Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of my friend Augustin `Augie' Tellez, who is this year's recipient of the Sons of Italy Foundation's Humanitarian Award. From his leadership in organized labor to his pride in his Italian heritage, Augie truly deserves this honor--as well as the gratitude of many people across Maryland and America.

Serving as the Executive Vice President of the Seafarers International Union (SIU) since 2005, Augie has been an important voice for mariners, boatmen, and fishermen across North America. He has a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities that people face in his industry. Augie's tenure with SIU began when he graduated from the Paul Hall Center's Lundeberg School of Seamanship down in Piney Point, Maryland, in 1975. After five years of serving the union in several posts across the country, he rose through the ranks to become port agent of SIU's headquarters port and later special assistant to the union's president. Trusting Augie's good judgement and inspiring leadership, the SIU executive board appointed him to serve as the union's vice president of contracts and contracts enforcement in 1991-- a position that union membership reelected him to the following year. He served in that role until 2005, overseeing all the union's collective bargaining efforts. From helping develop the SIU's training record book to overseeing contract implementation for the union, he has made invaluable contributions to the SIU and continues to do so as Executive Vice President. His work isn't limited to the SIU, however.

Many government and industry leaders have sought out Augie's expertise and insight. He has served on the U.S. Transportation Command's Voluntary Intermodal Sealift Agreement Executive Working Group (EWG) for over two decades, fostering closer cooperation between the federal government and his industry to ensure that the U.S. military has access to vital commercial shipping resources in the event of an emergency deployment. Similarly, between 2011 and 2022, Augie served on the U.S. Transportation Department's Marine Transportation National Advisory Council. As chair of the council's U.S. Maritime Workforce Working Group Subcommittee, he helped assess how the nation's mariner workforce could support the American merchant fleet during national emergencies. Indeed, the recent COVID-19 pandemic reminded us of the vital importance of maintaining strong supply chains, and Augie has played an important role in that effort.

I've also been grateful for all that Augie has done for our community in Southern Maryland. He has served as a trustee for the Paul Hall Center and as chair of its advisory board for years. He was instrumental in securing key expansions to the school. That includes the Joseph Sacco Fire Fighting and Safety School, which provides maritime firefighting training, and a cutting-edge facility with a variety of simulators that help seafarers develop important shiphandling skills and learn industry procedures. Thanks in part to Augie's efforts, Paul Hall Center now offers more U.S. Coast Guard- approved training courses than any other school in America, providing a first-rate education to its students and graduating some of the world's best merchant mariners year after year. We are so lucky to have this esteemed institution in Southern Maryland and to have leaders like Augie who help run it.

It's been a pleasure to know Augie all these years. From preserving America's maritime traditions to protecting workers' rights, he continues to do crucial work on behalf of our state and Nation. I ask that my colleagues join me in congratulating Augie on this award and in thanking him for all that he has done for our country and its mariners.

Mr. Speaker, the Republicans have claimed that they responsibly passed a debt extension proposal. They did not. They passed a default on America act, which they wrongly called the Limit, Save, and GROW Act. It was, however, a fraud on America act.

Today, the Republicans canceled the scheduled markup on the bills pretending to carry out their pretended policies.

Today, Republicans demonstrated what they have displayed so very often that they are unable to govern and simply use political demagoguery to propose policies that are harmful, unreasonable, and unpassable by their own party. The country needs a responsible and honest opposition party. It does not have one.

The inability of Republicans to move forward on their appropriation bills proves that point. I urge our Republican colleagues to stop pandering, pass the debt extension. Be responsible. Give confidence to the American economy.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding 1 minute. Maybe I can get another. I miss the magic minute, as all of you know, because this is not enough time to debate this issue.

Something that is as bad as fiscal responsibility is fiscal demagoguery. The Speaker of this House has said default is not an option.

Mr. Speaker, 84 of the Republicans in this House have never voted to extend the debt limit so that default would have been inevitable.

