minutes to chairwoman waters. the speaker pro tempore: the gentlelady from skeavel recognized. ms. waters: thank you so very much. i rise in support of h.r. 1595, the safe banking act sponsored by representatives perlmutter, denny heck, steve stivers and warren davidson. let me say to all these

individual who was worked so long and so hard on this legislation, i'm proud of the work that you have done. i'm proud of the cooperation that you have demonstrated. and i'm proud to be on this floor with you today. this bipartisan bill addresses the pressing public safety issue for businesses that legally grow, market, or sell cannabis in states that have legalized its use and that are currently forced to operate with cash nly. 27 states, three territories and d.c. have legalize some form of marijuana and it is time for congress to act. cannabis-related businesses are locked out of the banking system and cannot maintain checking accounts, process payroll obligations or pay taxes. the financial services committee heard testimony in february that these cash-only businesses and their employees have become targets for violent criminals. the safe banking act address this is serious problem by

providing a safe harbor to financial institutions that choose to serve regulated cannabis businesses. the bill would help others like plumbers or electrician who provide services to cannabis business bus face similar challenges with access to banking services. the passage of this bill, all these businesses will gain access to traditional financial services that most businesses take for granted. h.r. 1595 also promotes diversity and inclusion with several reporting provisions to help congress monitor minority-owned and women-owned cannabis businesses, get access to credit they need and have a fair chance to compete. as i've said before and i say here on the floor today, bill is but one important piece of what should be a comprehensive series of cannabis reform bills. i have long fought for criminal justice reform and deeply understand the need to fully

address the historical racial and social inequities related to the criminalization of marijuana. i support this legislation like representative lee's marijuana justice act and chairman dler's more act that would deschedule marijuana federally and provide assistance like job training for those who have been harmed by the war on drugs. let me be clear it is long overdue for congress to address the unjust criminalization of marijuana use. so i eagerly look forward to the judiciary committee sending the legislation to the house floor soon. i thank representatives perlmutter and heck for their long standing leadership on this issue. the past six years, i urge all members to vote yes on the bill and when we get the legislation from the judiciary committee to do all of those things that i have spoken about here, and what is considered justice for those

who have been harmed by some of the laws that caused people to be incarcerated, we eagerly look forward to that legislation. we urge the judiciary committee to send it to the floor so we can support it and i yield back the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentlewoman yields. the gentleman from colorado reserves. the gentleman from north carolina is recognized. mr. mchenry: thank you, mr. speaker. i'd like to yield 90 seconds to the gentleman from michigan, the ranking member of the capital markets subcommittee, mr. huizenga. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman is recognized for 90 seconds. mr. huizenga: thank you. i appreciate the ranking member, let's set aside the moral and societal aspects of cannabis and debate and act ng that we have a problem. we do have a problem. we have states that have decided to violate federal law and within those states we have banking institutions and businesses that are operating within the confines of the

state, however, that are still in violation of the federal law. here's what we do agree on. we need to have a goal of predictability for these financial institutions and businesses. however, i don't believe that this ultimately will -- that this bill will ultimately do that because the federal government still view this is as a schedule 1 substance. i had an amendment in committee as the author of the bill well knows that would have forced alignment with all of the various regulators. i think at the time, my recollection was we counted 13 different federal regulators that touch these institutions in one way or another. the answer to that was, well, in the bill we have a requirement that they are going to agree with each other within 180 days. well, folks, this is not going to those a surprise watching on c span, we can't collectively tie our shoes here in washington in 180 days much

less get through something that complicated. my amendment said this would go into effect only when and if to the regulators could agree to the language of how to deal with that. i still think that's the way to go. n i ask for an additional 30 seconds? mr. mchenry: i yield the gentleman 30 seconds. mr. huizenga: the only way to get at this issue and provide predibblettability for companies, financial institutions and sints is to have the full debate about whether marijuana, cannabis, should be a schedule 1 substance or not. it's time for the full debate to happen. i look forward to it. with that, i yield back. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman yields. the gentleman from north carolina reserves. the gentleman from colorado is recognized. mr. perlmutter sprk thanks, mr. speaker. my friend from michigan, i guess i have more confidence in the federal employees that they can get something done in the next 180 days. i want to now yield four minutes to mr. heck from washington who

has been working on this subject with me for the last six years and i'll turn it over to him. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman is recognized. mr. heck: i do rise in support of h.r. 1595, the safe banking act. before i do that, i want to acknowledge the leadership of this man for a very long period of time. the only reason we are standing here tonight about to vote on this is because of the tireless, brilliant leadership by the gentleman from colorado. i thank him for it. it has been an incredible journey over a long teered of -- period of time. i thank the chair of the committee as well for her strong, clear leadership on. this and lastly i thank the two gentlemen from ohio, mr. stivers and mr. davidson, who are not just allies, they are friends and have done excellent work in this regard. that is a public safety bill, pure and simple. . if you want your neighborhoods and communities to be safer, vote yes.

if you want the employees at the dispenseries throughout the 47 states who have some form of legalized cannabis, vote yes. this is a public safety bill. and it is not hypothetical. it is real. exhibit a. travis mason. june 18, 2016, travis mason got up and went to work. he was full of optimism about life. he was a marine veteran. he served his country honorably. he was looking forward to his future, because he had just been informed that he was approved to take the denver police department test. he was confident he would pass it. he had been studying for it. so he kissed his lovely wife, samantha, good-bye. they were both marine veterans, both just 24, with three small children. and he kissed aiden and daisy, they were twins, and little baby julian, good-bye. and went to work, where he

served as a security guard at a dispensery in suburban denver. and because that was an all-cash settlement, because the federal law did not allow for that business to be banked, to be within the guardrails of the financial system, an evil person walked in that night and shot travis dead and left samantha, a 24-year-old widow -- samantha a 24-year-old widow with three small children. so unnecessary. if we pass this legislation, that does not have to happen. this is not hypothetical. you can be agnostic on the underlying policy of whether or not cannabis should be legal for either adult recreational use or , but you izures need be agnostic on the to improve safety in this area. if you believe that the first two processions especially of the cole memorandum, which set forth to keep marijuana out of

the hands of children and keep cash out of the hands of the cartels, if you support that, you must vote yes on this bill. so that we can track this. so that we can monitor this. if we do nothing, bad things will again happen. if we do nothing, bad things will again happen. if we pass this law, if we pass the safe banking act, the public safety measure, then we can void another widowed samantha, another murdered clerk at a dispensery. we can make our neighborhoods safer, we can make our communities safer. please join us in voting yes on h.r. 1595. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman yields back the balance of his time. the gentleman from colorado reserves. mr. perlmutter: i reserve.

the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from north carolina is recognized. mr. mchenry: mr. speaker, how much time remains? the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from north carolina has nine minutes. and the gentleman from colorado has eight minutes. mr. mchenry: all right. with that, i'd like to yield one minute to the gentleman from rmantown, tennessee, mr. kustoff. mr. kustoff: thank you. i rise today in opposition to h.r. 1595, the safe banking act. i do want to say, i appreciate the debate that we've had in our financial services committee, but i think that we need to have the same debate in the judiciary committee. we all know that over the last several years, states across the country have passed various laws to legalize marijuana for both recreational and medical purposes. that flawed approach has created a patchwork of state laws and regulations that have allowed for the spread of marijuana use across the u.s. proponents of this bill claim that it will provide consistent

guidelines for marijuana companies to do business across our national finance system. however, my concern is that the legalization will only provide safe harbor, while legitimatizing and encouraging more widespread use of this currently illegal drug. the reality is today that we are voting to nationally legalize marijuana throughout our banking system. rather than taking the correct approach, which i believe is to take a vote -- the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman's time has expired. the gentleman from colorado. mr. perlmutter: thank you, madam speaker. i'd like to yield two minutes to the gentlelady from california, barbara lee, a co-chair of the cannabis caucus and sponsor of the marijuana justice act, which we hope to see marked up and brought to the floor. the speaker pro tempore: the gentlelady is recognized for two minutes. ms. lee: thank you very much. first of all, let me thank congressman perlmutter for

yielding, but also for your tireless leadership. this has taken a heck of a long time and you have stayed with it. you've been persistent and i stand here and salute your efforts. thank you. also, i want to thank chairwoman waters for moving this bill out of the financial services committee and for her support for our marijuana justice act. and also to congressman heck for his clarity as to why this bill is necessary and for his support and, of course, my partner and friend who has been on this issue so many years, as co-chair of the bipartisan cannabis caucus on which i serve also as co-chair, congressman earl blumenauer. i have to salute and thank everyone for getting us to this point. the safe banking act would explicitly permit banks and other financial institutions to work directly with state legal cannabis businesses. legal cannabis businesses. instead of relying on cash transactions. this bill is not only timely, but extremely necessary. right now the cannabis industry

