Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, pursuant to clause 2(a)(1) of rule IX, I rise to give notice of my intent to raise a question of the privileges of the House.

The form of the resolution is as follows:

House Resolution 40. Condemning and censuring Representative Steve King of Iowa.

Whereas, on January 10, 2019, in an interview published by the New York Times, Representative Steve King asked, ``White nationalist, white supremacist, Western civilization--how did that language become offensive? Why did I sit in classes teaching me about the merits of our history and our civilization?'';

Whereas Representative King's comments legitimize white supremacy and white nationalism as acceptable in today's society;

Whereas Representative King's comments are abhorrent to the founding principles of our Nation and our rich history of diversity and tolerance of those whose backgrounds and beliefs have made America the envy of the world; and

Whereas Representative King's comments reflect negatively on the House of Representatives.

Now, therefore, be it resolved, that

One, Representative Steve King of Iowa be censured;

Two, Representative Steve King forthwith present himself in the well of the House of Representatives for the pronouncement of censure; and

Three, Representative Steve King be censured with the public reading of this resolution by the Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, this has been a really interesting debate, because our friends on the other side, Mr. Speaker, it is like they have amnesia and nothing happened before the election a couple of years ago.

All of these promises about a border wall were followed by the cheers and the chants of: And who is going to pay for that wall?

And you remember all your fans would stand up: Mexico is going to pay for that wall.

Who?

Mexico.

And here we are today getting ready to shut down the Government over you asking the American taxpayer to pay for this border wall. And then some of you even are saying that we have hollow words, that our words don't mean anything, when this President is going back on the promise that he made.

He said Mexico was going to pay for it. He said it at the rallies. He was in Ohio. He was in the swing States.

And now he is going back on his word on that. And he just went back on his word where he promised the entire Senate he was going to support the continuing resolution, and you are calling us and saying our words are hollow. Are you kidding me?

Now, look, I am for border security. I am for border security. But I am not for a wall. You know what, I like cars, too. I am for cars. I am not for the Model T.

I like planes. I don't want a glider that was designed and built by Wilbur Wright.

I like my phone, but I don't want to go back and get the rotary dial out.

You guys are living in the past. And this Government is in chaos. It is in a free-fall. The market is in a free-fall. The staffing at the White House is in a free-fall. The Secretary of Defense is gone. We are pulling out of Syria.

What is going on? You are in charge of the House, the Senate, and the White House. Get a grip, and learn how to govern the country.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today as the Congressman from the General Motors Lordstown plant. We had some bad news this week that we are going to lose 1,600 jobs in Lordstown. When you factor in the supply chain, four, five, six times the amount of that in our community--seat manufacturer, logistics company, trucking, and all the rest. Many communities in the last week have been dealt a pretty bad hand. I think this speaks, Mr. Speaker, to the broken economic system that we have in the United States.

This company, many years ago, got a rescue package from the taxpayers in the United States. When many years later, last year, they got $157 million in a tax cut that we were told was going to be spent for workers, factories, and jobs in the heartland, and turned around and cut 14,000 jobs and their stock price goes up 6 percent, that is a broken economic system that we have in the United States of America.

We need an industrial policy in this country where the government, the agencies, the departments, the Tax Code, and the investments in infrastructure and education are all moving in the same direction that will create manufacturing jobs here in the United States. We have to have policies that move venture capital out of the three main States, California, New York, and Massachusetts, which is 80 percent of all venture capital.

I am not sure, Mr. Speaker, that the people on Wall Street or the people in the high-tech centers of our country fully appreciate what is happening in communities all over the United States of America. They are being hollowed out and disinvested in.

We need this government to begin to modernize itself and to look at the world as it is, and to recognize that globalization may yield great benefits and great wealth but that those benefits aren't shared everywhere in the United States of America.

They are not shared in the industrial Midwest. Wages have been stagnant for 30 years. People work hard, play by the rules, and still get to their retirement, and they lose their pension or their pension is cut in half.

This is not working. This is not working, Mr. Speaker, and the American people are fed up.

How much can the worker take? How much can their families take?

Year in and year out for 40 years, this has been going on in this country. People who have money continue to make money. The top 1 percent continues to do well. I don't hate anybody because they are rich. But my goodness gracious, when everyone else is suffering, when communities in Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, western Pennsylvania, Kentucky, and Minnesota that have done so much for so long, whether there is a war or manufacturing, it has been these communities who have responded. Now they have been cut loose, and the stock price goes up.

