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

[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. The chair lays before the house a communication from the speaker. The clerk the speakers rooms, washington, d. C. March 13, 2020. I hereby appoint the honorable susan k. Dell ben delbene to act as speaker pro tempore 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. Haplain conroy let us pray. God of mercy, thank you for giving us another day. Bless the members of the peoples house today. A legislative day in response to the growing impact of the coronavirus. As our leaders near an agreement on an economic stimulus package to combat the effects of the pandemic, send your comforting and encouraging spirit to each one. May they, united in their resolve to serve all your people, put aside the divisions that exist to find an Effective Response that benefits all, but most especially those who are one or two paychecks removed from long lasting negative impacts beyond the presence of the disease itself. We thank you as well for those men and women in the private sector whose generosity and sensitivity to the vulnerable have emerged to the edification of all who have eyes to see. Bless them for their response in the current environment. Finally, continue to bless those who suffer with the virus infection and those whose labor is entreating in treating this illness and finding an effective cumplete may all that is done be for your greater honor and glory. Men. The speaker pro tempore pursuant to section 7a of House Resolution 891, the journal of the last days proceedings is approved. The pledge of allegiance will be led by the gentleman from washington, mr. Newhouse. Mr. Newhouse join me in the pledge of allegiance. 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 . I ask unanimous consent to address the house for one minute. The speaker pro tempore without objection, the gentlewoman is recognized for one minute. Mrs. Dingell thank you, madam speaker. I rise in support of the Families First Coronavirus Response act. Our nation is confronting an unprecedented pandemic unlike what any of us can remember. Oiler role in the congress our role in the congress is to be proactive and ensure Public Health officials have the resources and tools that they need to keep our communities safe in the coming weeks and months. Prompt action is needed to address this extraordinary situation, and the Families First Coronavirus Response act meets the needs begins to meet the needs of many people in our communities. The legislation ensures testing is 100 covered. Paid sick leave, it ensures that food and economic assistance goes directly to hardworking men and women and families deeply affected by the outbreak. It also provides much needed Financial Assistance to the states to meet this critical Public Health challenge that they are facing right now. Leaders must lead. People are legitimately afraid. But together we have to Work Together to address this issue. The speaker pro tempore for what purpose does the gentleman from illinois seek recognition . Madam speaker, i ask unanimous consent to address the house for one minute. The speaker pro tempore without objection, the gentlewoman is recognized for one minute. Thank you, madam speaker. I rise in support of the extension of the chemical facility antiterrorism standards program. The see fast Program First authorized in 2006 is a continuation of congressional efforts since september 11 to protect the homeland. Mr. Shimkus the program surgically and directly addresses gaps in federal law regarding the security of highrisk facilities that use or possess chemicals of concern and at levels of concern. The program is unique in that to avoid overlapping with other federal perhaps, it was designed to Foster Collaboration between the government and regulated parties. C fast is a security program, regrettably over the years some have tried to make it a safety program. Safety and security are two very different things. Securitys about protect your ability to operate and safety is about controlling how you operate. We should continue to preserve the programs focus on security. Finally, it is imperative Going Forward we find a way to extend the life of the program for a longer period of time. At least five years, in order to give the program its personnel and participants the consistency they all need to be successful in their mission. Thank you, madam speaker. I yield back my time. The speaker pro tempore for what purpose does the gentleman from rhode island seek recognition . Mr. Cicilline i ask unanimous consent to address the house for one minute. The speaker pro tempore without objection, the gentleman is recognized for one minute. Mr. Cicilline madam speaker, today the house will vote on the Families First Coronavirus Response act this. Critical legislation provides much needed support for working people across america. It includes funding for free coronavirus test for everyone who needs it. 14 days of paid sick leave, with up to three months of paid family and medical leave much enhanced Unemployment Insurance protecting workers. Seniors and nutrition and food banks, and increase federal funds for medicaid. We are facing an enormous crisis in our country right now. Once we pass this bill, the senate and president need to act swiftly so these resources are made available to the American People. I want to thank Speaker Nancy Pelosi and all of our colleagues who worked so hard on this over the last several days. Nothing is more important than protecting the health and wellbeing of the American People. There is more work to be done and well do whatever it takes, bear any burden, confront any stacle to mihmize the minimize the effects of this pandemic. With that i yield back. The speaker pro tempore for what purpose does the gentleman from california seek recognition . 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. Thank you. Things will get worse before they get bert. Mr. Lamalfa recently appears the worst part is here. Necessary measures are being taken as we learn more about this virus. We now have a new term, social distancing. Small businesses are suffering. Tourism, the economy in general. This outbreak is causing a lot of hurt. Now more than ever its important to support our local Small Businesses. They are the backbone of our economy and our exspeerns in decline we havent seen in a long time from the recent outbreak in their towns. It will result in a much larger problem proven to be quite resilient so far. The s. B. A. Is offering disaster resistance loans for Small Business impacted by the virus. The issue is to ease and cushion our economy so that in a few weeks we can start our bounceback. Indeed we will bounceback. Last weeks measure will help our health providers. Hopefully this weeks economic package not chockfull of social wishlies by the democrats, but something that should be helpful to stabilizing the economy and affordable at the same time. I hope we can accomplish the good work this week. I yield back. The