Ms. Johnson i move to suspend 4372, es and pass h. R. The minority serving institutes tem achievement act, as amended. The speaker pro tempore the clerk will report the title of the bill. The clerk Union Calendar number directr. 4372, a bill to federal science agencies and the office of science and Technology Policy to undertake activities to improve the quality of undergraduate Stem Education and enhance the Research Capacity at hbcus, t. C. U. s m. S. I. s and for other purposes. The speaker pro tempore pursuant to the rule, the texas, ms. From johnson, and the gentleman from klahoma, mr. Lucas, each will control 20 minutes. The chair recognizes the gentlewoman from texas, ms. Johnson. Ms. Johnson thank you, mr. Speaker. I ask unanimous consent that all members may have five legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and to include extraneous materials on 4372, the bill thats under consideration. The speaker pro tempore without objection. Ms. Johnson mr. Speaker, i yield myself such time as i may consume. The speaker pro tempore the gentlewoman from texas is recognized. Ms. Johnson i rise in support h. R. 4372, the m. S. I. Want toieving act and i thank representative welch for joining me for introducing this to and for his commitment increasing diversity in science, technology, engineering, and or stem fields. This bill was developed based the 2019mmendations in ational academies of science report entitled minority serving institutions, americas underutilized resource for strengthening the stem workforce. The demographics are changing and we must address the underrepresentation of minority students . Stem to keep our work force competitive. As stated in the report, students of color will have direct implication on americas Economic Growth and National Security and global prosperity. The time to act is now. Minorityserving institutions have a long record of success in recruiting, retaining and graduating underrepresented students in stem. More is needed to enable the m. S. I. s to realize their potential. The m. S. I. Stem act ensures that jegsal and funding opportunities are more accessible through the m. S. I. It directs the Government Accountability office to compile an inventory of federal science agencies targeted through m. S. I. s and make recommendations what more agencies can do to encourage increased participation and success of the m. S. I. s in these programs. In addition, the legislation authorizes the National Science foundation to support research on the challenges and successes m. S. I. s have had in contributing to the stem work force including approaches to building the Research Competitiveness of m. S. I. s. And the bill directs the office of science and Technology Policy to introduce a governmentwide Strategic Plan and sustained Outreach Program to support Stem Education and research at the m. S. I. s. Ese institutions are not a monolith but are focused on the distinct needs of their students in carrying out activities of this act. Federal agencies should ensure that they are counting for the difficult are versus yits among these institutions and the populations they serve. If we are to continue to prosper as a nation, we must do more to diversify our stem work force. Rtunately, the more than 700 m. S. I. s that enroll 30 of our nations undergraduates know how to solve this problem. The m. S. I. s act will ensure these institutions are equipped with the resources they need to lead the way. I urge my colleagues to support this good bipartisan bill. And i reserve. The speaker pro tempore the gentlewoman from texas reserves, the gentleman from oklahoma, mr. Lucas, is recognized. Mr. Lucas i yield myself such time as i may consume. Im proud to cosponsor this egislation led by chairwoman johnson which encourages to the ience, technology and math work force. Inority serving institutions and hispanic and tribal colleges and universities have a success in educating and graduating. I have seen the unique value. For more than 100 years, langston is a historically black college and land grant institution. They have influenced peoples lives beyond the classroom in service to the community in rural and urban oklahoma. This help help schools prepare their students to fill the stem jobs of the 21st century. Since 1990, im thinking 1890, thats the nature of the historic black land grant universities. Since 1990, employment in stem occupations has grown by nearly 80 . Over the next decade with demand continuing to grow and u. S. Universities expected to produce less than onethird of stem graduates, the shortage is to reach 1 million professionals. Minorities are severely underrepresented in stem fields accounting for 11 of the stem work force. Talent from all groups is essential. The Trump Administration has recognized this need by calling for increase in diversity, equality and inclusion in stem programs in the recent fiveyear Strategic Plan. This bill takes steps to meet the administrations call to action by providing for increased transparency, accountability and accessibility of federal Stem Education Research Funds or m. S. I. s. Without a Diverse Talent pool of americans without knowledge and skills to prepare for the jobs of the future, the u. S. Will not maintain key sectors, agriculture, energy, health care and defense. I thank the chair woman and i encourage my colleagues to support this legislation and i reserve the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from oklahoma reserves. The gentlewoman from texas is recognized. Ms. Johnson i reserve. Mr. Lucas i would like to yield three minutes to the the entleman from florida. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized. Meth altz since 1904, union Cookman University has contributed to a rich and iverse history in my district. 4,000 students proudly call this University Home in floridas 6th district. We are proud of their accomplishments especially in the stem fields. Minorities make up nearly 30 of americas population, but nationwide, as my distinguished colleague from oklahoma and the administration have noted, we are seeing a gap in minority representation in stem fields. Believe it or not, minorities account for 11 of the stem work force and the demand for stem fields is at an alltime high. Over the next decade, the stem shortage is anticipated to reach one million professionals. If we want america to compete and succeed and we must and need to assure our stem work force reflects our diversity. The bill we are considering today m. S. I. Stem achievement ct would increase the capacity and encourage partnerships with industry and federal laboratories. In short, this bill will enhance our Domestic Work force so as to ensure america continues to compete globally. If america wants to lead militarily, economically and critically in space, we must lead in stem. I would be remiss to not also mention the importance of women in stem. As i have said countless times since i have been elected and will continue to say, from my experiences as a veteran and green beer a fighting all over the globe where women thrive in business, Civil Society and politics, extremism doesnt. For that reason, diversity in stem is a National Security issue. And in volusia county, just we are cape canaveral, seeing countless businesses participate in Work Force Development programs like the space coast con sore onium apresence tiesship program. They are making huge strides to advance cor can you lum and Work Force Development. As the republican lead on the m. S. I. Stem achievement act, i thank the chairman and Ranking Member for working with me to impositive participation in stem at these critically important m. S. I. s. For americas continued dominance, i urge my colleagues to support this bill and its passage. I yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from oklahoma reserves. The gentlewoman from texas is recognized. Ms. Johnson i continue toll reserve. The speaker pro tempore the gentlewoman reserves. The gentleman from oklahoma. Mr. Lucas i have no additional speakers and if she is prepared to close, she has the privilege of fine closure, i offer my concluding remarks. I yield myself such time as i might consume. The United States is in a race to remain the world leader in science and technology and only way we will win is utilizing our people. This means developing a diverse stem capable work force at every educational level and from every background. Creating opportunities for students to not only develop stem knowledge but to have handson experience is essential. Research shows that students especially those from underrepresented minority backgrounds are more likely to graduate from science and engineering programs if they have programs to have force content with pierce and enjoy science clubs and other organizations. This bill will support such Stem Education at m. S. I. s. Providing these students with the stills necessary to develop and flourish in the 21st century. These investments will grow our work force, improve our economy and protect our country. I thank chairwoman johnson and representative waltz for their leadership. And i yield back the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from oklahoma yields back. The gentlewoman from texas is recognized. Ms. Johnson i have no further requests for time and i want to thank all of the members and staff involved in this legislation. I urge its passage, and i yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentlewoman yields back. The question is will the house suspend the rules and pass the 4372. R. Those in favor say aye. Those opposed, no. 2 3 being in the affirmative, the bill is passed and without objection, the motion to reconsider is laid on the table. For what purpose does the gentlewoman from texas seek recognition . Ms. Johnson i move to suspend he rules and pass h. R. 4373, Engineering Biology Research and Development Act of 2019 as amended. The clerk h. R. 4373, a bill to provide for coordinated federal Research Initiative to continue United States leadership in engineering biology. The speaker pro tempore pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from texas, ms. Johnson and the gentleman from oklahoma, mr. Lucas, each will control 20 minutes. The chair recognizes the gentlewoman from, ms. Johnson from texas. Thank you, mr. Speaker. I ask unanimous consent that all members may have five legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and to nclude extraneous materials on h. R. 4373, the bill under consideration. The speaker pro tempore without objection. Ms. Johnson mr. Speaker, i yield myself such time as i may consu consume. The speaker pro tempore the gentlewoman is recognized. Ms. Johnson i rise today in 4373, the h. R. Engineering Biology Research and Development Act of 2019. Thank Ranking Member lucas for joining me in introducing this legislation. The term engineering biology means the application of design, principles, and practices to biological advance fundamental understanding of complex natural enable novel functions and capabilities. Research is iology used in microbes and plants to resilient to Climate Change, reduce our and dency on fossil fuels, make more effective drugs to treat human diseases. Researchers are even for eering microbe s environmental microbes for cleanup. Ntal engineering biology is one of our greatest tools. 21st century the will be driven by a bioeconomy. Other countries are making significant investments in research andiology development. We must recognize that u. S. About hip is not just growing our economy and ensuring that our nation benefits from of engineering biology, its also about leading responsibly. As china accelerates its own tools of s and the engineering biology are increasingly cheap and accessible to individuals everywhere, we must also be indful of the security implications. The potential for misuse of this technology to cause harm makes more urgent our need to invest engineering in Biology Research today. Authorizing federal Engineering Biology Research and Development Initiative, this also establish a framework for greater coordination of federal engineering n biology, require a National Strategy for those investments, publicprivate partnerships, focus on the of the n and trainings next jgeneration of Engineering Biology Researchers, and address any potential security and issues associated with Engineering Biology Research. Time for the united tates to recognize the significance of this Emergent Research area of our economic and National Security. Lack disappointed by the of such recognition of this dministrations last budget request, but hopeful to see the convening g with the of a recent white house summit on the bieconomy. Bioeconomy. I look forward to working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle and with the ensure that n to the United States would not lose ts leadership position in this area. H. R. 4373 is an important bill, nd i urge my colleagues to support it, and i reserve the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the from texas reserves. The gentleman from oklahoma is recognized. Mr. Lucas mr. Lucas mr. Speaker, i yield myself such time as i may consume. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized. Mr. Lucas i rise in support of 4373, the Engineering Biology Research and Development Act of 2019. Proud to join chairwoman johnson as well as representatives jim lofgren iner and zoe introducing this bill. In u. S. Was a key driver biological innovation in the 20th century, but theres global competition. Other countries recognize the benefit of biotechnology and are striving to capture its potential through new investments and friendly regulations. 