Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to House Resolution 466, I call up the bill (H.R. 3401) making emergency supplemental appropriations for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2019, and for other purposes, with the Senate amendment thereto, and ask for its immediate consideration.

Mr. Speaker, I have a motion at the desk.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks on the motion currently under consideration.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Pelosi), the Speaker of the House.

Mr. Speaker, the humanitarian situation at our southern border is disgraceful. The Trump administration has exacerbated a crisis that has led to intolerable conditions for children and families in the government's care.

We have been advised that agencies that provide critical services for children, including the Office of Refugee Resettlement and Customs and Border Protection, will imminently run out of funds.

Earlier this week, the House passed a comprehensive bill to fund these agencies and provide important reforms to ensure that children in our government's care are safe, healthy, and comfortable.

Sadly, the White House, which has done so much to create this crisis, refused to work with us to protect the children; and the Senate majority leader, who I am told is selling T-shirts that describe him as the Grim Reaper, refuses to respect the House as a coequal body of Congress and negotiate the differences in our legislation.

Left in the lurch by this cruelty and callousness are the babies and children in government care. The House refuses to be a party to this cruelty. That is why we are reluctantly bringing the Senate legislation to the floor today.

We could have done better for our children and our families, but, unfortunately, the White House and the Senate would not allow that. So we will fight another day, and we will never stop fighting to protect the children who are our future.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Chair, I thank Chairman Quigley for yielding, and I would like to congratulate Chairman Quigley, Ranking Member Graves, and the outstanding staff for the bill before us.

House Democrats are fighting to ensure that America is safe, strong, and moving forward.

The investments in this bill to fund financial regulators and small businesses improve the financial security of every American. With the inclusion of funding for election security, we can safeguard our democracy.

This bill would provide $12 billion for the IRS, including $2.56 billion for taxpayer services, and $290 million for business systems modernization. These increases are particularly important to secure sensitive data housed at the IRS.

Small businesses are the foundation of our economy, and this bill gives them and their employees a better shot at success. A nearly 40 percent increase to the Small Business Administration includes a 14 percent increase for entrepreneurial development programs like Women's Business Centers.

To combat the attacks on our democracy by foreign powers, the bill would provide $16.2 million for Election Assistance Commission operating expenses, a 76 percent increase, and $600 million for election security grants.

Other important issues would make DACA recipients eligible for Federal employment and prohibit the use of funds from the Treasury Forfeiture Fund to construct the President's ill-conceived border wall.

What is not in this bill is also noteworthy, starting with objectionable riders from previous years that threatened Home Rule for D.C., such as the ban on D.C. using its own local funds to support abortion services, needle exchanges, and the legalization of marijuana.

The bill would also eliminate three riders related to the SEC and FEC aimed at thwarting transparency and disclosures of political contributions.

This bill would invest in a future that supports the security of our data and our elections, while setting up our communities, making sure that our communities succeed.

Mr. Chair, I urge support for the bill.

Madam Speaker, pursuant to House Resolution 462, I call up the bill (H.R. 3401) making emergency supplemental appropriations for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2019, and for other purposes, and ask for its immediate consideration.

Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H.R. 3401.

Madam Speaker, I am very pleased to yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Pelosi), the Speaker of the House.

Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Madam Speaker, I rise in support of House Democrats' humanitarian supplemental to care for the increased number of migrants crossing the southern border.

In a matter of days, the Department of Health and Human Services and Department of Homeland Security will run out of money to care for children and families at the border who are already held in deplorable, chaotic conditions, often without needed medical care or even soap and toothbrushes.

Children go without showers or clean clothes for weeks, and 7- and 8- year-olds care for infants they don't know, while toddlers go without diapers. This is heartbreaking and, in the richest country on Earth, unacceptable.

This bill totals $4.5 billion for basic human needs and better care. It includes $200 million for an integrated, multiagency processing center pilot program with nonprofits, as well as $60 million to assist local entities and non profits serving the influx of migrants.

The President's cruel immigration policies that tear apart families and terrorize communities demand the stringent safeguards in this bill to ensure these funds are used for humanitarian needs only--not for immigration raids, not for detention beds, not for a border wall.