That is what this is about; trying to make some sort of deal. I urge my Republican colleagues to follow what they know to be the only rational alternative; that is, vote for a debt extension.

Pay our bills. America does not welch on its debts. You believe that; we believe that. Mr. Speaker, 84 of their Members have not believed that, but we have a majority of this House that believes it.

Mr. Speaker, I urge Republicans to stop creating this lack of confidence in this body to be fiscally responsible. Let me repeat that: Stop allowing no confidence in this body's ability and willingness to be fiscally responsible. Vote ``no.''

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of one of the finest judges to ever serve Prince George's County and the state of Maryland: my friend, Sheila R. Tillerson Adams--Chief and Administrative Judge of the Circuit Court for Prince George's County and the Seventh Judicial Circuit of Maryland. We in Maryland have long benefitted from her keen legal mind, her character, and her commitment to service. After a long and distinguished career, she retired from the Bench at the end of last year.

Sheila has been a trailblazer ever since she started practicing law decades ago. In 1984, she became only the second Black woman to serve as a State's Attorney in Prince George's County. She quickly demonstrated her aptitude not only as an attorney but also as a leader through her work for her office's sexual assault and child abuse unit. Her important work to uphold justice for vulnerable Marylanders continued when she became Deputy County Attorney four years later. Recognizing Sheila's legal prowess and her deep knowledge of the county, Governor William Donald Schaefer appointed her to the District Court of Maryland in Prince George's County in 1993--making her the first Black woman in history to serve as a judge on that court. Governor Parris Glendening elevated her to serve on the bench of the Prince George's County Circuit three years later. After Sheila's fourteen successful years as an associate judge, Maryland Court of Appeals Chief Judge Robert Bell selected her to become Administrative Judge of the Circuit Court for Prince George's County and the Seventh Judicial Circuit of Maryland in 2010.

Sheila's legacy, however, will not be defined by the titles she held or the number of years she served but by all that she accomplished for her fellow Prince Georgians. From presiding over high-profile cases to ushering in key systematic changes that improved our courts, Sheila's commitment to justice never wavered. One of her greatest contributions was her successful effort to expand Maryland's Problem-Solving Courts. These specialized programs continue to support groups of vulnerable Marylanders--such as truants, veterans, people struggling with addiction, at-risk youth, and formerly-incarcerated individuals--who face unique challenges in their communities and in the justice system. Similarly, Sheila played a key role in launching the Prince George's County Family Justice Center (PGCFJC), which acts as a `one-stop' hub where survivors of domestic violence, child abuse, human trafficking, elder abuse, and sexual assault can receive counseling, legal assistance, safety-planning support, and a variety of other services. As a cosponsor of both the original Violence Against Women Act and its reauthorization, I have been proud to work with Sheila to support these survivors, and I fondly recall touring the PGCFJC with her shortly after it opened in 2016. Sheila also helped lead Prince George's County through the unprecedented challenge of the COVID-19 pandemic, serving as a key member of the Prince George's Forward Task Force.

When explaining the mission statement of her court, Sheila once said: `the Circuit Court welcomes all--a forum for justice.' Although she has retired from that court, I am sure this ethos will continue to define its work. And I know that Sheila will continue to live by the same principles of justice, service, and integrity that she has displayed her whole life. She will remain an influential community leader, a respected legal expert, and an essential advocate for Maryland's families. She ought to know how much I appreciate everything that she has done for her county, state, and country, and I look forward to seeing all that she will do to build on that progress as she starts this exciting new chapter. I ask that all my colleagues join me in thanking her for her service and in congratulating her on this milestone.

Madam Speaker, I rise today, as I have in the past, on this floor for Republican staffers and Democratic staffers to thank them, to thank them for their service to the House of Representatives, for their service to the Congress of the United States, and for their service to individual Members and to leadership.

