Yield one minute to the gentlelady from washington, ms. Jayapal. The speaker pro tempore the gentlelady from washington is recognized. Ms. Jayapal i am so proud today to stand here to support h. R. 4, the Voting Rights advancement act. And i want to congratulate my incredible colleague, congresswoman sewell, for her leadership. When Congress Passed the Voting Rights act of 1965, it was a recognition that systemic discrimination based on race continued to deny people the right to vote. As an organizer, i understand the Voting Rights act as a victory that was hard fought by black activists like fannie lou hall of famer and ella baker and our esteemed colleague, representative lewis, who devoted their lives to fighting for the right to vote. And it was a victory of the movement that recognized this right to vote is absolutely fundamental to our concept and our actualization of democratcy. Unfortunately, we have not followed with the same courage. Instead, since 2013, states have enacted laws that have suppressed Voting Rights across the country, and today half of the country faces stricter voting regulations than they did nine years ago. If we want a true democracy, mr. Speaker, we must protect the right to vote for all. And this bill is critical to doing that. Thank you. The speaker pro tempore the gentlemans time has expired. The gentleman from georgia is recognized. Mr. Collins reserve. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from georgia reserves. The gentleman from new york is recognized. Mr. Nadler i now yield one minute to the distinguished majority leader, mr. Hoyer. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from maryland, the majority leader, is recognized. Mr. Hoyer i ask unanimous consent to revise and extend my remarks. The speaker pro tempore without objection. Mr. Hoyer mr. Speaker, i thank the chairman of the Judiciary Committee for yielding this time. I thank him for his leadership. And of course i thank terri sewell who is from selma, alabama. Who has been a fighter for Voting Rights all of her life. I thank her for sponsoring this bill along with myself and so many others. Was in selma in 1965 that another friend and one of our dearest colleagues, john lewis, was nearly beaten to death for having the audacity to demand the right to vote, the right to register, the right to participate in a meaningful way until our democracy. That year after that bloody sunday in march of 1965, and the later march to montgomery that followed soon after, congress enacted the Voting Rights act to protect against Voter Suppression and disenfranchisement. One of its core provisions required that the federal Justice Department preclear any changes to voting rules in jurisdiction that is have a history of discrimination and Voter Suppression. Let me as an aside say that these elections are federal elections. So very frakely frankly, my constituents have an interest in making sure the constituents of every other district have an opportunity to have their voice heard. This is not a states rights issue as the administration puts forth. This is an issue of americas values as a democracy. Which is that all americans, that was not always the case. We had to amend the constitution of the United States in order to effect that end. That all americans have the right and ought to be facilitated in exercising that right to vote. And sadly we know that notwithstanding the 13th, 14th, and 15th amendments that state, after state jurisdiction after jurisdiction, not solely in the south, adopted policies aimed at preventing the exercise of the franchise. Of preventing the ability to rebelster to votele register to vote. And to vote. And to neuter the vote being cast by restricting redistricting efforts that in effect put people in a place where they could not elect the person of their choice. As a result, millions of americans after the Voting Rights act was adopted were finally able to vote and have their voices heard in their democracy. However, my friends, we ought to be chastened as we consider this legislation in knowing at for 100 years after the 13th and 14th and 15th amendments were adopted, for 100 years, a century, it was Still Necessary for the john lewises and Martin Luther kings to march. Some gave their lives to redeem that promise. That so many gave their lives to ensure. Unfortunately, the Supreme Court struck down the formula for that preclearance process in 2013 and charged congress with updating it. We have responded this day to that charge. Under the previous republicanled congress, that charge was ignored. Again, i would ask my colleagues on the republican side of the aisle to think of heir failure to act. Ronald reagan said to gorbachev, tear down that wall. Today we have an opportunity to tear down the wall of discrimination and exclusion to millions of americans who have been confronted with policies that make it more difficult for them to vote. I hope the senate will join us in tearing down this wall of discrimination, oppression, and exclusion. I continue to believe that the decision made by the Supreme Court was a bad decision, which did not reflect the reality of the success of the preclearance provisions in the Voting Rights act. Indeed, Justice Ginsburg pointed out in her dissent that, i quote, throwing out preclearance when it has worked , when it has worked, when it has worked is continuing to work to stop discriminatory changes is like throwing out your umbrella in a rainstorm because you are not getting wet. Today the democraticled house will vote to restore the full force of the Voting Rights act, and i hope every republican will join us. If they want to ensure that discriminatory practices do not prevent citizens from voting. We have given this bill the designation of h. R. 4. I said in a press conference. St a little time ago, h. R. 4 h. R. 4, the people. Or orf u spell itf didour this is for the people, for justice for inclusion. We have given this bill designation h. R. 4 tause because its one of our most important pieces of legislation. Along with h. R. 1, the for the people act, which contained a number of provisions strengthening ballot access, making Voter Registration automatic, and expanding early voting, h. R. 4 is part of democrats evident to protect americans fundamental right to vote. H. R. 4, my colleagues, restores the full protections of the Voting Rights act. As you take your card and contemplate putting it in the slot and pushing either the green button or red button, reflect upon those who died. Not only in the Civil Rights Movement, but those who died on foreign shores defending freedom and democracy. Because as you vote today, you will be voting to defend or to ignore the fundamental formula for democracy. Which is having peoples vote count. The preclearance formula requiring reasonable Public Notice before changes to voting laws or organizations permitting the attorney general to request the presence of election observers anywhere there is a threat of Racial