This bill would better protect migrants' rights and dignity with stronger requirements for care of unaccompanied children, including standards for medical care and medical emergencies; nutrition, hygiene, and facilities; and personnel training.

Strict conditions on influx shelters that house children would mandate compliance with requirements in the Flores settlement. Sponsors and potential sponsors would be safeguarded from DHS immigration enforcement based on information collected by HHS during the sponsor vetting process.

Madam Speaker, we cannot be complicit in the crisis and suffering at the border. I urge support for this legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentlewoman from Connecticut (Ms. DeLauro), the distinguished and outstanding chair of the Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Subcommittee.

Madam Speaker, I yield an additional 1 minute to the gentlewoman from Connecticut.

Madam Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Roybal-Allard), the outstanding chairwoman of the Homeland Security Subcommittee.

Madam Speaker, I am very pleased to yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Serrano), the distinguished chairman of the Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Subcommittee.

Madam Speaker, I have great respect for the minority leader, but I ask Mr. Minority Leader: If not this bill, what bill can provide aid to these children?

Where is this Senate bill, Madam Speaker? It is being held up by a Republican Senator from the same State as the majority leader.

Just let me finish, and then I will be delighted to yield.

So I want to ask again: This bill is being held up by a Republican Senator from the same State as the majority leader.

So, Madam Speaker, a ``no'' vote on this bill by any Member will ensure that children remain in absolute squalor. Stop hiding behind the Senate bill that has not passed.

I yield to the gentleman from California.

Mr. Minority Leader, I have to reclaim my time.

Madam Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the distinguished gentleman from Texas (Mr. Cuellar), who is a member of the Appropriations Committee.

Madam Speaker, I yield the gentleman from Texas an additional 30 seconds.

Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the distinguished gentlewoman from Ohio (Ms. Kaptur), the chairwoman of the Energy and Water Subcommittee.

Madam Speaker, I yield an additional 30 seconds to the gentlewoman from Ohio.

Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the distinguished gentleman from New York (Mr. Jeffries), the chairman of the Democratic Caucus.

Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Espaillat).

Madam Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.

The humanitarian crisis at the border demands action. This bill funds a compassionate response, while doing our utmost to protect the rights and dignity of migrants. I urge my colleagues, join me. Let's pass this bill.

Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong opposition to the Republican motion to recommit.

Mr. Speaker, a budget is a statement of our values, and an appropriations bill puts those values into action. That is why this bill invests for the people.

We have chosen to strengthen critical domestic initiatives that give every American a better chance at a better life. We have invested in a mix of defense, diplomacy, and development that will keep our country safe and restore our reputation in the world.

This MTR is a chance, it is an opportunity for Republicans to share these priorities and explain how they would do things differently. And with this MTR, the minority is giving a clear answer. They have no plan, no priorities, no idea of where we go for the good of our country.

Instead of working to strengthen our Nation, Republicans' only proposal is to slash funding that working families depend on.

Mr. Speaker, just consider the many critical activities that this MTR attacks: Head Start centers for our children; childcare assistance for families; support for students and teachers; job training for unemployed workers; resources to address the opioid epidemic; lifesaving medical research at the NIH; water infrastructure projects; energy efficiency and transformational science. All of these initiatives would be delayed, delayed, delayed.

Mr. Speaker, the minority wants to tell you that this amendment is about responsible funding levels, and that couldn't be further from the truth. So let me set the record straight.

Unless Congress acts, unworkable budget caps that snap back into place in fiscal year 2020 will cause deep cuts to both defense and nondefense spending.

This MTR would jeopardize our national security. It would slash critical services for children and families, and take our country back, back, back.

We cannot, we must not allow our country to careen off this fiscal cliff. Instead, we must raise the caps, invest for the people, bolstering our national security, addressing critical needs across our country.

House Democrats have made our position on raising the caps clear. It is time for President Trump to rein in his assistant, Mr. Mulvaney, and agree to a reasonable caps deal.

But Congress can't wait for the White House to come to its senses. If we do, we might very well have another government shutdown.

To that end, the House voted to deem funding levels that are reasonable, responsible, and allow us to move our country forward.