needs access to safe and effective banking immediately. let me be clear. federal law severely limits access to loans and capital for the cannabis business. especially, mind you, for those who have cannabis-related arrests and convictions on their record. that means that less than 1/5 of the cannabis industry is owned or operated by people of color, even though african-americans have been shown to use cannabis at the same rate as white americans, yet are incarcerated at about 80% more in terms of incarceration rates. this is just plain wrong. so this bill is a great first start to addressing all of these issues. i'm telling you, communities of color should equally benefit from all of the laws that have been passed at the state level. they should have the opportunity to generate generational wealth for their families too. that's why in addition to this bill, the house must bring forward legislation like my marijuana justice act, and the moore act, which addresses

criminal justice reform, restoretive justice and fully reinvests in communities of color impacted by the failed and racist war on drugs. may i have five segged seconds more? i want to thank -- five seconds more? i want to thank mr. perlmutter again. mr. mchenry: madam speaker, at this time i'd like to yield to the ranking member of the national security subcommittee on the financial services committee, the gentleman from columbus, ohio, a great advocate for the bill, mr. stivers. the speaker pro tempore: for what perioder of time? mr. mchenry: thank you, madam speaker. for three minutes. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman is recognized for three minutes. mr. stivers: thank you. i'd like to thank the ranking member for yielding. i rise in support of the safe banking act. the bill provides a limited safe harbor for banks and credit unions to open and maintain accounts for marijuana-related businesses and other nonmarijuana-related businesses. i personally oppose recreational marijuana. but for me, this bill has nothing to do with the larger

debate about marijuana and whether it's a good or bad thing. instead, i'm narrowly focused on the public safety aspects of this bill. the inconsistencies between state and federal law have created a situation where a growing number of state regulated businesses are operating on a cash-only basis. as a result, they sit on large pools of cash that make them a magnet for violent robberies. the transactions of cash-only businesses are not subjected to rigorous anti-money laundering or know your customer requirements that would be required for bank account holders. this makes it difficult for regulators and law enforcement to trace transactions or to freeze money. the safe banking at act will make our communities safer by getting cash off the streets and into regulated financial institutions so we can root out fraud and other illegal activity. the bill also extends the safe harbor to any proceeds indirectly received from these businesses, such as the hardware down the street, or the landlord of these businesses.

importantly, the safe banking act does not change the legal status of marijuana. additionally, h.r. 1595 also includes provisions that would prevent financial regulators from denying or discurrentlying access to the banking -- discouraging access to banking system for other legal businesses, as happened in 2014 through 2016. this protection is a major protection for other legal businesses. i want to thank mr. perlmutter and mr. heck for their incredible advocacy on this. i want to thank chairwoman waters and ranking member mchenry for their honest and hardworking efforts, even when they disagree. and i want to thank senator cory gardner who has championed this bill in the senate. i urge my colleagues to vote yes on h.r. 1595 and i yield back the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman yields back the balance of his time. the gentleman from colorado. mr. perlmutter: madam speaker, i ask unanimous consent to enter into the record letters of support for the safe banking act from a broad coalition, including the national association of attorneys general, including 38 state attorneys general, 20 state governors, 18 state banking

supervisors, the united food and commercial workers, the credit union national association, the independent community bankers association, the american bankers association, the midsized bank coalition of america, the national bankers association, law enforcement action partnership, the minority cannabis business association, the mayor's coalition -- mayors coalition for marijuana reform, eight insurance trade associations, the international council of shopping centers, the national cannabis industry association, the national cannabis round table, the cannabis trade federation, the california cannabis industry, the florida agriculture commissioner, safe and responsible banking alliance, the electronic transaction association, the real estate round table, the national association of realtors, brinks, inc, the national armored car insurance, american financial services association, and scots miracle grow.

with that, i'd yield two minutes -- the speaker pro tempore: without objection, so ordered. how long are you yielding? mr. perlmutter: which to minutes -- i yield two minutes to mr. blumenauer who has been the quarterback of a lot of this cannabis legislation. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman is recognized for two minutes. mr. blumenauer: i appreciate the gentleman's courtesy, the leadership, and you've heard from a number of the champions in this house fighting for a more rational policy regarding cannabis. we're in this fix today because congress has refused to provide the partnership and the leadership that the states demand. the states aren't waiting for us. as you've heard, 47 states have taken steps to legalize some form of state legal cannabis. and one of the most insidiouses a pecks of our being out of -- insidious aspects of us being out of sync is what we've seen in terms of access to banking services. congressman heck elaborated, i think, very emotionally and effectively about the dangers that this presents.

we have an opportunity to fix that problem. this is an $11 billion industry and growing. and it's growing because the people and the states have demanded it. we need to step up and solve one of the biggest problems and that is simply they don't have access to banking services. i've worked on this issue for decades. i have never met a human being who feels that there's any good purpose served by forcing them to pay their bills with duffel bags full of $20 bills. not one person. it's an invitation to theft, it's an invitation to money laundering already, it's an invitation to tax evasion, and it stifles the opportunities of this business. i strongly urge our colleagues to vote for this, as the next step. this is an important foundational, but it's not the

last step. we have important legislation that's keyed up and ready to go. this approval today will provide momentum that we need for further reform that we all want and will make america safer and stronger. thank you, and i yield back. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman yields back the balance of his time. the gentleman from north carolina. mr. mchenry: i yield -- thank you, madam speaker. at this time i'd like to yield two minutes to the chair of the oversight subcommittee on the financial services committee, the gentleman from lexington, kentucky, mr. barr. the speaker pro tempore: for two minutes. the gentleman is recognized for two minutes. mr. mchenry: for two minutes. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman is recognizedment mr. barr: thank you, madam chairwoman. i rise -- madam speaker. i rise in support of h.r. 1595. the safe banking act. and i want to thank my friend, the gentleman from colorado, for working with me in a bipartisan way to include two amendments that will allow legal hemp farmers and businesses in my district access to financial services.

kentuckians have a deep interest in the production, cultivation and sale of industrial hemp. with we have historic connections to this too. many americans may not know, but my predecessor in the central kentucky seat in congress, speaker of the house, henry clay, was once a hemp farmer. now thanks to the farm bill, the hemp industry in the commonwealth is booming once again. much of the resurgence of the industry occur under the industrial hemp research pilot program established by the 2014 farm bill. since the program's enactment in 2014, the number of approved acres in kentucky increased from 922 to over 50,000. in 2018, sales of hemp products were 3 1/2 times more than the previous year. the 2018 farm bill took it a step further and fully legalized industrial hemp, ending 80 years of prohibition of the plant. hemp is now completely exempt from the controlled substances act. despite these positive steps forward, hemp businesses still have trouble accessing financial services like bank accounts, loans and payment processing.

this bill will provide additional clarity for banks, insurance companies and card processors that they can in fact do business with legally operating hemp businesses. it would also direct our federal financial regulators to issue joint guidance to financial institutions on how to serve hemp and c.b.d. businesses without legal risk. there's amazing potential for hemp and hemp-derived products. one hemp farmer in my district has an exclusive deal to provide hemp for farming. toyota, who has the largest manufacturing facility in my district, is exploring the use of hemp for car interiors. hemp farmers in my district are cultivating hemp to produce products ranging from dietary supplements, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, apparel, footwear, fashion, and even industrial products and construction materials. but for hemp producers and businesses to fully scale up and take advantage of the descheduling under the farm bill, they need access to financial services, again, i want to thank my friend from colorado for working in me -- with me in a bipartisan way and i urge support for h.r. 1595. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from colorado.

the speaker pro tempore: each side has four minutes remaining. mr. perlmutter: i'd like to yield to the chair of the financial services subcommittee, mr. meeks. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman is recognized for one minute. mr. meeks: there's been a rapid and dramatic shift in the treatment of cannabis. nearly every american live hs in a state where cannabis has been decriminalized to some extent. but federal drug laws an bank regulations have not evolved to reflect this new reality. we need clear, harr monoized law which is the safe banking act provides. without passage of this bill, the legal cannabis industry is forced to operate mostly in cash, depriving law enforcement f important financial data and causing security hisks. those operating legally within the bounds of state and local

laws will no longer bear the burden of the tax code and the lack of all basic financial services, and i'm proud of the rk that mr. perlmutter has worked on this bill very hard and i compliment him and yield back the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman yields back . the yell from north carolina. mr. mchenry: i yield one minute to my colleague from ohio, great member of the financial services committee, mr. davis. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman is recognized if one minute. mr. davis: i rise in support of the safe banking act. this is a banking bill. it defends civil liberties with a simple concept. if it's legal in your state you should be able to bank it no federal regulator should be able to block an american's lawful access to the banking system. in ohio, legal, state-regulated businesses are being forced to use cash or intermediaries.