I do so again today for my friend who was with me for approximately a quarter of a century, Dr. Keith Abouchar. He has long served as my senior policy adviser on everything from oversight and financial services to congressional ethics and campaign finance.

After working with me for a few years as a professional staff member of the House Oversight Committee and the Committee on House Administration, he joined my leadership staff in 2003.

He recently retired at the beginning of this year from Federal service after serving this institution, as I said, for more than a quarter of a century.

Keith Abouchar, Dr. Abouchar, accomplished much in that time. He

played an instrumental role in negotiating the Help America Vote Act, spending many early mornings and late nights to enact a law that The Washington Post later called ``the most significant piece of Federal election law since the Voting Rights Act.''

Congratulations, Keith.

Similarly, he was integral to helping us pass the ADA Amendments Act in 2008, which strengthened and carried out the intent of Congress for the ADA and for future generations.

Keith was also a steadfast advocate for our Federal employees and went to great lengths to stave off repeated partisan attempts to cut their pay and benefits and security.

Perhaps the most significant result of Keith's time in my office, of course, was his marriage to a fellow staffer whose name is Jane. Once coworkers, they are now parents to two incredible children, Adele and Henry. He cherishes his role as their father above all else.

It is in this spirit why, when looking back on my time with Keith, I don't think of the list of groundbreaking laws he helped enact, though that list is long. Instead, I think the virtues he displayed every day here on Capitol Hill are what I remember.

Keith has a doctorate in political science. He is an epic consumer of the printed word. You would typically find him with his head buried in the mountain of papers on his desk. He made frequent use of the Library of Congress, read multiple newspapers daily, and often left the office with a cache of unread papers under his arm.

Few can match Keith's mastery of technical details behind the issues on which he worked. Even fewer share his ability to understand how these details impact Americans' everyday lives.

That talent is rooted in Keith's thoughtful demeanor. Quick to offer a piece of wisdom, a word of encouragement, or an expression of gratitude, Keith's generosity made him a beloved feature of our team and of so many people in the private sector and public sector who dealt with him on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis.

We all admired the impressive enthusiasm he brought to his work. I can recall many meetings where Keith would speak so quickly and passionately about an issue that we could hardly keep pace.

A lifelong student of philosophy and a devout Catholic, Keith's earnest energy stems from his belief in the importance of our work in this, the people's House, and in the ethics that ought to guide each of us in this institution.

Through it all, Keith maintained a great sense of humor and never took himself too seriously. He was serious but not serious about himself.

Although I am proud to praise Keith, everyone should know that he is a man of deep humility and perhaps would not want me making this speech on the floor. He is probably squirming in his seat listening to this, and I hope he is--listening, that is, not squirming.

Nevertheless, he ought to know how much we have appreciated his service. Who better to serve as my adviser on issues facing our Federal workers than a man who himself exemplifies the ideal Federal employee, a man of intellect, a man of integrity, a man of generosity, a man of humor, but a very serious, hardworking, and effective public servant.

Madam Speaker, if Keith is listening, and I hope he is, I thank him for everything he has done for our country and wish him well as he begins this new chapter in an extraordinarily productive career.

Madam Speaker, I bless him and his family, and I wish him Godspeed.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to lament the failure today to consider a resolution which would reflect the overwhelming consensus in this House: that capitalism, not socialism, has proven to be the very best economic system.

It is the most effective system to create dynamic economies and incentivize individual innovation, entrepreneurship, and risk-taking to achieve economic security and success. Such a resolution would have brought us together. It would give confidence to our fellow citizens that we are united in our support of our Democratic capitalist system.

The resolution before us today, however, does not do that. Instead, it is an intellectually bankrupt screed of political demagoguery. All it aims to do is to divide and distract this institution and this country. It is a political gotcha and a distraction from the real issues that face the American people.

As our departed colleague Elijah Cummings said, ``We are better than this.''

We just came from an annual prayer breakfast where we gave voice to reconciliation and unity. We prayed to one God, and we recited our pledge to one nation, under God, indivisible.

