The speaker the house will be in order. The prayer will be offered by our chaplain, father conroy. Chaplain conroy let us pray. Lord of heaven and earth, we give you thanks for giving us another day. Darkness descends upon us as the days grows shorter and the cold chases us to withdraw inside. Be for us the light we long for. The very promise of change creates expectation. Of your st hints dawn, banish all fear and hesitation. May those who live on the margins of americas rich blessings have peace and prosperity, too. Of your dawn, banish all fear and because you are always faithful, strengthsen us with your mighty arm that this congress may be unified in lifting your people to renewed hope. May all that is done in the peoples house be for your greater honor and glory, amen. The speaker the chair has examined the journal of the last days proceedings and announces to the house his approval thereof. Pursuant to clause 1 of rule 1, the journal stands approved. For what purpose does the gentleman from pennsylvania seek recognition . Mr. Thompson mr. Speaker, pursuant to clause 1, rule 1, i agreeing to on the speakers approval of the journal. The speaker the question son agreeing to the speakers approval of the jourm. So many as are in favor say aye. Those opposed, no. The agreeing to the speakers approval of the a the journal stands approved. For what purpose does the gentleman from pennsylvania seek recognition . Mr. Thompson mr. Speaker, object to the to the vote on the grounds that a quorum is not present and make a point of order a quorum is not present. The speaker pursuant to clause 8 of rule 20, further proceedings on this question are postponed. The pledge of allegiance will be led by the gentlewoman from florida, ms. Roslehtinen. Ms. Roslehtinen if the visitors would join us in the pledge to our nation. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of america and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under god, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. The speaker the chair lays before the house a communication. The clerk represents, sir. Pursuant to the permission granted in clause 2h of rule 2 of the rules of the u. S. House of representatives the clerk received the following message from the secretary of the senate on december 20, 2017, at 1 18 a. M. That the senate received from its amendment with a further amendment, h. R. 1, that the Senate Passed with an amendment h. R. 695. Signed, sincerely, karen l. Haas. The speaker the chair will entertain up to five requests for one minute speeches on each side of the aisle. For what purpose does the gentleman from pennsylvania seek recognition . Mr. Tomorrowson request permission to address the house for one minute. Revise and extend my remarks. The speaker pro tempore without objection, the gentleman is recognized. Mr. Thompson mr. Speaker, i rise today to commend jared davis of blocksburg, pennsylvania, for his eagle Scout Project in honor of our nations grandsons. The grandson of a world war ii veteran wanted his project to honor veterans. He began working in the spring on the reflection project. He collected donations to assist with establishing a flagpole, black metal benches, and monument. At the projects completion he donated the remaining funds to the Veterans Affairs outreach fund. He worked with 10 volunteers in the project for three months and spent about 80 hours working on his eagle Scout Project of the the flagpole and reflection area were finished on april 21. Jared who graduate interested north Penn Liberty High School in june works at sullivan farms. This project was dedicated earlier this month on the 76 anniversary of the pearl harbor day op december 7. Im so proud of jared, his patriotism, and respect for those who served. I wholeheartedly commend him on this outstanding project. I yield back the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore for what purpose does the gentleman rom illinois seek recognition . Unanimous consent to address the house for one minute. The speaker pro tempore without objection, the gentleman from illinois is recognized for one minute. Thank you, mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, its been five years since 20 children were senselessly murdered in the sandy hook massacre. While we were never forget the young lives we lost that day, we must also remember that this trammingic life altering and life robbing epidemic continues to impact thousands of other families across the country. Mr. Quigley two weeks ago i had the honor of meeting the parents of alexandria bergos. On october 9, 2014, she was from a up her brother friends house when her life was cut short by a stray bullet, shot through an apartment window. She was 18 years old. She worked with kids at the local ymca and hoped to be a social worker after graduating from college. Like her parents, im telling her story to push the conversation forward. Conversation that includes thoughts and prayers but also must lead to action. Alexandrias story and the pain felt by her loved ones are something for too many have had to endure. Let 2018 be a year more than reflect on the lives lost and step up to find the courage to confront gun violence. The speaker pro tempore for what purpose does the gentleman from North Carolina seek recognition . I ask unanimous consent to address the house for one minute. Revise and extend my remarks. The speaker pro tempore without objection, the gentleman from North Carolina is recognized for one minute. Mr. Speaker, i rise to express my outrage at a detailed report by politico which included testimony that president obama and his administration obstructed a major d. E. A. Investigation to hezbollah which they wanted to secure when when they wanted it secure the iran deal. Mr. Pittenger these revelations are not surprising. This same administration that sent 1. 