this will help get the business into the regulated financial system. i am also grateful for mr. uetkemeyer's amendment to stop closing accounts. it's time to pass this important billism urge bipartisan, broad support of the passage and i yield back. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman yields. the gentleman from colorado. mr. perlmutter: i yield 45 seconds toths gentleman, mr. co-ray yasm the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman is recognized. mr. correa: i rise in strong support of this legislation, the safe banking act. when i was state senator in california i was visited by dr. moynahan who came to visit my office and asked that i do some legislation to help his daughter. in her short lifetime she'd been tormented by epileptic seizures. the only drug that worked for her without severe side effects was cannabis. break misheart to know that

these legit businesses can pay their taxes with cash yet customers like dr. moynahan can't use a credit card, he also has to pay with cash to get legitimate products. doesn't make sense. i ask my colleagues to please support commonsense legislation. please vote aye on this legislation. thank you. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from north carolina. mr. perlmutter: i inquire how much time remains. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman has three minutes. mr. mchenry: i yield one minute to my colleague from florida, the gentleman from fort walton beach, florida, mr. gates. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman is recognized. mr. gaetz: it's on behalf of cannabis patients in fort walton beach and across the sunshine state that i rise in support of the safe banking act. aisle proud to have been part of drafting florida's medical marijuana laws. tost ludicrous that the congress

of the united states can stand between people operating under state law and their ability to have banking. it is good for no one to have billions of dollars rolling around outside of the accountabilities and efficiencies an safeguards that the american financial system provides. a vast majority of states have legalized some form of cannabis and if any business is legal in that state they should have the same financial protections as any other business. i'm a proud original co-sponsor of the safe banking act and i thank my colleagues for their tireless work on the issue. i know the bill is not perfectism expect the bill to get better in the senate. hopefully this will build some commonsense momentum for real cannabis reform. let's get this drug off the schedule 1 list and do right for the great people in the country. i yield back. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from colorado. mr. perlmutter: i yield 45 seconds to the gentlelady from the virgin islands, ms. plaskett. the speaker pro tempore: the gentlelady is recognized. ms. plaskett: because federally regulated banks and other institutions may face prosecution if they offer their

services to businesses selling legal cannabis products across 47 states, d.c. and four u.s. territories, many legal businesses are forced to operate in a cash-only basis, making them targets for theft and creating opportunities for tax evasion and money laundering. it's simply unfair to deprive legal, state-approved businesses of financial services any longer. social equity will go further by allowing businesses to come out of the shadow. as chair of the house agricultural subcommittee on biotechnology, horticulture, and research, i'm pleased that this legislation was made inclusive of hemp as it moves through the process. i have heard from a number of legal hemp businesses who have experienced similar issues. i thank my colleague from colorado, mr. perlmutter, for inclusion of the territories in this and i yield back. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from north carolina. mr. mchenry: i reserve. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from colorado. mr. perlmutter: i yield 45 seconds to the gentlelady from new york city, mrs. maloney. the speaker: the gentlelady is

recognized. mrs. maloney: i strongly support this bill and congratulate mr. perlmutter and mr. heck for their hard work. we have to pass this bill because it's a public safety issue. banks can't serve marijuana businesses, an $11 billion business, because it's still illegal at the federal level. which means that legal marijuana businesses around the country operate in all cash. this is a huge public safety issue because storing huge pile os cash in warehouses is a magnet for criminal activity. but it also means that companies that just provide services to marijuana businesses, like electric or water utilities are also getting cut off from the banking system. and undermining people's access to basic utilities creates yet another public safety problem. i urge support for the bill and yield back. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from north carolina.

mr. mchenry: i inquire of the chair how much time remains. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman has two minutes remaining. the gentleman from colorado has three quarters of a minute remaining. mr. mchenry: i'm prepared to close, yield my time to myself. let me begin as i did with my opening statement. i want to commend the gentleman from colorado for how he has managed this bill and brought it to the floor. what we have here on the house floor that we're debating now is a much broader bill and therefore will have a much brder vote than what we had in committee. however limited we were in committee jurisdiction. and congressman perlmutter, i know that you were on the appropriations committee, you would have worked for medical research funding. i know if you were on energy and commerce committee you'd have

worked for an f.d.a. process on cannabis. and if you were on the judiciary committee you'd have worked to deschedule the drug. however we find ourselveses on the financial services committee. this is not a normal conversation that we have on the committee. but this is addressing a key issue that many states are facing. and many institutions. financial institutions. credit unions an banks are facing which is how to bank people with a lot of cash with a product that's legal at the state level but at the federal level is an ill list substance harmful for human consumption. while congress is taking this half measure it doesn't resolve the issue. it does not resolve the issue of medical research or understanding the brain science and huh that theaskets adolescent bring, how cannabis affects the adolescent brain. there are questions there. there are questions about the criminal justice code. but those are things we should be debating rather than this

half measure on banking. and so while this is an important step in the question of the overall legalization of the drug, it still doesn't resolve the issue fully. so i ask my colleagues for a no vote but i expect this vote will pass on the suspension calendar today. i want to thank my colleague for his handling of this important issue and the wise nature of how he's approached the amendment process to address many different equities across the country. with that, i'd like to yield back. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman yelleds back. the gentleman from colorado. mr. perlmutter: i yield myself the balance of my time. i thank the gentleman from north carolina. as i said at the top of this debate this bill is about public safety, accountability, respecting states' rights. our bill is narrowly tailored to get cash off the streets and improve public safety in communities across the country. i want to thank my co-sponsors, they've heard from me, they been beenng with

working with me for years and really appreciate that. but especially i want to thank the staff of the financialer is vesses committee, the staff of my co-sponsors and my own staff for the work they've done to put this bill and coalition together. there are many marijuana issues that remain but this one gets the cash off the streets. this is about public safety. i urge all my votes -- i urge all my colleagues to vote yes on the safe banking act and i yield back. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman yields back . the question now occurs, will the house suspend the rules and 1595 as ill h.r. amended. those in favor say aye. those opposed, no. in the opinion of the chair, the -- > i ask for a record vote. the speaker pro tempore: for what purpose does the gentleman -- >> i ask for a record vote. the speaker pro tempore: does the gentleman request the yeas and nays. mr. mchenry: i request the yeas and nays. the speaker pro tempore: the yeas and nays are requested. those favoring a vote by the

yeas and nays will rise. a sufficient number having risen this yeas and nays are ordered. members will record their votes by electronic device. this will be a 15-minute vote. [captioning made possible by the national captioning institute, inc., in cooperation with the united states house of representatives. any use of the closed-captioned coverage of the house proceedings for political or commercial purposes is expressly prohibited by the u.s. house of representatives.]

the speaker pro tempore: on this vote, the yeas are 321, the nays are 103. /3 being in the affirmative --

the rules are suspended, the bill is passed and without objection the motion to reconsider is laid on the table. pursuant to clause 1-c of rule 19, further consideration of h.r. 2203 will now resume. the clerk will report the title. the clerk: unocal car number 122, h.r. 2203. a bill to increase transparency, accountability and community engagement within department of homeland security, to provide oversight of border security activities and improve training for agents and officers for u.s. cus doms and border protection and u.s. customs and enforce. nd for other purposes. the speaker pro tempore: the house will come to order.

members in the rear of the hamber will take their conversations off the floor.

for what purpose does the tennessee rise? >> madam speaker, i have a motion to recommit at the desk. the speaker pro tempore: is the gentleman opposed to the bill? >> i am in its present form, madam speaker. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman qualifies. the clerk will report the motion. the clerk: mr. green of recommit the s to bill h.r. 2203 to the committee n homeland security with instructions -- mr. green: i ask unanimous the nt to dispense with reading? is the the speaker pro tempore: is there objection to dispense with reading? pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from tennessee is recognized for five minutes in support of his motion. mr. green: thank you, madam speaker. over 180 jurisdictions in the united states, including our populated cities and states, have passed laws prohibiting local law from cooperating with federal immigration officials. n these sanctuary jurisdictions, local law enforcement is barred from detainers ith lawful rom immigration and

enforcement. an e. assumes custody of illegal alien, it includes information on their criminal history. he fifth circuit court of appeals found that i.c.e. administrative warrants, which are e criminal warrants, not issued by a judge or in fact sufficient to detain in a county jail someone whom i.c.e. might desport, even if they've been their charges have been dropped. madam speaker, there are many accounts of innocent men and and children murdered, raped, or assaulted by criminal released by sanctuary cities that refuse to comply detainer..c.e. in march, 2018, i.c.e. lodged a on martin gallardo, a countrynational, in the illegally, after located him in an oregon county jail. did not honor the immigration detainer, and

eleased the criminal -- the convicted criminal. seven months later, he was arrested again. killing his wife. in february, 2019, police in san jose, california, arrested caranza, a salvadoran, a 59-year-old ng of a woman that he just noticed on the street. e had an extensive criminal record, having been arrested for times. half a dozen i.c.e. lodged seven detainers, single time local authorities released him without notifying i.c.e. is dead. mother of two sadly, i could go on and on with stories.rible true the facts are undeniable. constitute a es threat to public safety. body fails tothis act, the number of victims grow.ues to