Discrimination at the ballot box, these are not just state elections, i tell my friends. These are elections which impact my constituents, in your state, ander other state when they elect members of congress and the United States senate. And increasing accessibility and protections for native americans, alaska native voters. Again i want to thank representative sewell, her leadership in this effort, and john lewis, and so many other heroes, my friend jim clyburn. Democratic whip, who fought for Voting Rights. For all those of africanamerican descent who fought for Voting Rights. Of native americans, first two women whom we have in the congress now. I thank chairman nad already for working nadler for working closely with terri sewell and others to strengthen this legislation by including language to ensure that jurisdiction that is purge voter rolls or reduce early voting opportunities are subject to preclearance requirements. Its very nice to say well you can file a suit after the election is over. You may not have the money to do that, and in any event it is a fait accompli. It is too late. Thats why preclearance has been honored for half a century and thats why its so sad that the Supreme Court set it aside. Of course i want to thank one more time my dear friend who throughout his lifetime has held up the beloved community. Voting rights is part of that beloved community. Some 54 years ago john risked his future, his life, and limb so every american could cast a vote. Ought to join john lewis. Not walking across a bridge with alabama troopers waiting , but t us and confront us that little box where we have the right to vote. Nobody can stop us from voting in that box today. Lets make sure that nobody stops any of our fellow americans from putting their card and that voting slot and making democracy all that our founders promised it to be. I yield back the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from maryland yields back the balance of his time. The gentleman from georgia is recognized. The gentleman from georgia reserves. The gentleman from new york is recognized. Mr. Nadler mr. Speaker, i now yield one minute to the gentleman from new york, representative jeffries. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from new york, representative jeffries, now is recognized. Mr. Jeffries the right to vote is precious and central to the integrity of our democratcy. It is not a democratic issue or republican issue. It is an american issue. The Republican Party used to support the unfettered right to vote. In fact, every single time the Voting Rights act has been reauthorized, it was sign by a republican president. 1970, richard nixon. 1975, jerald ford. 1982, ronald reagan. 2006, george w. Bush. The unfettered right to vote should be a bipartisan issue. But the party of lincoln is gone. The party of reagan is gone. The party of mccain is gone. Voter suppression is not a legitimate electoral tactic. It is a stain on our democracy and it must be crushed. Ote yes on h. R. 4. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from new york reserves. The gentleman from georgia. Mr. Collins thank you, mr. Speaker. Id just like to remind those of us voting we can lock this bill this is not a reauthorization of the Voting Rights act. This is in addition to and something we talked about on our side. We appreciate debate going object but just as clarification, we are not reauthorizing the Voting Rights act. Sections there will still be there. This is a different part of that. We just make that clear. We reserve. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from georgia reserves. The gentleman from new york is recognized. Mr. Nadler mr. Speaker, how much time may inquire how much time remains on each side . The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from new york has 10 minutes remaining. The gentleman from georgia has 20 minutes remaining. Mr. Nadler i would simply comment that this is a restoration of the previously authorized Voting Rights act before the Supreme Court did its dastardly deed. I now yield one minute to the gentleman from louisiana, mr. Richmond. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized. Mr. Richmond thank you, mr. Speaker. Thank you, mr. Chairman. Let me just pick up where they left off. Whether its a reauthorization whether its a restoration, it does not matter. What this is, its fixing the stain on america that prohibited and stopped africanamericans and other minorities from voting. Because on day torn one hand, im elated that this house is finally moving h. R. 4 so that we can protect the right to vote. But on the other hand, im disappointed because we have to do it by ourselves. This is not a bipartisan effort to ensure the precious right to vote. Many people may say that it is a burden on the state. What about the burden that the state put on us . So in the spirit of goodman, chaney, and others who were killed so that i could vote, john lewis, others who crossed the Edmund Pettus bridge, who were beat so i can vote. The speaker pro tempore the gentlemans time has expired. Mr. Richmond i rise today to ask everyone support h. R. 4. We should join hands and do it together. Thank you, mr. Chairman, i yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from georgia is recognized. The gentleman from georgia reserves. The gentleman from new york. Mr. Nadler i yield one minute to the gentleman from texas, ms. Garcia. The speaker pro tempore the gentlewoman from houston, texas, is recognized. Ms. Garcia i support this bill in its efforts to protect access the ballot box it prevents it represents justice for all. Enfranchising minority voters will strengthen our democracy because when all eligible voter can exercise their right, our Government Works better by living up to its ideals of we the people. This bill aims to maintain elections free, fair, and access to believe all. Eligible voters. Congress must pass the voting advancement act to extend Voting Rights to all, we are all equal at the ballot box and this aims to make sure this is a reality today, tomorrow and every day. I uverage my colleagues to join me in support of h. R. 4. Thank you and i yield back the remainder of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentlewoman yields back. The gentleman from georgia is ecognized. The gentleman from georgia is recognized. Mr. Collins i reserve. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman reserves. The gentleman from new york. Mr. Nadler i now yield one minute though gentlelady from georgia, ms. Mcbalt. The speaker pro tempore the gentlewoman is recognized. Mrs. Mcbath thank you, mr. Chairman. I rise in support of h. R. 4, the Voting Rights advancement act, led by our esteemed colleague, representative sewell. During the Civil Rights Movement i was a child in the stroller at the march on washington my father served as Illinois Branch president of the naacp for over 25 years. And i was raised to always fight for what is right and just. To stand up for those who do not always have a voice. My father planned marches to strengthen our Voting Rights. I can still picture him presiding over meetings in our kitchen table, our house filled with poster boards in preparation and hope. When it comes to Voting Rights my fathers work is still unfinished. Today im so proud that we have taking this step toward completing that work. I ask my colleagues to join me in supporting the Voting Rights advancement act and i yield back the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentlewoman yields back. The gentleman georgia is recognized. Mr. Collins thank you, though i have made my statements very clear on this and i will continue to do so this is also i recognize something that those who have struggled with im going to say this is a time when we can reach out occasionally across the aisle and help my chairman with a little time. I yield two minute to the gentleman from South Carolina, mr. Clyburn. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from South Carolina is recognized. Mr. Clyburn thank you very much. I thank the gentleman from georgia for yielding me time. I have been thinking a lot this morning about my growing up in South Carolina. I still remember as a young man in the driving rain going up to the little town of kingstree in williamsburg, county in Williamsburg County where i now represent here in this body. On that day, Martin Luther king jr. Was coming to Williamsburg County to extol all of us of the necessity of voting. Ill never forget his theme that day. March to the ballot box. It was just a few months after the 1965 Voting Rights act had been passed into law. And that law had been renewed time and time again throughout the years. But several years ago the Supreme Court took a look at the lay and decided that the formula that had been used in section 4 should be updated. This bill, thanks to the work of terri sewell of alabama, marcia fudge of ohio, weve had 17 hearings around the country. Eight by the Judiciary Committee, mr. Chairman, thank you so much for that. D nine by marcia fudges committee. And we have wrapped all of those findings into one bill. Because we are hearing what chief Justice Roberts asked us to do. Update the formula. And we have updated the formula, we are putting it on the floor today, and i do believe that this piece of legislation is deserving of bipartisan support. I can remember when this bill, Voting Rights bill could pass both houses unanimously. Lets do that today and demonstrate that we are making this democracy work for all. I yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from new york is recognized. Mr. Nadler i now yield one minute to the gentlelady from new york, representative maloney. The speaker pro tempore the gentlewoman from new york is recognized for one minute. Mrs. Maloney i rise in strong support of h. R. 4, for the people, the Voting Rights advancement act. S, sewell,my colleague fudge, nadler and others, for their extraordinary work on this critical legislation that protects the most basic and fundamental of american rights. The right to vote. Ever since the 2013 Supreme Court shelby decision threw out the preclearance requirement, undermining the Voting Rights act, states and localities with histories of Racial Injustice have again started discriminatory voting practices like requiring i. D. This is particularly harmful to hispanic voters. Moving voting places so its more difficult to vote. And many other steps that disenfranchise countless americans, particularly men and women of color. This bill restores the Voting Rights act in its entirety, repeals the shelby decision, and gives the federal government the tools to hold local Election Officials accountable for discriminatory practices that deny americans this fundamental right. So many brave americans have made the ultimate sacrifice to protect this right for our people. By passing this legislation, we honor their sacrifice. By protecting the right to vote for every single citizen. Thank you. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from georgia is recognized. Mr. Collins reserve. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from new york is recognized. Mr. Nadler i yield one minute to the gentleman from texas, representative castro. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized. Mr. Castro the right to vote in our nation is fundamental to democracy and that continues to come under assault. States with history of denying and blocking the right to vote like my home state of texas are no longer held in check by the preclearance requirement of the Voting Rights act. Worried that changing demographics erode their political power, texas leaders continue to make voting for difficult for latinos and people of color. Since the shelby case, the texas secretary of state attempted to purge 100,000 foreignborn u. S. Citizens from voter rolls. The Texas Legislature restricted mobile voting sites designed to make vote manager convenient. At least 750 polling locations have been closed more than any other state. A voter i. D. Law went into effect that a federal judge later ruled was enacted intentionally to discriminate against black and latino voters. This legislation is important to protect every americans right to vote and i urge my colleagues to support it. I yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from texas yields back. The gentleman from georgia reserves. This gentleman from new york is recognized. Mr. Nadler i yield one minute to the distinguished gentlelady from wisconsin, representative moore. The speaker pro tempore the gentlewoman from wisconsin is now recognized. Ms. Moore thank you so much gentleman from new york and thank you, mr. Speaker. The Voting Rights act of 1965 was a direct response to evidence of significant and pervasive Racial Discrimination across the country. In my home state of wisconsin, the y has suffered under Supreme Court decision of 2013. After that ruling, thengovernor scott walker, someone i had been fighting since 1990 to prevent him from enacting an onerous voter i. D. Law, he prerailed prevailed in 2016, the very first year that voter i. D. Law was enacted was in 2016 and according to a study done by the university of wisconsin, between 12,000 and 23,000 registered voters in madison and milwaukee, as many as 45,000 statewide, were deterred from voting by the i. D. Law. And the president of course won our state by a mere 23,000 votes. Its important and imperative that we restore enforcement. The speaker pro tempore the gentlewomans time has expired. Ms. Moore i urge my colleagues to vote for this great legislation. