Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to recognize Mr. Antoine Walker as he ends his twenty-two year career as Information Technology Director on the Committee on Ways and Means, Democratic Staff. He began his career in 2001 and over the years has done a remarkable job ensuring that the Members and Staff of this distinguished Committee have had a safe and effective work environment.

Antoine grew up with an Army father and French mother. They moved from place to place, but he spent most of his youth in Florida. He came to us from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration as a Systems Administrator for then Ranking Member Charles B. Rangel, and he now retires as Information Technology Director. Antoine has had a fine record of public service. He has managed and maintained the Committee's multiple servers, provided hands on assistance to Members and Staff of the Committee, and worked hand in hand with the Recording Studio and House Information Resources to ensure our Committee operated seamlessly not only day to day, but also ensuring that the Committee continued to function during the Historic Covid Pandemic. In fact, because of Antoine's meticulous management of the Committee's Continuation of Operations Program, we were the first Committee to hold a successful virtual hearing and set the precedent for the rest of the U.S. House.

I would like to recognize Antoine for being an invaluable asset to the Committee on Ways and Means. His attention to detail, sense of humor and all-around good disposition have endeared him to his many colleagues and friends. His self-defense classes, held in one of our hearing rooms during recesses, went a long way in captivating his coworkers. He holds a 4th degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do and 3rd degree black belt in Jujitsu.

Once again, Mr. Speaker, I am proud of Antoine Walker and all that he has accomplished for the Committee. I wish him well in all of his future endeavors.

Mr. Speaker, I was unable to make votes due to unforeseen circumstances.

Had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 228 and YEA on Roll Call No. 229.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to extend my warmest congratulations to Mr. Jim Sullivan and Mrs. Kelly Sullivan, President and Vice President of Millennium Press in Agawam, Massachusetts, for recently being recognized by the Small Business Administration as the Small Business Persons of the Year.

The achievement of Mr. and Mrs. Sullivan is a testament to their unwavering dedication, diligent work, and remarkable leadership at Millennium Press. With a devoted team of 15 full-time employees and one part-time employee, they have successfully built a flourishing business that not only delivers exceptional services to its clients, but also cultivates a supportive and collaborative work environment for their staff.

Their commitment to providing top-notch service while maintaining a culture of teamwork and mutual respect is a model for small businesses across the nation. The Sullivan's accomplishments serve as an inspiration to other entrepreneurs and small business owners who strive to achieve a similar level of success in their respective fields. I have no doubt that Millennium Press will continue to thrive and reach even greater heights under their leadership.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to extend my sincerest congratulations to Jim and Kelly Sullivan for their hard-earned recognition. Their dedication, leadership, and service to their

community embodies the very spirit of American entrepreneurship, and I wish them many more years of success and prosperity.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to extend my warmest congratulations to Ms. Wonderlyn D. Murphy, President of City Enterprise, Inc. in Springfield, Massachusetts, for her recent honor by the Small Business Administration as the 8(a) Graduate of the Year.

This prestigious award stands as a testament to Ms. Murphy's hard work, unwavering dedication, and a relentless commitment to excellence within the government, municipal, and commercial construction sectors. Under her able leadership, City Enterprise has experienced remarkable growth and made significant contributions to the industry, earning the respect and admiration of our community.

The SBA 8(a) Graduate of the Year award is not just a recognition of City Enterprise's impressive growth, but also an acknowledgment of Ms. Murphy's commitment to social and economic development within the community. The impact of her contributions has been significant and enduring, and her success story serves as an inspiration to other entrepreneurs, motivating them to pursue their dreams with vigor and determination.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to extend my sincerest congratulations to Ms. Murphy on this hard-earned recognition. Her dedication, leadership, and service to her community embodies the very spirit of American entrepreneurship, and I have full confidence that City Enterprise will continue to flourish and reach even greater heights under her leadership.