we're a nation of laws, and we ust uphold our laws and not reward state and local officials who deliberately and flagrant laws of this the body. when i was a state senator in tennessee, we addressed the problem. authored a bill and added eeth to our sanctuary -- anti-sanctuary city laws so that any city that chooses to ignore the law would lose their state funding. it's time for congress to act. espite all of our disagreements, all this bill does, all this bill does is victims to be heard. that's it. requires the ombudsman created by this bill to collect and the data on these victims. under this amendment, any victim committed by an illegal immigrant in a sanctuary jurisdiction can safely and file a report with the alm bondsman. his allows victims and their

families an opportunity to be heard by policymakers in department by the of homeland security. why would we not let the victims heard? the ombudsman will analyze patterns, make recommendations how we can decrease these incidents. provide an outlet for the growing number of victims and their families to ensure told.stories are hopefully we will act tonight on victims. the madam speaker, i yield back. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman yields back. the house will come to order. the hat purpose does gentlelady from texas rise? ms. escobar: madam speaker, i opposition to this motion to recommit. the speaker pro tempore: the gentlelady is recognized for five minutes. s. escobar: madam speaker, there is no one here who better understands what is happening on

border than those of us who actually live on the u.s.-mexico border. is no one here for whom border security is more those of us n fortunate enough to live on the southern border. since the creation of the department of homeland security 2003, american taxpayers have $300 billion on the agencies that carry out immigration enforcement. and the rights of those of us who live within 100 miles of the and that's the southern border as well as the northern border -- our rights eroded.n what congress has not done is corresponding transparency, accountability, and oversight needed over these investments. h.r. 2203 will do that. only seekscan motion to divide us. uite simply, this is a poison

pill amendment that has no relevance to what we are trying bill.here with this some of my colleagues seem dehumanizing immigrants, casting them as even als to be feared and hated. let me remind you that the el paso, sacre in texas, was not carried out by an killer, a ut by a u.s. citizen who drove 600 miles of texas to ate slaughter mexicans and immigrants. did this in one of the safest cities in america. and borderommunities communities remain among the cities in america. enough. colleague blican completely misses the point of of theudsman, the office ombudsman. an ombudsman is supposed to be related to versight

the inner workings of the department, not on external policy issues. is a side show that detracts from that mission. and ntability, oversight, transparency should not be controversial. is we have seen is what we have seen from local law enforcement in our communities. to have we not want well- -- have a well-funded and federal law enforcement agency adhere to those same values? instead of pursuing symbols of division, we ask our republican olleagues to support fundamental accountability and oversight over the hundreds of illions of dollars we have given to d.h.s. and support transparency for a powerful agency. history will not judge us kindly administration has treated migrants, agents, and border communities like

mine. it will judge us in this chamber even more harshly if we continue to call for more symbols of division. at us commit to responding in way that honors our sacred credo country, e pluribus unum, out of many we are one. let us honor the mother of liberty, e statue of and the nation of immigrants. it is who we are. is who we always will be. let's work together to ensure ur response is one filled with common sense and compassion. urge a no vote on this motion and a yes on the underlying bill. thank you, madam speaker. the speaker pro tempore: the gentlelady yields back. without objection, the previous question is ordered on the motion to recommit. the question is on the motion. all in favor say aye. opposed, no. the noes have it. the gentleman from tennessee.

green: madam speaker, i'd like to request for a recorded vote. a speaker pro tempore: recorded vote is requested. those favoring a recorded vote will rise. a sufficient number having arisen, a recorded vote is ordered. members will record their votes by electronic device. pursuant to clause 9 of rule 20, the five-minute vote on motion to recommit will be followed by five-minute votes on ordered,f the bill, if and adoption of house resolution 576. this will be a five-minute vote. [captioning made possible by the national captioning institute, inc., in cooperation with the united states house of representatives. house proceedings for political or commercial purposes is expressly prohibited by the u.s. house of representatives.]

the speaker pro tempore: the yeas are 207, the nays are 216. the motion is not adopted. the question is on passage of the bill. those in favor say aye.

opposed say no. the ayes have it. for what purpose does the gentleman from alabama rise? mr. rogers: i request the yeas and nays. the speaker pro tempore: the yeas and nays are requested. those favoring a vote by the yeas and nays will rise. a sufficient number having arisen, yeas and nays are ordered. members will record their votes by electronic device. this is a five-minute vote. [captioning made possible by the national captioning institute, inc., in cooperation with the united states house of representatives. any use of the closed-captioned coverage of the house proceedings for political or commercial purposes is expressly prohibited by the u.s. house of representatives.] the speaker pro tempore: the

yeas are 230, the yeas are 194. the bill is passed. without objection, the motion to reconsider is laid on the table. he house will come to order.

he house will come to order. for what purpose does the minority leader rise? >> i rise to the question of the privilege of the house and i send to the desk a privileged resolution. the clerk: at a press conference on september 24, 2019 speaker pelosi stated i'm announcing that the house of representatives is moving forward with an official impeachment inquiry, whereas it states under the modern practice, an impeachment is normally instituted by the house of the adoption of a resolution

calling for a committee investigation of charges against the officer in question. whereas in the past 25 years, the house of representatives has moved forward with impeachment against a federal officer three times. each initiated by an impeachment inquiry resolution approved by the full house, not by a unilateral decree by the speaker. the house approved house resolution 424 directing the committee on the judiciary to inquire whether the house should impeach a judge of the united states district court for the southern district of texas. on january 13, 2001, the house resolution 15 directing the committee on the judiciary to inquire whether the house should impeach a judge at the united states district court for the eastern district of louisiana. whereas on october 8, 1998, the house he approved house

resolution authorizing and to investigate whether sufficient grounds exist for the impeachment of president clinton. whereas the committee report to accompany house resolution 581 stated, because the issue of impeachment is such an importance, the committee decided that it must receive authorization from the full house before proceeding on any further course of action. whereas the report further impo committee stated, because impeachment is delegated solely to the house of representatives by the constitution, the full house of representatives should be involved in critical decision making regarding various stages of impeachment. whereas the speaker's extraordinary decision to move forward with an immeefment inquiry without any debate or vote on such a resolution by the full house undermines the voting privileges afforded to each member and whereas this

unprecedented and politically motivated decision by speaker pelosi is an abuse power and brings discredit to the house of representatives. therefore be it resolved that the house of representatives disapproves of the actions of the speaker of the house, mrs. pelosi of california, to initiate an impeachment inquiry against the duly elected president of the united states, donald j. trump. the speaker pro tempore: the resolution presents questions of the privilege of the house. mr. hoyer: i have a motion at the desk. the clerk: mr. hoyer moves that the resolution be moved on the table. the speaker pro tempore: the question is to move the resolution on the table. those in favor say aye. those opposed, no. in the opinion of the chair, the ayes have it. the gentleman from california. >> i ask for a recorded vote and

let it be resolved that the house of representatives -- the speaker pro tempore: those in favor say aye. a sufficient number having arisen, a recorded vote is ordered. members will record their votes by electronic device. by electronic -- pursuant to clause 9 of rule 20, this five-minute motion on the vote to table will be followed by agreeing to house resolution 576. this is a five-minute vote. [captioning made possible by the national captioning institute, inc., in cooperation with the united states house of representatives. any use of the closed-captioned coverage of the house proceedings for political or commercial purposes is expressly prohibited by the u.s. house of representatives.]

the speaker pro tempore: on this vote the yeas are 232, the nays are 193. the motion is adopted. without objection, the motion to reconsider is laid on the table. pursuant to clause 8 of rule 20, the unfinished business is the vote on adoption of house resolution 576, on which the yeas and nays are ordered. the clerk will report the title of the resolution. the clerk: house resolution 576, resolution expressing the sense of the house of representatives with respect to the whistleblower complaint of august 12, 2019, made to the

inspector general of the intelligence community. the speaker pro tempore: the question is on adoption of the resolution. members will record their votes by electronic device. this will be a five-minute vote. [captioning made possible by the national captioning institute, inc., in cooperation with the united states house of representatives. any use of the closed-captioned coverage of the house proceedings for political or commercial purposes is expressly prohibited by the u.s. house of representatives.]

the speaker pro tempore: on this vote the yeas are 429, the nays are zero. -- 421. the nays are zero. with two answering present. the resolution is adopted. without objection, the motion to reconsider is laid on the table.