When Republicans were in the majority, they also deemed funding levels. Unlike ours, however, their funding levels were wildly unrealistic.

We have chosen a different path, and that is why I am so proud to support these bills which ensure that America is safe, strong, and moving forward.

This MTR sets us on a bleaker path, shutting families out of childcare, starving our schools, stopping lifesaving research, and sticking our heads in the sand on the climate crisis.

The choice is clear. Vote ``no'' on the MTR. Let's invest for the people.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent, in the engrossment of H.R. 2740, the Clerk be authorized to make technical and conforming changes to reflect the actions of the House.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and to include extraneous material on H.R. 3055.

Mr. Chair, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Chair, today we continue investing for the people with H.R. 3055, consisting of five fiscal year 2020 appropriations bills that offer a brighter future for American families and make American communities safer and stronger.

This legislation invests in America's infrastructure. It would provide billions for the roads, highways, and transit systems of tomorrow. It would strengthen and modernize public housing. It would expand programs that ensure every community has clean and safe drinking water, and it would help bring the promise of broadband to more rural communities.

This legislation would protect our environment and tackle the climate change crisis. It rejects misguided cuts to the EPA and would expand climate research. And it would prioritize resilience to the effects of climate change in key Federal programs.

Finally, among many priorities, this legislation would strengthen our democracy. Strong funding increases would enable a thorough and accurate 2020 Census, improve civil rights enforcement, and help protect voting rights.

This legislation is the product of hard work and input from Members on both sides of the aisle. I am very proud of our talented Appropriations subcommittee chairs and our outstanding staff, and I look forward to discussing more about what this package does for the people.

Mr. Chair, I urge my colleagues to join me in support of this legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Chair, I am very pleased to yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Serrano), the chairman of the Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Subcommittee.

Mr. Chair, I am pleased to yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Price), the chairman of the Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Subcommittee.

Mr. Chairman, I yield 5 minutes to the distinguished gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Bishop), who is the chairman of the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Subcommittee.

Madam Chair, I yield the gentleman an additional 30 seconds.

Madam Chair, I yield 5 minutes to the gentlewoman from Minnesota (Ms. McCollum), the chair of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Subcommittee.

Madam Chair, I yield 5 minutes to the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Wasserman Schultz), the chairwoman of the Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Subcommittee.

Madam Chair, I yield myself the balance of my time.

H.R. 3055 is a bill full of important investments that would make a real difference in people's lives. It truly is a bill for the people. It would improve quality of life, strengthen communities, and offer a brighter future for our Nation. I urge support.

Madam Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Chairman, I claim the time in opposition.

Mr. Chair, I am shocked that my colleague would propose an amendment that would strike all funding for bilateral family planning.

These services prevent unintended pregnancies, maternal deaths, and abortions; reduce rates of infant and child mortality; empower women to stay in school and join the workforce; create stronger and healthier families; and improve economies.

Aren't these bipartisan policy outcomes that both sides of the aisle should be supporting?

Family planning does exactly what it says: It helps women plan when to have a family.

But, as we sit here today, more than 200 million women around the world still lack access to modern contraceptives.

If we want to build the self-reliance of countries, one of the most cost-effective measures is to increase access to the family planning services that women so desperately seek. Mr. Chair, I ask my colleagues to oppose this amendment.

I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Lee), a member of the State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Subcommittee.

Mr. Chairman, cutting funds to bilateral family planning programs is simply bad foreign policy. It undermines U.S. Agency for International Development objectives and hurts millions of women and girls.

I strongly urge my colleagues to oppose this amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Chair, I demand a recorded vote.

Mr. Chairman, I claim time in opposition, although I am not opposed to the amendment.

Mr. Chair, while this amendment does not have a budgetary effect, I would like to thank my colleague for raising such an important issue for millions of women around the world.

For more than 200 million women, female genital mutilation can mean health problems that haunt them for the rest of their lives. The quest for gender equality will not be complete until women are no longer subjected to these practices.

I urge my colleagues to support this amendment, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Chairman, I claim time in opposition, although I am not opposed.

Mr. Chair, while this amendment does not have a budgetary effect, I thank my colleague for raising such an important issue.

