[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 26 (Friday, February 7, 2020)]
[House]
[Pages H941-H962]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 EMERGENCY SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATIONS FOR DISASTER RELIEF AND PUERTO 
                   RICO DISASTER TAX RELIEF ACT, 2020


                             General Leave

  Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members 
have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include 
extraneous material on H.R. 5687.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Vargas). Is there objection to the 
request of the gentlewoman from New York?
  There was no objection.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to House Resolution 833 and rule 
XVIII, the Chair declares the House in the Committee of the Whole House 
on the state of the Union for the consideration of the bill, H.R. 5687.
  The Chair appoints the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Castor) to 
preside over the Committee of the Whole.

                              {time}  0917


                     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 consideration of the bill 
(H.R. 5687) making emergency supplemental appropriations for the fiscal 
year ending September 30, 2020, and for other purposes, with Ms. Castor 
of Florida in the chair.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The CHAIR. Pursuant to the rule, the bill is considered read the 
first time.
  General debate shall be confined to the bill and shall not exceed 1 
hour equally divided and controlled by the chair and ranking minority 
member of the Committee on Appropriations.
  The gentlewoman from New York (Mrs. Lowey) and the gentlewoman from 
Texas (Ms. Granger) each will control 30 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from New York.
  Mrs. LOWEY. Madam Chair, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  In recent weeks, thousands of families in Puerto Rico were forced 
from their homes, schools were flattened, roads and infrastructure were 
severely damaged as earthquakes racked an island still struggling to 
recover from the devastation of Hurricanes Maria and Irma.
  While President Trump has finally released some of the aid that 
Congress appropriated for those hurricanes, more support is clearly 
needed. We must act now on our shared responsibility to assist 
Americans in need.

  This emergency supplemental would provide $4.67 billion in targeted 
assistance to help families and communities recover from these 
devastating earthquakes and put Puerto Rico on a better path to long-
term recovery.
  It includes: $3.26 billion in Community Development Block Grant 
Disaster Recovery funds;
  $1.25 billion for repairs to damaged road systems;
  $100 million to restart school operations;
  $40 million for disaster nutrition assistance in Puerto Rico; and
  More than $20 million to help address the island's energy needs.
  In addition, this bill would provide Puerto Rico with flexibility to 
use this funding in conjunction with earlier disaster relief resources.
  Critically, it also takes swift action against the Trump 
administration's outrageous withholding of vital aid to Puerto Rico. 
This bill would require detailed spending plans and mandate that 
funding be released in a timely manner.
  Finally, the bill carries a number of tax-related provisions in the 
jurisdiction of the Committee on Ways and Means that will complement 
the emergency appropriations and support working families and encourage 
economic growth.
  Madam Chair, our fellow Americans in Puerto Rico need our help. 
Unless we step up to the plate right now, we further jeopardize their 
safety and security.
  With this bill, we can provide families and communities swift relief 
and put Puerto Rico on the path to long-term recovery.
  I urge my colleagues to join me in support of this legislation, and I 
reserve the balance of my time.
  Ms. GRANGER. Madam Chair, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  I rise today in opposition to H.R. 5687.
  While this bill is being sold as an appropriations bill for Puerto 
Rico, it has more than $16 billion in unnecessary tax breaks which are 
largely unrelated to the recent earthquakes that hit the island.
  Also included in this bill are more than $4 billion in new emergency 
appropriations, much of that for disasters that haven't happened yet.
  And finally, this bill is premature, as Puerto Rico has funds from 
previous bills that have not been used.
  Over the last 3 years, we have allocated more than $40 billion for 
Puerto Rico disasters, and less than half of that has been spent. And 
we have all seen recent press reports about warehouses in Puerto Rico 
full of water, diapers, and food that have not been distributed to 
residents in need.
  As for the recent earthquakes in Puerto Rico, the Federal Government 
has not completed the required studies and reporting on the extent of 
the damage.
  While I, too, have been frustrated with the amount of time it takes 
the Federal Government to distribute funds after a disaster, 
appropriating funds before we know what is truly needed is not the 
answer.
  There are billions in the FEMA Major Disaster Relief Fund that are 
already available and can be used toward earthquake response and 
recovery efforts now, while we wait on a full and accurate report on 
the damage and estimated cost.
  When disasters strike, it is our job to ensure that the Federal 
Government helps those in need. We also have a duty to ensure that 
taxpayer dollars are used in a fiscally responsible manner.
  Unfortunately, including tax breaks related to disaster recovery and 
funds

[[Page H942]]

for disasters that haven't even occurred yet is not a good use of 
taxpayer funds.
  Again, when funds are needed, we will be there, just as we have been 
there repeatedly for Puerto Rico for the last several years. But at 
this time, I urge my colleagues to vote ``no.''
  Madam Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mrs. LOWEY. Madam Chair, I am pleased to yield 2 minutes to the 
gentlewoman from Ohio (Ms. Kaptur), the distinguished chairwoman of the 
Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development, and Related Agencies.
  Ms. KAPTUR. I thank our hardworking chair, Nita Lowey, for yielding 
me this time.
  Madam Chair, I rise in support of H.R. 5687, the Puerto Rico 
earthquake supplemental funding.
  This $4.67 billion in funding is a vital lifeline for our fellow 
citizens in Puerto Rico reeling most recently from a series of 
devastating earthquakes, but also still recovering from the 
consequential damage of 2017's massive Hurricanes Irma and Maria.
  Since late December, a series of quakes rattled Puerto Rico, 
including another magnitude 5 earthquake just this last Tuesday. Today, 
this body sends a powerful message to the island community: This House 
will not let you suffer from inaction by this administration.
  Following the most powerful quake in early January, millions were 
left without power and running water for days. The electric grid 
struggled to keep up with demand. Anxiety remains high as more than 30 
category 5 or higher earthquakes have hit this month. 30. Unbelievable.
  As we learned from Hurricane Maria, the aftermath can prove to be 
even more dangerous and deadly if there is not speedy and effective 
action. And I want to thank the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and also 
the Ohio National Guard that has made journeys there, and other defense 
units that have risen to duty to protect and serve the people of our 
country in Puerto Rico.
  This emergency supplemental will provide these hard-hit, anxiety-
ridden fellow Americans and communities with strength, hope, and 
support to begin moving forward again. A failure to act now is not just 
unacceptable, it is immoral.
  This bill provides the means to address current challenges inflicted 
on the human condition. It also includes funds to strengthen 
infrastructure for future mitigation.
  The CHAIR. The time of the gentlewoman has expired.
  Mrs. LOWEY. I yield the gentlewoman from Ohio an additional 30 
seconds.

  Ms. KAPTUR. Within my subcommittee's Energy and Water accounts, the 
bill provides over $21 million for the Department of Energy to provide 
technical assistance help restore and rebuild the electric grid in 
Puerto Rico and other U.S. territories. These funds will allow the 
Department and our National Labs to provide the expertise necessary to 
begin the repair.
  Equally important is the significant financial support to meet the 
educational needs of island children for disaster nutrition assistance 
and repair all of the infrastructure.
  This Nation must help destroyed communities of our fellow citizens to 
help them recover from these historic disasters. We never know when it 
will hit our own backyard.
  I urge my colleagues to support this important emergency 
supplemental.
  Ms. GRANGER. Madam Chair, I yield 5 minutes to the gentlewoman from 
Puerto Rico (Miss Gonzalez-Colon).
  Miss GONZALEZ-COLON of Puerto Rico. Madam Chair, I thank Ranking 
Member Granger for yielding.
  Since December 28, Puerto Rico has experienced more than 2,100 
earthquakes that have significantly impacted our southwestern region. 
Actually, I was on the island on January 6 when a 5.8 earthquake struck 
us, and then the next day, a 6.4, and then half an hour later another 
6.2.
  I thank the President for immediately issuing an emergency 
declaration and, days later, a major disaster declaration, which 
prompted immediate Federal assistance to the now 29 municipalities that 
have been hit the most.
  However, the seismic activity has not stopped. Every day the 
infrastructure weakens. More roads and houses are damaged. The anxiety 
of the people on the island grows; and that is why I stand here today 
in support of this disaster supplemental package.
  I am thankful to Chairwoman Lowey for introducing this bill. And yet, 
in order to get this legislation enacted into law, in order to truly 
get the aid to Puerto Rico and other States and jurisdictions affected 
by natural disasters, it is imperative to have the input of both sides 
of the aisles, Senate and House administration, and get this ready to 
go.
  So it is my sincere hope that, as we move forward with this bill, and 
the negotiations that may begin as a result of it, that we keep in mind 
that we are dealing with real people's lives and their suffering here.
  Every week, every single week, when I go back home, I meet with 
people who have lost everything due to the earthquakes. And again, we 
are used to hurricanes, but we are not used to earthquakes, so this is 
a completely new game in Puerto Rico.
  I meet parents who are too frightened to send their kids to schools, 
and families refusing to return home out of the fear that their houses 
will collapse.

                              {time}  0930

  At one point, over 7,000 people were living in shelters, many 
establishing campsites on the side of the road, in parks, and in open 
areas. The devastation, my friends, is real.
  It is true that the island has already allocated over $40 billion, 
not $90 billion, in funding to respond to the unprecedented Hurricane 
Maria. However, we are dealing here with an entirely different 
disaster. And let me say, of all that money that has been allocated, 
just $1.5 billion has been disbursed, so we don't have the cash, and we 
don't have the funds that Congress already allocated 2 years ago.
  The earthquakes are ongoing. The ground has not stopped shaking. 
While FEMA and the administration officials are onsite, Congress cannot 
wait until funds are depleted to act.
  Madam Chair, I want to highlight also the tax provisions included in 
this bill for Puerto Rico. Although some may argue that they have no 
place in a supplemental, these provisions are vital for the long-term 
recovery of the island and all those efforts.
  I thank Chairman Neal for crafting this package, including 
legislation that I have previously introduced, such as H.R. 302, to 
provide families in Puerto Rico with one or more children the same 
treatment currently given to island families with three or more kids 
under the child tax credit; H.R. 1786, to make the rum cover-over tax 
permanent on the island--we managed to include a 5-year extension, but 
now this will make it permanent; and a provision extended to the earned 
income tax credit for the island, which is similar to legislation I 
introduced in H.R. 754.
  I will always stand with the people I represent. I am the sole 
representative of the people of the island, 3.2 million Americans. Yet, 
we don't have a delegation in the House and in the Senate to support 
and push for these kinds of bills. That is why I am supporting this 
bill, and I urge all of my colleagues to do the same.
  What has happened in Puerto Rico, we don't know yet how much longer 
these earthquakes are going to continue to happen. The U.S. Geological 
Survey is saying that it may be a year, or it may be months.
  Every time this happens, the infrastructure weakens. Again, it began 
with just six towns. Now, we have 29 towns in the disaster declaration.
  This is an ongoing emergency. I wish nobody would suffer what we are 
suffering today without having a complete recovery from the hurricanes.
  Mrs. LOWEY. Madam Chair, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from New 
York (Mr. Serrano), the chairman of the Subcommittee on Commerce, 
Justice, and Science.
  Mr. SERRANO. Madam Chair, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding.
  I rise in strong support of this emergency supplemental, which will 
help Puerto Rico recover from damage caused by the ongoing earthquakes 
that have struck the island. It will help an island that is still 
struggling to recover in the wake of Hurricanes Maria and Irma.
  Since December 28, Puerto Rico has experienced thousands of 
earthquakes,

[[Page H943]]

including numerous powerful ones. These earthquakes have caused 
significant damage to the island's roads and schools and left many 
individuals' homes structurally unsound. Many residents are fearful and 
uncertain of what comes next.
  Thousands of Puerto Ricans are in need of assistance to repair the 
damage to their homes and lives. Many have once again left the island 
for New York, Florida, and elsewhere, and need help there, also.
  This bill provides the island with the support necessary to help 
repair damaged infrastructure, allow students to continue learning, and 
assist in its economic recovery. It provides nutrition assistance to 
the most vulnerable members of Puerto Rican society.
  This bill also puts in safeguards to ensure that the administration 
spends the money as instructed by Congress so the island's recovery is 
not hindered by a further man-made disaster.
  We all know what happened to our fellow citizens of Puerto Rico in 
the aftermath of Hurricane Maria and how our government's inadequate 
response hurt the response and recovery efforts. I am thankful that my 
colleagues here in the House are determined not to let that happen 
again.
  I hope our Republican colleagues in the Senate will act quickly to 
help Puerto Rico, and I urge strong support for this bill in the House.
  I usually do not comment on any comment made by another Member. The 
person who made these comments is a person I have the utmost respect 
and admiration for, but our ranking member to the committee said that 
the bill is premature. How can it be premature to try to help American 
citizens still recovering from two hurricanes? How can it be premature 
to help American citizens? It is never premature. The time is right.
  Ms. GRANGER. Madam Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mrs. LOWEY. Madam Chair, I yield 2\1/2\ minutes to the gentlewoman 
from Connecticut (Ms. DeLauro), the chairwoman of the Subcommittee on 
Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies.
  Ms. DeLAURO. Madam Chair, I rise to speak in support of the 
supplemental bill for Puerto Rico.
  The island has been rocked by earthquakes and tremors. Thousands of 
Americans are left without water or power, facing catastrophic property 
damage.
  In my district, I met with affected families and community members. 
We discussed the ongoing disaster and the response and recovery needs.
  I have staff, people who have family in Puerto Rico who are sleeping 
outdoors for fear of going back into a home that is badly damaged.
  There should be no question about providing the resources necessary 
to recover. This supplemental package provides $4.67 billion for 
educational needs, transportation infrastructure repairs, and disaster 
relief activities, including $100 million for education.
  For K-12 programs, it helps schools restart operations, support 
reenrollment, and pay for the costs of providing education to students 
who have been displaced by natural disasters, and yes, it addresses the 
mental health needs of children as they have experienced a traumatic 
event. Higher education, the funding helps defray the unexpected costs 
associated with enrolling displaced students and with rebuilding 
damaged facilities.

  This supplemental also extends the child tax credit to all children 
in Puerto Rico and the U.S. territories. Under the current system, 
Puerto Rican families are only eligible for the child tax credit for 
the third or subsequent child. What we need to do is to expand and 
improve the child tax credit, make it fully refundable, but this is a 
necessary step in the meantime so that U.S. citizens in the territories 
are treated exactly like those in the States.
  Let me just also assure my colleagues on a final note, that we are 
working with the administration to determine the costs of our ongoing 
response to the 2019 novel coronavirus. We have urged the 
administration to work with the Congress on a bipartisan basis to enact 
an emergency supplemental for that public health emergency. We stand 
ready to move forward quickly to protect public health and safety.
  On this supplemental for Puerto Rico, let me urge my colleagues to 
vote ``yes,'' vote ``yes'' for Americans who are in dire straits on 
that island, and it is unconscionable that we would have second 
thoughts about the kind of support that they need during this crisis. 
Urge the Senate, urge the President to add their support swiftly. Our 
fellow Americans and Puerto Rico cannot afford for us to delay any 
longer.
  Ms. GRANGER. Madam Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mrs. LOWEY. Madam Chair, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from 
North Carolina (Mr. Price), the chairman of the Subcommittee on 
Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies.
  Mr. PRICE of North Carolina. Madam Chair, I thank my colleague for 
yielding, and I am pleased to rise in strong support of this 
supplemental appropriation.
  This bill provides $4.7 billion for disaster assistance, including 
$3.3 billion for HUD's Community Development Block Grant program and 
$1.25 billion for emergency highway repairs. This funding will provide 
substantial help to the people of Puerto Rico, where devastating 
earthquakes have compounded earlier damage from Hurricanes Maria and 
Irma, as well as other States and territories still recovering from 
major disasters.
  I would remind colleagues that CDBG money from earlier disasters 
cannot be used for earthquake relief. We need this bill.
  The bill also provides targeted resources for Puerto Rico's school 
system, as well as nutrition assistance and tax relief for low-income 
families and small businesses.
  When it comes to disaster relief, we should be putting politics 
aside. There should be widespread consensus that the Federal Government 
should be there as an active partner in the recovery effort.
  Unfortunately, for far too long, the Trump administration has erected 
arbitrary barriers that have hindered Puerto Rico's recovery. They have 
contributed to desperate conditions to many places on the island.
  For example, HUD refused to provide more than $16 billion in already 
appropriated recovery funds for nearly 700 days. HUD officials admitted 
during a hearing before our subcommittee that they willingly ignored a 
statutory deadline requiring them to move forward.
  Now, HUD is imposing special grant conditions and other requirements 
on Puerto Rico, which will slow down the recovery effort even further.
  While the island has clearly been singled out for disparate 
treatment, numerous States from Florida to Texas to my home State of 
North Carolina have also waited longer than they should for HUD to 
publish Federal Register notices governing the use of disaster recovery 
funds.
  This bill responds to the unacceptable administrative delays by 
including new accountability measures, new deadlines--actually, not so 
new deadlines; they were included in legislation already passed by this 
body--deadlines requiring HUD to publish notices, review and approve 
action plans, and sign grant agreements within a fixed timeframe. Those 
provisions were included in the bipartisan Reforming Disaster Recovery 
Act, which passed the House back in November, but unfortunately, like 
so much else, it is still languishing in the Senate.
  Madam Chairman, enough is enough. We must provide the vital 
assistance to Puerto Rico and other communities that are struggling to 
recover, and we need to send a signal to the administration that 
Congress, not the White House, holds the power of the purse.
  I urge all my colleagues to support this emergency disaster 
supplemental.
  Ms. GRANGER. Madam Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mrs. LOWEY. Madam Chair, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from 
Massachusetts (Mr. Neal), the distinguished chairman who came to 
Congress at the same time I did and is now chair of the Committee on 
Ways and Means.
  (Mr. NEAL asked and was given permission to revise and extend his 
remarks.)
  Mr. NEAL. Madam Chair, I thank Chairwoman Lowey for yielding me the 
time.
  I am happy to stand in support of this legislation today. This is a 
disaster relief package that I worked on

[[Page H944]]

with Chairwoman Lowey, Congresswoman Velazquez, and Resident 
Commissioner Gonzalez-Colon.
  In addition to providing supplemental appropriations to respond to 
the recent natural disasters that affected Puerto Rico and other U.S. 
territories, H.R. 5687 includes the Puerto Rico Disaster Tax Relief 
Act. These provisions will help Puerto Rico rebuild its homes and 
communities and provide much-needed relief to workers and families 
after these devastating earthquakes.
  Specifically, H.R. 5687 provides additional allocations of the low-
income housing tax credit, which will allow critical investments in new 
affordable housing throughout the island. It also makes additional 
allocations to the new markets tax credit in Puerto Rico, allowing the 
island to make important investments, like rebuilding community centers 
and hospitals in low-income neighborhoods.
  This legislation helps Puerto Rico and other territories implement 
the earned income tax credit and the child tax credit, two of the most 
powerful tools we have to combat poverty.
  Last year, the Committee on Ways and Means reported out similar 
provisions in our consideration of H.R. 3300, the Economic Mobility 
Act.

