[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 196 (Wednesday, November 18, 2020)]
[Daily Digest]
[Pages D1001-D1005]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





                        House of Representatives


Chamber Action
Public Bills and Resolutions Introduced: 12 public bills, H.R. 8769-
8780; and 1 resolution, H. Res. 1227 were introduced.    
  Pages H5931-32
Additional Cosponsors:                                   
  Pages H5932-33
Reports Filed: Reports were filed today as follows:
  H.R. 631, for the relief of Arpita Kurdekar, Girish Kurdekar, and 
Vandana Kurdekar (H. Rept. 116-595);
  H.R. 4225, for the relief of Maria Isabel Bueso Barrera, Alberto 
Bueso Mendoza, Karla Maria Barrera De Bueso, and Ana Lucia Bueso 
Barrera, with an amendment (H. Rept. 116-596);
  H.R. 7146, for the relief of Victoria Galindo Lopez (H. Rept. 116-
597); and
  H.R. 7572, for the relief of Median El-Moustrah (H. Rept. 116-598). 
                                                             Page H5931
Speaker: Read a letter from the Speaker wherein she appointed 
Representative Cuellar to act as Speaker pro tempore for today. 
                                                             Page H5869
Recess: The House recessed at 10:46 a.m. and reconvened at 12 noon. 
                                                             Page H5874
Decorum Statement: The Chair announced that under clause 2 of rule 1, 
as previously stated on July 29, 2020, the Chair is required to 
preserve order and decorum in the Chamber. The Chair advised that all 
Members should leave the Chamber promptly after casting their votes and 
that Members should avoid congregating in the rooms leading into the 
Chamber, including the Speaker's Lobby. The Chair issued a reminder 
that the current practice of providing small groups of Members with a 
minimum of 5 minutes within to cast their votes would continue. After 
voting, Members must clear the Chamber to allow the next group a safe 
and sufficient opportunity to vote. The Chair stated that it is 
essential for the health and safety of Members, staff, and the U.S. 
Capitol Police to consistently practice social distancing, and to 
ensure that a safe capacity be maintained in the Chamber at all times. 
The Sergeant-at-Arms is directed to enforce this policy. The Chair 
stated that the announcement of July 29, 2020, regarding the wearing of 
masks in the Hall of the House remains in effect. Members and staff 
will not be permitted to enter the Hall of the House without wearing a 
mask. Masks will be available at entry points for any Member who 
forgets to bring one. The Chair also reaffirmed the Chair views the 
failure to wear a mask as a serious breach of decorum.       
  Page H5875
Suspensions: The House agreed to suspend the rules and pass the 
following measures:
  Condemning acts by the People's Republic of China and the Government 
of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region that violate fundamental 
rights and freedoms of Hong Kong residents as well as acts that 
undermine Hong Kong's high degree of autonomy: H. Res. 1033, amended, 
condemning acts by the People's Republic of China and the Government of 
the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region that violate fundamental 
rights and freedoms of Hong Kong residents as well as acts

[[Page D1002]]