4373 promotes a national around strategy engineering biology to ensure the u. S. Remains the global biology and biotechnology. Techniques like risper and gene sequencing are driving engineering, manufacturing. Keep pace that supports innovation and creates a arketplace for new ideas and projects. While setting the safety and ethical standards for the world follow. H. R. 4373 establishes a National Research andiology Development Initiative to provide Interagency Research a rdination and develop threeyear Strategic Plan. Also authorizes research at the agencies under he Science Committees jurisdictions including the National Science foundation, the National Institute of standards technology, and the department of energy. Last month, the white house the ned a summit with nations foremost bioeconomy leaders from industry, academia, and government to discuss how to maintain americas leadership in and gy for our economic National Security. I hope that summit, along with this legislation, will build a serious national publicprivate effort to advance protect the u. S. Bioeconomy. I urge my colleagues to support bill, and ipartisan would note to the chairwoman, i and no additional speakers, i reserve the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman reserves the balance time. The gentlewoman from texas is recognized. Ms. Johnson i have no requests for time and if the gentleman is ready to close mr. Lucas absolutely. The speaker pro tempore the gentlewoman from texas reserves. The gentleman from oklahoma is recognized. Mr. Lucas mr. Speaker, i yield myself such time as i may consu consume. In both the Agriculture Committee and the science ommittee, weve discussed Biotechnology Research and regulation for years. But i cant remember a more or challenging time for the field than today. Set a National Agenda to advance innovation and help us meet those challenges. Appreciate the chairwoman and her staff for working with us stakeholder gy community to produce a good bipartisan bill. To support leagues this bill, and i yield back the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the oklahoma yields back the balance of his time. The gentlewoman from texas is recognized. Ms. Johnson thank you, mr. Speaker. Wish to express my appreciation for mr. Mr. Lucas, ms. Myself. And i have no further requests for time. I would simply urge the passage this bill, and i yield back the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentlewoman from texas yields. The question is will the house and pass the les bill h. R. 4373, as amended. Those in favor say aye. Those opposed, no. Chair, 2 3ion of the having responded in the affirmative, the rules are suspended, the bill is passed, and without objection the motion to reconsider is laid on the table. For what purpose does the texas seek from recognition . Ms. Johnson mr. Speaker, i move to suspend the rules and pass 2051, the Sustainable Chemistry Research and 2019, as nt act of amended. The speaker pro tempore the clerk will report the title of the bill. The clerk h. R. 2051, a bill to provide for federal coordination of activities supporting sustainable chemistry, and for other purposes. H. R. 5213, a bill to amend title the speaker pro tempore pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from texas, ms. Ohnson, and the gentleman from oklahoma, mr. Lucas, each will control 20 minutes. The chair recognizes the gentlewoman from texas, ms. Johnson. Ms. Johnson thank you, mr. Speaker. I ask unanimous consent that all members may have five legislative days to revise and and to heir remarks to ude extraneous materials h. R. 2051, the bill under consideration. The speaker pro tempore without objection. Ms. Johnson mr. Speaker, i yield myself such time as i may consume. The speaker pro tempore the gentlewoman is recognized. Ms. Johnson i rise in support of h. R. 2051, the sustainable hemistry research and Development Act of 2019. Want to thank representative moolenaar for. Introducing this bipartisan bill. Chemistry touches every aspect society. As the Chemical Industry make ues to innovate to our lives easier, we must do more to minimize the risk of the nvironment and to public health. Practices chemistry and principles, once widely adopted, will provide the private sector with tools to meet made possible by the national captioning, institute, inc. , in cooperation with the United States house of representatives. Hile needs while mitigating the impacts of the health and safety of future generations. Progress in , adopting this approach has been slow. To understand this, the Science Committee heard a this year, the challenges include a lack of research, a ack of federal coordination, a lack of consensus regarding how sustainability should be and assessed and a need for improved sustainable education. This legislation establishes the for federal leadership o advance sustainable chemistry. Specifically, the bill provides for improved coordination of activity, including research and development of more processese chemicals, and systems. He bill also supports improved education and sustainable chemistry and expands opportunities for the federal to partner with industry to bring innovations to the market. When the federal science agencies support our nations scientists and engineers to come Better Solutions to realworld problems, our always risends will to the challenge. I urge my colleagues to support this important legislation, and i reserve the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentlewoman from texas reserves. The gentleman from oklahoma, mr. Lucas, is recognized. Mr. Lucas mr. Speaker, i yield yself such time as i may consume. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized. Mr. Lucas i rise in support of h. R. 2051, the sustainable chemistry act of 2019. Provides for federal coordination of research and development for new innovations chemistry, manufacturing, and materials. This bill continues the Science Committees bipartisan to prioritizing fundamental research that leads to new technologies that will American Economy into the future. Hemistry is essential to our economy and plays a vital role in helping solve the Biggest Challenges facing the nation and our world. Medicine, ng to chemical manufacturing touches our lives every day. Demand for ket Chemical Products that use resources more efficiently and humans and r both the environment. Consumers also want these products to be just as effective or more effective than the traditional Chemical Products. Will help support the research, training, and tandards needed to meet these demands. It is rare that a bill has the fundamental endorsement of both companies and environmental advocates. Thank the bills sponsors, representative dan lipinski and representative John Moolenaar or their leadership on this issue and for developing a good consensus bill. I encourage my colleagues to support it, and i reserve the time. E of my the speaker pro tempore the gentleman from oklahoma, mr. Lucas, reserves. Texas, ms. Man from johnson, is recognized. S. Johnson id like to reserve. The speaker pro tempore the gentlewoman reserves. The gentleman from oklahoma is recognized. Id ucas mr. Speaker, like to yield two minutes to the gentleman from michigan, mr. Moolenaar, who has been a leasure to work with both on scientific matters and on a fathers inancial inancial interests too, mr. Moolenaar. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized. R. Moolenaar i want to thank congressman lipinski for working on this bill. I are part of the in the y caucus here house. Chemistry has improved the lives of everyday americans. To thank chairwoman johnson and Ranking Member lucas for their leadership on working Sustainable Chemistry Research and Development Act to the floor this year. This legislation will further incredible progress chemistry has already made in the daily lives of people around with new and exciting products and lifesaving cures innovations. Chemistry also employs hundreds f thousands of people in goodpaying jobs and has made United States a world leader in industry and fields. Will legislation eapt will help the government legislation will help the Sustainable Chemistry Research. Chemistry able research and Development Act will bring the federal government, the private Sector Community to ific support groundbreaking research in chemistry and keep our nation innovation. Ront of i thank my colleagues for their support and i yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back the balance of his time. The gentleman from oklahoma reserves. He gentlewoman from texas is recognized. Ms. Johnson ill reserve. The speaker pro tempore the reserves. N the gentleman from oklahoma, mr. Lucas, is recognized. Mr. Lucas mr. Speaker, id colleague, the chairwoman, i have no additional speakers and i will conclude if to include ed afterwards. With that i yield back the balance of my time. The peaker pro tempore gentleman. Mr. Lucas to ensure the united is the leadersh is the leade we must invest in the future. Chemistry act of 2019 will keep our country at forefront and create products that will benefit all americans. Ask my colleagues to support and yield back the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the entleman from gentlewoman is recognized. Ms. Johnson i thank our staff and urge passage. The speaker pro tempore the gentlewoman yields back. The question is will the house uspend the rules and pass h. R. 2051 as amended. Those in favor say aye. Those opposed, no. In the opinion of the chair, the bill is passed and without objection, the motion to reconsider is laid on the table. For what purpose does the gentlewoman from texas seek recognition . Ms. Johnson mr. Speaker, i move to suspend the rules and pass senate bill 737, Building Blocks of stem act. The speaker pro tempore the clerk will report the title of the bill. The clerk senate 737, an act to direct the National Science foundation to support Stem Education Research Focused on Early Childhood. The speaker pro tempore pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from texas, ms. Johnson, and the gentleman from oklahoma, mr. Lucas, each will control 20 minutes. The chair recognizes the gentlewoman from texas. Ms. Johnson mr. Speaker, i ask unanimous consent that all members may have five legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and to include ex clued extraneous material on senate bill 737, the bill under consideration. The speaker pro tempore without objection, so ordered. Ms. Johnson i yield myself such time as i may consume the speaker pro tempore the speaker pro tempore the gentlewoman is recognized. Ms. Johnson i rise in support of senate 737. The demand for Computer Science fields is on the rise across all sectors of the economy. To ensure that we have the capacity to meet that demand, we must attract more students to study Computer Science. A major challenge for increasing the number of Computer Science graduates and the low participation of women. Even as access to hospital Computer Science courses, female participation remains low. At high schools advanced placement, only 23 of the students taking the exam are girls. Research shows us that interventions at the High School Level may come too late. Girls as young as six years old are internalizing genderbased steer theo types that discourages them including Computer Science. This directs the National Science foundation to support research into factors that contribute to the early adoption of these steero types. The bill directs the National Science foundation to support development of models for intervention to prevent or reverse the effects of these negative and false stereotypes. For their colleagues leadership on this legislation. And i urge my colleagues to support it. I reserve. The speaker pro tempore the gentlewoman from texas reserves. The gentleman from oklahoma is recognized. Mr. Lucas i yield myself such time as i may consume. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized. Mr. Lucas how appropriate that today, the house is taking up s. 737, the Building Blocks stem act. Ack he sell. S. 737, the Building Blocks stem act will improve science, technology, engineering, math or Stem Education. It directs the National Science foundation to support stem Research Focused on Early Childhood education and young girls to pursue Computer Science learning. Studies have found that children who engage in Scientific Activities from an early age have a positive attitude towards science and more likely to pursue stem expertise and careers. These jobs. Currently there are half a million open comentputing jobs in the United States. In every industry and in every state, this demand is projected to grow twice the rate of any other field and america is failing to meet it. We can succeed, though and do it by encouraging children, particularly young girls in stem in Early Childhood and sustaining that interest as they grow. More students with stem degrees mean a morrow bus economy. It is not just about the economy. Stem graduates have the potential to testify develop technologies. Jump start a new industry or even discover new worlds. It has been shown female students who study science are 10 times to major. By supporting more handson stem engagement at younger ages, we are supporting and investing in americas future. I thank representative baird for his leadership. The house previously passed this legislation in july and sent it to the senate for consideration. We are considering it today with some minor changes. I encourage my colleagues to support this legislation and send it to the president s desk for his signature. I reserve. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from oklahoma reserves. The the gentlewoman from texas is recognized. Ms. Johnson i recognized. Mr. Lucas i have no additional speakers. The love of learning starts young and the Building Blocks to the stem bill promotes by focusing on Early Childhood Stem Education. It gives us the opportunity to encourage girls to get involved and stay engaged in stem, helping us improve our Educational Programs and diversify the stem work force. I thank representative baird and representative stevens. I encourage this body to support and unanimously pass this legislation and send it to the president s desk for his signature. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back the balance of his time. The gentlewoman from texas, ms. Johnson, is recognized. Ms. Johnson i express my appreciation to the leadership representatives baird and stevens. I urge that we pass this important piece of legislation and i yield back the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentlewoman from texas, ms. Johnson yields back. Will the house pass the bill senate 737. Those in favor say aye. Those opposed, no. In the opinion of the chair 2 3 being in the affirmative, the bill is suspended and the bill is passed and without objection, the motion to reconsider is laid on the table. For what purpose does the gentlewoman from texas seek recognition . Ms. Johnson i move to suspend 43505 es and pass h. R. Iogan act. The clerk h. R. 4355, a bill to direct the director of the National Science foundation to support research on the outputs that may be generatetive adverseally net works and other comparable techniques that may be developed in the future and for other purposes. The speaker pro tempore purn to the rule, the gentlewoman from texas, ms. Johnson, and the gentleman from oklahoma, mr. Lucas, each will control 20 minutes. Ms. Johnson i ask unanimous consent that all members may have five five legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous materials on h. R. 4355, its bill under consideration. The speaker pro tempore without bjection plons. Ms. Johnson i yield myself such time as i may consume. I rise in support of the identifying output of again rative Adversarial Networks act. Technology which manipulates photos, audio clips to produce Company Content that seems real but is not, has become increasingly commonplace in recent years. This increase is prevalent and spurred in part by increases in Computing Power and widespread availability of images and other data and the use of artificial intelligence. In many cases, the applications of this Technology May be benign, but bad actors can use this technology to cause great harm to individuals, to organizations and to society as a whole. During the Science Committee hearing on online and dis information, one of the witnesses showed us a demonstration of a deep fake video in which he scrubbed the likenesses of members of congress at the hearing. Despite the spread and there are currently no surefire methods of identifying and distinguishing manipulative content from original content. The differentiation is essential to maintaining our national and economic market and protection against malicious use of these technologies. H. R. 4355 leverages the strength of the National Science foundation and the National Institute of standards and tech nothing by direct inthese agencies to support research on manipulated or synthesized content in order to help develop the standards or tools necessary to detect this content. I would like to commend representative gonzalez, stevens and baird for their leadership on this issue and i urge my colleagues to join in passing this bill. I reserve the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentlewoman texas reserves. The gentleman from oklahoma is recognized. Mr. Lucas i rise in support of h. R. 4355 identifying outputs of again rative Adversarial Networks act. This bill addresses the underlying technologies for Digital Content commonly referred to as deep fakes. This Technology Uses Machine Learning to manipulate videos to produce misleading and false products. These technologies are becoming more sophisticated and in the wrong hands represent a serious security threat. As we know, bad actors are already using disinformation to disrupt Civil Society and sow division among americans. H. R. 4355 supports the fundamental research necessary to better understand the Underlying Technology to develop tools to on identify manipulated content and understand how humans interact with this generated content. The bill tasked the National Institutes of standards and technology with bringing together the private sector and Government Agencies to discuss how to responsibly advance snow vacation in this ear. I applaud mr. Gonzalezs work on this bill. I urge my colleagues to support h. R. 4355 and reserve the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from oklahoma reserves. The gentleman from texas is recognized. Ms. Johnson i reserve. The speaker pro tempore the gentlewoman from oklahoma is recognized. Mr. Lucas i have no other speakers and am prepared to close. I yield myself as much time as i may consume. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized. Mr. Lucas in closing, i want to thank the chairwoman and her staff for moving h. R. 4 55 forward. There is fundamental research that needs to be done to understand the Technology Driving deep fakes and their impact on society. H. R. 4355 will help support that research. I urge my colleagues to support the bill. And i yield back the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back the balance of his time. The gentlewoman from texas is recognized. Ms. Johnson thank you, mr. Speaker. I would like to express my appreciation for all of the members that have been working on this very important legislation that is bipartisan. I urge its passage and i yield back the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentlewoman yields back. The question is will the house suspend the rules and pass the bill h. R. 4355 as amended. Those in favor say aye. Those opposed, no. In the opinion of the chair, 2 3 being in the affirmative, the rules are suspended and the bill is passed and without objection, the motion to reconsider is laid on the table. The speaker pro tempore for the purpose does gentlewoman from alabama seek recognition . Ms. Sewell mr. Speaker, i move pass pend the rules and h. R. 4566, the Virginia Beach act. G the speaker pro tempore the clerk will report the title of the bill. To clerk h. R. 4566, a bill accelerate the income tax benefits for charitable cash relief of ns for the the families of victims of the mass shooting in Virginia Beach, may 31, 2019. The speaker pro tempore pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from alabama, ms. Sewell, and the gentleman from mr. Smith, each will control 20 minutes. The chair now recognizes the gentlewoman from alabama. Ms. Sewell i ask unanimous consent that all members may have five legislative days to evise and extend their remarks and include materials on the consideration. The speaker pro tempore without objection. Ms. Sewell i yield myself such time as i may consume. The speaker pro tempore the gentlewoman from alabama is recognized, ms. Sewell. Strong ll i rise in support of the Virginia Beach strong act, a bill authored by my friend and our colleague from virginia, congresswoman elaine luria, to ensure donations to virginia s of the beach shooting are tax deductible. R. Speaker, the Virginia Beach communes experienced unspeak ommunity experienced unspeakable tragedy when a mass shooting at the Municipal Center resulted in the deaths of 12 people. Face of this tragedy, leaders throughout the city came and quickly established a fund to support victims, families. And their the outpour of support from the community was profound. 4 million in donations to the fund. Mr. Speaker, unfortunately, arguably notns are considered tax deductible charitable contributions because divided among specified individuals rather than an a technical fix in the tax code would address this issue. This legislation before us today would fix this issue for the irginia beach tragedy fund and ensure that these donations are tax deductible. While nothing cannery verse the of can reverse the pain of this terrible tragedy, the bipartisan commonsense bill is an important step towards helping the victims nd their families and incentivize further contributions to the fund. I am proud to stand with the community in support of this legislation. I urge all of my colleagues to important s legislation, and i reserve the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentlewoman from alabama her ves the balance of time. The gentleman from nebraska, mr. Smith, is recognized. Mr. Mith thank you, speaker. I yield myself such time as i may consume. The speaker pro tempore the recognized. Mr. Smith thank you, mr. Speaker. S we know, a senseless act of violence struck the Virginia Beach community on may 31 of this year. Disgruntled City Employee for no other reason other than he have been owe offended offended, went and opened fire on innocent and defenseless killing 12 and youring and injuring six others. Are hard to understand but its great to see the Community Reach out and help. Know there are always many folks who help around these communities when it is when is so obvious when confronted with tragedy they always respond generosity. And in acknowledging the bravery of remiss if would be we do not honor the First Police Officers who arrived on the danger ho ran toward instead of away from it. They took down the mass murderer cause any more bloodshed. In the process, one of their own was injured in the firefight. His life spared only by a vest. Proof but the bill we are considering and hopefully passing today is who another set of those helped, those who also responded with generosity. Other the case with many tragic events in our history, a special fund was set up to help 31st ctims of the may shooting. Under normal tax rules, a special fund like this raises at least three questions. First, are the payments to these victims from this special fund to taxes . Second, since charities are not supposed to operate for the special individuals, would payments to a relatively mall number of individuals destroy the taxexempt status of ny charity or foundation administering the victims fund . Donations he wi will eligible for a Tax Deduction . He Virginia Beach strong act ensures the answers to these uestions match what common sense else us what we know, no, victims will not be taxed on payments to provide Financial Relief by harms caused horrors they suffered. O donations through the victims fund will be eligible for the charitable Tax Deduction. Mr. Speaker, this is our opportunity to be those to be help asg those who need well as by clarifying the tax questions of victims, donors, organizations. This should be actually considered as a nobrainer. Urge my colleagues to support the Virginia Beach strong act, and i reserve the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the entleman from nebraska reserves. The gentlewoman from alabama is recognized. Ms. Sewell mr. Speaker, i yield from virginiaoman five minutes. The speaker pro tempore the gentlewoman is recognized for five minutes. Ms. Luria mr. Luria thank you, speaker. I rise in support of my bill, the bicameral Virginia Beach strong act. Just over six months ago, our irginia Beach Community suffered a devastating tragedy. 12 wonderful people lost their lives in a mass hooting in the Virginia Beach Municipal Center. During our great citys darkest showed the world the strength and resolve that makes strong. Nia beach we saw First Responders heroically running into building their safety to save others. Doctors working long hours to expert victims with care. And many other displays of courage. 31, 2019, was a day that will change Virginia Beach forever. We will always remember the 12 individuals we lost that day and irreplaceable contributions to our Virginia Beach strong community. Continues to grieve for those who lost their lives, everyone whos, and loved them. Today, many families of the facing are still financial hardships related to the shooting. N addition to the unfathomable loss of a loved one. In the aftermath of may 31, the of Virginia Beach helped establish a fund to help victims, survivors, and their families. Unfortunately, a technicality in the tax code means that these onations will likely not be considered tax deductible. Thats why i introduced the Virginia Beach strong act. The Virginia Beach strong act would make it easier to help needed support to our communitys grieving families. This bipartisan bill will ensure donations made to immediate victims members of the victims will be tax deductible. Ts narrowly written so it doesnt make changes to our tax code or to nonprofit status. Today, we all have the profound y to make a difference for the families that have been through unimaginable following the Virginia Beach mass shooting. I want to thank my colleagues in delegation for their support, and i urge all of y colleagues to vote for h. R. 4566, the Virginia Beach strong act. And i yield back the remainder time. Thank you. The speaker pro tempore the gentlewoman yields back. Serve we ewe reserve time. The speaker pro tempore the gentlewoman from alabama reserves her time. He gentleman from nebraska is recognized. Mr. Smith mr. Speaker, i have no further speakers, and i would be prepared to close. Ms. Sewell the gentlewoman reserves time and yields to my fellow member of the ways and committee from nebraska. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from nebraska is ready recognized. Mr. Smith thank you, mr. Speaker. Just to add emphasis to the fact we appreciateere, those around the community and actually probably around the help y who want to certainly victims in need and i ould hope we would adjust our tax policy accordingly. Certainly to perhaps meet expectations that could not met, but also to encourage others to contribute as well. Thank you. I yield back the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from nebraska yields back. The gentlewoman from alabama is recognized. Closing, mr. N speaker, i must we must take action to fix the tax these donations to the Virginia Beach tragedy to , which has done so much help the Community Recover from this unspeakable tragedy. My profound ld condolences and also on this ate mrs. Luria wonderful peace of legislation that will truly benefit those tragically lost and their families as well as First Responders. Support ery member to this important legislation. It is truly bicameral and deserves to pass. I support this legislation. I yield back the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the alabama yields back. The question is will the house the nd the rules and pass bill h. R. 4566. Those in favor say aye. Those opposed, no. Chair, 2 3ion of the having responded in the affirmative, the rules are suspended, the bill is passed, and without objection, the motion to reconsider is laid on the table. The speaker pro tempore for what purpose does the gentleman from new york seek recognition . Ms. Clark mr. Speaker, i move the house suspend the rules and pass h. R. 3469. The speaker pro tempore the clerk will report the title of the bill. The clerk Union Calendar number 240. H. R. 3469. A bill to direct the Transportation Security Administration to carry out covert testing of Aviation Security operations and for other purposes. The speaker pro tempore pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from new york, ms. Clarke, and the gentleman from louisiana, mr. Higgins, each will control 20 minutes. The chair now recognizes the gentlewoman from new york, ms. Clarke. Mr. Clarke thank you, mr. Speaker. I ask ms. Clarke thank you, mr. Speaker. I ask unanimous consent that all members may have five legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and to include extraneous materials on this measure. The speaker pro tempore without objection. Ms. Clarke mr. Speaker, thank you once again and i yield myself such time as i may consume. The speaker pro tempore the honorable woman from new york, ms. Clarke, is recognized. Ms. Clarke thank you, mr. Speaker. I rise today in strong support of h. R. 3969, the covert testing and Risk Mitigation improvement active 2019. Before i begin, id like to take a moment to recognize my dear friend and colleague, chairman elijah cummings, who sponsored this legislation. Less than two months ago, the house lost a great leader. Chairman cummings dedicated his life to fighting for justice and democracy for his constituents in his native city of baltimore and for the american people. Today the house will honor his legacy in the best way we can, by passing a bill he wrote to ensure that t. S. A. Does effective oversight of its airport screening operations that are essential to protecting american lives. Mr. Speaker, the Transportation Security Administration faces serious challenges in identifying and resolving security vulnerabilities in its Airport Security operations. Specifically, in april, 2019, the Government Accountability office found that t. S. A. Was not conducting its covert testing of screening operations in a riskinformed way and that t. S. A. Has limit aid insurance that its tests were targeted at the most likely limited assurance that its tests were targeted at the most likely threats. This seeks to make improvements to the testing processes by requiring t. S. A. To identify, document and mitigate security vulnerabilities found through these tests. It requires t. S. A. To develop a riskenen riskinformed process for its covert Testing Program and conduct at least three tests a year to identify vullnerment vulnerabilities in the transportation security system. Importantly, h. R. 3469 requires t. S. A. To document all vull vulnerabilities it identifies and how it plans to mitigate them. Finally, it requires g. A. O. To submit a report on the effectiveness of the covert Testing Program within three years of enactment. Simply put, h. R. 3469 seeks to enchance t. S. A. s capacity to identify and mitigate vulnerabilities to the security of our Transportation Systems. I urge my house colleagues to support this legislation sponsored by our beloved departed colleague, to help ensure our transportation Security Systems are as effective as they can be. With that, mr. Speaker, i reserve the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentlewoman from new york reserves. The gentleman from louisiana is recognized. Mr. Higgins thank you, mr. Speaker. I yield myself such time as i may consume. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized. Mr. Higgins mr. Speaker, i rise today in support of h. R. 3469, the covert testing and Risk Mitigation improvement act of 2019, sponsored by our late colleague, the greatly admired representative eliegea cummings. H. Elijah cummings. This responds to identified gaps in the covert testing conducted by the Transportation Security Administration on Aviation Security concerns. It is critical that our bipartisan congressional oversight be aimed at improving the security of the traveling public and the effectiveness of t. S. A. Operations. This legislation not only requires t. S. A. To develop a system for conducting riskinformed covert tests, but also holds t. S. A. Accountable for retesting and Risk Mitigation efforts. The traveling public deserves the most Effective Security and i support the efforts of h. R. 3469, to improve the publics confidence in Aviation Security. I urge my colleagues to support this bill and honor the legacy of leadership left by chairman cummings. Mr. Speaker, i reserve the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman reserves the balance of his time. The gentlewoman from new york is recognized. Ms. Clarke mr. Speaker, i have no more speakers and i am prepared to close after the gentlelady from louisiana closes the gentleman from louisiana closes. The speaker pro tempore the gentlewoman reserves the balance of her time. The gentleman is recognized. The gentleman from louisiana. Mr. Higgins mr. Speaker, id like to make the congresswoman from new york, my colleague, aware that i have no further speakers and im prepared to close. I do adopt urge adoption of the bill and i yield back the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back the balance of his time. The gentlewoman from new york is recognized. Ms. Clarke thank you, mr. Speaker. We all know that the threats to our nations transportation security are real. We also know that as the main federal Agency Responsible for the security of our Transportation System, t. S. A. Has a Critical Mission for identifying and mitigating such threats. To be effective, t. S. A. Must have a riskinformed covert testing regime that allows it to do effective oversight of its security operations. H. R. 3469 would improve t. S. A. s Testing Programs to ensure they can identify vulnerabilities to the Transportation System and properly address them to keep our nation safe. As such, i urge my colleagues to support this bipartisan legislation, h. R. 3469, and i yield back the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentlewoman yields back the balance of her time. The question is, will the house suspend the rules and pass the bill, h. R. 3469. Those in favor say aye. Those opposed, no. In the opinion of the chair, 2 3 of those voting having responded in the affirmative, the rules are suspended, the bill is passed and, without objection, the motion to reconsider is laid on the table. For what purpose does the gentlewoman from new york seek recognition . Ms. Clarke mr. Speaker, i move that the house suspend the rules and pass h. R. 5761. The speaker pro tempore the clerk will report the title of the bill. The clerk Union Calendar number 260. H. R. 4761, a bill to ensure u. S. Customs and Border Protection officers, agents and other personnel have adequate synthetic opioid detection equipment, that the department of Homeland Security has a process to update the synthetic opioid detection capability, and for other purposes. The speaker pro tempore pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from new york, ms. Clarke, and the gentleman from louisiana, mr. Higgins, each will control 20 minutes. The chair now recognizes the gentlewoman from new york, ms. Clarke. Ms. Clarke thank you, mr. Speaker. I ask unanimous consent that all members may have five legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and to include extraneous materials on this measure. Mr. Clarke the speaker pro tempore without objection. Ms. Clarke thank you, mr. Speaker. I ask unanimous consent to include an exchange of letters on this bill in the record. The speaker pro tempore without objection. Ms. Clarke thank you, mr. Speaker. I yield myself such time as i may consume. The speaker pro tempore the gentlewoman from new york is recognized. Ms. Clarke thank you once again. Every American Community in one way or another has been impacted by the Opioid Crisis. This crisis, already two decades old, continues to grow and evolve. According to the centers for Disease Control and prevention, more than 28,000 people in the United States overdosed or died from synthetic opioids in 2017 alone. Virtually all types of opioids, whether finished heroin or potent synthetic opioids such as fentanyl, cross our border through our ports of entry. Transnational criminal organizations hide elicit narcotics in legitimate crossborder cargo, making detection a significant challenge. The potency of these narcotics also varies by the method used to smuggle it in to the country. While fentanyl, we know we now know that excuse me. With fentanyl we now know that shipments coming through our International Mail system often have higher purity levels than those smuggled in cargo crossings crossing our land borders. Often the majority of fentanyl and other opioids seized at land ports of entry have a purity level of less than 10 . Making it possible to sell these drugs in our communities faster. Fighting back against this tactic requires u. S. Customs and Border Protection, c. B. P. , to have adequate Detection Technology to interdict these opioids before they reach our communities. However, in september of 2019, the department of Homeland Security, d. H. S. s office of Inspector General reported that c. B. P. Purchased technology to screen for synthetic opioids that was unable to identify fentanyl and other sympathetic opioids with purely 2012s below 10 purity levels below 10 . This bill, the d. H. S. Opioid detection resilience act of 2019, is a bipartisan bill meant to address this capability gap. It requires c. B. P. To implement a strategy to ensure its chemical screening devices can identify narcotics, including opioids, and synthetic opioids that are less than 10 in concentration. The bill also requires that c. B. P. Follow best practices and Good Government standards by testing new devices to understand their capabilities and limitations prior to deployment. Recognizing that drug traffickers change their tactics and the chemicals used as precursors, h. R. 4761 also requires d. H. S. To take steps toward developing a centralized database for chemical screening devices. This would mean that as new chemicals are identified, their specific signatures will be more readily detected by the screening devices used by c. B. P. s frontline personnel. D. H. S. Must continually adapt and stay ahead of the criminal organizations seeking to exploit our systems. An effective and enhanced detection capability is a critical tool to accomplishing that mission. I urge my house colleagues to support this legislation and i reserve the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentlewoman from new york reserves. The gentleman from louisiana is recognized. Mr. Higgins thank you, mr. Speaker. I yield myself such time as i may consume. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized, mr. Higgins. Mr. Higgins mr. Speaker, the u. S. Customs and border protect Law Enforcement officers are the first protection Law Enforcement fers officers are the first line of defense against drugs and contraband from entering our country. I walked the border with my brothers and sisters of the thin blue line and ive seen what c. B. P. Is up against. I can tell you firsthand that our cartel adversaries are ruthless and steadfast in their determination to exploit our laws and poison our communities. Transnational drug traffickers operate like a business, always looking to capitalize on products high in demand and high with profit margin. Today their focus is fentanyl. A drug 100 times more powerful than morphine. Just two milligrams is enough to be lethal. Fentanyl and its analogues are being produced mostly in china, but also increasingly in mexico. Elicit opioids enter the United States through the mail, concealed within vehicles or cargo, coming through the ports of entry, and in backpacks of cartel drug runners. Initially chinese drug traffickers were so confident that fentanyl would not be interdicted they sent stacks of it through the mail. The c. B. P. Improved, their targeting improved and cartels were forced to change their approach, sending smaller quantities and rerouting packages through Freight Forwarders in other countries to mask their point of origin. The 2018 d. E. A. Threat assessment stated that the purity level of the fentanyl coming across the land border is on average less than 10 pure. However, a recent d. H. S. Office of Inspector General report found that the c. B. P. s small scale chemical screening devices cannot identify fentanyl at purity levels of 10 or less. This is crucial. The i. G. Also found that there was no policy or centralized database in place to ensure chemical screening devices had up to date spectacular ral libraries. Essential to ensuring all analogues and new opioid forms can be detected. Thats why im pleased to see he house take up my bill, h. R. 4761, the d. H. S. Opioid detection resilience act of 2019. My bill addresses the gaps in c. B. P. s opioid Detection Capabilities by requiring the customs and Border Protection commissioner to implement a strategy to ensure chemical screening devices can identify narcotics in an operational environment with low purity levels. H. R. 4761 also requires d. H. S. To develop a centralized spectral database for chemical screening devices to ensure a unity of effort across all components they encounter when opioids cross the field. C. B. P. Works tirelessly to prevent this poison from reaching American Communities and this bill helps Law Enforcement carry out that mission. Id like to thank congresswoman clarke and congressman rogers, mccaul, king, rose, katko and joyce for signing on as original cosponsors, for their support of this important legislation. I urge a yes vote on this bill and i reserve the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman reserves the balance of his time. The gentlewoman from new york is recognized. Ms. Clarke mr. Speaker, i have no more speakers and im prepared to close after the gentleman from louisiana loses. Mr. Higgins i have no further speakers, im prefired close. I do urge adoption of the bill. The speaker pro tempore the gentlewoman reserve the gentleman from new york is recognized. Louisiana. Mr. Higgins id like to make the congresswoman aware, the gentlelady thambing i have no further speakers and im prepared to close. I do urge adoption of the bull and yield back the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from louisiana, mr. Higgins, yield back. The gentlewoman from new york is reck is is recognized. Ms. Clarke thank you, mr. Speaker. H r. 4761 is a bipartisan measure that received the full support of the committee on Homeland Security to address a capability need identified by d. H. S. Inspector generals. The d. H. S. Opioid resilience act of 2019 seeks to ensure that c. B. P. Personnel have the best, most uptodate technology to prevent opioids from brg the country and our communities. I urge passage of h. R. 4761 and i yield back the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentlewoman from york yields back. The question is will the house suspend the rules and pass the bill h. R. 4761. Those in favor say aye. Those opposed, no. In the opinion of the chair, 2 3 being in the affirmative, the rules are suspended, the bill is passed without objection, the motion to reconsider. The gentlewoman from new york. Ms. Clarke i ask for the yeas and nays. The speaker pro tempore the yeas and nays are requested. Those in favor of taking this vote by the yeas and nays will rise and remain standing until counted. A sufficient number having risen, the yeas and nays are ordered. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule 20, further proceedings on this question will be postponed. The speaker pro tempore for what purpose does the gentlewoman from new york seek recognition . Ms. Clarke mr. Speaker, i move that the house suspend the rules and pass h. R. 4739. The speaker pro tempore the clerk will report the title of the bill. The clerk Union Calendar 259, h. R. 4739, a bill to amend the Homeland Security act of 2002 to border u. S. Customs and protection agent sens synthetic opioid exposure and for other purposes. The speaker pro tempore pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from new york, ms. Clarke, and the gentleman from louisiana, mr. Higgins, each will control 20 minutes. The chair recognizes the gentlewoman from new york, ms. Clarke. Ms. Clarke thank you, mr. Speaker. I ask unanimous consent that all members have five legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on this measure. The speaker pro tempore without objection. Ms. Clarke thank you, mr. Speaker. I ask unanimous consent to include an exchange of letters in the record. The speaker pro tempore without objection. Ms. Clarke i yield myself such time as i may consume. The speaker pro tempore the gentlewoman is recognized. Ms. Clarke thank you once again, mr. Speaker. I am proud to be speaking on behalf of my bill, the synthetic opioid exposure prevention and training act. We are at a crucial time in the fight against opioids in our nation. Lethal ensive and synthetic drug now drive the addiction and overdoses that cripple and break the hearts of the neighbors and families of our communities. We must respond that changed dynamic in the ongoing Opioid Crisis with legislation targeting at reducing harm and saving lives. Most of these deadly synthetics such as fentanyl are reported into our country. This bill addresses a specific threat by seeking to eliminate the risk of accidental exposure to syntheticers in workers screening package and cargo entering our country. Much of this screen og curs only a few miles from the neighborhoods i represent in new yorks sea port and at the j. F. K. Airport International Mail facility. The largest mail screening facility in america, where every day, we are finding fentanyl hidden in packages from places like china. But whether cargo and packages are screened by c. B. P. Personnel nearly district or thousands of miles away, this bill is directly relevant to the lives of my constituents where unfortunately these dangerous manufactured illegal substance get distribute through the communities like mine. This is of course true for every District Across this country. The universal threat posed by synthetic opioids is reflected by my democratic and republican colleagues joining together as cosponsors of this bill. Im grateful for their support and hope that we can continue to fight the opioid vie us crisis as a united and determined legislative body. While theres much left to do on this front, h. R. 4739 takes crucial step toward enhancing our ability to shut down the importation of synthetic opioids. It requires that training for c. B. P. Personnel be regularly reviewed and updated to respond to the developing threat environment. This includes making sure workers know how to properly handle synthetic opioids and how to administer the reversal drug which can save lives if accidental exposure occurs. Furthermoring, my bill requires c. B. P. To ensure that these reversal drugs are on hand at facilities where opioid screening happenings. Happens. Fentanyl, according to the c. D. C. Is up to 100 times more potent that are monofear on even heroin. Even the smallest dose can kill unless drugs like naloxone are available and quickly administered. If the workers screening packages for substances like fentanyl dont have the tools they need to be confident they can do their job safely, more of these deadly opioids will make their way into our communities and more family will be added to the Opioid Crisis list of victims. I ask each of my colleagues to support this bipartisan bill. E synthetic opioid expo sure prevpk and training act. Thank you and i reserve. The speaker pro tempore the gentlewoman from new york reserves. The gentleman from louisiana is recognized. Mr. Higgins i yield myself such tomb as i may consume. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized. R. Higgins i support h. R. 4739. The Opioid Epidemic continues to wreak havoc on people across the nation. It touches those from every age group, class, gender and background. Parents are losing children, children are losing parents, its devastating. Illegally manufactured opioids from china and mexico are pouring into the United States through our mail system and across our borders. The first line of defense against these ill list sub stabses is the brave men and women of customs and Border Protection. They work tirelessly every day to protect us and we must make sure that they have the equipment and training that they need to do it safely. The safe handling of opioids by c. B. P. Law enforcement officers is crucial as just two milligrams can be lethal. H. R. 4739 requires the commissioner of c. B. P. To establish and regularly update a policy for the safe handling of synthetic opioids by officers, agents, canines and other personnel. The bill also requires that protective equipment and opioid receptor antagonist be made available for all relevant c. B. P. Employees and canines. When it comes to officer safety, we should never consider ourselves too careful. I encourage my colleagues to support this bill and i reserve the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman reserves. The gentlewoman from new york is recognized. Ms. Clarke i have no more speakers, im prepared to close after the gentleman from louisiana closes. The speaker pro tempore the gentlewoman reserves. The gentleman from louisiana is recognized. Mr. Higgins mr. Speaker, id like to make the congresswoman aware theyve no further speakers. Im prepared to close. I do urge the adoption of the bill and i yield back the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back the balance of his time. The gentlewoman from new york is recognized. Ms. Clarke thank you, mr. Speaker. Transnational criminal organizations are constantly developing new forms of synthetic opioids and new meths for smuggle theeg smuggling these drug intures country to combat such activity, Congress Must ensure that c. B. P. Officers serving on the frontlines are protected from accidental exposure. This bill is one step of many that must be take ton slow the Opioid Crisis and end the devastation brought to your communities by this epidemic. By protect egg the c. B. P. Officers and agents who operate as our frontline defenders against the importation of synthetics, this bill ensures they will remain safe and equipped to respond to the constantly changing threat posed by synthetic opioids. I urge my colleagues to support h. R. 43 4739 and yelled back the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentlewoman yields back the balance of he time. The question is, quill the house suspend the rules and pass h. R. 4739. Those in favor say aye. Those opposed, no. In the opinion of the chair, 2 3 being in the affirmative ms. Clarke mr. Speaker. I ask for the yeas an nays. The speaker pro tempore the yeas and nays are requested. Those in favor of taking this vote by the yeas and nays will rise and remain standing until counted. A sufficient number having risen, the yeas and nays are ordered. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule 20, further proceedings on this uestion will be postponed. For what purpose does the gentlewoman from michigan seek recognition . Mr. Speaker, i move that the house suspend the rules and has h. R. 4727. The speaker pro tempore the clerk will report the title of the bill. The clerk Union Calendar 251, h. R. 4727, a bill to amend the Homeland Security act of 2002 to establish a mentorprotege program and for other purposes. The speaker pro tempore pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from michigan, ms. Slotkin, and the gentleman from louisiana, mr. Higgins, each minutes. Rol 20 ms. Slotkin i ask unanimous consent that all members have five legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on this measure. The speaker pro tempore without objection. Ms. Slotkin thank you. I yield myself such time as i may consume. The speaker pro tempore the gentlewoman is recognized. Ms. Slotkin i rise in strong support of h. R. 4727, the department of Homeland Security Mentor Protege Program act of 2019. Since the very earliest days of the department of Homeland Security its operated as a mentor it has operated a mentorprotege program to encourage Large Businesses to help Small Businesses build their capacity to compete for government contracts. However this Important Program was never codified into law. H. R. 4727 not only authorizes the existing program but improves it. Small businesses, including women, veteran, and minorityowned firms, are the backbone of our economy but far too often complex federal contracting requirements shut them out of the federal marketplace. Building and sustaining reliable school of Small Business venn tores is critical to ensuring that deform h. S. And their everevolving contracting needs are met and americas security is enhanced. H. R. 4727 seeks to build and sustain this pool by incentivizing Large Businesses to provide technical, managerial, and Financial Assistance and subcontracting opportunities to Small Businesses. This bill requires participating businesses to commit to a mentorprotege relationship for three years to help establish longterm relationships between large and small contractors. Additionally, to ensure that congress can monitor the effectiveness of the program in an ongoing way, it requires d. H. S. To annually report on the Program Participation and the benefits conferred upon Small Businesses. Enact. Of h. R. 4727 will ensure the continued and lasting success of the mentor mentor protege mentorprotege policeman. I urge my colleague colleagues to pass this commonsense legislation and reserve the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentlewoman reserves. The gentleman from louisiana is recognized. Mr. Higgins thank you, mr. Speaker. I yield myself such time as i may consume. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized. Mr. High gins i rise in support of h. R. 4727, the department of Homeland Security mentorprotege program act of 2019. The department of Homeland Security has an Important Mission to protect this nation but they cannot do it on their own. For many functions, d. H. S. Relies on contractors to get the job done. R. 4727 would expand the contractor pool d. H. S. Relies on by creating a mentorprotege program to help Small Businesses grow their technical capabilities. I support the legislation and the creation of this program at d. H. S. Program, nder the larger contractors would develop agreements with smaller firms to provide assistance and potentially involve the smaller irm in d. H. S. Contracts at the subcontractor level. To provide transparency in this program the office of small and disadvantaged business utilization will report annually to congress this will allow us to evaluate the benefit of this program and its progress in developing the contractor base. Id like to thank representative eachin for introducing h. R. 4727 and his work to develop Small Businesses that contract for d. H. S. I urge my colleagues to support this bill and reserve the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the speaker pro tempore the gentleman reserves the balance of his time. The gentlewoman from michigan. Mr. Speaker, i have no more speakers and im prepared to close after the gentleman from louisiana closes. Mr. Higgins mr. Speaker, id like to make the congresswoman aware that i have no further speakers and im also prepared to close. I do urge the adoption of the bill and i yield back the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from louisiana yields back. The gentlewoman from michigan is recognized. Ms. Slotkin mr. Speaker, formally authorizing the department of Homeland Securitys mentorprotege program will ensure the continued success of the small important Small Business program. D. H. S. Is to be commended from its earliest days forsetting this program up. I thank the gentleman for setting this program up. I thank the gentleman from virginia for introducing this bill, to help grow partnerships between Small Businesses and d. H. S. And with that, i urge my colleagues to support h. R. 4727. I yield back the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentlewoman yields back the balance of her time. The question is, will the house suspend the rules and pass the bill, h. R. 4727. Those in favor say aye. Those opposed, no. In the opinion of the chair, 2 3 of those voting having responded in the affirmative, the rules are suspended, the bill is passed and, without objection, the motion to reconsider is laid on the table. For what purpose does the gentlewoman from michigan seek recognition . Ms. Slotkin mr. Speaker, i move that the house suspend the rules and pass h. R. 3318, as amended. The speaker pro tempore the clerk will report the title of the bill. The clerk Union Calendar number 153. H. R. 3318. A bill to require the Transportation Security Administration to establish a task force to conduct an analysis of emerging and potential future threats to transportation security and for other purposes. The speaker pro tempore pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from michigan, ms. Slotkin, and the gentleman from louisiana, mr. Higgins, each will control 20 minutes. Chair now recognizes the gentlewoman from michigan. Ms. Slotkin thank you ks o, mr. Speaker. I thank you, mr. Speaker. I ask unanimous consent that all members have five legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on this measure. The speaker pro tempore without objection. Ms. Slotkin thank you, mr. Speaker. I yield myself such time as i may consume. I rise today to support h. R. 3318, the emerging transportation security threats act of 2019. Millions of people travel every day and rely on a secure Transportation System to get them to their destinations safely. Terrorists and other nefarious actors are constantly looking for new ways to attack and disruption our nations Transportation Systems. All it takes is one successful attack for the public to lose confidence in the system as a whole. We must ensure that our Security Systems remain one step ahead of nefarious actors and that all entities responsible for transportation security are collaborating and sharing information in an effective manner to help prevent an attack. This bill is a good step in this direction. Importantly, it requires the t. S. A. , in consultation with the Intelligence Community and other relevant federal agencies, to establish a task force to analyze emerging and future threats to transportation security. Having individuals from across the federal government Work Together to assess emerging threats will help promote collaboration and efficiency across agencies. After the analysis is complete, h. R. 3318 requires t. S. A. To develop a threat Mitigation Strategy for each threat the task force identifies. These mitigation strategies will be important tools for t. S. A. As they consider how to best prevent potential threats from occurring. Finally, the bill requires the Government Accountability office to conduct a review to determine the cost and benefits of conducting screenings prior to passenger arrival at an airport terminal. Mr. Speaker, we must do all we can to prevent an attack on our Transportation Systems. This bill promotes collaboration to put our security agencies in a better position to identify and mitigate threats. With that, i urge my house colleagues to support this legislation and i reserve the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentlewoman from michigan reserves. The gentleman from louisiana is recognized. Mr. Higgins thank you, mr. Speaker. I yield myself such time as i may consume. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized. Mr. Higgins i rise today in support of h. R. 3318, the emerging transportation security threats act of 2019. Sponsored by my good friend and colleague, the gentleman from pennsylvania, representative joyce. This legislation establishes a task force aimed at improving the security of the traveling public by bringing together relevant federal authorities and transportation security stakeholders. The task force established by this legislation will look at emerging and potential future threats to transportation security from a number of threat vectorers, including cybersecurity, explosives, public Area Security and evolving terrorist tactics. This bill also directs the administrator of the t. S. A. To develop relevant threat mitigation plans in close coordination with transportation security stakeholders and appropriate federal agencies. I thank the gentleman from pennsylvania for his leadership on this issue. I urge my colleagues to support this bill. And i reserve the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman reserves the balance of his time. The gentlewoman from michigan is recognized. Ms. Slotkin mr. Speaker, i have no more speakers and im prepared to close after the gentleman from louisiana closes. The speaker pro tempore the gentlewoman reserves the balance of her time. The gentleman from louisiana is recognized. Mr. Higgins mr. Speaker, i yield three minutes to the gentleman from pennsylvania, mr. Joyce. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from pennsylvania is recognized. Mr. Joyce thank you, mr. Speaker. I rise today in support of my bill, h. R. 3318, the emerging transportation security threats act of 2019. This legislation will ensure that Homeland Security is forwardlooking in regard to their threats facing americas Transportation Systems. My district, pennsylvanias 13th, is home to the flight 93 memorial in somerset county, which serves as a stark reminder of the heroism of ordinary americans and why as a congress we must act to protect our nation against threats to the homeland. Oftentimes the Transportation Security Administration faces criticism from congress, stakeholders and the traveling public that the agency is too reactionary to evolving threats and no proactive enough in mitigating emerging threats to transportation. H. R. 3318 seeks to improve collaboration among the t. S. A. , the Intelligence Community, other federal agencies and transportation security stakeholders by creating a task force to conduct an analysis of emerging threats to transportation security. Once established, this task force will examine threats posed by evolving terrorist tactics, explosive devices, chemical and biologic agents, cyber actors, Unmanned Aerial Systems and inadequate information sharing, among other security challenges. For each threat examined by the task force, established by this legislation, the t. S. A. Is directed to develop a Mitigation Strategy to protect the traveling public and identifying needed security enhancements. This bill ensures that each of these efforts will include close collaboration with transportation stakeholders on the development of security strategies, improved information sharing practices and regular interactions with senior t. S. A. Leadership on security matters. Finally, this legislation requires the Government Accountability office to conduct a review ensuring that t. S. A. Effectively implements the bills requirements. Thank you to the gentleman from louisiana, clay higgins, for his support of this bill, and for working to bring it to the floor today. I urge all of my colleagues to support this legislation and i yield back the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from pennsylvania yields back the balance of his time. The gentleman from louisiana is recognized. Mr. Higgins mr. Speaker, id like to make the congresswoman aware i have no further speakers and im prepared to close. Ms. Slotkin thank you, mr. Speaker. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from louisiana is recognized. Mr. Higgins mr. Speaker, i urge adoption of the bill and i yield back the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from louisiana yields back the balance of his time. The gentlewoman from michigan is recognized. Ms. Slotkin apologies, mr. Speaker. Securing our nations Transportation Systems from successful attack requires the collaboration of all stakeholders responsible for transportation security. I thank the gentleman from pennsylvania, mr. Joyce, for bringing this legislation forward, and urge passage of h. R. 3318. I yield back the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentlewoman from michigan yields back the balance of her time. The question is, will the house suspend the rules and pass the bill, h. R. 3318, as amended. Those in favor say aye. Those opposed, no. In the opinion of the chair, 2 3 of those voting having responded in the affirmative, the rules are suspended, the bill is passed and, without objection, the motion to reconsider is laid on the table. For what purpose does the gentlewoman from michigan seek recognition . Ms. Slotkin mr. Speaker, i move that the house suspend the rules and pass h. R. 4713, as amended. The speaker pro tempore the clerk will report the title of the bill. The clerk h. R. 4713. A bill to amend the Homeland Security act of 2002, to make certain improvements in the office for civil rights and Civil Liberties of the department of Homeland Security and for other purposes. The speaker pro tempore pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from michigan, ms. Slotkin, and the gentleman from louisiana, mr. Higgins, each will control 20 minutes. The chair now recognizes the gentlewoman from michigan. Ms. Slotkin thank you, mr. Speaker. I ask unanimous consent that all members may have five legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and to include extraneous material on this measure. The speaker pro tempore without objection. Ms. Slotkin thank you, mr. Speaker. I yield myself such time as i may consume. The speaker pro tempore the gentlewoman is recognized. Ms. Slotkin thank you, mr. Speaker. I rise today in strong support of h. R. 4713, the department of Homeland Security Office Civil Rights and Civil Liberties authorization act. The department of Homeland Securitys office for civil rights and Civil Liberties act, which ill call crcl, is the primary office responsible for integrating civil rights and Civil Liberties protections into d. H. S. Policies, programs and procedures. Every day d. H. S. Personnel interact with millions of people from across the country and around the world. For this reason, it is imperative that the departments crcl officer has the authority to ensure that d. H. S. Pursues policies and programs that are in line with constitutionally protected civil rights and Civil Liberties. Under current law, the crcl officer is authorized to assist the leaders throughout the department in appropriately incorporating civil rights and Civil Liberties in d. H. S. Policies and procedures. However, there have been instances where crcl was not afforded the opportunity to weigh in on d. H. S. Programs and policies that clearly impact individuals and communities civil rights and Civil Liberties. Its been reported that crcl was not consulted when the Trump Administration instituted the family separation policy at the southern border. Its also been reported that the office has not consulted prior to the january, 2017, travel ban that barred individuals from muslim majority countries from entering the United States. The bill before us today seeks to ensure that crcl has a seat at the table when new programs and policies are being considered within d. H. S. H. R. 4713, which was introduced by the gentleman from texas, mr. Green, promotes the involvement of crcl early in the policymaking process, and ensures the office is empowered when necessary to prevent d. H. S. From pursuing policies that violate individuals civil rights and Civil Liberties. To strengthen the integration of civil rights and Civil Liberties across the department, h. R. 4713 requires the designation of crcl officers within each d. H. S. Component. Additionally, h. R. 4713 would confer the crcl officer the same authorities that currently rest with the d. H. S. Privacy officer to carry out its responsibilities. For instance, today d. H. S. Components are not required to provide information to the crcl officer that may be needed for a Civil Liberties investigation. Under h. R. 4713, the crcl officer would have the authority to assess all Department Records necessary to carry out its work, including investigations. The crcl officer would also have the authority, with the support of the d. H. S. Secretary, to subpoena nonfederal entities to acquire information, documents, reports and other materials necessary to carry out crcl investigations. Lastly, bill would increase transparency and accountability the bill would increase transparency and accountability within the department. It would make crcl more responsive and accessible to members of the public who file complaints by requiring the office to provide individuals with notices of receipt within 30 days of a complaint. The bill also requires crcl to make publicly available its reports and reviews of departments programs and submit those reports to congress. We know that the crcl does important work and that case slowed growing. This year alone the office reviewed d. H. S. Policies relating to the humanitarian crisis at the border, Disaster Assistance and a departmentwide antiharassment policy. Just to name a few. Given Congress Strong interest in the work of the departments crcl officer, its troubling that the last annual report that we have received here in congress was for fiscal year 2017. Increased public reporting will allow us to Work Together to improve accountability at the department. I appreciate that the committee on Homeland Security came together on a bipartisan basis to support this measure and i urge my colleagues to do the same. With that, i reserve the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentlewoman from michigan reserves the balance of her time. The gentleman from louisiana, mr. Higgins, is recognized. Mr. Higgins thank you, mr. Speaker. I yield myself such time as i may consume. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognizes is recognized. Mr. Higgins i rise today in support of h. R. 4713, the department of Homeland Security office of civil rights and Civil Liberties authorization act. Mr. Speaker, this legislation will give the department of Homeland Securitys office of civil rights and Civil Liberties more tools to conduct its investigations. The bill does not significantly broaden the authority of crcl, its intended to grant crcl the authorities necessary to conduct meaningful inquiries into allegations of abuse of civil rights and Civil Liberties within d. H. S. The bill outlines mechanisms to ensure theres coordination with other entities at d. H. S. Who conduct investigations of vileses of civil rights. D. H. S. Already has numerous officers engaged in investigating such violations and we want to ensure that the is authority granted to crcl not used to engage in duplicitous activities. H. R. 4713 also grants crcl act stose d. H. S. Documents on programs and operations, provides it with subpoena powers and the authority to administer an oath or take an affidavit. These authorities should be exercised only in the rarest of circumstances and only after approval by the secretary. D. H. S. And its components should view cooperation with crcl has standard operate yog procedure and provide relevant documents when requested. However it utilizes the authority provided, crcl must also respect generally accepted exceptions to document production. Finally the bill requires the issuance of a report after an investigation. Though not required, i expect crcl to seek the guidance of the secretary and the components whenever possible during an innovation ensure that it is conducted in a fair and exquit equitable manner. We have made changes to the bill at the quoff d. H. S. To the extent that d. H. S. Continues to have concerns, i encourage the majority to work with the department as this bill moves through the senate, to address outstanding issues. Mr. Speaker, i support this bill and i reserve the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman reserves the balance of his time. The gentleman from the yom from michigan is recognized. Ms. Slotkin i yield three minutes to the gentleman from texas, mr. Green. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized for three minutes. Mr. Green thank you, mr. Speaker. I thank the gentlelady as well for yielding the time and for her Outstanding Service as a member of this august body. Id also like to thank my friend from louisianaing, my home state, for his outstanding presentation as it relates to this piece of legislation. Seated next to you is our dear friend who is cosponsoring this piece of legislation, mr. Taylor. Mr. Taylor, i thank you for all youve done to bring this to fruition. And of course we could not do this without saying a word about the chairperson of the full committee, mr. Thompson. I want to thank him for not only bringing this legislation to my attention but also allowing it to get to the floor such that we might have this opportunity for passage. Id like to address immediately the concern that my friend raised about this piece of legislation not being perfect and i confess that it isnt. I do think its good legislation but i want to allay any consternation you may have. I want you to know that i have already spoken to staff and have agreed that we should be flexible in trying to work to make sure that what we present to the senate, what we ultimately get from the senate, will be something that we can all agree to, just as weve been table bring this to the floor now with bipartisan support. Id like to see bicameral support and continue this bipartisan relationship. I think its an. Imperative for us if were going to do this in an effective way. One thing to talk about very briefly, and that of course is the subpoena power. I thinks that thing that some people are afraid might somehow be abused. Im concerned, i believe that this type of authority should be handled with the greatest degree of sensitivity. And would pledge to you to do all we can to make sure that as we move forward that level of sensitivity is something we embrace in a holistic way so that all parties concerned will ultimately conclude that weve come up with the perfect formula to get to the president for his signature. Id like to say this finally. This piece of legislation is something that i think is sorely needed. What it does is it will confer upon the crcl officer the same authorities greated to d. H. S. Privacy officers, thats level of authority is something i believe will be of great benefit to the department and the people that the department will embrace by way of its services. I thank my friends and colleagues. I am going to be as pithy as i can be and say aknown what has been said and i yield back the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back. The gentlewoman from michigan reserves. The gentleman from louisiana is recognized. Mr. Higgins i yield three minutes to the gentleman from texas, mr. Friend, mr. Taylor. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from texas is recognized for three minutes. Mr. Taylor. Mr. Taylor thank you, mr. Speaker. I want to thank my colleague from texas ninth district for his work on this piece of legislation. I rise in support of h. R. 4713, the department of Homeland Security office of civil rights and Civil Liberties authorization act. Every day, billions of americans interact with officials and representatives of the department of Homeland Security. Most frequently at airports across the country. In fact they are Transportation Security Administration screens approximately 2. 