It is time for us to reclaim the American Dream for these communities and these workers who have done nothing wrong. They have done everything right. They support their church; they support the Little League; they sit on the boards of the booster clubs; and they coach football. They have done everything right. Everything our society would ask of them, they have done, and they get cut loose. Now we live in communities that have blight; they don't have broadband; and they don't have investment.

Some people will say: Just cut taxes for the wealthiest people, and all that wealth will trickle right down to the Lordstowns, the Youngstowns, and the Gary, Indianas of the world.

Do you know what, Mr. Speaker? We have been trying this for 40 years. Since 1980, the supply-side economic policy has been pushed in this country. If it is so damn good, then why isn't it working for working class people? That is what I want to know.

If this economic philosophy is so great, why does the worker in Lordstown get screwed and the stock price for the company goes up 6 percent?

Why do the CEOs of these companies get 350 times the amount of money that the worker on the factory floor gets? Does that seem fair to anybody?

These people work hard and play by the rules. They can't get healthcare. People out working hard, pension gets squeezed, kid gets sick, can't afford it, got to go to the emergency room, opiate epidemic. Try to work hard and go to college, end up $30,000 in debt, $40,000 in debt, have to move out of your own community.

The systems are broken in the United States, Mr. Speaker, and it is our job here in Washington, D.C., to remember these families who have done everything right.

That is our commitment. Our responsibility is to fix this broken system. There have been a lot of promises made over the last few years for these communities. Things are moving in the wrong direction, and it is our obligation to fix it.

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

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to honor the life of Maureen ``Maggie'' Hagan, 74, who died peacefully on November 6, 2018 surrounded by her family.

Maggie was a teacher in Warren City schools for 38 years, where she was an active

union member. After retiring, she moved from Youngstown to Cleveland. She traveled extensively, frequenting Italy and Florida. She loved to dance, and her passion for dancing was contagious. She made friends wherever she went, and she never turned down an invitation to a party. Maggie was a staunch advocate for human rights and a political firebrand who remained firm in her convictions.

She is survived by her daughter Maura George (Bryce Kujat); son Michael George (Amber Pompeii); grandchildren Francis and Harriet; twin sister, Katie (Jim Armaline); five other sisters, Annie (Tom Carney), Elaine, Monica, Sue (Kim Korver), Mary Therese (Denise Reynolds); and seven brothers, Jim (Fiona Young), Tim (Mama Negrelli), Bill (Mary Mcatee), Bob (Michele Lepore-Hagan), Jack (Noreen O'Malley), Chris (Laureen McGarry), and Jeff (Marcia Egbert). She was also a beloved aunt to 27 nieces and nephews and 27 great nieces and great nephews.

I had the immense please of knowing Maggie. I always loved seeing her at political or union events. She believed in the power of labor unions. She believed in the power of education. While she may be gone, her spirit lives on. She inspired us to use our lives to make a difference in people's lives. And we will always keep her memory close to our hearts.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Christina ``Tina'' Condoleon, age 84, who passed away peacefully at the Hospice House in Poland, Ohio on Friday October 26, 2018.

Tina was born on April 5, 1934, in Warren, Ohio to Harry and Athena Raphtis. She was a graduate of Warren G. Harding High School. In the late 50s and early 60s she worked as a clerk at the Trumbull County Courthouse in Warren. Tina was a member of St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church in Warren. She enjoyed cooking, reading and doing word search puzzles, but most of all she treasured spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren.

Tina is survived by her three children, John (Tricia) Condoleon of Howland, Harry (Holli) Condoleon of Algona, Iowa and Angela (Steve) Zervas of Cortland; her ten grandchildren, Kristin, Michael, Kurt, Caitlyn, Michael John, Nicholas, Gabriel and Laney Condoleon, and Christopher and Melena Zervas; her brother, Thomas (Aliki) Raphtis; her sister-in-law, Peggy Knotos; and a number of nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; two brothers, Gus and James Raphtis; and husband of 49 years, Michael J. ``Mike'' Condoleon whom she married on August 18, 1963 and who passed away March 27, 2013.

