[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 163 (2017), Part 1] [Issue] [Pages 1-98] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov][[Page 1]] VOLUME 163--PART 1 SENATE--Tuesday, January 3, 2017 The third day of January being the day prescribed by the Constitution of the United States for the annual meeting of the Congress, the Senate assembled in its Chamber at the Capitol for the commencement of the 1st session of the 115th Congress and at 12:02 p.m. was called to order by the Vice President (Mr. Biden). ____________________ PRAYER The Chaplain, Dr. Barry C. Black, offered the following prayer: Let us pray. O God of Light, in whom there is no darkness, thank You for the illumination of Your presence. As we begin a new year and a new Congress, please be the guide that will lead us to fulfill Your purposes. During this 115th Congress, awaken our lawmakers to Your inescapable presence. Keep them from thinking that You are absent from our world or disinterested in it. Lord, enable them to feel You in their midst as they grapple with the problems and challenges of our time. May they seek first to embrace a humility that strives to understand instead of striving first to be understood. In a special way, bless our new Senators and all of their loved ones with Your grace, mercy, and peace. We pray in Your sovereign Name. Amen. ____________________ PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The VICE PRESIDENT led the Pledge of Allegiance, as follows: I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. ____________________ CERTIFICATES OF ELECTION The VICE PRESIDENT. The Chair lays before the Senate the certificates of election of 34 Senators elected for 6-year terms beginning on January 3, 2017. All certificates, the Chair is advised, are in the form suggested by the Senate or contain all essential requirements of the form suggested by the Senate. If there be no objection, the reading of the certificates will be waived and they will be printed in full in the Record. There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in the Record, as follows: State of Colorado CERTIFICATE OF ELECTION FOR SIX-YEAR TERM To the President of the Senate of the United States: This is to certify that on the eighth day of November, 2016, Michael Bennet was duly chosen by the qualified electors of the State of Colorado a Senator from said State to represent said State in the Senate of the United States for the term of six years, beginning on the third day of January, 2017. Witness: His Excellency our Governor John Hickenlooper, and our seal hereto affixed at Denver, Colorado this ninth day of December, in the year of our Lord 2016. By the Governor: John Hickenlooper, Governor. Wayne W. Williams, Secretary of State. [State Seal Affixed] ____ State of Connecticut To the President of the Senate of the United States: This is to Certify that on the eighth day of November, two thousand and sixteen Richard Blumenthal was duly chosen by the qualified electors of the State of Connecticut as Senator from said State to represent said State in the Senate of the United States for the term of six years beginning on the third day of January two thousand and seventeen. Witness: His Excellency our Governor; Dannel P. Malloy and our seal hereto affixed at Hartford, this seventh day of December, in the year of our Lord two thousand sixteen. Dannel P. Malloy, Governor. Denise Merrill, Secretary of the State. [State Seal Affixed] ____ State of Missouri Governor of Missouri CERTIFICATE OF ELECTION FOR SIX-YEAR TERM To the President of the Senate of the United States: This is to certify that on the 8th day of November, 2016, Roy Blunt was duly chosen by the qualified electors of the State of Missouri a Senator from said State to represent said State in the Senate of the United States for the term of six years, beginning on the 3rd day of January, 2017. Witness: His Excellency our Governor Jeremiah W. (Jay) Nixon, and our seal hereto affixed at the City of Jefferson this 14th day of December, in the year of our Lord 2016. By the Governor: Jeremiah W. (Jay) Nixon, Governor. Jason Kander, Secretary of State. [State Seal Affixed] ____ State of Arkansas Certificate of Election for Six-Year Term To the President of the Senate of the United States: This is to certify that on the 8th day of November, 2016, the Honorable John Boozman was duly chosen by the qualified electors of the State of Arkansas a Senator from said State to represent said State in the Senate of the United States for the term of six years, beginning on the 3d day of January, 2017. Witness: His Excellency, our governor, the Honorable Asa Hutchinson, and our seal hereto affixed at the State Capitol in Little Rock, Arkansas, this 29th day of November, in the year of our Lord 2016. By the governor: Asa Hutchinson, Governor. Mark Martin, Secretary of State. [State Seal Affixed] ____ State of North Carolina CERTIFICATE OF ELECTION FOR SIX-YEAR TERM To the President of the Senate of the United States: This is to certify that on the 8th day of November, 2016, Richard Mauze Burr was duly chosen by the qualified electors of the State of North Carolina, a Senator from said State to represent said State in the Senate of the United States for the term of six years, beginning on the 3rd day of January, 2017. In witness whereof, I have hereunto signed my name and caused to be affixed the Great Seal of the State, at the Capital City of Raleigh this the 19th day of December 2016. Pat McCrory, Governor. Elaine F. Marshall, Secretary of State. [State Seal Affixed] ____ State of Nevada CERTIFICATE OF ELECTION FOR SIX-YEAR TERM To the President of the Senate of the United States: [[Page 2]] This is to certify that at a general election held in the State of Nevada on Tuesday, the eighth day of November, two thousand sixteen Catherine Cortez Masto was duly elected a Member of the United States Senate in and for the State of Nevada, for a term of six years, beginning on the third day of January, 2017. Now, therefore, I Brian Sandoval, Governor of the State of Nevada, by the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws thereof, and do hereby commission her, the said Catherine Cortez Masto, as a Member of the United States Senate, and authorize her to discharge the duties of said office according to law, and to hold and enjoy the same, together with all powers, privileges and emoluments thereunto appertaining. In Testimony Thereof I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Great Seal of the State of Nevada to be affixed at the State Capitol at Carson City, Nevada on this 1st day of December, two thousand sixteen. Brian Sandoval, Governor of the State of Nevada. Barbara K. Cegavske, Secretary of the State of Nevada. [State Seal Affixed] ____ State of Idaho certificate of election for six-year term To the President of the Senate of the United States: This is to certify that on the 8th day of November, 2016, Mike Crapo was duly chosen by the qualified electors of the State of Idaho a Senator from said State to represent said State in the Senate of the United States for the term of six years, beginning on the 3rd day of January, 2017. Witness: His excellency our governor C.L. ``Butch'' Otter, and our seal hereto affixed at Boise this 23rd day of November, in the year of our Lord 2016. By the Governor: C.L. ``Butch'' Otter, Governor. Lawerence Denney, Secretary of State. [State Seal Affixed] ____ State of Illinois Executive Department To the President of the Senate of the United States: This is to Certify that on the 8th day of November, Two Thousand and Sixteen, Tammy Duckworth was duly chosen by the qualified electors of the State of Illinois a Senator from said State to represent said State in the Senate of the United States for the term of six years, beginning on the third day of January, Two Thousand and Seventeen. Witness: His excellency our governor, Bruce Rauner, and our seal hereto affixed at the City of Springfield, Illinois, this 6th day of December, in the year of our Lord Two Thousand and Sixteen. By the Governor: Bruce Rauner, Governor. Jesse White, Secretary of State. [State Seal Affixed] ____ State of Iowa cERTIFICATE OF ELECTION to the senate of the united states FOR SIX-YEAR TERM To the President of the Senate of the United States: This is to certify that on the 8th day of November 2016, Charles E. Grassley was duly elected as Senator to the Senate of the United States to represent the State of Iowa beginning on the 3rd day of January 2017. In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name and caused the Great Seal of the State of Iowa to be affixed. Done at Des Moines this 5th day of December in the year of our Lord two thousand sixteen. Terry Branstad, Governor of Iowa. Attest: Paul D. Pate, Secretary of State. [State Seal Affixed] ____ State of California CERTIFICATE OF ELECTION FOR SIX-YEAR TERM To the President of the Senate of the United States of America: This is to certify that on the 8th day of November, 2016, Kamala D. Harris was duly chosen by the qualified electors of the State of California as a Senator from said State to represent said State in the Senate of the United States for the term of six years, beginning on the 3rd day of January, 2017. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Great Seal of the State of California to be affixed this 16th day of December, 2016. Edmund G. Brown, Jr., Governor of California. Attest: Alex Padilla, Secretary of State. [State Seal Affixed] ____ State of New Hampshire executive department To the President of the Senate of the United States: This is to certify that on the eighth day of November, two thousand and sixteen Maggie Hassan was duly chosen by the qualified electors of the State of New Hampshire to represent said State in the Senate of the United States for the term of six years beginning on the third day of January, two thousand and seventeen. Witness, Her Excellency, Governor Margaret Wood Hassan and the Seal of the State of New Hampshire hereto affixed at Concord, this seventh day of December, in the year of Our Lord two thousand and sixteen. By the Governor, with advice of the Council: Margaret Wood Hassan, Governor. William M. Gardner, Secretary of State. [State Seal Affixed] ____ State of North Dakota secretary of state CERTIFICATE OF ELECTION FOR SIX-YEAR TERM To the President of the Senate of the United States: This is to certify that on the 8th day of November 2016, John Hoeven was duly chosen by the qualified electors of the State of North Dakota a Senator from said State to represent said State in the Senate of the United States for the term of six years, beginning on the 3rd day of January 2017. In witness whereof, we have set our hands in the Capitol City of Bismarck this 18th day of November 2016, and affixed the Great Seal of the State of North Dakota. Jack Dalrymple, Governor. Alvin A. Jaeger, Secretary of State. Penny Miller, Clerk of the Supreme Court, Member State Canvassing Board. [State Seal Affixed] ____ State of Georgia To the President of the Senate of the United States: This is to certify that on the 8th day of November, 2016, John H. Isakson was duly chosen by the qualified electors of the State of Georgia, a Senator from said State to represent said State in the Senate of the United States for the term of six years, beginning on the 3rd of January, 2017. Witness: His excellency our Governor Nathan Deal, and the Great Seal of the State of Georgia hereto affixed at the Capitol, in the city of Atlanta, the 28th day of November, in the year of our Lord Two Thousand and Sixteen. By The Governor, Nathan Deal, Governor. Brian P. Kemp, Secretary of State. [State Seal Affixed] ____ State of Wisconsin CERTIFICATE OF ELECTION FOR A SIX-YEAR TERM To the President of the Senate of the United States: This is to certify that on the 8th day of November, 2016, Ron Johnson was duly chosen by the qualified electors of the State of Wisconsin, a Senator from said State to represent said State in the Senate of the United States for the term of six years, beginning on the 3rd day of January, 2017. Witness: His Excellency our Governor Scott Walker, and our seal hereto affixed at Madison this 12th day of December 2016. By the Governor: Scott Walker, Governor. Douglas La Follette, Secretary of State. [State Seal Affixed] ____ State of Louisiana CERTIFICATE OF ELECTION FOR SIX-YEAR TERM To the President of the Senate of the United States: This is to certify that on the 10th day of December, 2016, John Kennedy was duly chosen by the qualified electors of the State of Louisiana a Senator from said State to represent said State in the Senate of the United States for the term of six years, beginning on the 3rd day of January, 2017. Witness: His Excellency our Governor John Bel Edwards, and our seal hereto affixed at Baton Rouge, Louisiana this 22nd day of December, in the year of our Lord 2016. By the Governor: John Bel Edwards, Governor of Louisiana. Tom Schedler, Secretary of State. [State Seal Affixed] ____ State of Oklahoma CERTIFICATE OF ELECTION FOR SIX YEAR TERM To the President of the Senate of the United States: This is to certify that on the 8th day of November, 2016, James Lankford was duly chosen by the qualified electors of the State of Oklahoma a Senator from said State to represent said State in the Senate of the United States for the term of six years, beginning on the 3rd day of January, 2017. Witness: Her Excellency our governor Mary Fallin, and our seal hereto affixed at [[Page 3]] Oklahoma City, Oklahoma this 1st day of December, in the year of our Lord 2016. By the governor: Mary Fallin, Governor. Mike Hunter, Secretary of State. [State Seal Affixed] ____ State of Vermont CERTIFICATE OF ELECTION FOR SIX-YEAR TERM To the President of the Senate of the United States: This is to certify that on the 8th day of November, 2016, Patrick Leahy was duly chosen by the qualified electors of the State of Vermont to be a Senator from Vermont to represent Vermont in the Senate of the United States for the term of six years, beginning on the 3rd day of January, 2017. Witness: Governor Peter Shumlin this 21st day of November, 2016. Peter Shumlin, Governor. Jim Condos, Secretary of State. [State Seal Affixed] ____ State of Utah CERTIFICATE OF ELECTION FOR SIX-YEAR TERM To the President of the Senate of the United States: This is to certify that on the day of November 8, 2016, Mike Lee was duly chosen by the qualified electors of the State of Utah a Senator from said State to represent said State in the Senate of the United States for the term of six years, beginning on the 3d day of January, 2017. Witness: His excellency our governor Gary R. Herbert, and our seal hereto affixed at Salt Lake City, Utah this 30th day of November, in the year of our Lord 2016. By the governor: Gary R. Herbert, Governor. Spencer J. Cox, Lieutenant Governor. [State Seal Affixed] ____ State of Arizona certificate of election for six-year term To the President of the Senate of the United States: This is to certify that on the 8th day of November 2016, John McCain was duly chosen by the qualified electors of the State of Arizona a Senator from said State to represent said State in the Senate of the United States for the term of six years, beginning on the 3rd day of January, 2017. Witness: His excellency our Governor of Arizona, and our seal hereto affixed at the Capitol in Phoenix this ninth day of December, in the year of our Lord 2016. By the Governor: Douglas A. Ducey, Governor. Michele Reagan, Secretary of State. [State Seal Affixed] ____ State of Kansas certificate of election for six-year term To the President of the Senate of the United States: This is to certify that on the 8th day of November, 2016, Jerry Moran was duly chosen by the qualified electors of the State of Kansas a Senator from said State to represent said State in the Senate of the United States for the term of six years, beginning on the 3rd day of January, 2017. Witness: His excellency our governor Sam Brownback, and our seal hereto affixed at Topeka, Kansas this 30th day of November, in the year of our Lord 2016. By the governor: Sam Brownback, Governor. Kris W. Kobach, Secretary of State. [State Seal Affixed] ____ State of Alaska certificate of election for six-year term To the President of the Senate of the United States: This is to certify that on the 8th day of November, 2016, Lisa Murkowski was duly chosen by the qualified electors of the State of Alaska a Senator from said State to represent said State in the Senate of the United States for the term of six years, beginning on the 3rd of January, 2017. Witness: His Excellency our governor Bill Walker, and our seal hereto affixed at Anchorage this 1st day of December, in the year of our Lord 2016. By the Governor: Bill Walker, Governor. By the Lieutenant Governor: Byron Mallott, Lieutenant Governor. [State Seal Affixed] ____ State of Washington Certificate of Election To the President of the Senate of the United States: This is to certify that at the General Election held in the state of Washington on the 8th day of November, 2016, Patty Murray was duly chosen by the qualified electors of the state of Washington as United States Senator from the state of Washington to represent the state of Washington in the Senate of the United States for the term of six years, beginning on the 3rd day of January, 2017. Witness: His Excellency our Governor Jay Inslee, and our seal hereto affixed at Olympia, Washington this 7th day of December, 2016. By the Governor: Jay Inslee, Governor. Attest: Kim Wyman, Secretary of State. [State Seal Affixed] ____ Commonwealth of Kentucky To all to Whom These Presents Shall Come, Greeting: Know Ye That Honorable Rand Paul having been duty certified, that on November 8, 2016 was duly chosen by the qualified electors of the Commonwealth of Kentucky a Senator from said state to represent said state in the Senate of the United States for the term of six years, beginning the 3rd day of January 2017. I hereby invest the above named with full power and authority to execute and discharge the duties of the said office according to law. And to have and to hold the same, with all the rights and emoluments thereunto legally appertaining, for and during the term prescribed by law. In testimony whereof, I have caused these letters to be made patent, and the seal of the Commonwealth to be hereunto affixed. Done at Frankfort, the 22nd day of November in the year of our Lord two thousand and sixteen and in the 225th year of the Commonwealth, Matthew G. Bevin, By the Governor. Alison Lundergan Grimes, Secretary of State. [State Seal Affixed] ____ The State of Ohio certificate of election for six-year term To the President of the Senate of the United States: This is to certify that on the 8th day of November 2016, Rob Portman was duly chosen by the qualified electors of the State of Ohio a Senator from said State to represent said State in the Senate of the United States for the term of six years, beginning on the 3rd day of January, 2017. Witness: His excellency our governor, and our seal hereto affixed at Columbus, Ohio, this 7th day of December, in the year of our Lord 2016. By the governor: John Kasich, Governor. Jon A. Husted, Secretary of State. [State Seal Affixed] ____ State of Florida certificate of election for six-year term To the President of the Senate of the United States: This is to certify that on the day of November 8, 2016, Marco Rubio was duly chosen by the qualified electors of the State of Florida a Senator from said State to represent said State in the Senate of the United States for the term of six years, beginning on the 3d day of January, 2017. WITNESS: His excellency our governor, RICK SCOTT, and our seal hereto affixed at Tallahassee, the Capital, this 30th day of November, in the year of our Lord 2016. By the governor: Rick Scott, Governor. Ken Detzner, Secretary of State. [State Seal Affixed] ____ State of Hawaii certificate of election for six-year term To the President of the Senate of the United States: This is to certify that on the eighth day of November, 2016, Brian Schatz was duly chosen by the qualified electors of the State of Hawaii a Senator from said State to represent said State in the Senate of the United States for the term of six years, beginning at noon on the third day of January, 2017. Witness: His excellency our governor, David Y. Ige, and our seal hereto affixed at Honolulu this twenty-eighth day of November, in the year of our Lord 2016. By the Governor: David Y. Ige, Governor. Scott T. Nago, Chief Election Officer. [State Seal Affixed] ____ State of New York executive chamber To the President of the Senate: This is to certify that on the eighth day of November, two thousand sixteen, Charles E. Schumer was duly chosen by the qualified electors of the State of New York a Senator from said State to represent the State in the [[Page 4]] Senate of the United States for the term of six years, beginning on the third day of January, two thousand seventeen. Witness: His excellency our Governor Andrew M. Cuomo, and our seal hereto affixed at New York, New York, this ninth day of December in the year two thousand sixteen. By the Governor: Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor. Rossana Rosado, Secretary of State. [State Seal Affixed] ____ The State of South Carolina Certificate of election for Six-Year Term To the President of the Senate of the United States: This is to certify that on the eighth day of November, A.D. 2016, Tim Scott was duly chosen by the qualified electors of the State of South Carolina a Senator from said State to represent said State in the Senate of the United States for the term of six years, beginning on the third day of January, 2017. Witness: Her Excellency our Governor Nikki R. Haley, and our seal hereto affixed at Columbia, South Carolina this twenty-ninth day of November in the Year of Our Lord, Two Thousand Sixteen. Nikki R. Haley, Governor. Mark Hammond, Secretary of State. [State Seal Affixed] ____ State of Alabama CERTIFICATE OF ELECTION FOR SIX-YEAR TERM To the President of the Senate of the United States: This is to certify that on the 8th day of November, 2016, Richard C. Shelby was duly chosen by the qualified electors of the State of Alabama a Senator from said State to represent said State in the Senate of the United States for the term of six years beginning on the 3rd day of January, 2017. Witness: His excellency our governor Robert Bentley, and our seal hereto affixed at Montgomery this 5th day of December, in the year of our Lord 2016. By the Governor: Robert Bentley, Governor. John H. Merrill, Secretary of State. [State Seal Affixed] ____ State of South Dakota Certificate of Election This