that undermine Hong Kong's high degree of autonomy;      
  Pages H5877-78
  Agreed to amend the title so as to read: ``Condemning acts by the 
People's Republic of China and the Government of the Hong Kong Special 
Administrative Region that violate fundamental rights and freedoms of 
Hong Kong residents as well as acts that undermine Hong Kong's high 
degree of autonomy.'';                                       
Page H5878
  Recognizing the significance of the genuine autonomy of Tibet and the 
Tibetan people and the work His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama has done 
to promote global peace, harmony, and understanding: H. Res. 697, 
amended, recognizing the significance of the genuine autonomy of Tibet 
and the Tibetan people and the work His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama 
has done to promote global peace, harmony, and understanding; 
                                                         Pages H5878-80
  Agreed to amend the title so as to read: ``Affirming the significance 
of the advocacy for genuine autonomy for Tibetans in the People's 
Republic of China and the work His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama has 
done to promote global peace, harmony, and understanding.''; 
                                                             Page H5880
  Securing America From Epidemics Act: H.R. 6334, amended, to authorize 
United States participation in the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness 
Innovations;                                             
  Pages H5880-82
  Reaffirming the vital role of the United States-Japan alliance in 
promoting peace, stability, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region 
and beyond: H. Res. 349, amended, reaffirming the vital role of the 
United States-Japan alliance in promoting peace, stability, and 
prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region and beyond;        
  Pages H5882-83
  Expressing the importance of the United States alliance with the 
Republic of Korea and the contributions of Korean Americans in the 
United States: H. Res. 809, amended, expressing the importance of the 
United States alliance with the Republic of Korea and the contributions 
of Korean Americans in the United States;                
  Pages H5883-84
  Recognizing the 70th anniversary of the outbreak of the Korean war 
and the transformation of the United States-Korea alliance into a 
mutually beneficial, global partnership: H. Res. 1012, amended, 
recognizing the 70th anniversary of the outbreak of the Korean war and 
the transformation of the United States-Korea alliance into a mutually 
beneficial, global partnership;                          
  Pages H5884-86
  Agreed to amend the title so as to read: ``Recognizing the historic 
transformation of the United States-Republic of Korea alliance since 
the Korean War into a mutually beneficial, global partnership.''; 
                                                             Page H5886
  Libya Stabilization Act: H.R. 4644, amended, to clarify United States 
policy toward Libya, advance a diplomatic solution to the conflict in 
Libya, and support the people of Libya;                  
  Pages H5886-92
  Affirming the nature and importance of the United States-Iraq 
bilateral relationship, including security and economic components of 
the relationship: H. Res. 1062, amended, affirming the nature and 
importance of the United States-Iraq bilateral relationship, including 
security and economic components of the relationship;    
  Pages H5892-93
  Fighting Emerging Narcotics Through Additional Nations to Yield 
Lasting Results Act: H.R. 7990, amended, to prioritize efforts of the 
Department of State to combat international trafficking in covered 
synthetic drugs and new psychoactive substances;         
  Pages H5883-95
  East Africa Locust Eradication Act: H.R. 7276, amended, to establish 
an interagency working group to develop a comprehensive, strategic plan 
to eradicate locust outbreaks in the East Africa region and address 
future outbreaks in order to avert mass scale food insecurity and 
potential political destabilization;                     
  Pages H5895-97
  Agreed to amend the title so as to read: ``To establish an 
interagency working group to develop a comprehensive, strategic plan to 
control locust outbreaks in the East Africa region and address future 
outbreaks in order to avert mass scale food insecurity and potential 
political destabilization, and for other purposes.'';        
Page H5897
  Haiti Development, Accountability, and Institutional Transparency 
Initiative Act: H.R. 5586, amended, to measure the progress of recovery 
and development efforts in Haiti and the strength of democracy and rule 
of law in the country;                                
  Pages H5897-H5900
  Agreed to amend the title so as to read: ``To measure the progress of 
recovery and efforts to address corruption, rule of law, and media 
freedoms in Haiti.'';                                        
Page H5900
  Caribbean Basin Security Initiative Authorization Act: H.R. 7703, 
amended, to authorize appropriations for the Caribbean Basin Security 
Initiative, enhance the United States-Caribbean security partnership, 
prioritize disaster resilience;                          
  Pages H5900-02
  Expressing support of the Three Seas Initiative in its efforts to 
increase energy independence and infrastructure connectivity thereby 
strengthening the United States and European national security: H. Res. 
672, amended, expressing support of the

[[Page D1003]]

