[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 105 (Friday, June 21, 2019)]
[House]
[Pages H5011-H5022]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 COMMERCE, JUSTICE, SCIENCE, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 
                                  2020

  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Vargas). Pursuant to House Resolution 
445 and rule XVIII, the Chair declares the House in the Committee of 
the Whole House on the state of the Union for the further consideration 
of the bill, H.R. 3055.
  Will the gentlewoman from Pennsylvania (Ms. Wild) kindly take the 
chair.

                              {time}  0918


                     In the Committee of the Whole

  Accordingly, the House resolved itself into the Committee of the 
Whole House on the state of the Union for the further consideration of 
the bill (H.R. 3055) making appropriations for the Departments of 
Commerce and Justice, Science, and Related Agencies for the fiscal year 
ending September 30, 2020, and for other purposes, with Ms. Wild 
(Acting Chair) in the chair.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The Acting CHAIR. When the Committee of the Whole rose on Thursday, 
June 20, 2019, amendment No. 190 printed in House Report 116-119 
offered by the gentlewoman from Washington (Ms. Schrier) had been 
disposed of.


                Amendment No. 195 Offered by Mr. Raskin

  The Acting CHAIR. It is now in order to consider amendment No. 195 
printed in part B of House Report 116-119.
  Mr. RASKIN. Madam Chairwoman, I have an amendment at the desk.
  The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
  The text of the amendment is as follows:

       Page 368, line 16, after the dollar amount, insert 
     ``(increased by $1,000,000) (reduced by $1,000,000)''.

  The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 445, the gentleman 
from Maryland (Mr. Raskin) and a Member opposed each will control 5 
minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Maryland.
  Mr. RASKIN. Madam Chairwoman, I rise today to offer an amendment to 
H.R. 3055, relating to a problem taking place in my district that may 
be reflective of what is happening in many other parts of the country.
  A fire station on a military installation recently experienced a 
devastating fire itself, but now cannot get the funds it needs to 
construct a new firehouse.
  Madam Chairwoman, the United States spends billions of dollars every 
year on military projects, but we need the funds to fix and maintain 
the basic buildings and infrastructure that have fallen into disrepair 
on military installations across the country.
  This situation was brought to my attention by constituents who work 
at the Naval District of Washington Fire and Emergency Services station 
located at the Naval Support Activity Bethesda installation in 
Maryland. NSA Bethesda provides base support

[[Page H5012]]

for 40 tenant commands, including Walter Reed National Military Medical 
Center, which the Members of this body know well.
  Earlier this year, a fire broke out at NSA Bethesda's station, which 
exacerbated already hazardous conditions at the firehouse. It began in 
the kitchen, but because the fire alarm never went off, the flames 
spread into other rooms, causing extensive damage and rendering the 
firehouse basically unfit for occupancy. Fortunately, no one was 
injured because no one was there, but had the fire occurred overnight 
while everyone was asleep, it would have been a nightmare.
  For several years prior to the fire, concerns about the safety of the 
firehouse, which was built in 1942, were raised by the people who live 
and work there. The complaints ranged from dangerous mold and asbestos, 
to roof leaks, electrical problems, and structural instability.
  Temporary trailers erected next to the firehouse are also at a 
breaking point with air-conditioning units that only work 
intermittently, chronic mold, and leaking septic pipes. Yet, the 
complaints of the firefighters, paramedics, and EMTs were minimized or 
ignored. The firefighters have been told repeatedly that there is 
simply no money available to renovate or to build a new fire station.
  In response to the hazardous conditions caused by the fire, the Naval 
Facilities Engineering Command simply put up some drywall and told the 
firefighters that the building was now ready to reoccupy.
  The firefighters work 48-hour shifts and sometimes longer. They are 
worried about the carcinogens they are being exposed to, not just when 
they enter burning buildings, but when they breathe the air inside 
their own firehouse. This is happening at the fire station that 
responds to emergencies on an installation that is home to Walter Reed 
National Military Medical Center, the most prominent military hospital 
in America.
  The men and women working there serve our military and our Nation's 
wounded warriors. Many of the firefighters, EMTs, and paramedics are 
themselves former soldiers, sailors, marines, airmen, and 
coastguardsmen. One of my constituents said: ``I served 4 years in the 
Army and was deployed overseas. The conditions in the firehouse are, by 
far, the worst conditions I have seen or lived in.'' Another told me 
that he lived in better conditions when he was serving in Afghanistan.
  This is shocking and unacceptable. The men and women working at the 
fire station deserve better. They need funding to build a new, safe, 
clean, fire station. In a Defense budget of hundreds of billions of 
dollars, we should be able to have money for essential projects like 
this one.
  I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Wasserman 
Schultz), my colleague who has been a real leader on this issue and is 
the chairwoman of the Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and 
Related Agencies Subcommittee.
  Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. Madam Chairwoman, I thank the gentleman for 
yielding, and I rise in support of this excellent amendment.
  The health and safety of our troops in the surrounding communities is 
paramount. We need to ensure basic projects, like fire stations, are 
funded properly, just as training ranges, barracks, hospitals, and 
schools are. I look forward to working with the gentleman in future 
budget submissions, and I urge my colleagues to support the amendment.
  Mr. RASKIN. Madam Chair, I look forward to working with the 
gentlewoman to secure funding for projects like the one in my district.
  I urge all of my colleagues to support this amendment, and I yield 
back the balance of my time.
  The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the 
gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Raskin).
  The amendment was agreed to.


  Amendments En Bloc No. 6 Offered by Ms. Wasserman Schultz of Florida

  Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. Madam Chair, pursuant to House Resolution 445, 
I offer amendments en bloc.
  The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendments en bloc.
  Amendments en bloc No. 6 consisting of amendment Nos. 196, 197, 200, 
201, 202, 203, 204, 205, 207, 209, 210, 211, 212, 213, 214, 215, 216, 
217, 218, 222, 223, 224, 225, and 227 printed in part B of House Report 
116-119, offered by Ms. Wasserman Schultz of Florida:


           amendment no. 196 offered by Mrs. LESKO of Arizona

       Page 393, line 13, after the dollar amount, insert 
     ``(increased by $3,000,000) (reduced by $3,000,000)''.


        amendment no. 197 offered by Mr. McCARTHY of California

       Page 400, line 17, after the second dollar amount, insert 
     ``(increased by $39,732,000) (reduced by $39,732,000)''.


        amendment no. 200 offered by Mr. LYNCH of Massachusetts

       Page 392, line 7, after the dollar amount, insert 
     ``(increased by $1,000,000)''.
       Page 396, line 23, after the dollar amount, insert 
     ``(reduced by $1,000,000)''.


           amendment no. 201 offered by Mr. BARR of Kentucky

       Page 392, line 7, after the dollar amount, insert 
     ``(increased by $5,000,000)''.
       Page 393, line 19, after the dollar amount, insert 
     ``(reduced by $5,000,000)''.


           amendment no. 202 offered by Mr. WELCH of Vermont

       Page 392, line 7, after the dollar amount, insert 
     ``(reduced by $1,000,000)''.
       Page 392, line 7, after the dollar amount, insert 
     ``(increased by $1,000,000)''.


           amendment no. 203 offered by Mr. ALLEN of Georgia

       Page 367, line 23, after the dollar amount, insert 
     ``(reduced by $37,000,000)''.
       Page 367, line 23, after the dollar amount, insert 
     ``(increased by $37,000,000)''.


           amendment no. 203 offered by Mr. ALLEN of Georgia

       Page 367, line 23, after the dollar amount, insert 
     ``(reduced by $37,000,000)''.
       Page 367, line 23, after the dollar amount, insert 
     ``(increased by $37,000,000)''.


         amendment no. 204 offered by Mr. CONNOLLY of Virginia

       Page 399, line 23, after the dollar amount, insert 
     ``(increased by $1,000,000)(reduced by $1,000,000)''.


           amendment no. 205 offered by Mr. BOST of Illinois

       Page 390, line 22, after the dollar amount, insert 
     ``(reduced by $1,000,000)(increased by $1,000,000)''.


           amendment no. 207 offered by Ms. SEWELL of Alabama

       Page 393, line 19, after the dollar amount, insert 
     ``(increased by $1)''.
       Page 393, line 19, after the dollar amount, insert 
     ``(reduced by $1)''.


          amendment no. 209 offered by Mr. RUIZ of California

       Page 392, line 10, after the dollar amount, insert 
     ``(reduced by $1,000,000)''.
       Page 392, line 10, after the dollar amount, insert 
     ``(increased by $1,000,000)''.


         amendment no. 210 offered by Mr. JOHNSON of Louisiana

       Page 367, line 23, after the dollar amount, insert 
     ``(reduced by $1) (increased by $1)''.


         amendment no. 211 offered by Mr. JOHNSON of Louisiana

       Page 369, line 2, after the dollar amount, insert 
     ``(reduced by $1) (increased by $1)''.


       amendment no. 212 offered by mr. gottheimer of new jersey

       Page 396, line 23, after the dollar amount, insert 
     ``(increased by $1,000,000) (reduced by $1,000,000)''.


       amendment no. 213 offered by mr. gottheimer of new jersey

       Page 392, line 7, after the dollar amount, insert 
     ``(increased by $5,000,000)''.
       Page 396, line 23, after the dollar amount, insert 
     ``(reduced by $6,500,000)''.


          amendment no. 214 offered by mr. steil of wisconsin

       Page 392, line 7, after the dollar amount, insert 
     ``(reduced by $1,000,000) (increased by $1,000,000)''.


      amendment no. 215 offered by ms. blunt rochester of delaware

       Page 392, line 10, after the dollar amount, insert 
     ``(reduced by $1,000,000)''.
       Page 392, line 10, after the dollar amount, insert 
     ``(increased by $1,000,000)''.


           amendment no. 216 offered by mr. hill of arkansas

       Page 392, line 7, after the dollar amount, insert 
     ``(increased by $1,500,000)''.
       Page 396, line 23, after the dollar amount, insert 
     ``(reduced by $1,500,000)''.


        amendment no. 217 offered by mr. carbajal of california

       Page 392, line 7, after the dollar amount, insert 
     ``(reduced by $5,000,000)''.
       Page 392, line 7, after the dollar amount, insert 
     ``(increased by $5,000,000)''.


        amendment no. 218 offered by mr. carbajal of california

       Page 392, line 7, after the dollar amount, insert 
     ``(increased by $3,000,000)''.
       Page 397, line 18, after the dollar amount, insert 
     ``(reduced by $3,500,000)''.
       Page 397, line 22, after the dollar amount, insert 
     ``(reduced by $3,500,000)''.


         amendment no. 222 offered by ms. porter of california

       Page 392, line 7, after the dollar amount, insert 
     ``(increased by $1,000,000)''.
       Page 397, line 18, after the dollar amount, insert 
     ``(reduced by $1,000,000)''.
       Page 397, line 22, after the dollar amount, insert 
     ``(reduced by $1,000,000)''.

