Transcripts For CSPAN U.S. House Of Representatives U.S. Hou

[captions Copyright National cable satellite corp. 2019] [captioning performed by the national captioning institute, which is responsible for its caption content and accuracy. Visit ncicap. Org] we will be back here tomorrow morning at 7 00 a. M. [captioning made possible by the national captioning institute, inc. , in cooperation with the United States house of representatives. Any use of the closedcaptioned coverage of the house proceedings for political or commercial purposes is expressly prohibited by the u. S. House of representatives. ] the speaker pro tempore the house will be in order o. The chair lays before the house a communication from the speaker. The clerk the speakers rooms, washington, d. C. October 18, 2019. I hereby appoint the honorable jode neguse to act as sprothe on this day. Signed, nancy pelosi, speaker of the house of representatives. The speaker pro tempore the prayer will be offered by our chaplain, father conroy. Chaplain conroy let us pray. God our father, we give you thanks for giving us another day. As the house comes to the end of an emotional week, we ask that you give all members your calming and comforting spirit. We mourn the loss of a colleague and implore your healing presence in this chamber, in the cummings family, and in the hearts of all who have labored in these halls, especially in the Oversight Committee in these most recent years. We continue to rely upon your wisdom and understanding and ask your favor for us and for our nation. May all that is done be for your greater honor and glory, amen. The speaker pro tempore the chair has examined the journal of the last days proceedings and announces to the house his pproval thereof. Pursuant to clause 1 of rule 1, the journal stands approved. The pledge of allegiance will be led by the gentlewoman from indiana, miss with a lore skifment missmrs. Walorski. Mrs. Walorski 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 pro tempore the chair will entertain up to five requests for oneminute speeches on each side of the aisle. For what purpose does the the gentlewoman from michigan seek recognition . To address the house for one minute. The speaker pro tempore without objection, the gentlewoman is recognized for one minute. Mrs. Dingell thank you, mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, for the last month my brothers and sisters in the u. A. W. Have been standing up for their livelihoods, their families, and their future. When home i have joined them at all hours and all shifts. Just to listen, to support, and to understand. Being on a pickett line is hard work, but u. A. W. Workers are committed workers who are crucial component of building americas Auto Industry and driving our nations economy. This strike has been about the collective community and workers across america being treated fairly, with dignity, and respect. Many u. A. W. Members are newer hires and temporaries, workers who are paid less than their colleagues they work side by side with. Many temps work seven days a week, get no overtime, have no sick pay, and cant take time for a family emergency. The good news for the country is a tentative agreement between the u. A. W. And g. M. Is now going for ratification. All of us, all workers need to recognize they benefit from the courage, commitment, and caring of these u. A. W. Workers. We need their jobs here. We need manufacturing here in this country. But we need fair pay, fair benefits, and commitments to produce here in the United States of america. Their fight is fight of all workers. The speaker pro tempore for what purpose does the gentleman from pennsylvania seek recognition . Mr. Thompson mr. Speaker, request unanimous consent to address the house for one minute. Revise and extend my remarks. The speaker pro tempore without objection, the gentleman is recognized for one minute. Mr. Thompson thank you, mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, i rise today to draw attention to our nations abandoned coal mines. Pennsylvanias heritage is rooted in coal that powered an Industrial Revolution and won two world wars. However as more and more coal mines continue to shut their doors, probably closing these properly closing these mines is incredibly important. Of the 64 counties, 43 have abandoned mine lands. My district, pennsylvanias 15th, has the most nationwide. These sites are a danger to the environment and the residents. To take action on this i was pleased to join my colleague, representative Matt Cartwright from pennsylvanias eighth district in introducing h. R. 4248 the abandon mine land reauthorization ack. The trust fund is set to expire in september of 2021. This bill will not only reauthorize the fund for the next 15 years, but helps spur Economic Growth in Coal Communities impacted by mine closures. Since 1977, the program has eliminated over 46,000 open mine portals. Reauthorizing the a. M. L. Trust fund is critical to continue progress. Thank you, mr. Speaker. I yield back the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore for what purpose does the gentleman from new york seek recognition . Mr. Speaker, i ask unanimous consent to address the house for one minute. Revise and extend my remarks. The speaker pro tempore without objection, the gentleman is recognized for one minute. Thank you. Mr. Speaker, three in 10 adults in America Today have reported not taking medicine has prescribed because of the cost. Our seniors and families should not have to choose between paying their monthly bills and affording their Prescription Drugs. Mr. Tonko thats why i introduced the advancing enrollment and reducing drug costs act with my friend from new hampshire, chris pappas, to simplify how lowincome seniors get the help they need to afford their medications. Thats why i introduced the star rating for the biosimilars act with my friend from ohio, ob gibbs, to drive down costs. Thats why the house is moving forward with h. R. 3, the low drug cost now act. Which will use Competitive Price negotiation to save medicare some 345 billion and save the United States households nearly 160 billion combined. Private businesses would save some 46 billion under our bill. Across america, seniors and families are struggling to afford the Prescription Drugs that they need to stay healthy and alive. Its time for congress to act. Lets act now. And i thank you, mr. Speaker. With that i yield back. The speaker pro tempore for what purpose does the gentlewoman from indiana seek recognition . Mrs. Walorski mr. Speaker, i ask unanimous consent to address the house for one minute. Revise and extend my remarks. The speaker pro tempore without objection, the gentlewoman is recognized for one minute. Police walorski i rise today in support of h. R. 3152, and to honor the life and legacy of senator richard lugar, who passed away earlier this year. Senator lugar was a true statesman whose unwavering dedication to his community and country led to a lifetime of service. He worked tirelessly to champion freedom, advance democratcy, and build peace and prosperity both at home and abroad. His wisdom, bipartisanship, and commitment to americas ideals made our country stronger and safer. Though we will miss his spirit and conviction, the values he fought for will endure in those who follow his example of certificate vapt leadership. He built a foundation of opportunity and empowerment so future generations of hoosiers could carry on his lifes mission. Mr. Speaker, i ask my colleagues to join me in supporting h. R. 3152 to dedicate the richard g. Lugar post office in indianapolis to celebrate a leader who never stopped working to make the world a better place. I yield back. The speaker pro tempore for what purpose does the gentleman from california seek recognition . I ask unanimous consent to address the house for one minute. Revise and extend. The speaker pro tempore without objection, the gentleman is recognized for one minute. Mr. Costa mr. Speaker, i rise today in defense of liberal i rise today with in defense of liberal family values. The house passed support of these values and human rights. I say a strong nation is one that does not turn to its worst instincts in the face of dissent. Mr. Takano a strong nation does not see liberal Democratic Values as a threat. A strong nation tolerates differences in pursuit of prosperity for itself and prosperity for the world. To my fellow americans, i say that we must not turn our backs on our principles in exchange for profit. We must not trade away our freedoms or be indifferent to those who yearn to be free. To the two millions of core radgeous young people in hong kong who marched, to those willing to fight for a prosperous future where their rights will be respected and where their freedoms will be protected, we can we are with you. I yield back. The speaker pro tempore for what purpose does the gentleman from virginia seek recognition . Mr. Speaker, i ask unanimous consent to address the house for one minute. Revise and extend my remarks. The speaker pro tempore without objection, the gentleman is recognized for one minute. Thank you, mr. Speaker. Im here once again to sound the alarm bell about our countrys addiction to spending the hard earned tax comears of its citizens and future generations. Its with great regret i report as many are already aware our countrys National Debt has topped 1 trillion for fiscal year 2019. Now we know that my colleagues on the other side of the aisle will blame president trumps tax cuts and jobs act for the shortfall. The majority the corporations they attempt to hold responsible have paid 8 billion more in the 11 months of this fiscal year than they did in 2018. No, the increase in the deficit over the past year is due to rampant spending, stem interesting right here in this chamber. Wasteful spending increases have been seen across the board and add insult to injury the interest owed on this money is now more than 14 . Mr. Kline this is an issue that can go on no more. I promised my constituents when i came to washington that i would convey their concern about our run away National Debt. Its time for all lawmakers to understand we cannot afford to use tax dollars as a piggy bank for pet projects. Spending like we have seen is a threat o our National Security and disservice to the American People. Since i start the speaking 50 seconds ago our National Debt has risen nearly 2 million and therefore we cannot simply encourage leadership in congress to commit to restoring regular order in the appropriations process, but we must demand that we address this fiscal crisis before its too late. Mr. Speaker, i yield back. The speaker pro tempore for what purpose does the the gentlewoman from oklahoma seek recognition . Mr. Speaker, i ask permission to address the house for one