Three Seas Initiative in its efforts to increase energy independence 
and infrastructure connectivity thereby strengthening the United States 
and European national security;                          
  Pages H5902-04
  Condemning the poisoning of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny 
and calling for a robust United States and international response: H. 
Res. 1145, amended, condemning the poisoning of Russian opposition 
leader Alexei Navalny and calling for a robust United States and 
international response;                                  
  Pages H5904-07
  Prohibiting Russian participation in the G7: H.R. 8259, amended, to 
prohibit Russian participation in the G7;                
  Pages H5907-09
  Celebrating the 50th anniversary of the entry into force of the 
Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), recognizing 
the importance of the NPT's continued contributions to United States 
and international security, and commemorating United States leadership 
in strengthening the nuclear nonproliferation regime since the dawn of 
the nuclear era: H. Res. 825, amended, celebrating the 50th anniversary 
of the entry into force of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of 
Nuclear Weapons (NPT), recognizing the importance of the NPT's 
continued contributions to United States and international security, 
and commemorating United States leadership in strengthening the nuclear 
nonproliferation regime since the dawn of the nuclear era; 
                                                         Pages H5909-11
  Agreed to amend the title so as to read: ``Urging the United States 
to continue to be a leader in supporting the Treaty on the 
Nonproliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) and the global 
nonproliferation regime to reap the benefits the NPT and such regime 
bring to United States and international security.'';    
Pages H5910-11
  Partnering and Leveraging Assistance to Stop Trash for International 
Cleaner Seas Act: H.R. 4636, amended, to authorize the Secretary of 
State and the Administrator of the United States Agency for 
International Development to prioritize and advance efforts to improve 
waste management systems and prevent and reduce plastic waste and 
marine debris;                                           
  Pages H5911-13
  American Values and Security in International Athletics Act: H.R. 
8405, to direct the Department of State to ensure persons representing 
the United States in international athletic competitions in certain 
countries are appropriately informed;                    
  Pages H5913-15
  Belarus Democracy, Human Rights, and Sovereignty Act of 2020: H.R. 
8438, amended, to reauthorize the Belarus Democracy Act of 2004; 
                                                         Pages H5915-20
  Ukraine Religious Freedom Support Act: H.R. 5408, amended, to oppose 
violations of religious freedom in Ukraine by Russia and armed groups 
commanded by Russia;                                     
  Pages H5920-21
  Amending the State Department Basic Authorities Act of 1956 to 
authorize rewards under the Department of State's rewards program 
relating to information regarding individuals or entities engaged in 
activities in contravention of United States or United Nations 
sanctions: H.R. 4802, to amend the State Department Basic Authorities 
Act of 1956 to authorize rewards under the Department of State's 
rewards program relating to information regarding individuals or 
entities engaged in activities in contravention of United States or 
United Nations sanctions; and                            
  Pages H5921-22
  Tropical Forest and Coral Reef Conservation Reauthorization Act of 
2020: H.R. 7954, to reauthorize the Tropical Forest and Coral Reef 
Conservation Act of 1998.                                
  Pages H5922-23
Recess: The House recessed at 4:03 p.m. and reconvened at 5:01 p.m. 
                                                             Page H5924
National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021--Motion to go 
to Conference: The House agreed by unanimous consent to take from the 
Speakers table the bill H.R. 6395, to authorize appropriations for 
fiscal year 2021 for military activities of the Department of Defense 
and for military construction, to prescribe military personnel 
strengths for such fiscal year and ask for its immediate consideration 
in the House; disagree to the Senate amendment and request a conference 
with the Senate thereon.                                     
  Page H5924
  Agreed to the Smith (WA) motion to close portions of the conference 
by a yea-and-nay vote of 396 yeas to 8 nays, Roll No. 222.   
Page H5924
The Chair appointed the following conferees: From the Committee on 
Armed Services, for consideration of the House bill and the Senate 
amendment, and modifications committed to conference: Representatives 
Smith of Washington, Davis of California, Langevin, Larsen of 
Washington, Cooper, Courtney, Garamendi, Speier, Norcross, Gallego, 
Moulton, Carbajal, Brown of Maryland, Khanna, Keating, Vela, Kim, 
Kendra S. Horn of Oklahoma, Cisneros, Thornberry, Wilson of South 
Carolina, Turner, Rogers of Alabama, Lamborn, Wittman, Hartzler, Austin 
Scott of Georgia, Stefanik, Kelly of Mississippi, Gallagher, Bacon, and 
Banks.                                                       
  Page H5925

[[Page D1004]]


