Continue beyd 110 a. M. Eacmember other than the majority anminority leaders and the minority whip shall be limited to five minutes. The chair now recognizes the gentleman fromennsylvania, mr. Thomon, for five minutes mr. Thompson thank you, mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, this coming sunday of s the 26th anniversary the house of representatives passing the northern American Free trade agreement, nafta. This agreement with our two closest trading partners, canada outdated , has become as time has passed. Economies have flourished. Now, we are in desperate need of updating nafta to meet modern day economic demands. Many of us have staff who are younger than nafta, and we world hasree that the changed an awful lot in the last three decades. Needs to bring the United Statesmexciocanada or usmca, to a vote immediately to keep trade fair. Nd a vote on usmca is long overdue. 400 days more than since President Trump announced this historic agreement, and have often anada given usmca the green light. Or farmers, ranchers, manufacturers, and everyone in between, we must follow suit. So many Different Industries can benefit from a modern trade agreement. In pennsylvania, nearly 43,000 depend on manufacturing exports to canada and mexico. Pennsylvania e, in products billion to canada and mexico. There is no telling what lies ahead ential with a new revamped trade agreement. In pennsylvania, agriculture and the , in particular, is backbone of the commonwealths economy. Smcas elimination of canadas class 6 and class 7 Dairy Pricing programs would be a big farm families. These programs have unfairly limited our export potential the years. Signing usmca into law will also major trade er partners like china and japan that were serious about these of deals and we are committed to a Bright Future for american exports. We cannoto reason why pass usmca before end of the year. Create more jobs, boost wages, and spur the nations economy. Waiting for . Each day that passes without a opportunity. Sed lets get to work and hold a vote immediately. I nk you, mr. Speaker, and yield back the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the chair recognizes the gentleman maryland, mr. Hoyer, for five minutes. Mr. Speaker, i ask unanimous consent to speak out for five minutes and to revise and extend my remarks. The speaker pro tempore without objection. Hoyer mr. Speaker, we are nvolved in a very serious process to determine whether the the United States as committed high crimes and misdemeanors. The constitution provides for he removal of high officials who violate their oath of violate the powers of their office, and who commit treason or high crimes and misdemeanors. Process, rse of that e have been involved in numerous people asking for the whistleblower to testify. Not speak to the substance of the consideration ongoing with respect to the impeachment of the president of the United States. Want to speak pointedly from so many that identified. Lower be he whistleblower, of course, has no direct evidence to offer. The whistleblower is is somebody who responded to, if something, say something. We have witnesses to wrongdoing all over this country and all world, and our Police Departments have a line that is Anonymous Tip Line so sees omebody that something will say something. It is anonymous so that we o not intimidate those people r expose them to danger for coming forward, to out criminal behavior. The united t of to es has made an analogy this information coming forward spying, treason, know, accordingl to the president , can subject one to capital punishment. We have a whistleblower statute . Whistleblower statute, mr. Speaker, because we want want to encourage people, and we want to not xpose them to danger or intimidation, including from the most powerful person on earth, the president of the United States. Etaliation yet, we continue to hear, tell the whistleblower is. Let us throw the whistleblower into the lions den. Of course, what we do know is that the whistleblower information that brought forward, a, led to he release of funds to the ukrainians just shortly thereafter. Has led to ion, substantive testimony the information that the whistleblower either heard. If you see something, say something. It is rresponsible, wrong, and in fact, in almost there are diction, riminal penalties for hreatening a witness, for impeding justice. Speaker, when people here say, show me the whistleblower, what theyre doing is not only intimidate that whistleblower, theyre every othertimidate whistleblower who might come forward because they saw or heard something. All of my e olleagues would think to themselves, why do we have a statute . Ower federal nt 62,000 employees, and very frankly, i confidenceo have the to come forward if they see rongdoing in the federal government. Even if its about the president of the United States and even if the united t of states wants to make an analogy capital offense. Despicable. Ndermining of the very essence of why the congress of the United States enacted a and the ower statute essence of why police over the United States have Anonymous Tip Lines. Every state has a criminalhich imposes a penalty for the intimidation of witnesses. Laws, not of n of men. We are proud