minute. Revise and extend my remarks. The speaker pro tempore without objection, the gentlewoman is recognized for one minute. Ms. Horn thank you, mr. Speaker. I rise today to talk about the urgent need to address the high and rising costs of Prescription Drug prices in this country. Far too often i heard heartbreaking stories from oklahomans and people in my community who face the unacceptable reality of choosing between putting food on their tables and taking the lifesaving medications they need. Earlier this year i held a town hall where i heard from many people in our in oklahoma and we released a report about the soaring costs of insulin. In my district alone, more than 22,000 seniors on medicare and other oklahomans living with disabilities and diabetes face Prescription Drug costs of more than 25 million. It is time to act and make medicine more affordable. And make it possible for people to get the lifesaving Prescription Drugs they need. One important solution is limiting the outofpocket costs for patients at the pharmacy counter. Thats why i introduced the capping drug costs for seniors act, because this practical solution lowers the cost for patients directly. This bill keeps compared part d patients from paying more than 2,000 out of pocket. Which has a real impact for 46 million americans who rely on this program. Medication only works if its taken as prescribed. The high cost of Prescription Drugs forces too many people to choose between putting food on the table and buying the medicine they need. We must continue working on this important issue and create pathways to affordable medication and improving health. Thank you, mr. Speaker. I yield back. The speaker pro tempore for what purpose does the gentleman from washington seek wreck his . Mr. Speaker, i ask unanimous consent to address the house for one minute. Revise and extend. The speaker pro tempore without objection, the gentleman is recognized for one minute. Mr. Newhouse thank you, mr. Speaker. The try cities Tri Cities Community creeptly lost a leader and i a friend. I rise to remember bill berkman chairman of the republicans. He became involved with the local Republican Party as a precinct officer in 2016 and late theyre year as chairman. I got to know him well while encouraging our fellow Community Members to get out to vote. Bill was a passion aide voice or limited government and policies that support Small Business owners. His strong personal belief and conservative principles, though, bill never partisanship rise above integrity. Wanted to bring more respect into politics. He will be remembered for his bridges, build including with his counterparts democratic party. We will all miss bills booming voice, his candor, and his facts, for truth, and for solutions for the nation. Rest in peace, bill. Mr. Speaker. I yield back. The speaker pro tempore for what purpose does the gentleman northern Mariana Islands seek recognition . Withoutker pro tempore objection, the gentleman is recognized for one minute. Sablan mr. Speaker, democrats on the house energy and Commerce Committee agree, now is the time fix medicaid funding in the insular areas. 2328, reported out of the ommittee in july, addresses a serious funding shortfall in all areas, now that special obama care for the ended. Areas this is a significant source for pharmacistsdoctors, and other Health Care Providers. Take this funding away and not lowincome families that qualify for medicaid will every but everyone at income level who depends on doctors, pharmacists and other Health Care Providers will lose service. The insular areas have reached the medicaid cliff, but we have a solution. Chairman pallone, Ranking Member walden, all the members of the let y and commerce agree, us bring h. R. 2328 to the floor. Show the house is united and fix he insular area medicaid funding cliff, and i yield back the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore for what purpose does the gentleman from georgia seek recognition . Mr. Carter i ask unanimous consent to address the house for to revise and extend my remarks. The speaker pro tempore without objection, the gentleman is recognized for one minute. Carter mr. Speaker, i rise oday to remember the life of mr. Marvin h. Mark cheeser who away on september 28. The mayor pro tem in long county the first Congressional District of georgia, his friends and colleagues remember him as a to the Servant Community who served tirelessly job. Id a great even before becoming the mayor cheeser spent ountless hours in his community. He drove school buses for the district there. In addition, he was very active both in the urch, mens ministry and driving the hurch van for wednesday night activity. During activities. During his time as mayor pro promote orked hard to policies to increase jobs. Im thankful that we have mr. In the first Congressional District where his passion made our area a better live. To his family and friends will be my thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. Thank you, mr. Speaker. I yield back. The speaker pro tempore for what purpose does the gentlewoman from california rise . Ms. Waters madam speaker, i all nanimous consent that members may have five legislative days to revise and on h. R. Eir remarks 3624 and to insert extraneous material thereon. The speaker pro tempore without objection. Pursuant to House Resolution 629 and rule 18, the chair declares the house in the committee of the whole house on the state of for consideration of h. R. 3624. Asks that the gentleman from colorado, mr. Neguse, preside over the committee of the whole. The chair the chair is in the committee of the whole house on the e of the union house is in the committee of the whole house on the state of the union which the clerk will title. By the clerk a bill Securities Exchange act of 1934 to require the disclosure of the total number of domestic and foreign employees of certain and for other s purposes. The chair pursuant to the rule, the bill is considered as read the first time. General debate shall be confined shall not exceed one hour equally divided and controlled by the chair and of the minority Member Committee on Financial Services. The gentlewoman from california, waters, and the gentleman from north carolina, mr. Mchenry, will each control 30 minutes. The chair recognizes the california. From ms. Waters mr. Chairman, i yield myself such time as i may consume. The chair the gentlewoman is recognized. I waters mr. Chairman, rise in support of h. R. 3624, he outsourcing accountability act of 2019, crafted by axne from iowa, a the ember to congress and Copyright National<\/a> cable satellite corp. 2019] [captioning performed by the national captioning institute, which is responsible for its caption content and accuracy. Visit ncicap. Org] we will be back here tomorrow morning at 7 00 a. M. [captioning made possible by the national captioning institute, inc. , in cooperation with the United States<\/a> house of representatives. Any use of the closedcaptioned coverage of the house proceedings for political or commercial purposes is expressly prohibited by the u. S. House of representatives. ] the speaker pro tempore the house will be in order o. The chair lays before the house a communication from the speaker. The clerk the speakers rooms, washington, d. C. October 18, 2019. I hereby appoint the honorable jode neguse to act as sprothe on this day. Signed, nancy pelosi, speaker of the house of representatives. The speaker pro tempore the prayer will be offered by our chaplain, father conroy. Chaplain conroy let us pray. God our father, we give you thanks for giving us another day. As the house comes to the end of an emotional week, we ask that you give all members your calming and comforting spirit. We mourn the loss of a colleague and implore your healing presence in this chamber, in the cummings family, and in the hearts of all who have labored in these halls, especially in the Oversight Committee<\/a> in these most recent years. We continue to rely upon your wisdom and understanding and ask your favor for us and for our nation. May all that is done be for your greater honor and glory, amen. The speaker pro tempore the chair has examined the journal of the last days proceedings and announces to the house his pproval thereof. Pursuant to clause 1 of rule 1, the journal stands approved. The pledge of allegiance will be led by the gentlewoman from indiana, miss with a lore skifment missmrs. Walorski. Mrs. Walorski i pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States<\/a> of america and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under god, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. The speaker pro tempore the chair will entertain up to five requests for oneminute speeches on each side of the aisle. For what purpose does the the gentlewoman from michigan seek recognition . To address the house for one minute. The speaker pro tempore without objection, the gentlewoman is recognized for one minute. Mrs. Dingell thank you, mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, for the last month my brothers and sisters in the u. A. W. Have been standing up for their livelihoods, their families, and their future. When home i have joined them at all hours and all shifts. Just to listen, to support, and to understand. Being on a pickett line is hard work, but u. A. W. Workers are committed workers who are crucial component of building americas Auto Industry<\/a> and driving our nations economy. This strike has been about the collective community and workers across america being treated fairly, with dignity, and respect. Many u. A. W. Members are newer hires and temporaries, workers who are paid less than their colleagues they work side by side with. Many temps work seven days a week, get no overtime, have no sick pay, and cant take time for a family emergency. The good news for the country is a tentative agreement between the u. A. W. And g. M. Is now going for ratification. All of us, all workers need to recognize they benefit from the courage, commitment, and caring of these u. A. W. Workers. We need their jobs here. We need manufacturing here in this country. But we need fair pay, fair benefits, and commitments to produce here in the United States<\/a> of america. Their fight is fight of all workers. The speaker pro tempore for what purpose does the gentleman from pennsylvania seek recognition . Mr. Thompson mr. Speaker, request unanimous consent to address the house for one minute. Revise and extend my remarks. The speaker pro tempore without objection, the gentleman is recognized for one minute. Mr. Thompson thank you, mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, i rise today to draw attention to our nations abandoned coal mines. Pennsylvanias heritage is rooted in coal that powered an Industrial Revolution<\/a> and