This resolution seeks to divide. Americans expect more of us. This resolution does not, sadly, Mr. Speaker, further that goal.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to make the point: The two individuals that we removed from committees were not removed for their speech. They were removed because they made threats against other Members.

This one was made before the Representative came. Mr. Gosar's, of course, was made during, but both were removed because of the threat they posed to three of our colleagues; not because of their speech but because of their threat with an AK-47 or AR-15--I am not sure which that gun is--and promoting themselves as the biggest nightmare to three of our colleagues, and Mr. Gosar portraying the murder of one of our colleagues.

There is no equivalency here. We believe in free speech, however hateful that speech is. I will tell you, I take a back seat to no one in this Chamber in my support of Israel and against anti-Semitism, to no one, and my record reflects that.

Mr. Speaker, the equivalency that has been made here is absolutely without merit, and you go down a terrible road.

I do not agree with the statements that were made. I oppose them. I said on this floor that I opposed them.

But by golly, there are a whole lot of your folks over there that I disagree with vehemently who rationalized insurrection and that would be a reason for me to vote for having them off a committee. But that is not how we operate.

But if a Member threatens another Member, that is a different kettle of fish altogether.

Mr. Speaker, I oppose this resolution and urge its rejection.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to my dear friend, Lisa Renee Ransom, who sadly passed away just a few days ago. I join countless people across Maryland and the country in mourning Lisa and in wishing strength to her loved ones as they cope with this terrible loss.

Throughout her life--which was tragically cut short--Lisa distinguished herself as a public servant and as a champion for greater equity. justice, and progress in America. She spent more than a dozen years in service to the American people as a Congressional staffer here in the House. Early in her career, she worked as an advisor to her lauded grandfather, Congressman Augustus `Gus' Hawkins. She also served on the staffs of Representatives Maxine Waters and John Olver. helping them--and this entire institution--address challenges facing our economy and the workers and families upon which it depends. She understood that promoting economic justice is essential to fulfilling America's founding promise to protect our citizens' right to ``life, liberty. and the pursuit of happiness.'' That mission continued to define Lisa's later work for organizations like the National Congress for Community Economic Development, the Center for Policy Alternatives, the Center for Responsible Lending, the National Alliance for Partnerships in Equity, and the Augustus F. Hawkins Foundation. From her support for the Bowie Economic Development Committee to her historic election to the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee, she also made important contributions to the state of Maryland. Additionally, she was a key member on the planning committee for my Annual Women's Equality Day Luncheon and frequently helped my team bring attention to pressing issues facing Southern Maryland. I will always be grateful for her partnership in our ongoing effort to build stronger, safer, and more prosperous communities throughout the state.

We were so fortunate to have Lisa return to the House just a few years ago to serve as the Outreach and Engagement Director on the Select Committee on Economic Disparity and Fairness and Growth. She helped ensure that the committee's critical work remained grounded in the real stories and experiences of Americans who must navigate the complexities and challenges of the 21st Century economy every day. I have long shared her belief that for Nation to continue outcompeting the rest of the world, we cannot afford to leave workers and underserved communities behind. Lisa and the Select Committee played an important role in identifying not only the obstacles we may face as we address inequity but also the tools and strategies we can use to overcome them. Indeed, throughout her career, Lisa served as a crucial voice for women, communities of color, and others who are too often excluded from economic opportunities.

Despite the gravity of her work, Lisa remained a woman of gaiety. All those around her appreciated her warmth and humor--her family and friends most of all. Our long friendship certainly brightened my own life. Whether through Lisa's service to her fellow Marylanders and Americans, her leadership in the community, or her personal interactions with others, a sense of compassion and joy was evident in every dimension of her life. Lisa's lively spirit remained strong even as I spoke with her in her final days.

Just as her work will continue to benefit countless Americans across the country, memories of Lisa's amity will continue to enrich the lives of all those lucky enough to have known her. I hope that knowledge will bring some peace and comfort to her many loved ones in this time of mourning.

