[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 152 (Wednesday, September 17, 2025)]
[House]
[Pages H4386-H4393]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H.R. 5371, CONTINUING APPROPRIATIONS AND
EXTENSIONS ACT, 2026; PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H. RES. 719,
HONORING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF CHARLES ``CHARLIE'' JAMES KIRK; AND FOR
OTHER PURPOSES
Mrs. HOUCHIN. Mr. Speaker, by direction of the Committee on Rules, I
call up House Resolution 722 and ask for its immediate consideration.
The Clerk read the resolution, as follows:
H. Res. 722
Resolved, That upon adoption of this resolution it shall be
in order to consider in the House the bill (H.R. 5371) making
continuing appropriations and extensions for fiscal year
2026, and for other purposes. All points of order against
consideration of the bill are waived. The bill shall be
considered as read. All points of order against provisions in
the bill are waived. The previous question shall be
considered as ordered on the bill and on any amendment
thereto to final passage without intervening motion except:
(1) one hour of debate equally divided and controlled by the
chair and ranking minority member of the Committee on
Appropriations or their respective designees; and (2) one
motion to recommit.
Sec. 2. Upon adoption of this resolution it shall be in
order without intervention of any point of order to consider
in the House the resolution (H. Res. 719) honoring the life
and legacy of Charles ``Charlie'' James Kirk. The resolution
shall be considered as read. The previous question shall be
considered as ordered on the resolution and preamble to
adoption without intervening motion or demand for division of
the question except one hour of debate equally divided and
controlled by the chair and ranking minority member of the
Committee on Oversight and Government Reform or their
respective designees.
Sec. 3. Sections 9, 10, and 11 of House Resolution 707,
agreed to September 16, 2025, are each amended by striking
``March 31, 2026'' and inserting ``January 31, 2026''.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentlewoman from Indiana is recognized
for 1 hour.
Mrs. HOUCHIN. Mr. Speaker, for the purpose of debate only, I yield
the customary 30 minutes to the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr.
McGovern), pending which I yield myself such time as I may consume.
During consideration of this resolution, all time yielded is for the
purpose of debate only.
General Leave
Mrs. HOUCHIN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members
may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their
remarks.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentlewoman from Indiana?
There was no objection.
Mrs. HOUCHIN. Mr. Speaker, last night, the Rules Committee met and
produced a rule, House Resolution 722, providing for the House's
consideration of two pieces of legislation.
First, the rule provides for H. Res. 719, Honoring the life and
legacy of Charles ``Charlie'' James Kirk, to be considered under a
closed rule. It provides 1 hour of debate equally divided and
controlled by the chair and ranking minority member of the Committee on
Oversight and Government Reform.
Second, the rule provides for H.R. 5371, the Continuing
Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2026. H.R. 5371 would be considered
under a closed rule, and it also provides 1 hour of debate equally
divided and controlled by the chair and ranking minority member of the
Committee on Appropriations or their designees, and provides for one
motion to recommit.
Finally, the rule tolls the day counts until January 31, 2026,
regarding joint resolutions terminating the national emergencies
declared by the President on February 1, 2025; April 2, 2025; and July
30, 2025.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this rule and in support of the
underlying legislation, beginning with H. Res. 719, honoring Charlie
Kirk.
It is really quite unbelievable that we are here today honoring the
life of Charlie Kirk, taken from us far too soon. This is the kind of
tribute you would give after a lifetime of service, not usually at the
young age of just 31, but Charlie Kirk made a lifetime's worth of
impact in his short 31 years on this Earth, and we are grateful for it.
[[Page H4387]]
Charlie Kirk was a generational leader and a cultural icon. He was
dedicated to engaging young people, defending our constitutional
freedoms, and calling on Americans to live with courage and conviction.
Whether you agreed with him or not, he showed up, he listened, and he
engaged in respectful dialogue. He never backed down from the belief
that ideas should be debated in the open.
Charlie Kirk believed that freedom is worth defending, that faith has
a rightful place in the public square, and the next generation deserves
leaders who tell the truth and invite honest debate. He believed that
every human life had value, even those who vehemently disagreed with
him.
What happened last week was evil, but we can't fear it because if we
do, then evil wins. Therefore, we will not back down, and we will not
allow hatred to intimidate us or to silence our speech.
He leaves behind a loving wife and two children. He was a child of
God, a son, a husband, a father, and a conservative leader who, even in
death, still inspires millions around the world.
I hope the whole House will join me in praying for Erika and his
precious children and the family and friends he leaves behind. May God
surround them with love, comfort them with His presence, and provide a
peace that surpasses our understanding.
We will never forget Charlie Kirk. Let us carry on his legacy and
always defend the ideals he lived out.
I was proud last night to be a member of the Rules Committee, and I
thank Ranking Member McGovern and the other Democratic members of the
committee for recognizing that many of us on this side of the aisle
knew Charlie personally. I also thank Representatives Debbie Dingell,
Tom Suozzi, Don Davis, John Larson, Jimmy Panetta, Marie
Gluesenkamp Perez, and Chris Pappas, who joined our prayer vigil for
Charlie earlier this week.
I was and am glad that we condemned political violence together and
were able to share compassion for one another.
Moving on to H.R. 5371, this rule also provides for consideration of
the continuing resolution. Passing a continuing resolution is never our
first choice, but as Chairman Cole said last night, real progress is
being made, and he is encouraged by this year's appropriations process.