won two world wars. However as more and more coal mines continue to shut their doors, probably closing these properly closing these mines is incredibly important. Of the 64 counties, 43 have abandoned mine lands. My district, pennsylvanias 15th, has the most nationwide. These sites are a danger to the environment and the residents. To take action on this i was pleased to join my colleague, representative Matt Cartwright<\/a> from pennsylvanias eighth district in introducing h. R. 4248 the abandon mine land reauthorization ack. The trust fund is set to expire in september of 2021. This bill will not only reauthorize the fund for the next 15 years, but helps spur Economic Growth<\/a> in Coal Communities<\/a> impacted by mine closures. Since 1977, the program has eliminated over 46,000 open mine portals. Reauthorizing the a. M. L. Trust fund is critical to continue progress. Thank you, mr. Speaker. I yield back the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore for what purpose does the gentleman from new york seek recognition . Mr. Speaker, i ask unanimous consent to address the house for one minute. Revise and extend my remarks. The speaker pro tempore without objection, the gentleman is recognized for one minute. Thank you. Mr. Speaker, three in 10 adults in America Today<\/a> have reported not taking medicine has prescribed because of the cost. Our seniors and families should not have to choose between paying their monthly bills and affording their Prescription Drug<\/a>s. Mr. Tonko thats why i introduced the advancing enrollment and reducing drug costs act with my friend from new hampshire, chris pappas, to simplify how lowincome seniors get the help they need to afford their medications. Thats why i introduced the star rating for the biosimilars act with my friend from ohio, ob gibbs, to drive down costs. Thats why the house is moving forward with h. R. 3, the low drug cost now act. Which will use Competitive Price<\/a> negotiation to save medicare some 345 billion and save the United States<\/a> households nearly 160 billion combined. Private businesses would save some 46 billion under our bill. Across america, seniors and families are struggling to afford the Prescription Drug<\/a>s that they need to stay healthy and alive. Its time for congress to act. Lets act now. And i thank you, mr. Speaker. With that i yield back. The speaker pro tempore for what purpose does the gentlewoman from indiana seek recognition . Mrs. Walorski mr. Speaker, i ask unanimous consent to address the house for one minute. Revise and extend my remarks. The speaker pro tempore without objection, the gentlewoman is recognized for one minute. Police walorski i rise today in support of h. R. 3152, and to honor the life and legacy of senator richard lugar, who passed away earlier this year. Senator lugar was a true statesman whose unwavering dedication to his community and country led to a lifetime of service. He worked tirelessly to champion freedom, advance democratcy, and build peace and prosperity both at home and abroad. His wisdom, bipartisanship, and commitment to americas ideals made our country stronger and safer. Though we will miss his spirit and conviction, the values he fought for will endure in those who follow his example of certificate vapt leadership. He built a foundation of opportunity and empowerment so future generations of hoosiers could carry on his lifes mission. Mr. Speaker, i ask my colleagues to join me in supporting h. R. 3152 to dedicate the richard g. Lugar post office in indianapolis to celebrate a leader who never stopped working to make the world a better place. I yield back. The speaker pro tempore for what purpose does the gentleman from california seek recognition . I ask unanimous consent to address the house for one minute. Revise and extend. The speaker pro tempore without objection, the gentleman is recognized for one minute. Mr. Costa mr. Speaker, i rise today in defense of liberal i rise today with in defense of liberal family values. The house passed support of these values and human rights. I say a strong nation is one that does not turn to its worst instincts in the face of dissent. Mr. Takano a strong nation does not see liberal Democratic Values<\/a> as a threat. A strong nation tolerates differences in pursuit of prosperity for itself and prosperity for the world. To my fellow americans, i say that we must not turn our backs on our principles in exchange for profit. We must not trade away our freedoms or be indifferent to those who yearn to be free. To the two millions of core radgeous young people in hong kong who marched, to those willing to fight for a prosperous future where their rights will be respected and where their freedoms will be protected, we can we are with you. I yield back. The speaker pro tempore for what purpose does the gentleman from virginia seek recognition . Mr. Speaker, i ask unanimous consent to address the house for one minute. Revise and extend my remarks. The speaker pro tempore without objection, the gentleman is recognized for one minute. Thank you, mr. Speaker. Im here once again to sound the alarm bell about our countrys addiction to spending the hard earned tax comears of its citizens and future generations. Its with great regret i report as many are already aware our countrys National Debt<\/a> has topped 1 trillion for fiscal year 2019. Now we know that my colleagues on the other side of the aisle will blame president trumps tax cuts and jobs act for the shortfall. The majority the corporations they attempt to hold responsible have paid 8 billion more in the 11 months of this fiscal year than they did in 2018. No, the increase in the deficit over the past year is due to rampant spending, stem interesting right here in this chamber. Wasteful spending increases have been seen across the board and add insult to injury the interest owed on this money is now more than 14 . Mr. Kline this is an issue that can go on no more. I promised my constituents when i came to washington that i would convey their concern about our run away National Debt<\/a>. Its time for all lawmakers to understand we cannot afford to use tax dollars as a piggy bank for pet projects. Spending like we have seen is a threat o our National Security<\/a> and disservice to the American People<\/a>. Since i start the speaking 50 seconds ago our National Debt<\/a> has risen nearly 2 million and therefore we cannot simply encourage leadership in congress to commit to restoring regular order in the appropriations process, but we must demand that we address this fiscal crisis before its too late. Mr. Speaker, i yield back. The speaker pro tempore for what purpose does the the gentlewoman from oklahoma seek recognition . Mr. Speaker, i ask permission to address the house for one minute. Revise and extend my remarks. The speaker pro tempore without objection, the gentlewoman is recognized for one minute. Ms. Horn thank you, mr. Speaker. I rise today to talk about the urgent need to address the high and rising costs of Prescription Drug<\/a> prices in this country. Far too often i heard heartbreaking stories from oklahomans and people in my community who face the unacceptable reality of choosing between putting food on their tables and taking the lifesaving medications they need. Earlier this year i held a town hall where i heard from many people in our in oklahoma and we released a report about the soaring costs of insulin. In my district alone, more than 22,000 seniors on medicare and other oklahomans living with disabilities and diabetes face Prescription Drug<\/a> costs of more than 25 million. It is time to act and make medicine more affordable. And make it possible for people to get the lifesaving Prescription Drug<\/a>s they need. One important solution is limiting the outofpocket costs for patients at the pharmacy counter. Thats why i introduced the capping drug costs for seniors act, because this practical solution lowers the cost for patients directly. This bill keeps compared part d patients from paying more than 2,000 out of pocket. Which has a real impact for 46 million americans who rely on this program. Medication only works if its taken as prescribed. The high cost of Prescription Drug<\/a>s forces too many people to choose between putting food on the table and buying the medicine they need. We must continue working on this important issue and create pathways to affordable medication and improving health. Thank you, mr. Speaker. I yield back. The speaker pro tempore for what purpose does the gentleman from washington seek wreck his . Mr. Speaker, i ask unanimous consent to address the house for one minute. Revise and extend. The speaker pro tempore without objection, the gentleman is recognized for one minute. Mr. Newhouse thank you, mr. Speaker. The try cities Tri Cities Community<\/a> creeptly lost a leader and i a friend. I rise to remember bill berkman chairman of the republicans. He became involved with the local Republican Party<\/a> as a precinct officer in 2016 and late theyre year as chairman. I got to know him well while encouraging our fellow Community Members<\/a> to get out to vote. Bill was a passion aide voice or limited government and policies that support Small Business<\/a> owners. His strong personal belief and conservative principles, though, bill never partisanship rise above integrity. Wanted to bring more respect into politics. He will be remembered for his bridges, build including with his counterparts democratic party. We will all miss bills booming voice, his candor, and his facts, for truth, and for solutions for the nation. Rest in peace, bill. Mr. Speaker. I yield back. The speaker pro tempore for what purpose does the gentleman northern Mariana Islands<\/a> seek recognition . Withoutker pro tempore objection, the gentleman is recognized for one minute. Sablan mr. Speaker, democrats on the house energy and Commerce Committee<\/a> agree, now is the time fix medicaid funding in the insular areas. 