of that. But if we are to be a nation top leaders try to come date those who would forward, if they see something something and that they say something, then we will be a lessor nation, less focused on a of laws. Hope that , i would embers on both sides of the isle, political pundits and commentators and, yes, the president of the United States, cease and decised from intimidate this whistleblower and all those who might be whistleblowers. The intent of that legislation, the intent of those protections, intent of witness protection intimidation of witnesses is so that we will get the truth and that our thernment of the people, by people, and for the people will onnest, will be more will be more honest, will be will be more just, and i yield back the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the chair recognizes the gentleman budd, rth carolina, mr. For five minutes. Mr. Budd thank you, mr. Speaker. I rise today to discuss an issue that has afflicted nearly every and can, including more, its the influx of annoying and robocalls. Hese seeming loedis ruptive calls these expose millions dangerous s to financial scams. A prime example of the insidious last se calls occurred year in new york where scammers pretended to be from the chinese consulate and demanded money about what they considered to be names. Esounding last as a result, 21 chinese total of 2. 5 a million. In another instance, they tried phish personal information by calling people and threatening hem with fines unless they signed up with hurns. These incidents are financially farstating and happening to too many people across our country. If theres one thing that republicans and democrats should its that agree on, congress can no longer sit back and ignore this problem. Ur efforts must be focused on adding teeth to the federal governments ability to detect nd punish individuals and organizations that abuse automated dialing technology. Mind, i am proud to be a cosponsor of the traced friend, oduced by my david kustoff, and this legislation expands the the time frames under which the federal Communications Commission can callers and pursue civil action. This is entirely bipartisan, and the senate last may 971. Traced act, the f. C. C. Ofld be able to impose fines up to 10,000 for each individual scam calls. Elemarketing scammers face a maximum fine of only 1,500. I am confident that increasing penalty up to 10,000 will deter many scammers getting the cost of caught simply too expensive. To make these harsher penalties exception, not the the f. C. C. Must be able to give perpetrators of robocalls. The period on which a robocall and found stigated will and found liable will be tripled from one year to three years. This important provision will with the ckstep increased fines. The s. E. C. Has told congress hat extending the statute of limitations in this way will improve the commissions enforcement efforts. Time in office, i have heard frustration from countless constituents on this issue. Robocalls frequently interrupt our daily life, ringing our hones during important workhours and distracting us from our time being spent at families. Our the traced act is an important bipartisan bill that is supported by attorneys generals 50 states, along with ajit pai. Irman it seems like common sense that updated to uld be fight back. No matter which side of the aisle we find ourselves on, we all be able to agree that it is time for these illegal andcalls to be stopped once for all. With that, mr. Speaker, i yield back. The speaker pro tempore the chair recognizes the gentlewoman from florida, mrs. Murphy, for five minutes. Mrs. Murphy mr. Speaker, i rise to honor thaddeus see more senior who passed away at the able of 91. In an obituary that appeared in the hometown paper, he was described as one by one of his many admirers as a community treasure. I think that sums up his life and legacy perfectly. Ed that thad moved with his wife and children to orlando over 40 years ago when he was named the 12th president of Rollins College where i had the privilege to teach before i was elected to congress. Thad served for several years as the president of rollins from 1978 to 1990. Although he had long left by the time i arrived, his name was spoken on campus with respect and afeak shun. Thad was recognized as a popular and leader of the institution, helping make this gem of a school shine even brighter. One decision thad made during his tenure may seem modest, but it was meaningful to people who know rollins best. In the 1950s, one of thads predecessors had established fox day. Each spring as finals loomed and on a day considered too beautiful to sit in a classroom, the schools president would cancel classes and provide students with the surprise day off. The tradition was ended during the vietnam war. But thad brought it back. As thad would recall years later, the world had grown so grim i thought we needed to cheer ourselves up. Its a choice that underscores thads love of life and his belief that at core a college should be a Close Knit Community where young men and women live together, learn together, and in many cases become lifelong friends. Because it helped foster the sense of community and shared experience, thad believed it mattered. Thad