                              {time}  0945

  Today, many Puerto Rican residents can be taxed into poverty from the 
U.S. payroll taxes that they pay. With our changes to the tax credit, 
we are creating long-awaited parity between the residents of Puerto 
Rico and the residents of the 50 other States.
  Additionally, the earned income tax credit is one of the most 
important work incentives we have in our code. This bill certainly 
rewards work.
  And, Madam Chair, I want to acknowledge Bill Pascrell from New 
Jersey, who did much of the good work in helping get to those success 
stories. We encourage work, we reduce poverty. This is a win-win for 
the island.
  As Puerto Rico and other territories try to recover from natural 
disasters, it is appropriate that we are taking action to ensure that 
these territories have access to these critical tools for community 
development and poverty reduction.
  It is impossible to deny the suffering on the ground today on the 
island of Puerto Rico. It is my hope that Congress will come together, 
as it has in the past, to help all members of the American family.
  We also urge full support on the other side. We took into 
consideration what they had to say at the committee.
  Madam Chair, I want to thank Chairwoman Lowey for moving this 
legislation swiftly to the floor today.
  Ms. GRANGER. Madam Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mrs. LOWEY. Madam Chair, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from New 
Jersey (Mr. Pascrell), a distinguished member of the Committee on Ways 
and Means.
  Mr. PASCRELL. Madam Chair, I thank Chairwoman Lowey and Ranking 
Member Granger.
  I support this supplemental. It is very necessary. The destruction in 
Puerto Rico from Hurricane Maria and the terrible earthquake last 
month, with its ongoing aftershocks, make this relief more necessary 
than ever.
  I am thankful that legislation I proposed, H.R. 3307, to provide a 
Federal supplement to the earned income tax credit in Puerto Rico and 
the other U.S. territories, was included in the bill.
  Unlike Americans in every other State, working Puerto Rican taxpayers 
are excluded from the Federal EITC to supplement their incomes. This is 
a deeply unfair restriction. It has tied the commonwealth's hands at 
the worst possible time as islanders are recovering from disaster and 
facing high unemployment and dreadful levels of poverty.
  The EITC has repeatedly proven a critical tool to alleviating 
poverty, improving health outcomes, and encouraging labor 
participation. Why shouldn't our fellow Americans in Puerto Rico--and 
they are our fellow Americans--be able to earn the same benefit?
  With this Federal support, we can provide a very powerful tool for 
Puerto Ricans to get back on their feet and get a leg up. They deserve 
that help.
  Madam Chair, I ask that we support this legislation.
  Ms. GRANGER. Madam Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mrs. LOWEY. Madam Chair, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from 
New York (Ms. Velazquez), the distinguished chairwoman of the Committee 
on Small Business, who has been an eloquent, persistent speaker in 
favor of this aid because she understands that her homeland, where 
family still resides, needs this money now, and we have an obligation 
to provide it now.
  Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Madam Chair, I thank Chairwoman Lowey and all the 
members of the Appropriations Committee for working diligently to bring 
this bill to the floor and for recognizing our moral and legal 
obligation of this Congress.
  Puerto Rico, an island invaded by the United States Armed Forces, a 
colony--it is our responsibility to take care of our fellow American 
citizens.
  Don't come here and say that we have been there for Puerto Rico.
  Yes, we passed a disaster relief package. And this administration has 
done everything within their power to withhold the money flowing to 
Puerto Rico.
  Don't come here and say that you have been there for Puerto Rico. 
Don't tell that to the parents of a 13-year-old girl who died in 
Vieques because they lack a functional hospital while FEMA has been 
withholding their money.
  Just this past Tuesday, Puerto Rico got hit by another 5.0 
aftershock. This is one out of more than 3,000 that have stricken the 
island since December 2019. In fact, the USGS has estimated that 
aftershocks from the 6.4 January earthquake will persist in Puerto Rico 
for years, if not decades.
  Imagine, decades of feeling the ground under you shaking, never 
knowing when or just how bad it will be on any given day.
  More than 1,150 houses are destroyed, while another 3,000 homes have 
suffered some structural damage. Such devastation has left over 4,000 
people living in tent shelters, with many more families at risk of 
losing their homes.
  The CHAIR. The time of the gentlewoman has expired.
  Mrs. LOWEY. Madam Chair, I yield an addition 1 minute to the 
gentlewoman.
  Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Madam Chair, I thank the chairwoman for yielding.
  Not only are 194,000 children still out of school, countless more 
live in fear after they have seen their homes destroyed and loved ones 
battle the anxiety and mental health battles common after natural 
disasters.
  Finally, let me address this administration's recent comments on this 
bill. Once again, they are misleading the American people about how 
much money has been spent to aid Puerto Rico. They are using these 
false numbers as a pretext to oppose assistance following the 
earthquake.
  Let me just say, and let me be clear, we will not be deterred. The 
1.3 million Puerto Ricans who live in Florida will not be deterred. The 
thousands and hundreds of thousands who live in Ohio, Pennsylvania, New 
Jersey, New York, and in every part of this country will not 
be deterred.

  We will pass this bill.
  Ms. GRANGER. Madam Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mrs. LOWEY. Madam Chair, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from 
Arizona (Mr. Grijalva), the chairman of the Committee on Natural 
Resources.
  Mr. GRIJALVA. Madam Chair, let me thank Chair Lowey and the Speaker 
for responding with urgency in bringing this legislation that I 
support, H.R. 5687, to the floor to help the families of Puerto Rico 
who are enduring, once again, another natural disaster.
  Beginning on December 28, seismic activity began in Puerto Rico and 
continued to escalate, including a 6.4 earthquake. These quakes and 
ongoing quakes have destroyed homes, infrastructure, affected power 
generation, and triggered blackouts across the island.
  Close to 7,500 people have left their homes out of fear that they may 
collapse, seeking shelter wherever they can find it.
  Staff from the Natural Resources Committee investigated the damage 
caused by the earthquakes on the southern coast of Puerto Rico. In a 
committee report, we recommended high-priority actions, including 
emergency funding, which H.R. 5687 represents.

[[Page H945]]

  The administration's recent statement opposing H.R. 5687 shows total 
disdain for the people of Puerto Rico. President Trump continues to lie 
to the American people about the amount of Federal funding spent to 
address natural disasters on the island.
  The President and his administration have a responsibility to ensure 
the people of Puerto Rico are treated as full Americans and not 
colonized subjects. I hope that, at the National Prayer Breakfast, 
there was some echo of understanding regarding the teachings of the 
Good Samaritan, the compassion that we must have for other people, and 
that those will motivate the House today to pass this bill and move it 
forward. The disaster recovery funds that have been appropriated for 
Puerto Rico need to be disbursed.
  The people of Puerto Rico deserve much more. Our fellow Americans on 
the island deserve to be treated as we have treated all Americans, from 
Katrina to Sandy, with the same concern, the same support.
  Madam Chair, I urge passage of the legislation.
  The CHAIR. Members are reminded to refrain from engaging in 
personalities toward the President.
  Ms. GRANGER. Madam Chair, I yield as much time as he may consume to 
the gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. Rice), a member of the Ways and 
Means Committee.
  Mr. RICE of South Carolina. Madam Chair, I am not here to cast 
aspersions on disaster relief. I live in a coastal area in South 
Carolina that has been hit by three storms in the last 5 years: 
Joaquin, then Matthew, then Florence.
  I was a tax lawyer before I got here. I didn't know that much about 
disaster relief, and, unfortunately, I have had to learn way more than 
I ever wanted to. But one thing that concerns me, and concerns me 
greatly, is the haphazard way in which disaster relief is granted.
  And just to understand the order of magnitude that we are talking 
about here in relief for Puerto Rico, the request of the Governor in 
Puerto Rico amounts to, just for the two hurricanes--I don't even know 
what it is for the earthquake; I don't know if they have made an 
official request yet--but for the two hurricanes, Maria and the other 
one, amounts to $94 billion. They have been awarded $39 billion, 
allocated or announced, and they have received, obligated, $20 billion.
  Now, there were 476,000 applicants approved by FEMA in Puerto Rico. 
So, if you look at the amount that the Governor requested, $94 billion, 
that amounts to $200,000 per FEMA applicant, $200,000, roughly. The 
amount that has been allocated or announced, $40 billion, divided out, 
it is just under $100,000 per FEMA applicant. And then the amount that 
has actually been paid works out to--and I have got that exact number 
here--$41,816 per FEMA applicant for these two storms.
  And there is, remaining, a tremendous amount of money that has 
already been allocated that hasn't been paid out yet. And there was 
disaster money that was made available in the appropriations bill in 
December for storms that occurred last year plus any storms that 
occurred within 60 days thereafter, and so these earthquakes are also 
allowed to access that money.
  So I don't know that we really need to be rushing in to allocate 
another $5 billion in aid when there is so much money that is already 
available to be used for this disaster. I hesitate to do this, but I 
want to point this out just to show you the order of magnitude.
  After Hurricane Florence, the Governor of South Carolina requested $1 
billion. Puerto Rico has requested $94 billion.
  The most affected counties in my district were Marion, Dillon, 
Marlboro, and Chesterfield. Marion, Dillon, and Marlboro are three of 
the poorest counties in the State. Marion County is 57 percent African 
American; Dillon County is 51 percent African American; and Marlboro 
County is 51 percent African American. The average number of people in 
poverty is 30 percent. The average household income is around $30,000--
just so you know the quality of life of these folks.
  There were 14,000 houses flooded, water inside the house. Five 
thousand of those, for some reason, were approved by FEMA. Even though 
they excluded two-thirds of the people who were damaged in this storm, 
we were still only awarded $14,000 per FEMA applicant.
  Puerto Rico, right now, stands at $41,816 per FEMA applicant before 
this $5 billion that they are talking about adding in here--and keeping 
in mind that we already did an appropriations bill in December for 
disaster allocation for last year that this earthquake is already 
allowed to access.

                              {time}  1000

  So that is what I wanted to say about the disaster, the total amounts 
that are asked to be allocated here. But I want to talk also a little 
bit about these tax benefits.
  In addition to the $4.7 billion in additional money that is being 
asked to be allocated here, over the $40 billion that has already been 
allocated, there are several tax provisions in this bill that have 
never been considered by the Ways and Means Committee. Tax bills should 
arise in the Ways and Means Committee. Tax bills should be debated 
thoroughly.
  I have heard over and over again, you shouldn't legislate an 
appropriations bill. This appropriations bill, this disaster bill, 
contains a number of very significant changes to the Tax Code. Now, 
some of these were a part of a bigger bill that was marked up with no 
debate and with no hearings 6 months ago or a year ago, but they have 
never been debated. There has never been a hearing on any of this in 
the Ways and Means Committee.
  The two biggest things are, we are extending here to residents of 
Puerto Rico, the child tax credit as it exists under the United States 
Tax Code and the earned income tax credit. Now, people don't know what 
that means. But, basically, that amounts to about $4,400 per family. 
And that is not a one-time thing like this disaster allocation is. That 
is forever. It goes on forever.
  The really interesting thing about extending this credit to residents 
of Puerto Rico, is that residents of Puerto Rico don't pay U.S. income 
tax. They don't file U.S. income tax returns unless they work for the 
U.S. Government, or unless their income comes from outside Puerto Rico, 
which is a small number of people. They don't pay U.S. income tax.
  So what we are talking about doing here is the U.S. Treasury will pay 
the child tax credit and the earned income tax credit to residents of 
Puerto Rico, credits against tax they don't owe and will never owe 
because they simply don't pay income tax.
  What this is, is a basically $400 a month entitlement forever to the 
residents of Puerto Rico and it makes no sense. It is not related to 
the disaster in any way. It is simply a pork barrel earmark is what it 
is that lasts forever going to Puerto Rico. Those are the big things: 
the earned income tax credit and the child tax credit. But let me go 
further.
  In addition, this bill would provide New Markets Tax Credits of $500 
million to Puerto Rico. Now, the New Markets Tax Credit is a wonderful 
thing. Again, it is something under the United States Tax Code. Puerto 
Ricans don't pay taxes under the United States Tax Code, but this would 
extend that credit. I guess, if people invest in Puerto Rico, they 
would get a credit on their U.S. tax return, $500 million.
  Just to put that in perspective, it is designed to get people to 
invest in rundown areas, in needy areas, and it is a good thing. But 
last year, the total amount for the whole country that we allocated, 
that we made available for the whole country, was $3.5 billion. This 
would give $500 million of that to Puerto Rico which would amount to 
one-seventh of what was granted to the entire country last year. $500 
million.
  I just want to step back and just look at and consider carefully 
these tax provisions, in particular, before we move forward with them. 
In my opinion, again, they are not related to the disaster in any way. 
They are simply a method of creating a new entitlement in Puerto Rico, 
credits against U.S. tax for people who pay no U.S. tax.
  But if we are going to do this, certainly, it should be debated fully 
on this floor, and, certainly, before it ever gets to this floor, it 
should be debated fully in every committee--particularly, the Ways and 
Means Committee--which has any possible jurisdiction.
  So let me go back and end where I started. And that is, that I am not 
here to cast aspersions on disaster relief. My poor rural counties in 
South Carolina have been terribly affected, have

[[Page H946]]

requested disaster relief, and have received disaster relief. Now they 
have received far less than we are talking about here in Puerto Rico.
  Probably, if you looked at all of this, maybe a sixth of what my poor 
families, my poor African American families, who had nothing to begin 
with--right in Marion County and Dillon County and Marlboro County--are 
receiving about a third of what the people in Puerto Rico are going to 
receive with this disaster bill.
  We really need to consider the order of magnitude, number one, and 
when I say these numbers, I am not even counting these tax credits. 
These tax credits need to be pulled out of this bill and they need to 
be fully debated.
  Mrs. LOWEY. Madam Chair, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I 
would like to remind the gentleman from South Carolina, who is on his 
way out, that this bill has $25.7 million for South Carolina to deal 
with the destruction and the needs.
  I would also urge the gentleman, because he did give a thoughtful 
analysis, to perhaps visit Puerto Rico as many of us have. See the 
tarps on the homes, people without roofs, kids that are not in school, 
homes that don't have water, and don't have heat.
  I would be happy to work with the gentleman to analyze, visit Puerto 
Rico, see the needs, and I am happy to come to South Carolina if there 
are unmet needs that have not been provided for. We are happy to work 
together. But again, in this bill, there is $25.7 million for South 
Carolina.
  Madam Chairwoman, I am pleased to yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman 
from the Virgin Islands (Ms. Plaskett).
  Ms. PLASKETT. Madam Chair, I thank the gentlewoman for the time.
  I was actually going to discuss some of the issues and specifics that 
were in the bill, this incredible bill that is so helpful, but I think 
the last comments caused me to have to take pause.
  First of all, I don't know why we have to single out African 
Americans in South Carolina, as if they are in more need than anybody 
else for funding or for underfunding when they are more affected by 
disasters. But the reason that these things are happening in the 
territories is because of the underfunding of this body to the 
territories in ways that do not happen in States throughout this 
country.

  There is no cap on Medicaid in South Carolina. There is no arbitrary 
amount of percentage that the Federal Government is paying as opposed 
to a local government is paying in South Carolina like there is in 
Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands where Congress arbitrarily said: We 
will only pay 55 percent. You pay 45 percent, based on a number that 
has nothing to do with your population or its demographics.
  There is no cap on highways and us being removed from Federal 
formulas that the rest of the States have. So when we have a disaster, 
yes, we need more money because we have underfunding and our 
infrastructure is a lot more fragile than the rest of this country 
because this body hasn't done its job.
  The gentleman talks about taxes. Why doesn't the Virgin Islands pay 
taxes in the same way? Because almost 100 years ago, when we asked this 
government to be treated in the same way as the others, this government 
said: You know what, we will let you keep your Federal taxes and then 
we won't have to give you the same amounts of money that we give the 
rest of the States, when, in fact, at that time, maybe 100 people met 
the criteria of income to pay Federal taxes.
  So it is a sham and it is an okeydoke what this country did to the 
rest of us. And then everyone wants to hold us to the same standards 
and make sure that we are not supposed to get money the same way. It is 
just ridiculous.
  I think this is an incredible bill. I think it is long overdue. This 
does not even put us on the same footing as the States in terms of what 
should happen, and I urge all of my colleagues to support it.
  Ms. GRANGER. Madam Chair, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from 
Louisiana (Mr. Graves).
  Mr. GRAVES of Louisiana. Madam Chair, I want to thank the gentlewoman 
from Texas for yielding me the time.
  Madam Chair, we are in a situation where we absolutely have needs in 
terms of disaster victims, whether it is Puerto Rico, the Virgin 
Islands, Texas, South Carolina, North Carolina, Louisiana, and other 
States that have been impacted by disasters.
  We have had hundreds of billions of dollars in damages in those 
States in just the last 4 years. It is extraordinary. I had the chance 
to travel to many of those States and territories to see firsthand the 
impacts, and I wanted to be very clear. Virtually what everyone said on 
both sides of the aisle, they are right in terms of what the disaster 
victims are going through.
  But I do not agree in what folks are prescribing the strategy to be. 
We don't need to stand here and see who can out-Puerto Rico the other. 
It is not a money problem. I have been through this with millions and 
millions of people. We have policy problems. There are literally tens 
of billions of dollars in the bank today that we are unable to get to 
disaster victims.
  Dumping more money on top of the existing more than $40 billion in 
the Disaster Relief Fund, and the billions and billions of dollars 
available today for Puerto Rico under the Community Development Block 
Grant Disaster Recovery Program, that doesn't solve the problem.
  There is an amendment coming up later today by our Members from Texas 
to put more money into a fund because some of the agencies have had 
trouble even getting law changes interpreted out.
  This isn't the solution. I want to thank everybody for coming here 
and trying to solve the problem for disaster victims. But when you 
investigate this, I assure you, every single one of you will come back 
and understand that this is a capacity problem. Getting the bureaucracy 
in both the territories, the States, and also at the Federal level, 
getting the dollars to the disaster victims, that is why we are having 
problems today.
  I want to say this again. There are tens of billions of dollars 
available. President Trump approved individual and public assistance 
for disaster victims of the earthquakes in Puerto Rico. We have got to 
make sure that the money is actually getting to the right people.
  Dumping additional money on top of the tens of billions of dollars 
doesn't solve the problem. We need to focus on real solutions and not 
stand here and practice politics with one another.
  I urge rejection to this bill. Let's take a step back and fix the 
policy problems.
  Mrs. LOWEY. Madam Chair, I am pleased to yield 1 minute to the 
gentlewoman from New York (Mrs. Carolyn B. Maloney), chairwoman of the 
Committee on Oversight and Reform.
  Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY of New York. Madam Chair, I rise in strong 
support of H.R. 5687. When Hurricane Maria hit Puerto Rico, its entire 
electrical grid was destroyed and millions of its citizens were without 
power. It took years to rebuild a lot of that infrastructure and just 
when it was getting repaired, it was struck by another natural 
disaster, another huge earthquake on January 7. That led to yet another 
round of power outages and even more suffering and deaths in Puerto 
Rico.
  This bill will provide desperately needed disaster relief that will 
allow the island to rebuild its infrastructure and revitalize its 
economy. Puerto Rico is home to 3.2 million U.S. citizens, and when 
disaster strikes, Congress has a duty to step up and provide all the 
support our fellow Americans need.
  I want to thank Chairwomen Velazquez and Lowey for their passionate 
work on this bill and their help for Puerto Rico. I urge a ``yes'' vote 
on this bill. It is desperately needed.
  Ms. GRANGER. Madam Chair, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from 
Puerto Rico (Miss Gonzalez-Colon).
  Miss GONZALEZ-COLON of Puerto Rico. Madam Chairwoman, I thank the 
ranking member for yielding again.
  I think we have not understood the magnitude of this event. Yes, we 
do have $40 billion in approved funds for Puerto Rico, but of that, 
just $1.5 billion has been disbursed to the island. The rest of the 
funds go through a different process.
  Actually, in February of last year, there was the publication of the 
guidelines to access $8.7 billion. Of that, just 1.7 got a grant 
agreement in January of

[[Page H947]]

this year. So, again, in order to get the funds, it will be several 
months before we have it.

                              {time}  1015

  That is the reason one of the concerns is that FEMA is getting the 
emergency disaster individual assistance as we speak, the same thing as 
the other Federal agencies that are doing the job on the ground.
  But at the same time, we did have a power plant on the island that is 
completely shut down, so we lost the power for a few days. Right now, 
we don't have 500 megawatts reserved. Actually, if we do have another 
earthquake or any other replicas, we may run out, again, of power 
because our power plants were affected as well.
  I do believe that roads and pipelines were affected. Government 
buildings were affected as well. We haven't seen yet the amount of 
destruction.
  Again, you will see a lot of Puerto Ricans leaving the island. It is 
happening already. It happened with Hurricane Maria. They flew to 
Florida. We are depleting, basically, our island because of these kinds 
of things.
  Yes, we do need the money. We do need to help our people in this 
stress. The tax provisions are good in this bill. Let me say, they are 
not an invention from me. This House and Senate did a report in 2016 
recommending the child tax credit, the earned income tax credit, and 
many other amendments that treat Puerto Rico and the territories 
differently. That is the reason we don't have enough resources to face 
a lot of these challenges.
  Mrs. LOWEY. Madam Chair, I yield 1 minute to the distinguished 
gentlewoman from New York (Ms. Ocasio-Cortez).
  Ms. OCASIO-CORTEZ. Madam Chair, I thank the chairwoman for the 
generous introduction and time on this bill.
  Madam Chair, the fact of the matter is that innocent children, 
families, and the elderly in Puerto Rico are dying. They are breathing 
poisoned air, and they are now enduring the psychological trauma of 
ongoing earthquakes.
  My own grandmother is oxygen dependent, and every day when the Earth 
shakes below her, we don't know if she will have the power to continue 
her equipment that is medically necessary.
  While everyone here is arguing over money and over the administration 
of a colonial state, we have to take a look at the actual reality on 
the ground. Ninety-five percent of schools in Puerto Rico are not up to 
code. They are leaving thousands of Puerto Rican children vulnerable to 
the effects of natural disasters. Many have lost all their belongings, 
and many more live with psychological trauma.
  But this administration is not releasing any of these funds that are 
supposed to be duly allocated for recovery. For that, we have to make 
sure that we support this bill, and I strongly support H.R. 5687.
  Ms. GRANGER. Madam Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mrs. LOWEY. Madam Chair, I yield 1 minute to the distinguished 
gentleman from the Northern Mariana Islands (Mr. Sablan).
  Mr. SABLAN. Madam Chair, I thank the chairwoman for yielding.
  Madam Chair, I cannot imagine. I come from a district where we are 
the typhoon alley. A little over a year ago, the second largest storm 
since 1935 that hit the United States hit my island, and that was 
subsequent to another typhoon that hit my island just a year before 
that.
  But for Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, for Puerto Rico in 
particular, two major storms hit the islands, and before the people 
even had a chance to truly get their lives back in order, earthquakes. 
Those homes that were not destroyed by the storms are now destroyed by 
the earthquakes.
  Madam Chair, in a previous administration, I was a Special Assistant 
for Management and Budget, and we did an analysis of what it would be 
like to apply the U.S. Internal Revenue Code fully to the Marianas. We 
would lose more money if we change Federal taxes than if we don't. So I 
support the bill, and I ask for its passage.
  Ms. GRANGER. Madam Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mrs. LOWEY. Madam Chair, I yield myself the balance of my time to 
close.
  Madam Chair, this emergency supplemental is critical to help Puerto 
Rico get back on its feet and build a better future.
  In a demonstration of unprecedented hostility to Puerto Ricans, 
President Trump has turned his back on the island. This Congress must 
not do the same.
  With this legislation, Madam Chair, we can feed the hungry, repair 
damage, rebuild roads, restart schools, and keep the lights on.
  Madam Chair, I urge my colleagues to vote for this critical 
assistance. It is absolutely essential. I do wish more of my colleagues 
had visited the island, seen the tarps on the homes instead of roofs, 
tried to get back through those roads that are so slushy, walking 
through, driving through, and talking to the people. It is essential 
that we pass this critical assistance.
  Madam Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The CHAIR. All time for general debate has expired.
  Pursuant to the rule, the bill shall be considered for amendment 
under the 
5-minute rule and shall be considered as read.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                               H.R. 5687

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,


                              short title

       Section 1.  This Act may be cited as the ``Emergency 
     Supplemental Appropriations for Disaster Relief and Puerto 
     Rico Disaster Tax Relief Act, 2020''.