  From the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, for 
consideration of matters within the jurisdiction of that committee 
under clause 11 of rule 10: Representatives Schiff, Sewell of Alabama, 
and Nunes.                                                   
Page H5925
  From the Committee on Agriculture, for consideration of secs. 3601 
and 3602 of the House bill, and sec. 1053 of the Senate amendment, and 
modifications committed to conference: Representatives Peterson, 
Spanberger, and Conaway.                                     
Page H5925
  From the Committee on the Budget, for consideration of secs. 1002 and 
8003 of the House bill, and secs. 4, 126, and 1086 of the Senate 
amendment, and modifications committed to conference: Representatives 
Morelle, Horsford, and Stewart.                              
Page H5925
  From the Committee on Education and Labor, for consideration of secs. 
212, 279, 569, 570, 1110, 1791, 1797, 1833, and 1834 of the House bill, 
and secs. 516, 561-63, 565, 566, 1090, 5211, 6047, 6091, and 6615 of 
the Senate amendment, and modifications committed to conference: 
Representatives Scott of Virginia, Trahan, and Guthrie.      
Page H5925
  From the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for consideration of secs. 
223, 229, 332, 335, 535, 540H, 601, 705, 736, 1299N-2, 1641, 1760, 
1761, 1772, 1793, 1821, 1823, 1824, 2835, 3201, 3511, 3601, 5101-04, 
5109, 10306, and 11206 of the House bill, and secs. 311, 319, 703, 
1053, 1091, 1092, 1094, 1098, 1099, 2841, 3121, 3125, 3131, 3132, 5239, 
6082-84, subtitle I of title 60 of division E, secs. 6299F, 6614, 6704, 
and 6706 of the Senate amendment, and modifications committed to 
conference: Representatives Pallone, DeGette, and Walden.    
Page H5925
  From the Committee on Financial Services, for consideration of secs. 
902, 1248, 1249, 1299 R-9, 1768, 1776, 1779, 1790, 1792, 1798, 1803, 
1808, 1812, subtitles H and I of title 17 of division A, and divisions 
G, J, K, and M of the House bill, and secs. 1706-10 and 6231 of the 
Senate amendment, and modifications committed to conference: 
Representatives Waters, Vargas, and Luetkemeyer.             
Page H5925
  From the Committee on Foreign Affairs, for consideration of secs. 
213, 843, subtitle C of title 11 of division A, secs. 1202, 1203, 1207, 
1221-24, 1231-33, 1238, 1248, 1249, 1251, 1260D, 1260E, 1261, 1266, 
1272-74, 1276, 1280, 1286, 1290-92, 1294, 1296, 1299, 1299B, 1299G, 
1299H, 1299K, subtitles H-K of title 12 of division A, secs. 1299Q-1, 
1299Q-2, subtitle M of title 12 of division A, secs. 1299T-4, 1299T-5, 
1521, 1640F, 1659, 1757, 1759, 1823, and division I of the House bill, 
and secs.1201-03, 1205-07, 1210, 1213, subtitle C of title 12 of 
division A, secs. 1231-33, 1236, 1240, 1241, 1251, 1253-56, 1263, 1281, 
1283, 1286, 1287, subtitle H of title 12 of division A, subtitle C of 
title 15 of division A, sec. 1661, title 17 of division A, secs. 6231, 
6251, 6284, 6286, 6293-96, 6299, 6299A, 6299B, 6299D, and 6299 F of the 
Senate amendment, and modifications committed to conference: 
Representatives Engel, Sherman, and McCaul.                  
Page H5925
  From the Committee on Homeland Security, for consideration of secs. 
1630, 1631, 1637, 1640A, 1640D, 1640F, 1760, 1784, 1793, 1804, and 9508 
of the House bill, and secs. 6088, 6096D, 6613, and 6614 of the Senate 
amendment, and modifications committed to conference: Representatives 
Torres Small of New Mexico, Slotkin, and Green of Tennessee. 
                                                             Page H5925
  From the Committee on House Administration, for consideration of 
secs. 536, 1101, and 1751 of the House bill, and modifications 
committed to conference: Representatives Lofgren, Fudge, and Rodney 
Davis of Illinois.                                           
Page H5925
  From the Committee on the Judiciary, for consideration of secs. 281, 
540D, 814, 1055, 1215, 1299O-6, 1299T-4, 1299T-5, 1640A, 1731, 1733, 
1762, and 1763 of the House bill, and secs. 1296 and 6088 of the Senate 
amendment, and modifications committed to conference: Representatives 
Nadler, Mucarsel-Powell, and Steube.                         
Page H5925
  From the Committee on Natural Resources, for consideration of secs. 
601, 626, 627, 17 44, 1794, 1795, 2834-36, subtitle E of title 28 of 
division B, and divisions O and P of the House bill, and secs. 315, 
2861-63, 2887, 6081, and 7861 of the Senate amendment, and 
modifications committed to conference: Representatives Grijalva, 
Haaland, and Bishop of Utah.                                 
Page H5925
  From the Committee on Oversight and Reform, for consideration of 
secs. 373, 813, 815, 825, 830B, 833, 848, 1101, 1102, 1104, 1105, 1108, 
1111, 1114, 1115, subtitles B and C of title 11 of division A, secs. 
1635, 1639, 1640C, subtitle B of title 17 of division A, secs. 1744, 
1745, 1769, 1770, 1774, 1793, 1808, 9208, and 11410 of the House bill, 
and secs. 631, 1103-06, 1109-13, 5244, 6047, and 9306 of the Senate 
amendment, and modifications committed to conference: Representatives 
Carolyn B. Maloney of New York, Lynch, and Comer.            
Page H5925
  From the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, for 
consideration of sec. 229, subtitle D of title 2 of division A, secs. 
327, 333, 341, 1744, 1771, 1806, 1807, 1821, 1824, 1825, division E, 
secs. 5502 and 10104 of the House bill, and secs. 318, 1098, 1099, 
subtitle C of title 52 of division