left rollins in 1990 but never left Central Florida or caring about our community. He literally helped build it. Cofounding a chapter of habitat for humanity. There is a wonderful picture of thad in the Orlando Sentinel obituary. Hes helping construct a home for someone less fortunate. Hes perched on a ladder and a broad smile on his face. Thats how ill always remember him. Happily helping, happily building. Rest in peace, president see more seymore. The speaker pro tempore the chair recognizes the gentleman from mississippi, mr. Kelly, for five minutes. Mr. Kelly mr. Speaker, i ask unanimous consent to speak for five minutes and revise and extend. The speaker pro tempore without objection. Mr. Kelly mr. Speaker, i rise today to recognize the former speaker of the Mississippi House of representatives, the honorable billy mccoy, pictured here. Rmer mississippi billy mccoy passed away november 12 after an incredible year of Public Service. He was responsible for revolutionizing the economy of mississippi and bringing thousands of jobs to our great state. As speaker, speaker mccoy championed the 1987 infrastructure plan that created four lane highways throughout mississippi. The four lane highway brought industries and added more than 1,300 miles to the state highways to the state. Billy was also dedicated to improving Public Education in mississippi and giving every child a chance for success. His influence on the lives of numerous mississippians will not be forgotten but his demeanor and commitment will be greatly missed. I just think back to being at a courthouse that predates the civil war in mississippi, where mr. Speaker mccoy was from. And whether you are a republican or democrat, when you got ready to run, you better go pay homage to the great speaker billy mccoy who did so much for mississippi. I can still see him sitting on the front lawn in front of the trailer with the hey hay bells on it and knowing i went by and got advice from him even though we were on opposite political parties. R. Speaker, rest in peace. Mr. Speaker, i also rise today to recognize judge Sadie Holland. Another icon in history and thank goodness shes still here with us. Shes just retiring. Shes retiring from Lee County Justice Court as a judge after 16 years of service in that capacity. She also has a history of being lee countys first female Justice Court judge. She served before that as the tip low Court Administrator and mayor of a Small Community in lee county. Her influence in the community has been so significant, lee county proclaimed november 3 as Sadie Holland day. I also have to mention one of her sons is retiring as a state representative of over 36 years who ill recognize next and her other is a supervisor in her home county of lee county. The holland are icons in lee county and i thank her for her service. Mr. Speaker, today i rise to recognize former about to retire former Mississippi House of representatives steve holland. Steve has served in the house of representatives in the Mississippi Legislature for 36 years. He was also a desk mate of the former speaker mccoy and they were good friends. Steve has represented the th district of mississippi proud the 16th district of mississippi proudly and represented all the people of his district. Hes a true mississippian who prioritized legislation that would create a Brighter Future for mississippi. If you never met steve holland, he is a character who is not large enough for this body to contain. What a gentleman. Always for the state of mississippi and true mississippian at heart but always with a quip and quick humor who was always willing to never take himself too seriously, although all the matters he achieved were very serious. Steve is an icon in mississippi picks. I look forward to working with steve in his retirement and thank him for his service. Mr. Speaker, i just want to talk a little bit about this impeachment process or whatever you want to call it that we have going on. The American People deserve the facts. And just the facts. Not is up significance from witnesses who have second and third and fourth and fifth hand information. They have a right to not have lawyers and alleged whistleblowers who the lawyer has the coop has started in 2017 as soon as our president took office. Or impeachment next. Mr. Speaker, the people of america deserve the facts. They dont deserve secret proceedings, leaks, misinformation, disinformation. I just want to make a small point. A whistleblower is not afforded anonymity by the statute. They are afforded the protection rom firing or retaliation, not anonymity. It is not a hotline or Anonymous Tip Line. Mr. Speaker, i ask that the misinformation and disinformation stop. Just the facts. With that i yield back. The speaker pro tempore the chair recognizes the gentleman from connecticut, mr. Courtney, for five minutes. Mr. Courtney thank you, mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, last friday, november 8, the department of health and Human Services announced that the new Medicare Part b premiums for starting in january, 2020 will increase by 9. 10 a month, a 6. 7 increase over last year. In dollars and cents this means that premiums will go to 144. 