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from georgia is recognized. The gentleman reserves. The gentleman from new york is recognized. Mr. Nadler i yield one minute to the distinguished gentlelady from california, ms. Lee. The speaker pro tempore the gentlewoman is recognized. Ms. Lee thank you very much. I want to thank the chairman for yielding, bringing h. R. 4 to this floor. Id like to thank congresswoman terri sewell and her very consistent efforts to restore the vote. Also to our chairwoman, marcia fudge, of the subcommittee on elections for Holding Hearings lout the country which established the foundation for this bill. Now the Voting Rights act, 1965 Voting Rights act, repaired damage in our community where Voting Rights were denied. Dr. Martin luther king once said he saw it as a great step forward. However in 2013, the Supreme Court gutted the Voting Rights act in the shelby vs. Holder decision. As a result, the nation saw nearly 20 fewer polling locations and 17 million voters were purged from voting rolls in states with patterns of Voter Suppression. This is especially true for communities of color whose votes have been silenced over the years due to this disastrous Court Decision. Voting is the backbone of our democracy and something that every american should have the right to access. I was born and raised in peal sew, texas, and i vividly remember the denial of full citizenship to africanamericans. We need a system that is strong, free and fair. I urge my colleagues to move forward in a bipartisan way and pass h. R. 40. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from georgia is recognized. Mr. Collins reserve. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman reserves. The gentleman from new york is recognized. Mr. Nadler i yield one minute to the distinguished gentlelady from michigan, representative lawrence. The speaker pro tempore the gentlewoman is recognized for one minute. Mrs. Lawrence mr. Speaker, i stand today as chair of the womens caucus and as executive board of the black caucus and i stand in strong support of h. R. 4 this eVoting Rights amendment. These repeated attacks on our right to vote have severely undermined the peoples fundamental Voting Rights which are the principles of our democracy. H. R. 4 helps protect citizens ability to register to vote and provides real enforcement so that marginalized communities like women who celebrate their 100th year to vote and africanamericans communities will have proper access to the ballot box. The right to vote is the cornerstone of our democracy and we must ensure that every eligible American Voter has the ability to have their vote heard. I urge my colleagues to vote yes and i yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentlewoman yields back. The gentleman from georgia reserves. The gentleman from new york is ecognized. Mr. Nadler mr. Speaker, may i inquire how much time each side has . The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from new york has two minutes remaining. The gentleman from georgia has 18 minutes remaining. Mr. Nadler mr. Speaker, i now yield one minute to the distinguished gentlelady from florida, representative frankel. The speaker pro tempore the gentlewoman florida is recognized. Ms. Frankel thank you. Mr. Speaker, voting is the cornerstone of our democracy. It has been a hard fought right because we must ensure that every american that is eligible to vote can make their voice heard. And this right has been trampled on after the Shelby County v. Holder Court Decision which has leashed a flood of state and local Voter Suppression laws and silencing targeted voters, particularly communities of color. In my home state of florida, laws and policies have cut back early voting, established english only ballots are trying to thwart efforts to restore the Voting Rights to exfelons, hurting the access to the ballot box for floridians. H. R. 4 will push back against suppressive voting laws, restoring the great equalizer for democracy and for our people. I yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentlewoman from florida yields the balance of her time. The gentleman from georgia is recognized. The gentleman from georgia reserves. The gentleman from new york is recognized. Mr. Nadler mr. Speaker, we have only one remaining speaker who will be our closing speaker. So the gentleman from georgia may wish to close for his side. Mr. Collins you will be recognize your closing speaker next . Mr. Speaker, i appreciate the opportunity the time we laid out this. Its been exhaustive hearings on this. Our objection to this is not about anything else except that we feel the wording of this and the way this bill is laid out is not good for our country. Many of it will not be held up and not have this intended consequences. I have a state thats been active in seeing our minority rolls and participation increase dramatically over the last four or five years, even after the shelby decision. Thats an undisputed fact. Although many times it has been disputed and many public speeches georgia is going backwards. We are not, we are Going Forward and have had many, many successes encouraging minority voting. From my perspective thats what we are supposed to be doing. Simply as we have looked at it, we must move forward with ways to make sure every person who wants to vote has the ability to vote and does so in a proper and legal way. Thats never been a discussion from our side. Our only objection here is the way this goes about it and theres been many other issues we brought up on numerous occasions about how this could actually have adverse effects across the country, especially if people wanted to really mess with our Voting System and play it for political gain. That is not a discussion we are having right here because we have had this in multiple hearings up to this point. I think for the voter who looks today, this is something thats Going Forward with a goodhearted attempt. I will never question the motivations of what is happening here. I just question to put words on parpe. We do not in this body vote on ideas. We do not vote on thoughts. We vote on words on paper. The words on paper do not fulfill what is being said about this bill. With that said, i would ask that we vote no. There is plenty of opportunities for us to continue to work on this. Just not in this current situation. I respectfully would request that people would vote no. Then we move forward with something that actually possibly could work at a future date. But the majority side this has nothing to do with people voting or not voting, we want everyone to vote, everyone to participate, but we want to do so in a fair and legal wasme this is something we think would actually hurt that in the long run as we go forward. Thats why we are asking this be voted down, will not support it today. Along with the administration who has said it will be vetoed if it does reach his desk. This is something we would rather find a way to have a bill that could make the provisions of this bill even stronger. This is not happening today. With that i will ask for a no vote when this comes forward. With that i yield back the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back the balance of his time. The gentleman from new york is recognized. Mr. Nadler mr. Speaker, i now yield the remaining time