I was pleased to be able to increase the resources available in this bill by $10 million, for a total of $100.6 million to combat wildlife trafficking and poaching.

Wildlife trafficking generates more than $8 billion, annually. I am optimistic that a comprehensive and appropriately resourced approach to address the drivers of trafficking will help us turn the corner.

I urge my colleagues to support this amendment, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Chairman, I rise in opposition to the amendment.

Mr. Chair, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Chair, most of us, even my friends across the aisle, agree that climate change is a real global threat. Our military also believes this.

Prohibiting United States contributions to the multilaterals that combat climate change is a shortsighted, harmful policy that does not prepare our country to face this threat.

I cannot emphasize enough that climate change is exacerbating the root causes of conflict. We will see an increasing demand on our humanitarian and other resources if we don't address it now.

We cannot afford to stand idly by while others address climate change, nor will we simply avoid its impact. We already feel its effects. This is precisely why we should not be alienating multilateral partners who want to join us in the fight.

Mr. Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Chair, in times of crisis, we seek to join forces with multilateral partners to help mitigate and recover from damage, and our approach to combating climate change should be no different.

Mr. Chair, I urge my colleagues to oppose this amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Chair, I thank the gentleman for yielding.

Mr. Chair, while this amendment does not have a budgetary effect, I would like to thank the gentleman for raising such an important issue.

The International Outfall Interceptor pipeline is long overdue for repair. When wastewater leaks from the pipeline, it poses a severe public health risk and a threat to southern Arizona's regional economy and drinking water.

Mr. Chair, I encourage my colleagues to support the amendment.

Mr. Chairman, I rise in opposition to the amendment.

Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

The U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change brings together critical multilateral partners so the United States does not have to combat climate change alone. By supporting the UNFCCC, we are signaling to the world that we are committed and serious about combating this threat.

The United States has been a party to the UNFCCC since 1992. As chairwoman of the House Appropriations Committee, I will never support efforts that jeopardize our treaty-based obligations, and I urge my colleagues to oppose this amendment.

Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Chairman, the United States must remain committed to our global partners because climate change just cannot be fought alone.

Mr. Chairman, I urge my colleagues to oppose this amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Will the gentlewoman yield?

Mr. Chairman, while this amendment does not have a budgetary effect, I would like to thank my friend for raising such an important issue.

The progress made in Armenia's transition to democracy and the Velvet Revolution is a refreshing development at a time when so many other countries are headed in the opposite direction. This account funds critical programs to counter Russian aggression and influence in Europe and Eurasia and support to key partners like Ukraine and Georgia. I am prepared to work to provide the necessary resources to encourage continued progress in Armenia, and I am willing to accept the amendment.

Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the last word.

Mr. Chairman, I yield to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Speier).

Mr. Chair, I thank my friend for bringing this issue to our attention.

The committee takes seriously oversight of taxpayer dollars. I concur with the gentlewoman's remarks. The SIGAR continues to serve American taxpayers by reporting on instances of waste, fraud, and abuse in Afghanistan.

The language included in the House report was not intended to suggest that the committee expects or is directing SIGAR to cease operations by September 30, 2021. Rather, the requirement in the House report is for SIGAR to provide a plan on its future state considering the administration's proposing drawdown in Afghanistan.

We must protect American taxpayer funds from waste, fraud, and abuse. I look forward to working with SIGAR on effectively achieving this important mission as the U.S. engagement with Afghanistan continues to evolve.

Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Chair, I claim the time in opposition, although I am not opposed.

Mr. Chair, I share the gentleman's frustration that the current withholding, a restriction that has been in place since 2014 that has withheld $165 million to date, has not yet compelled the Government of Pakistan to release Dr. Afridi from prison.

It has been reported that after being held for 8 years by the Pakistani Government, Dr. Afridi's health has begun to deteriorate. We must increase pressure on the Government of Pakistan to release Dr. Afridi.

Mr. Chair, I support this amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Chairman, pursuant to House Resolution 431, I offer amendments en bloc.

Mr. Chairman, this en bloc includes amendments from Representatives Cohen, Foster, Connolly, Cicilline, Boyle, Panetta, Krishnamoorthi, Espaillat, Cox, Cunningham, Spanberger, Levin, and Murphy.