2328, reported out of the ommittee in july, addresses a serious funding shortfall in all areas, now that special obama care for the ended. Areas this is a significant source for pharmacistsdoctors, and other Health Care Providers<\/a>. Take this funding away and not lowincome families that qualify for medicaid will every but everyone at income level who depends on doctors, pharmacists and other Health Care Providers<\/a> will lose service. The insular areas have reached the medicaid cliff, but we have a solution. Chairman pallone, Ranking Member<\/a> walden, all the members of the let y and commerce agree, us bring h. R. 2328 to the floor. Show the house is united and fix he insular area medicaid funding cliff, and i yield back the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore for what purpose does the gentleman from georgia seek recognition . Mr. Carter i ask unanimous consent to address the house for to revise and extend my remarks. The speaker pro tempore without objection, the gentleman is recognized for one minute. Carter mr. Speaker, i rise oday to remember the life of mr. Marvin h. Mark cheeser who away on september 28. The mayor pro tem in long county the first Congressional District<\/a> of georgia, his friends and colleagues remember him as a to the Servant Community<\/a> who served tirelessly job. Id a great even before becoming the mayor cheeser spent ountless hours in his community. He drove school buses for the district there. In addition, he was very active both in the urch, mens ministry and driving the hurch van for wednesday night activity. During activities. During his time as mayor pro promote orked hard to policies to increase jobs. Im thankful that we have mr. In the first Congressional District<\/a> where his passion made our area a better live. To his family and friends will be my thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. Thank you, mr. Speaker. I yield back. The speaker pro tempore for what purpose does the gentlewoman from california rise . Ms. Waters madam speaker, i all nanimous consent that members may have five legislative days to revise and on h. R. Eir remarks 3624 and to insert extraneous material thereon. The speaker pro tempore without objection. Pursuant to House Resolution<\/a> 629 and rule 18, the chair declares the house in the committee of the whole house on the state of for consideration of h. R. 3624. Asks that the gentleman from colorado, mr. Neguse, preside over the committee of the whole. The chair the chair is in the committee of the whole house on the e of the union house is in the committee of the whole house on the state of the union which the clerk will title. By the clerk a bill Securities Exchange<\/a> act of 1934 to require the disclosure of the total number of domestic and foreign employees of certain and for other s purposes. The chair pursuant to the rule, the bill is considered as read the first time. General debate shall be confined shall not exceed one hour equally divided and controlled by the chair and of the minority Member Committee<\/a> on Financial Services<\/a>. The gentlewoman from california, waters, and the gentleman from north carolina, mr. Mchenry, will each control 30 minutes. The chair recognizes the california. From ms. Waters mr. Chairman, i yield myself such time as i may consume. The chair the gentlewoman is recognized. I waters mr. Chairman, rise in support of h. R. 3624, he outsourcing accountability act of 2019, crafted by axne from iowa, a the ember to congress and Financial Services<\/a> committee. The outsourcing accountability 2019 protects American Workers<\/a> by shining a light on companies that are shipping jobs overseas. Although Public Companies<\/a> are their totaldisclose number of employees, theres currently no requirement that disclose where those employees are geographically based. Allows companies to quietly it jobs overseas and makes difficult for investors to know if the companies theyre creating and re protecting american jobs. Disclosure luntary of outsourcing data has declined in recent decades. The aflcio, quote, ultinational companies have increasingly focused job creation in nonu. S. Markets and prefer not to disclose numbers that could lead to risk, unquote. As a result of the lack of disclosure, some companies that in failing to invest American Workers<\/a> escape accountability. The imited information public does about companies offshoring and usually comes from the news media. We do have shows u. S. Is losing jobs to trade. The United States<\/a> has lost more million american jobs to trade with china within the 20 years since 1975, more than five million americans have for trade ied adjustment assistance after hours, or their employment because of trade. 2017 tax scam ps s also worsened matters by essentially incentivizing to move anufacturers entire production lines overseas. By requiring Public Companies<\/a> to locations of their workforces, the outsourcing act provides investors with the information are need on which Companies Investing<\/a> in the American Economy<\/a> and will incentivize invest in American Workers<\/a>. With the passage of this bill companies would no longer be able to ship jobs cover of nder the darkness. Axne end representative for introducing this bill that creates transparency and enefits American Workers<\/a> and 3624. Doption of h. R. Reserve the balance of my timtim time. The gentlewoman reserves. The gentleman from north carolina. Mr. Mchenry i yield myself such consume. I may the chair the gentleman is recognized. Mr. Mchenry mr. Chair, i rise 3624. Osition to h. R. Our colleagues want to increase for everyday investors. We know that robust Capital Investors<\/a> e everyday the opportunity to save for a first home, a childs college and retirement. But instead of concerning a bill will grow the economy and create jobs, were using floor time, a full legislative day, in fact, to talk about where public located. Mployees are not foreign companies, but american ompanies and Public Companies<\/a>. Were considering a bill that a lly should be part of larger bill. It shouldnt take up a full legislative day. 1 2 pages of legislative text and does very little that do. Urports to but here we are. We must ensure that Public Companies<\/a> are properly regulated supervised to protect our Capital Markets<\/a> for all americans. Thats why companies are already to provide information to investors on risk exposure, financial data, and the companys financial condition. These reports help investors whether they believe the companys value is worthy of investment. Unfortunately, democrats are pursuing a partisan agenda of mandates that jeopardize Economic Opportunity<\/a> middleincome f americans. In 3624 is just the latest a series of partisan proposals offered by Committee Democrats<\/a> disclosures ancial to already thorough lists of disclosures. The efforts, really, to pursue a agenda or political nterest rather than economic interest. These mandates add to a companys cost of compliance. They can put lives at risk for people that are employed in countries around globe. They do not have an impact on underlying value of the firm and most certainly will iscourage companies from being public. Wants to lls sponsor tell where employees reside is unclear. Butow the title of the bill i dont see contents in the bill related to the title of the bill. No contextl provides for this data. In fact, during the hearing on his legislation, witnesses shared that simply knowing that 1 of the employees workforce resides in a particular state or abroad does not explain why american whether american have s hold these jobs or moved between states or overseas for work. And er some expertise resource expertise or to that job entral that cannot be found in the United States<\/a> or cannot be found other states or other regions of the country or whether moving results in Cheaper Products<\/a> for the american in umer or more jobs here the United States<\/a>. Perhaps theyre selling something into a foreign country. Dont have that as part of information here with this disclosure. The information sought by h. R. An would at best tell incomplete story and at worst misleading. Ply the only plausible explanation for this bill is to use the shame tion to try to Public Companies<\/a> based on incomplete and misleading information. Its unclear to me how shaming a ompany benefits the everyday investor. Or encourages more companies to brings more vibrant Capital Markets<\/a> here in the creates jobs or here in the United States<\/a>. Ow does shaming a company encourage more companies to go public . Create more ing pportunities to save for retirement . How does it enhance childrens college or parents savings for children to go to college . It help them economically . In fact, weve yet this congress to the floor l that would accomplish the goal of building retirement savings. For College Education<\/a> or buying a first home. We have yet to consider one bill the economy or actually create jobs. Were falling behind china. Were falling behind or economic the world across when it comes to the number of initial public offers, number of i. P. O. s. China has more i. P. O. s than the United States<\/a> in recent time. We need to right this. I want to hear what my democratic colleagues solution issue, not just a messaging bill that we have here oday of 2 1 2 pages of legislative text. So i urge my colleagues to people o the american and lets get back to the economic work that they need in this re we are economic cycle. Id encourage my colleagues to this bill that does nothing that the title says that it does. And i reserve the balance of my time. The chair the gentleman reserves. Yield five i minutes to the gentlewoman from iowa, mrs. Axne, who is the of the bill. The chair the gentlewoman is recognized. Thank you, chairwoman, and thank you to of maloney, the chairman the Investor Protection<\/a> subcommittee, for your support on this bill. Want to thank senators peters and representative mcnerney on the outsourcing accountability act. Wells fargo in my district laid off 400 workers, claiming it was due to advances. Cal but i heard from dozens of laid off employees who were directed replacements overseas, and across the are ry, corporations shipping jobs overseas, leaving American Workers<\/a> high and dry just to benefit their bottom line. Compingses arent even required to disclose they are laying off hardworking americans by moving jobs overseas. Currently when corporations submit their annual reports, they are only required to disclose the total number of employees, not where they are located. This makes it far too easy for companies to hide when they are laying off American Workers<\/a> and moving those jobs overseas. It also makes it easier for corporations to deceive the public about inaccurate job creation. If a company lays off 500 workers in iowa and then hires 1,000 of them in india, their annual report would show they added 500 jobs when in reality hardworking iowans are left unemployed wondering how they are going to pay their bills. Employees who lose their jobs due to overseas trade are eligible for trade adjustment assistance, or t. A. A. This Program Provides<\/a> laid off American Workers<\/a> with support and training to find a new job, but workers are only eligible for this assistance if they can certify that their job has been outsourced, which can be very difficult if a company is lying about outsourcing. Far too often companies are more concerned with protecting their public image than protecting workers and are reluctant to notify laid off workers that their job has been outsourced. We have seen this happen time and time again. My bill, the outsourcing