to the distinguished speaker of the house, ms. Pelosi. The speaker pro tempore the gentlewoman from california, the speaker of the house, now is recognized. Ms. Pelosi thank you very much, mr. Speaker. I thank the gentleman for yielding. Mr. Nadler, the distinguished chair of the Judiciary Committee. Thank you for your leadership in bringing this important opportunity for america to the floor of the house today. I commend congresswoman terri sewell for her tremendous leadership. The gentlewoman from alabama who knows this subject well, personally, geographically, and officially now as a leading member of the house of representatives. I thank congresswoman marcia fudge Holding Field hearings from alabama to arizona on this urgent issue of Voting Rights. That scope of alabama to arizona is not alphabetically a big range but geographically experience wise it is. And congressman john lewis, the conscience of the congress. What an honor it is for each and every one of us to serve with him, to call him colleague , and many cases to call him friend. He is the civil rights hero of the house whose Voter Empowerment act was the backbone of h. R. 1, the for the people act. Because there is some resistance on the side of the aisle here to our reducing the role of dark money in politics, which is a significant part of h. R. 1, we pulled out h. R. 4 as its own vehicle on the floor. I thank all the House Democrats who came to congress, committed to restoring the rights to the ballot, reflect in the legislation, h. R. 4, one of our top priorities. I say democrats, but it saddens me to hear the distinguished ranking members comments about this legislation and urging a no vote on the republican side. Because i was leader when we passed the Voting Rights act that this is the court sent us back to the drawing board on. At that time we had around 400 votes in the house of representatives. Upwards of 395, 400 votes, bipartisan, completely bipartisan vote to pass that bill. It was unanimous in the United States senate. Not partisan in any way. And that we have come to a place where the court said you need to do this or that. We followed Justice Roberts guidance and now with the improvements insisted upon by Justice Roberts, the republicans have gone from being part of nearly 400 vote majority on the bill to hopefully not being unanimously against it, but well see. My colleagues, nearly 55 years ago president Lyndon Johnson came to the house of representatives. He came to this house, on the house floor, to urge passage of the Voting Rights act. For the dignity of man and the destiny of democracy. He declared that this is the first nation in the history of the world to be founded with a purpose, all men are created equal. Those who are not just words he said, in their name americans have fought and died for two centuries. Those words were promised to every citizen that he shall share in the dignity of man. He continued, our fathers believed that this noble view of the rights of men were to flourish, be rooted in democracy, the right to choose your own leaders. The history of this country said in large measure, is the history of expansion of that right for for all people. Yet a half century later the constitutional right of all americans to determine their leaders and destiny of our democracy is under grave assault from abrazen nationwide Voter Suppression campaign. Since the shell kjell bye vs. Holden decision, 23 states, maybe more since the shelby vs. Holder decision, 23 states, maybe more, including voter purges, poll closures, denying millions their voice by their vote. The record compiled by the committee shows that the counties with the worst histories of Voter Suppression doubled down on their discrimination during this time. Purging 17 million voters from the rolls between 2016 and 2018 alone, primary people of color. Today the house is honoring our nations sacred pledge, all are created equal. By passing h. R. 4, the Voting Rights advancement act. This bill restores the Voting Rights acts strength to combat the clear resurgence of voter discrimination unleashed by shelby by updating the data determining which states and practices are covered by the law. No longer will cynical politicians and states with dark histories of discrimination have the green light to freely continue their systemic suppression campaign. When president johnson spoke on this floor, he said, there must be no delaying, no hesitation, and no compromise with our purpose. We have already waited 100 years or more and the time for waiting is gone. Indeed, it took the courage and ultimate sacrifice of countless americans, including our own john lewis, to secure the passage of the Voting Rights act. Honoring and strengthening that legacy is essential to our democracy. We want to be sure that everyone who is eligible to vote can vote and that that persons vote is counted as cast. Today the time for waiting is gone. We must pass this bill which is a vote for civil rights, liberty, and justice for all. Thank you, mr. Nadler. Thank you, marsha fudge. Thank you, terri sewell, the author of this legislation, which you introduced, the third congress, for giving us the privilege to be part of honoring the pledge of our founders, all are created equal. With that i urge an aye vote on the bill and yield back the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore all time for debate has expired. Pursuant to House Resolution 741, the previous question is ordered on the bill as amended. The question is on engrossment and third reading of the bill. So many as are in favor say aye. Those opposed, no. The ayes have it. Third reading. The clerk to amend the Voting Rights act of 1965 to revise the criteria for determining which states and political subdivisions are subject to section 4 of the act, and for other purposes. The speaker pro tempore pursuant to clause 1c of rule 19, further consideration of h. R. 4 is postponed. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule 20 , the Unfinished Business is the vote on adoption of House Resolution 326 on which the yeas and nays are ordered. The clerk will report the title of the resolution. The clerk house calendar number 47, House Resolution 326. Resolution expressing the sense of house of representatives regarding United States efforts to resolve the israelipalestinian conflict through a negotiated twostate solution. The speaker pro tempore the question is on the adoption of the resolution. Members will record their votes by electronic device. This is a 15minute vote. [captioning made possible by the national captioning institute, inc. , in cooperation with the United States house of representatives. Any use of the closedcaptioned 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 226 and the nays are 188, with two voting present. The bill is passed and the resolution is adopted. Without objection, the motion to reconsider is laid on the table. Pursuant to clause 1c of rule 19 further consideration of h. R. 4 will now