The amendment includes a number of good ideas that were not included in the original bill. I support this amendment.

Mr. Chairman, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Levin), a member of the Foreign Affairs Committee.

Mr. Chair, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Cohen), a senior member of the Judiciary Committee.

Mr. Chair, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Foster) a member of the Financial Services Committee.

Mr. Chair, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Rhode Island (Mr. Cicilline), a senior member of the Foreign Affairs Committee.

Mr. Chair, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from Virginia (Ms. Spanberger), a member of the Foreign Affairs Committee.

Mr. Chair, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Krishnamoorthi), a member of the House Intelligence Committee.

Mr. Chair, I yield the gentleman from Illinois an additional 1 minute.

Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Chair, I claim time in opposition to the gentleman's amendment.

Mr. Chair, Ranking Member Rogers and I have worked hard to craft a bill that provides the necessary tools to the Secretary of State and the USAID Administrator to advance United States foreign policy. The bill also upholds many bipartisan positions and congressional interests.

I have long opposed amendments that indiscriminately apply an across- the-board cut to the carefully thought-out funding recommendations in each appropriations bill. Such amendments make no provision for protecting high-priority programs and activities, such as security assistance for Israel, which would be cut by $66 million; global health programs, which would be cut by $184 million, including $118 million less for HIV/AIDS activities; humanitarian assistance, which would be cut by $158 million; and funding to protect our diplomats and development personnel and their facilities, which would be cut by $120 million.

Cuts would also impact support for other key allies, such as Jordan, Egypt, Ukraine, Colombia, and countries in Eastern Europe battling Russian aggression and disinformation.

Mr. Chair, Congress must strengthen, not cut, these civilian agencies so that they can respond to foreign policy crises and protect our economic interests abroad.

I strongly urge my colleagues to oppose this amendment.

I yield to the gentleman from Kentucky.

Mr. Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Chair, I strongly urge a ``no'' vote on the gentleman's amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Chair, I move that the Committee do now rise.

Mr. Chair, pursuant to House Resolution 436, I offer amendments en bloc.

Mr. Chair, this en bloc includes amendments from Representative Kildee and Representative Sherman. The amendment includes a number of good ideas that were not included in the original bill.

I support this amendment, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Chair, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. Sherman), a senior member of the Foreign Affairs Committee.

Mr. Chair, I yield an additional 1 minute to the gentleman.

Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Chair, I move that the Committee do now rise.

Mr. Chair, I rise in strong opposition to the amendment.

Mr. Chair, Ranking Member Rogers and I have worked hard to craft a bill that provides the necessary tools to the Secretary of State and USAID Administrator to advance United States foreign policy.

Smart use of global health, humanitarian, and development assistance supports the United States' interests, builds greater global stability, and promotes American values.

The gentleman's amendment would, not trim, but entirely cut all these investments, including support to 14.7 million people receiving lifesaving HIV treatment, including 700,000 children;

70 million children learning to read with U.S. assistance; 68.5 million refugees displaced by conflict or natural disasters; and 7,200 Peace Corps volunteers serving as excellent representatives of the United States.

How are these cuts in our national interest?

Mr. Chair, I urge a ``no'' vote on the gentleman's amendment, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Chair, our national security is strongest when development, diplomacy, and defense are equally prioritized.

This amendment undermines United States leadership and diminishes our engagement in the world.

Mr. Chair, I strongly urge my colleagues to oppose this amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Chair, I demand a recorded vote.

Mr. Chair, I rise in opposition to the amendment.

Mr. Chair, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Our global partners are critical in combating climate change, and the Paris Agreement is a sign of the global commitment from these countries to fight this scourge together.

In addition, climate change is a serious national security threat, and we need to treat it as such by seeking allies, including multilateral institutions to address it with urgency.

Mr. Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Chair, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from California (Mr. Rouda).

Mr. Chair, the best and the brightest among us--our military, our business leaders, our scientists--all agree that climate change is real and is a serious threat. We are already experiencing its harmful effects which will continue if we do not act alongside our multilateral partners. If we want to prepare our country to better mitigate and manage climate change, then I urge my colleagues to oppose this amendment.

Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Chair, I rise in opposition to the amendment.

Mr. Chair, climate change is a global threat that the United States cannot tackle alone, and the U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change convenes multilateral partners working together to mitigate damage to our globe.

The United States has been a party to the UNFCCC since 1992, thanks in large part to the leadership of the George H.W. Bush administration.

As chairwoman of the Appropriations Committee, I will not support efforts that will jeopardize our treaty-based obligations.

Mr. Chair, I urge my colleagues to oppose this amendment.

Mr. Chair, I am pleased to yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. Rouda).

Mr. Chair, the United States is a world leader in many areas, and we need to step up on climate change.

Mr. Chair, I urge my colleagues to oppose this amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Chair, I rise in opposition to the amendment.

Mr. Chair, the amendment applies an indiscriminate 14 percent across-the-board cut to all programs, projects, and activities in the bill, apart from those administered by the Defense Department.

The members of our committee worked hard to craft a bill that provides the Secretary of State and the USAID Administrator the necessary tools to advance United States economic and security interests abroad. While we did not agree on every issue, the bill prioritizes the programs and activities that Members on both sides of the aisle requested.

For example, under the amendment, global health programs would be cut by $1.3 billion, including drastic cuts to HIV/AIDS, maternal and child health, family planning, and infectious disease programs.

Humanitarian assistance, including funds to respond to those displaced by the crises in Venezuela, Syria, Iraq, Yemen, and South Sudan, would be cut by $1.5 billion.

Embassy security, which ensures the protection of our diplomatic and development personnel and facilities overseas, would be cut by $850 million.

Development assistance, which supports basic education, water, sanitation programs, efforts to combat human and wildlife trafficking, and global food security activities in the developing world would be cut by $583 million.

Mr. Chair, I strongly urge my colleagues to oppose this amendment, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Chair, I strongly urge a ``no'' vote on the gentleman's amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Chair, I move that the Committee do now rise.

Mr. Chairman, I claim the time in opposition to the gentleman's amendment.

Mr. Chair, our committee has worked hard on a bipartisan basis to craft a bill that provides the Secretary of State and the U.S. administrator with the necessary tools to advance United States foreign policy.

As I have said before, I have long opposed amendments that indiscriminately apply across-the-board cuts to the carefully thought- out funding recommendations in appropriations bills.

Such amendments make no provision for protecting high-priority programs and activities. For example, the amendment would cut $33 million from security assistance to Israel. It would cut $92 million from global health programs, including $118 million less for HIV/AIDS; $79 million from lifesaving humanitarian assistance; and $60 million from funds made available to protect our diplomats and development personnel and their facilities.

Cuts would also impact funding for other key allies, such as Jordan, Egypt, Ukraine, Colombia, and countries in Eastern Europe battling Russian aggression and disinformation.

Mr. Chair, I tell my friend, as a grandmother of eight, I strongly urge my colleagues to oppose this amendment, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Chair, I am prepared to close. I strongly urge a ``no'' vote on the gentleman's amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Chairman, we must ensure we do everything possible to expand opportunities for veterans in this country. I will continue to encourage the State Department to increase grant and contract opportunities for veterans and service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses.

Mr. Chair, I support this amendment.

Mr. Chairman, I claim the time in opposition to the amendment, although I am not opposed.

Mr. Chair, while deportation policy is a component of immigration and should most appropriately be considered by the House Judiciary Committee, I appreciate my friend raising awareness on this issue.

The concerns expressed here today are echoed by many communities across the country who were distressed by the administration's actions. I commend the gentleman from California for highlighting this matter and urge my colleagues to support the amendment.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Chair, I move that the Committee do now rise.

Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members

have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H.R. 2740.

Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Chairman, today, we bring four bills to the floor that reject the slash-and-burn approach of the Trump administration and, instead, chart a new course: one that increases investments in American families to make up for lost ground; one that gives every person a better chance at a better life.

With these bills, we are investing for the people. We invest in education and in the health of the American people, in infrastructure, and in the environment, in our national security and in the needs of servicemembers and military families.