The House has already approved 60 percent of government spending, and
the Appropriations Committee has finished its work at the committee
level. Chairman Cole and every member of the Appropriations Committee
deserve credit for the long hours of work that have already been done
and the progress that has been made.
Following this good example, under the leadership of Leader Thune and
our Senate Republican colleagues, they have also advanced
appropriations measures on the Senate floor, something Senate Democrats
failed to do in the last appropriations cycle when they controlled the
Chamber.
Though a CR, a continuing resolution, is not ideal, this year we are
further ahead than we have been in a long time. We cannot allow a
government shutdown to derail the important work of the Trump
administration.
As Chairwoman Foxx said last night, this short-term CR gives our
Appropriations colleagues the time they need to keep negotiating and
work toward bipartisan funding bills that fulfill our priorities to the
American people.
There has been plenty of debate about what is and isn't in the CR,
but our priority must be keeping this process moving forward and
avoiding the chaos that a government shutdown would create.
If our colleagues on the other side of the aisle really care about
our military, about law enforcement, about our Federal workers, they
will join us in keeping the government open.
Mr. Speaker, I look forward to the consideration of these important
pieces of legislation, and I urge the passage of this rule. I reserve
the balance of my time.
{time} 1640
Mr. McGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman from Indiana for
yielding me the customary 30 minutes, and I yield myself such time as I
may consume.
Mr. Speaker, first, I think it is important to say that we all
condemn the murder that occurred last week in Utah, and I know that
some of my colleagues knew Mr. Kirk and are experiencing a personal
loss as well. His family is certainly in our prayers, and violence is
never ever the answer.
Now, Mr. Speaker, to the CR that is before us today, here is the
deal. Republicans have three choices. One is to work with Democrats on
a bipartisan CR that ensures millions of Americans don't lose health
insurance or see their premiums skyrocket; two is for Republicans to do
what Donald Trump said and pass the CR themselves--Republicans are in
charge after all; or, three, Republicans can shut down the government.
If they choose door number two or door number three, make no mistake
about what will happen. ACA tax credits will expire, and nearly 24
million people will see their premiums skyrocket by 93 percent, on
average.
Let me paint a picture. A mom and a dad in their early sixties both
have jobs and make $80,000 a year combined. Right now, they can afford
their healthcare--barely. If these ACA credits expire, their bill jumps
more than $17,000 a year. That is like a house mortgage. That is $1,400
a month, every month, just for the privilege of not going bankrupt if
they get sick. Or, take a family of four making $64,000. Their premiums
rise by $2,600 a year. That is groceries. That is car payments.
It might not sound like a lot of money to my friends on the other
side. Maybe the billionaires don't think $2,600 a year is a lot, but my
constituents do, Mr. Speaker. My guess is that millions of Americans
will think that is a high cost to pay.
Mr. Speaker, if these tax credits disappear, it is a five-alarm fire,
and Republicans are acting like they don't even smell the smoke. Should
we be surprised? Of course not.
The American people are already drowning in a cost-of-living crisis,
one fueled by Donald Trump and the Republican economic policies. Their
big, ugly bill didn't just raise costs for housing, groceries, and
utilities. Its cruelest blow was to healthcare.
They made the largest cut to Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act in
American history, kicking millions of working people off their
coverage. That means hospitals closing, nursing homes shuttering,
preventative care denied, and, by the way, families going hungry
because food assistance was ripped away, too.
While families are trying to stay afloat, while farmers are
struggling with tariffs, and while regular people suffer, Donald Trump
decided to take an ax to medical research. He slashed the NIH, shut
down cancer research, stopped clinical trials, and torpedoed vaccine
programs. I mean, what the hell is wrong with him? What is he thinking?
But don't worry about healthcare. Don't worry about ACA tax credits.
We will deal with this later. That is what the Speaker said. Kick the
can down the road. Well, guess what. We have reached the end of the
road. Later is too late.
The Congressional Budget Office says that if we don't act now and
instead wait until December, an additional 1.5 million people will lose
their coverage. That is a lot of people. That is a lot of people, I say
to my colleagues. That is people in every single city and town in
America. Premiums will climb even higher. Families will start getting
cancellation notices in weeks, and open enrollment starts November 1.
This is something we need to deal with now.
Here is the message to Republicans: Work with us. Fund the
government. Protect healthcare. Stop writing bills for the rich and
powerful. Start working on solutions to the everyday problems that
people have. The choice is yours.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mrs. HOUCHIN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from
Texas (Ms. De La Cruz).
Ms. De La CRUZ. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman from Indiana for
yielding her time.
Today, Mr. Speaker, I rise with a heavy heart. We should not have to
debate this legislation this evening. This legislation is the result of
a horrific decision to assassinate a man of faith, a husband, a father,
and a friend, Charlie Kirk.
[[Page H4388]]
My heart aches for his wife, Erika, and their two beautiful children,
his loved ones, and all those who looked up to him, including my own
two kids. They looked up to Charlie as well. My prayers are with his
family and the entire Turning Point community, who lost a leader and a
friend.
Charlie was taken from us in a cowardly act while exercising our most
sacred American right, the right to free speech. He was sharing his
values with young people on campus, inspiring them and debating them at
a university, a university that should be a safe place where ideas
should be debated, not silenced.