                           table of contents

       Sec. 2.  The table of contents of this Act is as follows:

 DIVISION A--EMERGENCY SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATIONS FOR DISASTER RELIEF 
                               ACT, 2020

        DIVISION B--PUERTO RICO DISASTER TAX RELIEF ACT OF 2020

                     DIVISION C--BUDGETARY EFFECTS


                               references

       Sec. 3.  Except as expressly provided otherwise, any 
     reference to ``this Act'' contained in any division of this 
     Act shall be treated as referring only to the provisions of 
     that division.

 DIVISION A--EMERGENCY SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATIONS FOR DISASTER RELIEF 
                               ACT, 2020

        That the following sums are appropriated, out of any money 
     in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, for the fiscal 
     year ending September 30, 2020, and for other purposes, 
     namely:

                                TITLE I

                          DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

                            Energy Programs

         cybersecurity, energy security, and emergency response

       For an additional amount for ``Cybersecurity, Energy 
     Security, and Emergency Response'', $6,750,000, to remain 
     available until expended, for necessary expenses related to 
     providing technical assistance related to natural disasters 
     in U.S. territories, including technical assistance related 
     to electric grids:  Provided, That such amount is designated 
     by the Congress as being for an emergency requirement 
     pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Balanced Budget 
     and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985.

                              electricity

       For an additional amount for ``Electricity'', $15,000,000, 
     to remain available until expended, for necessary expenses 
     related to providing technical assistance related to natural 
     disasters in U.S. territories, including technical assistance 
     related to electric grids:  Provided, That such amount is 
     designated by the Congress as being for an emergency 
     requirement pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A)(i) of the 
     Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985.

                                TITLE II

                        DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

                      Hurricane Education Recovery

                     (including transfer of funds)

       For an additional amount for ``Hurricane Education 
     Recovery'' for necessary expenses related to the consequences 
     of earthquakes occurring in calendar years 2019 and 2020 as 
     of the date of enactment of this Act in those areas for which 
     a major disaster or emergency has been declared under section 
     401 or 501 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and 
     Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5170 and 5191) (referred 
     to under this heading as ``covered disaster or emergency''), 
     $100,000,000, to remain available through September 30, 2022, 
     for assisting in meeting the educational needs of individuals 
     affected by a covered disaster or emergency:  Provided, That 
     such assistance shall be provided through any of the programs 
     authorized under this heading in title VIII of subdivision 1 
     of division B of the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018 (Public 
     Law 115-123; 132 Stat. 95), as amended by section 201 of this 
     Act, as determined by the Secretary of Education, and subject 
     to the terms and conditions that applied to those programs, 
     except that references to dates and school years in such Act 
     shall be deemed to be the corresponding dates and school 
     years for the covered disaster or emergency:  Provided 
     further, That

[[Page H948]]

     the Secretary of Education may determine the amounts to be 
     used for each such program and shall notify the Committees on 
     Appropriations of the House of Representatives and the Senate 
     of these amounts not later than 7 days prior to obligation:  
     Provided further, That $1,000,000 of the funds made available 
     under this heading, to remain available until expended, shall 
     be transferred to the Office of the Inspector General of the 
     Department of Education for oversight of activities supported 
     with funds appropriated under this heading, and up to 
     $500,000 of the funds made available under this heading shall 
     be for program administration:  Provided further, That such 
     amount is designated by the Congress as being for an 
     emergency requirement pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A)(i) of 
     the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 
     1985.

                     General Provisions--This Title

       Sec. 201. (a) The second proviso under the heading 
     ``Department of Education--Hurricane Education Recovery'' 
     under title VIII of subdivision 1 of division B of the 
     Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018 (Public Law 115-123; 132 Stat. 
     95) is amended--
       (1) in paragraph (2)--
       (A) in subparagraph (I), by striking ``and'' after the 
     semicolon;
       (B) in subparagraph (J) by inserting ``and'' at the end; 
     and
       (C) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(K) assistance provided to an eligible entity under 
     paragraph (1)(A) that was affected by Hurricane Maria or 
     earthquakes occurring in calendar years 2019 and 2020 as of 
     the date of enactment of the `Emergency Supplemental 
     Appropriations for Disaster Relief Act, 2020', to assist with 
     restarting school operations, including assistance provided 
     to an eligible entity before the date of enactment of the 
     `Emergency Supplemental Appropriations for Disaster Relief 
     Act, 2020', may be used by the eligible entity to pay the 
     non-Federal share of a project described in section 406 of 
     the Robert T. Stafford Disaster and Relief Emergency Act (42 
     U.S.C. 5172), notwithstanding section 102(e)(3)(A) of title 
     IV of division B of Public Law 109-148 (119 Stat. 2794);'';
       (2) in paragraph (9), by striking ``and'' after the 
     semicolon;
       (3) by redesignating paragraph (10) as paragraph (11); and
       (4) by inserting after paragraph (9) the following:
       ``(10) if the amount available under paragraph (3) is 
     insufficient to meet the need for such assistance as 
     demonstrated by applications submitted by eligible entities, 
     the Secretary may use additional funds available under this 
     heading to fully fund approved applications; and''.
       (b) Amounts repurposed pursuant to the amendments made by 
     subsection (a) that were previously designated by the 
     Congress as an emergency requirement pursuant to the Balanced 
     Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 are 
     designated by the Congress as being for an emergency 
     requirement pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A)(i) of the 
     Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985.
       Sec. 202. (a) Amounts previously made available for 
     activities authorized under ``Department of Education--
     Hurricane Education Recovery'' in title VIII of subdivision 1 
     of division B of the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018 (Public 
     Law 115-123; 132 Stat. 95) may be used to address unmet 
     needs, as determined by the Secretary, for that heading in 
     this Act and in the Additional Supplemental Appropriations 
     for Disaster Relief Act, 2019 (Public Law 116-20; 133 Stat. 
     890). In addition, any funds provided under the heading 
     ``Department of Education--Hurricane Education Recovery'' in 
     this Act that are allocated in response to a covered disaster 
     or emergency may be used interchangeably and without 
     limitation for the same activities related to Hurricanes 
     Maria and Irma.
       (b) Amounts repurposed pursuant to this section that were 
     previously designated by the Congress, respectively, as an 
     emergency requirement or as being for disaster relief 
     pursuant to the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control 
     Act are designated by the Congress as being for an emergency 
     requirement pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A)(i) of the 
     Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 or 
     as being for disaster relief pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(D) 
     of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 
     1985.
       Sec. 203.  Not later than 30 days after the date of 
     enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Education shall 
     provide a detailed spend plan of anticipated uses of funds 
     made available in this title, including estimated personnel 
     and administrative costs, to the Committees on Appropriations 
     of the House of Representatives and the Senate:  Provided, 
     That such plan shall be updated and submitted to the 
     Committees on Appropriations of the House of Representatives 
     and the Senate every 60 days until all funds are expended or 
     expire.
       Sec. 204.  Section 392 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 
     (20 U.S.C. 1068a) is amended by adding at the end the 
     following:
       ``(d) Waiver Authority With Respect to Institutions Located 
     in an Area Affected by Hurricane Maria.--
       ``(1) Waiver authority.--Notwithstanding any other 
     provision of law, unless enacted with specific reference to 
     this section, for any affected institution that was receiving 
     assistance under this title at the time of a covered 
     hurricane disaster, the Secretary shall, for each of the 
     fiscal years 2020 through 2022 (and may, for each of the 
     fiscal years 2023 and 2024)--
       ``(A) waive--
       ``(i) the eligibility data requirements set forth in 
     section 391(d);
       ``(ii) the wait-out period set forth in section 313(d);
       ``(iii) the allotment requirements under section 324; and
       ``(iv) the use of the funding formula developed pursuant to 
     section 326(f)(3);
       ``(B) waive or modify any statutory or regulatory provision 
     to ensure that affected institutions that were receiving 
     assistance under this title at the time of a covered 
     hurricane disaster are not adversely affected by any formula 
     calculation for fiscal year 2020 or for any of the four 
     succeeding fiscal years, as necessary; and
       ``(C) make available to each affected institution an amount 
     that is not less than the amount made available to such 
     institution under this title for fiscal year 2017, except 
     that for any fiscal year for which the funds appropriated for 
     payments under this title are less than the appropriated 
     level for fiscal year 2017, the amount made available to such 
     institutions shall be ratably reduced among the institutions 
     receiving funds under this title.
       ``(2) Definitions.--In this subsection:
       ``(A) Affected institution.--The term `affected 
     institution' means an institution of higher education that--
       ``(i) is--

       ``(I) a part A institution (which term shall have the 
     meaning given the term `eligible institution' under section 
     312(b)); or
       ``(II) a part B institution, as such term is defined in 
     section 322(2), or as identified in section 326(e);

       ``(ii) is located in a covered area affected by a hurricane 
     disaster; and
       ``(iii) is able to demonstrate that, as a result of the 
     impact of a covered hurricane disaster, the institution--

       ``(I) incurred physical damage;
       ``(II) has pursued collateral source compensation from 
     insurance, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and the 
     Small Business Administration, as appropriate; and
       ``(III) was not able to fully reopen in existing facilities 
     or to fully reopen to the pre-hurricane enrollment levels 
     during the 30-day period beginning on September 7, 2017.

       ``(B) Covered area affected by a hurricane disaster.--The 
     term `covered area affected by a hurricane disaster' means an 
     area for which the President declared a major disaster under 
     section 401 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and 
     Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5170) as a result of 
     Hurricane Maria.
       ``(C) Covered hurricane disaster.--The term `covered 
     hurricane disaster' means a major disaster that the President 
     declared to exist, in accordance with section 401 of the 
     Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance 
     Act (42 U.S.C. 5170), and that was caused by Hurricane Maria 
     or Hurricane Irma.''.

                               TITLE III

                      DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

                     Federal Highway Administration

                        emergency relief program

       For an additional amount for the Emergency Relief Program 
     as authorized under section 125 of title 23, United States 
     Code, $1,250,000,000, to remain available until expended:  
     Provided, That such amount is designated by the Congress as 
     being for an emergency requirement pursuant to section 
     251(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit 
     Control Act of 1985.

              DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT

                   Community Planning and Development

                       community development fund

                     (including transfers of funds)

       For an additional amount for ``Community Development 
     Fund'', $2,000,000,000, to remain available until expended, 
     for necessary expenses for activities authorized under title 
     I of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 (42 
     U.S.C. 5301 et seq.) related to disaster relief, long-term 
     recovery, restoration of infrastructure and housing, economic 
     revitalization, and mitigation in the most impacted and 
     distressed areas resulting from an emergency declaration 
     relating to earthquakes that occurred in 2020 or a 
     declaration of a major disaster that occurred in 2020 
     pursuant to the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and 
     Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5121 et seq.):  Provided, 
     That funds shall be awarded directly to the State, unit of 
     general local government, or Indian tribe (as such term is 
     defined in section 102 of the Housing and Community 
     Development Act of 1974) at the discretion of the Secretary:  
     Provided further, That in determining the amount allocated 
     under this heading for any grantee, the Secretary shall 
     include an additional amount for mitigation that is not less 
     than 45 percent of the amount allocated for such grantee for 
     unmet needs:  Provided further, That the Secretary shall 
     allocate for grantees, based on the best available data, 
     funds provided for assistance under this heading no later 
     than 60 days after the date the disaster occurs, or the date 
     of enactment of this Act, whichever is later:  Provided 
     further, That the Secretary may extend the deadline in the 
     preceding proviso by an additional 30 days if the Secretary 
     jointly certifies with the Administrator of the Federal 
     Emergency Management Agency for each such extension, that the 
     Federal Emergency

[[Page H949]]

     Management Agency has not made sufficient information 
     available to the Secretary regarding relevant unmet recovery 
     needs to make allocations in accordance with such deadlines:  
     Provided further, That not later than 5 days after making any 
     such certification, the Secretary shall transmit to the 
     Committees on Appropriations of the House of Representatives 
     and the Senate, and publish in the Federal Register such 
     certification:  Provided further, That not later than 90 days 
     after the allocation of funds made to a grantee under this 
     heading and before the Secretary obligates any of such funds 
     for a grantee, the grantee shall submit a plan to the 
     Secretary for approval detailing the proposed use of all 
     funds, including criteria for eligibility and how the use of 
     these funds will address long-term recovery and restoration 
     of infrastructure and housing, economic revitalization, and 
     mitigation in the most impacted and distressed areas:  
     Provided further, That the Secretary shall approve or 
     disapprove such plan not later than 60 days after submission 
     of the plan to the Secretary, and shall immediately notify 
     the applicant of the Secretary's decision:  Provided further, 
     That if the Secretary disapproves a plan, not later than 3 
     days after such disapproval the Secretary shall inform the 
     applicant in writing of (A) the reasons for disapproval, and 
     (B) actions that the applicant could take to meet the 
     criteria for approval:  Provided further, That the Secretary 
     shall, for a period of not less than 45 days following the 
     date of disapproval, permit amendments to, or the 
     resubmission of, any plan that is disapproved:  Provided 
     further, That the Secretary shall approve or disapprove a 
     plan amendment not later than 30 days after receipt of such 
     amendments or resubmission:  Provided further, That the 
     Secretary shall ensure that all grant agreements necessary 
     for prompt disbursement of funds allocated to a grantee are 
     executed no later than 60 days after the date of approval of 
     a grantee's plan:  Provided further, That prior to making any 
     grant of funds provided under this heading the Secretary, (1) 
     must receive from the grantee information that allows the 
     Secretary to certify that such grantee has in place 
     proficient financial controls and procurement processes and 
     has established adequate procedures to prevent any 
     duplication of benefits as defined by section 312 of the 
     Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance 
     Act (42 U.S.C. 5155), to ensure timely expenditure of funds, 
     to maintain comprehensive websites regarding all disaster 
     recovery activities assisted with these funds, and to detect 
     and prevent waste, fraud, and abuse of funds, and (2) shall 
     certify in advance that such grantee has in place such 
     controls, processes and procedure:  Provided further, That 
     the Secretary shall not prohibit the use of funds made 
     available under this heading for non-Federal share as 
     authorized by section 105(a)(9) of the Housing and Community 
     Development Act of 1974 (42 U.S.C. 5305(a)(9)):  Provided 
     further, That with the amounts made available under this 
     heading, grantees may establish grant programs to assist 
     small businesses for working capital purposes to aid in 
     recovery:  Provided further, That with respect to any such 
     duplication of benefits, the Secretary shall act in 
     accordance with section 1210 of the Disaster Recovery Reform 
     Act of 2018 (division D of Public Law 115-254; 132 Stat. 
     3442) and section 312 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster 
     Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5155):  
     Provided further, That the Secretary shall require grantees 
     to maintain on a public website information containing common 
     reporting criteria established by the Department that permits 
     individuals and entities awaiting assistance and the general 
     public to see how all grant funds are used, including copies 
     of all relevant procurement documents, grantee administrative 
     contracts and details of ongoing procurement processes, as 
     determined by the Secretary:  Provided further, That such 
     funds may not be used for activities reimbursable by, or for 
     which funds have been made available by, the Federal 
     Emergency Management Agency or the Army Corps of Engineers:  
     Provided further, That funds allocated under this heading 
     shall not be considered relevant to the non-disaster formula 
     allocations made pursuant to section 106 of the Housing and 
     Community Development Act of 1974 (42 U.S.C. 5306):  Provided 
     further, That a State, unit of general local government, or 
     Indian tribe may use up to 5 percent of its allocation for 
     administrative costs:  Provided further, That in 
     administering the funds under this heading, the Secretary of 
     Housing and Urban Development may waive, or specify 
     alternative requirements for, any provision of any statute or 
     regulation that the Secretary administers in connection with 
     the obligation by the Secretary or the use by the recipient 
     of these funds (except for any requirements related to fair 
     housing, nondiscrimination, labor standards, the environment, 
     and any timelines specified under this heading), if the 
     Secretary finds that good cause exists for the waiver or 
     alternative requirement and such waiver or alternative 
     requirement would not be inconsistent with the overall 
     purpose of title I of the Housing and Community Development 
     Act of 1974:  Provided further, That, notwithstanding the 
     preceding proviso, recipients of funds provided under this 
     heading that use such funds to supplement Federal assistance 
     provided under section 402, 403, 404, 406, 407, 408(c)(4), or 
     502 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency 
     Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5121 et seq.) may adopt, without 
     review or public comment, any environmental review, approval, 
     or permit performed by a Federal agency, and such adoption 
     shall satisfy the responsibilities of the recipient with 
     respect to such environmental review, approval or permit:  
     Provided further, That, notwithstanding section 104(g)(2) of 
     the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 (42 U.S.C. 
     5304(g)(2)), the Secretary may, upon receipt of a request for 
     release of funds and certification, immediately approve the 
     release of funds for an activity or project assisted under 
     this heading if the recipient has adopted an environmental 
     review, approval or permit under the preceding proviso or the 
     activity or project is categorically excluded from review 
     under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 
     U.S.C. 4321 et seq.):  Provided further, That the Secretary 
     shall publish via notice in the Federal Register any waiver, 
     or alternative requirement, to any statute or regulation that 
     the Secretary administers pursuant to title I of the Housing 
     and Community Development Act of 1974 no later than 5 days 
     before the effective date of such waiver or alternative 
     requirement:  Provided further, That of the amounts made 
     available under this heading, up to $5,000,000 shall be made 
     available for capacity building and technical assistance, 
     including assistance on contracting and procurement 
     processes, to support States, units of general local 
     government, or Indian tribes (and their subrecipients) that 
     receive allocations pursuant to this heading, or may receive 
     similar allocations for disaster recovery in future 
     appropriations Acts:  Provided further, That of the amounts 
     made available under this heading, up to $2,500,000 shall be 
     transferred, in aggregate, to ``Department of Housing and 
     Urban Development--Program Office Salaries and Expenses--
     Community Planning and Development'' for necessary costs, 
     including information technology costs, of administering and 
     overseeing the obligation and expenditure of amounts under 
     this heading:  Provided further, That the amount specified in 
     the preceding proviso shall be combined with funds 
     appropriated under the same heading in prior appropriations 
     Acts without limitation:  Provided further, That the 
     Secretary shall transmit each certification made under the 
     authorities provided in this Act to the Committees on 
     Appropriations of the House of Representatives and the Senate 
     no later than 3 days after making any such certification:  
     Provided further, That such amount is designated by the 
     Congress as being for an emergency requirement pursuant to 
     section 251(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency 
     Deficit Control Act of 1985:  Provided further, That amounts 
     repurposed under this heading that were previously designated 
     by the Congress as an emergency requirement pursuant to the 
     Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act are 
     designated by the Congress as an emergency requirement 
     pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Balanced Budget 
     and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985.