[[Page H5013]]

  



         amendment no. 223 offered by ms. porter of california

       Page 392, line 7, after the dollar amount, insert 
     ``(increased by $2,000,000)''.
       Page 397, line 18, after the dollar amount, insert 
     ``(reduced by $2,000,000)''.
       Page 397, line 22, after the dollar amount, insert 
     ``(reduced by $2,000,000)''.


        amendment no. 224 offered by mr. pappas of new hampshire

       Page 395, line 11, after the dollar amount, insert 
     ``(reduced by $10,000,000) (increased by $10,000,000)''.


           amendment no. 225 offered by mr. kim of new jersey

       Page 369, line 2, after the dollar amount insert ``(reduced 
     by $7,000,000) (increased by $7,000,000)''.


       amendment no. 227 offered by ms. houlahan of pennsylvania

       Page 392, line 7, after the dollar amount, insert 
     ``(increased by $1,700,000)''.
       Page 393, line 13, after the dollar amount, insert 
     ``(increased by $1,700,000)''.
       Page 396, line 23, after the dollar amount, insert 
     ``(reduced by $1,700,000)''.
  The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 445, the gentlewoman 
from Florida (Ms. Wasserman Schultz) and the gentleman from Texas (Mr. 
Carter) each will control 10 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Florida.
  Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. Madam Chairwoman, the amendments included in 
the en bloc were made in order by the rule and have been agreed to by 
the ranking member, Judge Carter and I, and I support the amendment and 
urge its adoption.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. CARTER of Texas. Madam Chairwoman, I rise in support of the en 
bloc amendment. Let me thank the chairwoman of my subcommittee, my good 
friend from Florida, for her efforts to put this bipartisan amendment 
together. It improves and strengthens the bill, and I urge my 
colleagues to support it.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. Madam Chairwoman, I yield 1 minute to the 
gentlewoman from Pennsylvania (Ms. Houlahan), a sponsor of one of the 
amendments included in the en bloc.
  Ms. HOULAHAN. Madam Chair, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding.
  I rise today in support of my amendment which would increase the 
Veterans Health Administration Medical Services account by $1.7 million 
in order to increase the minimum amount that must be spent on gender-
specific care for women at the VA with the appropriate offset.
  Women represent the fastest growing cohort in our Nation's military, 
and in the past 4 years, the number of women veterans using VHA 
services has increased by 22 percent. Yet, we are not providing the VA 
with the resources it needs to provide quality care for women.
  For example, in my community of Coatesville, the VA does not have a 
full-time OB-GYN. Women veterans in my community must wait until 1 of 
the only 2 days a month that an OB-GYN visits the VA or find their way 
to distant Philadelphia for an appointment.
  This lack of available gender-specific care is in no way unique to my 
community. It is widespread across our country's VA centers. Our women 
who have served deserve better from us, and this amendment helps ensure 
that we are specifically addressing the unique healthcare needs of 
these courageous women.
  Mr. CARTER of Texas. Madam Chairwoman, I yield 1 minute to the 
gentleman from California (Mr. McCarthy), the minority leader of the 
United States House.
  Mr. McCARTHY. Madam Chairwoman, I thank the gentleman for yielding.
  I rise today in support of my amendment to H.R. 3055, which is 
included in the en bloc amendment.
  The intent behind my amendment is straightforward. It is to encourage 
the VA to complete construction of medical clinics that the Congress 
authorized 10 years ago in public law. Unfortunately, veterans in my 
district have now patiently waited for the new community-based 
outpatient clinic in Bakersfield to be built for more than a decade.
  Of the 15 new clinics authorized in 2009, a decade ago, the 
Bakersfield clinic is the only facility that has not been built or 
opened. That means that thousands of veterans in California's 23rd 
Congressional District must continue to depend on a very outdated 
clinic. This is unacceptable.
  In 2015, our constituents and I were informed that a new VA clinic 
was set to be built, only for that to be derailed by the now-failed 
California high-speed rail project, condemning the property the new 
clinic was supposed to be built on.

                              {time}  0930

  This forced the VA to start all over again, further delaying building 
our new clinic.
  Now, last October there was this great excitement in the community. I 
welcomed it. It was the long-awaited news that the VA announced that it 
finally awarded the contract for a new 30,000-square-foot medical 
clinic in Bakersfield on Knudsen Drive. This new clinic would be state 
of the art, and it would be able to care for the rise in female 
veterans and the homeless veterans out there as well. It was the 
modernization that we have all been yearning for.
  Unfortunately, something happened. The new clinic has been subject to 
several, what I would call, dilatory actions. Most of them have been 
resolved or dismissed, which only furthers the delay.
  Now, you can protest. Here is a dirty little secret we should all 
learn: You can have the lease on an outdated clinic, bid for the new 
one and lose it, but then you can protest.
  Do you get punished for protesting? No.
  Do you know what happens? Our government rewards you. Because you go 
beyond the lease, they now pay the outdated clinic more money than they 
paid before, and, lo and behold, they are the ones protesting because 
they didn't win the contract.
  That is unacceptable. Our veterans have fought too hard to wait too 
long to get this job done. So the VA must move forward and be 
consistent with the application of law and regulation.
  Let's build this clinic on Knudsen Drive that won the award, and 
let's treat our veterans to a new, modern facility that works for those 
who really are in need of care, from mental health to a new growth in 
women veterans, to, even, veterans who are homeless. Let's show that we 
will never forget the acts that they did for us and how they worked so 
hard for all of us.
  Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. Madam Chair, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman 
from New Jersey (Mr. Gottheimer).
  Mr. GOTTHEIMER. Madam Chairwoman, I thank Chairwoman Wasserman 
Schultz and Ranking Member Carter for their work on this legislation.
  Madam Chair, I rise in support of en bloc package 1, which includes 
my amendment to H.R. 3055 to help address critical staffing shortages 
at the VA.
  Madam Chair, we in Congress have no higher obligation than to care 
for our veterans who had our backs, and that starts with making sure 
they have the resources they need when they come home.
  The number of unfilled positions at the VA has grown steadily, and 
currently it is nearly at 49,000 across the entire VA system.
  Madam Chair, 49,000 vacancies is a huge problem that we must tackle. 
One constituent in my district, an 89-year-old, has been waiting on the 
adjudication of his appeal to the VA for more than a year. That is 
absurd. When we called the VA to inquire, we were told: ``This is just 
how long it takes.''
  Madam Chair, the Appropriations Subcommittee on Military 
Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies looked closely at 
this issue and stated that the committee is concerned that the 
significant number of vacancies will lead to longer waits for veterans 
going without service.
  I agree. We must address this problem and address it quickly. Our 
veterans don't have time for longer waits for doctor appointments, 
mental health crises, housing assistance, and so much more.
  Our veterans deserve better, and I am proud to offer this amendment.
  Mr. CARTER of Texas. Madam Chairwoman, I yield 1 minute to the 
gentlewoman from Arizona (Mrs. Lesko).
  Mrs. LESKO. Madam Chair, I am proud to sponsor an amendment that will 
help women veterans. My amendment would ensure that no less than $3 
million under the Veterans Health Administration should be directed 
toward

[[Page H5014]]

women-only inpatient clinics for mental healthcare.
  The current system could force women suffering with PTSD caused by 
military sexual trauma to be admitted into a male-dominant ward, which 
could further traumatize or revictimize them.
  The veteran suicide rate is, sadly, only increasing, and we need to 
protect our veterans when they are feeling vulnerable. Women veterans 
should not be humiliated, marginalized, traumatized, or victimized to 
the point of giving up and believing that suicide is the only way out. 
We need to protect them.
  Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. Madam Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. CARTER of Texas. Madam Chairwoman, I yield 45 seconds to the 
gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Allen).
  Mr. ALLEN. Madam Chair, I rise to thank the chairwoman and ranking 
member for including the Allen-Hice amendment in this en bloc package.
  Congressman Hice and I worked together to introduce this bipartisan 
amendment to fully fund the President's budget request for construction 
of the second project of the cyber instructional facility at Fort 
Gordon.
  As we all know, cyber is the present and future of modern warfare. In 
Georgia 12, the district I have the honor of representing, we are at 
the forefront of advanced cyber innovation. In the changing electronic 
world in which we live, U.S. Army Cyber Command is an increasingly 
significant part of our national security efforts.
  U.S. Army Cyber Command is currently transitioning to Ford Gordon, 
and this transition requires construction of state-of-the-art 
facilities that can accommodate the rapid change of pace required in 
cyberspace.
  I thank Congressman Hice for joining me in introducing this 
amendment, and I urge the passage of this en bloc package.
  Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. Madam Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. CARTER of Texas. Madam Chair, I yield 45 seconds to the gentleman 
from Georgia (Mr. Hice).
  Mr. HICE of Georgia. Madam Chair, I thank my colleague, Mr. Allen, 
for his leadership in this.
  The U.S. Army's Cyber Center of Excellence is critical for cyberspace 
operations, signal and communications networks, and electronic warfare. 
The center carries out its important mission by developing mission 
doctrine, educational programs, personnel, and facilities solutions. It 
is of the utmost importance that we make sure this tradition of 
training world-class, highly skilled cyber professionals is kept 
intact.