I ask all my colleagues to join me in praying for them and in showing our gratitude for Lisa's life of service. May God bless and keep Lisa.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor a woman who has contributed so much to this Congress and this country: Marzette `Marzy' Bedford- Billinghurst. After more than 3 decades in federal service, she recently began her well-earned retirement. As someone who has had the privilege of working closely with Marzy in the past, I can personally attest to her virtues as a sharp, dedicated, and generous federal civil servant and American. She deserves recognition for her many deeds in service to this Nation.

Our work together began back in 1988 when Marzy joined my legislative staff. As my Senior Legislative Assistant, she quickly became an indispensable advisor on a broad range of issues. From formulating and drafting key legislation to taking meetings with constituents and stakeholders, Marzy approached every part of the job with admirable enthusiasm and poise. She brought that same work ethic to the House Committee on the District of Columbia in 1993. Although we were sad to see Marzy leave our team, we knew she would always go wherever she was able to make the biggest difference in the lives of her fellow Americans. Indeed, that's what took her to the Department of Labor in 1995.

As an important official in DOL's Women's Bureau, Marzy was at the forefront of the effort to create more equitable and inclusive workplaces for women across the Nation. She helped advance initiatives addressing everything from sexual harassment to gender, wage, and pregnancy discrimination in the workplace. Marzy also understood that faithful service to the federal government requires one to hold it to the same principles of equality, justice, and freedom that underpin our entire democracy. That's why she pushed DOL to create designated rooms in its headquarters where mothers could breastfeed and pump in privacy. Marzy's unyielding devotion to her crucial work earned her dozens of awards and honors over the years--including Vice President Al Gore's Hammer Award and, most recently, DOL's Distinguished Career Service Award. Anyone boasting such an impressive list of accomplishments and accolades could rest easy knowing they did far more than their fair share to leave their country better than they found it. Marzy's commitment to service, however, extended beyond her career.

Throughout her decades working for the federal government, Marzy continued to devote much of her spare time to bettering her community. Between 2005 and 2012, for instance, she served as a House Manager for the Sacred Heart House Temporary Homeless Shelter for Women and Children in Denver, supporting women and families in need face-to-face. She also has served on the Board of Directors of the Denver chapter of Parents, Families, and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG). After Hurricane Katrina devastated numerous communities in 2005, Marzy stepped up and volunteered to help with relief efforts for 30 days as part of a DOL delegation to the Federal Emergency Management Administration. Marzy made all these contributions through her work and her volunteering while simultaneously raising 2 incredible sons, Kahler and Cameron, with her husband Mark. If that weren't enough, her neighbors also entrusted her to serve as the captain of their local Democratic precinct and as their delegate to the Democratic National Convention in 2008. They recognized what I and everyone else who has had the pleasure to know Marzy have seen: she is a person of integrity--someone who will always stand up for what is right.

That will remain true even as Marzy begins her retirement from federal service. I have no doubt that she will continue to help those in need, strengthen her community, and speak up for the principles she devoted her career to promoting. I often say that dedication and reliability are the 2 most critical traits in our federal civil service. Marzy exemplifies both. She has inspired many to follow in her footsteps and serve our country. Although the many friends and colleagues Marzy has made over the years will surely miss her guidance and expertise, I know I speak for all of us in wishing her and her family well as she begins this exciting new chapter. She has my thanks as well as the gratitude of this House and the American people. May Marzy enjoy a happy and satisfying retirement. She has earned it.

Mr. Speaker, I want to honor a constituent from Maryland's Fifth District who has served this institution faithfully for decades: Senior Advisor to the Sergeant at Arms Don Kellaher. He recently retired after spending 45 years in service to the House of Representatives and deserves recognition for all that he has contributed and accomplished in that time.