resume. The clerk will report the title. The clerk Union Calendar number 258, a bill to amend the Voting Rights of 18965 for determining which states and political subdivisions are subject to section 4 of the act, and for other purposes. The speaker pro tempore for what purpose does the gentleman from illinois seek recognition . I have a motion to recommit at the desk. The speaker pro tempore is the gentleman opposed to the bill . I am in its current form. The clerk mr. Rodney davis of illinois moves to recommit the bill to the committee on the judiciary with instructions to report mr. Davis i ask unanimous consent to waive the reading of the motion to recommit. The speaker pro tempore is there objection with dispensing of the reading . No objection mr. Davis the house is not in order, mr. Speaker. He speaker pro tempore order. The gentleman is recognized for five minutes. Mr. Davis thank you, mr. Speaker. H. R. 4 is the fourth partisan attempt by this majority to federalize our elections. They all have good titles. In october, the majority jammed through the shield act to federally hijack Campaign Finance law. In june, the majority jammed through h. R. 2772, the safe act to hijack federal infrastructure. And in february, the majority jammed through h. R. 1, the for the people act, a piece of legislation as introduced that would fund all of our campaigns with tax dollars from hardworking americans. The facts are that these four bills are bad partisan policy that would negative affect the american people. When the democrats proposed h. R. 1, i could hardly believe. The match program would create a mandatory donation from the american taxpayer to a political candidate. That means for every 200, donated to a cam paper, the federal government on the backs of taxpayers the speaker pro tempore the house will be in order. The house will be in order. That means the federal government on the backs of taxpayers would give 1,200 to that persons campaign. This would do nothing but fill the swamp. Any member who voted for it was voting to fill the pockets and pockets of political operatives nationwide. At rules committee, though, this was changed. The shell game now includes a fund which is supposedly financed through fines and settlements, but we have now seen the c. B. O. Score and this fund does not support itself. What happens when it fails . I tell you, it will ultimately fall to the tax payers in this country to support this democratic policy. But fines and settlements take us back to the legislation we hope to recommit to the committee today. There are members who would have you believe that there are currently no existing laws protecting the right for every american to vote or that the Voting Rights act is no long for the place. However, the Voting Rights act the speaker pro tempore the ouse will be in order. Mr. Davis the Voting Rights sacramento in effect today and protecting every americans right to vote and it includes many important provisions. The speaker pro tempore please take your conversations off the house floor. The house will be in order. We will proceed after the house is in order. The gentleman may proceed. Mr. Davis title 1 of the Voting Rights act, 52 United States code, 501a says no citizen shall be denied because of his fail wrur to comply with any test or device the right to vote in any election. Thats still in effect today. Without h. R. 4. And it comes with a 5,000 fine if you dont follow that. Section 307a no person shall prevent another who is entwiteled to vote from voting. Still in effect. 5,000 fine. Section 308b no person shall destroy derek face, or alter official voting ballots. Still in effect. 5,000 fine. 307c no person shall provide false information in registering to vote or in voting. Still in effect. 10,000 fine. 307e, no person shall vote more than once. Still in effect. 10,000 fine. 307d no person shall falsify or conceal material fact, 10,000 fine. 30 b no person shall intimidate, threaten or coerce any person for voting or attempting to vote. Still in effect. Can do not let anyone tell you the Voting Rights act is not alive and well in this country. What we have debated today is not a reauthorization of this important, historically boinch legislation thats prevented discrimination at the ballot box, because it does not need reauthorization sections two and three of the v. R. A. That are still in effect are continuing to protect the public from discrimination at the ballot box. Every eligible american who wants to vote now countrys elections should be able to vote. This is only about preclearance and the democratic majority, giving the department of jus and the federal government control over all election activity. Jurisdictions urn preclearance cant move a polling location, expand vote by mail efforts or properly maintain voting rolls without a partisan department of justice clearing everything they do. This is about control and taking power away from state and local Election Officials who they dont like and putting it in the hands of the federal government. This bill does not reauthorize the Voting Rights act. What does it do . It opens the depoors fines and settlements in this country including under this act to be hijacked once again by my colleagues for their own political campaigns if they get their way. My motion to recommit is simple. Make it clear to your constituents that fines and settlements urn the r. R. A. Will not be going to your own campaign coffers. I yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from illinois yields back. For what purpose does the gentlewoman from alabama seek recognition . I oppose the amendment. The speaker pro tempore we will proceed after the house is in order and conversations are taken off the house floor. The gentlewoman is recognized for five minutes. Mr. Speaker, i oppose this amendment because its a mere distraction. It is an attempt to politicize the Voting Rights act of 1965 by interjecting Campaign Finance and settlement terms into a civil rights legislation. If republicans were really serious about Voting Rights, about Voting Rights, theyd actually be willing to come to the table and talk about how we can fully restore section 4 of the Voting Rights act of 1965. Ms. Sewell leave it up to our colleagues across the aisle to interject money and finance into civil rights law. What has been lost today in this debate is the very heart of this bill. It is the central meaning of the bill. Lets not forget the brave patriots of the civil rights and Voting Rights musme who marched, prays, died for the right to vote. These foot soldiers for equal di, like our very own john lewis, were ordinary citizens who dared, who dared to achieve extraordinary social change by forcing this nation to live up to its ideals of equality and justice for all. We know, mr. Speaker, that the price of freedom is not free. It has been paid for and bought by those brave foot soldiers so that one day a little black girl from selma, alabama, could one kay sit in