  Madam Chair, I urge passage of the Allen-Hice amendment to fully fund 
this project, and I urge all my colleagues to do the same.
  I thank my neighbor and my friend for yielding the time, and it is an 
honor to work with Mr. Allen on this important amendment.
  Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. Madam Chair, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman 
from New Jersey (Mr. Gottheimer), who has been a passionate advocate 
standing up for members of the Armed Forces as well as the veterans of 
this country in his district.
  Mr. GOTTHEIMER. Madam Chair, I thank Chairwoman Wasserman Schultz and 
Ranking Member Carter for their work on this legislation and 
leadership.
  Madam Chair, I rise in support of amendments en bloc No. 6, which 
includes my amendment to H.R. 3055 to increase our investment in the 
Veterans Health Administration for the purpose of hiring more mental 
health professionals.
  Madam Chair, we in Congress have no higher obligation than to care 
for our veterans.
  According to the inspector general for the VA, mental health 
professionals are the most needed occupation at the VA. Many of those 
in the veterans community are suffering from mental health conditions 
with so many of them, unfortunately, suffering in silence. Less than 
half of all returning veterans in need receive the mental health 
treatment that they deserve and need, and that is unacceptable.
  We have seen an increased incidence of post-traumatic stress 
disorder, traumatic brain injury, and depression from our veterans 
coming back from Iraq and Afghanistan. My office has worked with a 
number of veterans who are suffering from PTSD to make sure they get 
access to the care they have earned.
  An average of 20 veterans die by suicide every day. In New Jersey, my 
home State, the rate of suicide in the veterans community is almost 
double that of the rest of the population. This is shameful.
  Madam Chairwoman, surely we can all come together as a body to 
support this most pressing and urgent need. My amendment will help do 
that, and I am proud to offer it.
  Mr. CARTER of Texas. Madam Chairwoman, I yield 1 minute to the 
gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. Johnson).
  Mr. JOHNSON of Louisiana. Madam Chair, I rise in support of my two 
amendments that were made part of the en bloc that we are debating.
  My first amendment reflects congressional intent for the Army to 
prioritize necessary funding for its combat development centers. These 
centers throughout the United States play a critical role in ensuring a 
capable and ready ground force.
  Take, for example, Fort Polk, which is home to the Joint Readiness 
Training Center, JRTC, located in Louisiana's Fourth Congressional 
District near my home. Fort Polk JRTC provides invaluable training to 
prepare for the unique situations and challenges a unit may face while 
being deployed.
  As we continue to grow our ground forces, investing in the necessary 
infrastructure to replace the existing facilities at Fort Polk, such as 
the Joint Operations Center, we remember, is paramount. This much-
needed upgrade would allow our troops better training and ensure full 
readiness for when our men and women in uniform are called upon to 
defend freedom around the world.
  My second amendment ensures congressional intent that the Air Force 
continues to maintain its revised plan for construction and upgrades to 
the Weapons Generation Facility enterprise. Ensuring these critical 
upgrades to those facilities is critical to the national security 
interests of the U.S., especially given the recent aggressive actions 
from our adversary. Deterrence is a requisite to maintaining peace, and 
if Congress is going to be serious about preserving our nuclear 
infrastructure, these upgrades must be prioritized.
  My home State of Louisiana has invested millions of dollars to pave 
the way for the Weapons Generation Facility at Barksdale Air Force 
Base, home to Global Strike Command. I urge the Air Force to continue 
to work with Congress and the Louisiana delegation to support the wide 
array of strategic deterrence that we do there at Global Strike.
  Madam Chair, in closing, I am proud to represent both these vital 
military installations here in Congress. Both are critical to our 
national security interests in the United States, and I appreciate the 
Appropriations Committee for giving it due attention.
  Madam Chair, I urge support of both amendments.
  Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. Madam Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. CARTER of Texas. Madam Chair, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the 
gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. Abraham).
  Mr. ABRAHAM. Madam Chair, I rise today in support of the two 
amendments included in this en bloc package. The first is to ensure 
that the Air Force prioritizes construction of the Weapons Generation 
Facility at Barksdale Air Force Base.
  The Louisiana congressional delegation and I have continued to push 
the Air Force for this project because of its strategic importance to 
our Nation's security and nuclear strategy. Millions of Federal dollars 
have been invested in projects to prepare for this facility, and last 
year, we in Congress prioritized funding for a new gate entrance at 
Barksdale.
  The Weapons Generation Facility at Barksdale is a national security 
imperative. Funding this project cannot wait any longer, and I 
encourage the Air Force to prioritize funding for this project.
  The second amendment I would like to speak on is to prioritize the 
funding of our Army's combat development centers. One of these is the 
Joint Readiness Training Center at Fort Polk, Louisiana.
  Fort Polk has supported training operations for our Army for decades. 
The

[[Page H5015]]

training our soldiers receive at Fort Polk is the best and closest they 
will get to combat without actually being deployed. This training is 
imperative to readiness and our national security.

  We need to do a better job about resourcing the infrastructure needs 
of these training centers, and we must prioritize funding for them.
  Madam Chair, I want to thank my colleagues for working with 
Congressman Johnson and me on these amendments, and I look forward to 
seeing them pass.
  Mr. CARTER of Texas. Madam Chairwoman, I yield 1 minute to the 
gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Steil).
  Mr. STEIL. Madam Chair, I rise in support of my amendment to ensure 
that the VA suicide prevention programs are adequately funded. This 
budget-neutral amendment provides $1 million to those programs.
  Every day, we lose 22 veterans to suicide. These are American 
heroes--fathers, husbands, wives, sons, and daughters--valued members 
of our community. We must support our veterans and fight for them as 
they fought for us. They will not go through this battle alone.
  June is PTSD Awareness Month. We must stand together, Democrats and 
Republicans, to ensure that our veterans get the help that they need.
  This amendment is about supporting veterans and ensuring that they 
have access to mental healthcare resources. Madam Chair, I urge my 
colleagues to support this amendment.
  Mr. CARTER of Texas. Madam Chair, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the 
gentleman from Arkansas (Mr. Hill), who will be batting cleanup.
  Mr. HILL of Arkansas. Madam Chair, I thank my good friend from Texas 
for yielding me this time.
  Madam Chairwoman, my amendment in this en bloc package is very 
simple. It transfers $1.5 million from the general administration 
account to the homeless assistance programs and suicide prevention 
outreach.
  According to the Department of Housing and Urban Development, 40,000 
veterans are homeless in any given night in this great country. In 
Arkansas, we have coordinated robust efforts in Little Rock to combat 
homelessness, but still 250 veterans can experience homelessness on any 
given day.
  I have got three veterans on my constituent team. They spend time in 
our shelters every month helping vets. Our vets deserve that extra 
touch. One of those safe places is St. Francis House, a nonprofit in 
Little Rock that has done exceptional work to help our veterans 
experiencing homelessness. For over 30 years, they have been providing 
transitional housing for homeless veterans.
  Our veterans put their lives on the line to protect our freedoms and 
safety, and in return, we need to do everything we can to ensure they 
get the proper attention and care that they deserve. We must all work 
together to continue to move forward, addressing this issue that 
plagues too many of our veterans across the country and help those 
suffering from the plague of homelessness.
  Madam Chair, I urge passage of my amendment.
  Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. Madam Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. CARTER of Texas. Madam Chairwoman, may I ask how much time is 
remaining.
  The Acting CHAIR. The gentleman has 30 seconds remaining.

                              {time}  0945

  Mr. CARTER of Texas. Madam Chair, I yield 30 seconds to the gentleman 
from Illinois (Mr. Bost).
  Mr. BOST. Madam Chair, I rise today in support of this en bloc 
package.
  My amendment highlights the positive work done by public universities 
and law schools offering pro bono legal services for our Nation's 
veterans.
  As the ranking member of the Disability Assistance and Memorial 
Affairs Subcommittee, I understand that putting together a proper 
application for disability benefits can be difficult at times.
  In my district, Southern Illinois University Carbondale School of Law 
offers assistance to veterans when appealing disability claims. The 
program has helped thousands of these heroes and increases the chances 
for the veterans receiving positive responses in a timely manner.
  I thank the chair and ranking member for including this in the en 
bloc package, and I urge its support.
  The Acting CHAIR. The time of the gentleman has expired.
  Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. Madam Chair, I yield back the balance of my 
time.
  Mr. LYNCH. Madam Chair, I rise in support of the en bloc which 
includes my amendment providing an additional $1 million to the medical 
services account, to be directed towards public-private partnerships to 
help address veteran suicide prevention; PTSD and TBI treatment; and 
substance use disorders.
  Madam Chair, taking care of our veterans means taking care of both 
their physical and mental well-being. Tragically, we are losing 
veterans at a rate of around 20 a day to suicide, many of whom are also 
dealing with PTSD, traumatic brain injuries, and/or substance use 
disorder.
  While the VA is doing tremendous work to reach out to our veterans, 
the need is still great so we must use every tool available to help 
them. Through this public-private partnership program the VA will work 
with research universities, teaching hospitals and other community 
entities to reach more of our veterans so they can get the help and 
care they need.
  I thank the committee for including my amendment in the en bloc and 
would urge my colleagues to support it and the underlying bill.
  The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendments en bloc offered 
by the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Wasserman Schultz).
  The en bloc amendments were agreed to.