speaker pro tempore for what purpose does the gentlewoman from New Hampshire seek recognition . Madam speaker, i ask unanimous consent to address the house for one minute. The speaker pro tempore without objection, the gentlewoman is recognized for one minute. Ms. Kuster thank you, madam chair. Today the house of representatives will consider the Families First Coronavirus Response act. And critical legislation to expand paid emergency leave for American Workers to ensure free coronavirus testing to bolster Unemployment Insurance for furloughed workers and to strengthen our safety net for workers and students experiencing Food Insecurity due to closures. Democrats and republicans must continue to advance this emergency legislation to protect the health and Economic Security of the American People. The coronavirus does not choose republican or democrat, and the American People are looking to this chamber for swift and deservey defiesive decisive leadership. I want to thank our First Responders and nurses and doctors for their effort to keep the Granite State safe. You are bringing needed comfort to those who have been impacted by this Public Health crisis. Thank you. I yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentlemans time has expired. For what purpose does the gentleman from washington seek wreck . Mr. Newhouse madam speaker, i request unanimous consent to address the house for one minute. The speaker pro tempore without objection, the gentlewoman is recognized for one minute. Thank you, madam speaker. Captain moses novis and begunry Sergeant Diego Pongo both marine raiders lost their lives on march 8 while on a mission to eliminate isis terrorists in iraq. I met captain novice last year when he spoke at a ceremony to rename a local post office in honor of his fallen comrade, sergeant dietrich, a Central Washington native. With great poise and humility the captain said at the time, and i quote, we can all sleep well and find comfort in knowing that its americans who raise their hands. This Nations Defense is in the hands of guys such as dietrich. Madam speaker, its imperative we not lose sight of the fact that as we speak the brave men and women of our armed forces are standing guard to keep our nation safe. Today i rise to echo those powerful words from a brave young captain. Pictured here alongside sergeants parents at the post Office Dedication to say that we can, indeed, sleep soundly because of heroes like moses, diego, and dietrich. Thank you, madam speaker. I yield back. The speaker pro tempore for what purpose does the gentleman from indiana seek recognition . To address the chair. Revise my comments for one minute. The speaker pro tempore without objection, the gentleman is recognized for one minute. Madam speaker, i rise today to honor my friend and fellow hoosier, sid he can nazi. Mr. Pence he will be celebrating his 90th birthday this march 25. Sidney is a true philanthropist and civic leader. He and his loving wife serve as pillars of our Hoosier Community and role models for future generations. Without their charitable efforts, many hoosiers would not have access to higher education, the fine arts, and Quality Health care. Indiana is indebted to them for their leadership and generosity over the past five decades. The pence family, my wife, my children are truly blessed to consider sidney and lois close friends, and we thank them for serving our communities with a true servant heart. God bless sid and lois, and i look forward to continuing to work with them for the benefit of hoosiers everywhere. Happy birthday, sid. I yield my time. The speaker pro tempore for what purpose does the gentleman from new york seek recognition . To address the house for one minute. The speaker pro tempore without objection, the gentleman is recognized for one minute. Thank you, madam speaker. Madam speaker, i came down this morning after hearing father give his opening speech. To address this house and address this nation today at these haloed halls that send a message that hallowed halls to send a mechanical that today is not a day to engage in partisan politics. As a republican my hand is open to my fellow americans for us to come together to stand with our nation as we face this Coronavirus Crisis across the country. Madam speaker, the people of america is who we represent. Mr. Reed they are not democrat and republican. They are american. And now is the time to lead with smart, targeted decisionmaking proposals that will improve their lives for the better. God bless. The speaker pro tempore the chair lays before the house sundry communications. The clerk the honorable the speaker, house of representatives, madam. This is to notify you formally pursuant to rule 8 of the rule of the house of representatives that i, niinimaa reandrews, have been served with a subpoena for testimony issued by the u. S. District court for the district of columbia. After consultation with the office of house employment council, i determined that compliance with the subpoena is consistent with the privileges and rights of the house. Signed, sincerely, niinimaa reandrews, special assistant, office of the 28th district of texas. The honorable the speaker, house of representatives, madam. This is to notify you formally pursuant to rule 8 of the rules of the house of representatives that i, travis knight, have been served with a subpoena for testimony issued by the u. S. District court for the district of columbia. After consultation with the office of house employment council, i have determined that compliance with the subpoena is consistent with the privileges and rights of the house. Signed, sincerely, travis knight, legislative director, counsel, office of u. S. Congressman henry cuellar. The speaker pro tempore for what purpose does the gentlewoman from florida seek recognition . Madam speaker, i ask unanimous consent to address the house for one minute. The speaker pro tempore without objection, the gentlewoman is recognized for one minute. Thank you, madam speaker. The first county has cases of covid19 and we are all concerned. Across the country, events are canceled, store shelves are and we are receiving mixed messages when what we need cohereto s direction. Its discouraging to see countries like south korea effectively more than we are. While they screen tens of thousands, we have sick patients frustrated doctors who cannot access testing and this not right. Mucarselpowell we must strengthen our Health Care System so we have the beds, the the respirators and the supplies to respond to a surge in cases. Relief to provide our working families and local businesses struggling to cope virus. Is i believe we have it within us o fulfill these needs but we must all come together for a comprehensive response to meet this moment. Urge my colleagues to support this legislation. I yield back. The speaker pro tempore pursuant to clause 12a of rule 1, the chair declares the house in recess recess subject to the call of the chair. We come back to your phone calls on the washington journal to