2 million passengers every single day. Last year, t. S. A. Screened over 813 million individuals. With more than 240,000 dedicated d. H. S. Employees working hard every sing dale and i mean every single day, they do not take a day off, at the department of Homeland Security, they are keeping our nation safe. Theres no doubt that this is a massive undertaking. And we must work to ensure the civil rights and libber toifs every single american are upheld by the department of Homeland Security. H. R. 4713, the bill before us today, safe gards the civil rights of americans by increasing accountability and transparency. Just as the dedicated men and women who work to protect our homeland ensure the Constitutional Rights of all americans are protected, its critically important for us to maintain a free society. Increasing transparency and accountability is not a partisan issue. I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of h. R. 4713. I yield back the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from texas yields back the balance of his time. The gentleman from louisiana reserves. The gentlewoman from michigan is recognized. Ms. Slotkin i have no more speakers and im prepared to close after the gentleman closes. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized. Mr. Higgins i would like to make the yom aware that i have no further speakers and im prepared to close. I urge adoption of the bill and yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back. The gentlewoman is recognized. Ms. Slotkin i would be remiss if i didnt take a half second to urge the department of Homeland Security in crafting their budget request for next crcl e to adequately fund so they can cotheir work. I yield back the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the question is will the house suspend the rules and pass h. R. 4713 as amended. Those in favor say aye. Those opposed, no. In the opinion of the chair 2 3 being in the affirmative, the rules are suspended this ebill is passed and without objection the motion to reconsider is laid n the table. For what purpose does the gentlewoman from michigan seek recognition . Ms. Slotkin i move that the house suspend the rules and pass h. R. 4402. The speaker pro tempore the clerk will report the title of the bill. The clerk Union Calendar 241, h. R. 4402, a bill to require the secretary of Homeland Security to conduct an inland waters threat analysis and for other purposes. The speaker pro tempore the gentlewoman from michigan, ms. Slotkin, and the gentleman from louisiana, mr. Higgins, each will control 20 minutes. The chair recognizes the gentlewoman from michigan. Ms. Slotkin i ask unanimous consent that all members have five legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the measure. The speaker pro tempore without objection. Ms. Slotkin i yield myself such time as i may consume. The speaker pro tempore the gentlewoman is recognized. Ms. Slotkin i rise in support of h. R. 440 , the inland waters security review act. Maritime is an integral part of our Homeland Security however most studies have focused on risks on the high seas or coastal areas. S in the u. S. We have inland waterways that present massive security challenges. Mileshigan we have 88,000 only to ne, second alaska. As a michigander who came to congress to protect the great lakes im pleased to support this legislation which thrires department of Homeland Security to take a good, hard look at security threats to these vital waterways, specifically h. R. 4402 would require d. H. S. To submit anage sthoifs current and potential terrorism and criminal threats as well as security challenges with respect to our nations inland waters. In producing this assessment, d. H. S. Must consider tech knoll, personnel, law enforments cooperation, publicprivate partnerships and challenges posted by posed by geography. This will provide congress and the public with Vital Information regarding the threats facing our inland waters. Im pleased to be an original cosponsor of h. R. 440 , a bipartisan bill that was reported out of committee by unanimous consent. I thank my colleague on the Homeland Security committee, ms. Lesko, for her leadership on this bill. With that i urge my house colleagues to support the legislation and reserve the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentlewoman reserves. The gentleman from louisiana is recognized. Mr. Higgins thank you, mr. Speaker, i yield myself such time as i may consume. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized. Mr. Higgins i rise in support h. R. 4402, the inland waterways security act, sponsored by the my friend and colleague, representative debbie lesko. H. R. 4402 will improve the awareness of the department of Homeland Security and the United States coast bard for threats and vulnerabilities on americas inland water systems. These important arteries for commerce face unique challenges relating to Illegal Drugs and smuggling. Its important that the coast guard continues to work diligently with relevant stake holders to address these challenges. This legislation would also ensure that federal authorities are working in Close Partnership with their state, local, tribal, territorial, and private sector partners to identify and address Security Issues related to americas inland waters. I thank representative lesko for her leadership on this bipartisan legislation. I urge my colleagues to support the bill and i reserve the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman reserves. The gentlewoman from michigan is recognized. Ms. Slotkin i have no speakers, im prepared to close after the gentleman closes. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized. Mr. Higgins i would like to make the congresswoman aware that i have no further speakers and im prepared to close. I urge adoption of the bill and yield back the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back. The gentlewoman is recognized. Ms. Slot kin thank you, mr. Speaker. America is home to over three million miles of lakes, rivers, and streams including 25,000 miles of navigable waters. Its important that we have a complete view of the threats these inland waterways face and h. R. 4402 would ensure that the speaker pro tempore the question is will the house suspend the rules and pass the bill h. R. 4402. Those in favor say aye. Those opposed, no. In the opinion of the chair, 2 3 being in the affirmative, the rules are suspended, the bill is passed, and without objection the motion to reconsider is lid on the table. For what purpose does the gentlewoman from michigan seek recognition . Ms. Slotkin i move that the house suspend the rules and pass h. R. 3669. The speaker pro tempore the clerk will report the of the lil. The clerk Union Calendar 249, h. R. 3669, a bill to require the department of Homeland Security conduct a test about infrastructure in old weather. The speaker pro tempore the chair recognizes the yom from michigan. Ms. Slotkin i ask unanimous consent that all members have five legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on this measure. The speaker pro tempore without objection. Mrs. Lesko thank you, mr. Speaker. I yield myself such time as i ms. Slotkin i yield myself such time as i may consume. The speaker pro tempore the yom is recognized. S. Slotkin this is the winter act. Terrorism is a persistent threat to the United States. We need to be prepared to confront terrorism in all situations. Even during extreme weather events. As Climate Change continues to change weather patterns, extreme winter storms will become more common. The effects of Climate Change produce more snowfall in winter storms as a warmer planet evap evaporates more water in the atmosphere and that means heavier snowfall and worse storms. Given what we know we must make sure were prepared to act if a terrorist attack were to take place in an extreme cold event. This is why i introduced h. R. 3669, the winter act. In recent years the nation has experienced several extreme cold weather events such as the polar vortex in the wint over 2019. This one was very specific and personal to the state of michigan. Last winter, in my state, temperatures reached as low as negative 43 degrees fahrenheit during the polar vortex. During that time, we had a fire, an accidental fire, at one of our gas facility, causing it to shut down and resulting in a gas shortage in our state. As a result our governor had to go on television and ask all michiganders to turn down their thermostats below 65 degrees to ensure we didnt lose power across the state and were table keep our warming stations, hospitals, and homeless shelters open. The danger that results from cold weather arent unique to michigan. Across the u. S. , over 6,000 people died if hypothermia or exposure to cold between 2006 and 2010, equating to over 1,000 death pers year. Infrastructure and Emergency Services are critical and any disruption poses a serious to the health and safety of americans in the affected area. Last winters events made me a critical e had fwras attack in the infrastructure attack in the iddle of winter, particularly in places in the northern half of the country, we would be extremely vulnerable. Chooses to amplify the deadly impacts of an attack, our elderly, our families and First Responders could be put in most danger. This bipartisan bill directs the department of Homeland Security to develop and conduct a terrorism Training Exercise that of a ses the effects successful terrorist attack on Critical Infrastructure during weather. Old this exercise will help determine the best way for emergency managers, state and officials, and Community Stakeholders to mitigate the attack and uch an help keep people safe. Mr. Speaker, this is an important bill. To support lleagues it, and i reserve the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentlewoman reserves the balance time. The gentleman from louisiana is recognized. Mr. Higgins mr. Speaker, i yield myself such time as i may consume. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized. In higgins i rise today upport of h. R. 3669, the weatherizing infrastructure in the north and terrorism emergency readiness act, the of 2019. T this legislation seeks to better osition the United States government and relevant state, local, and private sector gencies to be able to respond to a terrorist attack during an weather event. Xtreme weather event, such as the polar vortex, has the potential to severely impact our criticales, damage our infrastructure, and leave america incredibly vulnerable to attacks. H. R. 3669 requires the secretary to develop security and conduct an exercise to respond to terrorism during weather events. The bill also requires the ecretary to produce an afteraction report to congress. Presenting the findings of the and plans for quickly incorporating those lessons operations ofture the department. As the threat of terrorism evolve, we must be prepared to respond to any scenario. I thank the gentlewoman from michigan for her leadership on this bill. Join me inmembers to supporting the bill, and i reserve the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman reserves the balance his time. The gentlewoman is recognized. Ms. Slotkin mr. Speaker, i have more speakers, and i am prepared to close after the gentleman from louisiana closes. The speaker pro tempore the gentlewoman reserves. The gentleman from louisiana is recognized. Mr. Higgins mr. Speaker, id like the congresswoman be aware speakers,ve no further and i am prepared to close. I urge adoption of the bill, and yield back the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back the balance of his time. The gentlewoman from michigan is recognized. S. Slotkin thank you, mr. Speaker. The passage of the winter act would ensure that the department of Homeland Security is doing to improve preparedness and response to terrorism in the event of extreme cold. That i ask my colleagues to support h. R. 3669. Is coming and i yield back the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentlewoman yields back the time. E of her the question is will the house suspend the rules and pass the bill h. R. 3669. Aye. In favor say those opposed, no. In the opinion of the chair, 2 3 having responded in the are mative, the rules suspended, the bill is passed, and without objection the motion to reconsider is laid on the table. The speaker pro tempore for what purpose does the gentleman from arizona seek recognition . Mr. Grijalva thank you, mr. Speaker. I move to suspend the rules and the Esther Martinez native Languages Program act. Thorization the speaker pro tempore the clerk will report the title of the bill. The clerk senate 256, an act to native American Programs act of 1974 to provide and reauthorization to ensure the survival and vitality of native american languages. The speaker pro tempore pursuant to the rule, the mr. Eman from arizona, grijalva, and the gentleman from south carolina, mr. Johnson, control south dakota each will control 20 mi the chair recognizes the gentleman from arizona. Mr. Grijalva thank you, mr. Speaker. And i ask unanimous consent that all members may have five legislative days to revise and and to heir remarks extraneous material on the measure under consideration. The speaker pro tempore without objection. Mr. Speaker, i yield myself such time as i may consume. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized. Thank you, mr. Speaker. I rise today to urge my s. 256, s to support the Esther Martinez native language programs reauthorization act. The United States has the support ility to Indigenous People in this country. The survival of indigenous fundamentalguage is to the success of native communities and the survival of cultures. Al native the history of the United States tells us about the deliberate eliminate indigenous eoples languages and cultures through boarding school forced have ance, treaties that not been honored, and promises not kept. Unesco, 74 native languages stem to disappear within the next decade. Project only 20 native languages will be spoken by the year 2050. Lynn g. I. Sic and lynn linguist tool will be dying. This bill is known for esther helping revitalize her peoples language. Emergs er martinez programs are successful in revitalizing native languages to inthe istinguished gentleman from anies indigenous communities, alaskan native. Empowered native language s to have emergs programs and improving and improving ms language based on traditional beliefs in subject areas that obviously include language, mathematics, science, studies. L Esther Martinez grants also upports childrens books in native languages that the language t of assessment tools and support regular use of native language at home. Dren importantly, they also provide funding to train native language the language e curriculum developed by the tribe and or school. Link between language and identity for native people is essential in the evelopment of successful students and communities. These language programs have to be the best model for developing fluent speakers and successful students. 