                     GENERAL PROVISIONS--THIS TITLE

       Sec. 301.  For an additional amount for ``Department of 
     Housing and Urban Development--Community Planning and 
     Development--Community Development Fund'', $1,260,000,000, to 
     remain available until expended, which amounts shall be 
     allocated and used under the same authority and conditions as 
     the additional appropriations under the heading ``Department 
     of Housing and Urban Development--Community Planning and 
     Development--Community Development Fund'' of title XI of the 
     Additional Supplemental Appropriations for Disaster Relief 
     Act, 2019 (Public Law 116-20; 133 Stat. 896):  Provided, That 
     not less than $1,530,000,000 of the funds made available in 
     this section and under the heading ``Department of Housing 
     and Urban Development--Community Planning and Development--
     Community Development Fund'' of title XI of the Additional 
     Supplemental Appropriations for Disaster Relief Act, 2019 
     (Public Law 116-20) shall be allocated to grantees, no later 
     than 60 days after the date of enactment of this Act, for 
     mitigation activities in the most impacted and distressed 
     areas resulting from a major disaster that occurred in 2018 
     or 2019:  Provided further, That such allocations shall be 
     made in the same proportion that the amount of funds each 
     grantee received under this section, under the heading 
     ``Department of Housing and Urban Development--Community 
     Planning and Development--Community Development Fund'' of 
     title XI of the Additional Supplemental Appropriations for 
     Disaster Relief Act, 2019 (Public Law 116-20), and under the 
     same heading in division I of Public Law 115-254 bears to the 
     amount of all funds provided to all grantees that received 
     allocations for disasters that occurred in 2018 or 2019:  
     Provided further, That none of the funds made available under 
     this section or under the heading ``Department of Housing and 
     Urban Development--Community Planning and Development--
     Community Development Fund'' of title XI of the Additional 
     Supplemental Appropriations for Disaster Relief Act, 2019 
     (Public Law 116-20) may be used for any part of a major 
     disaster that was declared in 2020:  Provided further, That 
     in administering funds made available under this section and 
     title XI of the Additional Supplemental Appropriations for 
     Disaster Relief Act, 2019 (Public Law 116-20), the fourth 
     proviso under the heading ``Department of Housing and Urban 
     Development--Community Planning and Development--Community 
     Development Fund'' in Public Law 116-20 and the first proviso 
     of section 1102 of such Public Law shall have no force or 
     effect:  Provided further, That such

[[Page H950]]

     amount is designated by the Congress as being for an 
     emergency requirement pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A)(i) of 
     the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 
     1985:  Provided further, That amounts repurposed by this 
     section that were previously designated by the Congress as an 
     emergency requirement or as being for disaster relief 
     pursuant to the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control 
     Act are designated by the Congress as being for an emergency 
     requirement pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A)(i) of the 
     Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 or 
     as being for disaster relief pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(D) 
     of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 
     1985.
       Sec. 302. (a) Amounts previously made available for 
     activities authorized under title I of the Housing and 
     Community Development Act of 1974 (42 U.S.C. 5301 et seq.) 
     related to disaster relief, long-term recovery, restoration 
     of infrastructure and housing, economic revitalization, and 
     mitigation in the most impacted and distressed areas 
     resulting from a major disaster, including funds provided 
     under the heading ``Department of Housing and Urban 
     Development--Community Planning and Development--Community 
     Development Fund'' in prior appropriations Acts, that were 
     allocated in response to Hurricanes Irma and Maria, may be 
     used interchangeably and without limitation for the same 
     activities funded under the heading ``Department of Housing 
     and Urban Development--Community Planning and Development--
     Community Development Fund'' in this Act. In addition, any 
     funds provided under the heading ``Department of Housing and 
     Urban Development--Community Planning and Development--
     Community Development Fund'' in this Act may be used 
     interchangeably and without limitation for the same 
     activities in the most impacted and distressed areas related 
     to Hurricanes Irma and Maria.
       (b)(1) Until the date on which the Secretary of Housing and 
     Urban Development publishes a Federal Register Notice 
     implementing this provision--
       (A) grantees may submit for approval by the Secretary of 
     Housing and Urban Development revised plans for the use of 
     funds related to Hurricanes Irma and Maria that expand the 
     eligible beneficiaries of existing programs contained in such 
     previously approved plans to include those activities funded 
     under the heading ``Department of Housing and Urban 
     Development--Community Planning and Development--Community 
     Development Fund'' in this Act; and
       (B) approval of any such revised plans shall include the 
     execution of revised grant terms and conditions as necessary.
       (2) Beginning on the date of the publication of the 
     implementing Notice, any plan revisions shall follow the 
     requirements contained in such Notice.
       (c) Amounts repurposed by this section that were previously 
     designated by the Congress as an emergency requirement or as 
     being for disaster relief pursuant to the Balanced Budget and 
     Emergency Deficit Control Act are designated by the Congress 
     as being for an emergency requirement pursuant to section 
     251(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit 
     Control Act of 1985 or as being for disaster relief pursuant 
     to section 251(b)(2)(D) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency 
     Deficit Control Act of 1985.
       Sec. 303.  For funds appropriated under the heading 
     ``Department of Housing and Urban Development--Community 
     Planning and Development--Community Development Fund'' in 
     subdivision 1 of division B of the Bipartisan Budget Act of 
     2018 (Public Law 115-123) or the Additional Supplemental 
     Appropriations for Disaster Relief Act, 2019 (Public Law 116-
     20), the Secretary shall execute all grant agreements for 
     disbursement of funds allocated to a grantee no later than 60 
     days after the date of approval of a grantee's plan for the 
     use of funds:  Provided, That amounts repurposed by this 
     section that were previously designated as an emergency 
     requirement or as being for disaster relief pursuant to the 
     Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 are 
     designated by the Congress as being for an emergency 
     requirement pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A)(i) of the 
     Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 or 
     as being for disaster relief pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(D) 
     of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 
     1985.
       Sec. 304. (a) The Secretary of Housing and Urban 
     Development, the Secretary of Energy, the Administrator of 
     the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and other Federal 
     partners, shall complete the interagency consultation and 
     coordination of Federal investments necessary for the 
     Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to develop 
     administrative requirements for funds provided for enhanced 
     or improved electrical power systems under the heading 
     ``Department of Housing and Urban Development--Community 
     Planning and Development--Community Development Fund'' in 
     title XI of subdivision 1 of division B of the Bipartisan 
     Budget Act of 2018 (Public Law 115-123) no later than 30 days 
     after the date of enactment of this Act.
       (b) With respect to amounts made available for enhanced or 
     improved electrical power systems under the heading 
     ``Department of Housing and Urban Development--Community 
     Planning and Development--Community Development Fund'' in 
     title XI of subdivision 1 of division B of the Bipartisan 
     Budget Act of 2018 (Public Law 115-123), the Secretary of 
     Housing and Urban Development shall publish in the Federal 
     Register the allocations to all eligible grantees, and the 
     necessary administrative requirements applicable to such 
     allocations no later than 60 days after the date of enactment 
     of this Act.
       (c) Amounts repurposed pursuant to this section that were 
     previously designated by the Congress as an emergency 
     requirement or as being for disaster relief pursuant to the 
     Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 are 
     designated by the Congress as being for an emergency 
     requirement pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A)(i) of the 
     Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 or 
     as being for disaster relief pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(D) 
     of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 
     1985.

                 TITLE IV--GENERAL PROVISIONS--THIS ACT

       Sec. 401.  In addition to other amounts made available by 
     section 309 of division A of the Additional Supplemental 
     Appropriations for Disaster Relief Requirements Act, 2017 
     (Public Law 115-72; 131 Stat. 1229), and by section 104 of 
     title I of the Additional Supplemental Appropriations for 
     Disaster Relief Act, 2019 (Public Law 116-20; 133 Stat. 874), 
     there is appropriated to the Secretary, out of any moneys in 
     the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, for the fiscal year 
     ending September 30, 2020, $40,000,000 to provide a grant to 
     the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico for disaster nutrition 
     assistance in response to a major earthquake disaster or 
     emergency designated by the President under the Robert T. 
     Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 
     U.S.C. 5121 et seq.):  Provided, That the funds made 
     available to the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico under this 
     section shall remain available for obligation by the 
     Commonwealth until September 30, 2021, and shall be in 
     addition to funds otherwise made available:  Provided 
     further, That such amount is designated by the Congress as 
     being for an emergency requirement pursuant to section 
     251(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit 
     Control Act of 1985.
       Sec. 402. (a) Section 20601 of the Bipartisan Budget Act of 
     2018 (Public Law 115-123) is amended by striking ``and DR-
     4335-USVI'' and inserting ``DR-4335-USVI, and for all major 
     disasters declared under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster 
     Relief and Recovery Act (42 U.S.C. 5122) for Puerto Rico or 
     the United States Virgin Islands during calendar year 2020''.
       (b) Subsection (a) shall be applied as if it were in effect 
     beginning on January 1, 2020.
       (c) Amounts repurposed by this section and the amendments 
     made by this section that were previously designated by the 
     Congress as an emergency requirement or as being for disaster 
     relief pursuant to the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit 
     Control Act of 1985 are designated by the Congress as being 
     for an emergency requirement pursuant to section 
     251(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit 
     Control Act of 1985 or as being for disaster relief pursuant 
     to section 251(b)(2)(D) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency 
     Deficit Control Act of 1985.
       Sec. 403.  Each amount appropriated or made available by 
     this Act is in addition to amounts otherwise appropriated for 
     the fiscal year involved.
       Sec. 404.  No part of any appropriation contained in this 
     Act shall remain available for obligation beyond the current 
     fiscal year unless expressly so provided herein.
       Sec. 405.  Unless otherwise provided for by this Act, the 
     additional amounts appropriated by this Act to appropriations 
     accounts shall be available under the authorities and 
     conditions applicable to such appropriations accounts for 
     fiscal year 2020.
       Sec. 406.  Each amount designated in this Act by the 
     Congress as being for an emergency requirement pursuant to 
     section 251(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency 
     Deficit Control Act of 1985 shall be available (or rescinded 
     or transferred, if applicable) only if the President 
     subsequently so designates all such amounts and transmits 
     such designations to the Congress.
       Sec. 407.  Any amount appropriated by this Act, designated 
     by the Congress as an emergency requirement pursuant to 
     section 251(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency 
     Deficit Control Act of 1985 and subsequently so designated by 
     the President, and transferred pursuant to transfer 
     authorities provided by this Act shall retain such 
     designation.
       This division may be cited as the ``Emergency Supplemental 
     Appropriations for Disaster Relief Act, 2020''.

        DIVISION B--PUERTO RICO DISASTER TAX RELIEF ACT OF 2020


                              short title

       Sec. 101. 
       This division may be cited as the ``Puerto Rico Disaster 
     Tax Relief Act of 2020''.


              qualified puerto rico disaster zone defined

       Sec. 102. 
       For purposes of this division, the term ``qualified Puerto 
     Rico disaster zone'' means any area--
       (1) with respect to which a major disaster was declared by 
     the President under section 401 of the Robert T. Stafford 
     Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act by reason of the 
     earthquakes occurring in or near Puerto Rico beginning on 
     December 28, 2019, and ending on the date which is 60 days 
     after the date of the enactment of this Act, and

[[Page H951]]

       (2) which was determined by the President to warrant 
     individual or individual and public assistance from the 
     Federal Government under such Act by reason of such 
     earthquakes.


 child tax credit for puerto rico and other possessions of the united 
                                 states

       Sec. 103. 
       (a) Puerto Rico.--
       (1) Same treatment of families in puerto rico with one 
     child or two children that is currently provided to families 
     in puerto rico with three or more children.--Section 24(d) of 
     the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by adding at the 
     end the following new paragraph:
       ``(4) Residents of puerto rico.--In the case of an 
     individual who is a bona fide resident of Puerto Rico (within 
     the meaning of section 937(a)) for the taxable year, 
     paragraph (1)(B)(ii) shall be applied by substituting `1 or 
     more qualifying children' for `3 or more qualifying 
     children'.''.
       (2) Effective date.--The amendment made by paragraph (1) 
     shall apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 
     2019.
       (b) Mirror Code Possessions.--The Secretary of the Treasury 
     shall pay to each possession of the United States with a 
     mirror code tax system amounts equal to the loss to that 
     possession by reason of the application of section 24 of the 
     Internal Revenue Code of 1986 with respect to taxable years 
     beginning after 2019. Such amounts shall be determined by the 
     Secretary of the Treasury based on information provided by 
     the government of the respective possession.
       (c) American Samoa.--The Secretary of the Treasury shall 
     pay to American Samoa amounts estimated by the Secretary of 
     the Treasury as being equal to the aggregate benefits that 
     would have been provided to the residents of American Samoa 
     by reason of the application of section 24 of such Code for 
     taxable years beginning after 2019 if the provisions of such 
     section had been in effect in American Samoa. The preceding 
     sentence shall not apply unless American Samoa has a plan, 
     which has been approved by the Secretary of the Treasury, 
     under which American Samoa will promptly distribute such 
     payments to the residents of American Samoa in a manner which 
     replicates to the greatest degree practicable the benefits 
     that would have been so provided to each such resident.
       (d) Definitions and Special Rules.--
       (1) In general.--No credit shall be allowed against United 
     States income taxes for any taxable year under section 24 of 
     the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to any person--
       (A) to whom a credit is allowed against taxes imposed by a 
     possession with a mirror code tax system by reason of the 
     application of section 24 of such Code in such possession for 
     such taxable year, or
       (B) who is eligible for a payment under a plan described in 
     subsection (c) with respect to such taxable year.
       (2) Mirror code tax system.--For purposes of this section, 
     the term ``mirror code tax system'' means, with respect to 
     any possession of the United States, the income tax system of 
     such possession if the income tax liability of the residents 
     of such possession under such system is determined by 
     reference to the income tax laws of the United States as if 
     such possession were the United States.
       (3) Treatment of payments.--For purposes of section 
     1324(b)(2) of title 31, United States Code, the payments 
     under subsections (b) and (c) shall be treated in the same 
     manner as a refund due from the credit allowed under section 
     24 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.


 application of earned income tax credit in possessions of the united 
                                 states

       Sec. 104. 
       (a) In General.--Chapter 77 of the Internal Revenue Code of 
     1986 is amended by adding at the end the following new 
     section:

     ``SEC. 7529. APPLICATION OF EARNED INCOME TAX CREDIT TO 
                   POSSESSIONS OF THE UNITED STATES.

       ``(a) Puerto Rico.--
       ``(1) In general.--With respect to calendar year 2021 and 
     each calendar year thereafter, the Secretary shall, except as 
     otherwise provided in this subsection, make payments to 
     Puerto Rico equal to--
       ``(A) the specified matching amount for such calendar year, 
     plus
       ``(B) in the case of calendar years 2021 through 2025, the 
     lesser of--
       ``(i) the expenditures made by Puerto Rico during such 
     calendar year for education efforts with respect to 
     individual taxpayers and tax return preparers relating to the 
     earned income tax credit, or
       ``(ii) $1,000,000.
       ``(2) Requirement to reform earned income tax credit.--The 
     Secretary shall not make any payments under paragraph (1) 
     with respect to any calendar year unless Puerto Rico has in 
     effect an earned income tax credit for taxable years 
     beginning in or with such calendar year which (relative to 
     the earned income tax credit which was in effect for taxable 
     years beginning in or with calendar year 2019) increases the 
     percentage of earned income which is allowed as a credit for 
     each group of individuals with respect to which such 
     percentage is separately stated or determined in a manner 
     designed to substantially increase workforce participation.
       ``(3) Specified matching amount.--For purposes of this 
     subsection--
       ``(A) In general.--The term `specified matching amount' 
     means, with respect to any calendar year, the lesser of--
       ``(i) the excess (if any) of--

       ``(I) the cost to Puerto Rico of the earned income tax 
     credit for taxable years beginning in or with such calendar 
     year, over
       ``(II) the base amount for such calendar year, or

       ``(ii) the product of 3, multiplied by the base amount for 
     such calendar year.
       ``(B) Base amount.--
       ``(i) Base amount for 2021.--In the case of calendar year 
     2021, the term `base amount' means the greater of--

       ``(I) the cost to Puerto Rico of the earned income tax 
     credit for taxable years beginning in or with calendar year 
     2019 (rounded to the nearest multiple of $1,000,000), or
       ``(II) $200,000,000.

       ``(ii) Inflation adjustment.--In the case of any calendar 
     year after 2021, the term `base amount' means the dollar 
     amount determined under clause (i) increased by an amount 
     equal to--

       ``(I) such dollar amount, multiplied by--
       ``(II) the cost-of-living adjustment determined under 
     section 1(f)(3) for such calendar year, determined by 
     substituting `calendar year 2020' for `calendar year 2016' in 
     subparagraph (A)(ii) thereof.

     Any amount determined under this clause shall be rounded to 
     the nearest multiple of $1,000,000.
       ``(4) Rules related to payments and reports.--
       ``(A) Timing of payments.--The Secretary shall make 
     payments under paragraph (1) for any calendar year--
       ``(i) after receipt of the report described in subparagraph 
     (B) for such calendar year, and
       ``(ii) except as provided in clause (i), within a 
     reasonable period of time before the due date for individual 
     income tax returns (as determined under the laws of Puerto 
     Rico) for taxable years which began on the first day of such 
     calendar year.
       ``(B) Annual reports.--With respect to calendar year 2021 
     and each calendar year thereafter, Puerto Rico shall provide 
     to the Secretary a report which shall include--
       ``(i) an estimate of the costs described in paragraphs 
     (1)(B)(i) and (3)(A)(i)(I) with respect to such calendar 
     year, and
       ``(ii) a statement of such costs with respect to the 
     preceding calendar year.
       ``(C) Adjustments.--
       ``(i) In general.--In the event that any estimate of an 
     amount is more or less than the actual amount as later 
     determined and any payment under paragraph (1) was determined 
     on the basis of such estimate, proper payment shall be made 
     by, or to, the Secretary (as the case may be) as soon as 
     practicable after the determination that such estimate was 
     inaccurate. Proper adjustment shall be made in the amount of 
     any subsequent payments made under paragraph (1) to the 
     extent that proper payment is not made under the preceding 
     sentence before such subsequent payments.
       ``(ii) Additional reports.--The Secretary may require such 
     additional periodic reports of the information described in 
     subparagraph (B) as the Secretary determines appropriate to 
     facilitate timely adjustments under clause (i).
       ``(D) Determination of cost of earned income tax credit.--
     For purposes of this subsection, the cost to Puerto Rico of 
     the earned income tax credit shall be determined by the 
     Secretary on the basis of the laws of Puerto Rico and shall 
     include reductions in revenues received by Puerto Rico by 
     reason of such credit and refunds attributable to such 
     credit, but shall not include any administrative costs with 
     respect to such credit.
       ``(b) Possessions With Mirror Code Tax Systems.--
       ``(1) In general.--With respect to calendar year 2021 and 
     each calendar year thereafter, the Secretary shall, except as 
     otherwise provided in this subsection, make payments to the 
     Virgin Islands, Guam, and the Commonwealth of the Northern 
     Mariana Islands equal to--
       ``(A) 75 percent of the cost to such possession of the 
     earned income tax credit for taxable years beginning in or 
     with such calendar year, plus
       ``(B) in the case of calendar years 2021 through 2025, the 
     lesser of--
       ``(i) the expenditures made by such possession during such 
     calendar year for education efforts with respect to 
     individual taxpayers and tax return preparers relating to 
     such earned income tax credit, or
       ``(ii) $50,000.
       ``(2) Application of certain rules.--Rules similar to the 
     rules of subparagraphs (A), (B), (C), and (D) of subsection 
     (a)(4) shall apply for purposes of this subsection.
       ``(c) American Samoa.--
       ``(1) In general.--With respect to calendar year 2021 and 
     each calendar year thereafter, the Secretary shall, except as 
     otherwise provided in this subsection, make payments to 
     American Samoa equal to--
       ``(A) the lesser of--
       ``(i) 75 percent of the cost to American Samoa of the 
     earned income tax credit for taxable years beginning in or 
     with such calendar year, or
       ``(ii) $12,000,000, plus
       ``(B) in the case of calendar years 2021 through 2025, the 
     lesser of--
       ``(i) the expenditures made by American Samoa during such 
     calendar year for education efforts with respect to 
     individual taxpayers and tax return preparers relating to 
     such earned income tax credit, or
       ``(ii) $50,000.

[[Page H952]]

       ``(2) Requirement to enact and maintain an earned income 
     tax credit.--The Secretary shall not make any payments under 
     paragraph (1) with respect to any calendar year unless 
     American Samoa has in effect an earned income tax credit for 
     taxable years beginning in or with such calendar year which 
     allows a refundable tax credit to individuals on the basis of 
     the taxpayer's earned income which is designed to 
     substantially increase workforce participation.
       ``(3) Inflation adjustment.--In the case of any calendar 
     year after 2021, the $12,000,000 amount in paragraph 
     (1)(A)(ii) shall be increased by an amount equal to--
       ``(A) such dollar amount, multiplied by--
       ``(B) the cost-of-living adjustment determined under 
     section 1(f)(3) for such calendar year, determined by 
     substituting `calendar year 2020' for `calendar year 2016' in 
     subparagraph (A)(ii) thereof.