Mr. Speaker, I demand a recorded vote.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong opposition to the default on America act. The chairman just mentioned something that is noteworthy. He said, We are seeing a Republican plan, and for the next hour, we intend to make sure America gets a chance to see the Republican plan.

A reminder for those who might be paying attention to this debate today as to how we traveled on this road which, by the way, is eminently manageable through negotiation after a clean debt ceiling vote might take place.

So our Republican colleagues, I think--and I might be mistaken. You know what? I am sure. They voted for more defense spending. $800 billion we are now at with defense spending. They voted for pandemic relief. They voted for aid to Ukraine. How about the million and a half new veterans that we have in America in the aftermath of the war in Iraq and Afghanistan? They deserve our care, and our Republican colleagues voted for that aid.

Republican Members, some of whom voted for the infrastructure bill, some of them who voted for the legislation on the Inflation Reduction Act, and some of them who voted for the CHIPS Act--that is what is in front of us at this moment.

Here is the real ringer, Mr. Speaker. In December of 2017--and I hope everybody pays attention to this argument--they voted to borrow $2.3 trillion over 10 years for the purpose of giving a tax cut to the wealthiest among us with, by the way, modest to limited economic growth.

Why is that important?

Because there has been $10 trillion worth of tax cuts over the last 25 years. Do you want me to recite it?

President Bush's tax cut in 2001, $1.3 trillion. They came back in 2003, another trillion, and subsequently presided over the invasion of Iraq and Afghanistan, which we should note the cost of which are in the trillions of dollars today.

They want us to believe that this problem that we have in front of us--which I mentioned is manageable--they want us to believe that this is the Democratic position on spending after they embraced the tax cuts that I have just described.

This is about America's credit. What ever happened to the Republican Party that talked about probity as it related to financial stability?

Whatever happened to the Republican Party that talked about the importance of investment?

These arguments that they make now are largely vacuous because it is inconsistent with the Republican Party I knew when I came to Congress. They could borrow money for the Iraq war month after month to keep it off budget so nobody would see what it was really about. They could borrow money repeatedly, and the moment a Democrat gets to the White House they are blamed for inflation.

I don't think Joe Biden should be blamed for inflation in the United Kingdom. How about Germany? That is how empty these arguments are that they are making.

There is a chance for us to do what we used to do here--and by the way, Democrats responsibly voted for raising the debt ceiling three times under the former President because we thought it was the responsible thing to do. Speaker McCarthy got himself into this by the promises that he made along the way.

The suggestion here is very simple, Mr. Speaker. Pass a clean debt ceiling and then let's get on with negotiating.

Bill Clinton, on January 19, 2001, had balanced the budget four times, projected surpluses in the trillions of dollars and 22 million new jobs. The Republican Party gave it away through tax cuts to wealthy people.

They are asking us today the following--they get to set the fire and then call the fire department because that is what this argument is about.

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

Mr. Speaker, my point was and is Republicans voted for the PATH Act, as we did, and the bill is due.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the distinguished gentleman from New York (Mr. Jeffries), the minority leader in the House of Representatives, a champion of long-term worthwhile investments.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman from Virginia for calling attention to these tax credits.

Talk about fortuitous timing, Mr. Speaker, here is the author of these tax credits, all $370 billion, along with Earl Blumenauer. We intend to lay out where these tax credits are going to in Republican districts and see if those Members wish to take advantage of those tax credits or not.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from California (Mr. Thompson), who is a veteran.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Massachusetts (Ms. Clark), the minority whip and a great talent in the Democratic Party.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Doggett), a longtime observer and critic of Republican spending plans in the House.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Oregon (Mr. Blumenauer) who had a profound impact on writing the tax credits that the gentlewoman from Virginia acknowledged a moment ago.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Pascrell), a champion of Medicare, Social Security, and renewable energy.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Davis), who has been a leader in terms of adoption opportunities for those outside the mainstream.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from Washington (Ms. DelBene), one of the most talented Members of this institution.

Mr. Speaker, I include in the Record a letter from Mr. Pascrell.

