Leaders are not allowing lengthy debate. Later this week theyll take up a bill funding defense related programs, also for energy, water, legislative branch, v. A. , military construction. Votes later. Live coverage now here on cspan. The speaker pro tempore the house will be in order. The prayer will be offered by our chaplain, father conroy. Chaplain conroy let us pray. Lord our god, thank you for giving us another day. As they are returning to the capitol, please be with the members of this peoples house and all their undertakings today. You know them through and through. You know how they relate with one another and know them as the American People do as the 115th congress of the United States. Lord, help them to know you. As ultimate truth, send your spirit upon them that you might find a dwelling place among them so that all your people can place trust in them as leaders as well as their representatives. May all that is done this day be amen. Ur greater glory the speaker pro tempore the chair has examined the journal of the last days proceedings and announces to the house his approval thereof. Pursuant to clause 1 of rule 1, the journal stands approved. The pledge of allegiance will be led by the gentleman from minnesota, mr. Walz. Mr. Walz 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 requests for oneminute speeches. The chair lays before the house a communication. The clerk the honorable the speaker, house of representatives. Sir, pursuant to the permission granted in clause 2h of rule 2 of the rules of the u. S. House of representatives, the clerk received the following message from the secretary of the senate on july 20, 2017, at 2 52 p. M. Appointments, board of visitors of the u. S. Air force academy. With best wishes i am, signed sincerely, karen l. Haas. The speaker pro tempore the chair lays before the house the following communication. The clerk will read the message. The clerk the honorable the speaker, house of representatives. Sir, pursuant to the permission granted in clause 2h of rule 2 of the rules of the u. S. House of representatives, i have the honor to transmit a sealed envelope received from the white house on july 20, 2017, at 5 14 p. M. Said to contain a message from the president whereby he smits a notice continuing the National Emergency with respect to significant Transnational Criminal Organizations. With best wishes i am, signed sincerely, karen l. Haas, clerk of the house. The speaker pro tempore the clerk will read the message. The clerk to the congress of the United States. Section 202d of the National Emergencies act provides for the automatic termination of a National Emergency unless within 90 days of its Anniversary Day the president publishes in the federal register and transmits to the congress a notice stating that the emergency is to continue in effect beyond the anniversary date. In accord ns with this provision i have sent to the federal register for publication the enclosed notice stating that the National Emergency with respect to significant Transnational Criminal Organizations declared in executive order 13581 of july 24, 2011, is to continue in effect beyond july 24, 2017. This gnats notice superseded the notice regarding this topic submitted to the federal register on july 19, 2017. The activities of significant crimal ional trim organizations have reached such scope and gravity they threatent stability of international and Political Economic crimal systems. Such organizations are increasingly sophisticated and dangerous to the United States. They are increasingly entrenched in the operations of foreign governments antiinternational Financial System thereby week yeaninging Democratic Institution, degrading the rule of law, and undermining economic markets. These organizations facilitate an aggravate violent civil conflicts and increasingly of itate the activities other dangerous persons. The activities of significant Transnational Criminal Organizations continue to pose an unusual and extraordinary threat to the National Security, foreign polcy, and economy of the United States. Policy and economy of the United States. Therefore i have determined that it is necessary to continue the National Emergency declared in executive order 13581 with respect to Transnational Criminal Organizations. Signed, donald j. Trump, the white house, july 20, 2017. The speaker pro tempore referred to the commit committee on Foreign Affairs and ordered printed. For what purpose does the gentleman from texas, mr. Hurd, seek recognition . Without objection, the gentleman is recognized for one minute. R. Hurd madam speaker, i rise extraordinary contributions mr. Stuart owe dare has made on my hometown in texas. Since first becoming the Walmart Store manager in 2013, he has dedicated his professional and personal life to helping the people there. Ex contributions he and his family have become pillars of the community. As the store macker he was responsible for leading hundreds of employees where he quickl grew to become a role model and mentor to hard money many. In addition to his commitments to his job and family, he has spent much of his personal time supporting our nations troops. Stuart is wellknown for organizing the annual turkey for Troops Program which he has helped grow into a Thriving Charity event. As many in the communityv know, he was recently diagnosed with cancer. This past saturday i was honored to volunteer my time for a man who has done so much to help his community. He is a perfect example of