And let me just say--because, frankly, the administration's misuse of government funds should concern both parties--this bill includes necessary oversight provisions to prohibit the administration from misappropriating funds, including for a border wall.

This hallowed institution must not be a rubber stamp for Presidential pet projects.

As chair of the State and Foreign Operations Appropriations Subcommittee, I am proud of the fiscal year 2020 State and Foreign Operations division, which reflects congressional priorities that advance United States foreign policy.

The allocation of $56.381 billion, a 3.9 increase above fiscal year 2019, is critical to support important investments in our national security, fund our international commitments, and repair America's reputation abroad.

This bill rejects the administration's unacceptable budget request and irresponsible policies and, rather, strives to uphold many bipartisan congressional priorities.

America's foreign policy is strongest when diplomacy, development, and defense are well-funded and equally prioritized, as many of today's global challenges cannot be addressed by military intervention alone.

I want to quickly highlight some of the key provisions in this division.

Unlike the administration's fiscal year 2020 request, this bill would ensure ample funding for humanitarian assistance, multilateral organizations, basic education, and reproductive health services.

It would also permanently repeal the antiwoman global gag rule and prevent prior funds from implementing this destructive policy.

To restore U.S. leadership on fighting climate change, the bill would replace the prohibition on the Green Climate Fund with permissive authority and prohibit the use of funds to withdraw from the Paris climate agreement.

It would provide robust funding to our key allies while protecting our investments in the Northern Triangle. Members on both sides of the aisle know these efforts save lives, promote goodwill, and support American interests abroad. This bill would support these programs and restore American leadership in the world.

Our talented Appropriations Subcommittee chairs will tell us more about what the other parts of this package do for the people.

In totality, this legislation truly is a product of hard work and bipartisan cooperation, with input from Members on both sides of the aisle, that meets the diverse needs of our Nation.

Hubert Humphrey once said:

The moral test of government is how that government treats

those who are in the dawn of life, the children; those who

are in the twilight of life, the elderly; and those in the

shadows of life.

This has been our goal. If we pass this bill, it can be our achievement.

So as we consider this bill, let's do so in good faith. Let's pass this bill for the good of the American people.

Mr. Chair, I urge my colleagues to join me in support of this bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Chairman, I yield 5 minutes to the gentlewoman from Ohio (Ms. Kaptur), the distinguished chairwoman of the Subcommittee on Energy and Water.

Mr. Chair, I yield an additional 1 minute to the gentlewoman from Ohio.

Mr. Chair, I am very pleased to yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Visclosky), the chairman of the Defense Subcommittee.

(Mr. VISCLOSKY asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. Chair, I yield 5 minutes to the distinguished gentlewoman from Connecticut (Ms. DeLauro), who is the chair of the Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Subcommittee.

Mr. Chair, I yield an additional 1 minute to the gentlewoman from Connecticut.

Mr. Chair, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Lee), who is a member of the Appropriations Committee.

Mr. Chair, I yield the gentlewoman from California an additional 1 minute.

Mr. Chairman, I yield 1 minute to the distinguished gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Hoyer), the majority leader.

Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Wasserman Schultz), the chairwoman of the Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Subcommittee.

Mr. Chair, I yield myself the balance of my time.

Before I close, I would like to thank the staff for their tireless work, particularly Steve Marchese, Craig Higgins, Erin Kolodjeski, Dean Koulouris, Jason Wheelock, Jean Kwon, Marin Stein, Clelia Alvarado, Liz Leibowitz, and Wendy Coursen. And all those whom I didn't include, I thank all the other staff who have been so really remarkable in this very important work.

With this bill, we have forged a vision that stands in stark contrast to the reckless austerity of recent years and the bleak view presented in the administration's budget request. This is a bill for the people. It will strengthen communities, improve lives, and help repair our standing in the world, and I urge support.

Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Chair, I move to strike the last word.

Madam Chair, I yield to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Pallone), my good friend and the chairman of the Energy and Commerce Committee.

Madam Chair, I thank my good friend, Mr. Pallone, for bringing this issue to our attention and for his longstanding efforts to bring this conflict to an end.