Congress of the United States,

House of Representatives,

Washington, DC, March 8, 2023.

Hon. Kevin McCarthy.

Speaker of the House,

Washington, DC.

Dear Speaker McCarthy: Our most basic duty as Members of

Congress is to protect the well-being and security of our

constituents. If Republicans block America from paying our

bills, it would be a gross betrayal of our governing

responsibility and invite cataclysmic damage to our economy.

Therefore, I call on the House to advance legislation to

raise our debt limit and prevent a second Great Depression.

It has been 48 days since the United States reached its

current statutory limit and the Treasury Department began

taking extraordinary measures to prevent a default. On

February 15, the Congressional Budget Office raised the

specter of a default as soon as July without urgent

congressional action. Congress has acted to raise or suspend

the debt ceiling 49 times under Republican presidents and 29

times under Democratic presidents. This is a bipartisan

responsibility.

According to the Council of Economic Advisors (CEA), if the

debt ceiling is not raised, Social Security checks will come

to a halt and seniors will be without means to eat or turn on

the heat. Medicare reimbursements will freeze, leaving tens

of millions of Americans unable to pay for essential medical

care. Our veterans will see their health care cut off.

It gets worse. The collapse of available credit would send

shockwaves through the economy, leading to a bank run and a

decimation of small businesses. The cost of borrowing would

soar, leaving new homebuyers locked out of the housing market

and causing regular people to lose everything. The jobless

rate would skyrocket, with millions of Americans losing their

jobs and elevated unemployment lingering indefinitely.

Markets would be thrown into a postulated that the impact of

default would be ten times worse than the 2008 recession.

Republican-precipitated default would be just as

devastating for the global economy. America's treasury debt

is considered the world's safest asset and the dollar acts as

the globe's reserve currency. World confidence in our entire

economy would be irreparably wounded by default.

When Republicans put our Nation's credit on the line, the

result has been widespread turmoil and suffering. After

Republicans threatened to breach the debt ceiling in 2011,

Standard and Poor's downgraded the U.S. long-term credit

rating for the first time in history. Private sector hiring

froze, job growth withered, and consumer sentiment dropped to

its lowest level in 30 years. The Government Accountability

Office (GAO) estimated that federal borrowing costs increased

by about $1.3 billion, while the Bipartisan Policy Center

estimated that the 10-year cost to taxpayers was a staggering

$18.9 billion.

In 2013, when Republicans tried this play again, our Nation

experienced an annualized 0.25 percentage point reduction in

annualized fourth quarter's gross domestic product growth,

resulting in an estimated 120,000 lost jobs. Investors

stopped accepting Treasury bonds as collateral for short-term

transactions, and the government was forced to pay higher

interest rates at auction. Treasury's borrowing costs on

securities increased by an estimated $38-to-$70 million, and

rates for commercial paper also rose, disrupting private

markets. After Republicans yet again menaced our Nation's

credit in 2015, the Treasury Department postponed the release

of a new 2-year bond due to lack of demand, and was forced to

reduce bill issuance, leading to a drop of $210 billion in

bill supply.

The full faith and credit of America is not a bargaining

chip to be gambled whenever Republicans want to reverse

policy they don't like. Refusal to let our Nation pay its

bills would lead to a domino effect of catastrophic

proportion. The effects of failing to raise the debt ceiling

are real, tangible, and would be felt by every American

family and business.

Given these risks, I ask: where is the Republican plan to

raise the debt ceiling and when can we expect its

consideration before Congress?

Sincerely,

Bill Pascrell, Jr.

Member of Congress.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Beyer), whose knowledge of economics is second to none in this institution.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Evans), whose city is home to some of the most important retirement plan management opportunities in all of America.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Schneider), an individual who is well known for his proficiency in accounting procedures.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Nevada (Mr. Horsford), a very capable gentleman.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Hoyer), one of the most capable people that I have had a chance to serve with in Congress.

Mr. Speaker, I yield an additional 30 seconds to the gentleman from Maryland.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Pallone), who comes from the same class as the last two Members, the class of 1988, a very talented lot.