     Any increase determined under this clause shall be rounded to 
     the nearest multiple of $100,000.
       ``(4) Application of certain rules.--Rules similar to the 
     rules of subparagraphs (A), (B), (C), and (D) of subsection 
     (a)(4) shall apply for purposes of this subsection.
       ``(d) Treatment of Payments.--For purposes of section 1324 
     of title 31, United States Code, the payments under this 
     section shall be treated in the same manner as a refund due 
     from a credit provision referred to in subsection (b)(2) of 
     such section.''.
       (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections for chapter 
     77 of such Code is amended by adding at the end the following 
     new item:

``Sec. 7529. Application of earned income tax credit to possessions of 
              the United States.''.


         low-income housing credit allocations for puerto rico

       Sec. 105. 
       (a) In General.--For purposes of section 42 of the Internal 
     Revenue Code of 1986, the State housing credit ceiling for 
     Puerto Rico for calendar year 2020 shall be increased by 
     $50,000,000.
       (b) Qualified Puerto Rico Disaster Zones Treated as 
     Difficult Development Areas.--
       (1) In general.--For purposes of section 42 of the Internal 
     Revenue Code of 1986, in the case of a qualified building 
     placed in service in a qualified Puerto Rico disaster zone 
     (as defined in section 102), such area shall be treated as a 
     difficult development area under subclause (I) of section 
     42(d)(5)(B)(iii) but shall not be taken into account for 
     purposes of applying the limitation under subclause (II) of 
     such section.
       (2) Qualified building.--For purposes of this subsection, 
     the term ``qualified building'' means any building which is 
     allocated a housing credit dollar amount during calendar year 
     2020 or 2021.
       (3) Other definitions.--Terms used in this section which 
     are also used in section 42 of the Internal Revenue Code of 
     1986 shall have the same meaning when used in this section as 
     when used in such section 42.


           new markets tax credit allocations for puerto rico

       Sec. 106. 
       (a) In General.--For purposes of section 45D of the 
     Internal Revenue Code of 1986--
       (1) the new markets tax credit limitation otherwise 
     determined under subsection (f)(1) thereof for each of 2020 
     and 2021 shall be increased by $500,000,000, to be allocated 
     among specified community development entities to make 
     qualified low-income community investments in Puerto Rico, 
     and
       (2) section 45D(f)(3) shall be applied--
       (A) separately with respect to the amounts of the increases 
     under paragraph (1), and
       (B) solely with respect to the amounts of the increases 
     described in subparagraph (A), the last sentence of such 
     section shall not prevent such amounts from being carried to 
     calendar year 2026.
       (b) Specified Community Development Entities.--For purposes 
     of this section, the term ``specified community development 
     entity'' means any qualified community development entity if 
     such entity has a history of making qualified low-income 
     community investments in federally declared disaster areas or 
     Puerto Rico.
       (c) Other Definitions.--Terms used in this section which 
     are also used in section 45D of the Internal Revenue Code of 
     1986 shall have the same meaning when used in this section as 
     when used in such section 45D.


                 cover over of distilled spirits taxes

       Sec. 107. 
       (a) Repeal of Limitation on Cover Over of Distilled Spirits 
     Taxes to Puerto Rico and Virgin Islands.--
       (1) In general.--Section 7652 of the Internal Revenue Code 
     of 1986 is amended by striking subsection (f) and by 
     redesignating subsections (g) and (h) as subsections (f) and 
     (g), respectively.
       (2) Conforming amendment.--Section 7652(f)(1) of such Code, 
     as redesignated by paragraph (1), is amended by--
       (A) striking subparagraph (B), and
       (B) by striking ``as if--'' and all that follows through 
     ``the use and tax'' and inserting ``as if the use and tax''.
       (3) Effective date.--The amendments made by this subsection 
     shall apply to distilled spirits brought into the United 
     States after December 31, 2019.
       (b) Transfer to Puerto Rico Conservation Trust Fund of 
     Portion of Puerto Rico Rum Cover Over.--
       (1) In general.--Section 7652(e) of the Internal Revenue 
     Code of 1986 is amended by redesignating paragraphs (3), (4), 
     and (5) as paragraphs (4), (5), and (6), respectively, and by 
     inserting after paragraph (2) the following new paragraph:
       ``(2) Transfer to puerto rico conservation trust fund of 
     portion of rum cover over.--
       ``(A) In general.--From any amount otherwise required to be 
     covered over to the treasury of Puerto Rico under this 
     section with respect to taxes collected on rum under section 
     5001(a)(1) or subsection (a) of this section, the Secretary 
     of the Treasury shall transfer to the Puerto Rico 
     Conservation Trust Fund an amount equal to $0.46 per proof 
     gallon of rum to which such cover over is attributable. Any 
     amount transferred under the preceding sentence shall be 
     treated for purposes of this section (other than this 
     paragraph) as having been covered over to the treasury of 
     Puerto Rico.
       ``(B) Puerto rico conservation trust fund.--For purposes of 
     this section, the term `Puerto Rico Conservation Trust Fund' 
     means the fund established pursuant to a Memorandum of 
     Understanding between the United States Department of the 
     Interior and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, dated December 
     24, 1968.''.
       (2) Effective date.--The amendments made by this section 
     shall apply to rum brought into the United States after 
     December 31, 2019.
       (c) Cover Over Determined Without Regard to Certain Rate 
     Reductions.--
       (1) In general.--Section 7652 of the Internal Revenue Code 
     of 1986, as amended by subsection (a)(1), is amended by 
     adding at the end the following new subsection:
       ``(h) Cover Over Determined Without Regard to Certain Rate 
     Reductions.--For purposes of subsections (a)(3), (b)(3), and 
     (e), the amount of taxes imposed and collected under section 
     5001(a)(1) shall be determined without regard to section 
     5001(c).''.
       (2) Conforming amendment.--Section 7652(e) of such Code, as 
     amended by subsection (b)(1), is amended by striking 
     paragraph (6).
       (3) Effective date.--The amendments made by this subsection 
     shall take effect as if included in section 13807 of Public 
     Law 115-97.


 employee retention credit with respect to individuals employed in the 
                  qualified puerto rico disaster zone

       Sec. 108. 
       (a) In General.--The Secretary of the Treasury shall pay to 
     Puerto Rico the amount determined under subsection (b) for 
     the purpose of providing an employee retention credit with 
     respect to individuals employed in a qualified Puerto Rico 
     disaster zone (as defined in section 102). The preceding 
     sentence shall not apply unless Puerto Rico has a plan for 
     implementing such employee retention credit--
       (1) which is similar to the plan approved under section 
     504(d)(1)(B) of the Disaster Tax Relief and Airport and 
     Airway Extension Act of 2017,
       (2) under which Puerto Rico will promptly distribute such 
     payments to its residents, and
       (3) which has been approved by the Secretary of the 
     Treasury for purposes of this section.
       (b) Determination of Payment Amount.--
       (1) In general.--The amount determined under this 
     subsection is the product of--
       (A) the aggregate amount of payments made under section 
     504(d)(1)(B) of the Disaster Tax Relief and Airport and 
     Airway Extension Act of 2017, multiplied by
       (B) the population adjustment ratio.
       (2) Population adjustment ratio.--For purposes of this 
     subsection, the term population adjustment ratio means the 
     ratio of--
       (A) the number of individuals estimated by the Secretary of 
     the Treasury to have been present in the qualified Puerto 
     Rico disaster zone (as defined in section 102), over
       (B) the number of individuals estimated by the Secretary of 
     the Treasury to have been present in the Hurricane Maria 
     disaster zone (as defined in section 501(c) of the Disaster 
     Tax Relief and Airport and Airway Extension Act of 2017).
       (c) Report to Congress.--Not later than 90 days after 
     substantially all of the employee retention credits under 
     this section have been paid or allowed to taxpayers in Puerto 
     Rico, the Secretary of the Treasury of Puerto Rico shall 
     submit a written report to Congress documenting the 
     implementation of such credits.

                     DIVISION C--BUDGETARY EFFECTS


                           budgetary effects

       Sec. 101.  (a) In General.--The budgetary effects of 
     division B and each succeeding division shall not be entered 
     on either PAYGO scorecard maintained pursuant to section 4(d) 
     of the Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Act of 2010.
       (b) Senate PAYGO Scorecards.--The budgetary effects of 
     division B and each succeeding division shall not be entered 
     on any PAYGO scorecard maintained for purposes of section 
     4106 of H. Con. Res. 71 (115th Congress).
       (c) Classification of Budgetary Effects.--Notwithstanding 
     Rule 3 of the Budget Scorekeeping Guidelines set forth in the 
     joint explanatory statement of the committee of conference 
     accompanying Conference Report 105-217 and section 250(c)(8) 
     of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 
     1985, the budgetary effects of division B and each succeeding 
     division shall not be estimated--

[[Page H953]]

       (1) for purposes of section 251 of such Act; and
       (2) for purposes of paragraph (4)(C) of section 3 of the 
     Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Act of 2010 as being included in an 
     appropriation Act.

  The CHAIR. No amendment to the bill is in order except those printed 
in part C of House Report 116-392. Each such amendment may be offered 
only in the order printed in the report, by a Member designated in the 
report, shall be considered read, shall be debatable for the time 
specified in the report, equally divided and controlled by the 
proponent and an opponent, shall not be subject to amendment, and shall 
not be subject to a demand for division of the question.


                 Amendment No. 1 Offered by Ms. Shalala

  The CHAIR. It is now in order to consider amendment No. 1 printed in 
part C of House Report 116-392.
  Ms. SHALALA. Madam Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.
  The CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
  The text of the amendment is as follows:

       Page 3, line 25, after the dollar amount, insert 
     ``(increased by $1,000,000)''.

  The CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 833, the gentlewoman from 
Florida (Ms. Shalala) and a Member opposed each will control 5 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Florida.
  Ms. SHALALA. Madam Chair, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Madam Chair, our fellow Americans in Puerto Rico have suffered 
greatly in the last few years, from fiscal calamity to a monster 
hurricane to the Earth shaking and continuing to shake.
  I have seen the suffering personally. These disasters have resulted 
in many Puerto Ricans leaving the island, and many are children or 
young adults who are still in school.
  This amendment increases funding to conduct a study on the impacts 
that these young people face when they have to disrupt their education.
  The truth is, we don't know the best way to help children who have to 
leave their homes to pursue their education in another State or have to 
miss weeks of school because their school building is structurally 
unsound after an earthquake. But we need to. We need to know the best 
way to make sure that all children can reach their full potential and 
are able to cope with whatever trauma they may have faced.
  Ultimately, this amendment will save us money because we will have 
future natural disasters where children will have to move away from 
their schools or pause their education. Unfortunately, there will be 
more Marias and more Katrinas, and there will be more wildfires.
  We need to make sure that we are serving both children and the 
taxpayers. We should spend our money in the most impactful way 
possible. The study will guide us on the most effective policies and 
the most effective way we can use disaster funds to help our children.
  I thank my distinguished colleague, Congresswoman Gonzalez-Colon, for 
her work and her support on this amendment, as well as Congresswoman 
Stephanie Murphy, Congressman Alcee Hastings, and Chairman  Jim 
McGovern.
  Madam Chair, I support the underlying bill. I urge my colleagues to 
support this amendment, and I reserve the balance of my time.
  Miss GONZALEZ-COLON of Puerto Rico. Madam Chair, I claim the time in 
opposition, although I am going to be in favor of the amendment.
  The CHAIR. Without objection, the gentlewoman from Puerto Rico is 
recognized for 5 minutes.
  There was no objection.
  Miss GONZALEZ-COLON of Puerto Rico. Madam Chair, first, I want to 
thank Congresswoman Shalala. I thank the gentlewoman for visiting the 
island several weeks ago with Congressman Posey and Congresswoman 
Murphy.
  Madam Chair, let me tell you what this amendment is about. This will 
provide $1 million to conduct a study on the impacts of educational 
attainment, long-term economic opportunities, as well as the well-being 
of students from Puerto Rico who have had to disrupt or change their 
educational path due to a natural disaster.
  Although the full extent of the damage is still being assessed, it is 
evident that the ongoing earthquakes impacting Puerto Rico have been 
particularly harmful for our students and educational system.
  Following the collapse of this public school in Guanica--thank God it 
was 4:24 in the morning, and there were no students and teachers in 
that school. It completely collapsed. The Department of Education 
delayed the start of the semester across the island in order to conduct 
structural inspections of all public schools. To this day, 69 schools 
have already been deemed unsafe and thus unable to reopen. Another 234 
have been classified as partially adequate, which means that only some 
parts of the school's buildings are safe.
  In fact, although inspections are ongoing, the Puerto Rico Department 
of Education is projecting that 25 percent of the island's public 
schools will be unable to be reopen during this semester.
  In Guanica, this town, there are six schools. All of them are closed. 
As we speak, tents are being installed as outdoor classrooms to ensure 
students don't lose their semester, specifically seniors going off to 
college.
  The disruptive nature of the event cannot be overstated. Puerto Rico 
will need to identify alternative and/or temporary sites to open 
schools and relocate misplaced students. Many will probably leave the 
island altogether, the way it happened with Maria. The provision of 
counseling and mental health services will be crucial to address the 
fear and similar challenges among the impacted student population and 
their families.
  Therefore, I support the $100 million included in the supplemental to 
help us meet the educational needs of those affected by disasters.
  The study funded by this amendment will provide us with vital 
information to help address challenges faced by students impacted by 
earthquakes, mitigate additional impacts on their educational 
attainment, and better prepare them for future disasters.
  I want to conclude by thanking Ranking Member Granger for allowing me 
the time and Congresswoman Shalala for her hard work in working 
together on behalf of the people of Puerto Rico.
  Madam Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Ms. SHALALA. Madam Chair, I yield 2 minutes to the distinguished 
gentlewoman from Connecticut (Ms. DeLauro).
  Ms. DeLAURO. Madam Chair, I rise in support of this amendment. It is 
$1 million that provides funds for a study on the impacts of natural 
disasters on the well-being and educational paths of affected students 
and children in Puerto Rico.
  The children in Puerto Rico have been struggling from the trauma of 
multiple natural disasters. It has been resulting in unbelievable 
disruptions to their lives at home and at school.
  After Hurricane Maria, Congresswoman Grace Meng from New York and I 
went to Puerto Rico. We visited the schools, and the teachers told us 
that the children were not coming to school. Why? We asked the 
question: Why?
  They were scared that if they went to school and they returned home, 
they would not find their families, their home, or anything else that 
gave them their strength and the hope with their families, so they 
weren't going. They also couldn't go because the power was out, and the 
heat was too much for them to be there.
  What is it that you can't understand? What is it that this 
administration doesn't understand about what is happening to children, 
American children, in Puerto Rico?

                              {time}  1030

  We included $3 million in the 2019 Labor-HHS appropriations bill to 
provide behavorial health services and counseling to children in Puerto 
Rico. These services are being provided through the National Child 
Traumatic Stress Network, which is a national network of grantees that 
provide services for children and adolescents exposed to traumatic 
events.
  Schools are the center of our communities. They offer students stable 
schedules, warm meals, and support from teachers and school 
professionals. They are the center of learning. We need to act with 
urgency to support the school recovery and restore this stability for 
the children in Puerto Rico,

[[Page H954]]

but we must take a careful look at the long-term impacts of these 
disasters on student well-being and educational access and success.
  Madam Chair, this amendment provides those resources. I support it, 
and I urge my colleagues to do the same.
  Miss GONZALEZ-COLON of Puerto Rico. Madam Chair, may I inquire how 
much time is remaining.
  The CHAIR. The gentlewoman from Puerto Rico has 2 minutes remaining. 
The gentlewoman from Florida has 1 minute remaining.
  Miss GONZALEZ-COLON of Puerto Rico. Madam Chair, the school that I am 
showing you here is one from Guanica. Maybe many people here will not 
know that the schools in Puerto Rico are used for shelters during 
hurricanes, so this is having the place for shelters being destroyed 
and many of them not compliant right now and during the assessment.
  Let me give you an example. When we had the first earthquake, 6.4, 
and then the replica, the government of Puerto Rico has to do an 
assessment of the infrastructure in all schools. But weeks later, we 
got more aftershocks of 5, 5.4, 4.9. So that assessment continued to 
happen, and it is an ongoing situation every week in order to have our 
kids and teachers safe.
  So right now, I told you already the number of schools that are 
deemed unsafe to return to classes. But if we do have another replica 
of 5 or 4.9 during these next days, and we are having between 8 and 12 
tremors a day, that may be that many more schools can be included.
  Actually, originally, there were just six towns included in the 
mayor's declaration of disaster. Right now, it is 29, because the 
infrastructure gets weakened with all the tremors, and that is the 
reason I do support this amendment.
  The mental health issue for students, for parents, for kids is a real 
situation on the island. We don't want to lose more kids. We don't want 
kids to lose their semester. So I think this amendment would provide 
that much-needed help.
  Madam Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Ms. SHALALA. Madam Chair, this amendment is simply about helping 
American children, and I urge my colleagues to support it.
  Madam Chair, I yield to the gentlewoman from New York (Mrs. Lowey), 
the chair of Committee on Appropriations.
  Mrs. LOWEY. Madam Chair, I am pleased to support this excellent 
amendment.
  Ms. SHALALA. Madam Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the 
gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Shalala).
  The question was taken; and the Chair announced that the ayes 
appeared to have it.
  Mrs. LOWEY. Madam Chair, I demand a recorded vote.
  The CHAIR. Pursuant to clause 6 of rule XVIII, further proceedings on 
the amendment offered by the gentlewoman from Florida will be 
postponed.


     Amendment No. 2 Offered by Miss Gonzalez-Colon of Puerto Rico

  The CHAIR. It is now in order to consider amendment No. 2 printed in 
part C of House Report 116-392.
  Miss GONZALEZ-COLON of Puerto Rico. Madam Chair, I have an amendment 
at the desk.
  The CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
  The text of the amendment is as follows:

       Page 27, line 7, after the dollar amount, insert 
     ``(increased by $170,000,000)''.

  The CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 833, the gentlewoman from 
Puerto Rico (Miss Gonzalez-Colon) and a Member opposed each will 
control 5 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Puerto Rico.
  Miss GONZALEZ-COLON of Puerto Rico. Madam Chair, I yield myself such 
time as I may consume.
  Madam Chair, today, I rise in support of this amendment. It is a 
bipartisan amendment to increase the amount of disaster nutrition 
assistance for Puerto Rico to $210 million.
  The island has been experiencing constant seismic activity since 
December 28 of last year, and thousands of Puerto Ricans have lost 
their homes and all their belongings. This challenges their safety and 
job security, as well as their ability to provide food for themselves 
and their family members.
  Puerto Rico does not participate in the national Supplemental 
Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, as do our counterparts in the 
mainland; Washington, D.C.; Guam; and the Virgin Islands. Instead, 
Puerto Rico has the Nutrition Assistance Program, or NAP, which 
receives significantly less funding.
  Excluding us from SNAP--and that is another issue that this House 
addressed and we are making a study in that sense. Excluding us from 
SNAP also excludes us from the disaster portion of this program, known 
as D-SNAP. This means that every time there is a natural disaster like 
the one we are experiencing now, Congress needs to step up and 
appropriate Federal funding for disaster nutrition.
  We saw that after Hurricane Irma and Maria. And now, we are facing 
another emergency, and that is the reason Congress needs to approve 
funds for this food nutrition assistance. This amendment will help 
support beneficiaries of the program and allow an increase in 
enrollment, ensuring that those impacted by disasters were supported in 
their effort to maintain food security.
  The earthquakes have caused widespread infrastructure damage. Over 
15,000 residents have reported damage in their homes. Of those, more 
than 1,000 are damaged to a point of being unlivable or destroyed.
  This is a wide infrastructure issue that has impacted private homes, 
public buildings, and private businesses, including supermarkets, 
pharmacies, and stores in that region.
  Since the seismic activity is ongoing, we expect the infrastructure 
problems to worsen. Some structures have survived seismic movements 
thus far, but there is no telling us when or if they will be destroyed 
or affected by future aftershocks.
  People are living in fear; people are living in desperation--
especially in the southwestern region of the island. At one point, over 
7,000 people were living in shelters without a clear idea of when they 
will be able to return to their homes.
  I have experienced these tremors myself, and I can firmly state that 
fear during these times is more than justified.
  The unpredictability of earthquakes challenges any forecast 
capabilities. According to the U.S. Geological Survey, there is no 
telling when the earthquakes will stop. However, one thing we do know 
is that the island needs help, and we need it now.
  Madam Chair, this is why I am supporting the underlying bill and why 
I am offering this amendment. There are close to 397,000 NAP 
beneficiaries in the affected municipalities, of which over 92,000 are 
children. These numbers may grow, contingent on more municipalities 
being affected and more residents joining the program.
  Madam Chair, food security is a critical part of any recovery effort. 
My amendment will ensure earthquake victims can count on disaster 
nutritional funds to get them through this difficult time.
  I thank Congresswoman DeLauro, Congresswoman Velazquez, Congressmen 
Soto and Jose Serrano for sponsoring this important amendment for the 
people of Puerto Rico.
  Madam Chair, I urge my colleagues to vote in favor. And, again, I 
cannot vote for the bill. I cannot have Members in the House and in the 
Senate representing Puerto Rico, but I can, with all of you, vote for 
Puerto Rico in this amendment.
  Madam Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Ms. DeLAURO. Madam Chair, I ask unanimous consent to claim the time 
in opposition, although I am not opposed to the amendment.
  The CHAIR. Is there objection to the request of the gentlewoman from 
Connecticut?
  There was no objection.
  The CHAIR. The gentlewoman is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Ms. DeLAURO. Madam Chair, I look forward to the day when my 
colleague, Miss Gonzalez-Colon from Puerto Rico, can vote in this House 
of Representatives.
  I also want to add one thing.
  A colleague from South Carolina said earlier that folks in Puerto 
Rico do not pay taxes. They pay payroll taxes. We

[[Page H955]]

all understand payroll taxes; and, quite frankly, that is the basis on 
which the child tax credit is determined. So they are paying taxes.
  Madam Chair, I rise in support of this amendment. I am honored to 
colead it with my colleague Jenniffer Gonzalez-Colon, with 
Congresswoman Nydia Velazquez, and Congressmen Serrano and Soto. It 
increases funding for Puerto Rico's Nutrition Assistance Program to 
$210 million.
  The $40 million in the underlying bill provides a strong foundation 
on which to build; and, in light of a new analysis from leading 
nutrition experts which has shown how great the need is, the amendment 
increases the resources to what the experts are now calling for.
  Thousands have been left without food, water, or power. We cannot 
turn our backs on the people of Puerto Rico. We need to meet basic 
needs so that they can rebuild. It is not only a responsibility, but it 
is a moral responsibility.
  And why is this necessary? Because Puerto Rico receives a block grant 
for nutrition assistance. It is known as the Nutrition Assistance 
Program, or NAP. Because the value of the block grant is fixed, their 
nutrition assistance is unable to meet the heightened needs of children 
and families in times of disaster. It is fundamentally different from 
how food stamps work for the millions of other Americans elsewhere in 
our country.
  But we know where this administration falls on the food stamp 
program. They are willing to deny 3 million people access to food 
stamps, take 2 million kids off of the School Lunch Program.
  Folks here are in need, but the people in Puerto Rico, the children 
in Puerto Rico are in need. An island ravished by earthquakes and 
tremors--Wednesday saw a 5.0 magnitude earthquake.
  In her request to the Congress, Puerto Rico's Governor warned: 
``Puerto Ricans are currently suffering economic and job loss, 
displacement and interruption of essential services, and thousands of 
refugees currently located in camps are children and the elderly.''
  We offer a bipartisan amendment today to build on the underlying 
bill. I commend the committee chair, Congresswoman Lowey, and the 
subcommittee chair, Congressman Bishop, for their hard work on this 
fast-moving matter.
  To my colleagues: Have a sense of what food means to people. We live 
in a land of plenty. We should not be about the business of denying 
food and nutrition help to others, and especially American children and 
American families from Puerto Rico, the nutrition assistance, the food 
that they need in order to survive.
  Madam Chair, no one should go to bed hungry in this country or in 
those countries where we have American citizens, and that is Puerto 
Rico.
  Madam Chair, I urge my colleagues, please--please--deal with what our 
moral responsibility is in this body. We have the power to make this 
happen. Let's make it happen today.
  Madam Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the 
gentlewoman from Puerto Rico (Miss Gonzalez-Colon).
  The amendment was agreed to.