60 a month up from 135 a month. As seniors know all too well, that 144 will be deducted automatically from their Social Security checks which is a bitter pill given the fact that Social Security itself is slated only to rise by 1. 6 starting january 1. Very simply, that 9 a month increase for millions of seniors will chew up a large part of any cola that they can possibly receive starting in january. Mr. Speaker, i just want to footstep that plate about the fact that the Social Security systems cola, which is tied to general inflation in the economy, is going up 1. 6 , whereas the Medicare Part b premium, tied to health care osts, is going up 6. 7 . This is something we know is endemic throughout the health care system. In the state of connecticut the department of insurance increase, commercial insurance rates that went up again above inflation, and identified the fact that Prescription Drug costs was the primary cost driver. The center for Medicare Services last friday when they announced the Medicare Part b premiums also confirmed the fact that it is Prescription Drug costs, which is driving that 6. 7 increase. The increase in Prescription Drug costs that medicare paid from 2018 to 2019 was 10 . And they are projecting that ts going to go to 10. 10 in 2020. Thus we have a 9 increase coming up in terms of peoples premiums. This is not going to come as great surprise to the American People. If you go back to last years election in 2018, the exit polls showed that the number one issue that people cared about and were concerned about and wanted congress to act on was health care costs, more specifically Prescription Drug costs. That was an election that had the largest voter turnout since 1914 in a Midterm Election and elected a new majority with a 10 million vote plurality. Thats the context we are in right now in a moment where this congress and particularly the house of representatives is poised to take up h. R. 3, the lower drug costs now act, which, again, in the midst of all the media focus on impeachment, it is important to know that the committees that have cognizance over health care, the ways and means committee, energy and commerce committee, and the education and labor committee, which i sit on, reported out basically the same version of h. R. 3. It is, again, matter of just a couple of weeks for the Congressional Budget Office to finish scoring the bill that we are going to take up that measure for a vote. What does it do . It basically unhandcuffs the department of health and Human Services to negotiate with the pharmaceutical companies. By law they have been prohibited with whats called the noninterference clause with negotiating lower drug prices. The v. A. System has been negotiating Prescription Drug costs for decades. And in fact, they get a much better price for veterans in america than the folks who, again, are covered by medicare. So that noninterference clause is going to be scaled back. D. H. S. Is going to be able to negotiate the 250 highest brand name drug costs tied to an International Price index, because america pays the highest drug costs by far. The next highest country is switzerland and they pay 25 less than we do here in the u. S. And again what do those savings mean in terms of folks on medicare . Already c. B. O. Has told us for people who are on part d, which is the outpatient Prescription Drug benefit, they, again, are going to see a reduction in the outofpocket costs which today are unlimited in terms of any copayments that they are paying for medications. That will be capped at 2,000. I have a constituent up she is a retired teacher, she has afib, shes on Medicare Part d, great help to her, but those copayments because the medication is so expensive costs her 13,000 a year. That will be brought down to 2,000 a year if we pass h. R. 3. That is just one example of the benefits. 350 billion in savings to medicare over 10 years, according to the Congressional Budget Office. Again, this is a program, medicare, which is slated to go into negative territory, according to the trustees, starting in 2026. We are giving a 350 billion lifeline to medicare to make sure that it is an enduring Program Moving Forward in the future. Thats why organizations like aarp, the National Committee to preserve Social Security and medicare, network, the lobby for catholic social justice, patients for Affordable Health care now, and the Small Business majority are supporting h. R. 3. It is time to sit up and pay attention. What just happened last week to medicare and pass h. R. 3 for americas patients and seniors. I yield back. The speaker pro tempore the chair recognizes the gentleman from texas, mr. Roy, for five minutes. Mr. Roy i thank the speaker. Mr. Speaker, i rise today to hon kwlor a native of the 21st Congressional District of texas, Master Sergeant matthew williams. Master Sergeant Williams received the medal of honor at the white house two weeks ago for his heroic actions while serving as Weapons Sergeant special forces operational attachment alpha 3336, special Operations Task force 33 in support of Operation Enduring freedom. According to the medal of honor citation, on april 6, 2008, williams, his team, and roughly 100 afghan commandos were airdropped from helicopters into a mountainous area of afghanistan. The ter rhine