Mr. Speaker, may I inquire as to how much time is remaining.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. David Scott), a very distinguished and capable gentleman.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman for acknowledging the role that the child tax credit played in that statistical analysis.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Goldman), a new and very capable Member of this House.

Mr. Speaker, I remind everyone that, in Georgia-3, there was $2.6 billion worth of tax credits; Ohio-15, $4.5 billion of tax credits; West Virginia-1, $22 million worth of tax credits. Those tax credits did not go to the

Chinese. They went to American families.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Lois Frankel).

Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Chu), a member of the Ways and Means Committee.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Ryan).

Mr. Speaker, how much time do I have remaining?

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

Mr. Speaker, I thank you for your impeccable fairness once again as you have presided over this Chamber as usual. I call attention to the argument I made at the outset as to how we got to where we are today. This is a manageable issue that men and women of good sense and good instincts could come together on to find a solution.

The debt-to-GDP ratio, I understand the argument, but does that take into consideration a pandemic and aid to Ukraine, stopping the hostility of Putin's aggression?

Does it take into account our obligations--and for those who voted for the PACT Act here--to come to the aid of our veterans?

Does it take into account the infrastructure bill that some Republicans voted for?

Does it take into account the CHIPS and Science Act that some Republicans voted for?

Does it take into account the extraordinary increases in defense spending as China threatens America in the Straits of Taiwan and the South China Sea?

These are all parts of votes that both parties have cast. These are parts of the obligations that we have to members of the American family.

Republicans suggest, well, if we just chop Medicaid--and earlier today, Mr. Speaker, it should be noted this exclamation point that they have added to the argument that we have no intention of cutting Social Security or Medicare. Great. That is nice to hear. There are members of the Republican leadership in the Senate who have said precisely the opposite. They would put Medicaid and Social Security on the chopping block, and our side should not be restrained in calling attention to that, despite the debate that takes place in this Chamber.

The spending challenges that we have as they relate to defense, where every Republican voted, I believe, for that defense budget and the substantial increases that have taken place, that has been an act of responsibility based upon what happens with Putin and President Xi and others who would threaten freedom across the globe.

When we look at this argument that has been presented to the American people today, I want to ask you about their 401(k) plans. As they allow this argument to be pursued, the markets are going to begin to reflect this in coming days.

People are going to pull back from investment. People are going to pull back from what ordinarily would be an act of good fiscal prudence. People are going to begin to pay a great deal of attention to this.

The argument that Democrats have offered today is really simple: You and us, we were responsible for those increases in spending. Let us have a vote on a clean debt resolution here and then proceed to negotiation and discussion.

I have heard this argument when former President Bush never vetoed one spending bill during 8 years as President. I have seen this argument when we cut taxes, without the help of us, by $1.3 trillion in 2001 and, by the way, another trillion in 2003.

With the subsequent invasion of Iraq and Afghanistan and a million and a half new veterans, these are our obligations.

Even though we disagreed, by and large, with those positions that were adopted by the then-majority, you recognize the reality, that the tally of the credit card is in front of us.

When you get the credit card, you don't get to say, ``Well, I don't like the part of the bill that I have run up here, so I am not going to pay it,'' or you don't say, ``I will only pay this.''

The bill is in front of us. The full faith and credit of the United States is in front of us.

I made reference earlier today to the fiscal probity of the Republican Party when I first came here. Whatever happened to the Republican Party when it relates to fiscal prudence and probity?

We pay our bills, and we don't threaten the currency of the United States where that dollar is recognized everywhere across the globe.

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

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

Mr. Speaker, had I been present, I would have voted NAY on Roll Call No. 188 and YEA on Roll Call No. 189.

Mr. Speaker, had I been present, I would have voted ``nay'' on rollcall No. 190, ``yea'' on rollcall No. 191, and ``nay'' on rollcall No. 192.