Don began his long career in 1976 as a staff assistant in the former Office of the Doorkeeper before moving to the Office of the Sergeant at Arms three years later. Throughout his decades in that office, he worked in every division and held important positions, such as Director of Special Events, Director of Police Services, Deputy Sergeant at Arms, and Senior Advisor to the Sergeant at Arms.

Don played a key role in ensuring that this institution could continue to carry out its work For the People. During his tenure in the Office of the Sergeant at Arms, he helped organize 12 presidential inaugurations, ranging from President Carter's in 1977 to President Biden's in 2021. Additionally, Don has participated in the planning of dozens of State of the Union Addresses.

Crucially, he has worked to keep visitors, staff, and Members of the People's House safe. That includes historic figures who have visited our Capitol, such as the Dalai Lama, Pope Francis, Mother Teresa, and Queen Elizabeth II. From anthrax and ricin attacks to murders of U.S. Capitol Police officers and bombings of the Capitol Building, Don has also helped our brave Capitol Police navigate many challenges over the years. Recently, he supported them during the deadly insurrection that gripped our Capitol on January 6, 2021. Everyone who was here that infamous day owes a debt to Don and the others who worked to reestablish order and security on Capitol Hill, as do the American people whose democracy came under attack that day.

Mr. Speaker, Don is truly a guardian of the House of Representatives. We could not fulfill our duty to the American people without Don and numerous other staffers like him who work behind the scenes to make this institution function. He ought to be proud of all he's done for Congress and the country, and I hope he knows how much we appreciate him and his work.

I ask that all my colleagues join me in wishing Don, his wife Antoinette, his children Amanda Walker and Anthony Kellaher, and his grandchildren Rhett Walker and Rosalie and Ainsley Kellaher happiness as he begins his well-earned retirement

Mr. Speaker, I lament that the 2 minutes are no longer magic.

Mr. Speaker, these rules are largely the rules that we have had for some period of time over the years, but they have important changes. Unfortunately, I view those changes as not facilitating our work but seeking to impede our work. I think that is unfortunate.

They are also designed to target Federal employees if Members of Congress don't like what they do. There, of course, is a process to do that, but as the leader on the other side did at one point in time, he just cut out the salary for an employee he didn't like or thought was acting improperly. That was not appropriate, and of course, that did not prevail.

I regret that we don't have an opportunity to look at these rules in the way that so many on this floor talked about doing.

First of all, of course, they are not single issues. There are a lot of issues. It is the rules.

Secondly, there are ways and means to provide for consideration in a transparent, open fashion in which I could offer an amendment to a rule that I thought was not in the benefit of this House or the American people.

Unfortunately, this is the process, which is the very first process under which we have considered a piece of business, not necessarily legislation, and that is ironic. It is what it is, but it will, as such a process does, force us to vote against a piece of organizational rules because we don't agree with some of those rules. That is what I will do.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding and adopt all the remarks he made in his opening statement.

This debate about IRS lends itself to being the most dishonest and demagogic rhetoric that I have seen in the Congress at any point in time.

I rise as the former chairman of the Treasury-Postal Committee, now the Financial Services and General Government Committee to which I will return having left the majority leader's spot.

This bill is a bad bill. Every small American taxpayer ought to be for this bill because this bill will make sure that others pay their fair share as they do.

That is the issue. They are paying their fair share, as the chairman noted, because we take it out of their salary. But the people who get it through dividends and capital gains, et cetera, et cetera, aha, they have got the lawyers, the accountants, and the people who can tell them how not to pay their fair share.

This is a bill against small business. This is a bill against the small taxpayer. This is against paying your fair share.

Madam Speaker, I have been working on this issue almost all of my career in the Congress of the United States.

The previous gentleman said: Let's do it right.

This does it right. This does it after years and years and years and years and years of consideration.

I hesitate because I agree, I think, almost in whole with the remarks that Mr. Westerman has made. Mr. Westerman is a Member of the Congress that I respect. He and I work on things that we think are very important to mankind, here in this country and around the world, in terms of our global environment.