was too rough for the helicopters to land. So the soldiers jumped from 10 to 25 feet off the back of helicopters to start the mission. Some landed on jagged rocks, others lanned waist deep in the river. None were detoured from the mission. After moving their way through fast moving water, they faced an onslaught of machinegun fire, sniper fire, and grenades. They were forced to take cover. Once williams learned members of his team were trapped and taking heavy fire, he quickly joined a small assault team to assist the wounded and the troops taking heavy fire. Williams led the group up the mountain across 100 meter valley of boulders and difficult terrain towards american troops in training danger. Quickl they set up a human to bring the wounded down the mountain. As they were setting up the chain, one of his fellow soldiers was hit. Without a moments hesitation, he braved enemy fire to give the soldier first aid and get him out of the line of fire. After helping his fellow showed soldier, he immediately turned around and went back up the mountain. After taking out multiple insurgents, he worked to get his unit organized. He then went back to pugget himself between enemy fire and fellow soldiers to protect them as they were making their way to safety. Insurgents began attacking a small house at the base of the mountain american troops were using as the collection point for casualties and injured soldiers. To buy time for helicopters, to extract the wounded and get them to safety, williams led a counterattack against a coup of over 200 insurgents. Fighting them off as his troops were being saved. Master Sergeant Williams actions were critical in helping save the lives of four wounded soldiers. There is no doubt that williams protected his fellow soldiers from grave danger because of his actions and that of his brave teammates, no American Service members were killed. 6. He exemplifies the commitment to country. Master Sergeant Williams from texas, the rnie, entire nation is proud of the honor you received two weeks ago. Mr. Speaker, i also want to say a few remarks quickly about my and former boss and the former governor of the state of peri. Rick rick perry. To be ending his service as secretary of energy at the end of this month. Patriot, a proud veteran agee, air force, proud which proud aggie, which he wife like to remind me. He was born in a house that plumbing. Ve indoor he lived in that house for five years without indoor plumbing nd he worked to graduate from a m, serve in the air force, serve as a state representative, agriculture commissioner, Lieutenant Governor and the 14year governor of the state of texas. He is my friend. I respect him immensely. Thank him for his service as the secretary of energy, and i will just say when i worked for i was battling hodgkins lymphoma and the governor could more gracious and supportive of me and my young amily at the time and he will always be someone i will always for. Across broken glass i know his Public Service is far from over because he loves his country so much. Make one other point in my remaining 20 seconds. Distinguished majority leader talking about the whistleblower. In the middle of the nation focusing on what the house of representatives is the nation is wondering why we are not working on things that will make their better, lowering health care prices, balancing a budget, make their lives better in the United States of america. Talking ajority leader about that whistleblower in that respect when that whistleblower had an attorney who was talking a coup in 2017, i would hasnt question, why this alleged whistleblower fired that attorney . That e whistleblower know the attorney was talking about a coup in 2017 . Did he hire , why him . If he didnt, why hasnt he fired him . Hat would be my question for the distinguished majority leader. Yield back. The speaker pro tempore the chair recognizes the gentlewoman from michigan, ms. Slotkin, for five minutes. Slotkin i rise today to speak about a bipartisan resolution im introducing today group of ith a democrats and republicans, recognizing the Global Coalition isis. Eat this resolution recognizes the critical contributions of the coalition partners, the value of those partnerships to countering threats both today tomorrow, and the importance of building and maintaining trust among partners for the future fights. As well as reaffirming congresss commitment to defeating isis. Its important to remember how this coalition of 60plus together in the first place. Take yourself back five years. Wide swathken over a of iraq and syria. Hey had huge amounts of territory. They were systematically slaughtering the opposition. Ethnic e targeting groups. They were targeting christians. Yazidis. Targeting they were systematically raping women. Hey were charging taxes, extorting people. And they were projecting violence and threats out of that territory into places like europe, into places like russia, like the United States. So the department of defense and pieced rtment of state together 60 nations to contribute to a coalition. Countries provide f16 air cover. Imagery. Ide overhead some provide human intelligence. Some train the Iraqi Security police. Nd everyone has a part to play. Today, as i speak, secretary