Mr. Speaker, had I been present, I would have voted NAY on Roll Call No. 185, NAY on Roll Call No. 186, and NAY on Roll Call No. 187.

Mr. Speaker, had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 183, and YEA on Roll Call No. 184.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the Springfield International Charter School Girls Basketball Team on winning the Division V Massachusetts State Championship. This milestone achievement deserves the highest praise for the hard work and dedication of these exemplary athletes and coaches. Despite the countless challenges posed by this unprecedented season, the perseverance and commitment to success demonstrated throughout the year led their team to victory on this major stage in high school basketball.

The 2022-23 MIAA High School Girls Basketball Division V Tournament brought 47 of the most elite high school basketball teams from across the state to compete for this year's State Championship. Members of the Springfield International Charter School Girls Basketball Team not only performed with exceptional mental and physical fortitude, but also displayed remarkable sportsmanship and character on their path to victory. They represented the First District of Massachusetts with great honor and distinction, and I am confident that the lessons learned during this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity will serve these young women well in their future endeavors.

The Springfield International Charter School Girls Basketball Team was led by their Head Coach, Tyrone Reid, who has provided crucial guidance and instrumental mentorship to his young athletes both on and off the hardwood. Coach Reid was assisted by Assistant Coaches Tom Campagna, Brandie Seymour, and Shyanne Wellington, and the victorious student athletes are Allanah Chambers, Dezmariah Collazo, Alexa Davis, Iyanna Hodge, Alicia Mitchell, Hailey Morin, Sara Pierce, Jaida Polk, Meiah Wise, Noelani Santiago, Jala Witherspoon, Olivia Dailey, Giavanna Mars, and Angel Stewart.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to once again acknowledge the Springfield International Charter School Girls Basketball Team for their superb achievement. I am proud of this group, and I wish them much continued success.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the Pope Francis Preparatory School Boys Ice Hockey Team on winning the 2023 U.S.A. Hockey High School Division I National Championship. This milestone achievement deserves the highest praise for the hard work and dedication of these exemplary athletes and coaches. Despite the countless challenges posed by this unprecedented season, the perseverance and commitment to success demonstrated throughout the year led their team to victory on the biggest stage in high school hockey.

The 2023 U.S.A. Hockey High School Division I Tournament brought 12 of the most elite high school hockey teams from across the country to compete for this year's National Championship. Members of the Pope Francis Boys Ice Hockey Team not only performed with exceptional mental and physical fortitude, but also displayed remarkable sportsmanship and character on their path to victory. They represented the First District of Massachusetts with great honor and distinction, and I am confident that the lessons learned during this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity will serve these young men well in their future endeavors.

The Pope Francis Boys Ice Hockey Team was led by their Head Coach, Mickey Foley, who has provided crucial guidance and instrumental mentorship to his young athletes both on and off the ice. Coach Foley was assisted by Assistant Coach Ryan Cloonan, Manager Kim O'Leary and the victorious student athletes who are Matthew Bolduc, Zachary Buffone, Joseph DiMichele, Patrick Fitzgerald, Colin Foyle, Joshua Iby, Jacob Jarrell, Mossey Kearney, Wyatt Kenyon, Vincent Maggi, Michael McGrath, Ryan O'Leary, Sean O'Leary, Nick Petkovich, Jacob Petrin, Nicholas Richie, Bryce Russ, Dillon Shea, CJ Watroba, and Wade Wegrzyn.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to once again acknowledge the Pope Francis Preparatory

School Boys Ice Hockey Team for their superb achievement. I am proud of this group and I wish them much continued success.

Madam Speaker, I join with my Massachusetts colleagues to mourn the passing of two of our former colleagues, Congressman John Olver and Congressman Brian Donnelly.

John Olver, an MIT-trained chemist, dedicated his life to public service, working as an educator at the University of Massachusetts before beginning his political career. He spent 12 years in the Massachusetts Legislature prior to his election to Congress.

Over the course of his 22 years in the U.S. House of Representatives, John was an effective leader and a steadfast advocate for the people of western and central Massachusetts.