a Good Samaritan and proud to recognize all hes done for our community. Thank you, madam speaker. I yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields. For what purpose does the gentleman from texas, mr. Smith, seek recognition . Mr. Smith madam speaker, i ask unanimous consent to address the house for one minute. Revise and extend my remarks. The speaker pro tempore without, the gentleman is recognized for one minute. Mr. Smith madam speaker, those who are fairminded and want to understand President Trump better should read his bestselling book from 30 years ago, which is as timely today as it was then. Its called, the art of the deal an reveals these characteristics. Donald trump usually makes decisions quickly based on knowledge, experience, and intuition rather than waiting for consulality studies. Hes a tough but practical negotiator willing to compromise to achieve a goal. He gets a deal done sooner or later even if its sometimes takes years. He is a counter puncher who doesnt like to start a fight but will give more than he receives. He is loyal to friends who are loyal to him. Most of the president s actions should be of no surprise to anyone who has read his book. In fact, those who are objective are likely to appreciate him more. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back the balance of his time. For what purpose does the gentleman from pennsylvania seek recognition . Madam speaker, i seek to address the house for one minute. Revise and extend. The speaker pro tempore without objection, the gentleman is recognized for one minute. Madam speaker, for more than 100 years residents of bucks and montgomery counties have trusted Grand View Hospital with the wellbeing of their families. They are dedicated towards leading our community to a healthier future. Following their Community Health needs assessment, grand view was identified and prioritized a Community HealthImprovement Program which every the next three years will address Health Challenges present in their service area. Aim proud of the positive impact they have made our community. I commend the board of trustees for their outstanding leadership and service. Many thanks to jeffrey, mary ann, mark, william, jean, michael, mark, robert, gregory, and all the doctors, nurses, and staff, and volunteers who make this a success. Madam speaker, grand views commitment to the people it serves reminds us were all in this together and it is never too late to start living a healthy lifestyle. Madam speaker, i yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule 20, the chair will postpone further proceedings today on motions to suspend the rules on which a recorded vote or the yeas and nays are ordered. Or votes objected to in clause six of rule 20. The house will resume proceed ongs postponed questions at a ater time. For what purpose does the gentleman from tennessee seek recognition . Mr. Roe i move to suspend the rules and pass s. 114 as amended. The speaker pro tempore the clerk will report the title of the bush administration. The clerk senate 114, an act to amend title 38 United States code to require the secretary of Veterans Affairs to submit an annual report regarding performance awards and bonuses awarded to certain high level employees of the department of Veterans Affairs. The speaker pro tempore pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from tennessee, mr. Row, and the gentleman from minnesota roe, and the gentleman from minnesota, mr. Walls, each will control 20 minutes. The chair recognizes the gentleman from tennessee. Mr. Roe thank you, madam speaker. I ask unanimous consent that all members may have five legislative days to revise and and to heir remarks include extraneous material. The speaker pro tempore without objection. Mr. Roe i i yield myself such time as i may consume. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized. Mr. Roe i rise today in support of s. 114 as amended, a bill to authorize appropriations for the veterans Choice Program. This bill would authorize and appropriate 2 billion for the department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Choice Fund, allowing the Veterans Choice Fund to run dry is not a viable option. The Choice Program has provided Critical Care to millions of veteran patients. In march, secretary shulkin testified that the expiration of choice would be a disaster, end quotes, for veterans. Just a few weeks ago the acting under secretary of health reiterated that sentiment when she testified that veteran wait times would increase if choice went away. Congress created the Choice Program in response to a nationwide wait times scandal in 2014 to increase access to care through v. A. Community providers for veterans who either cannot access care at a v. A. Medical facility wb a timely manner or live farway from the nearest v. A. Medical facility. Since choice was signed into law almost three years ago, choice has gone through many growing pains and evolved considerably. We know from a Government AccountabilityOffice Report that most of the veterans who use choice do so because v. A. Does not offer the service that that veteran needs. We also know that veteran demand for care through choice has never been higher and consequently the remaining money in the veterans Choice Program will run out in mid august a few short weeks from now. We cannot allow that to happen. With passage of s. 114 as amended today, we wont. There are allegations that providing more money for choice has been appropriate