is to certify that on the eighth day of November, 2016, at a General Election, John R. Thune was elected by the qualified voters of the State of South Dakota to the office of United States Senate for the term of six years, beginning the Third day of January, 2017. In Witness we have signed this certificate and affixed the Seal of the State at Pierre, the Capital, this Twenty-Ninth day of November, 2016. Dennis Daugaard, Governor. Attested by: Shantel Krebs, Secretary of State. [State Seal Affixed] ____ Commonwealth of Pennsylvania To the President of the Senate of the United States: This is to certify that on the eighth day of November, 2016, Patrick J. Toomey was duly chosen by the qualified electors of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania as a United States Senator to represent Pennsylvania in the Senate of the United States for a term of six years, beginning on the third day of January, 2017. Witness: His excellency our Governor, Tom Wolf, and our seal hereto affixed at Harrisburg this twentieth day of December, in the year of our Lord, 2016. Tom Wolf, Governor. Pedro A. Cortes, Secretary of the Commonwealth. [State Seal Affixed] ____ State of Maryland CERTIFICATE OF ELECTION FOR SIX-YEAR TERM To the President of the Senate of the United States: This is to certify that on the 8th day of November, 2016, Chris Van Hollen was duly chosen by the qualified electors of the State of Maryland a Senator from said State to represent said State in the Senate of the United States for the term of six years, beginning on the 3rd day of January, 2017. Witness: His Excellency our Governor Larry Hogan and our seal hereto affixed at the City of Annapolis, this 9th day of December, in the Year of Our Lord 2016. By the Governor: Larry Hogan, Governor. Attest: John C. Wobensmith, Secretary of State. [State Seal Affixed] ____ State of Oregon CERTIFICATE OF ELECTION FOR SIX-YEAR TERM To the President of the Senate of the United States: This is to certify that on the 8th day of November, 2016, Ron Wyden was duly chosen by the qualified electors of the State of Oregon, a Senator from said State to represent said State in the Senate of the United States for the term of six years, beginning on the 3rd day of January, 2017. Witness: Her Excellency our Governor, Kate Brown, and our seal hereto affixed at Salem, Oregon this 8th day of December, in the year of our Lord 2016. By the governor: Kate Brown, Governor. Jeanne P. Atkins, Secretary of State. [State Seal Affixed] ____ The State of Indiana Certificate of Election for a Six-Year Term To the President of the Senate of the United States: This is to certify that on the eighth of November, 2016, Todd Young was duly chosen by the qualified electors of the State of Indiana a Senator from said State to represent said State in the Senate of the United States for the term of six years, beginning on the 3rd day of January, 2017. Witness: His excellency our Governor Michael R. Pence, and our seal hereto affixed at Indianapolis, this twenty-ninth day of November, in the year of our Lord, 2016. By the Governor: Michael R. Pence, Governor. Attest: Connie Lawson, Secretary of State. [State Seal Affixed] ____________________ ADMINISTRATION OF OATH OF OFFICE The VICE PRESIDENT. If the Senators to be sworn in will now present themselves at the desk in groups of four as their names are called in alphabetical order, the Chair will administer the oath of office. The clerk will read the names of the first group of Senators. The legislative clerk called the names of Mr. Bennet of Colorado, Mr. Blumenthal of Connecticut, Mr. Blunt of Missouri, and Mr. Boozman of Arkansas. These Senators, escorted by Mr. Gardner, Mr. Murphy, Mrs. McCaskill, Mr. Bond, and Mr. Cotton, respectively, advanced to the desk of the Vice President; the oath prescribed by law was administered to them by the Vice President; and they severally subscribed to the oath in the Official Oath Book. The VICE PRESIDENT. Congratulations. (Applause, Senators rising.) The VICE PRESIDENT. The clerk will read the names of the next group of Senators. The legislative clerk called the names of Mr. Burr of North Carolina, Ms. Cortez Masto of Nevada, Mr. Crapo of Idaho, and Ms. Duckworth of Illinois. These Senators, escorted by Mr. Tillis, Mr. Reid, Mr. Heller, Mr. Risch, and Mr. Durbin, respectively, advanced to the desk of the Vice President; the oath prescribed by law was administered to them by the Vice President; and they severally subscribed to the oath in the Official Oath Book. The VICE PRESIDENT. Congratulations. (Applause, Senators rising.) The VICE PRESIDENT. The clerk will read the names of the next group of Senators. The legislative clerk called the names of Mr. Grassley of Iowa, Ms. Harris of California, Ms. Hassan of New Hampshire, and Mr. Hoeven of North Dakota. These Senators, escorted by Mrs. Ernst, Mrs. Feinstein, Mrs. Shaheen, Ms. Heitkamp, and Mr. Portman, respectively, advanced to the desk of the Vice President; the oath prescribed by law was administered to them by the Vice President; and they severally subscribed to the oath in the Official Oath Book. The VICE PRESIDENT. Congratulations. (Applause, Senators rising.) The VICE PRESIDENT. The clerk will read the names of the next group of Senators. The legislative clerk called the names of Mr. Isakson of Georgia, Mr. [[Page 5]] Johnson of Wisconsin, Mr. Kennedy of Louisiana, and Mr. Lankford of Oklahoma. These Senators, escorted by Mr. Mattingly, Mr. Perdue, Mr. Kasten, Mr. Cassidy, and Mr. Inhofe, respectively, advanced to the desk of the Vice President; the oath prescribed by law was administered to them by the Vice President; and they severally subscribed to the oath in the Official Oath Book. The VICE PRESIDENT. Congratulations. (Applause, Senators rising.) The VICE PRESIDENT. The clerk will read the names of the next group of Senators. The legislative clerk called the names of Mr. Leahy of Vermont, Mr. Lee of Utah, Mr. McCain of Arizona, and Mr. Moran of Kansas. These Senators, escorted by Mrs. Feinstein, Mr. Hatch, Mr. Flake, and Mr. Roberts, respectively, advanced to the desk of the Vice President; the oath prescribed by law was administered to them by the Vice President; and they severally subscribed to the oath in the Official Oath Book. The VICE PRESIDENT. Congratulations. (Applause, Senators rising.) The VICE PRESIDENT. The clerk will read the names of the next group of Senators. The legislative clerk called the names of Ms. Murkowski of Alaska, Mrs. Murray of Washington, Mr. Paul of Kentucky, and Mr. Portman of Ohio. These Senators, escorted by Mr. Sullivan, Ms. Mikulski, Mr. McConnell, Mr. Brown, and Mr. DeWine, respectively, advanced to the desk of the Vice President; the oath prescribed by law was administered to them by the Vice President; and they severally subscribed to the oath in the Official Oath Book. The VICE PRESIDENT. Congratulations. (Applause, Senators rising.) The VICE PRESIDENT. The clerk will read the names of the next group of Senators. The legislative clerk called the names of Mr. Rubio of Florida, Mr. Schatz of Hawaii, Mr. Schumer of New York, and Mr. Scott of South Carolina. These Senators, escorted by Mr. Nelson, Mr. Risch, Mr. Reid, Mrs. Gillibrand, Mr. DeMint, and Mr. Graham, respectively, advanced to the desk of the Vice President; the oath prescribed by law was administered to them by the Vice President; and they severally subscribed to the oath in the Official Oath Book. The VICE PRESIDENT. Congratulations. (Applause, Senators rising.) The VICE PRESIDENT. The clerk will read the names of the next group of Senators. The legislative clerk called the names of Mr. Shelby of Alabama, Mr. Thune of South Dakota, Mr. Toomey of Pennsylvania, and Mr. Van Hollen of Maryland. These Senators, escorted by Mr. Sessions, Mr. Rounds, Mr. Casey, Ms. Mikulski, and Mr. Cardin, respectively, advanced to the desk of the Vice President; the oath prescribed by law was administered to them by the Vice President; and they severally subscribed to the oath in the Official Oath Book. The VICE PRESIDENT. Congratulations. (Applause, Senators rising.) The VICE PRESIDENT. The clerk will read the names of the final group of Senators. The legislative clerk called the names of Mr. Wyden of Oregon and Mr. Young of Indiana. These Senators, escorted by Mr. Merkley, Mr. Donnelly, and Mr. Lugar, respectively, advanced to the desk of the Vice President; the oath prescribed by law was administered to them by the Vice President; and they severally subscribed to the oath in the Official Oath Book. The VICE PRESIDENT. Congratulations. (Applause, Senators rising.) ____________________ RECOGNITION OF THE MAJORITY LEADER The VICE PRESIDENT. The majority leader is recognized. ____________________ WELCOMING MEMBERS OF THE SENATE Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I am pleased to welcome back familiar faces and express warm greetings to new Members. On the Republican side, that includes Senator Young of Indiana and Senator Kennedy of Louisiana. On the Democratic side, that includes Senator Duckworth of Illinois, Senator Cortez Masto of Nevada, Senator Hassan of New Hampshire, Senator Harris of California, and Senator Van Hollen of Maryland. To each of our incoming Senators, I hope you enjoy these ceremonies with your families and colleagues as you embark on your new Senate careers. The Senate has a lot of work ahead, but for now I would encourage each of our Members who have just been sworn in to take a moment to celebrate the rich tradition of this day. For those who served last Congress, you should be proud of what the Senate was able to accomplish on behalf of the American people. There is much more to do now, and I will have more to say on that tomorrow. We know the coming days are going to require hard work and cooperation from both sides, but if we work together, we will be able to continue a record of achievement for our constituents, for our States, and for our country. ____________________ QUORUM CALL Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I suggest the absence of a quorum. The VICE PRESIDENT. The absence of a quorum having been suggested, the clerk will call the roll. The legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll, and the following Senators entered the Chamber and answered to their names: [Quorum No. 1 Leg.] Alexander Baldwin Barrasso Bennet Blumenthal Blunt Booker Boozman Brown Burr Capito Cardin Carper Casey Cassidy Cochran Collins Coons Corker Cornyn Cortez Masto Cotton Crapo Cruz Donnelly Duckworth Durbin Enzi Ernst Feinstein Fischer Flake Franken Gardner Gillibrand Graham Grassley Harris Hassan Hatch Heinrich Heitkamp Heller Hirono Hoeven Inhofe Isakson Johnson Kaine Kennedy King Klobuchar Lankford Leahy Lee Manchin Markey McCain McCaskill McConnell Menendez Merkley Moran Murkowski Murphy Murray Nelson Paul Perdue Peters Portman Reed Risch Roberts Rounds Rubio Sasse Schatz Schumer Scott Sessions Shaheen Shelby Stabenow Sullivan Thune Tillis Toomey Udall Van Hollen Warner Warren Whitehouse Wicker Wyden Young The VICE PRESIDENT. A quorum is present. ____________________ LIST OF SENATORS BY STATES Alabama--Richard C. Shelby and Jeff Sessions Alaska--Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan Arizona--John McCain and Jeff Flake Arkansas--John Boozman and Tom Cotton California--Dianne Feinstein and Kamala D. Harris Colorado--Michael F. Bennet and Cory Gardner Connecticut--Richard Blumenthal and Christopher Murphy Delaware--Thomas R. Carper and Christopher A. Coons Florida--Bill Nelson and Marco Rubio Georgia--Johnny Isakson and David Perdue Hawaii--Brian Schatz and Mazie K. Hirono Idaho--Mike Crapo and James E. Risch Illinois--Richard J. Durbin and Tammy Duckworth Indiana--Joe Donnelly and Todd Young Iowa--Chuck Grassley and Joni Ernst [[Page 6]] Kansas--Pat Roberts and Jerry Moran Kentucky--Mitch McConnell and Rand Paul Louisiana--Bill Cassidy and John Kennedy Maine--Susan M. Collins and Angus S. King, Jr * Maryland--Benjamin L. Cardin and Chris Van Hollen Massachusetts--Elizabeth Warren and Edward J. Markey Michigan--Debbie Stabenow and Gary C. Peters Minnesota--Amy Klobuchar and Al Franken Mississippi--Thad Cochran and Roger F. Wicker Missouri--Claire McCaskill and Roy Blunt Montana--Jon Tester and Steve Daines Nebraska--Deb Fischer and Ben Sasse Nevada--Dean Heller and Catherine Cortez Masto New Hampshire--Jeanne Shaheen and Margaret Wood Hassan New Jersey--Robert Menendez and Cory A. Booker New Mexico--Tom Udall and Martin Heinrich New York--Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten E. Gillibrand North Carolina--Richard Burr and Thom Tillis North Dakota--John Hoeven and Heidi Heitkamp Ohio--Sherrod Brown and Rob Portman Oklahoma--James M. Inhofe and James Lankford Oregon--Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley Pennsylvania--Robert P. Casey, Jr. and Patrick J. Toomey Rhode Island--Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse South Carolina--Lindsey Graham and Tim Scott South Dakota--John Thune and Mike Rounds Tennessee--Lamar Alexander and Bob Corker Texas--John Cornyn and Ted Cruz Utah--Orrin G. Hatch and Mike Lee Vermont--Patrick J. Leahy and Bernard Sanders * Virginia--Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine Washington--Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell West Virginia--Joe Manchin III and Shelley Moore Capito Wisconsin--Ron Johnson and Tammy Baldwin Wyoming--Michael B. Enzi and John Barrasso The VICE PRESIDENT. The majority leader. ____________________ INFORMING THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES THAT A QUORUM OF EACH HOUSE IS ASSEMBLED Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the consideration of S. Res. 1, submitted earlier today. The VICE PRESIDENT. The clerk will report the resolution by title. The legislative clerk read as follows: A resolution (S. Res. 1) informing the President of the United States that a quorum of each House is assembled. There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the resolution. Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the resolution be agreed to and the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table with no intervening action or debate. The VICE PRESIDENT. Without objection, it is so ordered. The resolution (S. Res. 1) was agreed to, as follows: S. Res. 1 Resolved, That a committee consisting of two Senators be appointed to join such committee as may be appointed by the House of Representatives to wait upon the President of the United States and inform him that a quorum of each House is assembled and that the Congress is ready to receive any communication he may be pleased to make. The VICE PRESIDENT. Pursuant to S. Res. 1, the Chair appoints the Senator from Kentucky, Mr. McConnell, and the Senator from New York, Mr. Schumer, as a committee to join the committee on the part of the House of Representatives to wait upon the President of the United States and inform him that a quorum is assembled and that the Congress is ready to receive any communication he may be pleased to make. ____________________ INFORMING THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES THAT A QUORUM OF THE SENATE IS ASSEMBLED Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the consideration of S. Res. 2, submitted earlier today. The VICE PRESIDENT. The clerk will report the resolution by title. The legislative clerk read as follows: A resolution (S. Res. 2) informing the House of Representatives that a quorum of the Senate is assembled. There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the resolution. Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the resolution be agreed to and the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table with no intervening action or debate. The VICE PRESIDENT. Without objection, it is so ordered. The resolution (S. Res. 2) was agreed to, as follows: S. Res. 2 Resolved, That the Secretary inform the House of Representatives that a quorum of the Senate is assembled and that the Senate is ready to proceed to business. ____________________ FIXING THE HOUR OF DAILY MEETING OF THE SENATE Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the consideration of S. Res. 3, submitted earlier today. The VICE PRESIDENT. The clerk will report the resolution by title. The legislative clerk read as follows: A resolution (S. Res. 3) fixing the hour of daily meeting of the Senate. There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the resolution. Mr. McCONNELL. I ask unanimous consent that the resolution be agreed to and the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table with no intervening action or debate. The PRESIDENT pro tempore. Without objection, it is so ordered. The resolution (S. Res. 3) was agreed to, as follows: S. Res. 3 Resolved, That the daily meeting of the Senate be 12 o'clock meridian unless otherwise ordered. ____________________ EXTENDING THE LIFE OF THE JOINT CONGRESSIONAL COMMITTEE ON INAUGURAL CEREMONIES Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the consideration of S. Con. Res. 1, submitted earlier today. The PRESIDENT pro tempore. The clerk will report the concurrent resolution by title. The legislative clerk read as follows: A concurrent resolution (S. Con. Res. 1) extending the life of the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies. There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the concurrent resolution. Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the concurrent resolution be agreed to and the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table with no intervening action or debate. The PRESIDENT pro tempore. Without objection, it is so ordered. The concurrent resolution (S. Con. Res. 1) was agreed to, as follows: S. Con. Res. 1 Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives concurring), SECTION 1. REAUTHORIZATION OF JOINT COMMITTEE. Effective from January 3, 2017, the joint committee created by Senate Concurrent Resolution 28 (114th Congress), to make the necessary arrangements for the inauguration of the President-elect and the Vice President-elect of the United States, is continued with the same power and authority provided for in that resolution. SEC. 2. USE OF CAPITOL. Effective from January 3, 2017, the provisions of Senate Concurrent Resolution 29 (114th Congress), to authorize the use of the rotunda and Emancipation Hall of the Capitol by the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies in connection with [[Page 7]] the proceedings and ceremonies conducted for the inauguration of the President-elect and the Vice President-elect of the United States are continued with the same power and authority provided for in that resolution. ____________________ TO PROVIDE FOR THE COUNTING OF THE ELECTORAL VOTES FOR PRESIDENT AND VICE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the consideration of S. Con. Res. 2, submitted earlier today. The PRESIDENT pro tempore. The clerk will report the concurrent resolution by title. The legislative clerk read as follows: A concurrent resolution (S. Con. Res. 2) to provide for the counting on January 6, 2017, of the electoral votes for President and Vice President of the United States. There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the concurrent resolution. Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the concurrent resolution be agreed to and the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table with no intervening action or debate. The PRESIDENT pro tempore. Without objection, it is so ordered. The concurrent resolution (S. Con. Res. 2) was agreed to, as follows: S. Con. Res. 2 Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives concurring), That the two Houses of Congress shall meet in the Hall of the House of Representatives on Friday, the 6th day of January 2017, at 1 o'clock post meridian, pursuant to the requirements of the Constitution and laws relating to the election of President and Vice President of the United States, and the President of the Senate shall be their Presiding Officer; that two tellers shall be previously appointed by the President of the Senate on the part of the Senate and two by the Speaker on the part of the House of Representatives, to whom shall be handed, as they are opened by the President of the Senate, all the certificates and papers purporting to be certificates of the electoral votes, which certificates and papers shall be opened, presented, and acted upon in the alphabetical order of the States, beginning with the letter ``A''; and said tellers, having then read the same in the presence and hearing of the two Houses, shall make a list of the votes as they shall appear from said certificates; and the votes having been ascertained and counted in the manner and according to the rules by law provided, the result of the same shall be delivered to the President of the Senate, who shall thereupon announce the state of the vote, which announcement shall be deemed a sufficient declaration of the persons, if any, elected President and Vice President of the United States, and, together With a list of the votes, be entered on the Journals of the two Houses. The PRESIDENT pro tempore. The Chair appoints the Senator from Missouri, Mr. Blunt, and the Senator from Minnesota, Ms. Klobuchar, as tellers on the part of the Senate to count electoral votes. ____________________ UNANIMOUS CONSENT AGREEMENTS Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I send to the desk, en bloc, 11 unanimous consent requests, and I ask for their immediate consideration en bloc. I further ask that the requests be agreed to en bloc, the motions to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table, and that they appear separately in the Record. Before the Chair rules, I would like to point out that these requests are routine and done at the beginning of each new Congress. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that for the duration of the 115th Congress, the Ethics Committee be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that for the duration of the 115th Congress, there be a limitation of 15 minutes each upon any rollcall vote, with the warning signal to be sounded at the midway point, beginning at the last 7\1/2\ minutes, and when rollcall votes are of 10-minute duration, the warning signal be sounded at the beginning of the last 7\1/2\ minutes. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that during the 115th Congress, it be in order for the Secretary of the Senate to receive reports at the desk when presented by a Senator at any time during the day of the session of the Senate. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the majority and minority leaders may daily have up to 10 minutes each on each calendar day following the prayer and disposition of the reading of, or the approval of, the Journal. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that notwithstanding the provisions of rule XXVIII, conference reports and statements accompanying them not be printed as Senate reports when such conference reports and statements have been printed as a House report unless specific request is made in the Senate in each instance to have such a report printed. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Appropriations be authorized during the 115th Congress to file reports during the adjournments or recesses of the Senate on appropriations bills, including joint resolutions, together with any accompanying notices of motions to suspend rule XVI, pursuant to rule V, for the purpose of offering certain amendments to such bills or joint resolutions, which proposed amendments shall be printed. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that, for the duration of the 115th Congress, the Secretary of the Senate be authorized to make technical and clerical corrections in the engrossments of all Senate- passed bills and joint resolutions, Senate amendments to House bills and resolutions, Senate amendments to House amendments to Senate bills and resolutions, and Senate amendments to House amendments to Senate amendments to House bills or resolutions. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that, for the duration of the 115th Congress, when the Senate is in recess or adjournment the Secretary of the Senate is authorized to receive messages from the President of the United States, and--with the exception of House bills, joint resolutions and concurrent resolutions--messages from the House of Representatives; and that they be appropriately referred; and that the President of the Senate, the President pro tempore, and the Acting President pro tempore be authorized to sign duly enrolled bills and joint resolutions. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that, for the duration of the 115th Congress, Senators be allowed to leave at the desk with the Journal clerk the names of two staff members who will be granted the privilege of the floor during the consideration of the specific matter noted, and that the Sergeant at-Arms be instructed to rotate staff members as space allows. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that, for the duration of the 115th Congress, it be in order to refer treaties and nominations on the day when they are received from the President, even when the Senate has no executive session that day. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that, for the duration of the 115th Congress, Senators may be allowed to bring to the desk bills, joint resolutions, concurrent resolutions and simple resolutions, for referral to appropriate committees. The PRESIDENT pro tempore. Is there objection to agreeing to the unanimous consent requests en bloc? Without objection, it is so ordered. ____________________ RESOLUTION OVER, UNDER THE RULE--S. RES. 4 Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I have a resolution at the desk. The PRESIDENT pro tempore. The clerk will report the resolution by title. The legislative clerk read as follows: A resolution (S. Res. 4) to constitute the majority party's membership on certain committees for the One Hundred Fifteenth Congress, or until their successors are chosen. Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I ask for its immediate consideration, and to send the resolution over, under the rule, I object to my own request. The PRESIDENT pro tempore. Objection is heard. The resolution will go over, under the rule. [[Page 8]] ____________________ MORNING BUSINESS Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate be in a period of morning business for debate only until 4 p.m. today. The PRESIDENT pro tempore. Without objection, it is so ordered. ____________________ RECOGNITION OF THE MINORITY LEADER The PRESIDENT pro tempore. The Democratic leader is recognized. ____________________ A TIME TO LOOK FORWARD Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, first, I want to thank my friend the majority leader. As this is the first time offering opening remarks with the Republican leader, I will speak a little longer than he did today. After all, it is my first speech. I want to start by extending my sincerest wish to him that we be able to work together to get things done for the American people. The Republican leader is my friend. He is also a great believer and defender of the Senate and the important role it must play in our national life and around the world. I look forward to working with him to preserve that legacy. Coming from the swearing-in ceremony, as we just did, I thank the people of my home State of New York for entrusting me with the most sacred obligation to represent them, to be their voice in the United States Senate. It has been the honor of my life to serve them, to use what ability I have been given on their behalf, to endeavor to make their lives and the lives of their fellow Americans better, safer, more prosperous, and more free. I could never have done this job I love if not for my family, my wife Iris and two beautiful daughters, Jessica and Allison, my parents, age 93 and 88, Abe and Selma, who came down from New York for this occasion, and my new son-in-law Shappy. They support me. They keep me going through the good times and the bad and, maybe most importantly, they tell me when I am wrong. They are my rock and the light of my life. I would also like to acknowledge, in this my first speech as Democratic leader, that I am honored and humbled by my caucus for the trust they placed in me to lead them in this new Congress. We are like a second family. We watch each other's backs, we seek unity, and like a family, while we at times may have disagreements, we always move forward together. We are a big, diverse group from all walks of life and political perspectives, from all corners of this great country, but at the end of the day, we are family. To have earned their trust and support means the world, and I will try every day to deserve it. To my staff, another second family of mine, thank you. Most of them are working, I guess. They are not here anymore. There are so many hard-working, dedicated, and brilliant men and women who over the years have put their shoulders to the wheel to help New York, this country, and me. There are too many to name. I wish I could name them all, but I must mention two, Mike Lynch and Martin Brennan, who have been with me since the 1998 campaign, the twin pillars of my office. Whatever success I have had in my campaigns, it can be traced back to them. So I thank them and all of my staff, past and present, from the bottom of my heart. Finally, although he is no longer a Member of this esteemed body, I salute the outgoing leader, my predecessor, mentor, and friend for life, Harry Reid. Thank you. Now is a time to look forward. We Democrats lost the election. It is a result many of us did not expect. It was a result none of us hoped for. When you lose an election like this, you can't flinch, you can't blink. You have to look it right in the eye, analyze it, learn from it and, most importantly, make corrections and move forward. It is easy to blame the results and elections on outside forces, and it is true that any one of them or a few in combination could have been responsible for the outcome of an election which the Democrat candidate won by nearly 3 million votes but lost by slim margins in a few States that decided the electoral college. It is easy to look back and place blame, but now is the time to look forward. I believe the Democrats must take a hard look at what we can do better. It is clear that many Americans felt the economy was rigged against them and that their government wasn't looking out for them. It was too beholden to Big Money and special interests. Democrats did not do enough to show American workers we are the party that has their backs, that our positions are much more in line with their needs than the Republican positions, and so, as we look to this new Congress and a new Presidency, Senate Democrats will once again recommit ourselves to a set of principles that has always been at the core of our party, what my beloved friend and mentor Senator Ted Kennedy called economic justice. It is what our party has stood for since the days of Thomas Jefferson and Andrew Jackson through FDR, whose enduring New Deal is now almost a century old. It has been reaffirmed and deepened by passionate advocates like Susan B. Anthony, Cesar Chavez, and Martin Luther King, Jr., a commitment to the common man, to economic fairness for the American worker, to opportunity and prosperity for the American middle class and those trying to get there. What is needed from we Democrats is a bigger, bolder, sharper-edged economic program that addresses how those struggling to stay in the middle class can stay there and those struggling to make it into the middle class can get there more easily and deals directly with the unfairness so many see and experience in our economic system. That is a mission that unites our caucus, from my friend from West Virginia, Senator Manchin, to my friend from Vermont, Senator Sanders, and one that appeals to the blue-collar worker in West Virginia and Michigan just as deeply as the college student from Los Angeles who is struggling with student debt. It appeals to the factory worker in the heartland just as much as to the immigrant family in New York City and the single mom in Cleveland trying to make ends meet on minimum wage. There are a great many things we Democrats would like to do in the Senate to help these people, to ease the burden on the middle class and those struggling to make it--creating more jobs by investing in infrastructure and education, science and medicine, making college more affordable, increasing the minimum wage, changing our trade laws and so much more. We will be making proposals we hope our Republican colleagues will join us on. As the year wears on, and it becomes clear that Democratic proposals are what the American people want and need, I hope many will. But we are not in the majority. Therefore, we cannot delude anyone that this Congress will start tomorrow taking up priorities of the Democratic minority. But we can raise our voices to present an alternative way forward, and we can rally the American people to support this program. As Republicans return majorities to both Houses of Congress and we prepare for a Republican in the White House, the Democratic minority in the Senate has a very important task ahead of it. There are those who suggest our baseline posture should be to work with the President-elect and have him pass his whole agenda, but it is not our job to be a rubberstamp. It is our job to do what is best for the American people, the middle class, and those struggling to get there. For instance, if the President-elect proposes legislation on issues like infrastructure and trade and closing the carried interest loophole, we will work in good faith to perfect and potentially enact it, but when he doesn't, we will resist. What we will always do is hold the President-elect and his Republican colleagues in Congress accountable--accountable to the working people to whom the President- elect promised so much; accountable to the people of all colors, creeds and sexual orientations in this country for whom he is President; accountable to the millions of Americans who voted for him even though many of the Republican [[Page 9]] policies he now, postelection, seems to be embracing are inimical to their interests; and perhaps most importantly, accountable to the law. The Senate has a rich, bipartisan tradition of being a constitutional check on Presidents of both parties. Many in this body have long observed that in America we are a nation of laws, not men. That sacred constitutional duty of holding the President accountable to the law must continue, and Democrats will make sure of it. Sometimes it will mean pointing out where rhetoric and reality diverge, and sometimes it will mean resisting the President and Republicans in Congress when they propose legislation that we believe will hurt the American people. This will be an accountable Congress, and we will be a caucus that makes sure the President-elect keeps his commitment to truly make America great again in its finest sense and tradition. We know what makes America great, a fundamental optimism, a belief that the future will bring every child more opportunity than their parents, a conviction that this American dream can be shared by all of us, regardless of race or gender or sexual orientation. We will hold President-Elect Trump accountable to the values that truly make America great, but we will fight him tooth and nail when he appeals to the baser instincts that diminish America and its greatness, instincts that have too often plagued this country and too often plagued his campaign, and we will have benchmarks throughout the campaign. The President- elect said he could push GDP growth to 5 percent or 6 percent. He complained that the real unemployment rate was too high and he would bring it down. We will hold him accountable to that. What does he think he can achieve in a year or two or four? What policies does he propose to achieve those goals? He promised to be much tougher on China, even though many Republicans for years have resisted legislation in Congress to do that. We will hold him accountable for it and demand he keep his promise. He promised to protect Social Security and Medicare, but tapped an avowed critic of Medicare, a man who has spent his career advocating for its demise as his Secretary of Health and Human Services. We demand that he keep his promise not to cut Social Security or Medicare. He says he wants to build a strong America and earn respect around the world but seems to be marching in lockstep with the bullying, despicable autocrat who has caused a great deal of trouble around the globe and here in America, Vladimir Putin. We will hold him accountable to that. We will hold the President accountable if he doesn't nominate a mainstream Supreme Court Justice. President Obama nominated a mainstream candidate in Merrick Garland. President-Elect Trump should do the same. The President-elect said a great many things about rebuilding our infrastructure. Democrats welcome that discussion, but how is he going to do it? We have thousands of bridges and tunnels and highways and schools, waste water systems, airports in need of repair, not only in our big cities but in rural and suburban communities throughout America. A program of tax credits isn't going to get the job done no matter how large. We need significant direct spending. How does the President-elect plan to get that done? The President-elect has said there are several parts of the Affordable Care Act he favors. We will hold him accountable to that. The ACA extended affordable health care to 30 million Americans. We ask the President-elect, if you repeal the ACA, what are you going to do to protect these 30 million people? How are you going to ensure that a kid right out of college can stay on his parent's or her parent's plan, that the mother with a child who has a preexisting condition can get health care for her child, that women everywhere are not charged more for their care simply because they are a woman? It is not acceptable to repeal the law, throw our health care system into chaos, and then leave the hard work for another day. Mr. President-elect, what is your plan to make sure all Americans can get affordable health care? We will hold the President-elect accountable for actually creating jobs and raising incomes, growing our economy and lowering our trade deficit, for protecting voting rights and civil rights, for safeguarding our clean air and clean water, for maintaining our commitment to our Nation's veterans and troops and their families, for giving that worker in Michigan, that college student in L.A., that single mother in Cleveland a real opportunity and a ladder up. What could be fairer? After all, his biggest and most consistent pledge was that he would, ``Make America Great,'' make the lives of Americans better. We, the Democrats of this Senate, will hold him accountable to that, and we will resist him if he breaks that promise. While we respect the Office of the Presidency, we will not hesitate for a moment to call out the person occupying that office if he demeans women or Muslims or Latinos or our friends in the LGBT community, and if allies or aides to the President demean a group of Americans, we will not hesitate for a moment to demand that our new President condemn these comments, not sidestep them, not simply distance himself from them, condemn them, pointedly and roundly, as Presidents of both parties--every President of both parties--have done throughout the decades. We will hold President-Elect Trump accountable to the finest instincts of what America has always stood for, e pluribus unum. The bottom line is, the President-elect ran as a change agent. He ran against the establishments of both parties. He promised to change the way America operates, to oppose elites, drain the swamp, pay attention to working families, but, my friends, since the election, he seems to have forgotten that. Looking at the Cabinet, which is stacked with billionaires, corporate executives, titans of Wall Street, and those deeply embedded in Washington's corridor of power, it seems that many of his campaign themes are quickly being abandoned. He said he was going to unrig the system. So far, it still looks rigged. Too many of his Cabinet picks support the same hard-right doctrinaire positions that many in the Republican Party have held for years, policies that the American people have repeatedly rejected. If President-Elect Trump lets the hard-right Members of Congress and his Cabinet run the show, if he attempts to adopt their timeworn policies which benefit the elite, the special interests, and corporate America, not the working man and woman, his Presidency will not succeed--maybe not in the first 90 days but certainly in the first 2 years. Unfortunately, that seems to be the path he is following throughout the transition. So Mr. President-Elect, if there is one part of my speech that I hope you listen to and take to heart it is this one. I mean it with the best of intentions. If you abandon change and simply embrace the shopworn, hard-right, pro-corporate, pro-elite policies diametrically opposed to the many campaign themes that helped you win working class votes and get you elected, your Presidency will not succeed. We Democrats will hold you accountable to the working people of America, not to the conservative ideologues in Washington who seem to have great number in your Cabinet. We will hold your feet to the fire every time you abandon your pledge and work instead as an ally of the hard right. The issues facing this country are many. We have a lot of work to do--creating jobs, raising incomes, making college and health care affordable, rebuilding our infrastructure, making trade laws work for the American worker, keeping Americans safe from threats of violence and terrorism, taking care of our vets. Each one takes serious thought and action. These issues are too important for mere words. Our challenge is too entrenched for mere tweeting. Making America great again requires more than 140 characters per issue. With all due respect, America cannot afford a Twitter Presidency. We have real challenges, and we have real needs to get things done. Many Americans are afraid, Mr. President-Elect, that instead of rolling up your sleeves and forging serious policies, for you, Twitter suffices. [[Page 10]] There is nothing wrong with using Twitter to speak to the American people. It is a good use of modern media. But these issues are complex and command both careful consideration and action. We cannot tweet them away. For instance, a tweet bragging about the 800 jobs that were saved at the Carrier plant does not solve the underlying problem. While it is good the 800 jobs were saved, even at Carrier, 1,300 jobs are still leaving. Hundreds more jobs are leaving from the nearby Rexnord plant down the road; they are going overseas. Most importantly, thousands more jobs each month leave our shores from every part of America. Tweeting about 800 jobs you saved is not a remanufacturing policy. That is not an economic policy. We are going to hold the President-elect accountable for a real policy to stop jobs from leaving this country, not just one half of one plant, not just one tweet, even if Republicans in Congress oppose it. Similarly, tweeting ``very smart'' to Vladimir Putin for ignoring American sanctions is not foreign policy. America does not conduct foreign policy by tweet, least of all by flattering Putin after our intelligence agencies have confirmed that Russia interfered in our election. Conducting foreign policy by tweet while spurning vital intelligence briefings that lay out the real emerging threats around the world should alarm Democrats and Republicans alike. It is utterly amazing that our Republican colleagues who have spent years lambasting President Obama for not being tough enough on Putin are now, with a few rare exceptions, utterly silent on this and so many other issues. The President-elect must be held accountable on both sides of the aisle. On January 20, we will not be on reality TV; we will be in reality. We Democrats will make sure government works for every American in reality, not just on TV and on Twitter. So to those who wonder what the Democratic minority will do in the 115th Congress, the answer is simple: We will fight for our principles, we will fight for our values, and we shall fulfill our solemn constitutional duty to hold the other branches of government accountable. To the extent that the President-elect and the Republican majority pursue policies that help America and are consistent with our values, we stand ready and willing to work with them. But if they propose policies that will hurt America, deny health care, cut their benefits, unleash irresponsible Wall Street risk-taking at the expense of consumers, their efforts will crash and break apart like waves upon the rocks of the Senate minority. That is our challenge. That is our charge. We rise to meet it. I yield the floor. The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Barrasso). The Senator from Texas. ____________________ WORKING TOGETHER Mr. CORNYN. Mr. President, let me start by offering my congratulations to my friend and colleague Senator Schumer from New York. He