              Amendment No. 198 Offered by Mr. Blumenauer

  The Acting CHAIR. It is now in order to consider amendment No. 198 
printed in part B of House Report 116-119.
  Mr. BLUMENAUER. Madam Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.
  The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
  The text of the amendment is as follows:

       At the end of division D (before the short title), insert 
     the following:
       Sec. __.  None of the funds made available by this Act may 
     be used to implement, administer, or enforce the policy 
     limitation in section 3(b) of the Veterans Health 
     Administration directive 1315 (issued on December 8, 2017), 
     or any limitation of the same substance.

  The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 445, the gentleman 
from Oregon (Mr. Blumenauer) and a Member opposed each will control 5 
minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Oregon.
  Mr. BLUMENAUER. Madam Chair, this has been a very important week in 
the evolution of the Federal policy to end the failed policy of 
prohibition on cannabis.
  Yesterday, the House overwhelmingly approved my amendment that would 
prohibit the Department of Justice from interfering with any State-
legal cannabis activities. We had also approved an amendment that 
granted the same protections to the Tribes.
  This is remarkable progress that we have seen, but it is just an 
effort by Congress to catch up to where the rest of the American public 
is.
  For the last 23 years, American voters have changed the policies that 
are outmoded and dangerous. Most recently, we have seen a wave of 
activity dealing not just with medical marijuana but dealing with adult 
use. The public, by a two-thirds margin, supports this.
  And, when we talk about medical marijuana, it is like the Fourth of 
July. Ninety percent of the American public believes that we ought to 
have access to medical marijuana.
  I have been working in this Congress to extend the same opportunities 
to our veterans, who, if anything, need medical marijuana more than any 
other category of our citizens. We lost 7,000 people to the wars in 
Afghanistan and Iraq, but we have lost over 100,000 veterans to 
suicides and opioid overdoses.
  The VA, I am afraid, has not been as helpful as it should be. They 
prescribe opioids for our veterans at a rate 50 percent higher than 
others. Our veterans are twice as likely to die from overdose.
  I am deeply concerned about that. That is why I have repeatedly 
advanced this amendment. Two sessions ago, it passed the House, it 
passed the Senate, and it was in the final version of the bill, only to 
be stripped out by the Republican leadership.
  An illustration of how far we have evolved: The House leadership that

[[Page H5016]]

stripped this provision out was headed by Speaker Boehner, who is now a 
spokesperson for the cannabis industry, having described that he has 
evolved on this issue and thinks it is a good idea.
  We haven't evolved, in this Congress, in providing protections for 
the VA. Even though this amendment has passed repeatedly, all of a 
sudden, the VA has decided, well, they would be putting their doctors 
at risk.
  It never came up before. If we had known about it, we could work 
around it. And I think we can and should work to fix this.
  It is outrageous. And if you talk to people like the Veterans 
Cannabis Coalition, or talk to veterans in your own district, they will 
tell you that their lives have been transformed by access to medical 
cannabis and they don't want highly addictive, dangerous opioids.
  We need to do right by them. I am going to, reluctantly, withdraw 
this amendment, this amendment that has passed repeatedly on the floor 
of the House and is so badly needed.
  And I hope that we will be able to work together to fix this little 
quirk, to make sure that VA doctors can do what doctors everywhere do 
in States where medical cannabis is legal and be able to work with 
their patients.
  The VA ought to give their patients, our veterans, the same 
consideration to have them be able to have these conversations with the 
doctors that know them best.
  As I say, Madam Chair, I will reluctantly withdraw it, confident that 
we can work together to solve it and, ultimately, give our veterans the 
access that they deserve and need.
  Madam Chair, I yield back the balance of my time, and I withdraw the 
amendment.
  The Acting CHAIR. The amendment is withdrawn.


                Amendment No. 199 Offered by Mr. Walberg

  The Acting CHAIR. It is now in order to consider amendment No. 199 
printed in part B of House Report 116-119.
  Mr. WALBERG. Madam Chair, I rise having an amendment at the desk.
  The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
  The text of the amendment is as follows:

       At the end of division D (before the short title), insert 
     the following:
       Sec. __.  None of the funds made available by this Act may 
     be used by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to implement, 
     administer, or enforce section 17.3240 of title 38, Code of 
     Federal Regulations, as proposed in 82 Fed. Reg. 48018 
     (October 16, 2017) and amended in 83 Fed. Reg. 61137 
     (November 28, 2018).

  The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 445, the gentleman 
from Michigan (Mr. Walberg) and a Member opposed each will control 5 
minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Michigan.
  Mr. WALBERG. Madam Chair, I rise today in support of an important 
issue: preserving veterans' choices over their prosthetic services.
  While I am prepared to withdraw this amendment--we have had 
discussions about that--I would hope that I can continue to work with 
the chairwoman as we move to conference on improving the underlaying 
report language.
  Last year, the VA released a draft proposed rule which would have 
significantly curtailed veterans' choices in how they receive their 
prosthetic or orthotic care.
  While we appreciate the Secretary's efforts to address the concerns 
of the veterans, I remain concerned that the proposal does not go far 
enough to protect veterans' ability to select high-quality, convenient, 
and efficient services from community-based providers of their choice.
  This proposal would have upended more than 60 years of successful 
partnership between the VA and local prosthetists who contract with the 
VA and have long-term relationships with their patients. This long-term 
relationship is critical for the unique, patient-centered care needs of 
prosthetics services.
  I would also like to thank my colleague, Representative Rutherford, 
for working on this issue with me.
  Madam Chair, I yield to the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Wasserman 
Schultz) to at least assure me that we can continue to work on this 
issue together.
  Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. Madam Chair, I thank the gentleman for 
yielding.
  I appreciate the gentleman from Michigan for bringing attention to 
this important issue. We can all agree that we want to let veterans 
choose the best prosthetics provider for his or her needs.
  As you know, we included report language expressing concern on this 
issue, but I do agree that more needs to be done. We want the best care 
for our veterans, and we need to find a way forward to determine the 
appropriate next steps.
  We should work with the authorizers and the VA to thoughtfully work 
on this issue to find the best solution for veterans needing artificial 
limbs.
  I commit to working with the gentleman on this issue. We are not 
quite ready to make a decision on the best approach to this as we move 
towards conference. I thank the gentleman for his willingness to 
withdraw the amendment.
  Mr. WALBERG. Madam Chair, based upon that and, also, an understanding 
of the chairwoman's willingness to at least look at how we can find an 
adequate solution to meet the needs of our servicemembers who have 
given their all for our great country, I am willing to continue working 
on that.
  Madam Chair, I yield back the balance of my time, and I am willing to 
withdraw this amendment.
  The Acting CHAIR. The amendment is withdrawn.


                 Amendment No. 206 Offered by Mr. Bost

  The Acting CHAIR. It is now in order to consider amendment No. 206 
printed in part B of House Report 116-119.
  Mr. BOST. Madam Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.
  The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
  The text of the amendment is as follows:

       At the end of division D (before the short title), insert 
     the following:
       Sec. __.  None of the funds made available by this Act may 
     be used in contravention of Executive Order 13858.

  The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 445, the gentleman 
from Illinois (Mr. Bost) and a Member opposed each will control 5 
minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Illinois.
  Mr. BOST. Madam Chair, I rise today in support of my amendment in 
support of the President's executive order entitled ``Strengthening 
Buy-American Preferences for Infrastructure Projects.''
  When Federal agencies spend tax dollars, those dollars should be 
spent on American-made products. This not only includes items directly 
procured by the Federal Government but, also, those funded through 
Federal aid programs.
  Each year, the Federal Government will spend hundreds of billions of 
dollars procuring goods and services. Many billions more will be 
provided directly to States to build our Nation's military 
infrastructure.
  Unfortunately, buy-American preference requirements are not 
consistently applied between various agencies. This may result in the 
loss of jobs and missing contract opportunities for American businesses 
and workers.
  To address these potential shortfalls, the President's executive 
order directs agency heads to identify opportunities to maximize the 
use of American-made products.
  I strongly support those efforts. Federal agencies should already be 
following this executive order, and my amendment would simply reinforce 
the President's efforts.
  Madam Chair, I urge my colleagues to support this amendment, and I 
reserve the balance of my time.
  Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. Madam Chair, I claim the time to speak on the 
amendment, although I do not oppose the amendment.
  The Acting CHAIR. Without objection, the gentlewoman from Florida is 
recognized for 5 minutes.
  There was no objection.
  Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. Madam Chair, I do fully support Strengthening 
Buy-American Preferences for Infrastructure Projects. That language is 
already included in this legislation, and I appreciate the gentleman 
underscoring the importance of our commitment to buy-American policies.
  I urge all my colleagues to support this amendment, and I yield back 
the balance of my time.

[[Page H5017]]

  

  Mr. BOST. Madam Chair, I appreciate the gentlewoman's support of the 
amendment. I also support the cosponsorship from Congressman  Dan 
Lipinski and his support of these efforts as well.
  Madam Chair, with that, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the 
gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Bost).
  The question was taken; and the Acting Chair announced that the ayes 
appeared to have it.
  Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. Madam Chair, I demand a recorded vote.
  The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to clause 6 of rule XVIII, further 
proceedings on the amendment offered by the gentleman from Illinois 
will be postponed.
  It is now in order to consider amendment No. 208 printed in part B of 
House Report 116-119.


              Amendment No. 219 Offered by Mr. Cunningham

  The Acting CHAIR. It is now in order to consider amendment No. 219 
printed in part B of House Report 116-119.
  Mr. CUNNINGHAM. Madam Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.
  The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
  The text of the amendment is as follows:

       At the end of division D (before the short title), insert 
     the following:
       Sec. __.  None of the funds made available by this Act may 
     be used to carry out a new or additional Base Realignment and 
     Closure (BRAC) Round.