convening the counterisis coalition at the levels in an emergency session to discuss the future of the counterisis mission. Following President Trumps decision to pull out u. S. Forces rom northern syria, our allies and partners are rightfully questioning the future of this coalition. These sident surprised nations, all 60 of them, with the pullout. Out of our partners found about the pullout in which they re involved via tweet and via the media. As the counterisis coalition i, ners come to washington, therefore, want to take a moment to recognize their partnership, their ontributions and commitment to the counterisis fight. Why is it important to have a coalition, why is it important together ions to come to fight this terrorist group . Its not just for show. Or every airman or marine, soldier, or navy sailor, from france or spain or norway that comes to contribute to the fight, that is one fewer airman, marine, and naval officer that needs to come states. United for every piece of intelligence that they risk their lives to fewer piece s one that we need to collect and risk our lives for. In most importantly, working coalition keeps the American Homeland safer than it would to us to it was up defend. In an era of globalized threats anywhere, we from need a Global Coalition before shores. Ats land on our s we know in michigan, our handshake is our bond. Our word is our reputation. And we are stronger together apart. Are im, therefore, proud to be introducing this resolution together with a Bipartisan Group a signal of our appreciation and commitment to our counterisis partners today and into the future. I yield back the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the chair recognizes the gentleman from louisiana, mr. Abraham, for five minutes. Mr. Abraham thank you, mr. Speaker. R. Speaker, the people of louisiana lost a great man when former university of louisiana monroe, president dwight away at the age of 88. R. Vines was born in Jackson Parish in 1931, and after arning his dock rate degree in business doctorate degree in business administration, he professor at u. L. M. Under his leadership as 1976 to 1991, developed 40, 40 new degree programs and built his nursing, an aquatic center, a sports stadium, and library ts expandable its library its library. He worked for the city of Monroe District director for dr. Cooksy. Please join me in honoring a dwight uisianian, dr. Vines. Thank you, mr. Speaker. I yield back. The speaker pro tempore the chair recognizes the gentleman california, mr. Gomez, for five minutes. R. Goemz we are mr. Gomez our Nations Community Health Centers need longterm funding to effectively serve the most vulnerable patients in our communities. Community Health Centers are a bright spot in our Nations Health center. Served 29 million patients across the country, 693,000 that visited 74 different sites in my alone. T Community Health centers like romero provide care to immigrants, lowincome individuals, communities of color, and the homeless. For many americans, Community Health centers are the first and only place they turn when they to see a medical professional. Making sure these americans receive the care they need is our health care system, for our economy, and for working communities. All our we have long had bipartisan on Community Health centers, but our failure to provide longterm funding hurts to budget and plan. It creates uncertainty and has they act on the patients serve, including hundreds of thousands of my constituents. My them in mind, i urge colleagues to join me to support a stable, longterm funding for Nations Community Health Centers. With that i yield back. The speaker pro tempore the chair recognizes the gentleman from kansas, mr. Marshall, for five minutes. Thank you, mr. Speaker. Usda secretary sonny purdue announced market payments to help with the impacts of ongoing trade disruptions. President trump is delivering on promise to help agriculture producers while he works to open markets and deliver free, fair, and reciprocal trade for farmers and ranchers. While these payments serve as a solution, a bandaid, President Trump and others day and to fight both night to secure a deal with china. I want to give a special thanks to state executive director for kansas, my good friend, david shim. The men and women of county offices worked for the payments. Thank you, david, for all you do for kansas agriculture. Mr. Speaker, this week House Democrats joined the public partisan ase of their impeachment sham which continues unjust, pletely unfair, and unprecedented manner. Here are at least four indisputable pieces of evidence showing no high crime, no misdemeanor committed by the president. Bun, the july number ne, the july 21 call summary, it shows no evidence of pressure or conditions. Zelensky , president and President Trump said there were no pressure on the call. Number three, the ukrainian was not aware of a hold on u. S. Assistance at the 25 call and, ly four, President Trump met with u. S. Ent zelensky and the assistance flow to ukraine in september, 2019, without ukraine President Trumps concern for corruption. Mr. Speaker, theres no undo the evidence to votes of 63 million americans. Ot only do the democrats and the leadership ignore the