                Amendment No. 3 Offered by Ms. Plaskett

  The CHAIR. It is now in order to consider amendment No. 3 printed in 
part C of House Report 116-392.
  Ms. PLASKETT. Madam Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.
  The CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
  The text of the amendment is as follows:

       Page 3, line 5, after the dollar amount, insert 
     ``(increased by $3,000,000)''.

  The CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 833, the gentlewoman from the 
Virgin Islands (Ms. Plaskett) and a Member opposed each will control 5 
minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from the Virgin Islands.
  Ms. PLASKETT. Madam Chair, I rise in support of my amendment. This 
amendment would increase the Department of Energy technical assistance 
for electrical grid recovery in the U.S. territories by $3 million.
  High energy costs have bedeviled the U.S. insular territories for 
many years, harming consumers, limiting development, and draining 
capital from our islands' economies. The average price of electricity 
paid by U.S. Virgin Islands residents in mid-2019 was about three times 
higher than the average power price in the mainland United States.
  These islands have suffered at least one tropical cyclone, typhoon, 
or hurricane in the last 3 years, storms made stronger by warming 
oceans.
  As a result of unprecedented recent disasters and the impact of 
enormous physical damage, the Virgin Islands are currently going 
through an energy crisis. Hurricanes Irma and Maria damaged 
approximately 80 to 90 percent of the electrical transmission and 
distribution systems in the territory. Rolling blackouts persist to 
this day.

                              {time}  1045

  Successfully incorporating resiliency measures into the electrical 
system recovery effort, including by building microgrid systems, and 
adding renewable generation capacity to the system does require 
significant technical assistance from the Department of Energy.
  I am pleased that the House, through this bill, will be taking action 
to make appropriations for technical assistance with rebuilding 
electric systems in the insular areas. However, given the current state 
of the islands, including Puerto Rico, which has had the unique 
challenge of natural disasters reoccurring over the past several 
months, I am concerned that the amount of $15 million may not be enough 
to adequately address the urgent needs for assistance to improve grid 
resiliency and to lower the cost of electricity.
  That is why I requested this modest uptick of $3 million. It is to 
see that utilities in the smaller territories like my district can get 
the technical assistance they need to solve energy problems that are 
unlike any other in the United States.
  Madam Chair, I yield 1 minute to the distinguished gentleman from 
Maryland (Mr. Hoyer), who is the majority leader.
  Mr. HOYER. Madam Chair, I thank the gentlewoman from the Virgin 
Islands (Ms. Plaskett) for yielding. I lament that, as Miss Gonzalez-
Colon pointed out, she will not be able to vote on the final passage of 
this bill.
  I lament that Puerto Rico is not a State. If it were a State or if 
the Virgin Islands were a State, they would have already been addressed 
and helped, consistent with what we have done for States.
  Madam Chair, history will remember this generation of Puerto Ricans 
for their perseverance, their courage, and their strength. Having 
endured two devastating hurricanes in 2017, they have had to cope with 
their heartbreaking aftermath, characterized by the Trump 
administration's failure to allocate resources properly, fairly, 
effectively, and timely.
  Now a series of powerful earthquakes have struck the island, causing 
additional damage and, sadly, loss of life. We have heard reports that, 
while much of the power transmission infrastructure that was rebuilt 
stronger after the hurricanes were able to hold up, the aging power 
plants they serve sustained substantial damage.
  Madam Chair, I will remind my colleagues that the people of Puerto 
Rico are our fellow American citizens. They are our brothers and our 
sisters, our fellow Americans. Their well-being is our concern. Their 
capacity to rebuild, and rebuild stronger, is our responsibility as the 
representatives of the American people--of all the American people. 
That is what we do after natural disasters: We help our fellow 
Americans in need.
  Madam Chair, I and several of my colleagues will be traveling to 
Puerto Rico over the President's Day district work period next weekend. 
We will be visiting communities in the south of the island that have 
been hardest hit by the earthquakes. Many of the same communities are 
still trying to rebuild from Irma and Maria.
  I was there in 2017, in Puerto Rico, and in the Virgin Islands with 
Representative Plaskett. I was there with the Republican leader, Mr. 
McCarthy. We visited with families who lost their homes, who lost loved 
ones, and who asked us to come back here to Washington and help.
  We worked together, Republicans and Democrats, to pass emergency 
funding and partnered on an effort to amend the Stafford Act to promote 
resilience

[[Page H956]]

by ensuring that structures are built to 21st century standards.
  Madam Chair, when I return to the island later this month, I want to 
tell the people I meet that Congress has not and will not forget them, 
that their brothers and sisters on the mainland are with them. I want 
to tell them that we took action to provide the additional funding the 
island needs to recover from this most recent disaster.
  I want to tell them that the Congress came together to approve the 
necessary funds to help communities on the island restore critical 
infrastructure and rebuild schools and housing. I want to tell them 
that we came through with assistance for repairing the energy grid and 
making it more resilient.
  I also want to be able to share with them that Congress made key tax 
reforms to give low-income Puerto Ricans some help with childcare and 
affordable housing as they rebuild, as we do for people here on the 
mainland.
  Madam Chair, that is why I am asking my colleagues to join me in 
passing this bill and making all of those things possible. When I go 
down to Puerto Rico in just over a week, I want to be able to tell the 
people there that this House did its job.
  Sadly, we have seen the administration's veto threat, which was 
little more than a denigration of our fellow Americans, accusing Puerto 
Ricans of corruption and being untrustworthy of receiving emergency 
aid. Ironic that his administration would make such a charge. Shame on 
them for making that allegation, and shame on them even more if they 
veto disaster aid to Puerto Rico under such a spurious and hateful 
belief.
  House Democrats will continue to conduct oversight in order to ensure 
that the administration does not continue to withhold critical, 
congressionally appropriated disaster aid from the people of Puerto 
Rico who need it to rebuild. The stronger they are, the stronger our 
Nation will be.
  Madam Chair, I want to thank the chairwoman of the Appropriations 
Committee, Mrs. Lowey, as well as the chairman of the Ways and Means 
Committee, Mr. Neal, along with members of their committees for their 
hard work on this package.
  Madam Chair, I want to thank Representatives Velazquez, Serrano, 
Soto, Ocasio-Cortez, and, yes, Miss Gonzalez-Colon, as well, for 
advocating for Puerto Ricans in Congress.
  Madam Chair, I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to vote 
``yes'' on this package. Keep faith with our fellow citizens wherever 
they might live, in the East, in the West, in the South, or in Puerto 
Rico, all Americans worthy of having confidence that we will stand with 
them in hours of distress.

  Vote ``yes.''
  Miss GONZALEZ-COLON of Puerto Rico. I would like to claim the time in 
opposition, and although I am claiming the time in opposition, I am in 
favor of the amendment presented by Ms. Plaskett.
  The CHAIR. Without objection, the gentlewoman from Puerto Rico is 
recognized for 5 minutes.
  There was no objection.
  Miss GONZALEZ-COLON of Puerto Rico. Madam Chair, I think it is 
important to understand that living on an island puts us in a different 
mode than the rest of the States where you can receive and manage 
electricity at the power plants differently.
  Our infrastructure is weakened by hurricanes, and by many years of 
hurricanes in our case. So I do believe that this allocation of funds 
for technical assistance from the Department of Energy will help us to 
get through this situation and allow the U.S. Virgin Islands, and 
Puerto Rico as well, to figure out what is going to be the kind of 
energy we are going to be using.
  We approved $1.9 billion for technical assistance in CDBG funds for 
the electrical grid on the island of Puerto Rico, but the guidelines 
have not been published yet. So that means we don't have access to 
those funds, even though the Department of Energy has been doing the 
assessments on the islands of Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands. 
Because of that, I do support the amendment.
  Madam Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Ms. PLASKETT. Madam Chair, I yield 30 seconds to the gentleman from 
Texas (Mr. Green).
  Mr. GREEN of Texas. Madam Chair, I am greatly honored to support this 
piece of legislation, especially honored that Chairwoman Lowey has put 
language in there that will streamline the process that Mr. Hoyer 
helped to develop.
  I would just like to add this. I know what it is like to live in 
harm's way. In Houston, Texas, we have billion-dollar floods that take 
lives, and these are supposed to be 100-year floods. Unfortunately, 
they are happening all too often, and sometimes on a yearly basis.
  So I stand here today to say thank you to all involved, especially to 
Mrs. Lowey for what she has done to streamline this process. It will be 
helpful to persons in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, but, also, in 
the long run, it will be helpful to the people of Houston, Texas.
  Miss GONZALEZ-COLON of Puerto Rico. Madam Chair, I yield back the 
balance of my time.
  Ms. PLASKETT. Madam Chair, I urge adoption of this amendment. This is 
important to the territories.
  As you heard from my colleague from Puerto Rico, islands are very 
fragile, and we do not have the scale that others have, nor do we have 
grids that can be attached to other areas. So this is really important 
to us, and the technical assistance of this Nation, from the Department 
of Energy, would go a long way in supporting a more resilient grid.
  Madam Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the 
gentlewoman from the Virgin Islands (Ms. Plaskett).
  The amendment was agreed to.


                Amendment No. 4 Offered by Mr. Crenshaw

  The CHAIR. It is now in order to consider amendment No. 4 printed in 
part C of House Report 116-392.
  Mr. CRENSHAW. I have an amendment at the desk.
  The CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
  The text of the amendment is as follows:

       Page 20, line 7, after the dollar amount, insert 
     ``(increased by $45,000,000)''.

  The CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 833, the gentleman from Texas 
(Mr. Crenshaw) and a Member opposed each will control 5 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Texas.
  Mr. CRENSHAW. Madam Chair, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Madam Chair, I rise today to support the people from the great State 
of Texas.
  It has been 2\1/2\ years since Hurricane Harvey. Many of my 
constituents are still struggling to finance their rebuilding. And it 
is not as if Texans simply waited on Federal aid. We passed a local 
bond for $2.5 billion to address recovery and future prevention. 
Additionally, many took out SBA loans, a low-cost loan to get 
themselves back on their own feet.
  Here is the problem: My constituents never thought that taking out an 
SBA loan, a loan that they would be paying back, would prevent them 
from also receiving other Federal aid.
  This problem of dual benefits was addressed in law recently by my 
friend Representative Garret Graves from Louisiana, but the fix came 
too late for some. Many victims of disasters who would be eligible for 
Federal aid such as CDBG-DR are not able to access that aid.
  This amendment will not be able to provide the estimated nearly $3 
billion that the Texas General Land Office believes would be needed to 
help all of those affected, but my amendment will solve this problem 
for some of the most vulnerable people who unfairly fell through the 
bureaucratic cracks.
  I urge my colleagues to vote in support of this amendment, and I 
reserve the balance of my time.
  Mrs. FLETCHER. Madam Chair, I ask unanimous consent to claim time in 
opposition, although I do not oppose the amendment.
  The CHAIR. Is there objection to the request of the gentlewoman from 
Texas?
  There was no objection.
  The CHAIR. The gentlewoman from Texas (Mrs. Fletcher) is recognized 
for 5 minutes.
  Mrs. FLETCHER. I yield myself such time as I may consume.

[[Page H957]]

  Madam Chair, I rise today to offer this bipartisan amendment with my 
colleague and neighbor, Mr. Crenshaw, to help families who, through no 
fault of their own, were denied disaster recovery funding--in our case, 
for our constituents affected by Hurricane Harvey.
  As Members of this body will recall, Hurricane Harvey landed on the 
Texas Gulf Coast in August of 2017. It was the second costliest 
hurricane in United States history. It took 68 lives, it dropped more 
than 60 inches of rain, and it caused nearly $125 billion in damages.
  Our community came together to help, and we showed each other and the 
Nation how much we can accomplish when we work together to help our 
neighbors in need.
  This body worked, too, appropriating funds quickly to help those 
affected for immediate assistance and for long-term rebuilding.
  But the needs were great and the funds, though well-intentioned, were 
slow. So many of our constituents took out loans from the Small 
Business Administration, where they could get low-interest loans to 
begin the necessary and immediate work of rebuilding.
  When they applied for the SBA loans, they were told that taking out a 
loan would not disqualify them from other disaster aid. Unfortunately, 
they were, in fact, disqualified from other forms of Federal aid 
because they had taken out an SBA loan.

                              {time}  1100

  If they had taken out a loan from a friend or a bank, they would not 
have been in this situation. They would still be eligible for the 
Federal aid.
  But because they chose to take out an SBA loan in the midst of an 
unprecedented disaster, they were disqualified from receiving further 
Federal assistance.
  Of course, that is inconsistent with the program, it is inconsistent 
with the intent of this body to punish people for seeking help from the 
agencies that are there to help them in their times of need.
  I have heard from so many constituents who have been left behind by 
what, by all accounts, was a mistaken interpretation of the intent and 
the rules that need to be corrected. We simply cannot leave them 
behind.
  We now have the opportunity to correct this error here and to bring 
meaningful relief to disaster victims. This amendment will fund $45 
million to those in Texas who were wrongfully denied assistance because 
they took out SBA disaster recovery loans. We have a chance today to 
right this wrong and to deliver the help that our neighbors have been 
waiting on for years.
  During Harvey, our community demonstrated that we are at our best 
when we are working together to solve problems, and this amendment does 
the same.
  I urge my colleagues to support this amendment, and I reserve the 
balance of my time.
  Mr. CRENSHAW. Madam Chair, I yield such time as he may consume to the 
gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. Graves).
  Mr. GRAVES of Louisiana. Madam Chair, I thank the gentleman from 
Texas (Mr. Crenshaw) for fighting for the disaster victims of the awful 
hurricanes that his constituents and others have gone through in Texas, 
Florida, North Carolina, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands.
  And I want to thank Congresswoman Fletcher for her co-sponsorship of 
this amendment and efforts to get this wrong fixed.
  Madam Chair, I want to very simply explain what is happening here. So 
you have people that have experienced disasters; that have been through 
some type of flood or other disaster. The immediate assistance that is 
available to those disaster victims, and this is for homeowners, for 
renters, not for businesses--but the Small Business Administration 
offers loans, disaster loans, to individuals. They offer it to 
businesses, too, but they offer loans to individuals.
  And that is the only money that is largely available in the immediate 
aftermath. There may be a small grant available from FEMA, but it is 
the only money. So if you want to be proactive, if you want to lean 
forward, those are the resources that are available. You apply for a 
loan. So that is one of your options.
  The other option that you have is that you can sit back in a FEMA-
supplied hotel room, or you can sit back in a FEMA-supplied trailer. 
The trailers, by the way, cost about $150,000 a piece, under FEMA's 
ridiculous process.
  So you can have one option where your thousands and thousands of 
dollars of taxpayer funds are paying for your hotel room. You can have 
another option where $150,000 is going toward a trailer to house you 
temporarily, while you sit back and wait.
  The other option is you lean forward, you get the loan, and you help 
to rebuild. You help to get your community back on its feet. You help 
to get the tax base.
  Under our ridiculous Federal policies, the people that were proactive 
are penalized.
  The gentleman from Texas, the gentlewoman from Texas, they are 
exactly right. The people are penalized that are trying to get 
recovered faster; that are trying to get their community recovered 
faster; that are trying to not spend more taxpayer funds on hotel rooms 
or trailers.
  Yet, our Federal policy penalizes them for it; tells them that when 
grants are available, grants that you don't have to pay back; that they 
are ineligible. We are rewarding the wrong type of behavior.
  So, with the help of many people in this room, we changed the law. 
The Disaster Recovery Reform Act of 2018 changes, section 1210(a). We 
fixed this.
  The problem is, it took HUD over a year to write guidance, and they 
totally missed it. They invented criteria that is not in the law. They 
totally missed it. They introduced discriminatory criteria and make it 
virtually impossible for many people to get assistance.
  So what this amendment does, it is adding money to help fix a wrong. 
It shouldn't have to be done.
  I urge adoption of this amendment. But most importantly, Madam Chair, 
we have got to fix these policies that are causing the Federal 
Government to re-victimize disaster victims. That is not why we are 
here. That is not representing.
  I will say it again; I urge adoption of this amendment. I want to 
thank my friends from Texas for their work on this. We need to move 
forward and fix this long-term.
  The CHAIR. The time of the gentleman from Texas has expired.
  Mrs. FLETCHER. Madam Chair, I yield 30 seconds to the gentleman from 
North Carolina (Mr. Price), the chairman of the Transportation, and 
Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Subcommittee.
  Mr. PRICE of North Carolina. Madam Chairman, I rise in support of 
this amendment.
  I know the amendment doesn't fully address the Member's concerns, but 
it addresses them substantially, and I look forward to working with 
them further to engage both HUD and the Texas Land Office to work 
toward a solution for this issue.
  So I thank both of my colleagues for putting this constructive 
amendment forward, and their effort to highlight this issue that is of 
great importance. I am happy to offer my support.
  Mrs. FLETCHER. Madam Chair, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from 
California (Ms. Pelosi), the distinguished Speaker of the House.
  Ms. PELOSI. Madam Chair, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding, and I 
thank her and Mr. Crenshaw for this very wise amendment to this 
important legislation. I thank them for their leadership. The 
experience that they had in Texas is one that is shared in the rest of 
the country as well.

  I urge an ``aye'' vote on that important Crenshaw/Fletcher amendment.
  Madam Chair, many of us remember that nearly 2\1/2\ years ago, 
Hurricanes Maria and Irma tore through Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin 
Islands and left a trail of heartbreak and devastation in their wake. 
Thousands of Americans, all Americans citizens, tragically lost their 
lives.
  Following the hurricanes, many Members traveled to the islands. We 
saw firsthand the homes that were destroyed, the communities that were 
ravaged, and the businesses and schools left in ruin. And we saw that 
the incompetence and indifference of many from here compounded this 
terrible humanitarian crisis.
  It is unacceptable that the administration illegally withheld for a 
full

[[Page H958]]

year the assistance that Congress appropriated and that Puerto Rico 
needs, both to recover from Maria, and to prepare for future disasters 
in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.
  In recent weeks, tragedy has once again hit Puerto Rico as more than 
1,000 earthquakes--1,000 earthquakes have rocked the island since 
December 28. Schools have crumbled, hospitals are in disarray, and 
houses have been destroyed. Thousands of people are staying in shelters 
or sleeping outside out of fear that their homes could collapse as they 
sleep.
  And tragically, two Americans have lost their lives, including a 13-
year-old girl in Vieques, where too many are still waiting for the 
Federal assistance needed to modernize hospitals and improve access to 
care.
  Madam Chair, as Members of Congress, our most important 
responsibility is to keep the American people safe. Two weeks after 
devastating earthquakes struck Puerto Rico, our fellow Americans on the 
island still face serious challenges to their safety, health, and well-
being.
  Every family that is sleeping outside, every child who no longer has 
a school to go to because of seismic dangers, every person who dies 
because they can't access a hospital, each is a challenge to the 
conscience of our country.
  Today, with this strong supplemental assistance package, the 
Democratic House and, hopefully, with strong bipartisan support, is 
showing the people of Puerto Rico that we are there for them now, and 
throughout the road to recovery.
  I salute Chairwoman Nydia Velazquez, our fearless, persistent 
champion of Puerto Rico in the Congress, born there, family there. 
Thanks also to the members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus for 
raising a relentless drumbeat on behalf of the families on the island.
  Today, I also salute the distinguished chair of the Appropriations 
Committee for working right away, as soon as we came back into session 
in January, to provide assistance to Puerto Rico, the best route there. 
That guidance was led by our distinguished chair of the subcommittee of 
jurisdiction, Mr. Price. So I thank Chairwoman Lowey and Chairman 
Price. Thank you for bringing us to the floor today on this important 
legislation.
  This supplemental assistance package provides the relief that is 
urgently needed to help Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands rebuild and 
recover today. And it invests billions in efforts to prevent damage and 
loss of life in the future.
  Although the earthquake was in Puerto Rico, the ramifications are in 
that region.
  The package, as has been noted, provides more than $3 billion for 
disaster relief and long-term recovery; $1.25 billion for highway 
emergency relief, which will also go to disaster-struck States on the 
mainland; hundreds of millions for critical investments in education, 
nutrition assistance, electric grid recovery, and strong tax relief for 
Puerto Rico and other territories, including permanent changes to the 
Earned Income Tax Credit and the Child Tax Credit, and new investments 
to boost local economies and create good-paying jobs on the island.
  I thank our distinguished chair of the Ways and Means Committee, 
Richie Neal, for his leadership in having this part of the package.
  Sadly, there are some who have some obstacles to sending this 
emergency money to Puerto Rico following the earthquake. As Members of 
Congress, we have a responsibility to act because our fellow Americans 
deserve to know that their government will be there for them without 
question or hesitation in this dark hour.
  Might I say, I am reminded, so many people in our country don't 
realize Puerto Ricans are American citizens. Many of them, if you visit 
there, you will visit veterans' centers where so many of them come 
together. They are American patriots who help our country. We are so 
proud of them, and we salute them; and in this time of need we want to 
help them.
  I urge a strong vote to provide help, healing, and hope for Puerto 
Rico.
  Mrs. FLETCHER. Madam Chair, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  I thank my colleagues for their collaboration on this bill. I thank 
Mr. Crenshaw for working with me on this important effort for our 
community and for communities across our State and, of course, our 
country.
  I thank everyone for their collaboration and support in this effort, 
and for the eloquent statements and important statements made this 
morning in support of this amendment on the floor.
  I urge all of my colleagues to support this amendment. And I yield 
back the balance of my time.
  The CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the gentleman 
from Texas (Mr. Crenshaw).
  The amendment was agreed to.