I am absolutely heartbroken over this evil act. I stand with many of
my fellow Americans today mourning this deep, deep loss. I encourage my
colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support this rule and the
passage of the resolution to condemn the attack and honor the life of
Charlie Kirk.
Mr. Speaker, may God bless the Kirk family and the entire Nation that
is mourning this deep loss.
Mr. McGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mrs. HOUCHIN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from
Utah (Mr. Kennedy).
Mr. KENNEDY of Utah. Mr. Speaker, I thank my friend from Indiana for
yielding me her time.
Mr. Speaker, just days ago, Charlie Kirk was assassinated by an act
of deranged cowardice. His death was not only the loss of a husband,
but a father, and a friend to many. It is also a sobering reminder that
the very rights he spent his life defending must never be taken for
granted, rights endowed to each of us by our creator and effectuated by
our Constitution.
This resolution officially honors Charlie Kirk's commitment to the
constitutional principles of civil discussion and debate between all
people of the United States, regardless of political affiliation.
From the beginning of our Nation, freedom of speech has been a
foundational liberty for the American people. The architects of our
Republic enshrined the right to speak one's mind without fear as a
first principle, knowing that if the people were silenced, then every
other freedom would be in peril.
Throughout our history, Americans have disagreed fiercely and
vigorously about politics, morality, and the course of our Nation, but
history shows that responding to words with hatred or violence only
sets us back. Instead, generation after generation, we have chosen the
harder path: to keep the conversation going and to answer speech we
oppose with more speech and with reason, civility, and conviction,
rather than be intimidated by violence or dragged down into vengeance.
The Founders placed their faith in the power of truth and discourse.
They knew that in a free republic, the solution to false or harmful
ideas is to counter them in the light of public discussion.
As Thomas Jefferson reminded us, ``error of opinion may be tolerated
where reason is left free to combat it.'' We must hold fast to that
principle. We will turn more hearts with calm truth than with angry
thunder. We will not let violence intimidate us, and we will not let
violence drown out truth.
Every great struggle for justice, every step forward for our Nation,
and even its very survival has relied on the ability of courageous
voices to speak out and enlighten the people.
Charlie Kirk was more than just a prominent political leader. He was
a devoted husband, father, and man of deep convictions. As a father
myself, I cannot begin to imagine the pain of such a loss. He leaves
behind his beloved wife, Erika, and two amazing young children.
Mr. Speaker, we offer our heartfelt condolences to Erika and those
children, and we hope they find comfort and peace in this time of
unimaginable grief.
Charlie lived with purpose and a clear understanding of what matters
most. He loved his family and pursued truth, and he shared those values
boldly with the world. He gave young Americans the courage to believe
their voices mattered, that they, too, could take part in shaping the
future of this Nation.
Just last week, I sat with students who told me they first found
their way into political engagement because of Charlie's example. That
is his legacy, not only the words he spoke, but the lives he touched,
the movement he built, and the spirit of civic courage he inspired.
Mr. Speaker, let us pray that God bless and receive Charlie Kirk, and
may He grant comfort and strength to Erika and their children. May God
bless our Nation and unite us against violence, unite us in the fight
for free speech and truth. I pray that we lift one another up and
resolve to leave our children a brighter future and more free than the
one we inherited.
{time} 1650
Mr. McGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I want to take a few minutes to talk about what will
happen if we defeat the previous question.
If we defeat the previous question, I will offer an amendment to the
rule to strike the sections of yesterday's and today's rules, which
together block privileged considerations of measures ending the
administration's global tariffs and tariffs on Canada, Mexico, and
Brazil.
Speaker Johnson and this Republican majority are hell-bent on
blocking us from even debating Trump's reckless trade policy, which is
driving up costs for consumers, for businesses, and for farmers.
Let's just take this week. On Monday, Republicans voted to block
debate on the tariffs that Trump slapped on Brazilian coffee, beef, and
other goods. These are the tariffs that are forcing everyday people to
spend more on a cup of coffee in the morning.
I think most Republicans in Congress were too scared of Trump to
actually stand up and fight to protect everyday consumers. Then
yesterday, Republicans barely passed a rule that blocked votes on all
of Trump's illegal tariffs until March 31, 2026. I say ``barely''
because there were a few Republican holdouts threatening to vote
against their party because they know how reckless Trump's trade
policies are.
Mr. Speaker, it took only 45 minutes for them to fold. Here is what
they reportedly got in return. They got an agreement to create a new
trade working group. Really? They got a new working group, I mean, to
get a meeting? Are my Republican colleagues aware that the House of
Representatives already has a working group on trade? It is called the
House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Trade.
These brave rebels also apparently want a provision tucked into
today's rule that says votes on tariffs will only be blocked until the
end of January instead of March. I mean, wow, what a victory.
If my colleagues object to Donald Trump's trade policy, which is
raising costs on everyday Americans right now, I can't for the life of
me figure out how they were won over by an agreement to keep his
policies in place for at least 4 more months.
President Trump promised to lower prices ``on day one,'' but his
disastrous trade war is increasing the prices that Americans are paying
for food, gas, and everyday goods.
According to independent estimates, Trump's tariffs are resulting in
a $2,300 tax increase in 2025 for the average American household. The
August inflation report, put out by Trump's own Bureau of Labor
Statistics, said inflation is increasing at the highest rate since
January.