facts in order to impeach President Trump, but theyre also ignoring people by failing to get anything done. Republicans stand at the ready pass usmca, to secure our bipartisan create a plan to lower Prescription Drug costs but, sadly, democrats american deny the people such progress. R. Speaker, in honor of veterans day, this week is military week for our office. His week well honor the sacrifices of those who have and are currently serving in our American Armed forces. Our office took part in the 2019 veteran history project, to give our nations a platform to tell their story. This project will allow future directly s to hear from veterans to better understand the realities and the of war and rifices the importance of Public Service. For this project, our office three constituents from the big First District about their military service. Only ree gentlemen not served their country overseas but returned home to make lasting impacts on their better ies and create a kansas for all of us. Listening to these veterans and braveryacrifice is quite inspiring. Thank you to each of these fine gentlemen for your service, for familys sacrifices, and for sharing your stories for future generations. Mr. Speaker, this past saturday, declaration was issued for Cheyenne County in northwest kansas after a series of grass fires broke out between st. Francis and wheeler. Thanks to fastacting volunteers many e national guard, homes, farms, and mostly important, families were kept safe. Hunters on opening day helped to pitch in to fight the fires. Again, rural kansans provide for their ommunities needs without a moments notice. Thats what kansans do. These are kansas values. Hank you to all the first responders, the troops, the citizen volunteers that bravely firesded to put out these in Cheyenne County. Thank you for helping take care of your neighbors. Mr. Speaker, in honor of military week in my office, id like to take a moment to to light improvements made our v. A. Health care system by the v. A. Mission act. His week, our office partnered with new mexican region inman Regional Health center impouria to talk about health are options for veterans through the v. A. Mission act. Ince implemented, it has benefited thousands of kansans to get allowing them help at home. And burdensome for veterans to travel to a v. A. Facility which can be two to three hours away. They can take care from a provider closer to home. To provide the veterans the choice they need, them all. E promised thanks to congress and the work of the trump administration. Were taking steps to provide very best of he care because they deserve nothing less. Thank you, mr. Speaker, and i yield back. The speaker pro tempore the chair recognizes the gentleman from colorado, mr. Crow, for five minutes. Mr. Crow thank you, mr. Speaker. I rise today in support of the global war on terrorism memorial location act. Which i am very proud to have introduced along with my friend and colleague from wisconsin, congressman mike gallagher. The global war on terrorism changed the course of American History antilives of millions of service members, first responders, and Civil Servants. Including my own. On 9 11 and since we have learned that we can never take our democracy or our countrys security for granted. It is a fight that, sadly, continues today. The millions of americans who have voluntarily served and sacrificed for our nation deserve our deepest gratitude. But they also deserve our recognition. Le several generations of americans have now come of age during the global war on terrorism. There are now americans born after 9 11 who are serving today overseas in uniform in what has become our nations longest conflict. That is one of the reasons why it is now time for us to recognize the several generations of americans who have volunteered to serve our nation. Those of us who have served and worked to help our fellow veterans understand the important power of place, the transformational power of a sacred location where veterans and their families can come together to heal, to remember, and to reflect. Memorials like those for world war ii, korea, and vietnam have provided the opportunities for those generations whose lives and service was defined by those conflicts. It is now time for the current generation of veterans to have that same opportunity. It is our hope that by honoring them in the Nations Capital we will ensure a location befitting of their service and sacrifice. Over 2 1 2 million americans have served in uniform in the global war on terrorism, and millions more first responders, law enforcement, and Civil Servants have also supported global operations. To date, over 7,000 americans have given the ultimate sacrifice. Over 53,000 have been wounded. Many more bear the invisible scars of the war that will be with them for the rest of their lives. If these feel like statistics to some, they are not to me and to many others. At a time when congress feels more divided than ever before, i hope that this congress can focus on what we do have in common and what does bring us together so that we can move our country forward. We have a sacred duty to those who have selflessly served in our nations longest war and it is a charge that we do not take lightly. I