                  Amendment No. 5 Offered by Ms. Tlaib

  The CHAIR. It is now in order to consider amendment No. 5 printed in 
part C of House Report 116-392.
  Ms. TLAIB. Madam Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.
  The CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
  The text of the amendment is as follows:

       Page 16, line 11, insert after ``information'' the 
     following: ``, ensuring meaningful access for individuals 
     with limited English proficiency in accordance with the Final 
     Guidance issued by the Department of Housing and Urban 
     Development on January 22, 2007 (72 Fed. Reg. 2732),''.

  The CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 833, the gentlewoman from 
Michigan (Ms. Tlaib) and a Member opposed each will control 5 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Michigan.
  Ms. TLAIB. Madam Chair, I would like to begin by thanking 
Congresswoman Lowey, our Subcommittee Chairman Price, and their staff 
for working with me on this amendment and for their critical leadership 
on this bill.
  I would also like to thank my sisters in service, Congresswoman 
Velazquez and Congresswoman Ocasio-Cortez, for leading this amendment 
with me. I am so proud to partner with them to make our government more 
accessible, especially in times of disaster.
  This amendment ensures meaningful access to fellow Americans with 
limited English abilities to the public information maintained by 
grantees of the Department of Housing and Urban Development's Community 
Development Fund.
  The amendment rests on two principles, Madam Chair. First, the Puerto 
Rican people have a right to know how this relief money is being spent 
in their own communities.
  Second, no one is in a better position to hold officials and grant 
recipients accountable and to ensure that the money we allocate today 
is used in the best interests of the community than the people of 
Puerto Rico themselves.
  That is why it is critical that we ensure that any information made 
available is easily accessible to all people, regardless of what 
language they speak.
  I cannot overstate how important it is that we pass this bill. The 
people of Puerto Rico are struggling and persevering through some of 
the most difficult circumstances that any of us have ever experienced.
  The bill provides over $4 billion in critical disaster relief and 
long-term recovery assistance, and funds programs and grants to get 
kids back in fully-functioning schools, repairing damages to 
infrastructure and roads, and to rebuild the island's electrical grid 
that has been damaged because of disasters and so forth, and ensure 
that no one else is affected, or that children don't go to sleep 
hungry.
  It is time--it is time to release these funds.
  To hold the money that can save lives is not only inhumane and 
immoral, but it is, more dangerously, a form of oppression. The 
disconnection to human suffering that we cause by doing nothing is what 
will continue to fail the American people.
  Passing this bill fulfills the central promise of our democracy 
governed ``of the people, by the people, and for the people.''

                              {time}  1115

  Passing this amendment in this bill ensures that some of the most 
vulnerable people have full access to democracy, regardless of who they 
are, where they are from, and what language they speak.
  I urge my colleagues to please support this amendment.
  Madam Chair, I yield as much time as he may consume to the gentleman

[[Page H959]]

from North Carolina (Mr. Price), my distinguished fellow colleague and 
chairman of the Subcommittee on Transportation, and Housing and Urban 
Development, and Related Agencies.
  Mr. PRICE of North Carolina. Madam Chair, I thank my colleague for 
yielding.
  I am happy to rise in support of this amendment. It is a very well-
considered amendment, one that is an important addition to this bill.
  Access to linguistically appropriate materials, understandable 
materials, in the CDBG-DR program is vitally important. Meaningful 
access to program materials is essential for transparency, for public 
input, and for knowledge on how you take advantage of these benefits 
and these programs and what is available under the disaster assistance 
programs.
  While HUD currently requires all grantees to provide meaningful 
access, this puts a finer point on it, and we need to do that. It is 
important to underscore HUD's responsibility and the grantee's 
responsibility to provide access in dispensing this aid.
  I thank my colleagues for this amendment.
  Ms. TLAIB. Madam Chair, I want to reiterate the importance of this 
amendment. As a person who was born and raised in this country and who 
didn't speak English when I started school, and who is now a Member of 
this Chamber, I can tell my colleagues personally how critical this is 
to our democracy and to protecting all of us.
  I thank my colleagues again for their tremendous support, and I yield 
back the balance of my time.
  The CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the 
gentlewoman from Michigan (Ms. Tlaib).
  The amendment was agreed to.


            Amendment No. 6 Offered by Mr. Levin of Michigan

  The CHAIR. It is now in order to consider amendment No. 6 printed in 
part C of House Report 116-392.
  Mr. LEVIN of Michigan. Madam Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.
  The CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
  The text of the amendment is as follows:

       Page 12, line 18, after the dollar amount, insert 
     ``(reduced by $1,000,000)(increased by $1,000,000)''.

  The CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 833, the gentleman from 
Michigan (Mr. Levin) and a Member opposed each will control 5 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Michigan.
  Mr. LEVIN of Michigan. Madam Chairwoman, I thank Chairwoman Lowey and 
subcommittee Chairman Price for their leadership and for bringing this 
much-needed package to the floor today.
  I am pleased to see that this bill includes funding for the long-term 
recovery of territories impacted by recent disasters, including 
continued support for the electric grid's recovery.
  After Hurricane Maria hit Puerto Rico in 2017, it took an entire year 
to restore power to the whole island. Then last month, back-to-back 
earthquakes damaged Puerto Rico's main power plants and caused yet 
another major blackout.
  The people of Puerto Rico--and all Americans, for that matter--cannot 
be forced to grapple with blackout after blackout, especially when 
climate change has made catastrophic storms all too frequent. As we 
think about what is needed to ensure the long-term recovery of these 
areas, it is absolutely essential that renewable resources be part of 
that conversation.
  That is why I have introduced this simple amendment to prioritize 
funding for renewable energy projects, like wind and solar power, that 
will enhance the long-term resiliency of Puerto Rico's infrastructure.
  We have already seen what renewable energy can do in the aftermath of 
a disaster. During the blackout that followed Hurricane Maria, Puerto 
Rican homeowners, businesses, and hospitals waiting for repair crews 
actually installed their own solar panels and batteries to get their 
power back faster. Last year, Puerto Rico passed a law setting a 
timeline to power the island entirely by renewable energy by 2050. That 
is a great step, but it is not nearly enough, and Puerto Rico needs our 
Nation's help.
  We have to ensure renewables are prioritized for Puerto Rico's 
recovery, for the sake of their ability to survive disasters like 
Hurricane Maria and for the sake of our planet. Power generation from 
fossil fuels is a major source of the greenhouse gas emissions that are 
making climate change worse.
  We have to make major changes fast. Shifting to renewables is one 
change that will help combat climate change and help the American 
people cope in the aftermath of major disasters.
  Again, I thank Chairwoman Lowey for her work on this bill, and I 
yield 1 minute to the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Price), the 
subcommittee chairman and my dear colleague.
  Mr. PRICE of North Carolina. Madam Chairman, I thank my colleague for 
yielding.
  I am happy to rise in support of this amendment. This amendment 
highlights the importance of prioritizing funding for renewable energy 
projects that will enhance the long-term resilience of Puerto Rico's 
infrastructure.
  A reliable and resilient power grid is critical to Puerto Rico's 
ability to withstand and quickly recover from future disasters.
  Madam Chairwoman, if I might, I want to take just a moment also to 
highlight section 304 of the bill. Section 304 requires HUD and other 
Federal partners to finish the consultation on the $2 billion provided 
in the Bipartisan Budget Act for electrical grid improvements in Puerto 
Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands within 30 days and for HUD to issue a 
notice in 60 days.
  Mr. LEVIN of Michigan. Madam Chairwoman, I will close by saying that 
I really appreciate our ability to take this small step, but I think we 
ought to all dream big for this beautiful part of our country.
  Puerto Rico has been subject to misfortunes, and we can think about a 
different future for Puerto Rico where it moves very quickly not just 
to renewable energy but to localized renewable energy, so that each 
community has solar, microgrids, and battery storage, so that they 
really aren't subject to these disasters in the same way at all.
  Madam Chairwoman, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the gentleman 
from Michigan (Mr. Levin).
  The amendment was agreed to.


                 Amendment No. 1 Offered by Ms. Shalala

  The CHAIR. Pursuant to clause 6 of rule XVIII, the unfinished 
business is the demand for a recorded vote on the amendment No. 1 
printed in part C of House Report 116-392 offered by the gentlewoman 
from Florida (Ms. Shalala) 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 CHAIR. A recorded vote has been demanded.
  A recorded vote was ordered.
  The vote was taken by electronic device, and there were--ayes 257, 
noes 149, not voting 29, as follows:

                             [Roll No. 52]

                               AYES--257

     Adams
     Aguilar
     Allred
     Axne
     Bacon
     Barragan
     Bass
     Beatty
     Bera
     Beyer
     Bishop (GA)
     Blumenauer
     Blunt Rochester
     Bonamici
     Bost
     Boyle, Brendan F.
     Brindisi
     Brooks (IN)
     Brown (MD)
     Brownley (CA)
     Buchanan
     Bucshon
     Bustos
     Butterfield
     Carbajal
     Cardenas
     Carson (IN)
     Cartwright
     Case
     Casten (IL)
     Castor (FL)
     Castro (TX)
     Chu, Judy
     Cicilline
     Cisneros
     Clark (MA)
     Clarke (NY)
     Clay
     Clyburn
     Cohen
     Connolly
     Cooper
     Correa
     Costa
     Courtney
     Craig
     Crist
     Crow
     Cuellar
     Cunningham
     Curtis
     Davids (KS)
     Davis (CA)
     Davis, Danny K.
     Davis, Rodney
     Dean
     DeFazio
     DeGette
     DeLauro
     DelBene
     Delgado
     Demings
     DeSaulnier
     Deutch
     Diaz-Balart
     Dingell
     Doggett
     Doyle, Michael F.
     Engel
     Escobar
     Eshoo
     Espaillat
     Evans
     Finkenauer
     Fitzpatrick
     Fletcher
     Foster
     Frankel
     Fudge
     Gallego
     Garamendi
     Garcia (IL)
     Garcia (TX)
     Gianforte
     Golden
     Gomez
     Gonzalez (OH)
     Gonzalez (TX)
     Gonzalez-Colon (PR)
     Gottheimer
     Graves (LA)
     Green, Al (TX)
     Grijalva
     Haaland
     Harder (CA)
     Hastings
     Hayes
     Heck
     Herrera Beutler
     Higgins (NY)
     Himes
     Horn, Kendra S.
     Horsford
     Houlahan
     Hoyer
     Huffman
     Hurd (TX)
     Jackson Lee
     Jayapal
     Jeffries
     Johnson (GA)

[[Page H960]]


     Johnson (TX)
     Joyce (OH)
     Kaptur
     Katko
     Keating
     Kelly (IL)
     Kennedy
     Khanna
     Kildee
     Kilmer
     Kim
     Kind
     King (NY)
     Krishnamoorthi
     Kuster (NH)
     Lamb
     Langevin
     Larsen (WA)
     Larson (CT)
     Lawrence
     Lawson (FL)
     Lee (CA)
     Lee (NV)
     Levin (CA)
     Levin (MI)
     Lieu, Ted
     Lipinski
     Loebsack
     Lowenthal
     Lowey
     Lujan
     Luria
     Lynch
     Malinowski
     Maloney, Carolyn B.
     Maloney, Sean
     Matsui
     McAdams
     McBath
     McCaul
     McCollum
     McEachin
     McGovern
     McNerney
     Meeks
     Meng
     Meuser
     Moore
     Moulton
     Mucarsel-Powell
     Murphy (FL)
     Nadler
     Napolitano
     Neal
     Neguse
     Norcross
     Norton
     O'Halleran
     Ocasio-Cortez
     Omar
     Pallone
     Panetta
     Pappas
     Pascrell
     Payne
     Perlmutter
     Peters
     Peterson
     Phillips
     Pingree
     Plaskett
     Pocan
     Porter
     Posey
     Pressley
     Price (NC)
     Quigley
     Raskin
     Richmond
     Rose (NY)
     Rouda
     Roybal-Allard
     Ruiz
     Ruppersberger
     Rush
     Ryan
     Sablan
     San Nicolas
     Sanchez
     Sarbanes
     Scanlon
     Schakowsky
     Schiff
     Schneider
     Schrader
     Schrier
     Scott (VA)
     Scott, David
     Serrano
     Shalala
     Sherman
     Sherrill
     Sires
     Slotkin
     Smith (NJ)
     Smith (WA)
     Soto
     Spanberger
     Speier
     Stanton
     Stauber
     Stefanik
     Stevens
     Suozzi
     Swalwell (CA)
     Takano
     Thompson (CA)
     Thompson (MS)
     Titus
     Tlaib
     Tonko
     Torres (CA)
     Torres Small (NM)
     Trahan
     Trone
     Turner
     Underwood
     Upton
     Van Drew
     Vargas
     Veasey
     Vela
     Velazquez
     Visclosky
     Walden
     Waltz
     Wasserman Schultz
     Waters
     Watson Coleman
     Welch
     Wexton
     Wild
     Wilson (FL)
     Woodall
     Yarmuth
     Young

                               NOES--149

     Abraham
     Aderholt
     Allen
     Amash
     Amodei
     Armstrong
     Arrington
     Babin
     Baird
     Balderson
     Banks
     Barr
     Bergman
     Biggs
     Bilirakis
     Bishop (UT)
     Brady
     Brooks (AL)
     Buck
     Burchett
     Burgess
     Calvert
     Carter (GA)
     Carter (TX)
     Chabot
     Cheney
     Cline
     Cloud
     Cole
     Collins (GA)
     Comer
     Conaway
     Cook
     Crawford
     Crenshaw
     Davidson (OH)
     DesJarlais
     Duncan
     Dunn
     Emmer
     Estes
     Ferguson
     Fleischmann
     Flores
     Fortenberry
     Fulcher
     Gallagher
     Gibbs
     Gohmert
     Gooden
     Gosar
     Granger
     Graves (GA)
     Graves (MO)
     Green (TN)
     Griffith
     Grothman
     Guest
     Guthrie
     Hagedorn
     Harris
     Hartzler
     Hern, Kevin
     Hice (GA)
     Higgins (LA)
     Hill (AR)
     Holding
     Hollingsworth
     Huizenga
     Johnson (LA)
     Johnson (OH)
     Johnson (SD)
     Jordan
     Joyce (PA)
     Keller
     Kelly (MS)
     Kelly (PA)
     King (IA)
     Kinzinger
     LaHood
     Lamborn
     Latta
     Lesko
     Long
     Loudermilk
     Lucas
     Luetkemeyer
     Marshall
     Massie
     Mast
     McCarthy
     McClintock
     McKinley
     Miller
     Mitchell
     Moolenaar
     Mooney (WV)
     Mullin
     Newhouse
     Nunes
     Olson
     Palazzo
     Palmer
     Pence
     Perry
     Ratcliffe
     Reschenthaler
     Rice (SC)
     Riggleman
     Rodgers (WA)
     Roe, David P.
     Rogers (AL)
     Rogers (KY)
     Rooney (FL)
     Rose, John W.
     Rouzer
     Roy
     Rutherford
     Scalise
     Schweikert
     Scott, Austin
     Sensenbrenner
     Shimkus
     Simpson
     Smith (MO)
     Smith (NE)
     Smucker
     Spano
     Steil
     Steube
     Stewart
     Stivers
     Taylor
     Thompson (PA)
     Thornberry
     Tipton
     Wagner
     Walberg
     Walorski
     Watkins
     Weber (TX)
     Wenstrup
     Westerman
     Williams
     Wittman
     Womack
     Wright
     Yoho
     Zeldin

                             NOT VOTING--29

     Bishop (NC)
     Budd
     Byrne
     Cleaver
     Cox (CA)
     Foxx (NC)
     Gabbard
     Gaetz
     Hudson
     Kirkpatrick
     Kustoff (TN)
     LaMalfa
     Lewis
     Lofgren
     Marchant
     McHenry
     Meadows
     Morelle
     Murphy (NC)
     Norman
     Radewagen
     Reed
     Rice (NY)
     Roby
     Sewell (AL)
     Timmons
     Walker
     Webster (FL)
     Wilson (SC)

                              {time}  1149

  So the amendment was agreed to.
  The result of the vote was announced as above recorded.
  The Acting CHAIR (Mr. Horsford). There being no further amendments, 
under the rule, the Committee rises.
  Accordingly, the Committee rose; and the Speaker pro tempore (Ms. 
Castor of Florida) having assumed the chair, Mr. Horsford, 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. 
5687) making emergency supplemental appropriations for the fiscal year 
ending September 30, 2020, and for other purposes, and, pursuant to 
House Resolution 833, he reported the bill back to the House with 
sundry amendments adopted in the Committee of the Whole.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under the rule, the previous question is 
ordered.
  Is a separate vote demanded on any amendment reported from the 
Committee of the Whole? If not, the Chair will put them en gros.
  The amendments were agreed to.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the engrossment and third 
reading of the bill.
  The bill was ordered to be engrossed and read a third time, and was 
read the third time.