Mr. Speaker, I serve on the House Committee on Agriculture, and we
are hearing day in and day out from farmers who are being crushed by
Trump's erratic trade policies. They are losing markets abroad. Input
prices are going up. Farm bankruptcies are up 95 percent this year
compared to last.
Back when I was on a farm tour in my own district, a coffee roaster
told me tariffs are hurting his business. He and countless others in
his position can't wait while House Republicans hide their heads in the
sand for another 4 months.
Give us up-or-down votes on Trump's reckless tariffs. Stop hiding.
This body, this House of Representatives has a responsibility to do
oversight and to vote on whether or not we should have tariffs. It
really is disappointing to me that so many of my friends on the other
side of the aisle have not chosen to step up to the plate.
Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to include in the Record the
text
[[Page H4389]]
of my amendment, along with any extraneous material, immediately prior
to the vote on the previous question.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Massachusetts?
There was no objection.
Mr. McGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Members are reminded to refrain from
engaging in personalities toward the President.
Mrs. HOUCHIN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from
California (Mr. McClintock).
Mr. McCLINTOCK. Mr. Speaker, if the gentleman would be willing to
sacrifice making a few cheap political points, he might find that we
are making bipartisan progress toward the goal that he has set forth.
I, for one, am glad the Democrats have finally found a tax they don't
like.
Mr. Speaker, yesterday we considered a resolution that altered the
law by extending the authority of the President to impose tariffs by 6
months, from September 30 until March 31.
I agree with the gentleman that our Constitution entrusts Congress
with the power to set tariffs but that that responsibility has
unwisely, and perhaps even unconstitutionally, been delegated over the
years to the President. I think it is time we did revisit that issue.
Yesterday, the Speaker committed personally to two things.
First, he promised that the next rule resolution would reduce the
extension of this authority from 6 months to 4 months, expiring on
January 31 rather than March 31. The gentleman says that is not soon
enough. Some of us would agree. This resolution fulfills that promise.
Second, the Speaker promised to convene a working group within the
Republican Conference to establish a clear and coherent congressional
policy on the use of tariffs to report before the end of January. This
is important because there are increasing signs of tariff-related
damage to the economy--the gentleman is absolutely right on that
point--and because the courts may be moving to restore the guardrails
between the executive and legislative branches with respect to tariffs.
I would hope he would support this resolution and thank the
leadership for being responsive to those of us who fervently believe
that free trade is an essential foundation of a healthy, growing, and
thriving economy.
As Bastiat warned nearly two centuries ago, tariffs, by definition,
raise prices and reduce resources. They are a tax. This is the first
time I have ever found the Democrats to be in opposition to a tax. I
think they will find willing and enthusiastic outliers on our side of
the aisle as this discussion moves forward.
Mr. Speaker, the fact is that every producer is a consumer. Every
consumer is a producer. No producer has ever benefited by scarcer
resources. No consumer has ever benefited by higher prices. Yet this is
the bitter fruit of protectionist policy down through the ages.
Mr. Speaker, we need to have a serious and sober discussion on this
issue and bring it to a resolution. The Speaker has committed to do
this. For that, I thank him, and I suggest that the gentleman across
the aisle thank him, too.
Mr. McGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, the gentleman just said that these tariffs are harmful
to our economy and to working families in this country. He could work
with us right now to do something about it. We could bring a bill to
the floor. We could bring an amendment to the floor. We can block them.
We can stop them.
The gentleman said that he is working in a bipartisan way to try to
deal with this issue. It is funny, but this working group that they
have all agreed on is just a Republican working group. Democrats are
not part of it. It is kind of a crazy way to be bipartisan.
Then he says that he gets this great deal in terms of when we will
next be able to have a vote on this stuff. They moved the deadline from
the end of March to the end of January. That is 4 months from now.
What will happen in 4 months? I will tell my colleagues what will
happen in 4 months. We will get a rule that comes to the floor that
will extend the prohibition on us being able to debate any kind of
tariff legislation, to be able to have a debate or an up-or-down vote.
All I can say is: Where I come from in Massachusetts, we call that
being a cheap date because I don't think we get very much, to be
honest. Meanwhile, the American consumer, the American people, will
suffer with higher prices as a result of these tariffs.
Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr.
Panetta), who will speak on this topic.
Mr. PANETTA. Mr. Speaker, I thank Ranking Member McGovern for
yielding time.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to the previous question, which
includes a detrimental and damaging provision that abdicates, that
gives up, and that capitulates Congress' constitutional authority over
this administration's disastrous tariff policy.
{time} 1700
I think we all know Article I, Section 8, Clause 3 of our
Constitution clearly states that Congress has purview over foreign
commerce. Now, more than ever, with the high prices that Americans are
experiencing, our communities, our constituents, and this country, need
us. They want us. They demand us to reclaim our constitutional powers
over trade and fulfill our responsibilities as a check and as a balance
over this executive branch.
This administration's incoherent, inconsistent, and incompetent
tariff policy is causing Americans to get crushed by high prices. These
are people and businesses who don't have the margins to survive these
tariff policies and who don't have access to the Oval Office to cut a
backroom deal for relief. These are people and producers who are having
to personally pay the high prices that are directly being affected by
the high costs.
The tariffs not only have caused high prices, they have caused
uncertainty that has destroyed what was once a strong jobs market. When
it comes to manufacturing, it is getting tanked as the costs of inputs
are increasing and markets are becoming impossible to predict.