I know Tina is dearly missed among her family and friends. I extend my deepest and sincerest condolences.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Samuel E. ``Sam'' Lanza, age 92, who passed away peacefully on Saturday, October 27, 2018, at his residence, with his loving family by his side.

Sam was born on January 20, 1926 in Warren, Ohio to Joseph L. and Edith Gustafson Lanza. A lifelong resident of the Warren area, Sam heard the call of his country and enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps on March 10, 1944. Serving during World War II, he earned the rank of corporal and was stationed in the Pacific with his military specialty Machine Gun Crewman.

Sam was wounded in action on April 22, 1945, in Okinawa, and spent 16 months on a hospital ship and in other Naval hospitals until he was honorably discharged Aug. 12, 1946, from the Marine Barracks Training Center, Great Lakes, Illinois. He was awarded numerous decorations for his service to our country. These were: Honorable Service Button, the Purple Heart for wounds in action, the Good Conduct Medal and the Asiatic Pacific Ribbon.

Sam started his career in Milwaukee at Nordberg Manufacturing Company, and Tex-Rite Corporation. Upon moving back to Warren in March of 1948, he worked at the War Assets Administration and the Lordstown Ordnance Depot until it closed in December 1963. Sam then was employed with the U.S. Army Support Element in Oakdale, Pennsylvania as a housing manager until Feb. 27, 1981.

Sam joined the Disabled American Veterans, Trumbull County Chapter 11 in 1948, and was appointed the adjutant on a temporary basis and served in that position until the present. He also served as treasurer, chapter service officer and was the legislative chairman. Sam has gone through all the chairs of the DAV Department of Ohio and was elected to State Commander in June 1997, serving through 1998. He was called to also serve as a state senior vice commander and the DAV National Executive Committee.

Sam was a lifetime member of numerous organizations: The Disabled American Veterans; the Military Order of the Purple Heart, where he served as commander of Chapter 606; the VFW; the Marine Corps League, where he was senior vice commandant for two years; the American Legion Post 540, of NAUS, NARFE where he was past president; and the AmVets.

Sam has been honored by a proclamation naming May 8, 1992 as Sam Lanza Day in Warren, a second proclamation naming April 25, 1998, Sam Lanza Day in Warren and, on the same date, a proclamation naming Sam Lanza Day in Trumbull County. He was also honored by the Tribune Chronicle and the American Red Cross as a Community Star.

Sam had many passions throughout his life. He enjoyed Notre Dame football and was an accomplished bowler, having even scored a 297 game. His wife, the former Shirley Joyce Meier, whom he married on May 24, 1946, died March 20, 2003, after 57 years of marriage together. He is survived by his three sons, Sam (Edna) Lanza of White Oak, Pa.,

David (Carol) Lanza of Mineral Ridge and Edward (Donna) Lanza of Cortland; three daughters, Linda Allen, Elaine Taylor and Marilyn Porec, all of Warren; nine grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; 14 great-great grandchildren; and a longtime friend and companion, Jean Parke; along with a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Besides his parents and wife, Sam was preceded in death by a daughter, Margaret ``Peggy'' Eaton; three brothers, Joseph, Louis and Charles Lanza; and a sister, Lena Clark.

Sam has left such an impact on our community and in the lives of his family and friends. I extend my most sincere and heartfelt condolences to his family and friends.

Mr. Speaker, there is a crisis brewing in America. Two-and-a-half million workers face the challenge of losing their pension through no fault of their own. These are the folks who get up every single day, they work hard, they play by the rules, and all they want is a fair shake, some decent healthcare, and the retirement that they earned and that they paid for.

One of these people is Ed Barker, III, from Youngstown, Ohio. He worked for 45 years driving a truck. He worked 60 to 70 hours a week, 6 to 7 days a week. He now faces a 50 percent cut in his pension. He missed baseball games, he missed birthdays, and he missed family events because he was driving a truck with the promise that at the end of his career there would be a solid pension.

Now he and his wife are taking care of their 96-year-old father, they try to baby-sit for their kids when they get deployed and try to help out with the grandkids, and they try to help their kid through grad school to make a better life, all based on the promises they were given. But now they face the horrendous situation where they may lose half of their pension, cuts to healthcare, and all the rest that come with that. They did nothing wrong.