[[Page D1005]]

E, secs. 5231-38, and 6087 of the Senate amendment, and modifications 
committed to conference: Representatives Johnson of Texas, Sherrill, 
and Garcia of California.                                    
Page H5925
  From the Committee on Small Business, for consideration of secs. 831-
33, 835-40, 840A, 841, 844, and 1633 of the House bill, and secs. 871, 
872, 1642, 5871-75, and 5877 of the Senate amendment, and modifications 
committed to conference: Representatives Velazquez, Golden, and Chabot.
                                                             Page H5925
  From the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, for 
consideration of secs. 311, 312, 332, 560G, 601, 829, 8308, 912, 1101, 
1732, 1750, 1760, 1768, 1809, 3501, 3504, 3505, 3507-09, 3510C, 3510D, 
5103, and division H of the House bill, and secs. 178, 1087, 1635, 
3501, 5237, 5246, 6089, and subtitle I of title 60 of division E of the 
Senate amendment, and modifications committed to conference: 
Representatives Huffman, Rouda, and Gibbs.                   
Page H5925
  From the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, for consideration of secs. 
525, 534, 535, 540A, 5408, 540C, 540E, 540H, 546, 551-53, 560B, 560E, 
560F, 560G, 560H, 718, 724, 731, 734, 750H, 752-54, 760, 831, 1101, 
1411, 1764, 1790, 1802, and 5502 of the House bill, and secs. 741, 744, 
753, 762-64, 935, 1089, 1090A, 10908, 1421, and 6085 of the Senate 
amendment, and modifications committed to conference: Representatives 
Takano, Lamb, and Bilirakis.                                 
Page H5925
  From the Committee on Ways and Means, for consideration of secs. 
1276, 7103, and 7104 of the House bill, and sec. 6003 of the Senate 
amendment, and modifications committed to conference: Representatives 
Neal, Panetta, and Wenstrup.                                 
Page H5925
Senate Referrals: S. 4902 was held at the desk. S. 2216 was held at the 
desk.                                                    
  Pages H5923-24
Senate Message: Messages received from the Senate by the Clerk and 
subsequently presented to the House today appear on pages H5923-24.
Quorum Calls--Votes: One yea-and-nay vote developed during the 
proceedings of today and appears on page H5924.
Adjournment: The House met at 10 a.m. and adjourned at 7:03 p.m.