is a worthy adversary when we see things differently, as we frequently do, but he is also somebody with whom I have found I can work productively. I understand he has a new role to play as the Democratic leader. I am sure we will see a lot of that worthy adversarial part of his character in the forefront. But in this new year, with a new Congress, I do hope we can work together. I became a little concerned, though, as I heard him go on. He had already declared the Trump Presidency over, and he is not even going to be sworn in until 17 days from now, by my calculations. Of course, we just swore in the new Members of the 115th Congress. Let me also congratulate my colleagues across the aisle who were elected to join us here in what historically has been known as the world's greatest deliberative body. But if there is anything any one of us who have been here a while has learned, it is that neither party gets everything they want. It just was not designed that way. For example in 2009, when one party controlled the White House, had 60 votes in the Senate, and had a majority in the House of Representatives, ostensibly you could get what you want since you didn't need to rely on any votes from the opposing party. But if there is one great historic example of why it is a mistake to try to do things alone or without bipartisan support, it is the example of ObamaCare, which we will be talking more about in the coming days. The media, of course, is still trying to figure out what happened on November 8--how the pundits, all the experts, all the pollsters got it wrong. It is still not hard to find articles from those pundits and the mainstream media giving their diagnosis on exactly what the American voter was saying to us on November 8. I personally don't think it is all that complicated; I think it is pretty straightforward. After 8 years of an Obama White House, the American people wanted a change. They spoke up loudly and clearly, demanding a new direction that would actually deliver results for the American people. I think those of us on both sides of the aisle ought to have enough humility to say it was not exactly a ringing affirmation of either political party. I am grateful for one thing, though, and that is that the American people decided they did not want to change the Republican majority in the House and the Senate. We do take the responsibility of being in the majority seriously. We believe it is our duty to bring real help to the American people. I would digress for just a moment and say to my colleague from New York, the Democratic leader, that I remember when I came to the Senate, Mike Enzi, conservative Republican from Wyoming, and Teddy Kennedy, whom you identified as your mentor, the liberal lion of the Senate-- they worked so productively together on the HELP Committee, the Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee. I remember one time asking Senator Enzi: How is it that somebody as conservative as you are can work with someone as liberal as Teddy Kennedy is and do so in good faith, good spirits, and so productively? Senator Enzi said: It is easy. It is the 80-20 rule. The 80 percent that we can agree on, we do. The 20 percent we will never agree on, we simply leave for another fight another day. Actually, I think that is a pretty good rule of thumb. The first job the new Congress will have is to repeal ObamaCare. I alluded to that earlier. It is simple. I think if history teaches anything about taking advantage of a supermajority in Senate, it is that you should not do that because if we did that with Social Security, Medicare, or other programs widely supported by the American people, it simply would not be sustainable. That is the case with ObamaCare, voted through the Senate--jammed through with 60 votes on the other side in the Senate, and then a majority in the House, signed by President Obama. Actually, after Republicans picked up a vacant Senate seat in Massachusetts, it caused our Democratic colleagues to have to use the budget reconciliation process to pass it. But we know the broken promises of ObamaCare, and we will revisit those more and more in coming days. There are higher premiums with less coverage. Many lost their insurance all together after being promised by the President himself that if you like what you have, you can keep it. We know that many folks no longer have access to the doctor or health care plan of their choice because their doctor has either quit accepting that insurance or retired or health plans have simply pulled up stakes because they can't compete under the provisions of ObamaCare. I believe the verdict for the American people has been that ObamaCare has failed the American people. I would ask our Democratic colleagues to look at the fact that they passed it originally with 60 votes. Now they are at 48. We have all been in the majority and the minority if we have been around here for very long, but I think ObamaCare is one of the big reasons our Democratic colleagues find themselves currently in the minority. As one of our colleagues put it this morning, if we can't do better than [[Page 11]] ObamaCare, we might as well look for another line of work. What we owe the American people, I believe, is coverage that they choose, at a price they can afford. Of course, that is just the beginning. Under President Obama's leadership, his administration has imposed thousands of rules and regulations, running up the pricetag of hundreds of billions of dollars, which has put a stranglehold on the American economy. Many of these are job-killing regulations that make it harder for small businesses, which are the very lifeblood of our economy, to make ends meet, to make a profit, to hire additional employees--things that we desperately need in this country--more well-paying jobs. I look forward to working with the new administration to roll back those regulations and rules that don't make sense. With ObamaCare repealed and replaced with coverage you can afford from a provider that you choose and with the better economic climate for the country, we can help more Americans achieve their dreams. That should be the top priority for every one of us here in this Chamber. Finally, I look forward to working with the incoming administration to consider President-Elect Trump's nominees to fill his posts in his Cabinet. If I am not mistaken, on the day that President Obama was sworn into office, January 20, 2009, there were seven Cabinet members of his incoming cabinet that were confirmed that day. That demonstrates the sort of good faith and accommodation that this Senate should continue because we understand the importance of the President's Cabinet members. Whether it is the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of State, or the Attorney General, they hold critical positions, not only in terms of national security but in terms of making sure the government works for the American people. I have already spoken about one of our colleagues, Senator Sessions, the President-elect's nominee to be the chief law enforcement officer for the country. I think Senator Sessions is an excellent choice. Our colleagues will have a chance to ask all the questions they want, but there is one thing I can be sure of with Attorney General nominee Jeff Sessions, and that is that he will remove the political orientation of the Department of Justice and make sure that it is not just another political branch of the White House. I look forward to confirming him as Attorney General, and I am confident that he will be prepared to answer the questions from our colleagues. As we have seen over the last few days, President-Elect Trump continues to announce the nominations of many other qualified candidates who, I am confident, will serve the American people, including people like my friend the former Governor of Texas, Rick Perry, as Energy Secretary, and Rex Tillerson as Secretary of State. I hope all of our colleagues will understand how integral it is to the administration's ability to govern to get well-qualified people confirmed to the President's Cabinet. They, of course, have a responsibility to be forthcoming and to answer questions and cooperate with the process here in the Senate, but I look forward to working with our colleagues in getting the President's nominees confirmed. I know we have a lot of work ahead of us, and I don't have any doubt that, with a little cooperation, we can make the 115th Congress a productive one that meets the needs of the American people. I would just conclude, perhaps, as I started, by saying that all of us who have worked here in the Senate for a while know Senator Schumer. We also understand he has taken on a new and more challenging role, because, frankly, the Democratic conference is a lot more left-leaning than it has ever been since I, certainly, have been here, and he has to work with all of his Members. But I hope there is one thing we can all agree with--that we have an obligation beyond party, and that is to our country and to the people we represent. We are blessed to work in a great American institution--a unique institution--and I believe it is our obligation and duty to try to find areas we can agree on and build consensus to move the country forward for the American people. While surely we will have our fights--and they will be glorious fights--we shouldn't shy away from those differences, but let's not let our desire just to fight for fighting's sake get in the way of our ability to work together and try to find consensus where we can. I yield the floor. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Illinois. ____________________ AFFORDABLE CARE ACT AND DACA Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, I thank the Senator from Texas, and I think the closing remarks were spot-on. We will disagree, we will debate, and we will have our differences, but we need to strive for common ground. That is what the American people sent us here to do. I hope we can find the common ground in this Chamber and in the House and with the new President after January 20. It is a challenge. It is interesting to listen to the remarks from the Republican side of the aisle. There has been this appetite for so long to repeal ObamaCare. I have lost track of how many times the Republican House of Representatives voted to repeal ObamaCare over the last 6 years. I believe it is over 60 times that they have voted to repeal it. Wouldn't you think that over a span of 6 years, with 60 different votes, they would have in their back pocket an alternative, a replacement? They don't. They still don't today. For all of the speeches on the floor that have been given by my illustrious colleagues asking for a second opinion, most second opinions are something tangible that you can read, understand. But when it comes to a second opinion on ObamaCare, they have nothing to offer. Why is that? Why is it that they are so focused on this one issue-- ObamaCare--and the Republicans have not come up with an alternative? It is hard. It is hard work. There are tough, difficult choices. If we stick to the basic principles of the Affordable Care Act, or ObamaCare, we run into some problems in a hurry. The first basic principle accepted by President-Elect Trump is that we want to make sure that no health insurance company can ever discriminate against you or your family because of a preexisting condition--a baby born with cancer, a child with diabetes, a spouse who survives a cancer scare. In the old days before ObamaCare, that meant that you either were disqualified from insurance for your family or you couldn't afford it. So we said as part of the Affordable Care Act: No more--they cannot discriminate against those who are less than perfect when it comes to health because so many of us are less than perfect. OK, my friends in the Grand Old Party, how are you going to deal with that? How are we going to make sure that every family is protected with their health insurance plan? We haven't heard a word. President-Elect Trump said he is going to stick by that basic principle. But there comes with that principle a requirement as well-- that you have a large pool of insured people that includes those who are healthy and those who may be less than healthy. If we are going to have a large pool of people, we must make insurance mandatory for many Americans. The Republicans have said they want to eliminate that requirement automatically. So the first issue is the preexisting condition. This is a Republican problem--an issue they can't answer and one that they have refused to respond to. What about lifetime limits on health insurance policies? What if there is a policy that you buy for $100,000 and then you get a cancer diagnosis and the treatment is going to cost $1 million? What then? We say that there cannot be a lifetime limit on a health insurance policy. The Republicans want to repeal that. What would they replace that with? There is no suggestion. The list goes on and on. What if you have a child who just graduated from college who is looking for a job or maybe has a part-time job that doesn't have benefits and doesn't have health insurance? We keep them under the family health insurance plan until they [[Page 12]] are 26, which gives peace of mind to thousands of families across Illinois and America. The Republicans want to repeal that. What will they replace that with? I say to those who are receiving Medicare today--40-plus million in America: We closed the prescription drug loophole that stated they had to start paying out of pocket for prescriptions during the course of the year--the so-called doughnut hole. Republicans want to repeal that. Will that make Illinois's seniors and millions of seniors across the country vulnerable to higher prices? When you get beyond the 144 characters of a tweet, get beyond a sign on the Senate floor, and when you get beyond the facile political speech and get into real policy, it gets exceedingly difficult. The bottom line is that 29 million Americans now have health insurance because of the Affordable Care Act. We have the lowest rate of uninsured Americans in modern history, and now the Republicans want to repeal this. They say they are going to replace it. I think it is not repeal and replace they are looking for. It is repeal and retreat. They don't know where to turn. They are running away from the mess they will create by repealing ObamaCare. We have a right to demand that if they have a better way, they present it and bring it up for a vote. Let's have some certainty about our future. Already I have been warned by hospitals all across Illinois that repealing ObamaCare--repealing the Affordable Care Act--will be devastating to hospitals, particularly in rural areas in my State and to inner city hospitals. What are we going to do about that? Will there be special funds to help those hospitals stay in business? They will need it. It isn't the only issue we will take up. There is another issue equally compelling, and that is the issue of immigration. I remember the speeches, and you do too--the excerpts at night on the news--that the President-elect talked about building a wall to the high heavens and making the Mexicans pay for it, and he talked about all those who are coming across the border and the dangers they presented to America. When it comes to immigration, there are 11 million people living in this country. The overwhelming majority of them are law-abiding. They are working. They want to be part of America's future. The group I have tried to focus on is a group we call the DREAMers. Fifteen years ago, I introduced the first DREAM Act. It was a bill that addressed the following situation: A child or an infant, brought to the United States by an undocumented family, who grew up here, literally has no home, no country. They are undocumented in America and brought here as babies, infants, toddlers, children, teenagers. Now they are graduating high school, and they don't know where to turn. The law in America is graphic, and it is grim. It says that if someone is found in that position, they are required to leave America for 10 years and must petition to return. We have 15-, 16-, and 17-year-olds who know no other country, who get up in the classroom every morning and pledge allegiance to the flag, just as the Members of the Senate do, and who believe in their heart of hearts that this is home. Yet they are undocumented. So we introduced the DREAM Act, and we couldn't pass it. We passed it once in the Senate, and they passed it in the House. But we never could quite reach that super majority that we needed to pass it at the right moment. So President Obama stepped up and created DACA, or the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals Program, which, under Executive order, allowed those who would be eligible for the DREAM Act to apply, pay a fee of almost $500, go through a criminal background check, and, if they were approved, receive temporary authority to stay in the United States without fear of deportation and to work in this country. As of today, over 750,000 have done that. During the campaign, President-Elect Trump said that he would abolish this program. Fortunately, after the election, he had a more moderate position, which I would like to quote from Time magazine. He said: We're going to work something out that's going to make people happy and proud. They got brought here at a very young age, they've worked here, they've gone to school here. Some were good students. Some have wonderful jobs. And they're in never-never land because they don't know what is going to happen. That is a very thoughtful, sensitive, and promising statement. I appreciate it. I hope the President-elect will keep DACA in place until we have something that can work to succeed it. I want to salute my colleague on the other side of the aisle, Republican Lindsey Graham of South Carolina. He and I have joined in introducing the BRIDGE Act, which would give President-Elect Trump an opportunity to allow these young people to stay subject to the same approval, the same criminal background check, the same filing fee, and the same tax liability to stay on a temporary basis until we do our work in the Senate and the House on the issue of immigration. The BRIDGE Act is also cosponsored by Senators Lisa Murkowski and Jeff Flake, Republicans from Alaska and Arizona, as well as by my colleague Senator Schumer, the leader on the Democratic side, and Senator Dianne Feinstein. Other Democrats want to join as well. We hope to have a very strong bipartisan bill. In my view, DACA is a lawful exercise of the President. In the view of many Republicans, it is not. The BRIDGE Act is the answer to both points of view. This is a fair, reasonable way to protect these young people until Congress comes up with better, more comprehensive answers when it comes to immigration reform. Over the years, I have come to the floor, telling the story of the DREAMers. It is one thing for a Senator to give a speech and put it in the Congressional Record, but it really doesn't come home until you see and meet the young people I am talking about. Let me introduce one today. This is Fernando Espino. He was brought to the United States from Mexico at the age of 18 months. He grew up in the city of Milwaukee, WI, and became an excellent student. At his Catholic high school, he received many academic awards. He was a member of the National Honor Society and the Jesuit Honor Society, and he received first honors all 4 years of high school. Fernando was involved in many volunteer activities--the Latin club, math club, track and field team, and he was an instructor for a class preparing his classmates to take college entrance exams. He volunteered with the Youth Leadership Ministry. He also volunteered with his school's Key Club and Big Brother mentoring program and as a middle school soccer and basketball coach. At his high school graduation, Fernando Espino of Milwaukee, WI--a DREAMer brought here from Mexico at the age of 18 months--received the Jesuit Secondary Education Association Award, the highest award given by a Jesuit high school, which is presented to one graduate who, in their words, is ``intellectually competent, open to growth, religious, loving, and committed to justice.'' This amazing student was then accepted at Harvard University. He continued to give back to the community there. He volunteered as a tutor for kids in elementary schools and as a peer adviser to freshmen students at Harvard. He became a competitive ballroom dancer and worked on the Harvard Business School newspaper. Thanks to DACA, the program I mentioned earlier, Fernando was able to support himself. You see, these DREAMers don't qualify for a penny of Federal assistance for education. They have to pay for it. They have to come up with the money. With DACA, he could work. He worked as a bartender. In May 2015 he graduated from Harvard magna cum laude, the highest honors, with a degree in economics and sociology. He worked for an investment management firm in Los Angeles and then as a market research consultant in Chicago. He is now preparing to pursue an MBA in business school. He wants to be a leader in a major corporation and start his [[Page 13]] own company. In a letter he sent to me, he wrote: Optimistic hope, is ultimately, what I believe makes this country so great. Living as an undocumented immigrant, it is easy to lose that motivating influence. DACA was a refreshing and reinvigorating influx of that very same hope. DACA now allows me to look forward not with doubt but with confidence that the future is bright! If DACA is eliminated, Fernando Espino may lose his hope. The day after DACA, Fernando Espino will no longer have official legal status. He will not be able to get his master's in business administration, and at any moment he could be deported back to Mexico, where he hasn't lived since he was 18 months old. Fernando and so many other DREAMers can help America be a greater nation. That talent and determination he brought to his young life is a talent and determination America needs in its future. I hope President- Elect Trump will understand this and continue the DACA Program, but if he decides to end it, then his administration can work with Congress and make sure the BRIDGE Act is there as a protection. ____________________ CONGRATULATING SENATOR SCHUMER Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, I close by saluting my colleague, the new Democratic leader, Senator Schumer. He and I were roommates for a long, long time before we got our separate apartments--grew up and got our own places. I have come to know him, his family, and his political career. I am looking forward to working with his leadership team in the U.S. Senate. I think his statement today speaks for all the Members of the Senate Democratic caucus. Mr. President, I yield the floor. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Kansas. (The remarks of Mr. Moran pertaining to the submission of S. Res. 5 are printed in today's Record under ``Submitted Resolutions.'') The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Oregon. ____________________ THE ELECTION AND THE CONSTITUTION Mr. MERKLEY. Mr. President, this is the first day in which a new Senate is assembled in which we ponder traditions of this body. Indeed, it has been described, as my colleague from Texas mentioned, as the world's greatest deliberative body. But over the time I have been familiar with the Senate, it has lost the ability to claim that title, the ``greatest deliberative body.'' It is a completely different institution from the one I first saw in 1976 when I came as an intern for Senator Mark Hatfield of Oregon, because at that point we saw deliberation on the floor about the issues we face. We saw that the use of the filibuster to obstruct ordinary bills was rarely invoked. We saw bipartisan cooperation on big issues facing America. But that dialogue on the floor is largely missing. One reason I wanted to sit here and listen to my colleagues on both sides of the aisle speak today was to ponder that tradition in which people listen to each other and ponder the opportunity to address those substantial issues that we have before us. My colleague from Texas, the Republican leader, noted that this past election, the people of America spoke loud and clear about the direction they want this country to go in. Well, certainly that is not the case. The majority of American citizens rejected the policies put forward by President-Elect Trump. By 3 million votes, the citizen election overwhelmingly rejected those policies. Indeed, had it not been for a strategy of voter suppression on the Republican side, it would have been far more than 3 million votes rejecting those policies. Let us be clear that this strategy of voter suppression is an attack on the Constitution. Our Constitution was founded on the principle that we would pursue policies here that support the success of all Americans. That is where our Constitution starts, with these three words: ``We the People.'' That is why the Founders wrote those three words in supersized font--so when you saw the written Constitution from across the room, you couldn't read the fine print but you could see the mission statement: ``We the People.'' It is why Abraham Lincoln summarized the genius of our country as being a government of the people, by the people, and for the people. Let us be clear. Without voter suppression, those 3 million votes, the majority that rejected the Trump policies would have been far larger. Let's remember that if it were not for Russian hacking of the election, that 3-million vote majority that rejected the Trump policies would have been larger yet. Let's remember that if it were not for an out-of-control FBI Director intervening in the final days of the campaign, the citizen vote rejecting Trump would have been even larger. By the citizen-vote calculation, Trump lost the debate over the direction of America. If we consider the votes cast for Members of the Senate, overwhelmingly those votes rejected the Republican agenda. So here we are with colleagues who say the American people spoke loud and clear. If you consider the vision of our country and the citizen vote for the Presidency and the citizen vote for Members of the Senate, that loud and clear message is a rejection of the Trump policies. There is no mandate here to throw millions of people off of their health care. My colleague from Texas said the American people deserve health care they can afford. Well, isn't that the challenge, that when health care has a price tag and there is no ability afforded you, you get no health care? You get health care for the upper middle class and health care for the wealthy but not health care for every citizen. Shouldn't we have a nation in which quality health care is accessible, is affordable to every single citizen? Twenty million more people have access to that now than they had 8 years ago. It is an incredible change. A woman came up to me at a fundraiser for multiple sclerosis, and she said: Senator, things are so different this year. I said: What do you mean? She said: A year ago, before we had the Affordable Care Act, if you got a diagnosis of multiple sclerosis, you were in deep trouble. It is a complicated, mysterious disease. It is an expensive disease, and if you had insurance, it likely wasn't going to cover the costs associated with it because of annual limits or lifetime limits. She noted that if you didn't have insurance, you wouldn't be able to get insurance because you would now have a preexisting condition and no insurer would give you the opportunity to be able to have an affordable health care plan. She said: Well, what a different place we are in now because now we have the peace of mind that our loved ones afflicted with this terrible disease will be able to get the health care they need. Isn't that what we should seek--a health care system where people have peace of mind, where we no longer have thousands of bankruptcies based on health care costs, bankruptcies that you don't see in other developed nations that have done a better job of making health care available to every single citizen? Let's not turn the clock back to whether health care was only for the healthy or the wealthy. Let's not turn the clock back to where our young folks were in a health care desert between the time they left their parent's policy and before they had a career of their own, before we said they could stay on their parent's policy to age 26. Let's not turn the clock back to the point where we didn't make preventive policies for seniors free, and we found that that ounce of prevention was worth a pound of cure. We did that in the Affordable Care Act, and people across the Nation have appreciated that. It is not just on health care that we see no mandate for the Trump agenda; we don't see any mandate for the Trump agenda on the environment. There is a proposal by the President-elect to put an individual in charge of our environmental policies who has been all about increasing pollution--increasing fine particle pollution that [[Page 14]] causes asthma and other diseases; increasing mercury pollution, which is a toxic attack on the nervous system and affects the development of our youngsters. A neurotoxin like mercury is something to be controlled, not increased. There was a commentary by my colleague from Texas that we should expedite the nominees. We know full well that my Republican colleagues did everything they could to obstruct President Obama's nominees. It was not so long ago we were here on the floor and we couldn't get a Department of Labor nominee through this Chamber, or Gina McCarthy with the Environmental Protection Agency, or various judges slated for the D.C. Circuit Court. I believe the nomination system needs to be reformed. I believe a President's nominee should get a timely vote. So why don't we consider the possibility of establishing a rule that gives people a timely vote? Why not put a 100-day clock on all nominees but the Supreme Court? If that 100 days ripens and we haven't had a vote on this floor and if a group of Senators wants a vote, then why not hold that vote, with an hour of debate, and hold the vote the next day? But to do that, we would have to have a debate over the rules under which this body functions. There is no clear path to consider rules, which means we are often trapped by the precedents of the past that have become unworkable. So shouldn't we consider a rule change that gives a clear path for rule changes to be considered on this floor? Isn't that something on which Senators could come together on a bipartisan basis? And by establishing such a course of action, we could consider the possibility of having a 100-day clock on nominees so that they would not be trapped forever in purgatory, not knowing if they are ever going to get a vote. And we know that so many of President Obama's nominees were trapped in purgatory. It has had a terrible impact on those who are willing to consider the possibility of serving the executive branch, not knowing if they will ever get a vote. Couldn't we improve on this? Isn't improving the nomination process something that is important in the balance of powers, the balance between the legislative branches? Our Constitution created three coequal branches, not a vision in which the legislative branch or half of a legislative branch can run a continuous attack on the judiciary, a continuous attack on the executive branch. There are other rule changes we ought to consider. We could consider that for Supreme Court nominees, if they are filibustered, it has to be a talking filibuster so that it takes time and effort to obstruct, using the power of the minority, so that there is a conversation directly held day and night, on through the weekend, on through the next week and the following week, on whether debate should be closed on a nominee to the Supreme Court. Currently, we don't have a talking filibuster for the Supreme Court, so if you simply can't get enough votes to close debate, this Chamber is silent. It sits silent rather than being in an engaged dialogue in front of the American people so the American people can weigh in on whether the use of the filibuster on a Supreme Court nominee makes you a hero or makes you a bum. Should we not consider a strategy by which, on ordinary issues of policy, the filibuster is restricted to final passage of a bill rather than having obstruction with each amendment and obstruction with the motion to proceed to a bill, so that we can spend our time debating bills rather than debating whether to debate bills? And what goes hand in hand with moving the filibuster only to final passage is a clear way for amendments to be offered by Members on both sides of the aisle that are relevant to a bill, that are germane to a bill. If we have the ability to clearly debate amendments, we will be closer to being a deliberative body and therefore maybe even the possibility of becoming a great deliberative body or even the world's greatest deliberative body once again. But when we are paralyzed and unable to get bills to the floor or when they are on the floor but we are unable to propose amendments, we won't be there. These two things go hand in hand. These are all ideas I advocated for when I was in the majority. Today I stand here in the minority arguing for these same fundamental changes. They will strengthen the success of this body for the majority and the minority and strengthen our ability to work together to produce legislation that addresses the big issues facing this Nation. Let's be clear. There is no mandate for the Trump agenda, no mandate for dismantling health care for millions of Americans. There is no mandate for increasing air and water pollution, no mandate for tax giveaways to the richest Americans, no mandate for increasing the disparity in compensation between ordinary workers and the best off, the most powerful, and the most privileged. We will indeed, as our Democratic leader noted, hold the President- elect accountable. The President-elect said, ``I am going to drain the swamp,'' but he has proposed turning the economy over to Goldman Sachs, to the banking world, and he has proposed turning over our foreign policy to Exxon, the fossil fuel world. That is the opposite of draining the swamp. We will hold the President-elect accountable. The President-elect said he was going to fight for working people. Well, proposing a Secretary of Labor who is against working people getting fair compensation is inconsistent, to say the least, with a pledge to fight for working people. We will hold the President-elect accountable. There is much work to be done, but if we hold as our North Star the vision that we are here as a legislative body to fight for the vision of ``we the people,'' policies that lift up all Americans, give an opportunity for every American to thrive, then perhaps we will find a course in which we can work together in a bipartisan fashion to make America greater and greater. Mr. President, I yield the floor. I suggest the absence of a quorum. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll. The legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll. Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. ____________________ ARMS SALES NOTIFICATION Mr. CORKER. Mr. President, section 36(b) of the Arms Export Control Act requires that Congress receive prior notification of certain proposed arms sales as defined by that statute. Upon such notification, the Congress has 30 calendar days during which the sale may be reviewed. The provision stipulates that, in the Senate, the notification of proposed sales shall be sent to the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. In keeping with the committee's intention to see that relevant information is available to the full Senate, I ask unanimous consent to have printed in the Record the notifications which have been received. If the cover letter references a classified annex, then such annex is available to all Senators in the office of the Foreign Relations Committee, room SD-423. There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in the Record, as follows: Defense Security Cooperation Agency, Arlington, VA. Hon. Bob Corker, Chairman, Committee on Foreign Relations, U.S. Senate, Washington, DC. Dear Mr. Chairman: Pursuant to the reporting requirements of Section 36(b)(1) of the Arms Export Control Act, as amended, we are forwarding herewith Transmittal No. 16-40, concerning the Department of the Air Force's proposed Letter(s) of Offer and Acceptance to the Government of Kuwait for defense articles and services estimated to cost $37 million. After this letter is delivered to your office, we plan to issue a news release to notify the public of this proposed sale. Sincerely, J.W. Rixey, Vice Admiral, USN, Director. Enclosure. [[Page 15]] Transmittal No. 16-40 Notice of Proposed Issuance of Letter of Offer Pursuant to Section 36(b)(1) of the Arms Export Control Act, as amended (i) Prospective Purchaser: Kuwait. (ii) Total Estimated Value: Major Defense Equipment* $36 million. Other $1 million. Total $37 million. (iii) Description and Quantity or Quantities of Articles or Services under Consideration for Purchase: Major Defense Equipment (MDE): Two hundred and fifty (250) Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) Tail Kits for 500-pound bombs. Two hundred and fifty (250) JDAM Tail Kits for 1,000-pound bombs. Two hundred and fifty (250) JDAM Tail Kits for 2,000-pound bombs. Non-MDE includes: Two (2) 500-pound and two (2) 2,000-pound load Build Trainers, spares, support equipment, repair and return, and other associated logistical support. (iv) Military Department: Air Force, KU-D-YAC (A3). (v) Prior Related Cases if any: KU-D-YAB (A2), 15 Jun 2015 ($7.6M). (vi) Sales Commission, Fee, etc., Paid, Offered, or Agreed to be Paid: None. (vii) Sensitivity of Technology Contained in the Defense Article or Defense Services Proposed to be Sold: See Annex attached. (viii) Date Report Delivered to Congress: December 20, 2016. *As defined in Section 47(6) of the Arms Export Control Act. POLICY JUSTIFICATION Kuwait--Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) Tail Kits The Government of Kuwait has requested a possible total sale of seven hundred and fifty (750) JDAM Tail Kits (two hundred and fifty (250) for 500-pound bombs, two hundred and fifty (250) kits for 1,000-pound bombs, and two hundred and fifty (250) kits for 2,000-pound bombs). Sale also includes two (2) 500-pounds and two (2) 2,000-pounds JDAM Load Build Trainers spares, support equipment, repair and return, and other associated logistical support. The estimated cost is $37 million. This proposed sale contributes to the foreign policy and national security of the United States by improving the security of a Major Non-NATO Ally which continues to be an important force for political stability and economic progress in the Middle East. Kuwait plays a large role in U.S. efforts to advance stability in the Middle East, providing basing, access, and transit for U.S. forces in the region. This proposed sale improves Kuwait's capability to deter regional threats and strengthens its homeland defense. Kuwait will be able to absorb this additional equipment and support into its armed forces. The proposed sale of this equipment and support does not alter the basic military balance in the region. The proposed sale does not require the assignment of any additional U.S. Government or contractor representatives to Kuwait. The sole-source contractor is the original equipment manufacturer, Boeing, Chicago, Illinois. There are no known offset agreements proposed in connection with this potential sale. There is no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness as a result of this proposed sale. Transmittal No. 16-40 Notice of Proposed Issuance of Letter of Offer Pursuant to Section 36(b)(1) of the Arms Export Control Act Annex Item No. vii (vii) Sensitivity of Technology: 1. Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) is a guidance tail kit that converts unguided free-fall bombs into accurate, adverse weather ``smart'' munitions. With the addition of a new tail section that contains an inertial navigational system and a global positioning system guidance control unit, JDAM improves the accuracy of unguided, general-purpose bombs in any weather condition. JDAM can be launched from very low to very high altitudes in a dive, toss and loft, or in straight and level flight with an on-axis or off-axis delivery. JDAM enables multiple weapons to be directed against single or multiple targets on a single pass. The JDAM All Up Round and all of its components are UNCLASSIFIED; technical data for JDAM is classified up to SECRET. 2. If a technologically advanced adversary obtains knowledge of the specific hardware and software elements, the information could be used to develop countermeasures or equivalent systems that might reduce weapon system effectiveness or be used in the development of a system with similar or advanced capabilities. 3. This sale is necessary in furtherance of the U.S. foreign policy and national security objectives outlined in the Policy Justification. The benefits to be derived from this sale, as outlined in the Policy Justification, outweigh the potential damage that could result if the sensitive technology were revealed to unauthorized persons. 4. All defense articles and services listed in this transmittal are authorized for release and export to the Government of Kuwait. ____ Defense Security Cooperation Agency, Arlington, VA. Hon. Bob Corker, Chairman, Committee on Foreign Relations, U.S. Senate, Washington, DC. Dear Mr. Chairman: Pursuant to the reporting requirements of Section 36(b)(1) of the Arms Export Control Act, as amended, we are forwarding herewith Transmittal No. 16-57, concerning the Department of the Navy's proposed Letter(s) of Offer and Acceptance to the Government of Norway for defense articles and services estimated to cost $1.75 billion. After this letter is delivered to your office, we plan to issue a news release to notify the public of this proposed sale. Sincerely, J.W. Rixey, Vice Admiral, USN, Director. Enclosures. Transmittal No. 16-57 Notice of Proposed Issuance of Letter of Offer Pursuant to Section 36(b)(1) of the Arms Export Control Act, as amended (i) Prospective Purchaser: Government of Norway. (ii) Total Estimated Value: Major Defense Equipment* $1.40 billion. Other $ .35 billion. Total $1.75 billion. (iii) Description and Quantity or Quantities of Articles or Services under Consideration for Purchase: Major Defense Equipment (MDE): Five (5) P-8A Patrol Aircraft, each includes: Commercial Engines, Tactical Open Mission Software (TOMS), Electro- Optical (EO) and Infrared (IO) MX-20HD, AN/AAQ-2(V)1 Acoustic System, AN/APY-10 Radar, ALQ-240 Electronic Support Measures Eleven (11) Multifunctional Distribution System Joint Tactical Radio Systems (MIDS JTRS) Eight (8) Guardian Laser Transmitter Assemblies (GLTA) for the AN/AAQ-24(V)N Eight (8) System Processors for AN/AAQ-24(V)N Forty-two (42) AN/AAR-54 Missile Warning Sensors for the AN/AAQ-24(V)N Fourteen (14) LN-251 with Embedded Global Positioning Systems (GPS)/Inertial Navigations Systems (EGIs) Two thousand (2,000) AN/SSQ-125 Multi-Static Active Coherent (MAC) Source Sonobuoys Non-MDE includes: Spares, spare engine, support equipment, operational support systems for Tactical Operations Center and Mobile Tactical Operations Center (ToC/MToC), training. maintenance trainer/classrooms, publications, software, engineering and logistics technical assistance, Foreign Liaison Officer support, contractor engineering technical services, repair and return, transportation, aircraft ferry, and other associated training and support. (iv) Military Department: Navy (SAN). (v) Prior Related Cases, if any: This would be Norway's fast purchase of the P-8A Patrol Aircraft. Norway has one related P-8A case, NO-P-GEN, which provides P-8A study and technical analysis support. (vi) Sales Commission, Fee, etc., Paid, Offered, or Agreed to be Paid: None. (vii) Sensitivity of Technology Contained in the Defense Article or Defense Services Proposed to be Sold: See Annex Attached. (viii) Date Report Delivered to Congress: December 20, 2016. *As defined in Section 47(6) of the Arms Export Control Act. policy justification Norway--P-8A Aircraft and Associated Support Norway has requested a possible sale of up to five (5) P-8A Patrol Aircraft, each includes: Commercial Engines, Tactical Open Mission Software (TOMS), Electro-Optical (EO) and Infrared (IO) MX-20HD, AN/AAQ-2(V)1 Acoustic System, AN/APY- 10 Radar, ALQ-240 Electronic Support Measures. Also included are eleven (11) Multifunctional Distribution System Joint Tactical Radio Systems (MIDS JTRS); eight (8) Guardian Laser Transmitter Assemblies (GLTA) for the AN/AAQ-24(V)N; eight (8) System Processors for AN/AAQ-24(V)N; forty-two (42) AN/ AAR-54 Missile Warning Sensors for the AN/AAQ-24(V)N; fourteen (14) LN-251 with Embedded Global Positioning Systems (GPS)/Inertial Navigation Systems (EGIs); and two thousand (2,000) AN/SSQ-125 Multi-Static Active Coherent (MAC) Source Sonobouys; spares; spare engine; support equipment; operational support systems; training; maintenance trainer/ classrooms; publications; software; engineering and logistics technical assistance; Foreign Liaison Officer support; contractor engineering technical services; repair and return; transportation; aircraft ferry; and other associated training and support. The total estimated program cost is $1.75 billion. This proposed sale will contribute to the foreign policy and national security of the United States by helping to improve the security of a NATO ally which has been, and continues to be, an important force for political stability throughout the world. The proposed sale will allow Norway to maintain its Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA) capability following retirement of its P-3C MPA. This sale will strengthen collective NATO defense and enhance Norway's regional and global allied contributions. Norway has procured and operated U.S. produced P-3 Orion MPAs for over 40 years, providing critical capabilities to NATO and [[Page 16]] coalition maritime operations. Norway has maintained a close MPA acquisition and sustainment relationship with the U.S. Navy over this period. The proposed sale will allow Norway to recapitalize, modernize, and sustain its MPA capability for the next 30 years. As a long-time P-3 operator, Norway will have no difficulty transitioning its MPA force to the P-8A and absorbing these aircraft into its armed forces. The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not alter the basic military balance in the region. The prime contractor involved in this sale is The Boeing Company, Seattle, WA. Additional contractors include: Air Cruisers Co, LLC; Arnprior Aerospace, Canada; AVOX Zodiac Aerospace; BAE; Canadian Commercial Corporation (CCC)/EMS; Compass David Clark; DLS/ViaSat, Carlsbad, CA; DRS; Exelis, McLean, VA; GC Micro, Petaluma, CA; General Electric, UK; Harris; Joint Electronics; Marlin Baker; Northrop Grumman Corp, Falls Church, VA; Pole Zero, Cincinnati, OH; Raytheon, Waltham, MA; Raytheon, UK; Rockwell Collins, Cedar Rapids, IA; Spirit Aero, Wichita, KS; Symmetries Telephonies, Farmingdale, NY; Terma, Arlington, VA; Viking; and WESCAM. Norway does require an offset agreement. Any offset agreement will be defined in negotiations between the purchaser and the prime contractor. Implementation of the proposed sale will require approximately five (5) contractor personnel to support the program in Norway. There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness as a result of this proposed sale. transmittal no. 16-57 Notice of Proposed Issuance of Letter of Offer Pursuant to Section 36(b)(1) of the Arms Export Control Act Annex Item No. vii (vii) Sensitivity of Technology: 1. The P-8A aircraft is a militarized version of the Boeing 737-800 Next Generation (NG) commercial aircraft. The P-8A is replacing the P-3C as the Navy's long-range antisubmarine warfare (ASW), anti-surface warfare (ASuW), intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) aircraft capable of broad-area, maritime, and littoral operations. The overall highest classification of the P-8A weapon system is SECRET. The P-8A mission systems hardware is largely unclassified, while individual software elements (mission systems, acoustics, ESM, etc.) are classified up to SECRET. 