7 billion in cash ransom to iran. According to the d. E. A. , hezbollah was operating a global criminal enterprise with over 1 billion annually. They were selling drugs and running arms as a means of funding their activities. The major d. E. A. Task force procured mounting and incriminating evidence against them. Yet according to senior treasury and defense official, the Obama Administration consist tently obstructed an stonewalled the investigation to protect the iran deal. In essence it seems president obama and his administration were so compow focused on striking a deal with iran they let a major terror group off the hook. Even though they were involved with drug trafficking. I sent this letter to chairman gowdy, urging an immediate investigation into this matter. Thank you, mr. Speaker. I yield back. The speaker pro tempore for what purpose does the gentleman from michigan seek recognition . Mr. Kildee unanimous consent to address the house for one minute. The speaker pro tempore without objection, the gentleman from michigan is recognized for one minute. Mr. Kildee thank you, mr. Speaker. Well, yesterday on the floor of this house and i guess again today there will be a vote on this massive tax cut. Targeted the people at the very top, targeting big cuts for corporations. And like many members on this de of the aisle, i welcome the opportunity to do comprehensive, real tax reform. For a long time the discussion in this body and around the country was about the need to lower the rates and broaden the base and eliminate some of those loopholes that allow some corporations to get away with paying literally no taxes at all. Instead of doing that, what we saw was a massive shift of the responsibility to fund the away from better. There was a lot of away from pe the top to people who work hard every day. There are many examples of how discussion e done this in the senate side about the Child Tax Credit. Why did we end up with a Child Tax Credit that rewards a minimum wage family with about 75 a year when somebody making 400,000 would get 4,000 . Is the life of a child of a family making a half a Million Dollars worth that much more . This was the wrong direction. This is the wrong bill. We should reject it. The speaker pro tempore for what purpose does the gentlelady from florida seek recognition . To address nen the house for one minute. Revise and extend. The speaker pro tempore without objection, the gentlelady from florida is recognized for one minute. Ms. Roslehtinen thank you so much, mr. Speaker. I rise to celebrate the career of doris jackson, who will be after more that 33 years of service to the u. S. House of representatives. She began working as a cashier in the cannon cafe in 1980 and eventually became a supervisor. After more than three decades, there have been many changes as members and staff have come and gone but doris smile has remained ever present. I know that i speak for every member, staffer, and intern who has had the privilege of knowing doris when i say that we will miss her witty sense of humor and her willingness to give encouragement to everyone she meets. In retirement, doris plans to spend more time with her family, especially her grandchildren, and to Stay Community by volunteering at her church. Mr. Speaker, doris has dedicated her life to serving us as we strive to serve our constituents. Behalf of our coppingal family, i wish doris the best of luck in the next exciting chapter in her life. Ongratulations, doris. For eaker pro tempore what purpose does the gentleman from florida seek recognition . Without objection, the gentleman from florida is recognized for one minute. Thank you very much. Mr. Speaker. Mr. Hastings mr. Speaker, on yesterday i witnessed as did all of us the jubilation of my friends, the for what purpose does the gentleman from florida seek recognition . Majority, in passing the tax cut measure that had been advocated as tax reform for a substantial period of time. But finally they did admit it was a tax cut. I rise here today just to lay down a marker. I have said as have many of my colleagues that what we witnessed is the beginning of what ultimately will allow for us to address the entitlements in this country. Many of us no that the deficit that the tax cuts create are going to allow some time during the course of next year or shortly after the election that we begin discussioning medicare and medicaid. I think thats a mistake and i wanted that to be recognized. For eaker pro tempore what purpose does the gentleman from North Carolina seek recognition . For what purpose does the gentleman from North Carolina seek recognition . Does the gentleman seek unanimous consent . Without objection, the gentleman from North Carolina s recognized for one minute. Mr. Speaker, i rise today to congratulate the North Carolina a and and t winner of the Celebration Bowl and hbcu national championship. This win capped off a historic year for the undefeated aggies, a first in the mideastern athletic conference history. Their second championship in three years. In the final minutes they marched 56 yards in seven plays. The drive was capped off with a spike and a quarterback sneak on the goal line for the game whiching tth. And. Rushed for 110 yards two touchdowns. With the guidance of coach broadway on the field and leadership of the chancellor in the classroom, North Carolina at t is leading the way in showing the great a and t is leading the way in showing the great value of our hbcus. Im proud to represent this school of athletic and academic excellence. Leaving only one question remaying. Can i get an aggie pride . I yield back. The speaker pro tempore for what purpose does the gentleman from texas seek recognition . To address the house for one minute. Revise and extend. The speaker pro tempore without objection, the gentleman from texas is recognized for one minute. On friday, december 15, we lost one of the medicate community leaders, miss Evelyn Wright moore. She dedicated her entire live to Early Childhood development and education. In 1975, in fact, she statted her career