the speaker pro tempore: the chair lays before the house a communication. the clerk: the honorable the speaker, house of representatives. madam, i am writing to submit my resignation from the committee on small business to allow an incoming member of congress to have the opportunity to sit on the committee. i am honored to have served on the committee and i am thankful

for chairwoman velasquez and ranking member chabot's leadership. signed, soin southeasterly, trent -- sincerely, trent kelly, member of congress. the speaker pro tempore: without objection, the resignation is accepted. the chair lays before the house another communication. the clerk: the honorable the speaker, house of representatives. madam, i write to respectfully tender my resignation as a member of the committee on homeland security. it was my great honor and privilege to serve on the homeland security committee since i was first elected to congress, and i will continue to prioritize national security issues through my work as ranking member at the house judiciary subcommittee on crime, terrorism and homeland security, as well as the house permanent select committee on intelligence . during my tenure in congress, i attained additional committee assignments which made me one of just a handful of members to serve on four committees. i relinquished this seat on the homeland security committee to make room for new republican house members elected in the

recent special elections through committee assignments that best serve the republican conference overall. signed, sincerely, john ratcliffe, member of congress. the speaker pro tempore: without objection, the resignation is accepted. the chair will now entertain requests for one-minute speeches. for what purpose does the gentleman from new jersey seek recognition? >> i ask unanimous consent to address the house for one minute, revise and extend my remarks. the speaker pro tempore: without objection, the gentleman is recognized for one minute. mr. payne: madam speaker, while we mourn the loss --

ms. jackson lee: the house is not in order. the speaker pro tempore: the gentlewoman is correct. e house will be in order. the speaker pro tempore: members will take their conversations from the chamber. the gentleman from new jersey is recognized. mr. payne: thank you, madam speaker. while we mourn the loss in these all too frequent mass shootings, it is important to remember while some cities suffer these tragedies occasionally, others suffer them daily. every year, dozens of my neighbors and victims of shootings across my city, we need to stop looking at guns as simply a second amendment issue and address them as a national health and security crisis. our people are dying and we have the power to stop it.

we have already taken similar actions in other industries when lives are threatened or lost. automobiles are a safety risk, so we push for seatbelts and airbags. smoking is a health risk, so we banned advertisement and vending machines to protect our children. that is why i'm proud to support the stricter background checks before a gun purchase and a ban on high-capacity magazines. which should only be available to train american soldiers. but we must do more. like me, many members returned to districts where gun violence is all too common where it is rare to find a family that has not lost a member of its family. with that, i yield back.

the speaker pro tempore: for what purpose does the gentleman from florida seek recognition? >> ask unanimous consent to address the house for one minute and to revise and extend my marks. the speaker pro tempore: without objection. the gentleman is recognized for one minute. mr. yoho: i call attention to the issues of human trafficking, which is still alive and well today. the united states has been ranked among the top three nations for victims of human trafficking in 2018. according to a recent report by the state department, it is the number one consumer of sex trafficking worldwide. this is absolutely unacceptable and as a member of congress, we must use all means necessary to rid our nation of human trafficking and keep people safe from this kind of abuse. this is why this week i will be introducing two bills to help combat this. they are the prevent trafficking in our schools act and the combat act of 2019, the prevent trafficking in our school act

instructs the secretary of homeland security and secretary of education to develop a pilot program to train school officials and teachers to identify signs of trafficking in our schools and educate these same officials. the combat act addresses the fact that the u.s. does not have an official count for domestic human trafficking by requiring a report to congress on the prevalence of human trafficking happening within the united states and i yield back and i ask for support on these. the speaker pro tempore: for what purpose does the gentlewoman from texas seek recognition? >> ask unanimous consent to address the house for one minute and to revise and extend my remarks. the speaker pro tempore: without objection. ms. jackson lee: today the transcript was released of the conversation between the president of the united states and the president of the ukraine. it is crucial that we proceed with the work that is necessary. and so i rise to add my

enthusiastic support for h.res. 576 that just passed expressing the sense of congress in order to protect the whistleblower and have the complaint sent to the united states congress of which i believe it is on its way, and if not, we must have have it as quickly as possible. let me say, today we had a very important hearing in the judiciary committee regarding the ban on assault weapons. 5 days since el paso and 22 days since odessa. it seems that the leadership of the n.r.a. finds my statements attractive and they have taken to the air waves with their cousin, fox news to talk about the opinion i made regarding the ar-15. as a person who believes in the first amendment, i have a right to say that. to all the members of the n.r.a., i believe in your beliefs but you are being led by

leaders who want to attack and have no solutions. i will take the hits from the n.r.a. to save lives. i am not afraid of the n.r.a., i yield back. the speaker pro tempore: for what purpose does the gentleman from pennsylvania seek recognition? >> ask unanimous consent to address the house for one minute and to revise and extend my remarks. the speaker pro tempore: without objection. the gentleman is recognized for one minute. >> i rise today to discuss a very important matter and one that is bipartisan in nature and i thank my friend and colleague from michigan, mr. kildee, for helping us organize to bring awareness. co-chair of the task force, the remediation is being needed. in bucks county, pennsylvania, we have seen the negative effects that it has had on our community. further action must be taken on a federal level.

house and senate passed their ndaa bills that included important provisions to address this contamination. these provisions will help clean up contaminated sites and stop polluting our drinking sites. in order to protect veterans and ur communities, in the final ndaa, we must have the best provisions from the house and senate ndaa bills. call for all conferees to ensure remediation efforts are included in the time package. congress must act now. i yield back. the speaker pro tempore: for what purpose does the gentleman from nevada seek recognition? >> ask unanimous consent to address the house for one minute and to revise and extend my remarks. the speaker pro tempore: without exception, the gentleman from nevada is recognized. >> i rise in overwhelming

support of the safe banking act of 2019. three years ago, nevada voters nt to the polls and voted to legalize recreational marijuana. after its legalization, local business owners invested in nevada's legal cannabis market creating jobs and opportunities. and the market exceeded expectations, growing rapidly to become a burgonning industry. within 10 months, nevada exceeded the one-year projection of tax revenue bringing in more than $55 million in tax dollars for our schools, money that would have flooded the illicit drug market. nevada raises more revenue than alcohol excise taxes. and the marijuana industry did this without incurring vast

detriments to society, creating addiction crises or a gateway drug. thank you. and i yield back. the speaker pro tempore: for what purpose does the gentleman from seek recognition? mr. thompson: ask unanimous consent to address the house for one minute and to revise and extend my remarks. the speaker pro tempore: without objection. the gentleman is recognized for one minute. mr. thompson: i rise today to 22 nize aaron roman, just years old. she is running her business. she founded her company to provide people with disabilities with self-sustaining jobs. erin is blind and on the autism spectrum. a good environment around a good cup coffee. white king coffee offers eight different varieties.

despite being capable and wanting to work, 90% with autism are underemployed or unemployed. others, work environments are not. erin is helping to bridge this gap by empowering autistic results. i am proud of the work erin is doing in warren county and i yield back. the speaker pro tempore: for what purpose does the gentlewoman from maine seek recognition? ms. pingree: address the house for one minute and revise and extend my remarks. the speaker pro tempore: without objection. ms. pingree: thank you. i rise to support h.r. 1595 the state banking act which passed the house this afternoon. maine voters have legalized marijuana. businesses in maine and other legalization states need

financial institutions to help them start and grow. maine's credit unions and banks want to help. they were early advocates and recognized that a safe harbor is necessary so lenders can have this to the benefit of consumers . just yesterday, a banker from southern maine contacted me out of regret. the bank had to close a long-time customer's account when he found out he was a delivery driver for a legal marijuana producer. the bank lost a customer. the citizen lost his trusted financial institution. does he have to keep his earnings under a mattress? this makes no sense. this will allow lenders to legally serve marijuana businesses and secures transactions are done. not with bags of cash. i yield back.

the speaker pro tempore: for what purpose does the gentleman from florida seek recognition? >> ask unanimous consent to address the house for one minute and to revise and extend my remarks. the speaker pro tempore: without objection. the gentleman is recognized for one minute. >> i rise today to celebrate one of tampa bay's most impactful leaders. acosh was recognized as businessman of the years. mr. spano: this is a platform to share and collaborate. he currently served as the chairman of the early learning a programs.hat provides at the age of 27, he founded a local consulting firm with expertise in public relations and under his leadership, small group of millenials has resourced 150 companies.

he is seen as the youngest board member as the chamber of commerce and honorary commander. congratulatingin acokh patel. the speaker pro tempore: for what purpose does the gentleman from new york seek recognition? i send to the house a privileged report for filing under the rule. the clerk: resolution providing for consideration of the joint resolution senate joint resolution 54 relating to a national emergency declared by the president on february 15, 2019. the speaker pro tempore: referred to the house calendar and ordered printed. for what purpose does the gentleman from california seek recognition?