2. P-8A mission systems include: a. Tactical Open Mission Software (TOMS). TOMS functions include environment planning, tactical aids, weapons planning aids, and data correlation. TOMS includes an algorithm for track fusion which automatically correlates tracks produced by on board and off board sensors. b. Electra-Optical (EO) and Infrared (IR) MX-20HD. The EO/ IR system processes visible EO and IR spectrum to detect and image objects. c. AN/AQQ-2(V)1 Acoustic System. The Acoustic sensor system is integrated within the mission system as the primary sensor for the aircraft ASW missions. The system has multi-static active coherent (MAC) 64 sonobuoy processing capability and acoustic sensor prediction tools. d. AN/APY-10 Radar. The aircraft radar is a direct derivative of the legacy AN/APS-137(V) installed in the P-3C. The radar capabilities include GPS selective availability anti-spoofing, SAR and ISAR imagery resolutions, and periscope detection mode. e. ALQ-240 Electronic Support Measures (ESM). This system provides real time capability for the automatic detection, location, measurement, and analysis of RF-signals and modes. Real time results are compared with a library of known emitters to perform emitter classification and specific emitter identification (SEI). f. Electronic Warfare Self Protection (EWSP). The aircraft EWSP consists of the ALQ-213 Electronic Warfare Management System (EWMS), ALE-47 Countermeasures Dispensing System (CMDS), and the AN/AAQ-24 Directional Infrared Countermeasure (DIRCM)/AAR-54 Missile Warning Sensors (MWS). The EWSP includes threat information. 3. If a technologically advanced adversary was to obtain access of the P-SA specific hardware and software elements, systems could be reverse engineered to discover USN capabilities and tactics. The consequences of the loss of this technology, to a technologically advanced or competent adversary, could result in the development of countermeasures or equivalent systems, which could reduce system effectiveness or be used in the development of a system with similar advanced capabilities. 4. A determination has been made that the recipient government can provide substantially the same degree of protection, for the technology being released as the U.S. Government Support of the P-8A Patrol Aircraft to the Government of the Norway is necessary in the furtherance of U.S. foreign policy and national security objectives. 5. All defense articles and services listed in this transmittal have been authorized for release and export to the Government of Norway. ____ Defense Security Cooperation Agency, Arlington, VA. Hon. Bob Corker, Chairman, Committee on Foreign Relations, U.S. Senate, Washington, DC. Dear Mr. Chairman: Pursuant to the reporting requirements of Section 36(b)(1) of the Arms Export Control Act, as amended, we are forwarding herewith Transmittal No. 16-71, concerning the Department of the Navy's proposed Letter(s) of Offer and Acceptance to the Government of Philippines for defense articles and services estimated to cost $25 million. After this letter is delivered to your office, we plan to issue a news release to notify the public of this proposed sale. Sincerely, J.W. Rixey, Vice Admiral, USN, Director. Enclosures. Transmittal No. 16-71 Notice of Proposed Issuance of Letter of Offer Pursuant to Section 36(b)(1) of the Arms Export Control Act, as amended (i) Prospective Purchaser: Government of the Philippines. (ii) Total Estimated Value: Major Defense Equipment* $20 million. Other $5 million. Total $25 million. (iii) Description and Quantity or Quantities of Articles or Services under Consideration for Purchase: Major Defense Equipment (MDE): Two (2) AN/SPS-77 Sea Giraffe 3D Air Search Radars. Non-Major Defense Equipment (MDE): Support services, including installation services, operator training, system operational testing, and documentation. (iv) Military Department: Navy (LFK). (v) Prior Related Cases, if any: PI-P-SBV--$4.7M, Excess Defense Article (EDA) transfer of ex-USCG cutter Hamilton, now PF-15, BRP Gregorio Del Pilar. PI-P-SBW--$15.1M, EDA transfer of ex-USCG cutter Dallas, PF-16, now BRP Ramon Alcaraz. (vi) Sales Commission, Fee, etc., Paid, Offered, or Agreed to be Paid: None. (vii) Sensitivity of Technology Contained in the Defense Article or Defense Services Proposed to be Sold: See Annex Attached. (viii) Date Report Delivered to Congress: December 12, 2016. *As defined in Section 47(6) of the Arms Export Control Act. policy justification The Philippines--AN/SPS-77 Sea Giraffe 3D Air Search Radars The Government of the Philippines has requested a possible sale of two (2) AN/SPS-77 Sea Giraffe 3D Air Search Radars, support services, including installation services, operator training, system operational testing, and documentation. The total estimated program cost is $25 million. The Philippines seeks to increase its Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) capabilities in order to improve monitoring of its vast territorial seas and Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZ). An effective Philippine MDA capability strengthens its self-defense capabilities and supports regional stability and U.S. national interests. This sale is consistent with U.S. regional objectives and will further enhance interoperability with the U.S. Navy, build upon a longstanding cooperative effort with the United States, and provide an enhanced capability with a valued partner in a geographic region of critical importance to the U.S. government. The AN/SPS-77 Air Search Radars will be used to provide an enhanced ability to detect and track air contacts. The radars will be installed on two Hamilton-class cutters acquired through the Excess Defense Articles (EDA) program. The Philippines will have no difficulty absorbing this equipment into its armed forces. The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not alter the basic military balance in the region. The principal contractor will be VSE and Saab. There are no known offset agreements proposed in connection with this potential sale. Implementation of this proposed sale will not require the assignment of any U.S. or contractor representatives to the Philippines. U.S. contractors, under U.S. government oversight, will be in the Philippines for installation and associated support of this new radar on these Philippine Navy ships. There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness as a result of this proposed sale. transmittal no. 16-71 Notice of Proposed Issuance of Letter of Offer Pursuant to Section 36(b)(1) of the Arms Export Control Act Annex Item No. vii (vii) Sensitivity of Technology: 1. A completely assembled AN/SPS-77 radar, which is a commercial product that is outfitted on USN LCS class ships, will be tailored for release to the Philippine Navy under this program. The operating characteristics and capability of this system as it will be delivered to the Philippines Navy will be UNCLASSIFIED. 2. AN/SPS-77 operation and maintenance documentation, software, and support is UNCLASSIFIED. [[Page 17]] 3. If a technologically advanced adversary were to obtain knowledge of the specific hardware and software elements, the information could be used to develop countermeasures that might reduce weapon system effectiveness or be used in the development of a system with similar or advanced capabilities. 4. A determination has been made that the Philippines can provide substantially the same degree of protection for the sensitive technology being released as the U.S. Government. This sale is necessary in furtherance of the U.S. foreign policy and national security objectives outlined in the Policy Justification. 5. All defense articles and services listed in this transmittal are have been authorized for release and export to the Government of the Philippines. ____ Defense Security Cooperation Agency, Arlington, VA. Hon. Bob Corker, Chairman, Committee on Foreign Relations, U.S. Senate, Washington, DC. Dear Mr. Chairman: Pursuant to the reporting requirements of Section 36(b)(1) of the Arms Export Control Act, as amended, we are forwarding herewith Transmittal No. 16-66, concerning the Department of the Army's proposed Letter(s) of Offer and Acceptance to the Government of Kuwait for defense articles and services estimated to cost $1.7 billion. After this letter is delivered to your office, we plan to issue a news release to notify the public of this proposed sale. Sincerely, James Worm, Acting Deputy Director. (For J.W. Rixey, Vice Admiral, USN, Director). Enclosures. Transmittal No. 16-66 Notice of Proposed Issuance of Letter of Offer Pursuant to Section 36(b)(1) of the Arms Export Control Act, as amended (i) Prospective Purchaser: Government of Kuwait. (ii) Total Estimated Value: Major Defense Equipment$ .04 billion. Other $1.66 billion. Total $1.70 billion. (iii) Description and Quantity or Quantities of Articles or Services under Consideration for Purchase: Major Defense Equipment (MDE): Two hundred and forty (240) .50 Cal M2A1 Machine Guns. Four hundred and eighty (480) 7.62mm M240 Machine Guns. Two hundred and forty (240) AN/VRC-92E SINCGARS Radios. One thousand and eight five (1,085) AN/PVS-7B Night Vision Goggles. Non-MDE includes: Incorporation of cooling system/thermal management systems; Common Remotely Operated Weapons Station (CROWS) II--Low Profile Stabilized Weapon Stations; special armor; 120mm gun tubes; 2nd generation Forward Looking Infrared (FLIR) sights; embedded diagnostics; gunner's primary sights; Counter Sniper and Anti-Materiel Mount (CSAMM) hardware; upgrade/maintenance of engines and transmissions; depot level support; training devices; spare and repair parts; support equipment; tools and test equipment; technical data and publications; personnel training and training equipment; U.S. Government and contractor engineering, technical, and logistics support services, and other related elements of logistics support. (iv) Military Department: Army (UXA) (v) Prior Related Cases, if any: FMS Case KU-B-JAT (9 July 1993, $1.9 billion). FMS Case KU-B-UKO (20 July 2001, $44.3 million). FMS Case KU-B-UKN (23 July 2001, $42 million). FMS Case KU-B-ULB (19 May 2006, $36.8 million). FMS Case KU-B-ULX (20 July 2011, $34.8 million). (vi) Sales Commission, Fee, etc., Paid, Offered, or Agreed to be Paid: None (vii) Sensitivity of Technology Contained in the Defense Article or Defense Services Proposed to be Sold: See Annex Attached. (viii) Date Report Delivered to Congress: December 12, 2016. *As defined in Section 47(6) of the Arms Export Control Act. POLICY JUSTIFICATION Government of Kuwait--Recapitalization of 218 M1A2 Tanks and Related Equipment and Support The Government of Kuwait has requested a possible sale in support of its recapitalization of 218 M1A2 tanks, to include two hundred and forty (240) .50 Cal M2A1 machine guns; four hundred and eighty (480) 7.62mm M240 machine guns; two hundred and forty (240) AN/VRC-92E SINCGARS radios; and one thousand and eight five (1,085) AN/PVS-7B Night Vision Goggles. Also included is the incorporation of cooling system/thermal management systems; Common Remotely Operated Weapons Station (CROWS) II--Low Profile Stabilized Weapon Stations; special armor; 120mm gun tubes; 2nd generation Forward Looking Infrared (FLIR) sights; embedded diagnostics; gunner's primary sights; Counter Sniper and Anti-Materiel Mount (CSAMM) hardware; upgrade/maintenance of engines and transmissions; depot level support; training devices; spare and repair parts; support equipment; tools and test equipment; technical data and publications; personnel training and training equipment; U.S. Government and contractor engineering, technical, and logistics support services, and other related elements of logistics support. Total estimated program cost is $1.7 billion. This proposed sale will contribute to the foreign policy and national security of the United States by helping to improve the security of a friendly country which has been and continues to be an important force for political stability and economic progress in the Middle East. Kuwait intends to use this equipment to recapitalize its fleet of M1A2 full track tanks in order to modernize and extend the service of the tanks. Kuwait will have no difficulty absorbing this equipment into its armed forces. The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not alter the basic military balance in the region. The principal contractors involved in this program are: General Dynamics Land Systems, Sterling Heights, MI; Joint Services Manufacturing Center (JSMC), Lima, OH; Konsberg Defense Systems, Alexandria, VA, and Johnstown, PA; Raytheon, McKinney, TX; Meggitt Defense Systems, Irvine, CA; Palomar, Carlsbad, CA; Northrop Grumman, West Falls Church, VA; DRS Technologies, Arlington, VA; Lockheed Martin, Bethesda, MD; Honeywell, Morristown, NJ; Miltope, Hope Hull, AL. There are no known offset agreements proposed in connect with this potential sale. Implementation of this proposed sale is estimated to require five to seven contractors and twenty-five to thirty U.S. Government representatives to Kuwait. There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness as a result of this proposed sale. TRANSMITTAL NO. 16-66 Notice of Proposed Issuance of Letter of Offer Pursuant to Section 36(b)(1) of the Arms Export Control Act Annex Item No. vii (vii) Sensitivity of Technology: 1. Components considered to contain sensitive technology in the proposed sale are as follows: a. M1A2 Thermal Imaging System (TIS)--The TIS constitutes a target acquisition system which, when operated with other tank systems gives the tank crew a substantial advantage over the potential threat. The TIS provides the crew with the ability to effectively aim and fire the tank main armament system under a broad range of adverse battlefield conditions. The hardware itself is UNCLASSIFIED. The engineering design and manufacturing data associated with the detector and infrared (IR) optics and coatings are considered sensitive. The technical data package is UNCLASSIFIED with the exception of the specifications for target acquisition range which is CONFIDENTIAL and hardening data is classified up to SECRET. The consequences of such compromise would increase potential enemy capabilities to neutralize effectiveness of the tank main armament system by denying the crew ability to acquire targets. b. Special Armor--Major components of special armor are fabricated in sealed modules and in serialized removable subassemblies. Special armor vulnerability data for both chemical and kinetic energy rounds are classified SECRET. Engineering design and manufacturing data related to special armor are also classified SECRET. The consequences of such compromise of classified information would be the capability to neutralize or defeat the armor. The sale or transfer of armor modules are done on a government-to-government basis. This serves to minimize, but not eliminate, the danger of compromise. c. 120mm Gun--the gun is composed of a 120mm smoothbore gun (cannon) manufactured at Watervliet Arsenal; ``long rod'' APFSDS warheads; and combustible cartridge case ammunition. There may be a need to procure/produce new gun cannon tubes from Watervliet Arsenal. New cannons inducted at Anniston Army Depot would be inspected according to established criteria and shipped to Lima Army Tank Plant for tank upgrade process. Gun production and technology are generally known. Disclosure of gun production and technology specific to the 120mm (advance materials and tolerances) would degrade the advantage. d. AGT-1500 Gas Turbine Propulsion System--The use of a gas turbine propulsion system in the M1A2 is a unique application of armored vehicle power pack technology. The hardware is composed of the AGT-1500 engine and transmission and is not UNCLASSIFIED. Manufacturing processes associated with the production of turbine blades, recuperator, bearings and shafts, and hydrostatic pump and motor are propriety and therefore commercially competition sensitive. Unauthorized release and exploitation of sensitive propulsion information would adversely impact U.S. commercial interests. Acquisition of production data by a potential enemy could enhance its ability to design and produce gas turbine engine propulsion system with application to land vehicles. [[Page 18]] e. Compartmentation--A major survivability feature of the MI tank is the compartmentation of fuel and ammunition. Compartmentation is the positive separation of the crew and critical components from combustible materials such that in the event that the fuel or ammunition is ignited or deteriorated by an incoming threat round, the crew is fully protected. Sensitive information includes the performance of the ammunition compartments as well as the compartment design parameters. The design of the compartments cannot be protected, however the guidelines, parametric inductions and test data used to develop the compartments do not have to be disclosed to permit a sale. f. Common Remotely Operated Weapons Station--Low Profile (CROWS-LP)--The CROWS-LP (M153A2E1) is a commanders' weapon station. It allows for under armor operation of weapons-- M2HB, M2A1, M250B, and M240. The CROWS-LP is an updated version of the M153A2 CROWS that is approximately 10 inches shorter; the CROWS-LP M153A2E1 increases visibility over the weapon station. The fire control system of the CROWS-LP allows the ``first-burst'' on target capability from stationary and moving platforms. The CROWS-LP ingratiates a day camera (VIM-C), thermal camera (TIM 1500), and laser range finder (STORM/STORM-PI). Engineering design and manufacturing data would provide potential enemy with the means to increase small arms fire control from under armor. The consequences of this would be improved enemy equipment in the field and decrease technological fire control advantages. 