accountability act, would simply require Public Companies<\/a> to include in their annual report where their employees are located by state and country. This will disincentivize companies from outsourcing and certainly disincentivize them from lying to employees antipublic about it. If a Company Knows<\/a> that information will be disclosed, theyll think twice about such unpopular action. Not only will this help disincentivize the practice of outsourcing and protect american jobs, but it will give investors and consumers the information they need to identify companies that are supporting american jobs. Now i know some of my colleagues on the other side of the aisle have said, this is too burdensome for companies. If a corporation isnt already tracking where in the world their employees are located, for gods sakes they have bigger problems than this legislation. One of the most difficult things about trying to address outsourcing and offshoring is that its so hard to get information about how many jobs it affects. This is a commonsense reporting bill that will increase transparency and accountability on a practice thats contributing to unemployment across this country. And it doesnt even cost the taxpayers a dime. I have heard from dozens of iowans in my district who are looking at their expenses and wondering how they are going to get through the month. They are wondering this because they have been laid off by their employer who claimed technological advances only to then train employees to replace them overseas. I urge my colleagues on the other side of the aisle to go back home to their districts and talk to their constituents who are struggling to pay their bills or put food on the table because their job has been shipped overseas. Go back home. Ask them if they a elected you to fight for american jobs or multinational corporations. I urge a yes vote on this bill and i yield back the balance of my time. The chair the gentlewoman reserves. Mr. Mchenry i yield myself such time as i may consume. The chair the gentleman is recognized. Mr. Mchenry the bill does no such thing as the author just stated, mr. Chair. It gives a list of the numbers of employees in each state or territory in the United States<\/a>. It gives the number of employees in the country. As matter of corporate disclosures. You want to talk about accountability, a list of names is not accountability unless this is about the trial bar suing or its about naming and shaming companies for changing ead counts in different states or government intervening to say you cant move employees between states. It does not do the things the author states. I reserve the balance of my time. The chair the gentleman reserves. The the gentlewoman from california is recognized. Ms. Waters i yield three minutes to the gentlewoman from new york, mrs. Maloney, the chairwoman for the subcommittee on Investor Protection<\/a>, entrepreneurship, and Capital Markets<\/a>. The chair the gentlewoman from new york is recognized. Mrs. Maloney i thank the chair lady for yielding and her support on this bill and leadership in the Financial Services<\/a> committee. I rise in strong support of the protect American Workers<\/a> from outsourcing, h. R. 3624, the outsourcing accountability act of 2019. And i congratulate my new colleague and my new friend from the great state of iowa, cindy axne, for her hard work on this important bill that will help American Workers<\/a> and save american jobs. This bill would require companies to disclose in their annual report the total number of employees they employ in each state and each foreign country. It would also require companies to disclose how those numbers have changed from the previous year. Which is critically important because it will allow investors and the public to monitor which companies are sending u. S. Jobs overseas. And also to see which companies are bringing jobs back to the United States<\/a> and employing americans. When companies outsource more of their jobs to other countries, sometimes that lowers a companys costs. But it also exposes the company to Reputational Risk<\/a> and increased operational risk. If more of the companys work force is located overseas, then the company is more exposed to political unrest or trade disruptions which we have recently seen around the world. It also makes it more difficult for companies to train workers who are located halfway across the globe. And to oversee their work force and ensure robust compliance with all the necessary regulatory requirements. It opens the company up to potential scandals and fines which at the end of the day harms investors and harms the companies. So these risks are definitely material to investors and they need to know about them. The bill would fix these problems and would hold companies who are outsourcing u. S. Jobs accountable for the decisions they are making. This bill helps the american worker. Its just plain common sense and it does not cost the taxpayer anything. It is a winwinwin in so many areas. So i urge my colleagues to support this Worker Protection<\/a> bill. Yield back. The chair the gentlewoman from reserves. It the gentleman reserves. The gentlelady from california is recognized. Ms. Waters i yield two minutes to the gentleman from california, mr. Mcnerney. The chair the gentleman is recognized. Mr. Mcnerney mr. Speaker, i thank the chairwoman waters and representative axne for bringing forth this legislation, h. R. 3624. I have to admit i dont really understand the Ranking Member<\/a>s objection to this legislation. As americans continue to struggle in an economy where too many corporations value profits over people, this legislation grew out of the idea that the consumer should know about the choices their companies are making so they can determine how to use their purchasing power. H. R. 3624 would require a publicly traded company to disclose the number of employees working in the United States<\/a> and abroad and to report the differences from year to year. Too Many Americans<\/a> find themselves out of work because the companies they have put their faith in and hope for the future in decided to ship their jobs out of this country without a thought for the workers and communities they leave behind. As these companies looked for shortterm gains through outsourcing, they neglect the longterm damage that this practice does to our economy and to our country. This legislation would bring Real Transparency<\/a> at a time when consumerers are becoming increasingly conscious about where they spend and invest their money. I ask my colleagues to join me in supporting this bill. I yield back the balance of my time. The chair the gentleman reserves. Mr. Mchenry mr. Chair, i yield myself such time as i may consume. The chair the gentleman is recognized. Mr. Mchenry while i agree with my colleague from new yorks soar torial decision, we sartorial decisions, we diverge here. What i would say to my colleagues here in the chamber is we all care about having more workers here in america. We do. A corporate mandate on disclosing the number of employees does not actually do that. Having competitive regulations, having a competitive tax code, competing around the globe for jobs here in the United States<\/a>, winning a trade war with the biggest competitor on the globe that we have, a rise in china. Having an eye to the competition we face globally is the way we get american jobs here and keep them here. Simply mandating something more on our companies and holding them back and restraining them does not actually move us forward in the globe. It doesnt. It doesnt actually get the driving force of this. What i hear from my colleagues on the other side of the aisle, it seems like they do support us having a reset with our trading relationship with china. That they do agree we need to have a new trading relationship with our biggest trading partners so we get more jobs here. The unions support that concept. Republicans support that concept. And we should be able to have a Bipartisan Coalition<\/a> that support a new agenda on trade or better agenda on trade so we have american jobs here. My district has felt that intensely with the loss of textile manufacturing jobs. The way we brought them back is by competing. By having greater better regulation, better tax rates, and more technological innovation here in the United States<\/a>. And now we have more jobs than we did 10 years ago in textiles in north carolina. We have more jobs than we did 10 years ago when it deals with furniture. So we can compete. We can do this smartly. And we can do it well. But more corporate mandates, more expense burdens on Public Companies<\/a> does not lead to more Public Companies<\/a>, does not lead to better investments for pensioners, whether its Public Pensions<\/a> or Union Pensions<\/a> or individual folks that want to save for their retirement. What we have to do is think differentl than just more mandates, more regulation, more burden. And no state has felt this type of challenge and felt with it in a competitive way than the state of michigan. So, mr. Chair, id like to yield three minutes to the lead republican on the Capital Market<\/a> subcommittee, mr. Huizenga of michigan. The chair the gentleman is recognized. Mr. Huizenga i appreciate the Ranking Member<\/a> doing that. As i was hearing my colleagues describe what this bill does and who its targeted at, it just struck me. There is an untethering from reality of what our economy is and how our economy functions. Certainly along any of the border. Yes, we have a northern border. While in michigan its actually to the east of us. When you look at what happens in the automotive industry, in the Agricultural Industry<\/a> that is the most porous border in the world because thats our largest trading partner in the world. In michigan canada is the seventh or eighth largest Trading Partnership<\/a> in the world. Just the state of michigan alone. As we are piling on regulation upon regulation over the last number of decades, you saw companies leaving the United States<\/a>. Sometimes they were for different reasons. Its supply chain. They didnt have anything to do with lower labor markets in canada. The u. A. W. Strike also was the Canadian Workers<\/a> strike. This is all linked together. And in the bill itself, this disclosure requirement, we have to desegregate by state, the district of columbia, commonwealth, territory, possession, compare a percentage. Youre shifting from ohio to droith, indiana, wisconsin, you are going to have to track all those things as you are not by the way not by numbers but by percentages. The total number of employees who physically work and domicile in another country outside the United States<\/a>. Again you are going to have to do that same thing you are shifting Automotive Parts<\/a> production