Diplomatically, the President's tariff policy is causing
consternation amongst our biggest trading partners and our allies and
contributing to diplomatic crises.
Legally, the President's tariffs are hanging by a thread after a
Federal court found that their claims of emergency power is dubious at
best.
The reality is the President's trade policies that are based on his
40-year fetish with tariffs is bad for Americans. It is bad for
American foreign policy, and it is bad for our American Constitution.
Mr. Speaker, for what?
Details of any trade deals remain fuzzy and unenforceable, and there
is an unstable dynamic that he is creating in which markets are either
swinging wildly or fail to react, expecting the President to chicken
out.
Yet, in the 119th Congress, this majority is allowing this President
to not just bulldoze over not just the well-being of our constituents,
Speaker Johnson is allowing the President to run roughshod over our
constitutional authority.
Now, more than ever, with these high prices, our communities and our
constituents need us to reclaim these constitutional powers over trade
and, yes, live up to our responsibilities as an Article I branch of our
government.
It is time to repeal these various tariff powers that Congress has
granted the executive branch over the past few decades. I am not just
talking about IEEPA, but also the many other sections that we have
afforded the President. Mr. Speaker, because of those authorities that
the President is using capriciously and whimsically to impose his
tariffs, it is causing great damage to our economy, and they are
creating a crisis with these high costs that all of us are facing.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The time of the gentleman has expired.
Mr. McGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, I yield an additional 30 seconds to the
gentleman from California.
Mr. PANETTA. That is exactly why Congress, that has purview over
trade, should defend that jurisdiction, should defend our independence,
and we should defend our duty to the American public. It is our job,
and it is our responsibility.
Let me tell you, Mr. Speaker, that is the least we can do for our
country, for this Congress, and for our constituents.
[[Page H4390]]
Mrs. HOUCHIN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, what is more hurtful to working families is unfair trade
practices that have undermined the American worker for decades. The
tariffs imparted by President Trump are proving necessary to ensure
fair trade, protect American workers, and reduce trade deficits by
bringing other nations to the negotiating table.
Access to the American economy is a privilege. President Trump is
taking decisive action to comprehensively renegotiate the tariff
posture of the United States and the rest of the world for the first
time since World War II.
His efforts are focused on achieving global free trade, decoupling
developing countries from competitive nations like China, and for
national security purposes.
From what we have seen, President Trump is winning.
According to an article from NPR on August 11, tariffs are adding
tens of billions of new dollars to Federal revenue, with Treasury
bringing in more than $29 billion in customs and excise taxes, a
category that is overwhelmingly tariff revenue. Countries like India,
China, and South Korea are among the newest nations across the world
flocking to the negotiating table.
This comes on the heels of a successfully negotiated trade deal with
President Trump like with the EU, Japan, the U.K., Indonesia, the
Philippines, and Vietnam.
President Trump is utilizing all available tools in his pressure
campaign to make good on his promises to secure the border, protect our
communities, and level the global playing field to ensure fair trade
for American producers and the American worker.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. McGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I would just say to the gentlewoman that that is a lot
of words to justify the biggest tax increase on the American people, an
average of $2,300 a year more because of these tariffs.
However, I would just say to the gentlewoman, as well, that if she
thinks that these policies are great, if she wants these tariffs to
continue, then she shouldn't be afraid to vote for them. Have the
debate on the floor and let people vote up or down on them.
I don't understand why that is such a controversial thing to want to
advocate for, especially in the House of Representatives where we are
supposed to be able to debate important issues. If the majority has the
votes, if everybody thinks this is a great policy, then they will all
vote ``yes,'' and they continue.
I am glad the gentlewoman brought up the economy because I want to
speak about the economy just for a couple of minutes here.
Mr. Speaker, the consequences of Trump's economic policy are being
felt in communities across the country. Prices on fruits and
vegetables, meat and poultry, and dairy are all up. They are likely to
climb even higher as Trump's tariffs ripple through the supply chain.
President Trump and Republicans promised to reduce grocery prices.
Instead, grocery prices spiked at the fastest pace in 3 years last
month. They have promised to cut electricity prices in half. Instead,
August electricity prices were over 6 percent higher than they were 1
year ago. They promised to reduce inflation. Instead, we saw the
largest monthly increase in inflation since January. They promised to
create jobs, and instead for the first time in nearly 4 years, the
economy lost jobs in June. We lost jobs in June, and job growth has
been stagnant for months.
Mr. Speaker, the Trump economy is not working for the American
people.
Do you know whom it is working for, Mr. Speaker?
It is working for the millionaires and billionaires who contributed
to his campaign.
Hardworking Americans deserve a hell of a lot better than a rigged
economy that only works for the ultra-wealthy. People are hurting. Do
townhalls, I would say to my Republican friends, and they can hear it
firsthand. Go to the grocery store and watch as people are putting
items back because the prices have gone up so much.
This is not sustainable. At a minimum, the Republican leadership here
should not be afraid of debate and votes. We ought to bring these
important items to the floor. We have a constitutional responsibility
when it comes to trade and tariffs and to debate and to vote on these
items. We ought to bring them to the floor. Let's have a thoughtful
debate. Then people can vote accordingly, and then they can defend that
vote when they go back to their districts.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mrs. HOUCHIN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, it is a little bit disingenuous to criticize the
President on tariffs when every single Democrat voted for the largest
tax increase in American history just recently.