>> ask unanimous consent to address the house for one minute and to revise and extend my remarks. the speaker pro tempore: without objection. the gentleman is recognized for one minute. mr. lamalfa: i want to point out the unique opportunity for viewing, the u.s. parks service, the division of the historic vehicle association places on display in the capital maul unique vehicles with unique history. right now in a glass case just a couple of blocks from here is were olkswagen van that long time civil rights' leaders, transporting people to rallies and to get them out to vote and for voter registration and all sorts of things starting back in the 1940's until they obtained this van and used it for many years and it was brought out from a field where it has been

deteriorating but being brought back to life and on display for everyone to see. it will be here for the rest of the week and i encourage to check that out and see what the historic vehicles association is doing. the speaker pro tempore: under the speaker's announced policy of january 3, 2019, the gentleman from arizona, mr. schweikert, is recognized for 60 minutes as the designee of the minority leader. mr. schweikert: one of those evenings where i'm going to go through some complex numbers, but a lot of it is incredibly optimistic. i'm going to do two things. part of this is on frustration on numbers that i keep seeing

out there that are incredibly optimistic in the economy and i want to talk about -- remember last week the theme was global warming, climate change, the environment, my issue with the economist over the climate issue and i want to talk about some amazing technologies that i can't believe weren't discussed this week that are about to create stunning breakthroughs. let's let's first talk through this. i had this intense frustration that my brothers and sisters on the left, and even a number of us on the right, we don't talk enough or at all about the amazing good things happening to the american worker. to people out there who had a pretty rough previous decade. and the math is the math. so the premise i want to give

right now is economic growth is moral. because it uplifts -- it makes the value of work, it makes your future, your retirement, your ability to take care of your kid, economic growth is moral. the reason i have this particular board up, and we try to do this every week, is what's one of the greatest threats to our society? i believe it's the stunning size of our unfunded liabilities. once again, i say this almost every week when i'm behind this microphone, next 30 years, if you take social security and medicare and remove it from the 30-year window, this country, the federal government, the c.b.o. projection, $23 trillion in the bank. if we pull social security and medicare into that number, we're, what, $103 trillion in

debt. negative. that's not republican or democrat math. it's just demographics. we're $-- where 74 million of us who are boomers, we're moving the our earned benefits and honest truth is the resources that were required to meet these earned benefits were never set aside. so how do we keep our commitments? we're actually proposing over and over and over, it's a combination. there is no magic bullet. it's a combination of you've got to grow the economy like crazy. a tax policy that grows and expands. trade policy that grows and expands. immigration policy that grows and expands. regulatory policy that grows and expands. incentives to be in the labor force that grow and expand the economy. the adoption of disruptive technology to change the price of health care. -- care is absolutely necessary.

incentives for americans who are older, who feel they're healthy, still want to work, incentives to stay in the labor force. and we go over these details over and over and over and over again. there's a way to make the math survivable. without some of the lunacy of some of the other -- functionally almost buying constituencies with outlandish promises. just managing the reality of our demographics and our current promises. ce again, every five years just the growth in social security, medicare, health care entitlements, just the growth will equal the defense department. that meenches 10 years two defense departments -- that means every 10 years two defense departments is just the growth. c.b.o. projects the next 10 years, 91% of the growth in spending, social security and

medicare, health care entitlements. and much of that is calculated with actually a new much, much lower medical inflation. it's demographics. it's population shifts moving into those benefits. you would think if those who came behind these microphones loves and cared for their brothers and sister, we'd try something new and that's invest in a calculator. tell the truth about the math. come together and make it work. we believe there's way to make it work. but part of the reason i'm behind the microphone tonight is i want to talk about some amazing things that are happening proving the first part of that discussion, that you can change the economic cycle. i've been on joined economic now for years. these frequenty smart professors and economists would come and sit in front of us and go,

david, it looks like your future g.d.p. growth, we're going to have a labor force that's going to fall somewhere into the mid 50's as people retire, because remember, 10,300 americans retire or turn 65 every single day. and that was our future. and you couldn't make this math work at all. so how many times did you hear the term fiscal cliff coming? and then this crazy thing has happened the last couple of years. where we changed our tax law. we updated our regulatory environment. we're still negotiating, trying to update our trade environment. but just think of those couple economic life he for so many americans. et this place is so incredibly sour, i don't know why there's

not joy. i want to walk through some of these numbers. look, these are just some of the headlines. and, look, associated press. u.s. household income finally matches 1990 peak, while poverty rate hits its lowest since 2001. that's what they call inflation-adjusted dollars. we had a lost decade. we had a couple lost decades. we're back. for the first time, most new workers or new worker age hires in the u.s. are people of color. it turns out, when we would sit in joint economic a couple years ago, we would hear that, well, those who didn't have graduate degrees, those who didn't finish high school, who didn't have these particular skill sets, were going to be con signed to the permanent under-- consigned to the permanent underclasses. besides just the common cruelty of accepting that, the darkness

of accepting that, it turns out it wasn't true. why isn't there joy? look, this is an editorial from the "wall street journal" from the editorial board on the 20th. and there's some numbers in here we've been tracking, they did a fine job sort of lumping it together. but we all saw it here on this floor in some of those one-minute comments from a couple weeks ago, a number of our brothers and sisters on the left just outraged that in 2018, what was it, medicaid rolls declined. do you know why they declined? it turns out they declined because workers' earnings increased by 3.4% while the poverty rate decreased by another half a percent. so now poverty rate is at 11.8%.

it is still unacceptably high. it's also the lowest since 2001. and some of the fastest reduction of poverty in u.s. history was just last year. if you say you care about those who don't have many of the same opportunities or haven't had them in life, shouldn't there be just a little recognition there's something pretty amazing happening out there in the economy for these folks who are being written off as being part of the permanent underclass, yet they have the fastest growing wages in those lower areas? and i'm sorry, i know i get behind this microphone and often sound like an accountant on steroids, and i struggle with sort of a ake this powerful story, a power of narrative, you know, so many of our brothers and sisters around here get behind this microphone and are great at telling

stories. but understanding this math, i don't care if you're a democrat or republican, you should be joyful that something's working out there. and you would think policy-wise we'd be having a discussion bout how we keep it going. some more from this editorial. full-time year-round workers increased by 2.3 million in 2018. employment gains were the biggest among minorities, female-led households. the share of workers in female-led households who work full-time year-round increased by 4.2%. and among hispanics, 3.6%. it's in the next paragraph that caught my eye when i was reading this on the airplane. and i can't believe it wasn't

headlined around this country. because we all talk about how we care about those who have had a really rough decade, those who have been poor, those who are fighting and struggling to feed their families and move up. as a result, real median earnings, and let's stop for a moment. when you hear the word real median earnings, what does that mean? it's something we call inflation-adjusted dollars. so, if we tell you your income went up 2% but last year's inflation is 1%, you only went up 1%. so when you hear the term real dollars or constant dollars or adjusted dollars, it means we've made up for inflation. so your purchasing power is held constant. as a result, real median earnings for female households, th no spouse present, jumped .6% last year.

real median earnings for female households with no spouse present jumped 7.6% last year. how many speeches have been given on this floor over the last decade about that population, the crushing burden of poverty, and more happened last year than happened in the previous few years in moving that population out of poverty? i'm sure our brothers and sisters on the left, when they hear the actual math, will be joyful because they care about hese folks, right? the poverty rate among female households declined 2.7% for african-americans, blacks, 4% or hispanics, and 7.1% for

heir children. those are amazing numbers. it's part of my point that we keep trying to make over and over. economic growth is moral. but what was more important, because the irony of this editorial, the real cure for that lity, it turns out the share of households making less than $35,000 in inflation-adjusted dollars has fallen 1.2%, because they were making more. but when actually look at the amount where the -- but when you actually look at the amount where the income growth was, it wasn't at the upper cortiles of income, it looks like the growth of income were in the lower cortiles.

meaning the -- as this editorial, and we still don't have the math yet, but we're tracking it, we're probably not going to have it for four year, when we look back at 2019, the but preliminarily, 2019 may be the year, the first year in modern times where income inequality actually slinks. and it's not because the wealthy -- shrinks. and it's not because the wealthier didn't get wealthier. it's because those in the lower income finally were seeve receiving pay raises -- were receiving pay raises, because they're finally working in a world where there's more jobs than there's available labor so their labor is more valuable. isn't that exciting? shouldn't we all get together, from republicans and democrats, and figure out how to do more of his? a quick thought. and the editorial actually touches on this, but i want to give an explanation. as 10,300 americans retire every

day, those are often individuals who are near the peak of their earning cycle. you know, their lifetime earnings. so the economists for years and years and years had talked about they expected to see certain mean income actually fall because high-skilled workers, because of their time in the work force, they were retiring, they were going to come out, their salary was going to come out. young workers weren't being paid as much. turns out it's some of our youngest workers who have actually had also some of the biggest pops in income. mean incomes increased in households between the age of 15 9.1% and 5 to 34 by 5% respectively. turns out our young workers had some of the most aggressive positive pay raises in all of society. how much have we heard that on our media?