                           Motion to Recommit

  Mr. COLE. Madam Speaker, I have a motion to recommit at the desk.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is the gentleman opposed to the bill?
  Mr. COLE. Madam Speaker, I am in its current form.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Clerk will report the motion to 
recommit.
  The Clerk read as follows:

       Mr. Cole moves to recommit the bill H.R. 5687 to the 
     Committee on Appropriations.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Oklahoma is recognized for 5 minutes in support of his motion.
  Mr. COLE. Madam Speaker, I rise in reluctant opposition to this bill. 
Long before I was privileged to come to this House, I was Secretary of 
State in Oklahoma at the time of the Oklahoma City bombing, and I was 
tasked by the Governor to work with my friend, our colleague Mr. Lucas, 
to work with the Congress to see that we received timely assistance for 
a disaster that was clearly not of our own making. We got that 
assistance, and I am forever grateful to this body and the people in it 
that worked with us at that particular time.
  Madam Speaker, since I arrived in Congress, I never forgot the help 
that we received from the Congress of the United States. So I routinely 
voted for almost every supplemental that related to disaster relief. I 
was one of 49 Republicans who voted for Sandy relief, and I have no 
doubt that our fellow Americans in Puerto Rico are in dire need and 
certainly need help at this particular time.
  I was very proud, as I know many Members were in the last Congress, 
to vote for over $40 billion of relief to Puerto Rico. It needed that 
money. There was no question about it.
  Madam Speaker, we are moving prematurely here. That money, that $40 
billion, roughly half has yet to be expended. It is available for 
immediate use right now.
  We still have $42 billion in the Disaster Relief Fund. That money is 
available for immediate use right now.
  There is an ongoing FEMA investigation to determine the precise needs 
of Puerto Rico. That has yet to be completed and reported to Congress. 
We should wait for that disaster relief, not because it may tell us 
that we need less, but it might actually tell us that we need more. We 
should not act without appropriate information.
  So, Madam Speaker, I think the appropriate thing to do is to send 
this back to the committee and wait for the information to move. If we 
move now, precipitously, it is almost certain that the United States 
Senate will not pick up this relief, and the President will probably 
not sign this bill if it got to his desk.
  If we wait for the appropriate information, use the available funds 
that we have right now to help people in Puerto Rico, we have a much 
better chance of getting our fellow Americans the help they need, when 
they need it, in the right amounts, and in the right way.
  There is no doubt in my mind that this Congress will respond 
appropriately to an emergency. I have seen us do it time and time again 
on a bipartisan basis. I know we will do it again at the appropriate 
time.
  So Congress will respond, if necessary. Frankly, Madam Speaker, I 
simply move that we recommit the current legislation to the 
Appropriations Committee, wait on the information, and then act in the 
interests of our fellow Americans.
  Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. SOTO. Madam Speaker, I rise in opposition to the motion to 
recommit.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentleman from Florida is recognized for 
5 minutes.
  Mr. SOTO. Madam Speaker, the gentleman from Oklahoma talked about 
timely assistance for his State. I think that is important because that 
is what we are asking for for Puerto Rico here today.
  We talked about the $42 billion for hurricanes. We all know that less 
than

[[Page H961]]

half that money has still gotten to the island already, and we are 
talking now about earthquakes, a totally different disaster in the 
southwestern portions of the island, unique in character.
  These funds may not even cover some of these other issues happening. 
When you look at the schools, in particular, that are all across the 
island, this is unique because they were made to withstand hurricanes, 
not earthquakes.
  I agree, if we need more funds, we can always supplement with another 
bill. Why are we waiting? Why would we wait today when the people of 
Puerto Rico, our fellow Americans, need our help?
  That is why we are here today. Imagine a thousand earthquakes since 
December and imagine those thousand earthquakes happening after 
Hurricane Maria--nearly a hurricane five--hits and destroys most of 
your island.
  My guest was Jessica Carrillo who left the island and had to come to 
central Florida because she was weary from sleeping in her car or 
sleeping on her porch, day in and day out for over a month.
  I had the opportunity to go firsthand to Puerto Rico and see that 
damage as the grounds shifted below our feet. We talked about the 
schools. We talked about the folks who were in the disaster relief 
camps, and the Costa Sur Power Plant, which is closed, that now puts 
them in a tough position.
  So I ask: Let's put together and pass this bill that will provide 
$4.67 billion in disaster relief and vote against the motion to 
recommit because we can't wait any longer.
  I ask you to vote ``yes'' on the ultimate package, to rise above the 
politics of disaster relief because but for the grace of God go you and 
your families, your districts, and your States.
  We rose together for Hurricane Michael in my State of Florida and for 
Hurricane Harvey in Texas.
  I ask this House to get the job done here today. Vote ``no'' on the 
motion to recommit and vote ``yes'' on this very good bill to help 
Americans in Puerto Rico.
  Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Without objection, the previous question is 
ordered on the motion to recommit.
  There was no objection.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion to recommit.
  The question was taken; and the Speaker pro tempore announced that 
the noes appeared to have it.


                             Recorded Vote

  Mr. COLE. Madam Speaker, I demand a recorded vote.
  A recorded vote was ordered.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 9 of rule XX, this 5-
minute vote on the motion to recommit will be followed by a 5-minute 
vote on passage of the bill.
  The vote was taken by electronic device, and there were--ayes 178, 
noes 223, not voting 28, as follows:

                             [Roll No. 53]

                               AYES--178

     Abraham
     Aderholt
     Allen
     Amash
     Amodei
     Armstrong
     Arrington
     Babin
     Bacon
     Baird
     Balderson
     Banks
     Barr
     Bergman
     Biggs
     Bilirakis
     Bishop (UT)
     Bost
     Brady
     Brooks (AL)
     Brooks (IN)
     Buchanan
     Buck
     Bucshon
     Burchett
     Burgess
     Calvert
     Carter (GA)
     Carter (TX)
     Chabot
     Cheney
     Cline
     Cloud
     Cole
     Collins (GA)
     Comer
     Conaway
     Cook
     Crawford
     Crenshaw
     Curtis
     Davidson (OH)
     Davis, Rodney
     DesJarlais
     Diaz-Balart
     Duncan
     Dunn
     Emmer
     Estes
     Ferguson
     Fitzpatrick
     Fleischmann
     Flores
     Fortenberry
     Fulcher
     Gallagher
     Gianforte
     Gibbs
     Gohmert
     Gonzalez (OH)
     Gooden
     Gosar
     Granger
     Graves (GA)
     Graves (LA)
     Graves (MO)
     Green (TN)
     Griffith
     Grothman
     Guest
     Guthrie
     Hagedorn
     Harris
     Hartzler
     Hern, Kevin
     Herrera Beutler
     Hice (GA)
     Higgins (LA)
     Hill (AR)
     Holding
     Hollingsworth
     Huizenga
     Hurd (TX)
     Johnson (LA)
     Johnson (OH)
     Johnson (SD)
     Jordan
     Joyce (OH)
     Joyce (PA)
     Katko
     Keller
     Kelly (MS)
     Kelly (PA)
     King (IA)
     King (NY)
     Kinzinger
     LaHood
     Lamborn
     Latta
     Lesko
     Long
     Loudermilk
     Lucas
     Luetkemeyer
     Marshall
     Massie
     Mast
     McCarthy
     McCaul
     McClintock
     McKinley
     Meuser
     Miller
     Mitchell
     Moolenaar
     Mooney (WV)
     Mullin
     Newhouse
     Nunes
     Olson
     Palazzo
     Palmer
     Pence
     Perry
     Posey
     Ratcliffe
     Reschenthaler
     Rice (SC)
     Riggleman
     Rodgers (WA)
     Roe, David P.
     Rogers (AL)
     Rogers (KY)
     Rooney (FL)
     Rose, John W.
     Rouzer
     Roy
     Rutherford
     Scalise
     Schweikert
     Scott, Austin
     Sensenbrenner
     Shimkus
     Simpson
     Smith (MO)
     Smith (NE)
     Smith (NJ)
     Smucker
     Spano
     Stauber
     Stefanik
     Steil
     Steube
     Stewart
     Stivers
     Taylor
     Thompson (PA)
     Thornberry
     Tipton
     Turner
     Upton
     Wagner
     Walberg
     Walden
     Walorski
     Waltz
     Watkins
     Weber (TX)
     Wenstrup
     Westerman
     Williams
     Wittman
     Womack
     Woodall
     Wright
     Yoho
     Young
     Zeldin

                               NOES--223

     Adams
     Aguilar
     Allred
     Axne
     Barragan
     Bass
     Beatty
     Bera
     Beyer
     Bishop (GA)
     Blumenauer
     Blunt Rochester
     Bonamici
     Boyle, Brendan F.
     Brindisi
     Brown (MD)
     Brownley (CA)
     Bustos
     Butterfield
     Carbajal
     Cardenas
     Carson (IN)
     Cartwright
     Case
     Casten (IL)
     Castor (FL)
     Castro (TX)
     Chu, Judy
     Cicilline
     Cisneros
     Clark (MA)
     Clarke (NY)
     Clay
     Clyburn
     Cohen
     Connolly
     Cooper
     Correa
     Costa
     Courtney
     Craig
     Crist
     Crow
     Cuellar
     Cunningham
     Davids (KS)
     Davis (CA)
     Davis, Danny K.
     Dean
     DeFazio
     DeGette
     DeLauro
     DelBene
     Delgado
     Demings
     DeSaulnier
     Deutch
     Dingell
     Doggett
     Doyle, Michael F.
     Engel
     Escobar
     Eshoo
     Espaillat
     Evans
     Finkenauer
     Fletcher
     Foster
     Frankel
     Fudge
     Gallego
     Garamendi
     Garcia (IL)
     Garcia (TX)
     Golden
     Gomez
     Gonzalez (TX)
     Gottheimer
     Green, Al (TX)
     Grijalva
     Haaland
     Harder (CA)
     Hastings
     Hayes
     Heck
     Higgins (NY)
     Himes
     Horn, Kendra S.
     Horsford
     Houlahan
     Hoyer
     Huffman
     Jackson Lee
     Jayapal
     Jeffries
     Johnson (GA)
     Johnson (TX)
     Kaptur
     Keating
     Kelly (IL)
     Kennedy
     Khanna
     Kildee
     Kilmer
     Kim
     Kind
     Krishnamoorthi
     Kuster (NH)
     Lamb
     Langevin
     Larsen (WA)
     Larson (CT)
     Lawrence
     Lawson (FL)
     Lee (CA)
     Lee (NV)
     Levin (CA)
     Levin (MI)
     Lieu, Ted
     Lipinski
     Loebsack
     Lowenthal
     Lowey
     Lujan
     Luria
     Lynch
     Malinowski
     Maloney, Carolyn B.
     Maloney, Sean
     Matsui
     McAdams
     McBath
     McCollum
     McEachin
     McGovern
     McNerney
     Meeks
     Meng
     Moore
     Moulton
     Mucarsel-Powell
     Murphy (FL)
     Nadler
     Napolitano
     Neal
     Neguse
     Norcross
     O'Halleran
     Ocasio-Cortez
     Omar
     Pallone
     Panetta
     Pappas
     Pascrell
     Payne
     Perlmutter
     Peters
     Peterson
     Phillips
     Pingree
     Pocan
     Porter
     Pressley
     Price (NC)
     Quigley
     Raskin
     Richmond
     Rose (NY)
     Rouda
     Roybal-Allard
     Ruiz
     Ruppersberger
     Rush
     Ryan
     Sanchez
     Sarbanes
     Scanlon
     Schakowsky
     Schiff
     Schneider
     Schrader
     Schrier
     Scott (VA)
     Scott, David
     Serrano
     Shalala
     Sherman
     Sherrill
     Sires
     Slotkin
     Smith (WA)
     Soto
     Spanberger
     Speier
     Stanton
     Stevens
     Suozzi
     Swalwell (CA)
     Takano
     Thompson (CA)
     Thompson (MS)
     Titus
     Tlaib
     Tonko
     Torres (CA)
     Torres Small (NM)
     Trahan
     Trone
     Underwood
     Van Drew
     Vargas
     Veasey
     Vela
     Velazquez
     Visclosky
     Wasserman Schultz
     Waters
     Watson Coleman
     Welch
     Wexton
     Wild
     Wilson (FL)
     Yarmuth

                             NOT VOTING--28

     Bishop (NC)
     Budd
     Byrne
     Cleaver
     Cox (CA)
     Foxx (NC)
     Gabbard
     Gaetz
     Hudson
     Kirkpatrick
     Kustoff (TN)
     LaMalfa
     Lewis
     Lofgren
     Marchant
     McHenry
     Meadows
     Morelle
     Murphy (NC)
     Norman
     Reed
     Rice (NY)
     Roby
     Sewell (AL)
     Timmons
     Walker
     Webster (FL)
     Wilson (SC)

                              {time}  1204

  Mr. O'HALLERAN changed his vote from ``present'' to ``no.''
  So the motion to recommit was rejected.
  The result of the vote was announced as above recorded.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the passage of the bill.
  Pursuant to clause 10 of rule XX, the yeas and nays are ordered.
  This is a 5-minute vote.
  The vote was taken by electronic device, and there were--yeas 237, 
nays 161, not voting 31, as follows:

                             [Roll No. 54]

                               YEAS--237

     Adams
     Aguilar
     Allred
     Amodei
     Axne
     Barragan
     Bass
     Beatty
     Bera
     Beyer
     Bishop (GA)
     Bishop (UT)
     Blumenauer
     Bonamici
     Boyle, Brendan F.
     Brindisi
     Brooks (IN)
     Brown (MD)
     Brownley (CA)
     Bucshon
     Bustos
     Butterfield
     Carbajal
     Cardenas
     Carson (IN)
     Cartwright
     Case
     Casten (IL)
     Castor (FL)
     Castro (TX)
     Chu, Judy
     Cicilline
     Cisneros
     Clark (MA)
     Clarke (NY)
     Clay
     Clyburn
     Cohen
     Connolly
     Cooper
     Correa
     Costa
     Courtney
     Craig
     Crist
     Crow
     Cuellar
     Cunningham
     Davids (KS)
     Davis (CA)
     Davis, Danny K.
     Davis, Rodney
     Dean
     DeFazio
     DeGette
     DeLauro
     DelBene
     Delgado
     Demings
     DeSaulnier
     Deutch
     Diaz-Balart

[[Page H962]]


     Dingell
     Doggett
     Doyle, Michael F.
     Engel
     Escobar
     Eshoo
     Espaillat
     Evans
     Finkenauer
     Fitzpatrick
     Fletcher
     Foster
     Frankel
     Fudge
     Gallego
     Garamendi
     Garcia (IL)
     Garcia (TX)
     Golden
     Gomez
     Gonzalez (TX)
     Gottheimer
     Green, Al (TX)
     Grijalva
     Haaland
     Harder (CA)
     Hastings
     Hayes
     Heck
     Higgins (NY)
     Himes
     Horn, Kendra S.
     Horsford
     Houlahan
     Hoyer
     Huffman
     Hurd (TX)
     Jackson Lee
     Jayapal
     Jeffries
     Johnson (GA)
     Johnson (TX)
     Kaptur
     Katko
     Keating
     Kelly (IL)
     Kennedy
     Khanna
     Kildee
     Kilmer
     Kim
     Kind
     King (NY)
     Krishnamoorthi
     Kuster (NH)
     Lamb
     Langevin
     Larsen (WA)
     Larson (CT)
     Lawrence
     Lawson (FL)
     Lee (CA)
     Lee (NV)
     Levin (CA)
     Levin (MI)
     Lieu, Ted
     Lipinski
     Loebsack
     Lowenthal
     Lowey
     Lujan
     Luria
     Lynch
     Malinowski
     Maloney, Carolyn B.
     Maloney, Sean
     Matsui
     McAdams
     McBath
     McCaul
     McCollum
     McEachin
     McGovern
     McNerney
     Meeks
     Meng
     Moore
     Moulton
     Mucarsel-Powell
     Murphy (FL)
     Nadler
     Napolitano
     Neal
     Neguse
     Norcross
     O'Halleran
     Ocasio-Cortez
     Omar
     Pallone
     Panetta
     Pappas
     Pascrell
     Payne
     Perlmutter
     Peters
     Peterson
     Phillips
     Pingree
     Pocan
     Porter
     Posey
     Pressley
     Price (NC)
     Quigley
     Raskin
     Richmond
     Rose (NY)
     Rouda
     Roybal-Allard
     Ruiz
     Ruppersberger
     Rush
     Ryan
     Sarbanes
     Scanlon
     Schakowsky
     Schiff
     Schneider
     Schrader
     Schrier
     Scott (VA)
     Scott, David
     Serrano
     Shalala
     Sherman
     Sherrill
     Sires
     Slotkin
     Smith (NJ)
     Smith (WA)
     Soto
     Spanberger
     Speier
     Stanton
     Stefanik
     Stevens
     Suozzi
     Swalwell (CA)
     Takano
     Thompson (CA)
     Thompson (MS)
     Titus
     Tlaib
     Tonko
     Torres (CA)
     Torres Small (NM)
     Trahan
     Trone
     Underwood
     Van Drew
     Vargas
     Veasey
     Vela
     Velazquez
     Visclosky
     Waltz
     Wasserman Schultz
     Waters
     Watson Coleman
     Welch
     Wexton
     Wild
     Wilson (FL)
     Yarmuth
     Young

                               NAYS--161

     Abraham
     Aderholt
     Allen
     Amash
     Armstrong
     Arrington
     Babin
     Bacon
     Baird
     Balderson
     Banks
     Barr
     Bergman
     Biggs
     Bilirakis
     Bost
     Brady
     Brooks (AL)
     Buchanan
     Buck
     Burchett
     Burgess
     Calvert
     Carter (GA)
     Carter (TX)
     Chabot
     Cheney
     Cline
     Cloud
     Cole
     Collins (GA)
     Comer
     Conaway
     Cook
     Crawford
     Curtis
     Davidson (OH)
     DesJarlais
     Duncan
     Dunn
     Emmer
     Estes
     Ferguson
     Fleischmann
     Flores
     Fortenberry
     Fulcher
     Gallagher
     Gianforte
     Gibbs
     Gohmert
     Gonzalez (OH)
     Gooden
     Gosar
     Granger
     Graves (GA)
     Graves (LA)
     Graves (MO)
     Green (TN)
     Griffith
     Grothman
     Guest
     Guthrie
     Hagedorn
     Harris
     Hartzler
     Hern, Kevin
     Herrera Beutler
     Hice (GA)
     Higgins (LA)
     Hill (AR)
     Holding
     Hollingsworth
     Huizenga
     Johnson (LA)
     Johnson (OH)
     Johnson (SD)
     Jordan
     Joyce (OH)
     Joyce (PA)
     Keller
     Kelly (MS)
     Kelly (PA)
     King (IA)
     Kinzinger
     LaHood
     Lamborn
     Latta
     Lesko
     Long
     Loudermilk
     Lucas
     Luetkemeyer
     Marshall
     Massie
     Mast
     McCarthy
     McClintock
     McKinley
     Meuser
     Miller
     Mitchell
     Moolenaar
     Mooney (WV)
     Mullin
     Newhouse
     Nunes
     Olson
     Palazzo
     Palmer
     Pence
     Perry
     Ratcliffe
     Reschenthaler
     Rice (SC)
     Riggleman
     Rodgers (WA)
     Roe, David P.
     Rogers (AL)
     Rogers (KY)
     Rooney (FL)
     Rose, John W.
     Rouzer
     Roy
     Rutherford
     Scalise
     Schweikert
     Scott, Austin
     Sensenbrenner
     Shimkus
     Simpson
     Smith (MO)
     Smith (NE)
     Smucker
     Spano
     Stauber
     Steil
     Steube
     Stewart
     Stivers
     Taylor
     Thompson (PA)
     Thornberry
     Tipton
     Turner
     Upton
     Wagner
     Walberg
     Walden
     Walorski
     Watkins
     Weber (TX)
     Wenstrup
     Westerman
     Williams
     Wittman
     Womack
     Woodall
     Wright
     Yoho
     Zeldin

                             NOT VOTING--31

     Bishop (NC)
     Blunt Rochester
     Budd
     Byrne
     Cleaver
     Cox (CA)
     Crenshaw
     Foxx (NC)
     Gabbard
     Gaetz
     Hudson
     Kirkpatrick
     Kustoff (TN)
     LaMalfa
     Lewis
     Lofgren
     Marchant
     McHenry
     Meadows
     Morelle
     Murphy (NC)
     Norman
     Reed
     Rice (NY)
     Roby
     Sanchez
     Sewell (AL)
     Timmons
     Walker
     Webster (FL)
     Wilson (SC)

                              {time}  1212

  Mr. McCLINTOCK changed his vote from ``yea'' to ``nay.''
  So the bill was passed.
  The result of the vote was announced as above recorded.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
  Stated for:
  Mr. CRENSHAW. Madam Speaker, I was unavoidably detained and missed 
the vote. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall 
No. 54.


                          PERSONAL EXPLANATION

  Mrs. KIRKPATRICK. Madam Speaker, I was absent today due to a medical 
emergency. Had I been present, I would have voted: ``yea'' on rollcall 
No. 52, ``no'' on rollcall No. 53, and ``yea'' on rollcall No. 54.


                          PERSONAL EXPLANATION

  Ms. LOFGREN. Madam Speaker, on February 7, I was unavoidably absent. 
Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall No. 52, 
``nay'' on rollcall No. 53, and ``yea'' on rollcall No. 54.


                          PERSONAL EXPLANATION

  Mr. MORELLE. Madam Speaker, I regrettably missed rollcall votes 38 
through 54 on February 6th and 7th of 2020. Had I been present, I would 
have voted ``yea'' on rollcall No. 38, ``yea'' on rollcall No. 39, 
``yea'' on rollcall No. 40, ``aye'' on rollcall No. 41, ``no'' on 
rollcall No. 42, ``no'' on rollcall No. 43, ``aye'' on rollcall No. 44, 
``no'' on rollcall No. 45, ``no'' on rollcall No. 46, ``aye'' on 
rollcall No. 47, ``aye'' on rollcall No. 48, ``no'' on rollcall No. 49, 
``yea on rollcall No. 50, ``yea'' on rollcall No. 51, ``aye'' on 
rollcall No. 52, ``no'' on rollcall No. 53, and ``yea'' on rollcall No. 
54.


                          PERSONAL EXPLANATION

  Mr. BUDD. Madam Speaker, I had to miss votes today because I am 
attending an event in Charlotte, NC, with the President of the United 
States. Had I been present, I would have voted ``nay'' on rollcall No. 
52 (Shalala amendment), ``yea'' on rollcall No. 53 (Motion to 
recommit), and ``nay'' on rollcall No. 54 (H.R. 5687).


                          PERSONAL EXPLANATION

  Miss RICE of New York. Madam Speaker, I was necessarily absent from 
votes on Friday, February 7, 2020. Had I been present, I would have 
voted ``yea'' on rollcall No. 52, ``nay'' on rollcall No. 53, and 
``yea'' on rollcall No. 54.


                          PERSONAL EXPLANATION

  Mr. HUDSON. Madam Speaker, I was unavoidably detained. Had I been 
present, I would have voted ``nay'' on rollcall No. 52, ``yea'' on 
rollcall No. 53, and ``nay'' on rollcall No. 54.

                          ____________________