between subsidiaries , that happens all the time, whether its going from troy, michigan, or to windsor ontario. That is a free flow that goes back and forth all the time. That has nothing to do with some nefarious shipping of jobs overseas, thats called supply chain. This bill is flawed because it aints an incomplete company picture. Simply knowing one percentage of a companys workforce residing which is obviously means everywhere on anything, just any y does not give you kind of picture or flavor or test of what is happening within that. And, yes, it is duplicative. Have an amendment on this bill a little bit later. We already have conflict mineral reporting. We have all kinds of reporting that happened because of doddfrank. I can tell you one of the lack of competitiveness in the United States<\/a> and one of the challenges our committee constantly talking about how we et mr. Mchenry i yield my colleague one more minute. The chair the gentleman is recognized. Mr. Huizenga what we in tantly talk about committee is how do we make sure the United States<\/a> is the area growth, innovation, entrepreneurship . Companies that are now public, none of them started out public. They became Public Companies<\/a>, thewe have seen a plunge in number of publicly traded companies. Thats why i supported reform, tax reform, because we had to make the United States<\/a> more competitive. Help ill does nothing to the United States<\/a> become more competitive. It becomes less competitive and all with theme and goal of shaming companies, not actually getting aggregate anybody. On that helps so i know my time has expired nd with that i yield back to the gentleman from north carolina. The chair the gentleman from north carolina. Mr. Mchenry reserve. The gentleman reserves. The gentlewoman from california is recognized. Outsourcing the accountability act of 2019 is a commonsense bill that is advocacy by consumer organizations like public citizen, the labor epresentatives from the aflcio, communication workers of america, the united workers, and the united steelworkers. According to the communication america, i quote, this key piece of legislation working atly help families and c. W. A. Fully supports the bills passage. Is a vital effort to guarantee that companies are disclose the w to magnitude to which the outsource of american jobs and exploit owcost foreign labor, end quote. According to the aflcio, the required disclosure help. 3624 would, quote, investors analyze companies, trategic plans, exposures to geopolitical risks, and risk from extreme weather events. Rom a Public Policy<\/a> perspective, such disclosure will also allow the public to of the Corporate Tax<\/a> cut on encouraging end quote. Mr. Chairman, i ask unanimous consent to enter a letter in of h. R. 3624 from the workers of n america. The chair the gentleladys will be covered by general leave. Ms. Waters i reserve the balance of my time. He chair the gentlewoman reserves. Mr. Mchenry i am prepared to close. F i may inquire if the chair has any further speakers. The chair the gentlewoman from california. Ms. Waters i am prepared to close. The chair the gentleman from is recognized. Mr. Mchenry i yield myself such time as i may consume. Clear, the bill were considering right now has outsourcing. With this is a political talking oint, not a piece of legislation. T will not bring jobs back to the United States<\/a>. The bill is simply designed to create more opportunities for activists and the trial bar to name and shame companies. Does this do for the American People<\/a> . Nothing. Contrast, the republican tax act has brought more jobs and greater payback to the United States<\/a> pay back to United States<\/a>. Mr. Chair, our Unemployment Rate<\/a> is at a 50year low, so all this gloom, all this economic gloom about outsourcing, weve been about insourcing, bringing jobs back to the United States<\/a> from overseas. Who has an esident aggressive trade agenda to make sure we have more jobs here in instead of tates outsourcing jobs through bad rade deals that we agree in a bipartisan way, bad trade deals have cost us jobs over the years. Led by both democrat and republican president s, unfortunately. O theres bipartisan support here for better trade egislation, better trading relationships. Lets focus on that. He Labor Force Participation<\/a> rate is way up and continues to rise. More people in the United States<\/a> are entering the workforce than leaving the workforce. The American People<\/a> are reaping of a strong economy. If democrats are serious about grow our economy and create highpaying jobs, ets start passing bills that unleash companies, not constrain them. Grow, not businesses discourage them from going public. Merican businesses need resources, not mandates, to compete with our biggest threat china. If my democratic colleagues are not interested in growing our economy, lets find other areas of Common Ground<\/a>. Bills that help Everyday Americans<\/a> save for heir retirement, for their childrens College Education<\/a>, or to buy their first home. Those workers that are putting together a couple of jobs get fulltime jobs. Bipartisan legislation to help seniors drugs. Prescription lets authorize the defense epartment and have a stronger National Defense<\/a> by passing a ipartisan National Defense<\/a> authorization act. Unfortunately, this bill were iscussing today, would do none of those things, and we spent the large majority of our week two small, tiny, but extraordinary vak with us pieces vacuous pieces of legislation that have consumed our week legislatively. A 2 1 2page bill thats a full bit of our business on a day. Ay, on a legislative meaningful lly meaningless, vacuous bill consumed the day as well. This is not how we should be running congress. d like to reiterate, the republicans stand ready to work across the aisle on meaningful legislation that will help the American People<\/a>. So lets vote this bill down. Not just agree with the political talking point thats ut into legislative text for political reasons. Lets vote this down. Serious legislating and get done with these empty bills and on with the work of American People<\/a>. With that, mr. Chair, i yield back. Yields. R the gentleman ms. Waters may i kwien as i inquire as to how much time i have left . The chair the gentlewoman has 17 minutes remaining. Ms. Waters how many . The chair 17. 17 minutes. Ms. Waters thank you very chairman and members. Have sat here and listened to my colleagues on the opposite side of the aisle attempt to why it is they are and what this bill this bill is attempting to do to transparency in american them ies by simply asking to disclose the number of jobs theyre exporting overseas. Their understand what argument is. I have heard from both side of sides of the aisle for years that our number one prioriti priorities is jobs, job creation and job retention. I heard from both sides of the aisle that we must do everything stop american corporations from exporting our offshore. Ive heard members from both ides of the aisle take to the floor of the house of representatives and talk about we must stop, how we must do everything that we possibly can ensure that we are in no way our rting or Incentivizing Companies<\/a> to export our jobs overseas. Of this the author bill, mrs. Axne, who talked about what happened in her wells fargo. These rd her explain how people, these employees are many of them just unfair forabsolutely our companies who got big tax to be able to export our overseas in search of cheap abor, undermining the labor force in america. I dont know how they justify heard the Ranking Member<\/a> of this committee keep shaming the companies. I dont know who hes trying to protect. Gets this w where he language from. Shaming the companies. Ut if thats what he wants to use, if thats what he wants to accuse me of, im sure hes not author of this bill of shaming American Companies<\/a>. Of if you want to accuse me that, you might be able to do so. This. T me just say you might be able to say that on throwing a little shade you also, because if in fact you will not ing no, i yield. Actionsre defending the of American Companies<\/a> who are jobs your constituents out of your district, offshore, you can defend that, then hat is something wrong with your reasoning. And i dont know if its shaming or shading or whatever it is, i it. Pposed to most of the members of this house of representatives are and this it, legislator no legislator who the to the congress of United States<\/a> probably wondered why we hadnt done something about this sooner. Pleased that she had the courage, the wisdom, and the to challenge us all and to say this has got to stop. Youre saying this bill does nothing. Are you saying that information no good . Are you saying that somehow this, understanding this, we wouldnt be able to do something about it . Tell you, i just think youre wrong. I think youre absolutely wrong. Information is revealed, when this information made olded, when it is evident that these companies are doing this, then i think we have more than a few members who will rise to the occasion to do possible to stop our ing american jobs from districts to Foreign Countries<\/a> labor. Ap and i yield back the balance of time. Members are reminded to direct their remarks to the chair. Time all time for general debate time for general debate has expired. Pursuant to the rule, the bill shall be considered for amendment under the fiveminute rowley. It rule. It shall be in order to consider an original bill to recommend an amendment in the nature of a the bill. Printed in that amendment in the nature of a substitute shall be considered as read. Amendment t to that shall be in order except those of house part c report 116237. Each such amendment may be ffered only in the order printed in the report, by a member designated in the report, shall be considered as read, debatable for the time specified in the report, equally ivided and controlled by the proponent and an opponent, shall not be subject to amendment, and demandot be subject to a for division of the question. It is now in order to consider number 1 printed in 116237. F house report for what purpose does the gentleman from michigan seek recognition . I have an a amendment at the desk. The chair the clerk will designate the amendment. The clerk amendment number 1 printed in part c of house 116237 offered by mr. Huizenga of michigan. Pursuant to House Resolution<\/a> 629, the gentleman from michigan, mr. Huizenga, and a member opposed, each will control five minutes. The chair recognizes the from michigan. Mr. Huizenga thank you, mr. Chair. We just heard a little other side of the the aisle can be easily explained. They dont understand the power federal government fully growth in an deter our economy. Its not one big giant thing. Death