as a county head start coordinator. After a very short eight years with that organization, she was running the show. And continued running that show for the rest of her life. He she made her students made sure her students were receiving the support that would allow them to thrive in that community. The head start now enrolls just over 490 students thanks to her. That program was championed by evelyns passion and her devout dedication to those same students. Mr. Weber she and i met many times over the years, both at home and in washington, d. C. I will greatly miss our conversation. The legacy of evelyns heart will long be remembered and cherished. Evelyn, my dear friend, you are now safe in the arms of jesus. Yield back. The speaker pro tempore for what purpose does the gentleman from texas seek recognition . Mr. Session good morning, mr. Speaker. By direction of the committee on rules, i call up House Resolution 668 and ask for its immediate consideration. The speaker pro tempore the clerk will report the resolution. The clerk house calendar number 112, House Resolution 668. Resolved, that upon adoption of this resolution it shall be in order to consider the conference report to accompany the bill, h. R. 1, to provide for reconciliation pursuant to titles ii and v of the concurrent resolution on the budget for fiscal year 2018. With the Senate Amendment thereto, and to consider in the house without intervention of any point of order a motion offered by the chair of the committee on ways and means or his designee that the house concur in the Senate Amendment. The Senate Amendment in the motion shall be considered as read. The motion shall be debatable for 20 minutes equally divided and controlled by the chair and ranking minority member of the committee on ways and means. The previous question shall be considered as ordered on the motion to adoption without intervening. Clause 5b of rule 21 shall not apply to the motion. The speaker pro tempore the chair recognizes the gentleman from texas for one hour. Mr. Sessions all time is yielded for the purpose of debate only. And i also will be yielding the customary 30 minutes to my friend, the gentlewoman from new york, the Ranking Member of the rules committee, ms. Slaughter, pending which i yield myself such time as i may consume. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized. Mr. Sessions i ask unanimous consent that all members of this body have five legislative days to revise and extend their remarks. The speaker pro tempore without objection. Mr. Sessions mr. Speaker, i rise this morning in support of this rule and the underlying legislation. The rule provides for consideration of the Senate Amendment to h. R. 1, an act to provide for reconciliation pursuant to titles 2 and 5 of the concurrent resolution on the budget for fiscal year 2018, also known as the tax cuts and jobs act. Mr. Speaker, last evening the senate on a vote of 5148 passed the tax cuts and jobs act which i believe is in the interest of the American People. This is a bold, progrowth plan that will overhaul our tax code and unleash the Free Enterprise system. It lowers tax rates on businesses of all sizes so the job creators can focus more on bringing not only more work to their workers but also hiring more workers, increasing paychecks and growing a competitive marketplace all around the world. Were trying to expand our economy. Mr. Speaker, theres nothing more important for any member of this body than to know that the things that are happening in their own local communities are about the ability for people. People, whether they have just graduated from high school, whether theyre graduating from a technical school, whether theyre graduating from college or whether theyre looking for the second job or a longer career to be successful in the marketplace in their own area, in their own home. Not having to move somewhere to find a job but in their own community. That is what were trying to do. Were trying to increase wages for every Single Community across this country. My home of dallas, texas has been home to so many people who have moved there as a result of the really unlimited opportunities that we see right now in texas, and that comes because texas has found itself to be the home because so many other places, so many other companies have literally been run out of their states because of high taxes, high taxes that are placed on those companies and the employees to where it makes living and being competitive more difficult. During consideration of this legislation, the senate, a few relatively few small provisions were removed through points of order in the senate under whats called the byrd rule, a parliamentary rule used during reconciliation. The first change was made by the senate under the byrd rule strikes the language that allowed 529 accounts to be used for homeschool expenses. The second change modifies a provision that imposes an excise tax on the Investment Income of certain educational institutions. The change strikes a reference to, and i quote, tuition paying, end of quote, students making the exception to the excise tax available only if the institution has less than 500 students or if 50 or less of the students are located in the United States. A third small change simply strikes the short title. Mr. Speaker, all of these provisions were included in the bill, the underlying bill as it first passed the senate and came to the house and passed. However, at the time that this was done, there were no parliamentary points of order which were raised which were later done. These minor changes, mr. Speaker, will allow us to advance exactly the same discussion that we had on this body, exactly the same discussion we had with the American People, exactly the things that we talked about up in the rules committee and across this country as republicans have talked about the importance of the status o tax bill that we presently have move so Many Companies overseas, move jobs