In the Working Families Tax Cuts Act under the One Big Beautiful Bill
Act, the typical family now, because of House Republicans, is going to
get up to $10,900 in additional take-home pay. Workers will see
increased wages up to $7,200. Households earning less than $100,000 a
year will get a 12 percent tax cut compared to today.
Up to 7.2 million jobs have been protected and created, and 1 million
new jobs annually will be created by small businesses. No tax on tips,
no tax on overtime, car loan interest relief, and tax relief for
seniors will put more money annually into Americans' pockets. Mr.
Speaker, that is $1,300 per tipped worker specifically, and $1,400 for
hourly workers. We lock in and further boost the double child tax
credit to $2,200 for more than 40 million American families.
To put it quite simply, we are starting to build the financial future
for this country after years of Democrat mismanagement.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. McGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I don't know what the gentlewoman is talking about, but
the Yale Budget Lab finds American households could pay $2,300 more, on
average, as a result of the current tariff policy, nearly three times
the average roughly $800 benefit from the OBBBA's new tax provisions in
the big, beautiful bill, or whatever they call it. We call it the big,
ugly bill, which, by the way, is the most unpopular piece of
legislation I think in history.
Do you know what, Mr. Speaker?
Don't take my word for it. Talk to regular people. Go to a grocery
store. Go to a coffee shop. Do a townhall and talk to people about how
they are feeling. They are not feeling good. They are not feeling good,
Mr. Speaker. They are going to feel even worse if you don't address the
healthcare cliff that we are about to confront.
{time} 1710
Mr. Speaker, across the country, children, families, grandparents,
small business owners, teachers, and veterans are about to receive the
unwelcome news that their healthcare premiums are skyrocketing to
record highs. Millions of Americans face an awful decision on the
horizon as they sort through their bills and are forced to decide which
ones to pay.
Republicans could have spent the summer working with Democrats to
reach a bipartisan agreement. Instead, they spent it slashing Medicaid
and the ACA by a trillion dollars.
Make no mistake: Republicans are kicking 15 million off their
healthcare coverage. Republicans are jeopardizing access to prenatal
care. They are cutting NIH's budget and taking food benefits away from
families, all basically to help pay for tax cuts to the ultrarich.
Mr. Speaker, nearly 24 million people in this country have health
insurance through the Affordable Care Act. With Republican inaction,
their premiums will increase by an average of 93 percent. A 60-year-old
couple making $80,000 per year would see their premiums increase by
over $17,000 per year. That is like over $1,400 per month. A family of
four earning $64,000 will owe an extra $2,600 in healthcare premiums
every year.
Where on Earth are families supposed to find this kind of extra
money?
Five million Americans, including 2 million with chronic conditions,
will lose their healthcare coverage due to the Affordable Care Act cuts
alone, not to mention the 10 million more who will lose coverage due to
the already
[[Page H4391]]
enacted Medicaid cuts in the Republicans' big, ugly bill.
In each of the districts we represent, Americans will have to choose
between paying rent, buying groceries, or affording healthcare.
Mr. Speaker, 26,000 Americans in the gentlewoman's district in
Indiana will face higher premiums or lose their healthcare altogether.
That is a lot of people. We live in the richest country in the world,
and Republicans have no problem forcing families to go without food
because healthcare premiums are sky-high. This is crazy. Healthcare
ought to be a right in this country. It ought not to be a privilege.
When people lose their healthcare, what do they do? They get their
healthcare at emergency rooms. That is the most costly and inefficient
form of healthcare.
Honest to God, Mr. Speaker, I don't know how my Republicans friends
can talk to people back home in their districts and somehow justify
what they are doing. Do Republicans actually think that denying
healthcare coverage is good for someone? Seriously, is that popular in
Indiana? Is it popular in any State in this country? This is shameful,
Mr. Speaker. The American people deserve better.
Congress must address this healthcare cliff now. When the Speaker of
the House says: Oh, well, we will deal with it in December; we will
talk about this in December--first, we have no guarantees that they
will want to deal with it--but let's push this discussion out to
December. December is too late. The crisis is about to occur. We have
an opportunity to do something, and we are doing nothing. We are doing
nothing. This is so wrong. This is immoral, Mr. Speaker. This cannot be
justified. There is no way to be able to explain this back home.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mrs. HOUCHIN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
What the American people know, what I hope they know, is that this is
a lot of political theater going on today, and I am sorry about it. I
really am.
Premiums are high because of ObamaCare. The un-affordable care act
did nothing to lower healthcare costs and instead raised costs.
Subsidizing the failed policies of the Democratic Party is not a
solution. It is a Band-Aid at best, and it perpetuates the problem.
Republicans are focused on fixing healthcare, on reducing costs, on
raising reimbursement rates, and reforming the system which Democrats
broke in the first place. They are fighting for their constituents
against a problem that they created. This is a crisis created by the
ObamaCare plan in the first place, and we can't just keep throwing
money at the problem. That can't be the only answer. We need to have
conversations about how to make these programs work for the American
people, and it is House Republicans that are leading that charge.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. McGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
The central issue right now is healthcare. Let me repeat: Healthcare,
healthcare, healthcare.
I love it. I don't know how--I am surprised they didn't blame Bill
Clinton. Now we are going back to Obama to blame him for the current
crisis in healthcare. Give me a break.