by a thousand cuts. Atmosphere or he destroying the atmosphere in an allows nnovation, growth, and allows the has preneurial spirit that set america apart from the rest of the world. Its putting it on the chopping block. Thats why i oppose this bill. Once again we are using the massive power of the federal overnment to bully companies around because im kind of curious, if this is all about foreign jobs, why in the world under section ai we are going to need all this information, desegregated by state, by state. This has nothing to do with whether a jobs going to mexico or china or vietnam or canada. It has to do whether its going from michigan to ohio. Or from or from indiana to iowa. Yet you are going to force the companies to continue to do all of this for zero benefit. No benefit. Not a benefit to an investor. Not a benefit to the employee, certainly. I must apparently have something against michigan or against ohio. Ive got something against their university, not the state. But why we continue to just pile this on is why i believe this is deeply flawed and it paints incomplete pictures of whats going on. Today my amendment is this. Im offering a simple amendment that would exempt issuers from making these disclosures if they are already required to make c. E. O. Pay ratio disclosure and disclosures relating to conflict minerals. I cannot describe to you fully in this five minutes the damage that has been done with a lict minerals alone in wide swath of industries, including the automotive industry. People think why in the world would that have anything to do with it . It has been hundreds and hundreds of manhours to try to track something down thats untrackable. We still have no idea where all this is. My amendment today, and if this is really about foreign jobs and all those kind of things, which we know its really not because we needed to segregate it by state, but if it is about that, its fine for the authors to step up and support this amendment. We need to stop mandating frivolous disclosures for Public Companies<\/a>. We already have two with the c. E. O. Pay ratio and the conflict minerals. I believe this is reasonable to say that if you already are doing those, you no longer have to do these additional. Additional disclosures. We should be looking at ways to lower costs. Reducing barriers on those seeking to become the next ford, the next amazon. The next microsoft. Instead, we are just putting up speed bump after speed bump after speed bump. What happens, mr. Chair, is those speed bumps eventually turn into a wall. That stops all progress. I encourage my colleagues to vote yes on this amendment and ill reserve the balance of my time. The chair the gentleman reserves. For what purpose does the gentlewoman from california seek recognition . Ms. Waters to claim time in opposition. The chair the gentlewoman is recognized. Ms. Waters i strongly oppose representative huizengas amendment which would effectively gut h. R. 3624 by exempting the vast majority of Public Companies<\/a> from the outsourcing disclosure. The amount does this indirectly by exempting companies that have to comply with s. E. C. Rules requiring disclosure of the pay ratio between the c. E. O. s compensation and that of its median employees or rules requiring disclosures relating to conflict men rals. However, all Public Companies<\/a> must comply with those rules with some narrow exemptions. The c. E. O. Pay ratio and conflict Minerals Disclosures<\/a> have nothing to do with the new requirement to disclose how many jobs are being outsourced. Taken together, it with the limited exemption for newly Public Companies<\/a> already in h. R. 3624, the amount would limit the bills outsourcing disclosures to small reporting companies, frorn private issuers, earn certain registered investment companies. What my republican colleagues do not seem to understand is that i vestors do care about all of these types of investors do care about all these types of disclosures. They know when a c. E. O. Makes significant mull tipsles of the median employee. The performsance is hurt. Investors also know sources its mintrals to conflict zones it raises a higher risk than a company with a stable source of resources. Like wise investors also want to know whether a company is creating jobs in the United States<\/a> or overseas. By proposing a huge expansion of exemptions, representative huizengas amendment would effectively negate the bill and allow companies to continue quietly and secretly to ship american jobs overseas. Let me just add to these comments, in particular all of the new members of congress, any time, any company is shipping jobs out of your district, no matter where they are going, you raise the questions, you ask why they are doing that. Dont be ashamed to do that. Dont think that somethings wrong with doing that. You were represented. You were elected to represent the people in your district. And mr. Huizenga would have you believe that if jobs are being taken from your state to another state, you are supposed to be quiet because somethings wrong with that. I dont care whether its from state to state or overseas or what have you. Representatives who were sent here to speak for their constituents should be concerned about that. They should raise the questions and they should be involved with everything they can do to preserve those jobs. I reserve the balance of my time. The chair the gentlewoman reserves. The gentleman from michigan. Mr. Huizenga could i inquire how much time remains . The chair the gentleman from michigan has 45 seconds. Mr. Huizenga ill make it quick. Its pretty easey. What you just heard isnt true, mr. Chairman. Because if truly the other side cared about any time there was a job getting shipped overseas, they would not have under b2, disclosure requirement, an exemption with respect to an emerging Growth Company<\/a>. If they actually put their money where their mouth is, they wouldnt have that exclusion in there. Because apparently an automotive job isnt as valuable as an emerging Growth Company<\/a> job . So im confused. If thats really what its all about, is youre going to have then we ought to make sure the rules apply to everybody. And that there should not be an exemption, and im confused as to why the author of this bill would allow that to happen. Would allow those Technology Companies<\/a> to ship those jobs overseas without any respect of having to report them. Obviously, mr. Chairman, im being a little sarcastic, but it just goes to show why this is a flawed bill. With that i yield back. The chair the gentlemans time has expired. The gentlewoman from california is recognized. Ms. Waters i yield the balance of my time to the gentlewoman from iowa, the sponsor of this important legislation, miss axne. The chair the gentlewoman from iowa is recognized. Miss axne thank you, chair woman. As a new member of congress there is a lot of learning to be done, but what i can tell you from listening to this debate this morning is that im always astounded at how we cant come together to find Common Ground<\/a> to help people in this country. Thats simply what this bill does. This amendment proposed by my colleague is quite simply designed to exempt the vast majority of companies from the outsourcing accountability act akt and leave the disclosures exactly as they are now. I fail to see any logic behind saying that companies that disclose their c. E. O. Pay ratio or whether they are using conflict minerals should be exempt from the disclosures in this bill. Has nothing to do with it. The disclosures in my bill are meant to show if a corporation is truly supporting american jobs or shipping themovers seas. If my colleague doesnt want to know where that information is and how Many Companies<\/a> are shipping jobs overseas and the companies that hes investing in, he should simply say so. I know some of my colleagues on the other side of the aisle have brought up that there could be good reasons to add jobs overseas. Nothing in this bill prevents companies from explaining that. If a companys opening up new Retail Stores<\/a> abroad, they can simply say that. The same goes for any other reason. This bill is very simple. It simply requires the companies to disclose to the Public Information<\/a> that they already have about what country their employees are located in. This amendment would remove that requirement, leaving Companies Free<\/a> to continue to hide that information. A vote for this amendment is really a vote against the bill itself. I urge my colleagues to reject this unproductive amendment and yield back the balance of my time. The chair the gentlewoman from california is recognized. Ms. Waters i yield back the balance of my time. The chair it the question is on the amendment offered by the gentleman from michigan. So many as are in favor say aye. Those opposed, no. In the opinion of the chair, the noes have it. The amendment is not agreed to. Mr. Huizenga mr. Chairman, i request a recorded vote. The chair pursuant to clause 6 of rule 18, further proceedings on the amendment offered by the gentleman from michigan will be postponed. It is in order to considered amendment number 2 printed in part c of house report is 13267. For what purpose does the gentleman from arkansas seek recognition . Mr. Hill i have an amendment at the desk. The chair the clerk will designate the amendment. The clerk amendment number 2 printed in part c of house report number 116237, offered by mr. Hill of arkansas. The chair pursuant to House Resolution<\/a> 629, the gentleman from arkansas, mr. Hill, and a member opposed, each will control five minutes. The chair recognizes the gentleman from arkansas. Mr. Hill thank you, mr. Chair. I want to thank the Ranking Member<\/a> on our side for offering me time to explain my amendment. I commend my friend from iowa for her work in this legislation. Let me make a couple of comments initially about the bill generally. First of all, i dont think this bill is going to be a disincentive as she described it, to companies who are recruiting to another state or considering moving to another country potentially for supply chain reasons because, look, they are doing it what they think is in the best long run interest of building their product. Dont forget, our states recruit our companies, countries recruit our companies. We look at supply chains. These are frequently very Public Matters<\/a> about governors bragging how many employees they have from each state and each company. And the warren act, already on o the statute books, certainly takes care of this issue of notice on layoffs and disclosure of employees. In my own state recently kimberly clark, a publicly traded company, decided to move jobs to wisconsin. Those jobs were wellknown in my district and mr. Gallaghers district in wisconsin. There was nothing secret