urge my colleagues to join me in this effort by supporting the bill. Thank you, mr. Speaker. Yield back. The speaker pro tempore pursuant to clause 12a of rule 1, the house cherokee clares the declares the house in recess until noon today. Lishe coverage here on cspan. We are also expecting to hear from House Minority leader kevin mccarthy. Hes set to start at 121 30 eastern. We plan to bring that to you here on cspan. Quick reminder tomorrow the House Intelligence Committee continues its public hearings as part of the ongoing impeachment inquiry. Former u. S. Ambassador to ine, marieo van vowvitch yovanovitch scheduled to testify. Also online at cspan. Org or listen with the free c can span radio app. Live here in the house tv gallery awaiting the start of House Speaker Nancy Pelosis news conference. Waiting for the start of the weekly news briefing with House Speaker nancy pelosi. Expected to get under way in just a moment. While we wait discussion from this mornings washington journal. Steve, two witnesses, 5 1 2 hours of testimony yesterday. Heres how its playing out online. First from the Huffington Post this morning. With begins with a bombshell as the headline that they went with from new york magazine, the headline in the impeachment hearings get off to a subdued start. From the New York Times today, consequential but dull is the headline there. Trump impeachment hearings the New York Times writes began without a bang. And then in terms of who won and lost the day, that up for interpretation as well. The political headline we just showed you, politico writing trump exposed a brutal day for the president. Business insider with their headline, bill taylor and george kents vivid testimony in the first open impeachment hearing blew up trumps defense in the ukraine scandal. Then from the conservative websites from breitbart this morning, bill taylors bombshell repeats what was already known from the july 25 phone call transcript. This from news max this morning, congressman jim jordyab roast star witness ambassador taylor. The headline writers likely going to be busy over the next several days. Heres the schedule ahead as steve noted this morning. The hearings continue tomorrow. Marie yovanovitch the former ambassador to ukraine recalled from her post in may. Shes set to testify before the House Intelligence Committee tomorrow. And then it continues next week on tuesday, the morning of november 19, Jennifer Williams an aide to Vice President mike pence will tefment alongside National Security counsel aide alex vindman. He was on that july 25 phone call with President Trump and president zelensky. That same afternoon, kurt volker, former u. S. Special envoy to ukraine will testify along with tim morrison, National Security counsel aid. Wednesday, november 20, the morning u. S. Ambassador to the european union, Gordon Sondland will testify. A lot of discussion about him at yesterdays hearing. And then that same afternoon on wednesday, laura cooper, Deputy Assistant secretary of defense for russian and ukrainian, andure asian affairs, shell testify alongside david hale, the under secretary of state for political affairs. Then on furs, the hearings End Next Week with fiona hill, former white house russian expert will be on capitol hill to testify. When it comes to the headlines, we may see a few memorable headlines tomorrow. President Trump Holding a Campaign Rally tonight in louisiana. We are airing that live on cspan. At cspan. Org. Listen to it on the free cspan radio app. Host this is from the wall street journal, the public hearing surfacing a new claim from ambassador bill taylor. Keep in mind hes the west point graduate. Class of 1969. He was appointed by secretary of state mike pompeo asked personally to take over after Marie Yovanovitch was relieved. Shell testify friday. A lot of questions on what she saw and heard. One of the headlines that came from yesterdays hearing today is what ambassador bill taylor told the committee about what he heard. Last friday, a member of my staff told of me events that occurred on july 26. While ambassador volker and i visited the front, a member of my staff accompanied ambassador sondland. Am bass dordsond land met with mr. Yobac. Following that meeting at a rest ran, he called President Trump and told him of his meetings in kiev. The member of my staff could hear President Trump on the phone asking ambassador sondland about the investigations. Ambassador sondland told President Trump the ukrainians were ready to move forward. Following the call with President Trump the member of my staff asked ambassador sondland what President Trump thought about ukraine. The ambassador responded that President Trump cares more about the investigations of biden, which giuliani was pressing for. At the time i gave my deposition on october 22, i was not aware of this information. I am including it here for completeness. As the committee knows, i reported this information through counsel to the state departments legal advisor, as well as to counsel for both the majority and minority of this committee. It is my understanding the committee is following up on this matter. Ms. Pelosi good morning, everyone. Here we are with
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