Yes, this is going to cost money. But let me share with the American people, and remind some of my colleagues, that we had no problem in this Congress giving a $142 billion bailout to Bank of America, $280 billion to Citigroup, $25 billion to the auto industry, $180 billion to AIG, $400 billion to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, $30 billion to Bear Stearns, $18 billion to the airline industry, and $300 billion to the savings and loans.

Mr. Speaker, if we can bail out corporations that have done everything wrong, we can bail out the workers who have done everything right.

Mr. Speaker, I want to extend my congratulations to my friend from New Jersey for his work on this and so many other issues, and for his constant dedication to this Congress.

I also sit on the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee with Congressman Frelinghuysen. I just want to thank the gentleman for his leadership, hard work, and his years of travel around the world to make sure that the men and women in our military are safe and protected and have the equipment that they need. So I thank the gentleman for all his service.

I rise in support, Mr. Speaker, of this conference agreement. Once again, we see that the Congress can pass decent legislation when Republicans and Democrats, House and Senate, all work together to reach a bipartisan agreement instead of one party trying to make all the decisions behind closed doors. This bill and these bills reflect that.

The bill we are sending to the President's desk takes care of our veterans; it funds our civilian and military infrastructure and energy needs; and it pays for the operations of the legislative branch institutions essential to our democracy. Almost every agency in the legislative branch division of this bill receives its full budget request.

One of the highlights of the bill is the funding for the Government Accountability Office, which works to root out waste, fraud, and abuse governmentwide. With so many safeguards having failed against mismanagement and corruption in our government over the past few years, the GAO is more important than ever.

By providing the resources for the GAO to take another step toward restoring its pre-sequestration capacity, we are helping to save taxpayers money and prevent some of the worst abuses of the administration.

Another key accomplishment in this measure is the restoration of the dedicated funding for paid internships in the House of Representatives. I also want to thank the gentlewoman from New York and the gentleman from New Jersey for helping make that possible.

It has been 25 years since we have had a paid internship program here in the United States Congress. Once more, when a young person from a middle-class family comes to Washington, D.C., and desires to enter public service, they can worry a little bit less about the costs here in Washington, D.C., for rent and grocery bills, and compete with other applicants based on merit instead of economic background, which is just a matter of basic fairness.

There are so many other issues.

One more, Mr. Speaker, that I would like to mention in this bill is that we have ensured we are doing all we can to address the epidemic of harassment and discrimination that has existed since time immemorial but rightly showed up in the headlines in the last year or two.

The Office of Compliance is given over $1.3 million more than last year so they can have the resources to tackle the problem and to handle the increased workload we have given them by expanding their jurisdiction. In the near future, we expect their mission to expand further, and these funds will help them prepare for that.

Again, I extend my sincere thanks especially, again, to Chairman Frelinghuysen, who is leaving, Nita Lowey, Chairman Fortenberry, Senator Daines and Senator Murphy, and so many others.

Also, thank you to the staffs on both sides, including Anne Sokolov, Ryan Keating, Adam Berg, Jenny Panone, Tim Monahan, and Reyn Archer, for making this bill possible and, as Congressman Simpson said, for the long hours that they have put in over the August recess to make this happen.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to remember the life of Michael George Lowry, Jr., age 34, who passed away on September 5th.

Michael George Lowry, Jr. was born on December 28, 1983 in Ohio, Youngstown to Michael and Annie Miller Lowry. He was a lifelong resident of the Mahoning Valley and a huge Notre Dame and Pittsburgh Steelers fan. After attending both Ursuline and Liberty High Schools, he became a Chemical Dependence Counselor Assistant with Breaking Point and New Day. He was known as an excellent counselor who continually showed love and compassion for those in his care.

Outside of work, Michael had a passion for the outdoors, and he enjoyed building fires in his backyard fire pit. Michael was also dedicated to improving his community. He was an advocate for the homeless, and a volunteer at local animal shelters.

His memory will be cherished by his parents, his children; Lillian Lowry, Ava Lowry and her mother, Angela Hernandez, and Olivia and Jackson Lowry and their mother, Rachel Mangine: sister Laura (Alex Chick) Lowry; brother James (Molly) Lowry; nephews James Lowry and Breen Dahman; girlfriend Bethany Hawout; and numerous uncles, aunts, and cousins. Michael was preceded in death by his grandparents, Dutch, Sally, and Nancy Miller and Chuck and Jean Lowry.