256 reauthorizes the Esther Martinez program for 13 million aually, in annually, increases the duration of the enrollees nt and needed to qualify for a grant. The survival of the native language is fundamental to the communities tive and the survival of traditional native cultures. Would like to thank my colleagues, representative lujan and senator udall for leading support of the representative haaland and i s. E my colleagues to support 256, the Esther Martinez native American Program act. Thorization mr. Speaker, i reserve the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the reserves from arizona the balance of his time. The gentleman from south dakota, recognized. Is mr. Johnson mr. Speaker, i yield myself such time as i may consume. Relatives. My im honored to join the hairman, my colleague from arizona, to usher this important legislation through the house in the senate. Now south dakota and arizona both have rich native american and we are culture here tonight to celebrate, to to sustain yes, that culture. The Esther Martinez may tiff languages act was friend,ed in 2016 by my Heather Heather wilson, who was a congresswoman from new before she moved to south dakota. Reauthorization this reauthorization of her bill will empower native American Teaching continue languages like lakota and dakota to future generations. Let there be no mistake, there for this work. D fewer than 1 of lakota and native americans are fluent in either of those languages. Just 2,000 here are lakota and dakota fluent world. S in the were losing those speakers too age. Ly because of old and their ranks have declined by years. The last 15 unfortunately, it is not just lakota and dakota that are threatened. There are 175 native languages today, in this country and there are estimates that 30 years from now, fewer than 20 spoken. Why does this matter . Why do we care . We gathered here tonight for such a just cause . And its because, mr. Speaker, all know, language is the lifeblood of culture. Language opens a doorway for all f us, a doorway into understanding of peoples, and their past nding of and maybe, most interestingly, understanding their future. Is powerful incite. Now insight. Lakota native e, language people may say we are related, but this, to me, is of most fascinating part this, mr. Speaker. You wouldnt just say that when ou are around people with whom you are related. You would say that in a broader to demonstrate an interconnectedness, part of a have family that we similar values and dreams and fears. Human condition. English doesnt quite have a phrase like that. Fact that lakota does tells s a lot about the lakota people. This program, these dollars are indian n impact in country. For years, lakota was, along with dozens of other native languages, designated as threatened. Its status was recently changed to a reawakening language. That is an acknowledgment that this program,d by projects that are working today n communities in south dakota, like eagle buke, and porcupine, they are making a difference. Mr. Speaker, i would say o. Ama, yal speaker. , mr. I reserve. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from arizona is recognized. Mr. Grijalva thank you, mr. Speaker. My pleasure to yield five minutes to the gentleman from this xico, be a leader in effort on this legislation, mr. Lujan. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from new mexico, mr. Lujan, is recognized. Mr. Lujan thank you, mr. Speaker. In strong support of the Esther Martinez native programs anguages reauthorization act. With the passage of this egislation, congress has made monumental progress to affirm native communities honoring speaking the by languages gifted to them by their creator. Recognize the only existing federal native language programs. Grant these programs give our First Americans crucial support to languages from extinction. Historic moment, a blessing, and i want to offer thanks to the people who made achievement possible. We owe our deepest gratitude to who ensured ez spoken across new mexico. Her passion for her culture and brought uss what has together today. To the educators who work every languages re native are here for future generations, thank you. I want to thank my colleague, senator tom jew dal, who has made these programs a priority for more than a decade and and ensured passage in the senate. I want to thank chairman grijalva for his leadership on behalf of tribes and native people and im gratefulful grateful for my colleagues, congresswoman haaland, torres all, gabbard, and chairman scott, to ensure that this legislation had its day on the house floomple i want to thank and recognize the pueblo, apay hee and navajo leaders aa apache, and navajo leaders in the gallery today. Im proud to celebrate the legacy ofest ter martinez and the pueblo share twhed world. New mexico boasts 23 native nations and indigenous language groups found nowhere else on earth. Ester martinez dedicated her taiwao the tairw torse language. As a child whose first language ms. Martinez attended a boarding school where nearly everything that made her pueblo was banned, including her lang wamming. Her experience is not unique. Generations of native families had their children torn from their arms, bound for schools that forced english and western education on native students. Despite living thru a period of overt racism with federal policies aimed at exterminating te i culture, ms. Martinez defied the odds by returning to her home and raising her family and children to seek the native dialect and went on to each many more as a linguist a schoolteacher. As director of bilingual education for her pueblo, cher legacy lives on in the sounds of taiwa being spoken in their community. Her sons and daughter are raising their children and grandchildren with taiwa in their homes. Her daughter mercedes is regular attendee at adult language classes taught by one ofester martinezs protoinjuries. Her grandson, former Lieutenant Governor mar matthew martinez, advances his culture at the Santa Fe Museum of indian art and culture and hes teaching taiwa to his youngest son. Today we pass this legislation knowing that it will help native communities protect their language for generations to come. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this important legislation and i yield back the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from new mexico yields back. Embers are reminded to refrain from referring to individuals in the gallery. The gentleman from south dakota is recognized. Mr. Johnson mr. Speaker, for 46 years, the 120,000 alaska yeah native in our country have had a champion working for them, fighting for them, advocating for them. Hes the dean of this house, former chairman they have former chairman of the Indian Affairs subcommittee, i yield as much time as he might consume to the gentleman from alaska. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized. Mr. Young i ask unanimous consent to revise and extend. The speaker pro tempore without objection. Mr. Young congressman, you do a great job. That was a great presentation, very proud of you. Each person that has spoke on this legislation really put it in context, aboutester martinez, the program started in 2006. I happened to be the sponsor of that bill, cosponsor. I watched it pass. Become a reality. And it has worked. What were doing is reauthorizing a program that allows a culture to be retained but languages. In alaska we have 20 native languages and 40something odd dialects. We have begun to put back as the gentleman said, we lost that for a long period of time they have language keeps the culture together. Its important for the past, important for the present, important for the future. The university of alaska has had a program, alaska language center, that work voir dire well since the 1970s. We were well ahead of this program and want to continue it. We have innovative alaska native culture Charter Schools that teaches it to all the students so theres exchange, not just native, but between other races so they understand the languages. I believe this is one of the best programs were table achieve and the funding probably still inadequate. But its a continuation of good work by this congress. I want to thank each one of you for par days pating in this, especially representative lujan. Im a little concerned, i dont want to speak about the other body, but but we know who it is, theyve take plan lujans bill and put their name on it so well forgive them if they get it done. This is good legislation, i also like to thank representative price who cochairs the americas lang wadges caucus with me and again, congratulations. Good legislation, well done, mr. Chairman, lets continue that i yield back the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back. The gentleman from south dakota is reserves. The gentleman from arizona is recognized. Mr. Grijalva i yield two minutes to the gentleman from minnesota, ms. Mccollum. The speaker pro tempore the gentlewoman is recognized for two minutes. Ms. Mccollum i rise in support of s. 256, thester martinez native american Languages Program reauthorization act. There are many critical needs in Indian Country and the federal government has an obligation to fulfill our trust in tribal responsibilities. This commitment includes reauthorizing thester martinez immersion grants so congress ensures Indian Students have the opportunity to study, learn, and speak their tribal language. The National Conference of American Indians the National Congress of American Indians says it best, and i quote, a language encompasses and expresses a world view shaped by century, in some cases tens of thousands of years, of experience, knowledge, practice, spiritual beliefs and relationships between people, neighbor, and environment which cannot be replicated in any other tongue. Language is paramount to ones identity. The gift of language allows a person to carry their culture from their ancestors to the present and on to the next generation to come. Ester martinez grants have empowered tribes to establish immersion programs making it possible for more tribal communities to maintain nee native languages and pass along centuries old cultural heritage. These grants will not only benefit native American Tribal nations but also native hawaiians, Nate I Alaskans and Pacific Islander communities, giving them the ability to protect and rejuvenate indigenous languages. Without urgent action to reauthorize these grant too many communities risk losing their native languages. Their ancestors. As chair emery thousands of native american languages caucus, i have worked to increase funding for thest ter martinez grants, and i will continue to make a priority. As the 115th Congress Moves forward, we must prioritize our federal trust and treaty obligations. We must do so in a way that respects native culture and strengthens native communities. Reauthorizing thester martinez native american language preservation act brings us one step closer to this go i urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this legislation and i yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentlewoman yields back the balance of her time. The gentleman from arizona reserves. The gentleman from south dakota is recognized. Mr. Johnson i would advise you and the chairman theyve no further speakers and would be prepared to make Closing Remarks whenever appropriate. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from itd, mr. Johnson is recognized. Mr. Johnson thank you very much, mr. Speaker. We are not here in this body to reauthorization rsh reauthorizize dosh reauthorize feelgood programs but to rethor reauthorize a program that works. Students who participate in these programs learn language skills. They are more like think hi to dwrg wait high school. Theyre more likely to have high academic achievement. Theyre more likely to be successful in their communities. Thats what the data tells us. We cannot let up now. These programs are working in a va tryity of states and a variety of communities. If we want a robust, healthy native American Culture in this country, we need that robust, healthy, native american environment in this country. Thester martinez native american language preservation act is an important, a critical, component of that pramework, of that environment. So i ask my colleagues, i beseech them tonight, to reauthorize this program that is doing so much good throughout our clint. I urge a yes vote and with that, mr. Speaker, i yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from south dakota, mr. Johnson, yields back the balance of his time. The gentleman from arizona, mr. Gri hall vark is recognized. Mr. Grijalva thank you very much. My colleague across the aisle, in particularly friend in particular, my friend, mr. Young, from the committee, for his long, when i first came to congress, this is one of the first bill he is sponsored, i was very proud to vote for it then, i encourage all my colleagues today to be very proud to vote for it now. The reauthorization, it is 13 million, an amount of money that goes very far in Indian Country. An amount of money that many could argue should be more. But the point today is to reauthorize, by re is to reauthorize, by reauthorization, that seed money that the so fortunate native youth and children, i think we make a statement as a congress that we too join in reaffirming the revitalization, the preservation, of both language and culture among the First Americans in this country. We say to them, that what you bring as a person, as a tribe, as a people, is vital to and enriches the fabric of this nation of ours. Proud to be here. I urge all my colleagues to support it. It is a good piece of legislation. That does good work. And will continue to do good work. I yield back the remainder of my time, mr. Speaker. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from arizona yields back the balance of his time. The question is will the house suspend the rules and pass senate bill 256. Those in favor say aye. Those opposed, no. In the opinion of the chair, 2 3 being in the affirmative, the rules are suspended, the bill is passed and without objection the motion to reconsider is laid on the table. Pursuant to clause 12a of rule 1, the chair declares the house in recess until approximately that himself. Thats right. We had a number of different accounts of this and i think this is theyre up on the board here. Right, i see that, yes. Ambassador taylor said that. Mr. Morrison said something similar. Their understanding of that conversation is that there was a clear directive that there was a quid pro quo, factually from the conduct, from the actions. Weve talked a lot today about the words and that zelensky said no pressure and trump said no pressure and no quid pro quo. But as an investigator, as a prosecutor, you need to look at the actions to understand what those words mean. Thats why this call in particular is so important. Lets go further. As weve discussed multiple individuals reacted with concern to president trumps call with
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