Look at the polling. The ACA is pretty popular. What is not popular
is the big, ugly bill that the Republicans passed just a few months
ago. People are outraged over the fact that Republicans are cutting
Medicaid by a trillion dollars and cutting moneys for NIH. The National
Institutes of Health is where we fund research to find cures to
diseases and to sicknesses.
You want to save money? Let's find a cure to Alzheimer's. Let's find
a cure to Parkinson's disease. Let's find more cures to cancer. That is
a way you can save money.
I think what the Republicans are doing right now is they want to say
that the Affordable Care Act is not working by defunding it, by
dismantling it.
My Republicans friends are doing nothing to address the central issue
at hand right now, which is healthcare. People are going to lose their
healthcare. People are going to see their premiums skyrocket. All the
while, we are trying to help here. We are saying we will work with them
and let's address this so people don't suffer.
I mean, the whole point of what we are doing here should be about
improving the lives for people we represent, improving the lives of
people in this country. An all-out assault against their healthcare is
coming down the road, and we can do something about it. We want to work
with them to do something about it, and my Republican friends keep on
saying: No, we are not interested.
What are my Republican friends interested in? If you look at the big,
ugly bill, it is tax cuts for the multimillionaires, tax cuts for
multibillionaires, and all these giveaways to the fossil fuel industry.
It is like the Republican prescription for healthcare is take two tax
cuts and call me in the morning.
The bottom line is a crisis is about to happen in this country. We
are right at the cliff, and we can do something about it. We can help
our constituents. We are urging them, and we are begging them to work
with us so we can address these concerns in healthcare, and we are
being told no way, no consultation, no cooperation, no collaboration,
no negotiation, no nothing.
Remember, it was Democrats who capped the price of insulin for
Medicare. It is Republicans who cut Medicaid by a trillion dollars.
That is the difference here.
Again, we ought to be addressing this crisis now before our
constituents are hurt in a way that, quite frankly, they are not
prepared for.
They don't even know this is coming. We all know it is coming. There
is no excuse to not know what is about to happen. Every major
organization--CBO, everybody, the insurance industry--has already told
us what is about to happen. My Republican friends are like: No,
business as usual. Let's just kick the can down the road. We will fund
the government for 7 weeks and no promise of anything.
This is not the way this Congress should be run.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mrs. HOUCHIN. Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers, and I reserve
the balance of my time.
Mr. McGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time for
closing.
Mr. Speaker, here is the bottom line. Congress must act now to
prevent one of the most staggering healthcare premium hikes in
history--not in November, not in December, but now.
Let's be honest. Donald Trump and his billionaires he has surrounded
himself with won't feel an ounce of this pain. They have got the best
doctors on speed dial, concierge care, and private chefs. They don't
worry about grocery bills. They don't sit at the kitchen table with a
stack of medical bills and wonder which one of them they can afford to
pay this month.
Regular people, working families, and seniors on fixed incomes do.
That is who Democrats are fighting for: regular people who buy their
own food, who worry about the rent, and who pray that the car doesn't
break down because they can't handle another bill.
{time} 1720
If Members want to stand with the billionaires, by all means, vote
for the CR. Let a million people get kicked off of healthcare. It won't
impact Members of Congress. We all have great healthcare. Republicans
don't have to worry about that.
Guess what. Democrats are not going to stand by and watch while
Republicans make healthcare more expensive and less accessible for
millions of our friends and neighbors. Stop the cuts and fund the
government, or own the shutdown that is coming. Protect people's
healthcare, or own the consequences when millions lose their coverage.
That is what the choice is for this Republican-controlled government.
Right now, Mr. Speaker, it sure as hell looks like Republicans are
choosing to shut it down instead of working to keep people insured.
Again, we live in the richest country in the world. Healthcare ought
to be viewed as a fundamental right for people in this country. People
shouldn't have to worry about going bankrupt if they get sick.
Mr. Speaker, this is one of the top issues on the minds of people all
[[Page H4392]]
throughout this country right now. The price of groceries and the price
of healthcare are what they are worried about. People are deeply
concerned that they are not going to be able to afford both, and they
are in for a rude awakening when they start to see their premiums go up
this November.
Here is the kicker: This Congress can do something about it. All we
need is for our Republican friends to work with us. Let us make the
necessary adjustments, and let us protect millions of people from
losing their healthcare. Let us protect countless people from seeing
their premiums go sky-high.
We can do this. This is solvable. We can do it, but for whatever
reason, Republicans are not interested. That is what is particularly
sad at this particular point, Mr. Speaker.
Prohibiting health insurance companies from denying coverage because
of a person's medical history, that is what Democrats did. We have
prohibited health insurance companies from denying coverage because of
a person's medical history.
We prohibited health insurance companies from charging sick people
more.
We prohibited private health insurance companies from denying
coverage because of preexisting medical conditions.
We prohibited health insurance companies from denying coverage to
pregnant women.
We prohibited private health insurance companies from charging sick
people higher premiums than healthy people.
We required health insurance companies to cover the cost of most
preventative services.
We prohibited health insurance companies from setting a lifetime
limit.
We gave States the option of expanding their Medicaid programs.
We provided financial help to low- and moderate-income Americans to
help them purchase coverage.
We prohibited private health insurance companies from setting an
annual limit.
We also allowed young adults to stay on their parents' insurance
plans until they were 26.