I have known the Lowry family for many years, and I know Michael is dearly missed. I extend my deepest and sincerest condolences.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to remember the life of Dr. Russell Platt, age 91, who passed away on August 2, 2018 in Akron, Ohio. Dr. Platt was the first African-American doctor to finish his residency at Akron City Hospital, and he was one of the first African- American doctors in Akron to have an integrated medical practice. His story is truly inspiring.

Dr. Platt was born on July 10, 1927 in Latta, South Carolina to Francis and Carlie Platt. He

attended Dillon County Training School, an unaccredited school in Latta for Negroes. He finished his high school education at Voorhees Preparatory School before going to South Carolina State University. There, he studied from 1945 until 1949, majoring in biology and secondary education and minoring in chemistry. Later, Dr. Platt received his master's degree in education from The Ohio State University. Upon graduation, he served in the newly integrated United States Air Force. He studied aviation physiology and quickly rose to the rank of 2nd Lieutenant in Aviation Medicine. In 1960, he graduated and received his medical degree from Meharry Medical College in Nashville, Tennessee.

After graduating, Dr. Platt moved to Akron, Ohio with his soulmate Barbara to train as a doctor. He knew he would be unable to be a doctor if he remained in South Carolina. Russell resided in Akron for 58 years, practicing medicine there for 51 of those years. Through the course of his career it is estimated that Platt has cared for over 25,000 patients and frequently handed out his personal cellphone number for after-hour emergencies. He was beloved by the community for his service; believing that his work was a calling rather than simply a career.

Beyond his own practice, Dr. Platt was a proud member of The American Medical Association, The Ohio State Medical Association, The Summit County Medical Association, The American Society of Internal Medicine, and The National Medical Association. He received many honors and accolades through the years. Most recently, Summa Health established the Russell Platt Clerkship, collecting over $10,000 for medical residents. He was selected for the prestigious Crain's Magazine ``Eight over Eighty.'' He was also featured in an article in the Akron Beacon Journal, ``Pioneering Black Doctor Living his calling at 89.''

But above all, Dr. Platt was dedicated to his wife and six children. A true family man, he cherished the time spent with them. He is quoted as saying, ``You can't go back. Take care of those kids while you can-- go to their concerts, take them to piano lessons, take them to shows.'' He and his wife Barbara, who passed away in 2012, are survived by six children, Michael and Russell Platt Jr., Pamela Potts, Deborah Watters, Renee, Kimberly, and ten grandchildren to carry on their memory. Dr. Russell Platt will leave a lasting impact, and I know he is dearly missed by his family and the greater community of Akron. I extend my deepest and sincerest condolences.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to honor deceased Trumbull County, Ohio resident 1st Lt. Olof M. Ballinger, pilot of the 42-299-28 B-17 Flying Fortress that was shot down over Normandy, France during WWII 75 years ago on July 4, 1943. 2nd Lt. George C. Williams, Bombardier of Warren, Ohio, was also aboard the aircraft.

Pilot Olof Maximilian Ballinger of Newton Falls, Trumbull County, Ohio evaded capture and walked alone, with no compass, over the Pyrenees Mountains during the winter. He reached safety in Spain in November 1943 and returned to the U.S. He eventually moved to California.

George C. Williams, bombardier from Warren, Trumbull County, Ohio, was killed in action. While assisting the nose gunner, his chute accidentally opened inside the aircraft. Pilot Olof Ballinger offered up his own parachute, but George Williams refused. It is thought that George Williams attempted to fly the plane after all the crew had evacuated.

Also aboard the aircraft was Harry W. Basucher Jr. of Cincinnati, Ohio and Albert Wackerman of Salinas, California who were killed in action by enemy cannon fire. Bryon J. Gronstall, of Van Nuys, California and John K. Lane, a radio operator from Deland, Florida, were captured by German patrol and were Prisoners of War at Stalag 7A. William C. Howell, of Goldsboro, North Carolina and Paul

McConnell, the navigator from Montgomery, Alabama both evaded capture. Francis E. Owens, of Pittsburgh Pennsylvania, also evaded capture, but he died of exposure in the Pyrenees Mountains while trying to assist other crewmen through the dangerous passage. He was awarded the Soldiers Medal for dragging wounded men out of harm's way. Co-pilot, John Marshall Carrah, from Chico, California, evaded capture and escaped to Switzerland, to Spain, and then returned to the U.S. in March 1944. He continued to assist in the war effort. He was a career United States Air Force Officer, retiring as a Lt. Colonel.