  The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 445, the gentleman 
from South Carolina (Mr. Cunningham) and a Member opposed each will 
control 5 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from South Carolina.
  Mr. CUNNINGHAM. Madam Chair, I rise in support of my bipartisan 
amendment which makes clear that no funding made available by this bill 
can be used to carry out another wasteful round of base realignment and 
closure, or BRAC.
  Folks in the Lowcountry still remember the disastrous effects BRAC 
had on our economy in the past. Our region lost more than 20,000 jobs, 
according to some estimates, after the 1993 BRAC Commission recommended 
the closure of the Charleston Naval Shipyard.
  My amendment would make sure that the Joint Base Charleston, Parris 
Island, Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, and the Beaufort Naval 
Hospital do not suffer the same fate.

                              {time}  1000

  Combined, these important national security assets are estimated to 
account for nearly $13 billion in economic impact and support 78,000 
jobs.
  But this amendment isn't just about preserving my district's economy. 
It is also about fiscal responsibility. The last BRAC round in 2005 
cost taxpayers over $35 billion and is not expected to save even one-
third of that.
  This is funding that should have gone to rebuilding our military and 
improving its readiness but was, instead, spent devastating military 
communities across the country.
  This is why I am asking that my colleagues on both sides of the aisle 
join me in supporting this amendment, which will ensure that military 
communities in the Lowcountry and across the Nation are spared the 
effects of another reckless BRAC round.
  Mr. Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. Mr. Chair, I claim the time to speak on the 
amendment, although I do not oppose it.
  The Acting CHAIR (Mr. Schneider). Without objection, the gentlewoman 
from Florida is recognized for 5 minutes.
  There was no objection.
  Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. Mr. Chair, I rise to point out that DOD has 
testified that it has excess facilities and needs a way to deal with 
that excess.
  Mr. Chair, the underlying bill does not include any funds to initiate 
a BRAC round, and I have no objection to the amendment. I appreciate 
the gentleman calling attention to the economic impact of BRAC rounds, 
and I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. CUNNINGHAM. Mr. Chair, in closing, I thank the gentleman from 
Texas (Mr. Ratcliffe) for joining me in offering this amendment. I also 
thank Chairman McGovern and my colleagues on the Rules Committee for 
allowing this important amendment to come to the floor for debate.
  I ask that my colleagues vote in favor of this amendment to ensure 
that our military's limited resources are not wasted on another round 
of BRAC.
  Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the 
gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. Cunningham).
  The amendment was agreed to.


                Amendment No. 220 Offered by Mr. Golden

  The Acting CHAIR. It is now in order to consider amendment No. 220 
printed in part B of House Report 116-119.
  Mr. GOLDEN. Mr. Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.
  The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
  The text of the amendment is as follows:

       Page 395, line 11, after the dollar amount, insert 
     ``(increased by $5,000,000)''.
       Page 397, line 18, after the dollar amount, insert 
     ``(reduced by $5,200,000)''.
       Page 397, line 22, after the dollar amount, insert 
     ``(reduced by $5,200,000)''.

  The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 445, the gentleman 
from Maine (Mr. Golden) and a Member opposed each will control 5 
minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Maine.
  Mr. GOLDEN. Mr. Chair, I yield myself such time as I may consume, and 
I rise to offer my amendment to H.R. 3055. This amendment would 
increase by about $5 million the medical facilities account.
  I did want to talk about a specific problem. I think that most rural 
States and communities understand that when it comes to trying to take 
care of our veterans, specifically, those who are struggling with 
mental health issues, and perhaps substance use disorder issues as 
well, it is an issue of care closer to home and access to care.
  When we have a veteran in a State like Maine who is in need of acute 
mental healthcare services and needs long-term inpatient mental 
healthcare, it has become known in the veterans community in Maine that 
that care is only available to veterans, at closest, in Bedford, 
Massachusetts, or perhaps as far away as New York or even further in 
order to get access to those beds. It is the same when they are in need 
of long-term substance use treatment programs.
  I have seen time and time again, working with veterans who are in 
need of those services, that this is a significant problem. It is a 
barrier to care. It keeps people from coming in the door at the VA to 
ask for help.
  It is not just an issue in rural areas among veterans. The problem is 
mirrored in the greater community.
  This is not an instance where veterans can go to the community to get 
long-term inpatient care because, to begin with, the beds aren't there 
in rural America. I think this is an instance where we really need the 
VA to step up to try to make sure that every State has a baseline 
capability to provide long-term inpatient mental healthcare services 
and substance use disorder services to veterans as close to their homes 
and their communities as possible.
  Mr. Chair, I yield to the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Wasserman 
Schultz), and I thank her for working with me on this issue and for all 
the work that she is doing on the committee.
  I also thank the gentleman from Idaho (Mr. Fulcher) for joining me on 
this. I know Idaho is in the same boat as Maine on this one.
  Mr. Chair, I yield such time as she may consume to the gentlewoman 
from Florida (Ms. Wasserman Schultz).
  Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. Mr. Chair, we have recognized that there is a 
lack of available overnight bed space for mental health patients at VA 
facilities, and this is a huge issue that the VA is facing. In fact, we 
did provide an additional $20 million within the medical facilities 
account in the base bill as an effort to begin to address this dire 
need.
  This amendment will add an additional, vital $5 million to expand VA 
facilities and provide additional bed

[[Page H5018]]

space for veterans requiring overnight mental healthcare. We can never 
do too much to provide mental healthcare for our veterans.
  I urge my colleagues to support this amendment. I congratulate the 
gentleman on his leadership on this issue.
  Mr. GOLDEN. Mr. Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. FULCHER. Mr. Chair, I rise in opposition to the amendment, 
although I do not oppose it.
  The Acting CHAIR. Without objection, the gentleman from Idaho is 
recognized for 5 minutes.
  There was no objection.
  Mr. FULCHER. Mr. Chair, this amendment will invest $5 million into 
those much-needed beds at long-term care VA facilities. It is offset by 
a reduction for that same amount from the VA IT systems account budget.
  Most of Idaho's veterans served in Vietnam, and they are between 65 
and 74 years old. While people are living longer today, they also need 
more care. And in this case, there are mental healthcare concerns.
  Passage of this amendment helps in that regard, giving more bed space 
to veterans in need of long-term healthcare. These funds will also 
provide options to help Idaho's heroes to remain closer to their 
communities. Many studies have found that people tend to respond better 
to treatment when they can be closer to their families.
  Please note that this does not add to our growing deficit.
  I thank my colleague from Maine, Congressman Jared Golden, for 
working with me on this bipartisan amendment and for his service to our 
country in the United States Marine Corps.
  Improving care for our veterans should always be an issue that we can 
agree on. I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to join me in 
supporting this amendment.
  Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. GOLDEN. Mr. Chair, I urge my colleagues to support the amendment.
  I again thank Congressman Fulcher for joining me in this. It is 
critically important.
  I think he made a great point. With care closer to home, it is about 
relationships, and it is about trust when serving a population like 
veterans. Also, when talking about things like mental health and 
substance use treatment care programs, that kind of familiarity and 
trust goes an awfully long way.
  I have talked to healthcare professionals who talk about continuity 
of care as well. Even in this age, with the internet, when trying to 
coordinate continuity of care from New York to Maine, when a veteran 
steps outside of that inpatient care, it becomes very difficult. This 
would all be solved, I think, or at least be much more efficient, if we 
had the ability to take care of our veterans in our home States, like 
Maine and Idaho.
  Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the 
gentleman from Maine (Mr. Golden).
  The question was taken; and the Acting Chair announced that the ayes 
appeared to have it.
  Mr. GOLDEN. Mr. Chair, I demand a recorded vote.
  The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to clause 6 of rule XVIII, further 
proceedings on the amendment offered by the gentleman from Maine will 
be postponed.


                Amendment No. 221 Offered by Mr. McAdams

  The Acting CHAIR. It is now in order to consider amendment No. 221 
printed in part B of House Report 116-119.
  Mr. McADAMS. Mr. Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.
  The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
  The text of the amendment is as follows:

       Page 390, line 22, after the dollar amount, insert 
     ``(increased by $1) (reduced by $1)''.