When we think of helping people with healthcare, that is the kind of
stuff that we think of. I mentioned before the capping of the cost of
insulin in Medicare. We ought to be making it easier for people to get
good, quality healthcare. We ought to make sure that it is more
affordable and more accessible, and we are going in the opposite
direction under this Republican leadership.
Mr. Speaker, again, I urge my colleagues to vote ``no'' on this rule
for a whole bunch of reasons, but mostly because healthcare is
important to people in this country, and they are about to get screwed.
We have an opportunity to do something, and I regret that under this
rule, nothing will be done.
Mr. Speaker, let's defeat this rule. Let's go back to the drawing
board. Let's sit down in a bipartisan way. Let's figure out ways to
avert this crisis. Let's do what is right for the American people, not
what is right for the big contributors in this country and for the
well-off and the well-connected.
Mr. Speaker, I urge a ``no'' vote, and I yield back the balance of my
time.
Mrs. HOUCHIN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time for
the purpose of closing.
Mr. Speaker, this rule is pretty straightforward. With respect to the
continuing resolution, it is simple. It is a clean, short-term
continuing resolution to prevent disruptions to national security and
programs that our constituents depend on. It is a bill that extends
government funding until November 21.
My colleagues on the other side of the aisle are trying to argue and
insist that a healthcare discussion is inserted into this, but that is
not a debate for a September funding matter. They are really trying to
insert unrelated matters into the middle of a clean government
extension.
I don't think that is going to work because if the government shuts
down because they are making this last stand, which is something that
we will be addressing in the future, it will solely be blamed on
Democrats if the government shuts down because we are not playing
politics with this at all. We are just trying to keep the lights on.
What they are trying to do is insert a last-ditch effort to regain
their footing because their party is reeling right now.
Mr. Speaker, this clean extension of government funding will ensure
that the government remains open and working for the Nation. It
shouldn't be partisan. If Democrats force a shutdown, it could cost the
American taxpayer billions due to back-paid furloughed workers,
increased costs from delayed starts, and constrained economic growth.
No matter how hard the Democrats try to characterize this CR as a
partisan maneuver, always claiming that we are hurting every special
interest group, it doesn't make it true.
Remember, virtually every single House Democrat for the last 4 years
under the Biden administration voted ``yes'' on every continuing
resolution. In fact, over the last several years, many Democrats,
including Democratic leaders, have made comments about the harm a
government shutdown would cause.
The minority leader says it is about the harm. Families will be hurt.
Farmers will be hurt if the government shuts down. Others have said:
Let's take a moment to see what is truly at the center of this story.
It is about the servicemembers who will work without a paycheck.
Some House Democrats accused House Republicans of leading the country
toward a reckless government shutdown that will take food off the table
for mothers and children and force servicemembers to work without pay.
Make no mistake, if Democrats vote against this simple government
funding bill that will extend funding to November 21, they are the very
people who are hurting those whom they have claimed that Republicans
have perpetually tried to hurt, unfairly and untruly.
Mr. Speaker, again, this rule is straightforward.
First and foremost, we are here to honor the life of a husband,
father, and friend. Charlie Kirk was a proud American and a happy
warrior for his faith and this country that he loved. Charlie was the
kind of person who inspired millions to engage in our democracy. It is
right that we take the time as a body to honor him and condemn
political violence in all forms.
Finally and secondly, we must keep the government open and allow the
appropriations process to continue. While CRs, continuing resolutions,
are never ideal and, by definition, are not all-encompassing, if we are
truly to address the many issues before this body as a country, we
cannot do that under a government shutdown. We must let the
appropriations process continue.
I look forward to moving these bills out of the House this week, and
I ask my colleagues to join me in voting ``yes'' on the previous
question and ``yes'' on the rule.
Mr. MANNION. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to unequivocally condemn the
act of political violence that ended the life of Charlie Kirk. Violence
has no place in our democracy, and no American, regardless of political
beliefs, should ever be the target of an assassination.
I send my sincere condolences to his wife Erica, his children, and
all who mourn his loss.
But condemning violence is not the same as endorsing a legacy. In
fact, it is a sign of the strength of our republic that we can both
mourn Mr. Kirk's death and openly acknowledge that he was a polarizing
figure in American politics. Many Americans justifiably find his words
and actions divisive and offensive.
It is entirely legitimate to say that Mr. Kirk's legacy is
controversial. To present his life and work in only heroic terms fails
to acknowledge his promotion of misinformation and the harmful impact
his words have had on marginalized communities. Having these
conversations openly, without fear of recrimination or harassment is
part of what it means to live in a free society.
As we condemn political violence in the strongest possible terms, let
us also reaffirm our commitment to honest debate, to teaching the
totality of our history, and to preserving a democracy where it is safe
to disagree.
The material previously referred to by Mr. McGovern is as follows:
An amendment to H. Res. 722 Offered by Mr. McGovern of Massachusetts
Strike section 3 and add the following:
Sec. 3. House Resolution 707, agreed to September 16, 2025,
is amended by striking sections 9, 10, and 11.
Mrs. HOUCHIN. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time, and I
move the previous question on the resolution.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on ordering the previous
question.
[[Page H4393]]
The question was taken; and the Speaker pro tempore announced that
the ayes appeared to have it.
Mr. McGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
The yeas and nays were ordered.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, further
proceedings on this question will be postponed.
____________________