A documentary was created about these seven brave American aviators and will be featured at an event in Warren, Ohio on July 2, 2018. The son of co-pilot John M. Carrah will also be at the event to share his firsthand knowledge about his father's experience.

I am inspired by the stories of these brave Americans, and I'm so proud of the individuals who are keeping this history alive for younger generations.

Mr. Speaker, I think about my wife, Andrea, and I when we go to take a couple days away from the kids and we leave our 4- year-old with his grandparents, how heartbreaking it is to even leave that kid when you are leaving him with grandparents.

I think about my great-grandparents, who came here from Italy as immigrants. I think about the 13 years of Catholic school that I attended. I think about the conversations in Washington, D.C., about family values.

And then I think about how, in the most powerful country in the world, our governmental policy is to strip kids--babies, toddlers, infants--from their parents. The most powerful country in the world has resorted to this nonsense. This is a joke.

It is by choice, Mr. Speaker. This is a choice that the most powerful men in the most powerful country are choosing to take poor kids away from their parents.

It is time for this most powerful President to act immediately and stop the American carnage.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman.

I have a lot of respect for my colleagues on the other side of the aisle. I do wonder sometimes if we are living in the same country, because when I look at a package like this, I look at the general philosophy over the course of the last year and a half, with the tax cuts that will at the end of the day cost our country $2.3 trillion-- that money we are borrowing.

And we are going to borrow a lot of that money from China, Mr. Speaker. And they are going to get interest on that money, and China is reinvesting back into their country. They are building islands in the South China Sea. They are building bases in Africa. They are making investments in wind, solar, battery-powered cars, AI, additive manufacturing. They are moving and shaking around the globe.

And we gave a $2.3 trillion tax cut, which we saw just last month $200 billion of it went for stock buybacks. Apple got it, put $100 billion back into stock buybacks.

Who is investing in this country now? That is the main issue that we are talking about--yes, battery-powered cars; yes, Economic Development Administration; yes, rural issues that the gentleman from Georgia just talked about.

College costs are going up. We need more STEM people graduating from our colleges. We are not a healthy country. And in this bill we are going to take kids off of their healthcare, disinvestment in economic development. And our country is getting left behind the global economy.

You could talk about low unemployment all you want. The anxiety level in our country has not gone down. You could talk about the stock market all you want. Sixty-six percent of the people in this country make less than $40,000 a year.

Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentlewoman from New York for yielding, and I thank her for her leadership on the Appropriations Committee.

I also thank my partner on the Legislative Branch Subcommittee on Appropriations, Mr. Yoder, who was chairman of the Legislative Branch Subcommittee on Appropriations until recently. He carried out his responsibilities as chairman in an inclusive and thoughtful manner. Not only did we hold a budget hearing with almost every agency funded under the bill, but we ended our markup with a bipartisan measure that gives most of the agencies in the legislative branch their full budget request.

Chairman Frelinghuysen is now wielding the gavel for both the full Appropriations Committee and the Legislative Branch Subcommittee. I am grateful for the courtesy he has shown me as full committee chair, and in his short tenure so far as my subcommittee chair. I know he will continue to work with me as the ranking minority member in the same sort of respectful bipartisan manner as Mr. Yoder did.

And, of course, I would like to thank the staff on both sides of the aisle: subcommittee clerk Jenny Panone, Tim Monahan, Adam Berg; and, from my office, Anne Sokolov and Ryan Keating.

As Mr. Frelinghuysen noted, the Legislative Branch division of this bill provides $3.81 billion, excluding Senate items.

With $456.4 million for the Capitol Police and $18.8 million for the House Sergeant at Arms, we are looking after the security needs of the Members, staff, and visitors both here in Washington and at our district offices back home.

The bill's $5.4 million for the Office of Compliance and $147.6 million for the House chief administrative officer will support our response to the sexual harassment that has been pervasive since longer than any of us have been Members of Congress, but has only recently become a national scandal.

The $642 million for the Architect of the Capitol will help continue to reduce our backlog of deferred maintenance.