Madam Chair, we can all agree on the need to bring the 30-year Nagorno-Karabakh conflict to a peaceful resolution, as we can all agree upon the need to maintain the United States' role as a neutral, third- party arbiter and for the United States to maintain positive diplomatic relations with both Armenia and Azerbaijan.

I thank the gentleman for bringing this matter to our attention, and I and my staff look forward to working with Mr. Pallone and his staff on this important issue.

Madam Chairwoman, I yield back the balance of my time.

Amendment No. 18 Offered by Mr. Buchanan

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and concur in the Senate amendment to the bill (H.R. 2157) making supplemental appropriations for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2019, and for other purposes.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the Senate amendment to H.R. 2157, currently under consideration.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, today we are rejecting the political stunts and grandstanding that have made it difficult to deliver much-needed disaster relief to families and communities across America. It has been 9 months since Hurricane Florence struck the Southeast, just one of the many natural disasters--including other hurricanes, Pacific typhoons, and Western wildfires--that impacted our fellow Americans last year.

In that time, the House has already passed two strong packages of relief and recovery assistance; bills to help the people of Puerto Rico recover from one of the deadliest and costliest storms in American history and to meet urgent needs following Midwest floods and Southern tornadoes. Those bills were held up because some in our government refused to assist our fellow Americans in Puerto Rico who are still recovering from a 2017 hurricane. I am pleased we have moved past that, because when disaster strikes, we shouldn't let a ZIP Code dictate our response, and Americans across the country have been waiting far too long for the relief and recovery assistance they deserve.

That is why so many of us were deeply disappointed last week when this bipartisan, bicameral disaster relief bill was blocked three times by House Republicans, even though it has the support of the President, Senate Republicans, and congressional Democrats and has passed in the Senate.

While it has taken far too long, this bill delivers much-needed assistance to American communities struck by recent natural disasters. It includes a broad array of measures--totaling $19.1 billion--to meet urgent needs: assistance for farmers and rural communities who have been devastated by crop losses brought on by storms; funding for infrastructure repairs that will create jobs and revitalize broken communities; approximately $1.4 billion for Puerto Rico, including $600 million in nutrition assistance; funding to stabilize healthcare systems in disaster-stricken Pacific territories; and repairs and reconstruction at damaged Federal facilities, including military bases that are critical to national security.

The bill represents bipartisanship compromise that will strengthen communities and make lives better.

Mr. Speaker, I look forward to its enactment, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from the

Northern Mariana Islands (Mr. Sablan).

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, today will be the third time since January that the House has passed an emergency disaster package, the third time we have advanced relief and recovery assistance for the people--from those in Florida and Puerto Rico to those in California and the Carolinas, in Georgia and in communities all across America--trying to rebuild their lives and return to normal.

Our fellow Americans have waited long enough for the help they need from our government, and I am pleased this bill will deliver that help.

Mr. Speaker, I urge its swift passage and enactment, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Madam Speaker, I rise to honor Thomas J. Schwarz, President of State University of New York, Purchase College, as the College honors him this month for his 17 years of distinguished leadership on the occasion of his retirement.

Since Mr. Schwarz was appointed as Purchase College's fifth President in 2003, the college has seen substantially improved retention and graduation rates. He prioritized social responsibility throughout his presidency. In 2007, he signed the ``American College and University Presidents' Climate Commitment,'' expressing the sense that Purchase College would chart a course toward climate neutrality. In 2015, Purchase College constructed its first LEED Gold-certified campus building and continues to renovate existing buildings with more energy- efficient technology. Mr. Schwarz oversaw the development of the Broadview Senior Living Center, a senior living community on the Purchase College Campus that will promote lifelong learning.

Throughout his career, he was deeply committed to public service. He served as mayor of the Village of Ocean Beach, New York; Special Counsel to the New York State Commission on Government Integrity; Chief Judge to the Commission to Promote Public Confidence in Judicial Integrity, and Counsel to the Governor's Judicial Screening Program. The Legal Aid Society recognized him with its Pro Bono Award in 1998.

Madam Speaker, I urge my fellow Members of Congress to join me in expressing thanks to Mr. Schwarz for his many years of outstanding public service and student advocacy.