His approach to policymaking was a good lesson for all. It wasn't about tweeting or texting or cable TV appearances. He lacked any malice whatsoever, and he always had the purest of intentions, focusing solely on delivering for the people he felt privileged to represent. In addition, I don't know anybody who mastered the details of public life and complicated policy more than John Olver.

He was a devoted husband to his wife, Rose, of 55 years and a loving father to their children.

Madam Speaker, we send our best wishes to them at this difficult time.

Madam Speaker, I likewise rise to honor our former colleague Brian Donnelly, a close personal friend of mine for the years that we served together in this institution.

He was a steadfast public servant, a son of Massachusetts, and, perhaps more importantly, a son of Dorchester.

From his days in the Boston Public Schools to the State legislature to the hearing rooms of the Ways and Means Committee, Brian lived the American Dream.

I will forever be grateful to him for his retirement plan that opened up a seat on the Ways and Means Committee for me, understanding that for 70 years, Massachusetts, in straight order, has had a seat on the Ways and Means Committee.

He grew up in a working-class, Irish-American household. He never forgot his ancestral roots in Galway, and he used his time in Congress to advocate for Irish nationals both in Ireland and the United States.

Thousands of young immigrants secured visas through what is known as the Donnelly visa program, giving countless families the opportunity to live out the same American Dream that he knew so well.

Our thoughts and prayers are with the entire Donnelly family during this difficult time, and I appreciate, Madam Speaker, you providing us the time for a moment of silence.

Mr. Speaker, I rise along with the Honorable Frank Pallone of New Jersey, to include in the Record a letter to recognize and express our sincere appreciation for Ms. Jessica Shapiro's nearly two decades of exemplary work for the House Office of the Legislative Counsel.

February 7, 2023.

Jessica Shapiro,

Senior Counsel, House Office of the Legislative Counsel,

Washington, DC.

Dear Ms. Shapiro: Over the last two decades, you have

played a vital role drafting the words of thousands of health

policies--many of which have become transformative laws--and

you have done so with integrity, professionalism, and

meticulousness.

When you began your career in the U.S. House of

Representatives, America still had gaping holes in its health

insurance system. The words you drafted as part of the

Affordable Care Act (P.L. 111-148), Medicare Access and CHIP

Reauthorization Act of 2015 (P.L. 114-10), and No Surprises

Act (P.L. 116-260)--just to name have few--have become the

cornerstone for a more equitable health system that has

guaranteed access to health services and provided a more

robust safety net for millions of Americans. Most recently,

the work you did on Medicare drug pricing reform, originally

part of the Elijah E. Cummings Lower Drug Costs Now Act,

formed a key component or President Biden's Inflation

Reduction Act of 2022 (P.L. 117-169). Your equanimity, vast

knowledge of the intricacies of the Social Security Act (P.L.

74-271), and methodical approach to drafting policy were

vital to the success of that process, which required hundreds

of hours of drafting, problem-solving, and redrafting. Nearly

70 million Americans will benefit from your unwavering

commitment to this work.

Few realize the number of hours of refinement,

modification, and revision that go into making a law

operational, particularly in the health space. And for every

high-profile public law, there are also countless bills and

amendments that do not succeed. All of this work requires

sacrifices--time away from family and friends as a result of

weekend and after-hour intrusions--that often go

unacknowledged.

The U.S. health system is in a better place today because

of the sacrifices you made during your time at the House

Office of the Legislative Counsel, and we thank you and your

family for your dedication. Your commitment to public service

will live on for decades in the words you have written in the

U.S. Code.

Sincerely,

Hon. Richard E. Neal.

Mr. Chair, due to unforseen circumstances, I was unable to be present today to vote on Congresswoman Ocasio-Cortez's Amendment No. 72 on H.R. 21, Strategic Production Response Act. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall No. 68, H.R. 21, Strategic Production Response Act.

Amendment No. 73 Offered by Ms. Ocasio-Cortez