this august body. I know im not the only black and brown colleague of ours that owes our very presence in this chamber to the Voting Rights act of 1965. Mr. Speaker, old battles have become new again. We fight for the same equity that these foot soldiers fought for in selma. Progress is elusive. Every generation must fight to maintain the progress that we have had and to seek to advance it. Since the Supreme Court decision in 2013 in shelby vs. Holder, states across this country have enacted harsh measures that make it more difficult to vote. Mr. Speaker, the speaker pro tempore we need order in the house. Please take conversations off the house floor so we can proceed. The yom is recognized. Ms. Sewell mr. Speaker, i dare say that selma is still now. Since the shelby decision, 25 states have put in stricter voter restriction laws. Selma is still now because since the shelby decision, 12 states have laws making it harder for citizens to register and stay registered. Selma is now. Since the shelby decision, 10 more states have made it more difficult for early and absentee voting. While today there are no poll taxes or literacy tests, these modern day barriers to voting are no less discriminatory or suppressive than those old practices. Voting rights should be a nonpartisan issue. And the fact that in this amendment they would try to politicize Voting Rights . We should all, all be appalled by that. Voting rights have been always very nonpartisan. And it used to be that the Voting Rights act passed overwhelmingly with republicans and dems. In fact, the v. R. A. Was reauthorized five times, yes, under republican and democratic president s. So whats changed . I ask my colleagues across the aisle, what are you afraid of . What are you afraid of . Letting more americans voting, why are you afraid to let more americans vote. Is it because your own political interests are only realized when you limit access to the ballot box . I say shame on you. Shame on you. Could it be that what we need more than anything else is to look at our north star. That is john lewis. Mr. Lewis, we are all honored every day to be able to call you colleague. And the reality is that what happened on that bridge in selma, alabama, in 1965, is still occurring today. If one person who is an american who is a voter is not allowed to vote, it goes to the very heart of the integ i have to all of our elections. We should all want to make sure theaver american can vote. So, let us make sure that we remember what Elijah Cummings would say. He would say, we are better than this. We are better than this. We are better than having an mendment that deals with politicizing, politicizing the Civil Rights Act is appalling. I ask my colleagues to vote no on the amendment and to remember the words of another Civil Rights Activist, Amelia Boynton robinson who also was bludgeoned on that bridge withon lewis in 1965, who came to this chamber in 2015 as my special guest for the state of the union, many of you on both sides of the aisle were willing to toast her. I say to you what she said when she said i stand on your shoulders she said get off my shoulders, do your own work. I say to you now, ms. Amelia, were doing our own work because were voting to restore the Voting Rights act of 1965. The speaker pro tempore just a reminder for members to address their remarks to the chair. Without objection, the previous question is ordered on the motion to recommit. The question is on the motion. Those in favor say aye. Those opposed, no. He ayes have it. The gentleman from illinois. The noes have it. The gentlewoman from alabama. Ms. Sewell im asking for a recorded vote. The speaker pro tempore a recorded vote is requested. Those favoring a recorded vote will rise. A sufficient numbering are risen, a recorded vote is ordered. Members will record their votes y electronic device. Pursuant to clause 9 of rule 20, the chair will reduce to five minutes the minimum time for any electronic vote on the question of passage. This is a fiveminute vote. [captioning made possible by the national captioning institute, inc. , in cooperation with the United States house of representatives. Any use of the closedcaptioned 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 200 and the nays are 215. The motion is not adopted. The question is on passage of the bill. Those in favor say aye. Those opposed, no. In the opinion of the chair, the eas have it. Mr. Davis i ask for a recorded vote. The speaker pro tempore a 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. Electronic this is a fiveminute vote. [captioning made possible by the national captioning institute, inc. , in cooperation with the United States house of representatives. Any use of the closedcaptioned 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 228, the nays are 187. The bill is passed. Without objection. The the motion to reconsider is laid on the table. The speaker pro tempore the chair will remindal persons in the gallery they are here as guests of the house and any manifestation of approval or disapproval is in violation of the rules of the house. The speaker pro tempore for what purpose does the gentleman from indiana seek recognition . I ask to speak out of order for unanimous consent to speak out of order for the purpose of inquiring the schedule of the majority leader. The speaker pro tempore without objection fpble i also ask, madam speaker, unanimous consent to revise and extend my remarks. The speaker pro tempore without objection. Mr. Scalise thank you. Im happy to yield to the gentleman for inquiring about the schedule. Mr. Hoyer i apologize for a little bit of lateness here. On monday, madam speaker, the house will meet at 12 00 p. M. For morning hour debate, 2 00 p. M. For legislative business with votes postponed until 6 30 p. M. On tuesday and wednesday, the house will meet at 10 00 a. M. For morning hour debate and 2 00 p. M. For legislative business. On thursday the house will meet at 9 00 a. M. For legislative business. Members are advised that votes on thursday could occur later than usual. It is now approximately 12 30 when members could get out, i want to make it clear that on next thursday, we may go later and the usual time that members are expected to leave. We will consider several bills, madam speaker, under suspension of the rules. A complete list of suspension bills will be announced by the close of business today. The house will consider h. R. 3, the ejy la cummings lower drug costs now act. This legislation would lower Prescription Drug costs for every american, every american, as well as level the Playing Field for american patients and taxpayers. Last year, House Democrats promised to Lower Health Care costs by lowering the price of Prescription Drugs for the people. And we are proud to deliver on that promise this coming week. In addition, madam speaker, the house will consider h. R. 729, the coastal and great lakes communities enforcement act. This bill is a package of Bipartisan