[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 100 (Wednesday, June 22, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E976]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          PERSONAL EXPLANATION

                                  _____
                                 

                          HON. EARL BLUMENAUER

                               of oregon

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 22, 2016

  Mr. BLUMENAUER. Mr. Speaker, like many of my colleagues, I missed 
votes on three bills, considered under the suspension of the rules, due 
to inclement weather.
  Had I been present for the vote on H.R. 5525, the End Taxpayer Funded 
Cell Phones Act of 2016, I would have emphatically voted ``no.'' This 
misguided legislation would severely undermine the Lifeline program, a 
program critical to public safety and an important part of the pathway 
out of poverty. Low-income Americans, whether they are elderly, 
disabled, low-income veterans, victims of domestic violence, or part of 
another vulnerable group, need access to 9-1-1 services and job 
opportunities, a key purpose of the Lifeline program. This vital 
program should be expanded, not restricted. The majority has no 
business bringing it up under suspension of the rules.
  On H.R. 5388, the Support for Rapid Innovation Act of 2016, I would 
have voted ``yes.'' This bill would require the Department of Homeland 
Security (DHS) to research ways to improve the nation's cybersecurity 
systems and disseminate their finds with other relevant federal 
departments and agencies, industry and academia.
  On H.R. 5389, the Leveraging Emerging Technologies Act of 2016, I 
would have voted ``yes.'' The bill would require DHS to create a 
strategic plan to partner with technology developers and firms to 
combat cyberthreats.

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