how about our financial press? how much here on the floor? how much those who actually care about social policies? look, the reality of it is something pretty amazing is happening out there in the economy. when you actually saw the august unemployment numbers of how many americans who were not even looking came back into the labor back to our previous point, labor force participation, a rowing economy, is both moral, something, i hope everyone here, no matter what your ideology is joyful about, that economic expansion also -- and we are starting to see it in the early data from c.b.o. and the social security administration that the dates running out of money are getting pushed off because of

the amount of payroll taxes that are coming in. so, look, as you hook at these tore absorb how unning earnings for single female households in just 2018, we are not talking multiple years, just 2018, up 7.6%. if i had shown up here a couple of years ago and say this is what 2018 is going to produce, you would have laughed me out of the place. but it happened. poverty rate for female households, down 2.7%, hispanics, down. isn't this been the goal around here is we were going to find policies that created a level of

an equity in participating in the economic dream, it is happening. and i'm sure when my brothers and sisters on the left, they will be coming to these microphones, joyful, excited, that the policies from the republicans over the last couple of years have brought economic numbers that a lot of those really smart professors, economists who sat in front of us over the last decade said were impossible. . need to rethink if you actually claim you care, maybe we should do things that really do work. we have seen distribution not lift people out of poverty and

the math has kept them in poverty. but the economic expansion, the economic miracle from the last couple of years is working. maybe we should consider doing more of it. so, look, there is an intense frustration i have. i want to start with this slide as a thought experiment. i'm someone who cares a lot about the environment. but i also care about telling the truth about the math. virtue signalling doesn't make the environment healthier and cleaner. it may get you re-elected, but doesn't make the environment better. d.c. is one of the communities that has banned strauss. bless them. how many u.s. strauss end up in the ocean? pretty much none. 90% of the ocean plastic and

before i got this job, look, i'm pleased to represent one of the debatest districts you can imagine, lots of smart people, people who care and moved their lives and have their existence and prosperity and work hard in the phoenix-scottsdale area. in the desert, you would love to go to the ocean and go scuba diving. 90% of the plastic in the ocean comes from tin rivers. eight of them in asia, two of them in africa. if you cared about plastic in he ocean, what you would do is something simple and river. go to the 10 rivers and do something. a number of us on the republican side are actually trying to find ways to adjust parts of our foreign policy, our environmental aid. some of our engineering skills

and those things to the locations of the 10 rivers that are 90% of the plastic in the ocean. and it is absolutely fascinating the reaction i have had from some of our brothers and sisters who stare at me because that ends the signalling of, we are going to get rid of plastic strauss. , learn them you care actual facts because virtual signalling does not make this world cleaner. so, let's actually talk about is last week and optimism, gates is a cle bill substantial investor in it, but a new efficient nuclear type of

power. and there were numbers that were important for the thought experiment. about 20% of america's electric power comes from nuclear. 17% comes from renewables. nuclear still is more than renewables and 63% from fossil fuels. here's the problem with that. you take a look, the column over here on the -- my right, if you are watching, this left, nuclear power generation that has been shut down or being shut down. this goes back to 2016. that was the newest data i could find. the other side is photovoltaic. e two lines are almost

identical. i'm from arizona. we love our photovoltaic. and arizona public service in the country, amazing uptime and amazing job running that facility, but this is nuclear power coming offline, that photovoltaic going online. there is no net positive. if you care about greenhouse gas going into the atmosphere, unless you are stabilizing nuclear power instead of taking it offline, you didn't get anywhere. but we reward virtue signalling around here and not actual math. let's talk some more of the good ews and some of the technology breakthroughs that are happening around here. this is one of my favorite. something that the ways and

means committee did last year and you can do things, we updated the carbon sequestration tax credit. this is a facility that is up and running outside the houston area in texas. and i hope i don't butcher the technology, but it's a natural gas-fired power plant with no smoke stack. they figured out how to take the natural gas, explode it, that slam it through the turbines and produce electricity and on the other end, capture all the co-2 and sell it and recycle and can take that co-2, you have to put it through 150 bars of pressure and those things, it becomes ar clean-burning fuel because it is

really pure carbon. this facility, if i remember the article, they are trying to find funding to go up to 00 megawatt, but they have proven you can rn a hydrocarbon and produce baseload electrical power and ot a smoke stack and few miles away, there is another plant doing the same experiment with coal and no smoke stack. this is a big deal. but there are many of us who also think of the greenhouse gas issue is doable. and countries like china and they are bringing on 32, 33 coal-fired plants with virtually o greenhouse gas mitigation.

and not using the newest technology. what happens to a world where someone like myself says we need the economic growth and we don't have the economic growth and can't keep the economic promises so retirement security, but we want a clean environment. t the lunancy of the proposals, come by my office, we have binders of technologies coming out. and this is one we have to be joyful about. how many have ever heard the discussion of negative, negative carbon emissions? we discussed this concept for 100 years. can you pull co-2 out of the air?

turns out this facility is up and running. bill gates is a funder of this. it's in canada. wish it was in arizona, but they are claiming right now their facility can pull carbon out of he air at $150 a ton and package it and make a clean burning fuel out of it. but if the rest of the world continues to go the way it's going, the concept of we now have the technology to yank rbon out of the air and if it's really heading towards $100 a ton, it's at the threshold where it is economical because turns out that the dollar values, some of the sequestration, tax credits we do, and convert it back into a fuel, it's almost in the money.

this is exciting. how many did you hear talk about this technology over the last 10 days? it's here. and my beloved university, arizona state university, the biggest university in the united states, has an entire center devoted to this concept of --hnology that is a negative pulls carbon right out of the air and that technology is passive where the other one is active. and the professor working on this, freakin smart and he has a joyful view and he said let's let the technologies compete. this one is more of a distributetive model of this passive collection where you can put it in lots of different logues so part of it is the

cover for your bus stop but also pulling carbon out of the air. somehow think we need to go back and live in the dark has r that man demonstrated over and over technology is a disruption, look when i was growing up, i remember a teacher reading me the population bomb, scaring me to death that by the late 1970's we are going to be starving and how many kids hear the folklore about what is happening out there that they are going to be in a planet that is burning up n their late teenaged years?

the issues are real but so is the technology solution. but it turns out solutions aren't as elegant with a great speech. i'm proud of the things that are happening out there. final bit of this thought experiment is years ago, we were pleased, we had a phd of physics and he is at one of those special agencies that does complex stuff. but he did a math experience for us. methane in our norm youla was considered 84 times more greenhouse causing in its first year than carbon. ok. 84-1. and he came to me with this math experiment saying if you could build a substantial pipeline or multiple pipelines in west texas

and a couple of other large carbon-producing areas and was able to capture methane and convert it to a fuel and had that and a couple of other things, you hit the paris accord numbers. isn't that exciting? how many of our brothers and sisters saying we need to build more pipelines and capture that methane so it doesn't go into the air. pipelines are part of the religious process here i need to be opposed. if anyone is watching, istening, look at this photo synthesis 40%. his is the most

remember the high school biology class, where we were told plant cells have had a small flaw. sometimes they really, really want the carbon molecule to make a sugar out of it and instead grab an oxygen molecule. apparently through some synthetic biology they figured out how to rearrange the plnt cell to always grab the carbon, use the sugar and the plants grow 40% more efficient. think about that. what would happen if that technology was part of our commodity crops our fresh produce, the things we eat? the world would feed itself for another 250 years. it would mean 40% less land, 40% less water, 40% less fertilizer. tushes out world agriculture produces 2.2 times the greenhouse gases of every car on earth. you know if you had this type of technology around the world it would be equal to removing every car off the face of the earth.

and yet this is g.m.o. because it was produced through the -- the fix was done through a type of synthetic biology. but it would equal removing every car off the face of the earth. these are joyful thought experiment bus the technology is real and it's here. we have to figure out as a body how we adopt these things that it proves we can grow as a society. we can grow economically as a world my little 4-year-old or soon to be 4-year-old little girl can have an amazing future we feel don't have to be terrified about the debt cliff that's going to crush us because we grew. and we can have the amazing clean environment and deal with the issues of greenhouse gases. are we ready to pull our heads out and actually do that crazy thing of reading and math and understand the technology disruption that's in front of

us? madam speaker, are we ready to adopt, embrace the technology disruption that allows us to grow, prosper, and yet meet so many of our goals? and with that, i yield back. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman yields back his time. under the speaker's announced policy of january 3, 2019, the gentlewoman from ohio, ms. kaptur is recognized for 60 minutes as the designee of the majority leader. ms. kaptur: madam speaker, it is with great concern for our country and our long standing western security alliances and liberty itself that i rise today. i have the distinct privilege of

serving on the house appropriations subcommittee on defense and co-chair the congressional ukraine caucus. as the congresswoman from a district with a strong ukrainian heritage and tens of thousands of citizens who understand what liberty demands, i hold a unique perspective and dare say deep knowledge to speak on the events of the past several days to provide some additional context on why the conversation between president donald trump and the newly elected president of zelensky, aredent so distressing to our national security. the american public has looked on in horror as america's president, president trump, has willfully neglected his oath of defendand sacred duty to the best interests of our nation, in favor of his own.