2. The Ml tank will include the following communications suite: Defense Advanced Global Positioning System (GPS) Receiver (DAGR); AN/VAS-5 Driver's Vision Enhancer (DVE) and Rear View Sensor System (RVSS); and Single Channel Ground and Airborne Radio System (SINCGARS). a. Defense Advanced Global Positioning System (GPS) Receiver (DAGR)--DAGR is a lightweight (less than two pounds) hand-held or host platform-mounted, dual frequency, Selective Availability Anti-Spoofing Module (SAASM) based, Precise Positioning Service (PPS) device. The DAGR provides real-time positioning, velocity (ground speed), navigation, and timing (PVNT) information, in standalone (dismounted) and mounted (ground facilities, sea, air, and land vehicles) configurations. The DAGR can support missions involving land- based war-fighting and non-war fighting operations. The DAGR can also be used as a secondary or supplemental aid to aviation-based missions which involve operations in low- dynamic aircraft, and as an aid to navigation in water-borne operations. DAGR AN/PSN-13(A) is fitted with the Selective Availability Anti-Spoofing Module (SAASM) 3.7 and can accept cryptographic keys for increased PVNT accuracy and protection from intentional false or spoofed satellite signals. The AN/ PSN-13(A) DAGR does not output classified information. If a technology advanced adversary were to obtain knowledge of the specific hardware and software elements, the information could be used to identify ways of countering the detection capabilities of the DAGR or improve the performance of their GPS receivers; however, information available for the SAASM would not be obtainable. SAASM is a tamper-resistant security module. The remaining hardware used in the DAGR is considered mature and available in other industrial nation's comparable performance thresholds. b. Drivers Vision Enhancer (DVE) AN/VAS-5 and Rear View Sensor System (RVSS)--The AN/VAS-5 and RVSS are un-cooled thermal imaging systems developed for use while driving Combat Vehicles and Tactical Wheeled Vehicles. DVE and RVSS allow for tactical vehicle movement in support of operational missions in all environment conditions (day/night and all weather) and provides enhanced driving capability during limited visibility conditions (darkness, smoke, dust, fog, etc.). The DVE program provides night vision targeting capabilities for armored vehicles and long-range night vision reconnaissance capability to the warfighter. Engineering design and manufacturing data would provide a potential enemy with the means to upgrade the quality of efficiency of thermal devices production. The consequences of this would be improved enemy equipment of the field. Technical information regarding DVE and RVSS, including UNCLASSIFIED information, should generally not be considered for release. The highest level of information that must be disclosed for production, operation or sale of the end item is UNCLASSIFIED/FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY. c. Single Channel Ground and Airborne Radio System (SINCGARS)--The AN/VRC-92E and RT-1702 SINCGARS provides war- fighting commanders and troops with a highly reliable, secure, easily maintained Combat Net Radio (CNR) that has both voice and data handling capability in support of command and control operations. SINCGARS, with the Internet Controller, provides the communications link for the digitized force. SINCGARS is a radio fielded to tactical field elements. It facilitates the transmission of voice and/ or data information, which allows for the conducting of a myriad of missions across the operational continuum. SINCGARS is available for the dismounted soldier, ground and aviation platforms. Training will vary for the radio (RT-1702) and spare and repair parts for the RT-1702 model are not supported by the Standard Army Supply Systems. There is sensitive or restricted information contained in the AN/VRC- 92E or software. There would be adverse consequences of the AN/VRC-92E and software were to be lost to a technically advanced adversary. If a technology advances adversary were to obtain knowledge of the specific hardware and software elements, the information could be used to identify ways of countering the Electronic Counter-Counter Measures (ECCM). The hardware used in the AN/VRC-92E and RT-1702 is considered mature. 3. This sale is necessary in furtherance of the U.S. foreign policy and national security objectives outlined in the Policy Justification. Moreover, the benefits to be derived from this sale, as outlined in the Policy Justification, outweigh the potential damage that could result if the sensitive technology were revealed to unauthorized persons. 4. All defense articles and services listed in this transmittal have been authorized for release and export to the Government of Kuwait. ____________________ REMEMBERING HUBERT PRICE, JR. Mr. PETERS. Mr. President, today I wish to recognize community activist and former Michigan State representative Hubert Price, Jr., of Pontiac, MI. Mr. Price was born on September 28, 1946, to parents Ruth and Hubert Price, Sr. He was a lifelong resident of the city of Pontiac, graduating from Pontiac Central High School in 1964 and going on to attend Michigan State University. He became actively involved in his community and civil rights at a young age. During a time when many of this country's citizens suffered through institutionalized practices of segregation, Pontiac was not immune. African-American residents were relegated to the southern side of the city, as they were restricted from obtaining housing on the northern side. Mr. Price was instrumental in the push for open housing ordinances, which would create opportunities for all residents. As the National Democratic County Officials' president, Mr. Price spoke at the 1992 Democratic National Convention, DNC, which was held at Madison Square Garden in New York City. He expounded upon the government's role in safeguarding the rights and protections that are due to all citizens. In addition to his DNC address, he also served as a moderator for a panel on public sector employment programs. As State representative from 1994 to 2000, Mr. Price diligently served the 43rd district of Michigan. He was the minority vice chair of the appropriations committee. He also was vice chair of the following subcommittees: higher education, family, independence agency, and supplementals. Improving the lives of youth in the community was of the utmost importance to Mr. Price. When he led the celebration of Pontiac's 150th birthday, Mr. Price commemorated the celebration by creating the sesquicentennial motto: ``To honor the past, recognize the present and build the future.'' Building that future included encouraging and providing youth with opportunities to grow within the community. As a county commissioner, Mr. Price secured summer jobs for Pontiac youth and minorities in Oakland County. After his service as a county commissioner, he continued to dedicate himself to youth development. In 2012, he participated in Oakland Community College's Symposium on Good Governance, Leadership & Community Engagement, where he discussed his experiences in leadership. Mr. Price was known for his gregarious personality and could answer practically any question regarding the city of Pontiac's history. Even in his retirement, Mr. Price continued to be actively engaged in the community. He most recently served as a member of the master plan steering committee from 2013 to 2014 and was part of the group that helped prepare the 2014 Pontiac Master Plan Update. In 2015, he joined the Oakland County sheriff's efforts to ease tensions between Pontiac residents and the Oakland County Sheriff's Office. He, along with 25 other community leaders, formed the sheriff's relations team, which helped open lines of communication in the community. [[Page 19]] Mr. Price is survived by his wife of 40 years, Carolyn, his children, grandchildren, and many relatives and friends. I cannot express enough the impact Mr. Hubert Price, Jr., had on the city of Pontiac and the State of Michigan. He was truly a treasure to our community and was influential locally and nationally. His passion, knowledge, and leadership will be missed. He served the city of Pontiac with his whole heart and relentlessly followed his vision for a better tomorrow. It is my hope that his spirit of advocacy continues to live on and his tremendous legacy inspires the next generation of leaders to make a difference in their communities. ____________________ MESSAGES FROM THE HOUSE RECEIVED DURING ADJOURNMENT, 114TH CONGRESS Enrolled Bills Signed Under the authority of the order of the Senate of January 6, 2015, the Secretary of the Senate, on December 13, 2016, during the adjournment of the Senate, received a message from the House of Representatives announcing that the Speaker pro tempore (Mr. Upton) had signed the following enrolled bills: S. 546. An act to establish the Railroad Emergency Services Preparedness, Operational Needs, and Safety Evaluation (RESPONSE) Subcommittee under the Federal Emergency Management Agency's National Advisory Council to provide recommendations on emergency responder training and resources relating to hazardous materials incidents involving railroads, and for other purposes. S. 612. An act to provide for improvements to the rivers and harbors of the United States, to provide for the conservation and development of water and related resources, and for other purposes. S. 1635. An act to authorize the Department of State for fiscal year 2016, and for other purposes. S. 2854. An act to reauthorize the Emmett Till Unsolved Civil Rights Crime Act of 2007. S. 2943. An act to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2017 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for military construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes. S. 2971. An act to authorize the National Urban Search and Rescue Response System. H.R. 960. An act to designate the Department of Veterans Affairs community-based outpatient clinic in Newark, Ohio, as the Daniel L. Kinnard VA Clinic. H.R. 3218. An act to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 1221 State Street, Suite 12, Santa Barbara, California, as the ``Special Warfare Operator Master Chief Petty Officer (SEAL) Louis `Lou' J. Langlais Post Office Building''. H.R. 4618. An act to designate the Federal building and United States courthouse located at 121 Spring Street SE in Gainesville, Georgia, as the ``Sidney Oslin Smith, Jr. Federal Building and United States Courthouse''. H.R. 4887. An act to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 23323 Shelby Road in Shelby, Indiana, as the ``Richard Allen Cable Post Office''. H.R. 5676. An act to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 6300 N. Northwest Highway in Chicago, Illinois, as the ``Officer Joseph P. Cali Post Office Building''. H.R. 5687. An act to eliminate or modify certain mandates of the Government Accountability Office. Under the authority of the order of the Senate of January 6, 2015, the enrolled bills were signed on December 14, 2016, during the adjournment of the Senate, by the President pro tempore (Mr. Hatch). Enrolled Bills Signed Under the authority of the order of the Senate of January 6, 2015, the Secretary of the Senate, on December 13, 2016, during the adjournment of the Senate, received a message from the House of Representatives announcing that the Speaker pro tempore (Mrs. Comstock) had signed the following enrolled bills: H.R. 875. An act to provide for alternative financing arrangements for the provision of certain services and the construction and maintenance of infrastructure at land border ports of entry, and for other purposes. H.R. 4465. An act to decrease the deficit by consolidating and selling Federal buildings and other civilian real property, and for other purposes. H.R. 4680. An act to prepare the National Park Service for its Centennial in 2016 and for a second century of promoting and protecting the natural, historic, and cultural resources of our National Parks for the enjoyment of present and future generations, and for other purposes. H.R. 5065. An act to direct the Administrator of the Transportation Security Administration to notify air carriers and security screening personnel of the Transportation Security Administration of such Administration's guidelines regarding permitting baby formula, breast milk, purified deionized water, and juice on airplanes, and for other purposes. H.R. 5150. An act to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 3031 Veterans Road West in Staten Island, New York, as the ``Leonard Montalto Post Office Building''. H.R. 5309. An act to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 401 McElroy Drive in Oxford, Mississippi, as the ``Army First Lieutenant Donald C. Carwile Post Office Building''. H.R. 5356. An act to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 14231 TX-150 in Coldspring, Texas as the ``E. Marie Youngblood Post Office''. H.R. 5591. An act to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 810 N US Highway 83 in Zapata, Texas, as the ``Zapata Veterans Post Office''. H.R. 5798. An act to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 1101 Davis Street in Evanston, Illinois, as the ``Abner J. Mikva Post Office Building''. H.R. 5877. An act to amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 and the United States-Israel Strategic Partnership Act of 2014 to promote cooperative homeland security research and antiterrorism programs relating to cybersecurity, and for other purposes. H.R. 5889. An act to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 1 Chalan Kanoa VLG in Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands, as the ``Segundo T. Sablan and CNMI Fallen Military Heroes Post Office Building''. H.R. 6416. An act to amend title 38, United States Code, to make certain improvements in the laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes. H.R. 6450. An act to amend the Inspector General Act of 1978 to strengthen the independence of the Inspectors General, and for other purposes. H.R. 6451. An act to improve the Government-wide management of Federal property. H.R. 6452. An act to implement the Convention on the Conservation and Management of High Seas Fisheries Resources in the North Pacific Ocean, to implement the Convention on the Conservation and Management of High Seas Fishery Resources in the South Pacific Ocean, and for other purposes. Under the authority of the order of the Senate of January 6, 2015, the enrolled bills were signed on December 14, 2016, during the adjournment of the Senate, by the President pro tempore (Mr. Hatch). Under the authority of the order of the Senate of January 6, 2015, the Secretary of the Senate, on December 14, 2016, during the adjournment of the Senate, received a message from the House of Representatives announcing that the House had passed the following bill, without amendment: S. 8. An act to provide for the approval of the Agreement for Cooperation Between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of the Kingdom of Norway Concerning Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy. The message further announced that the House agreed to the amendment of the Senate to the bill (H.R. 710) to require the Secretary of Homeland Security to prepare a comprehensive security assessment of the transportation security card program, and for other purposes. The message also announced that the House agreed to the amendment of the Senate to the bill (H.R. 1150) to amend the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998 to improve the ability of the United States to advance religious freedom globally through enhanced diplomacy, training, counterterrorism, and foreign assistance efforts, and through stronger and more flexible political responses to religious freedom violations and violent extremism worldwide, and for other purposes. The message further announced that the House agreed to the amendments of the Senate to the bill (H.R. 3842) to improve homeland security, including domestic preparedness and response to terrorism, by reforming Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers to provide training to first responders, and for other purposes. The message also announced that the House agreed to the amendment of the Senate to the bill (H.R. 4939) to increase engagement with the governments of the Caribbean region, the Caribbean diaspora community in the United States, and the private sector [[Page 20]] and civil society in both the United States and the Caribbean, and for other purposes. The message further announced that the House agreed to the amendments of the Senate to the bill (H.R. 6302) to provide an increase in premium pay for United States Secret Service agents performing protective services during 2016, and for other purposes. Enrolled Bills Signed Under the authority of the order of the Senate of January 6, 2015, the Secretary of the Senate, on December 14, 2016, during the adjournment of the Senate, received a message from the House of Representatives announcing that the Speaker had signed the following enrolled bills: S. 8. An act to provide for the approval of the Agreement for Cooperation Between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of the Kingdom of Norway Concerning Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy. H.R. 710. An act to require the Secretary of Homeland Security to prepare a comprehensive security assessment of the transportation security card program, and for other purposes. H.R. 1150. An act to amend the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998 to improve the ability of the United States to advance religious freedom globally through enhanced diplomacy, training, counterterrorism, and foreign assistance efforts, and through stronger and more flexible political responses to religious freedom violations and violent extremism worldwide, and for other purposes. H.R. 2726. An act to require the Secretary of the Treasury to mint commemorative coins in recognition of the 50th anniversary of the first manned landing on the Moon. H.R. 3784. An act to amend the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 to establish an Office of the Advocate for Small Business Capital Formation and a Small Business Capital Formation Advisory Committee, and for other purposes. H.R. 3842. An act to improve homeland security, including domestic preparedness and response to terrorism, by reforming Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers to provide training to first responders, and for other purposes. H.R. 4352. An act to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to carry out a pilot program establishing a patient self-scheduling appointment system, and for other purposes. H.R. 4939. An act to increase engagement with the governments of the Caribbean region, the Caribbean diaspora community in the United States, and the private sector and civil society in both the United States and the Caribbean, and for other purposes. H.R. 5015. An act to restore amounts improperly withheld for tax purposes from severance payments to individuals who retired or separated from service in the Armed Forces for combat-related injuries, and for other purposes. H.R. 5099. An act to establish a pilot program on partnership agreements to construct new facilities for the Department of Veterans Affairs. H.R. 5612. An act to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 2886 Sandy Plains Road in Marietta, Georgia, as the ``Marine Lance Corporal Squire `Skip' Wells Post Office Building''. H.R. 5790. An act to provide adequate protections for whistleblowers at the Federal Bureau of Investigation. H.R. 5948. An act to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 830 Kuhn Drive in Chula Vista, California, as the ``Jonathan `J.D.' De Guzman Post Office Building''. H.R. 6130. An act to provide the victims of Holocaust-era persecution and their heirs a fair opportunity to recover works of art confiscated or misappropriated by the Nazis. H.R. 6138. An act to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 560 East Pleasant Valley Road, Port Hueneme, California, as the U.S. Naval Construction Battalion ``Seabees'' Fallen Heroes Post Office Building. H.R. 6282. An act to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 2024 Jerome Avenue, in Bronx, New York as the ``Dr. Roscoe C. Brown, Jr. Post Office Building''. H.R. 6302. An act to provide an increase in premium pay for protective services during 2016, and for other purposes. H.R. 6304. An act to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 501 North Main Street in Florence, Arizona, as the ``Adolfo `Harpo' Celaya Post Office''. H.R. 6323. An act to name the Department of Veterans Affairs health care system in Long Beach, California, the ``Tibor Rubin VA Medical Center''. H.R. 6400. An act to revise the boundaries of certain John H. Chafee Coastal Barrier Resources System units in New Jersey. H.R. 6431. An act to ensure United States jurisdiction over offenses committed by United States personnel stationed in Canada in furtherance of border security initiatives. H.R. 6477. An act to amend chapter 97 of title 28, United States Code, to clarify exception to foreign sovereign immunity set forth in section 1605(a)(3) of such title. Under the authority of the order of the Senate of January 6, 2015, the enrolled bills were signed on December 15, 2016, during the adjournment of the Senate, by the President pro tempore (Mr. Hatch). Enrolled Bill Signed Under the authority of the order of the Senate of January 6, 2015, the Secretary of the Senate, on December 15, 2016, during the adjournment of the Senate, received a message from the House of Representatives announcing that the Speaker pro tempore (Mr. Thornberry) had signed the following enrolled bill: H.R. 6014. An act to allow the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration to enter into reimbursable agreements for certain airport projects. Under the authority of the order of the Senate of January 6, 2015, the enrolled bill was signed on December 15, 2016, during the adjournment of the Senate, by the President pro tempore (Mr. Hatch). Under the authority of the order of the Senate of January 6, 2015, the Secretary of the Senate, on December 19, 2016, during the adjournment of the Senate, received a message from the House of Representatives announcing that the House had passed the following bill, without amendment: S. 3084. An act to invest in innovation through research and development, and to improve the competitiveness of the United States. The message further announced that pursuant to section 3(b) of the Public Safety Officer Medal of Valor Act of 2001 (42 U.S.C. 15202), the Minority Leader appointed the following member on the part of the House of Representatives to the Medal of Valor Review Board: Joanne Hayes- White of San Francisco, California. The message also announced that pursuant to section 1238(b)(3) of the Floyd D. Spence National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2001 (22 U.S.C. 7002), as amended by division P of the Consolidated Appropriations Resolution, 2003 (22 U.S.C. 6901), the Minority Leader appointed the following individual on the part of the House of Representatives to the United States-China Economic and Security Review Commission, effective January 1, 2017, to fill an existing vacancy: Mr. Michael R. Wessel of Falls Church, Virginia. The message further announced that pursuant to section 1238(b)(3) of the Floyd D. Spence National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2001 (22 U.S.C. 7002), as amended by division P of the Consolidated Appropriations Resolution, 2003 (22 U.S.C. 6901), the Minority Leader appointed the following individual on the part of the House of Representatives to the United States-China Economic and Security Review Commission, effective January 21, 2017: Mr. Jonathan N. Stivers of Washington, DC. Enrolled Bill Signed Under the authority of the order of the Senate of January 6, 2015, the Secretary of the Senate, on December 20, 2016, during the adjournment of the Senate, received a message from the House of Representatives announcing that the Speaker pro tempore (Mr. Messer) had signed the following enrolled bill: S. 3084. An act to invest in innovation through research and development, and to improve the competitiveness of the