  The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 445, the gentleman 
from Utah (Mr. McAdams) and a Member opposed each will control 5 
minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Utah.
  Mr. McADAMS. Mr. Chair, I rise today to speak on my amendment 
encouraging the Department of Veterans Affairs to improve veteran 
credit reporting and to implement important financial protections for 
our veterans.
  I thank the bipartisan cosponsors of this amendment, Representative 
Axne from Iowa, Representatives Gonzalez and Stivers from Ohio, 
Representative Barr from Kentucky, and Representative Allred from 
Texas.
  Congress created the Veterans Choice Program to respond to 
inexcusable wait time delays for veterans receiving medical care at VA 
facilities. The Choice program allowed veterans to access non-VA 
medical facilities, providing for faster options in receiving necessary 
medical care.
  While veterans saw increased access to healthcare, their financial 
health took a hit as the VA and third-party providers failed to process 
payments in a timely fashion and actually made billing errors, 
resulting in negative credit reporting for our veterans even though 
those payments were often not the responsibility of the veteran.
  My amendment encourages the VA to make good on legislation that was 
enacted last year to ensure that these credit reporting errors are 
fixed.
  This legislation establishes a process in which veterans can dispute 
negatively reported credit scores due to VA billing mishaps. It also 
requires credit bureaus to remove information related to a veteran's 
fully paid or settled medical debt that has been characterized as 
delinquent, charged off, or in collection. This program will ensure our 
veterans are not financially inhibited because of government error.
  The VA was tasked with establishing a database and process to verify 
whether a medical debt is related to the billing errors and filing 
mishaps within a year of enactment. This 1-year grace period allowed 
the VA to establish a program to check medical debts, verify debt 
accuracy, and provide a solution for our veterans. However, the VA 
missed that 1-year period at the end of last month.
  My amendment is simple. It simply instructs the VA to submit to 
Congress an implementation plan, including expected timeline and 
resource requirements for the VA to come into compliance with the law 
and to establish these important protections for our veterans.
  Good credit for our veterans is the difference between qualifying for 
a home loan or not. It is the difference between investing in their 
education, being able to buy a car, or qualifying for a small business 
loan.
  This important issue cannot wait. Our Nation's veterans should not be 
punished because of government billing errors. They deserve better, 
which is why I encourage a ``yes'' on my bipartisan amendment.
  Mr. Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. Mr. Chair, as the designee of the gentlewoman 
from New York (Mrs. Lowey), I move to strike the last word.
  The Acting CHAIR. The gentlewoman from Florida is recognized for 5 
minutes.
  Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. Mr. Chair, I rise to support this amendment. I 
agree with my colleague from Utah, and I appreciate him drawing 
attention to this important issue.
  Veterans' credit scores should not be negatively impacted by untimely 
or improper payments by VA to third-party providers. This is an 
unconscionable outcome to the irresponsible actions of the VA.
  I understand VA is working with the gentleman on this issue, and it 
is still in the process of setting up a database that will allow 
consumer reporting agencies to verify whether or not a debt furnished 
to a consumer reporting agency is actually a veteran's medical debt, as 
required by Public Law 115-174, the Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief, 
and Consumer Protection Act. Unfortunately, due to the complexity of 
setting up this database, it will take longer than the 1-year deadline 
required by the law.
  We must hold the VA accountable for timely payments, and we cannot 
accept veterans suffering the financial consequences of VA's improper 
or untimely payments.
  I do commit to working with the gentleman on this issue as we move 
through the process. We need to make sure that when our veterans come 
home, they are able to seamlessly transition back to civilian life and 
not have obstacles thrown in their path by the VA's own mistakes.

[[Page H5019]]

  Mr. Chair, I appreciate the gentleman offering this amendment to 
protect our veterans and protect their credit. I urge my colleagues to 
support this amendment. I know the ranking member joins me in that 
effort.
  Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. McADAMS. Mr. Chair, I encourage Members to support this 
bipartisan amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time.
  The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the 
gentleman from Utah (Mr. McAdams).
  The question was taken; and the Acting Chair announced that the ayes 
appeared to have it.
  Mr. McADAMS. Mr. Chair, I demand a recorded vote.
  The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to clause 6 of rule XVIII, further 
proceedings on the amendment offered by the gentleman from Utah will be 
postponed.

                              {time}  1015


              Amendment No. 226 Offered by Mr. Cunningham

  The Acting CHAIR. It is now in order to consider amendment No. 226 
printed in part B of House Report 116-119.
  Mr. CUNNINGHAM. Mr. Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.
  The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
  The text of the amendment is as follows:

       At the end of division D (before the short title), add the 
     following:
       Sec. __.  None of the funds made available by this Act may 
     be used in contravention of section 101(e)(8) of title 10, 
     United States Code.

  The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 445, the gentleman 
from South Carolina (Mr. Cunningham) and a Member opposed each will 
control 5 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from South Carolina.
  Mr. CUNNINGHAM. Mr. Chair, I rise in support of my amendment, which 
would further emphasize our need to ensure our military is prepared for 
the ever-growing risk of climate change and rising sea levels. To that 
end, my amendment would make sure further DOD construction projects 
meet military resilience standards.
  I have said time and time again that climate change is our greatest 
nonmilitary threat, but climate change also poses a significant threat 
to our military's readiness. Nowhere is this clearer than in the 
Lowcountry, which is home to some of our Nation's most critical 
national security assets. Parris Island, one of only two military bases 
that makes enlisted marines and the only military base that makes 
female enlisted marines, faces frequent flooding and could be flooded 
for over a third of the year by 2050.
  Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, the only place in the world where 
pilots are trained to fly the F-35B, faces similar flooding risks, 
which threaten to disrupt training and fielding of these aircraft.
  Just this year, Joint Base Charleston was identified by the Air Force 
as one of the top five bases most susceptible to the risks associated 
with climate change.
  I am offering this amendment because it is imperative that these 
important defense assets are prepared, not only because they are 
critical to our national security, but also because they are an 
indispensable part of our economy in the Lowcountry.
  Combined, these important national security assets are estimated to 
account for nearly $13 billion in economic impact and support 78,000 
jobs in our district.
  Mr. Chair, this is an urgent issue that threatens military 
installations across this Nation, so I ask that my colleagues join me 
in support of my amendment and the readiness of our Armed Forces.
  Mr. Chair, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. 
Wasserman Schultz).
  Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. Mr. Chair, I thank the gentleman for yielding.
  The past year has been particularly devastating to military 
installations in multiple States, including my own. There are bases 
that experienced hurricanes, tornadoes, and massive coastal and river 
flooding.
  Over time, gradual sea level changes magnify the impacts of storm 
surge and may eventually result in permanent inundation of facilities 
and installations.
  In my home State of Florida, Tyndall Air Force Base was devastated by 
Hurricane Michael.
  Building resilient DOD facilities that can sustain the impacts of 
damaging storms and flooding is no longer an option but an essential 
requirement.
  Mr. Chair, I urge my colleagues to support the amendment. I commend 
the gentleman for his leadership on this issue.
  Mr. CUNNINGHAM. Mr. Chair, in closing, I thank the gentlewoman from 
Florida for speaking in favor of my amendment and for all of her hard 
work in constructing this year's Military Construction and Veterans 
Affairs appropriations bill.
  This legislation makes significant investments toward ensuring our 
men and women in uniform have the facilities they need to keep our 
Nation safe and improving services at the VA. I hope my colleagues on 
both sides of the aisle join me in supporting my amendment as well as 
the underlying bills.
  Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the 
gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. Cunningham).
  The amendment was agreed to.


                  Amendment No. 228 Offered by Mr. Kim

  The Acting CHAIR. It is now in order to consider amendment No. 228 
printed in part B of House Report 116-119.
  Mr. KIM. Mr. Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.
  The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
  The text of the amendment is as follows:

       Page 371, line 21, after the dollar amount insert 
     ``(reduced by $7,000,000) (increased by $7,000,000)''.

  The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 445, the gentleman 
from New Jersey (Mr. Kim) and a Member opposed each will control 5 
minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from New Jersey.
  Mr. KIM. Mr. Chair, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Chair, as the vice chairman of the Readiness Subcommittee of the 
House Armed Services Committee, improving road safety at and around our 
military facilities is an important part of maintaining and enhancing 
military readiness.
  Simply put, if our servicemen and -women can't safely drive, they 
can't safely train, and that puts our military at a distinct 
disadvantage.
  We have dozens of military facilities across our country, but I want 
to give you one example of how prioritizing road safety will improve 
our readiness.
  My district, made up of Burlington and Ocean Counties in New Jersey, 
is home to Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst. The joint base is a key 
military training facility, but the lack of proper investment in road 
safety projects has impeded our military's ability to train.
  By building a simple overpass over Route 539, the Army Reserve would 
have access to more than hundreds of additional training acres. Because 
one-third of Army reservists live within a short drive of under 4 hours 
from the joint base, additional training would save us money and give 
them more time with their families.
  Furthermore, this would allow the Army Reserve to conduct much-needed 
training exercises with night vision equipment used in war zones, 
training exercises that they simply cannot execute because the roads 
aren't safe enough.
  This is one example, but it is not the only one.
  This is a chance for us to stand with our servicemen and -women, a 
chance for us to stand for readiness, and a chance for us to stand for 
safety.
  Mr. Chair, I urge support for the men and women across our country 
who serve and the adoption of this commonsense amendment.
  Mr. Chair, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. 
Wasserman Schultz).
  Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. Mr. Chair, I thank the gentleman for yielding.
  The maintenance of our roads in and around our military installations 
is a must for the safety of our servicemembers and their families. It 
is also key for the training and readiness of our troops.

[[Page H5020]]

  I look forward to working with the gentleman in future budget 
submissions to make sure that we can address this important issue and 
protect the safety of our troops.
  Mr. Chair, I urge my colleagues to support the amendment.
  Mr. KIM. Mr. Chair, I thank the gentlewoman from Florida for her 
words of support here.
  This is something that I find all of us are committed to, in terms of 
ensuring that our armed services men and women have everything that 
they need to be able to do their jobs and be able to have the success 
of their missions.
  Mr. Chair, I thank the gentlewoman from Florida for her support, and 
I yield back the balance of my time.
  The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the 
gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Kim).
  The amendment was agreed to.


                    Announcement by the Acting Chair

  The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to clause 6 of rule XVIII, proceedings 
will now resume on those amendments printed in part B of House Report 
116-119 on which further proceedings were postponed, in the following 
order:
  Amendment No. 206 by Mr. Bost of Illinois.
  Amendment No. 220 by Mr. Golden of Maine.
  Amendment No. 221 by Mr. McAdams of Utah.
  The Chair will reduce to 2 minutes the time for any electronic vote 
after the first vote in this series.


                 Amendment No. 206 Offered by Mr. Bost

  The Acting CHAIR. The unfinished business is the demand for a 
recorded vote on the amendment offered by the gentleman from Illinois 
(Mr. Bost) on which further proceedings were postponed and on which the 
ayes prevailed by voice vote.
  The Clerk will redesignate the amendment.
  The Clerk redesignated the amendment.