Legislation that protects vulnerable coastal and Great Lakes Community impacted by the climate crisis. Lastly its possible the house will consider the ndaa conference report. Other legislation is possible as well as we come to the close of this first session of the congress of the United States. I yield back. Mr. Scalise i thank the gentleman for yielding back. I would like to ask, i know there were a lot of good faith gerkses that continue on the United Statesmexicocanada trade agreement, usmca. We have been having productive conversations, meetings, some potential changes that i know were negotiating with the other countries involved as well. Does the gentleman have any idea if we may be close to bringing usmca to the floor for a vote . I yield. Mr. Hoyer the answer is, i hope so. As the gentleman probably know, we have made some proposals back. Mr. Neal has talked to representatives of the Mexican Government about this, and representatives of the canadian government about the enforcement issue which has been somewhat the holdup. As the gentleman knows, both the speaker and i voted for nafta. We believe that what is being worked on now is an improvement to nafta. But its only an improvement if you can enforce its provisions. As the gentleman knows, over the last two decades plus, theres been no successful enforcement action issued under the present nafta. When the speaker and i voted for nafta, we voted for it on the theory that it could be enforced and theres a sidebar agreement. Unfortunately, as the gentleman also knows, the sidebar agreement did not lead to effective enforcement. As a result, i know that enforcement is being discussed by mr. Lighthizer and i want to say we perceive mr. Lighthizer as representing the administration and negotiating in good faith and as an honest broker and we are appreciative of that fact. We are now, as i understand it, dont hold me to this, but as i understand it, we are in discussions with the Mexican Government as to whether or not they will agree to some of the Enforcement Actions which implies there is a general agreement between the administration and ourselves on what should be or could be included to affect enforcement. In answer specifically to the gentlemans question, i will be very happy if we can get agreement and bring this bill to the floor as early as next week if its ready to come. The problem, as the gentleman knows, is theres a process that needs to be affected and but i will tell the gentleman that the speaker and i both would like to see this legislation , sed as soon as possible if the context, we have effective enforcement included. Mr. Scalise i share the gentlemans interest in getting this passed as soon as possible. The jobs benefits to our couldntly, 160,000 new jobs, and better trading relationships with canada and mexico as well as the message it sends around the world, there are countries likea pan that would love to negotiate better trade deals. This has to come first to prove we can get trade deals done. I appreciate that your side has been working with ambassador lighthizer. I dont think theres been anybody working harder and in good faith than ambassador lighthizer. Hopefully we can get a final agreement we can bring to this floor and we stand ready to help deliver the votes to pass that legislation and hopefully as soon as possible so our country can get those benefits. I do want to shift gears to talk about where we are with impeachment, but specifically something that came to light just the other day when the report from chairman schiff came out, there were of course multiple hearings, public hearings, some in secret but at no time did it come up that the chairman was spying on people using phone records and subpoenaing phone records. That wasnt discussed in those conversations in the hearings. And yet in the final report, it seemed like there was very selective targeting of certain people by the chairman in this listing of phone records that he had been subpoenaing. From what ive heard, chairman schiff has over 3,500 pages of surveillance on people. Whether its members of the press, which he did spy on members of the press, members of congress, and who knows who else. Its a real concern. A real concern that we dont know what he is doing with this, why hes doing this. Sit being used for political retribution, which is a serious concern . But my question to the gentleman is, im not sure if you are aware of how much data there is out there, ive heard reports of 3,500 pages of phone records. How many members of the press are being spied on by chairman schiff in how many other members of congress are being spied on . And why is this going on . Is this something that the Majority Party condones or encouraged . Or was it a surprise to you as it was to us . I yield back. Mr. Hoyer i would say to the gentleman, i dont accept his premise, madam speaker that mr. Schiff or the committee spied on anybody. They do have records, apparently, and the gentleman asked me how deep my knowledge is i will tell him frankly not very deep. But i do not accept his premise that either mr. Schiff personally or the committee spied on people. They did receive information as a result of subpoenas and discovery with reference to what what was going on. What were the facts. But i would have to get Greater Knowledge of the information to give the gentleman a broader response than that. In terms of volume or substance. Mr. Scalise would the gentleman yield . We have expressed deep concern about this when we found out about it. It wasnt something discussed in the hearings and yet it shows up in the report. It seems to be designed in a way to seek political retribution to people at the that the chairman might have had disagreements with, which is an abecause of power if thats what happened. So the questions are, number one, with the press that is a serious concern. That the chairman of a committee is using federal subpoena powers to spy on our seek phone records of members of the press who have a job to do. We might not always agree or like some of the articles they write but they play an Important Role in our democracy and in many times they talk to people in candid discussions where they have Anonymous Sources. Is the chairman trying to go after Anonymous Sources of members of the press . How many other members of congress is the chairman spying on . This is unprecedented. Ive never seen a chairman of a committee abuse their subpoena power to go after other members of congress that they have political disagreements with or members of the press that they have political disagreements with. Thats over the line. Its an abuse of power. Whether or not the gentleman is aware of the days, why would there shall a necessity to secretly be holding phone records of people that he will selectively leak out to punish his political enemies . Thats something we ought to be concerned about. We dont know a lot because we havent been told a lot about it. If there are 3,500 pages of phone records, we