about it. Its just part of business realigning inside our beautiful largest economy in the world. I do have concerns about this disclosure internationally that my friend is requiring because what if you are proposing to enter a country and you want to keep that private for competition purposes, from international competition, or for your competitors in the United States<\/a>. You are now forced as a Public Company<\/a> to disclose, oh, i have one employee in a country and i find that concerning. You may even put that employee at a safety risk depending on what country is a target for americans. In my view that brings up a topic of overall burden. We know of the old expression the straw that broke the camels back. And Regulatory Burden<\/a>s are cumulative. And the burden, any one burden doesnt seem large but when piled up on all the other burdens you see it in total. I was talking to a chief accounting officer the other day of a 2 billion market cap company. She spends 250,000 a year, for example, to comply with the conflict mineral rule. If you have a 10 time multiple on that, thats a lot of money annualized impacting their business to try to comply with something they say is not physically possible to comply with. So as i look at this as an additional burden, i urge that it not be adopted. My amendment does something simple. It just simply says that if this employment disclosure, domestically or internationally, is material to the business in keeping with the tradition of the securities laws, then ok. If its a material statement to describe where these employees are located to the business, then that might be something useful. So i urge adoption of my amendment and i reserve the balance of my time. The chair the gentleman reserves. For what purpose does the gentlewoman from ms. Waters to claim time in opposition. The chair the gentlewoman is recognized. Ms. Waters let me just say to my colleague on the opposite side of the aisle from arkansas. The need to be concerned about regulations relative to companies that are shipping jobs overseas is something i dont understand. I dont understand why the members on the opposite side of the aisle could take this precious time to come here in defense of companies who would ship our american jobs overseas for cheap labor. There is no excuse. There is no reason. There is no reason why our colleagues who come here to represent constituencies, many of whom are still looking for jobs, and those who get laid off because their companies have taken their jobs and shipped them overseas, would come here and defend some company because they believe that we are being too tough on them, we are overregulating them. I dont understand it and there is nothing they could say or do to help me understand it. I strongly oppose representative hills amendment. T would allow companies to opt out of the disclosure if they believe that the information is material, unquote, information for investors. Practice, now in companies have interpreted material to only include issues that have a current and easily impact. Able thats exactly what the Multinational Companies<\/a> that have been shipping american jobs overseas want to hide what they are doing. Noted before, a in may, tee hearing Multinational Companies<\/a>, quote, focused job ngly creation in nonu. S. Markets and would prefer not to disclose that would lead to Reputational Risk<\/a>, end quote. We must stand with American Workers<\/a> and address this fgs this barrier informational barrier to help investors, policymakers oferstand the true magnitude the problem. And so i would urge my colleagues to vote no on this reserve the d i balance of my time. The chair the gentlewoman reserves. He gentleman from arkansas is recognized. Mr. Hill how much time do i have, mr. Chair . The chair the gentleman from minutes. Has two mr. Hill thank you. Well, my friend from california is making the case that this bills confusing and a even because we dont know internationally if these are american jobs that were moved or not. Oure just counting the people in Foreign Countries<\/a>. I dont know thats really relevant. Argument, in my view as well, we are disclosing friend, thees, as my Ranking Member<\/a>, made so eloquently. And think it is a burden its not about shipping jobs. We have the warren act which with jobs that re shipped overseas or moved nd makes sure that and makes sure that people are retrained and compensated in the right way. Instead, this is another burden on our Public Companies<\/a>. Public companies. I just formed with mr. Foster, murphy, y, Stephanie Steve<\/a> chabot, the entrepreneur caucus, and were trying to find out we asked g. A. O. Why are we not having more Public Companies<\/a> at smaller sizes . To you, my friend from california and iowa, its ecause we have raised the cost of being public too high. This is another burden, and i think we should think long and we add burden. Materiality is a way to bring back, and i reserve. Members are reminded to direct their remarks to the chair. Ms. Waters i yield the balance of my time. The chair does the gentleman yield back . Mr. Hill no, i reserve. The chair the gentleman reserves. The gentlewoman from california is recognized. Ms. Waters does the gentleman have any more speakers . Dont, madam chair. I have time i will use so i will use that time to close. He chair i reserve the right to close. Ms. Waters i reserve the right to close. The gentlewoman reserves. The gentleman from arkansas is recognized. Mr. Hill let me close by saying to lower the cobbs of being public. We want to remove barriers from being public. We do that by carefully balancing the Regulatory Burden<\/a> to be public. Which does not, in my way, enhance any knowledge for nvestors or do anything important or material, weakens that effort, reduces barriers to public. I believe we should have a materiality standard. I urge an adoption of my i yield back the balance of my time. The chair the gentleman yields. The gentlewoman from california is recognized. Ms. Waters to the gentleman from arkansas, you use your time deal with the burden that you claim multinationals have just reporting. This we will use our time to support the workers and the people of this country. Time d the balance of my to the gentlewoman from iowa, the sponsor of this important mrs. Axne. , the chair the gentlewoman from iowa is recognized. Rs. Axne thank you, chairwoman. As written, my colleagues amendment would severely limit outsourcing accountability act and continue to leave companies in charge of whether or not they tell the public outsourcing. Corporations are already going o Great Lengths<\/a> to cover it up and if they are moving jobs overseas, why would they voluntarily disclose it in their . Nnual report my colleague mentioned this is that broke the camels back. I can tell you companies are this y tracking information. We have to pay workers. Therefore, they know exactly where theyre located. I have done this work in my past. I have been involved in Human Resources<\/a> in organizational my entire career. I tracked this kind of information. All it takes is programming and sure of a button to make that information comes out. Id like to also talk about the act, because the warren disclosure whether hows if layoffs are due to outsourcing. We need to get the assessment to help people feed their children and keep their lights on. Whether will show corporations are truly creating american jobs or if they are instead moving jobs overseas. Amendment, just like the last one, would leave things just as they are now, with share that able to information only if they decide to do so. Left us with, has frankly, insufficient data about outsourcing as a general practice. And minimal transparency about what corporations are creating jobs. I urge my colleagues to reject this unproductive amendment and yield back the balance of my time. The chair the gentlewoman from recognized. Is ms. Waters id like to take this moment to thank my a new member to the congress of the United States<\/a>, ho serves on the Financial Services<\/a> committee, for introducing, supporting, and working for this legislation. I would urge all of my olleagues to vote no on this amendment. The chair the gentlewoman yields back. The question is on the amendment offered by the gentleman from arkansas. Of those in favor say aye. Those opposed, no. In the opinion of the chair, the noes have it. The amendment is not agreed to. Mr. Hill mr. Chair, id like to vote. T a recorded the chair pursuant to clause 6 of rule 18, further proceedings on the amendment offered by the gentleman from arkansas will be postponed. Pursuant to clause 6 of rule 18, will now resume on those amendments printed in part on house report 116237 which further proceedings were postponed in the following rder amendment number 1 by mr. Huizenga of michigan, amendment number 2 by mr. Hill of arkansas. Reduce to two minutes the minimum time for any first nic vote after the vote in this series. The Unfinished Business<\/a> is the request for a recorded vote on amendment number 1 printed in 116237 house report by the gentleman from michigan, huizenga, on which further proceedings were postponed and on which the noes prevailed by vote. The clerk will redesignate the amendment. The clerk amendment number 1 house in part c of report 116237 offered by mr. Huizenga of michigan. Vote has a recorded been requested. Those in support of the request for a recorded vote will rise and be counted. Be counted. A sufficient number having arisen, a recorded vote is ordered. Members will record their votes by electronic device. This will be a 15minute vote. National captioning institute, inc. , in cooperation with the United States<\/a> house of representatives. Proceedings for political or commercial purposes is expressly prohibited by the u. S. House of representatives. ] the chair on this vote the yeas are 184. On this vote the yeas are 184. The nays are 229. The amendment is not adopted. The Unfinished Business<\/a> is the recorded vote on amendment number 2 printed in 116237 f house report by the gentleman from arkansas, mr. Hill, on which further proceedings were postponed and on which the noes prevailed by voice vote. The clerk will redesignate the amendment. Number 2 amendment printed in part c of house offered by mr. Hill of arkansas. The chair a recorded vote has been requested. Those in support of the request for a recorded vote will rise and be counted. A sufficient number having arisen, a recorded vote is ordered. Members will record their votes by electronic device. This will be a twominute vote. National captioning institute, inc. , in cooperation with the United States<\/a> house of representatives. Proceedings for political or commercial purposes is expressly prohibited by the u. S. 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