                             Recorded Vote

  The Acting CHAIR. A recorded vote has been demanded.
  A recorded vote was ordered.
  The vote was taken by electronic device, and there were--ayes 373, 
noes 51, not voting 14, as follows:

                             [Roll No. 396]

                               AYES--373

     Abraham
     Adams
     Aderholt
     Allen
     Allred
     Amodei
     Arrington
     Axne
     Bacon
     Baird
     Balderson
     Barragan
     Bass
     Beatty
     Bera
     Bergman
     Beyer
     Bilirakis
     Bishop (GA)
     Bishop (UT)
     Blumenauer
     Blunt Rochester
     Bonamici
     Bost
     Boyle, Brendan F.
     Brindisi
     Brooks (IN)
     Brown (MD)
     Brownley (CA)
     Buchanan
     Bucshon
     Budd
     Burgess
     Bustos
     Butterfield
     Byrne
     Carbajal
     Carson (IN)
     Carter (GA)
     Carter (TX)
     Cartwright
     Case
     Casten (IL)
     Castor (FL)
     Castro (TX)
     Chabot
     Cheney
     Chu, Judy
     Cicilline
     Cisneros
     Clark (MA)
     Clarke (NY)
     Clay
     Cleaver
     Cohen
     Cole
     Collins (GA)
     Collins (NY)
     Comer
     Conaway
     Connolly
     Cook
     Cooper
     Correa
     Costa
     Courtney
     Cox (CA)
     Craig
     Crawford
     Crist
     Crow
     Cuellar
     Cunningham
     Curtis
     Davids (KS)
     Davis (CA)
     Davis, Danny K.
     Davis, Rodney
     Dean
     DeFazio
     DeGette
     DeLauro
     DelBene
     Delgado
     Demings
     DeSaulnier
     DesJarlais
     Deutch
     Diaz-Balart
     Dingell
     Doggett
     Doyle, Michael F.
     Duffy
     Dunn
     Engel
     Escobar
     Eshoo
     Espaillat
     Evans
     Ferguson
     Finkenauer
     Fitzpatrick
     Fleischmann
     Fletcher
     Flores
     Fortenberry
     Foster
     Frankel
     Fudge
     Fulcher
     Gabbard
     Gaetz
     Gallego
     Garamendi
     Garcia (IL)
     Garcia (TX)
     Gianforte
     Gibbs
     Golden
     Gomez
     Gonzalez (OH)
     Gonzalez (TX)
     Gottheimer
     Granger
     Graves (GA)
     Graves (LA)
     Graves (MO)
     Green (TX)
     Griffith
     Grijalva
     Guest
     Guthrie
     Haaland
     Hagedorn
     Harder (CA)
     Hartzler
     Hayes
     Heck
     Higgins (LA)
     Higgins (NY)
     Hill (AR)
     Hill (CA)
     Himes
     Holding
     Hollingsworth
     Horn, Kendra S.
     Horsford
     Houlahan
     Hoyer
     Huffman
     Huizenga
     Hunter
     Hurd (TX)
     Jackson Lee
     Jayapal
     Johnson (GA)
     Johnson (LA)
     Johnson (OH)
     Johnson (SD)
     Johnson (TX)
     Joyce (OH)
     Joyce (PA)
     Kaptur
     Katko
     Keating
     Keller
     Kelly (IL)
     Kelly (PA)
     Kennedy
     Khanna
     Kildee
     Kilmer
     Kim
     Kind
     King (IA)
     King (NY)
     Kinzinger
     Krishnamoorthi
     Kuster (NH)
     Kustoff (TN)
     LaHood
     LaMalfa
     Lamb
     Langevin
     Larsen (WA)
     Larson (CT)
     Latta
     Lawrence
     Lawson (FL)
     Lee (CA)
     Lee (NV)
     Lesko
     Levin (CA)
     Levin (MI)
     Lewis
     Lieu, Ted
     Lipinski
     Loebsack
     Lofgren
     Long
     Lowenthal
     Lowey
     Lucas
     Luetkemeyer
     Lujan
     Luria
     Lynch
     Malinowski
     Maloney, Carolyn B.
     Maloney, Sean
     Marshall
     Massie
     Mast
     Matsui
     McAdams
     McBath
     McCaul
     McCollum
     McEachin
     McGovern
     McHenry
     McKinley
     McNerney
     Meeks
     Meng
     Meuser
     Miller
     Mitchell
     Moolenaar
     Mooney (WV)
     Moore
     Morelle
     Moulton
     Mucarsel-Powell
     Mullin
     Murphy
     Nadler
     Napolitano
     Neal
     Neguse
     Newhouse
     Norcross
     Nunes
     O'Halleran
     Ocasio-Cortez
     Olson
     Omar
     Palazzo
     Pallone
     Panetta
     Pappas
     Pascrell
     Payne
     Pence
     Perlmutter
     Perry
     Peters
     Peterson
     Phillips
     Pingree
     Plaskett
     Pocan
     Porter
     Posey
     Pressley
     Price (NC)
     Quigley
     Raskin
     Ratcliffe
     Reed
     Reschenthaler
     Rice (NY)
     Rice (SC)
     Richmond
     Roby
     Rodgers (WA)
     Roe, David P.
     Rogers (AL)
     Rogers (KY)
     Rose (NY)
     Rouda
     Rouzer
     Roybal-Allard
     Ruiz
     Ruppersberger
     Rush
     Rutherford
     Ryan
     Sablan
     Sanchez
     Sarbanes
     Scalise
     Scanlon
     Schakowsky
     Schiff
     Schneider
     Schrader
     Schrier
     Scott (VA)
     Scott, Austin
     Scott, David
     Sensenbrenner
     Serrano
     Sewell (AL)
     Shalala
     Sherman
     Sherrill
     Shimkus
     Simpson
     Sires
     Slotkin
     Smith (NE)
     Smith (NJ)
     Smith (WA)
     Smucker
     Soto
     Spanberger
     Spano
     Speier
     Stanton
     Stauber
     Stefanik
     Steil
     Steube
     Stevens
     Stivers
     Suozzi
     Takano
     Thompson (CA)
     Thompson (MS)
     Thompson (PA)
     Thornberry
     Timmons
     Tipton
     Titus
     Tlaib
     Tonko
     Torres Small (NM)
     Trahan
     Trone
     Turner
     Underwood
     Upton
     Van Drew
     Vargas
     Veasey
     Vela
     Velazquez
     Visclosky
     Walberg
     Walden
     Walker
     Walorski
     Waltz
     Wasserman Schultz
     Waters
     Watkins
     Watson Coleman
     Webster (FL)
     Welch
     Wenstrup
     Westerman
     Wexton
     Wild
     Williams
     Wilson (FL)
     Wilson (SC)
     Womack
     Woodall
     Yarmuth
     Yoho
     Young
     Zeldin

                                NOES--51

     Aguilar
     Amash
     Armstrong
     Babin
     Banks
     Barr
     Biggs
     Brady
     Brooks (AL)
     Buck
     Burchett
     Calvert
     Cline
     Cloud
     Crenshaw
     Davidson (OH)
     Duncan
     Estes
     Foxx (NC)
     Gallagher
     Gohmert
     Gooden
     Gosar
     Green (TN)
     Grothman
     Harris
     Hern, Kevin
     Hice (GA)
     Hudson
     Jordan
     Kelly (MS)
     Lamborn
     Loudermilk
     Marchant
     McCarthy
     McClintock
     Meadows
     Norman
     Palmer
     Riggleman
     Rose, John W.
     Roy
     Schweikert
     Smith (MO)
     Stewart
     Taylor
     Torres (CA)
     Wagner
     Weber (TX)
     Wittman
     Wright

                             NOT VOTING--14

     Cardenas
     Clyburn
     Cummings
     Emmer
     Gonzalez-Colon (PR)
     Hastings
     Herrera Beutler
     Jeffries
     Kirkpatrick
     Norton
     Radewagen
     Rooney (FL)
     San Nicolas
     Swalwell (CA)

                              {time}  1055

  Messrs. MEADOWS, LOUDERMILK, CALVERT, ARMSTRONG, McCARTHY, and HUDSON 
changed their vote from ``aye'' to ``no.''
  Messrs. GRIFFITH, JOHNSON of Louisiana, Ms. SPEIER, Messrs. PERRY, 
BYRNE, and ROSE of New York changed their vote from ``no'' to ``aye.''
  So the amendment was agreed to.
  The result of the vote was announced as above recorded.


                Amendment No. 220 Offered by Mr. Golden

  The Acting CHAIR. The unfinished business is the demand for a 
recorded vote on the amendment offered by the gentleman from Maine (Mr. 
Golden) on which further proceedings were postponed and on which the 
ayes prevailed by voice vote.
  The Clerk will redesignate the amendment.
  The Clerk redesignated the amendment.


                             Recorded Vote

  The Acting CHAIR. A recorded vote has been demanded.
  A recorded vote was ordered.
  The Acting CHAIR. This will be a 2-minute vote.
  The vote was taken by electronic device, and there were--ayes 418, 
noes 6, not voting 14, as follows:

                             [Roll No. 397]

                               AYES--418

     Abraham
     Adams
     Aderholt
     Aguilar
     Allen
     Allred
     Amash
     Amodei
     Armstrong
     Arrington
     Axne
     Babin
     Bacon
     Baird
     Balderson
     Banks
     Barr
     Barragan
     Bass
     Beatty
     Bera
     Bergman
     Beyer
     Biggs
     Bilirakis
     Bishop (GA)
     Bishop (UT)
     Blumenauer
     Blunt Rochester
     Bonamici
     Bost
     Boyle, Brendan F.
     Brady
     Brindisi
     Brooks (AL)
     Brooks (IN)
     Brown (MD)
     Buchanan
     Buck
     Bucshon
     Budd
     Burchett
     Burgess
     Bustos
     Butterfield
     Byrne
     Calvert
     Carbajal
     Cardenas
     Carson (IN)

[[Page H5021]]