America is a great nation. It is a generous nation. I have said throughout the world that America is the least acquisitive great power that has existed in the world.

What do I mean by acquisitive?

We did not fight wars to take property and to acquire countries, to do what Putin criminally does today. In fact, what we did in those wars in which we have participated in was to build up countries, and they are now democracies: Germany, Japan, Italy, and other nations which we have occupied for a temporary period of time to make sure they were free and help them be free. This bill is about the Puerto Rican people and their island.

And to redeem a premise that we have argued to all the world ought to be central to their policies. That is the right of peoples to self- determination. The right of peoples to say: This is who I am, and this is the political environment in which I want to live--by free votes, not arms, not force, but by the choice of the people. That is what this legislation does.

Puerto Ricans and people of Puerto Rican descent have had an important place in the American family for over a century. They contribute to American culture. They help protect America's national security. They support the American economy and our shared prosperity.

They are American citizens. We made that decision because that was our decision to make whether we were going to allow them to be American citizens or not. Frankly, whether they have any relationship with us or not is our American Congress' decision. They are today American citizens like all of us.

For far too long, however, the people of Puerto Rico have been excluded from the full promise of American democracy and self- determination that our Nation has always championed. We owe it to our own values, and we owe it to the Puerto Rican people to bring an end to their island's 124-year-old status as a U.S. territory.

Less than us. Less than Maryland. Less than Virginia or Oregon or Texas or Maine or Washington State. Yes, they are citizens but less-- 3\1/2\ million people are less. We hold these truths to be self-evident that all are created equal. Now, not all people ought to be U.S. citizens because of that comment, but all citizens ought to be equal. That

is why I am for D.C. statehood--700,000-plus people. Citizens. Our people.

They are franchised if they move to Maryland and disenfranchised if they move from Maryland to D.C. That is not right. We passed a bill to say that was not right. This is another opportunity to give the people of Puerto Rico the ability to set it right, and we make that decision.

The gentleman is correct. We don't have to give that right to Puerto Ricans, we make that decision, and we ought to make it. That is what this bill is about--making that decision to give our fellow citizens a choice--their choice, not our choice.

The gentlewoman from New York, a wonderful, dear, close friend of mine, she and I have disagreed through the years as to what that choice ought to be. But what we agree on is it is not our choice; it is Puerto Rico's choice. That is why I am proud to bring the Puerto Rico Status Act to the floor today.

This bipartisan legislation would organize and fund a binding, island-wide plebiscite that would allow the people of Puerto Rico to vote among these three options:

Statehood. That would be my option. If I were a Puerto Rican and I were living in Port-au-Prince or wherever I was living, I would vote to be a State. That is not my choice, I don't live there, I am not in Puerto Rico. San Juan--I said Port-au-Prince. San Juan. It ought to be their choice, and that is what this bill does--statehood.

Independence. They have a right to do that. They are either going to be a State or they will have a right to determine their own destiny, their own status, or as the bill also gives them an option to do, be a sovereign State with an association with our country.

Now, that has to be done through agreement because we have to make that decision as well as the Puerto Ricans. That would have to be an agreement between us, and both sides would have to be willing partners to that agreement.

Additionally, it would implement comprehensive, nonpartisan public- education campaigns to help voters understand the implications of each option long before any ballots are cast.

The gentlewoman from New York has made it an essential part of her argument that the people of Puerto Rico have to know what they are voting on and what the consequences of that vote will be. Ms. Ocasio- Cortez has made that same point correctly.

This bipartisan bill also includes a variety of oversight measures to ensure that the election is secure, transparent, and fair.

I have long-believed that Puerto Ricans deserve the right to determine their political destiny. This is not a new concept for me. I don't think it is a new concept for any of us in this Congress. We believe in self-determination of peoples. We believe that dictators cannot impose upon people a government they do not choose. That is bedrock belief for us. That is what this bill is about.