The $578.9 million for the Government Accountability Office will bring the Federal Government's premier auditor and watchdog back up to the staffing level it needs to root out waste, fraud, and abuse.

Those are just some of the worthwhile issues to which we are putting taxpayer dollars in the Legislative Branch Appropriations bill.

Unfortunately, I have to oppose this bill. It isn't because the funding for legislative branch agencies or energy and water or military construction and veterans affairs is inadequate. On the contrary. It is because the majority has taken the sequestration relief that Democrats fought for, and used it all for Republican priorities in fiscal year 2019, instead of putting it toward programs that help working people support their families and grow the middle class. That was not what we agreed upon.

A number of the appropriations bills this year won't see an increase at all, even though there are billions more dollars available for domestic spending.

The Republican plan says the Labor, Health, Human Services, and Education bill that funds the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration and the National Institutes of Health are not priorities, even in the face of the opioid crisis that we see in Ohio.

We are saying it isn't a priority to fund the wage and hour division of the Department of Labor, which enforces Federal minimum wage, overtime pay, and recordkeeping laws to prevent wage theft.

We are saying we don't care about the Bureau of International Labor Affairs, whose mission it is to promote a fair global playing field for workers in the U.S. and around the world by enforcing trade commitments, strengthening labor standards, and more.

We are saying we don't care about job training and apprenticeship programs.

But we somehow have billions of dollars for a wasteful, unnecessary, ineffective border wall?

Shifting domestic spending away from programs that help the middle class isn't the only way in which the majority is effectively violating the bipartisan budget caps deal we agreed to in February.

The majority is also counting over $1 billion for bipartisan veterans programs against the domestic spending caps, even though those dollars were previously outside the caps. They changed the rules to move it under the caps, and you have to spend less somewhere else. It is just another way of squeezing out funding for Democratic priorities.

And, as we saw earlier today, they are rescinding money that we were relying on to write 2019 spending bills that made adequate investments in our country under the budget cap levels. Both sides understood we would use rescinded money to cover investments in health and education, for example, and now the Republicans are taking that away. Again, changing the rules to squeeze out spending for programs that help working families.

Lastly, Republicans are trying to simply sit on some of the domestic funds we agreed to in the bipartisan budget deal in February. For example, in the financial services bill, Republicans are taking $585 million away.

If Republicans think they can get all the way through this year's appropriations process without bipartisan cooperation, good luck. And to get cooperation, you have to show good faith. We had a deal, we need to keep the deal.

Mr. Chairman, I hope we can return to working together, like we did when we produced the fiscal year 2018 omnibus, less than 3 months ago. There is still time. But, for today, we have to oppose this bill.

Mr. Chair, I claim the time in opposition.

Mr. Chair, I understand that Mr. Meadows offers this amendment to try to attack Special Counsel Mueller and his team to imply that there is some sort of impropriety going on here with the Russian investigation.

Of course, these improprieties aren't with the special counsel, Mr. Chair; the problems are with Russia and the people in our country, our political system, and our current administration who repeatedly communicated and met with Russian operatives during the Presidential campaign. But trying to muddy the waters by going after the integrity of the investigators is a classic tactic used by the people who feel threatened by an investigation because they know they have been caught.

The bottom line is the way this amendment is drafted, it doesn't do anything. It says that no funds in the bill can be used to ``enforce'' a repeal of the provision of law that happened a

decade ago. Not enforcing a repeal is not the same as reinstating the provision that was repealed.

This amendment was drafted in this tortured fashion to avoid violating the rules of the House that prohibit legislating on an appropriations measure. In any case, there is currently no independent counsel. Robert Mueller is a special counsel, and neither he nor the GAO would be affected if this amendment became law.

Let me just suggest, Mr. Chair, that if people in this town are interested in ending this situation that we have going on, I would suggest that maybe the President of the United States call up Mr. Mueller, go and clear the air, tell the truth, say what he has to say, and let's move on as a country.

For those reasons, I oppose the amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Chair, I demand a recorded vote.

Mr. Chairman, I will brief.

I want to lend my support. I think this is a good amendment, a positive

amendment. Things are moving so quickly in society, we need as much expertise as possible.

So I thank the gentleman from California and urge an ``aye'' vote on this amendment.