     Carter (GA)
     Carter (TX)
     Cartwright
     Case
     Casten (IL)
     Castor (FL)
     Castro (TX)
     Chabot
     Cheney
     Chu, Judy
     Cicilline
     Cisneros
     Clark (MA)
     Clarke (NY)
     Clay
     Cleaver
     Cline
     Cloud
     Cohen
     Cole
     Collins (GA)
     Collins (NY)
     Comer
     Conaway
     Connolly
     Cook
     Cooper
     Correa
     Costa
     Courtney
     Cox (CA)
     Craig
     Crawford
     Crenshaw
     Crist
     Crow
     Cuellar
     Cunningham
     Curtis
     Davids (KS)
     Davis (CA)
     Davis, Danny K.
     Davis, Rodney
     Dean
     DeFazio
     DeGette
     DeLauro
     DelBene
     Delgado
     Demings
     DeSaulnier
     DesJarlais
     Deutch
     Diaz-Balart
     Dingell
     Doggett
     Doyle, Michael F.
     Duffy
     Duncan
     Dunn
     Engel
     Escobar
     Eshoo
     Espaillat
     Estes
     Evans
     Ferguson
     Finkenauer
     Fitzpatrick
     Fleischmann
     Fletcher
     Flores
     Fortenberry
     Foster
     Foxx (NC)
     Frankel
     Fudge
     Fulcher
     Gabbard
     Gaetz
     Gallagher
     Gallego
     Garamendi
     Garcia (IL)
     Garcia (TX)
     Gianforte
     Gibbs
     Gohmert
     Golden
     Gomez
     Gonzalez (OH)
     Gonzalez (TX)
     Gooden
     Gosar
     Gottheimer
     Granger
     Graves (GA)
     Graves (LA)
     Graves (MO)
     Green (TN)
     Green (TX)
     Griffith
     Grijalva
     Grothman
     Guthrie
     Haaland
     Hagedorn
     Harder (CA)
     Hartzler
     Hayes
     Heck
     Hern, Kevin
     Hice (GA)
     Higgins (LA)
     Higgins (NY)
     Hill (AR)
     Hill (CA)
     Himes
     Holding
     Hollingsworth
     Horn, Kendra S.
     Horsford
     Houlahan
     Hoyer
     Hudson
     Huffman
     Huizenga
     Hunter
     Hurd (TX)
     Jackson Lee
     Jayapal
     Johnson (GA)
     Johnson (LA)
     Johnson (OH)
     Johnson (SD)
     Johnson (TX)
     Jordan
     Joyce (OH)
     Joyce (PA)
     Kaptur
     Katko
     Keating
     Keller
     Kelly (IL)
     Kelly (MS)
     Kelly (PA)
     Kennedy
     Khanna
     Kildee
     Kilmer
     Kim
     Kind
     King (IA)
     King (NY)
     Kinzinger
     Krishnamoorthi
     Kuster (NH)
     Kustoff (TN)
     LaHood
     LaMalfa
     Lamb
     Lamborn
     Langevin
     Larsen (WA)
     Larson (CT)
     Latta
     Lawrence
     Lawson (FL)
     Lee (CA)
     Lesko
     Levin (CA)
     Levin (MI)
     Lewis
     Lieu, Ted
     Lipinski
     Loebsack
     Lofgren
     Long
     Loudermilk
     Lowenthal
     Lowey
     Lucas
     Luetkemeyer
     Lujan
     Luria
     Lynch
     Malinowski
     Maloney, Carolyn B.
     Maloney, Sean
     Marchant
     Marshall
     Massie
     Mast
     Matsui
     McAdams
     McBath
     McCarthy
     McCaul
     McClintock
     McCollum
     McEachin
     McGovern
     McHenry
     McKinley
     McNerney
     Meadows
     Meeks
     Meng
     Meuser
     Miller
     Mitchell
     Moolenaar
     Mooney (WV)
     Moore
     Morelle
     Moulton
     Mucarsel-Powell
     Mullin
     Murphy
     Nadler
     Napolitano
     Neal
     Neguse
     Newhouse
     Norcross
     Nunes
     O'Halleran
     Ocasio-Cortez
     Olson
     Omar
     Palazzo
     Pallone
     Palmer
     Panetta
     Pappas
     Pascrell
     Payne
     Pence
     Perlmutter
     Perry
     Peters
     Peterson
     Phillips
     Pingree
     Pocan
     Porter
     Posey
     Pressley
     Price (NC)
     Quigley
     Raskin
     Ratcliffe
     Reed
     Reschenthaler
     Rice (NY)
     Rice (SC)
     Richmond
     Riggleman
     Roby
     Rodgers (WA)
     Roe, David P.
     Rogers (AL)
     Rogers (KY)
     Rose (NY)
     Rose, John W.
     Rouda
     Rouzer
     Roy
     Roybal-Allard
     Ruiz
     Ruppersberger
     Rush
     Rutherford
     Ryan
     Sablan
     Sanchez
     Sarbanes
     Scalise
     Scanlon
     Schakowsky
     Schiff
     Schneider
     Schrader
     Schrier
     Schweikert
     Scott (VA)
     Scott, Austin
     Scott, David
     Sensenbrenner
     Serrano
     Sewell (AL)
     Shalala
     Sherman
     Sherrill
     Shimkus
     Simpson
     Sires
     Slotkin
     Smith (MO)
     Smith (NE)
     Smith (NJ)
     Smith (WA)
     Smucker
     Soto
     Spanberger
     Spano
     Speier
     Stanton
     Stauber
     Stefanik
     Steil
     Steube
     Stevens
     Stewart
     Stivers
     Suozzi
     Takano
     Taylor
     Thompson (CA)
     Thompson (MS)
     Thompson (PA)
     Thornberry
     Timmons
     Tipton
     Titus
     Tlaib
     Tonko
     Torres (CA)
     Torres Small (NM)
     Trahan
     Trone
     Turner
     Underwood
     Upton
     Van Drew
     Vargas
     Veasey
     Vela
     Velazquez
     Visclosky
     Wagner
     Walberg
     Walden
     Walker
     Walorski
     Waltz
     Wasserman Schultz
     Waters
     Watkins
     Watson Coleman
     Weber (TX)
     Webster (FL)
     Welch
     Wenstrup
     Westerman
     Wexton
     Wild
     Williams
     Wilson (FL)
     Wilson (SC)
     Wittman
     Womack
     Woodall
     Wright
     Yarmuth
     Yoho
     Young
     Zeldin

                                NOES--6

     Brownley (CA)
     Davidson (OH)
     Harris
     Lee (NV)
     Norman
     Plaskett

                             NOT VOTING--14

     Clyburn
     Cummings
     Emmer
     Gonzalez-Colon (PR)
     Guest
     Hastings
     Herrera Beutler
     Jeffries
     Kirkpatrick
     Norton
     Radewagen
     Rooney (FL)
     San Nicolas
     Swalwell (CA)

                              {time}  1059

  Mr. RICE of South Carolina changed his vote from ``no'' to ``aye.''
  So the amendment was agreed to.
  The result of the vote was announced as above recorded.


                Amendment No. 221 Offered by Mr. McAdams

  The Acting CHAIR. The unfinished business is the demand for a 
recorded vote on the amendment offered by the gentleman from Utah (Mr. 
McAdams) on which further proceedings were postponed and on which the 
ayes prevailed by voice vote.
  The Clerk will redesignate the amendment.
  The Clerk redesignated the amendment.


                             Recorded Vote

  The Acting CHAIR. A recorded vote has been demanded.
  A recorded vote was ordered.
  The Acting CHAIR. This will be a 2-minute vote.
  The vote was taken by electronic device, and there were--ayes 420, 
noes 3, not voting 15, as follows:

                             [Roll No. 398]

                               AYES--420

     Abraham
     Adams
     Aderholt
     Aguilar
     Allen
     Allred
     Amash
     Amodei
     Armstrong
     Axne
     Babin
     Bacon
     Baird
     Balderson
     Banks
     Barr
     Barragan
     Bass
     Beatty
     Bera
     Beyer
     Biggs
     Bilirakis
     Bishop (GA)
     Blumenauer
     Blunt Rochester
     Bonamici
     Bost
     Boyle, Brendan F.
     Brady
     Brindisi
     Brooks (AL)
     Brooks (IN)
     Brown (MD)
     Brownley (CA)
     Buchanan
     Buck
     Bucshon
     Budd
     Burchett
     Burgess
     Bustos
     Butterfield
     Byrne
     Calvert
     Carbajal
     Cardenas
     Carson (IN)
     Carter (GA)
     Carter (TX)
     Cartwright
     Case
     Casten (IL)
     Castor (FL)
     Castro (TX)
     Chabot
     Cheney
     Chu, Judy
     Cicilline
     Cisneros
     Clark (MA)
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[[Page H5022]]


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                                NOES--3

     Arrington
     Bergman
     Davidson (OH)

                             NOT VOTING--15

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     Swalwell (CA)


                    Announcement by the Acting Chair

  The Acting CHAIR (during the vote). There is 1 minute remaining.

                              {time}  1104

  So the amendment was agreed to.
  The result of the vote was announced as above recorded.
  Stated for:
  Mr. BERGMAN. Mr. Chair, on roll call no. 398, I mistakenly voted 
``no'' when I intended to vote ``yes''.


                          personal explanation

  Mrs. KIRKPATRICK. Mr. Chair, I was absent today due to a family 
medical emergency. Had I been present, I would have voted: yea on 
rollcall No. 396; yea on rollcall No. 397; and yea on rollcall No. 398.
  Mr. HOYER. Mr. Chair, I rise as the designee of Chairwoman Lowey of 
the Appropriations Committee, and I move that the Committee do now 
rise.
  The motion was agreed to.
  Accordingly, the Committee rose; and the Speaker pro tempore (Ms. 
Shalala) having assumed the chair, Mr. Schneider, Acting Chair of the 
Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union, reported that 
that Committee, having had under consideration the bill (H.R. 3055) 
making appropriations for the Departments of Commerce and Justice, 
Science, and Related Agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 
2020, and for other purposes, had come to no resolution thereon.

                          ____________________