A group of House Members and senior Puerto Rican officials--I am honored that my former colleague and my dear friend is on the floor with us today, Pedro Pierluisi. The Governor has been selected by the people of Puerto Rico.

I am honored to be the friend of and ally of the gentlewoman from Puerto Rico who is the Resident Commissioner from Puerto Rico, who has worked tirelessly with Nydia Velazquez, with the rest of us, in ensuring that the people of Puerto Rico have an honest, fair choice available to them to affect their status, and to reach the long-sought consensus on a path forward for self-determination.

Madam Speaker, I thank Chairman Grijalva. This has been a long and torturous path because the disagreements about how we get to where we want to get are so difficult. Chairman Grijalva deserves great praise from all of us for his patience, for his knowledge, for his wisdom, for his role that he played in trying to bring this to a head. He has done it, it is here on this floor, and he is responsible for that.

Madam Speaker, I thank the members of the Natural Resources Committee on both sides of the aisle, and I thank the staff for the work that they have done--tireless hours and difficult discussions, debates, and so much disharmony from all those, both the diaspora and those in Puerto Rico--strong feelings that had to be brought to bear to reach this consensus.

Madam Speaker, I thank Chairwoman Nydia Velazquez; Representative Darren Soto, who is on the floor and perhaps is going to speak after me; Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez; the Puerto Rican Resident Commissioner that I have spoken of, Jenniffer Gonzalez-Colon; and you, Governor.

Madam Speaker, the Governor and I have had the opportunity to work together when you were a Member of this House. We passed a bill that this House passed saying that the Puerto Rican people ought to have a choice, so this is not new. The previous gentleman wasn't here in Congress then--I don't know that, but I don't think he was. This is not new. This has not been done haphazardly. This has been done carefully with difficult efforts made by all parties.

All of the people that I mentioned, I thank for their efforts to reach this historic consensus and action on behalf of the people of Puerto Rico. We are all in agreement that the decision must belong to the people of Puerto Rico alone. Their destiny ought to be up to them.

The Puerto Rican Status Act, of which we will consider in just a few minutes, will give them that choice. They will have that choice only if we vote ``yes.'' If we do not vote ``yes'' today, I fear we may not vote ``yes'' for a very long time. The people of Puerto Rico would be held in a status that I believe the majority of them do not want to be in.

Madam Speaker, I, therefore, ask all of my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to represent the values of America in this vote. The values that say to us that people have the inherent right to self- determination, not to have it imposed upon them by force or by dictate of the Congress of the United States, but to choose a status of their choosing, of their desire, of their vision. Vote for this status bill, it represents the best of American values. We have a moral responsibility to do so.

Madam Speaker, to my colleagues, based upon the present information on the Senate timeline for passing the omnibus, the earliest the House is expected to meet is Wednesday with votes at 6:30 p.m.--that is the earliest--with the votes of the week postponed until 6:30 p.m.

The House is also expected to meet on Thursday, December 22, and will stay in session until the omnibus is completed.

If the Senate acts on the omnibus earlier in the week, Members will be given 24 hours--not the normal 72 hours--24 hours' notice to return to D.C. Members should expect the House to be in session for at least 2 legislative days next week.

The House will consider bills under suspension of the rules, and additional legislative items are possible. We all understand Christmas is Sunday and none of us want to be here, but all of us have a responsibility, obviously, to complete the business of funding the government of the United States of America, so we will be here.

We will not be here unless the Senate acts more quickly than we anticipate before Wednesday at 6:30 p.m., which will be the first votes. If it is later than that, you will also get notice. If it is earlier than that, you will get notice.

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to section 5 of House Resolution 1518, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bills: H.R. 1082; H.R. 5349; H.R. 6218; H.R. 6220; H.R. 6221; H.R. 6611; H.R. 6630; H.R. 6725; H.R. 7832; H.R. 8665; S. 558; and S. 789; and concur in the Senate amendment to H.R. 7077.