and in effect promote the interests of russian dictator vladimir putin. this week, we learned of yet another instance in which our president has put national security at risk in favor of advancing his own personal partisan political objectives. according to a highly redacted white house memo released this morning, the new ukrainian president was quoted as saying he was and i quote, ready to buy more u.s. anti-tank missiles to defend his nation against russia's invasion, and president trump without skipping a beat responded, and i quote, i would like you to do us a favor, though. a favor? to receive the funds that this congress passed and

appropriated? a favor to disburse the funds already slated for ukraine until president trump held them back, to ask a favor? that is illegal. it is unconstitutional. and it is dead wrong. this exchange is not only a clear violation of the law, it is an unprecedented abuse of power that undermine ours national security, violate ours constitution, and compromises the struggle for liberty on the continent of europe. that include america's most trusted allies through instrumentalities like nato. article 1 of the constitution clearly states that all legislative power shall be vested in the congress of the

united states. and that congress holds the awesome power of the purse. on july 18, president trump purposefully directed his administration to withhold nearly $400 million in defense assistance for ukraine from the state and defense departments budget. these funds were voted by members of the house and senate. and frankly, at one point this year, we did not know that the president was holding the funds back. when we learned that he was, i joined my fell he ukraine caucus co-chair, congressman mike quigley of chicago, in issuing a statement demanding that the money we had voted for be released. members of congress wrote the president letters and sent them to the white house and were told by the administration that,

well, you know it was an interagency delay, and i quote, that caused the funds not to be released, to a nation at war with russia. russia invaded ukraine, not the reverse. and the scrimmage line for liberty on the continent of europe now is at the russian-ukrainian border. our president delayed the release of those funds. the president sought to make the release of national security funds passed and appropriated by this congress contingent on asking a new foreign leader for a favor. a favor. prior to release of those funds. congress must compel the release of the full conversation that occurred between president trump and the new president of ukraine , as well as the full whistleblower complaint that was originally submitted to the

office of inspector general. we do not have the full release. i'll say more about that in a moment. the document we were provided today was not a complete transcript of the conversation that our president had with president zelensky. we only got about 11 minutes of a conversation that lasted upwards of 30 minutes. congress must demand the full transcript and hold the executive branch officials in contempt if they refuse to give us the full document. like so many americans, i am disgusted by president trump's repeated betrayal of american interests in favor of vladimir putin. this president's efforts to coerce ukrainian president zelensky, an allied leader, into helping him win re-election by urging congressionally supported military aid is not only a dramatic betrayal of the president's constitutional duty, it's also the latest example of

trump doing putin's bidding. i am certain that our president's relationship with vladimir putin didn't start with failed support for putin's election meddling or inviting the russians to hack the democratic national committee, or even lobbying most recently for russia to be readmitted to the g-7, our most trusted ally, when russia has invaded -- invaded ukraine, for heaven's sake who benefit whence ukraine loses military assistance? easy question. russia. the country that is waging a bloody war in ukraine for over five years. who is to say putin wasn't listening in when trump blackmailed zelensky. madam speaker, no member of congress has traveled to ukraine as many times as i. begin long before i was in congress and long before the berlin wall fell.

i can say with confidence that ukraine today is the scrimmage line for liberty's defense on the continent of europe. and that's why president trump's decision to with hold this money is so troubling. there's no more important strategic military alliance for liberty than america's membership with european nations in nato, the north atlantic treaty organization. every minute of every day, nato stands united to defend against dictatorships and protect our liberties. russia has always hated this organization and will do anything to disrupt the western alliance, and she is fast at work doing that as we stand here this evening. we know the battlefields of europe directly influence the founding of our own republic and our fundamental ideals of democracy. nato stands ready as we stand

here tonight to defend our liberty. in return, we keep our word, our word, for our nato allies. a promise that should never be contingent on a single president's political objectives back home. after the collapse of communist russia in 1991, ukraine became a free nation. ukraine had been occupied for all of its modern history. but began its jagged path forward to the free world a path that has been torturous and fraught with danger an setbacks and yes, bloody murder. to this day, there exists an insidious network of corrupt ukrainian and russian oligarches whose tentacles reach far across ukraine and the rest of the world seeking to undermine the western alliance while protecting the selfish, corrupt, financial looting that continues to this day in that part of the world and frankly even reaching our shores.

it will be a permanent blot on american history that certain americans, including president trump's campaign manager and several other trump operatives were actually involved in supporting these oligarches and the undemocratic forces that are trying to undermine the government of ukraine every time they try to right themselves, and these oligarches steal and plunder billions of dollars with their kremlin allies. despite these setbacks ukraine's revolution that began five years ago, the ukrainian people have bravely demonstrated their resolute commitment to their nation's democratic future they feel latest example is their historic presidential and parliamentary election which is international observers lauded as free and fair. meanwhile, russia's devastating invasion of ukraine has resulted

in more than 13,000 ukrainian deaths, including civilians who have been targeted by russian missiles. 30,000 injured and more than two million displaced internally. it is sad that ukraine must fight a war on two front a hot war against russia for which she is completely underarmed, and one against the enemy from within, the scourge of corruption. both perpetuated by russian influence. in fact, when boris nemsov a brave russian, was prepared to lead a demonstration for ukrainian independence, he was killed on the steps near the kremlin. how about that, in moscow. that's how russia plays. ukraine's new president and his party won a significant majority because he promised finally to root out this corruption. and while the ink is fresh on the zelensky presidency, we have high hopes for him and his

ability to live up to the expectations of his people. it would be tragic if president trump compromised him with his recent misstep. in order to make good on his promise to root out corruption, the president must make clear his independence. a prime example is his benefactor, the ukranian oligarch. corrupt as an influence with a net worth of over $1.2 billion and i'm sure that is a low-ball number. he is one of the most richest and corrupt oligarch and he ran the show "servant of the people" . the question for history will be, how will ukraine's new president be able to rise to the

highest aspirations or will he be meyered in corruption at home nd by very, very entrapment by foreign leaders like president trump. he did not become rich, rather they used lies, intimidation, cheating, stealing, money laundering, killing, yes killing. these are their stock in trade. he used his company as a personal piggy bank by issuing endless loans to himself and frankly laundering billions of dollars, billions of dollars including in this country, mainly in real estate. in one stance, he hired hundreds of thugs with iron rods, rubber bullet pistols, chain saws and

baseball bats to raid a plant in order to take it over. he didn't buy it. he stole it. surely a terrible definition of a hostile takeover. e bank lost $5.5 billion putting ukraine's economy at risk. and this was a critical step urged by the united states, the european union, the international monetary fund for reconstruction and development. his life is under threat. she was hit by a car in london leaving her hospitalized. her house was burned down. her apartment raided by police, fear, crime, murder, destruction are the paths of repressive

regimes. freedom lovers do not accept that way of life for ourselves or the future of ukraine. for these reasons, i invited her to share her story. corrupt oligarches with their gains launder money to the west where they know our laws will keep their ill-gotten money safe. how ironic it is, the kremlin mouthpiece mocks our values of openness and strong tradition of rule of law while putin's cronies store and invest their dirty money here. i can tell you, recent reports ted that the oligarches have funneled vast funds to delaware-based shell companies into our district where the

oligarch has become downtown cleveland largest commercial real estate owner. ot just in my state but across florida and across this country and this is the kind of corruption that spreads across our world. and it's why we have to pay attention to what is happening in ukraine because next to ukraine behind the iron curtain of russian leps, they have a plan to disrupt the west, certainly using every tool they have to disrupt the nato alliance and in our country and disrupt our way of life. the newly reconstituted which was taken by the nation of ukraine has brought forth a case on behalf of its share holders in delaware. and according to court documents

nd he laundered $470 billion shell-based rus- company. probably the largest money laundering history. the f.b.i. is investigating these financial crimes. i fully support their investigation to get to the corrupt dealings across the world. the united states and our allies must send a message that such aligned behavior will not be tolerated. and we cannot encourage the kind of come policity that the president inferred in his remarks to president zelensky in his recent conversations. the united states and allies can combat the illicit flow of money

of money laundering, black mail, murder and extortion. congress must act legislation to prevent malign actors from opening shell companies here and we must continue to support investigative journalism, not just in ukraine, but here, but here, in order to maintain our liberty and remain liberty for the free world. now president zelensky must make good on their campaign promises o serve the people of ukraine. the new president must fully support the work of anti-corruption that has been promoted by even many members of our own congress, including brian fitzpatrick of pennsylvania who has worked so hard to establish that effort even prior to his service here

in the congress. critical organizations to perform the task include the national anti-corruption of ukraine as well as the anti-corruption court. the judicial system must be given true independence to root out corruption free from any kind of outside political influence. ukranian people have our full support. democracy shines in the sunlight and so we want that sunlight to shine here. any conversation between our president and the new president of ukraine that can reveal any attempt to threaten security of our long standingal i'd relationship and continue to threaten liberty demand the undivided attention of this congress. i reit rate my call for

transparency and vegs of president trump and his administration failed to comply, there is no other option than this for this house to stand with our american ally and move forward with impeachment. we appreciate those hog worked late in the evening to make sure these words get placed in the word and i attach extraneous materials and i yield back my remaining time. the speaker pro tempore: without objection. members are re-- reminded to refrain from depaging in permits against the president. ms. kaptur: i move the house do now adjourn. the speaker pro tempore: the question is on the motion to adjourn. those in favor say aye. . those opposed, no. the ayes have it. the motion is adopted. accordingly the house stands adjourned until 10:00