unless we also provide more money for the v. A. Health carecies tefment i fail to understand logic of that argument. First, providing money for choice is providing money for support the v. A. Health care system. Choice is a v. A. Program and through it v. A. Patients, veteran patients were able to access care that have otherwise been required to be long, possibly debilitating wait or excessive travel time. Second, the idea that congress has been pouring money into v. A. Community care programs to the detriment of addressing v. A. s inhouse capacities is erroneous. V. A. s bottom line has increased substantially since the turn of the century while most other Government Agencies have theen theirs stag nant or rebecause. V. A. s budget has gone up four times since 2001. Two weeks ago former secretary principi testified that since left the department in 2005, the most current v. A. Budget submission released in may, v. A. s budget increased a stung 268 . That growth will likely continue which is appropriate ven our nations commitments to serving her veterans. Yet especially considering the choice is just three years old, the idea congress is focused only on going v. A. s external compass sit false. That said, there are certainly priorities that remain unaddressed in the bill before us and im committed to continuing to work on those in the coming months. However, providing 2 billion today will ensure that the Choice Program remains funded for the next six months. Solving our most pressing issue and preventing yet another veteran access crisis like the one that led to the creation of choice three short years ago. While we address other issues. Important issues. And important point to know is that the bills costs are paid for using the same offsets that were used in the original act creating the choice fund. I look forward to working with the minority, our colleagues in the senate, and other stakeholders to chart a for erm path forward choice and to address for choice and to address other needs to ensure the v. A. Health care system remains strong and stable for generations to come. I am grateful to Ranking Member walz for his leadership and commitment in working closely with me to come to a mutually agreeable solution today and committing to continue to stand shoulder to shoulder in finding solutions in the months ahead. Hes been a great partner. With that said, madam speaker, i urge all of my colleagues to join me in supporting s. 114 as amended. I reserve the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from tennessee reserves the balance of his time of the the chair recognizes the gentleman from minnesota. Mr. Walz thank you, madam speaker. I yield myself such time as i may consume. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized. Mr. Walz thank you, madam speaker. Id like to thanth chairman. You are going to hear today and we have a series of bills, many of them historic in nature. Many of them, all of them, worked in a bipartisan manner. Theres been a lot of talk lately of the one place in congress thats really functioning well and thats in the v. A. Committee. I would echo that. Its because of the commitment, the dedication, and the end state that all of us agree on is the best possible care for those warriors willing to put their lives in harms way, their families, and the care pledged to them. Democracy is hard. It requires us to do the work with the stake hold i. R. S. And there is no more committed than the veterans committee. The organizations are hallmark of veteran communities. We work with them hand in hand to make sure this congress understand what they need and democracy is hard. It is that all sausagemaking adage. We are a little bit early, like a day where we had before. We stood on this floor where we had an important accountability bill Going Forward and i said we are going to have to work with the senate. We did that and it passed and im proud we were able to do it. It happened with the g. I. Bill. The first run did not work because we did not build that collaboration and i believe s. 114 has fallen into that. This is a fastmoving problem. I want to be clear. It extends veterans access to Community Care without providing additional resources. And i agree with my colleague, was very clear about the capacity of the v. A. What choice does and i would echo not funding this program before we leave for the august recess is not jurn acceptable. But not getting a bill that the senate can agree on and the president can sign is also not acceptable. The gentleman is also right. We have quad drumed the v. A. Budget. And it is not lost on anyone that that started in 2001. With an aging population of vietnam, korea and world war ii veterans. The veterans choice was facing a shortfall, nine veteran Service Organizations and i ask unanimous consent to enter into the record the letter from these nine organizations. The speaker pro tempore without objection. Mr. Walz the disabled american veterans, veterans of foreign war, a. M. Vets, military officers of america, military order of the purple heart and Vietnam Veterans of america provided a letter to the house and senate in terms of a solution. In their letter from june 28 they wrote specifically we kale on you to reach an agreement on emergency appropriation and authorization bill that would address Urgent Research shortfalls. Including choice, Community Care and medical services. Further in order to prevent these problems in the future, we call on you to invest in modernizi