United States. Under the authority of the order of the Senate of January 6, 2015, the enrolled bill was signed on December 27, 2016, during the adjournment of the Senate, by the Acting President pro tempore (Mr. Sasse). ____________________ MEASURES DISCHARGED The following concurrent resolution was discharged from the Committee on the Budget pursuant to Section 300 of the Congressional Budget Act, and placed on the calendar: S. Con. Res. 3. A concurrent resolution setting forth the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2017 and setting forth the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2018 through 2026. [[Page 21]] ____________________ MEASURES HELD OVER/UNDER RULE The following resolution was read, and held over, under the rule: S. Res. 4. A resolution to constitute the majority party's membership on certain committees for the One Hundred Fifteenth Congress, or until their successors are chosen. ____________________ ENROLLED BILLS PRESENTED, 114TH CONGRESS The Secretary of the Senate reported that on December 12, 2016, she had presented to the President of the United States the following enrolled bills: S. 1632. An act to require a regional strategy to address the threat posed by Boko Haram. S. 2974. An act to ensure funding for the National Human Trafficking Hotline, and for other purposes. S. 3028. An act to redesignate the Olympic Wilderness as the Daniel J. Evans Wilderness. S. 3183. An act to prohibit the circumvention of control measures used by Internet ticket sellers to ensure equitable consumer access to tickets for any given event, and for other purposes. The Secretary of the Senate reported that on December 14, 2016, she had presented to the President of the United States the following enrolled bills: S. 546. An act to establish the Railroad Emergency Services Preparedness, Operational Needs, and Safety Evaluation (RESPONSE) Subcommittee under the Federal Emergency Management Agency's National Advisory Council to provide recommendations on emergency responder training and resources relating to hazardous materials incidents involving railroads, and for other purposes. S. 612. An act to provide for improvements to the rivers and harbors of the United States, to provide for the conservation and development of water and related resources, and for other purposes. S. 1635. An act to authorize the Department of State for fiscal year 2016, and for other purposes. S. 2854. An act to reauthorize the Emmett Till Unsolved Civil Rights Crime Act of 2007. S. 2943. An act to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2017 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for military construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes. S. 2971. An act to authorize the National Urban Search and Rescue Response System. The Secretary of the Senate reported that on December 15, 2016, she had presented to the President of the United States the following enrolled bill: S. 8. An act to provide for the approval of the Agreement for Cooperation Between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of the Kingdom of Norway Concerning Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy. The Secretary of the Senate reported that on December 28, 2016, she had presented to the President of the United States the following enrolled bill: S. 3084. An act to invest in innovation through research and development, and to improve the competitiveness of the United States. ____________________ REPORTS OF COMMITTEES DURING ADJOURNMENT, 114TH CONGRESS Under the authority of the order of the Senate of December 10, 2016, the following reports of committees were submitted on December 20, 2016: By Mr. JOHNSON, from the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs: Report to accompany S. 1378, A bill to strengthen employee cost savings suggestions programs within the Federal Government (Rept. No. 114-406). Report to accompany S. 2972, A bill to amend title 31, United States Code, to provide transparency and require certain standards in the award of Federal grants, and for other purposes (Rept. No. 114-407). By Mr. VITTER, from the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship: Report to accompany S. 1756, A bill to help small businesses take advantage of energy efficiency (Rept. No. 114-408). Report to accompany S. 1811, A bill to require the Administrator of the Small Business Administration to establish a program to make loans to certain businesses, homeowners, and renters affected by Superstorm Sandy (Rept. No. 114-409). Report to accompany S. 1866, A bill to establish the veterans' business outreach center program, to improve the programs for veterans of the Small Business Administration, and for other purposes (Rept. No. 114-410). Report to accompany S. 1870, A bill to amend the Small Business Act to require the Administrator of the Small Business Administration to carry out a pilot program on issuing grants to eligible veterans to start or acquire qualifying businesses, and for other purposes (Rept. No. 114- 411). Report to accompany S. 2116, A bill to improve certain programs of the Small Business Administration to better assist small business customers in accessing broadband technology, and for other purposes (Rept. No. 114-412). Report to accompany S. 2126, A bill to reauthorize the women's business center program of the Small Business Administration, and for other purposes (Rept. No. 114-413). Report to accompany S. 2136, A bill to establish the Regional SBIR State Collaborative Initiative Pilot Program, and for other purposes (Rept. No. 114-414). Report to accompany S. 2138, A bill to amend the Small Business Act to improve the review and acceptance of subcontracting plans, and for other purposes (Rept. No. 114- 415). Report to accompany S. 2139, A bill to amend the Small Business Act to prohibit the use of reverse auctions for the procurement of covered contracts (Rept. No. 114-416). Report to accompany S. 2812, A bill to amend the Small Business Act to reauthorize and improve the Small Business Innovation Research Program and the Small Business Technology Transfer Program, and for other purposes (Rept. No. 114-417). Report to accompany S. 2838, A bill to improve the HUBZone program (Rept. No. 114-418). Report to accompany S. 2846, A bill to amend the Small Business Act to expand intellectual property education and training for small businesses, and for other purposes (Rept. No. 114-419). Report to accompany S. 2847, A bill to require greater transparency for Federal regulatory decisions that impact small businesses (Rept. No. 114-420). Report to accompany S. 2992, A bill to amend the Small Business Act to strengthen the Office of Credit Risk Management of the Small Business Administration, and for other purposes (Rept. No. 114-421). Report to accompany S. 3009, A bill to support entrepreneurs serving in the National Guard and Reserve, and for other purposes (Rept. No. 114-422). Report to accompany S. 3024, A bill to improve cyber security for small businesses (Rept. No. 114-423). Report to accompany S. Res. 252, An original resolution expressing the sense of the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship of the Senate relating to easing the burden of Federal tax compliance on small businesses (Rept. No. 114- 424). By Mr. THUNE, from the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation: Report to accompany S. 421, A bill to amend the Communications Act of 1934 to provide for greater transparency and efficiency in the procedures followed by the Federal Communications Commission, and for other purposes (Rept. No. 114-425). Report to accompany S. 1182, A bill to exempt application of JSA attribution rule in case of existing agreements (Rept. No. 114-426). Report to accompany S. 2555, A bill to provide opportunities for broadband investment, and for other purposes (Rept. No. 114-427). Report to accompany S. 2658, A bill to amend title 49, United States Code, to authorize appropriations for the Federal Aviation Administration for fiscal years 2016 through 2017, and for other purposes (Rept. No. 114-428). By Mr. GRASSLEY, from the Committee on the Judiciary: Report to accompany S. 3270, A bill to prevent elder abuse and exploitation and improve the justice system's response to victims in elder abuse and exploitation cases (Rept. No. 114- 430). By Mr. BARRASSO, from the Committee on Indian Affairs, without amendment: S. 2916. A bill to provide that the pueblo of Santa Clara may lease for 99 years certain restricted land, and for other purposes (Rept. No. 114-431). By Ms. COLLINS, from the Special Committee on Aging: Special Report entitled ``Sudden Price Spikes in Off-Patent Prescription Drugs: The Monopoly Business Model that Harms Patients, Taxpayers, and the U.S. Health Care System'' (Rept. No. 114-429). ____________________ INTRODUCTION OF BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTIONS The following bills and joint resolutions were introduced, read the first and second times by unanimous consent, and referred as indicated: By Mr. HELLER (for himself, Mr. Cruz, Mr. Rubio, Mr. Cotton, and Mr. Inhofe): S. 11. A bill to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, to relocate to Jerusalem the United States Embassy in Israel, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Foreign Relations. By Mr. MORAN (for himself, Mr. Blumenthal, and Mr. Bennet): S. 12. A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to improve the accountability [[Page 22]] of employees of the Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. By Mr. WHITEHOUSE (for himself, Ms. Baldwin, Ms. Warren, and Mrs. Feinstein): S. 13. A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to prevent high net worth individuals from receiving tax windfalls for entering government service; to the Committee on Finance. By Mr. HELLER (for himself, Mr. Manchin, and Mr. Barrasso): S. 14. A bill to provide that Members of Congress may not receive pay after October 1 of any fiscal year in which Congress has not approved a concurrent resolution on the budget and passed the regular appropriations bills; to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. By Mr. HELLER: S. 15. A bill to impose sanctions with respect to the ballistic missile program of Iran, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. By Mr. PAUL (for himself, Mr. Barrasso, Mr. Blunt, Mr. Gardner, Mr. Grassley, Mr. Heller, Mr. Lee, Mr. Portman, and Mr. Risch): S. 16. A bill to require a full audit of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and the Federal reserve banks by the Comptroller General of the United States, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. By Mr. SASSE (for himself and Mr. Tester): S. 17. A bill to ensure the Government Accountability Office has adequate access to information; to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. By Mr. MORAN (for himself and Mr. Perdue): S. 18. A bill to promote freedom, fairness, and economic opportunity by repealing the income tax and other taxes, abolishing the Internal Revenue Service, and enacting a national sales tax to be administered primarily by the States; to the Committee on Finance. By Mr. THUNE (for himself and Mr. Nelson): S. 19. A bill to provide opportunities for broadband investment, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. By Mr. VAN HOLLEN: S. 20. A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to expand the denial of deduction for certain excessive employee remuneration; to the Committee on Finance. By Mr. BOOZMAN (for himself and Mr. Donnelly): S.J. Res. 1. A joint resolution approving the location of a memorial to commemorate and honor the members of the Armed Forces who served on active duty in support of Operation Desert Storm or Operation Desert Shield; to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. By Mr. CRUZ (for himself, Mrs. Fischer, Mr. Johnson, Mr. Tillis, Mr. Rubio, Mr. Lee, and Mr. Perdue): S.J. Res. 2. A joint resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States relative to limiting the number of terms that a Member of Congress may serve; to the Committee on the Judiciary. ____________________ SUBMISSION OF CONCURRENT AND SENATE RESOLUTIONS The following concurrent resolutions and Senate resolutions were read, and referred (or acted upon), as indicated: By Mr. McCONNELL: S. Res. 1. A resolution informing the President of the United States that a quorum of each House is assembled; considered and agreed to. By Mr. McCONNELL: S. Res. 2. A resolution informing the House of Representatives that a quorum of the Senate is assembled; considered and agreed to. By Mr. McCONNELL: S. Res. 3. A resolution fixing the hour of daily meeting of the Senate; considered and agreed to. By Mr. McCONNELL: S. Res. 4. A resolution to constitute the majority party's membership on certain committees for the One Hundred Fifteenth Congress, or until their successors are chosen; submitted and read. By Mr. MORAN: S. Res. 5. A resolution expressing the sense of the Senate in support of Israel; to the Committee on Foreign Relations. By Mr. McCONNELL: S. Con. Res. 1. A concurrent resolution extending the life of the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies; considered and agreed to. By Mr. McCONNELL: S. Con. Res. 2. A concurrent resolution to provide for the counting on January 6, 2017, of the electoral votes for President and Vice President of the United States; considered and agreed to. By Mr. ENZI: S. Con. Res. 3. A concurrent resolution setting forth the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2017 and setting forth the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2018 through 2026; placed on the calendar. ____________________ SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS ______ SENATE RESOLUTION 1--INFORMING THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES THAT A QUORUM OF EACH HOUSE IS ASSEMBLED Mr. McCONNELL submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to: S. Res. 1 Resolved, That a committee consisting of two Senators be appointed to join such committee as may be appointed by the House of Representatives to wait upon the President of the United States and inform him that a quorum of each House is assembled and that the Congress is ready to receive any communication he may be pleased to make. ____________________ SENATE RESOLUTION 2--INFORMING THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES THAT A QUORUM OF THE SENATE IS ASSEMBLED Mr. McCONNELL submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to: S. Res. 2 Resolved, That the Secretary inform the House of Representatives that a quorum of the Senate is assembled and that the Senate is ready to proceed to business. ____________________ SENATE RESOLUTION 3--FIXING THE HOUR OF DAILY MEETING OF THE SENATE Mr. McCONNELL submitted the following resolution which was considered and agreed to: S. Res. 3 Resolved, That the daily meeting of the Senate be 12 o'clock meridian unless otherwise ordered. ____________________ SENATE RESOLUTION 4--TO CONSTITUTE THE MAJORITY PARTY'S MEMBERSHIP ON CERTAIN COMMITTEES FOR THE ONE HUNDRED FIFTEENTH CONGRESS, OR UNTIL THEIR SUCCESSORS ARE CHOSEN Mr. McCONNELL submitted the following resolution; which was submitted and read: S. Res. 4 Resolved, That the following shall constitute the majority party's membership on the following committees for the One Hundred Fifteenth Congress, or until their successors are chosen: Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry: Mr. Roberts, Mr. Cochran, Mr. McConnell, Mr. Boozman, Mr. Hoeven, Mrs. Ernst, Mr. Grassley, Mr. Sessions, Mr. Thune, Mr. Daines, Mr. Perdue. Committee on Appropriations: Mr. Cochran, Mr. McConnell, Mr. Shelby, Mr. Alexander, Ms. Collins, Ms. Murkowski, Mr. Graham, Mr. Blunt, Mr. Moran, Mr. Hoeven, Mr. Boozman, Mrs. Capito, Mr. Lankford, Mr. Daines, Mr. Kennedy, Mr. Rubio. Committee on Armed Services: Mr. McCain, Mr. Inhofe, Mr. Sessions, Mr. Wicker, Mrs. Fischer, Mr. Cotton, Mr. Rounds, Mrs. Ernst, Mr. Tillis, Mr. Sullivan, Mr. Perdue, Mr. Cruz, Mr. Graham, Mr. Sasse. Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs: Mr. Crapo, Mr. Shelby, Mr. Corker, Mr. Toomey, Mr. Heller, Mr. Scott, Mr. Sasse, Mr. Cotton, Mr. Rounds, Mr. Perdue, Mr. Tillis, Mr. Kennedy. Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation: Mr. Thune, Mr. Wicker, Mr. Blunt, Mr. Cruz, Mrs. Fischer, Mr. Moran, Mr. Sullivan, Mr. Heller, Mr. Inhofe, Mr. Lee, Mr. Johnson, Mrs. Capito, Mr. Gardner, Mr. Young. Committee on Energy and Natural Resources: Ms. Murkowski, Mr. Barrasso, Mr. Risch, Mr. Lee, Mr. Flake, Mr. Daines, Mr. Gardner, Mr. Sessions, Mr. Alexander, Mr. Hoeven, Mr. Cassidy, Mr. Portman. Committee on Environment and Public Works: Mr. Barrasso, Mr. Inhofe, Mrs. Capito, Mr. Boozman, Mr. Wicker, Mrs. Fischer, Mr. Sessions, Mr. Moran, Mr. Rounds, Mrs. Ernst, Mr. Sullivan. Committee on Finance: Mr. Hatch, Mr. Grassley, Mr. Crapo, Mr. Roberts, Mr. Enzi, Mr. Cornyn, Mr. Thune, Mr. Burr, Mr. Isakson, Mr. Portman, Mr. Toomey, Mr. Heller, Mr. Scott, Mr. Cassidy. Committee on Foreign Relations: Mr. Corker, Mr. Risch, Mr. Rubio, Mr. Johnson, Mr. Flake, Mr. Gardner, Mr. Young, Mr. Barrasso, Mr. Isakson, Mr. Portman, Mr. Paul. Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions: Mr. Alexander, Mr. Enzi, Mr. Burr, Mr. Isakson, Mr. Paul, Ms. Collins, Mr. Cassidy, Mr. Young, Mr. Hatch, Mr. Roberts, Ms. Murkowski, Mr. Scott. Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs: Mr. Johnson, Mr. [[Page 23]] McCain, Mr. Portman, Mr. Paul, Mr. Lankford, Mr. Enzi, Mr. Hoeven, Mr. Daines. Committee on the Judiciary: Mr. Grassley, Mr. Hatch, Mr. Graham, Mr. Cornyn, Mr. Lee, Mr. Cruz, Mr. Sasse, Mr. Flake, Mr. Crapo, Mr. Tillis, Mr. Kennedy. Select Committee on Intelligence: Mr. Burr, Mr. Risch, Mr. Rubio, Ms. Collins, Mr. Blunt, Mr. Lankford, Mr. Cotton, Mr. Cornyn. Special Committee on Aging: Ms. Collins, Mr. Hatch, Mr. Flake, Mr. Scott, Mr. Tillis, Mr. Corker, Mr. Burr, Mr. Rubio, Mrs. Fischer. Committee on the Budget: Mr. Enzi, Mr. Grassley, Mr. Sessions, Mr. Crapo, Mr. Graham, Mr. Toomey, Mr. Johnson, Mr. Corker, Mr. Perdue, Mr. Gardner, Mr. Kennedy, Mr. Boozman. Committee on Indian Affairs: Mr. Hoeven, Mr. Barrasso, Mr. McCain, Ms. Murkowski, Mr. Lankford, Mr. Daines, Mr. Crapo, Mr. Moran. Joint Economic Committee: Mr. Lee, Mr. Cotton, Mr. Portman, Mr. Cruz, Mr. Cassidy, Mr. Sasse. Committee on Rules and Administration: Mr. Shelby, Mr. McConnell, Mr. Cochran, Mr. Alexander, Mr. Roberts, Mr. Blunt, Mr. Cruz, Mrs. Capito, Mr. Wicker, Mrs. Fischer. Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship: Mr. Risch, Mr. Rubio, Mr. Paul, Mr. Scott, Mrs. Ernst, Mr. Inhofe, Mr. Young, Mr. Enzi, Mr. Rounds, Mr. Kennedy. Committee on Veterans' Affairs: Mr. Isakson, Mr. Moran, Mr. Boozman, Mr. Heller, Mr. Cassidy, Mr. Rounds, Mr. Tillis, Mr. Sullivan. Select Committee on Ethics: Mr. Isakson, Mr. Roberts, Mr. Risch. ____________________ SENATE RESOLUTION 5--EXPRESSING THE SENSE OF THE SENATE IN SUPPORT OF ISRAEL Mr. MORAN submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations: S. Res. 5 Whereas Israel is a strategic international partner and democratic ally of the United States; Whereas cooperation between Israel and the United States is of great importance, especially amid a troubling security situation in the Middle East, North Africa, and Europe; Whereas strong relations between the United States and Israel benefit both countries and the prospects for regional stability; Whereas peace between the Israelis and Palestinians remains of strategic interest to the United States; Whereas support for Israel and peace between the Israelis and Palestinians have long standing bipartisan support in Congress; Whereas a bipartisan majority of the United States Senate in 2016 requested that the President maintain a policy of opposing one-sided United Nations Security Council resolutions targeting Israel; Whereas, on December 23, 2016, the President and his delegates at the United Nations departed from congressional directives and past United States policy by declining to use United States veto power during a vote on a United Nations Security Council resolution unfairly targeting Israel; Whereas Congress has a constitutional role in determining the laws and foreign policy of the United States; and Whereas the commencement of the 115th Congress and the inauguration of a new President create opportunities to improve relations between the United States and Israel: Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the Senate-- (1) urges the President and the international community to join in supporting bilateral talks between the Israelis and Palestinians; (2) expresses support for individuals and organizations working to bring about peace and cooperation between the Israelis and Palestinians; (3) opposes the use of the United Nations as a medium to unfairly impose external remedies to challenges between the Israelis and Palestinians; (4) objects to the December 2016 abstention and declination to veto United Nations Security Council Resolution 2334 by delegates of the United States at the United Nations; (5) regrets and seeks to reverse the negative public criticism of Israel by United States diplomats; (6) urges the President-elect to adopt a policy of opposing and vetoing if necessary one-sided United Nations Security Council resolutions targeting Israel; (7) rejects international efforts to delegitimize Israel's right to exist; (8) supports Israel's right to self-defense; (9) condemns acts of terrorism and violence targeted at Israeli civilians; (10) reiterates that Palestinian political goals will never be achieved through violence; and (11) calls on all parties to return to negotiations and without preconditions, as direct discussions remain the best mechanism to end the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Mr. MORAN. Mr. President, although the time of this administration is short and the inauguration of a new President is now just weeks away, the Obama administration isn't coming to a quiet ending. From issuing controversial regulations to transferring unprecedented numbers of detainees from the detention center at Guantanamo Bay, the outgoing administration has repeatedly acted in direct opposition to the bipartisan will of Congress and to the values of many American people. The clearest examples of this are the recent American actions at the United Nations Security Council, performed at the expense of Israel, an American ally and strategic partner in the Middle East. This December, the United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said: Decades of political maneuvering have created a disproportionate number of resolutions, reports and committees against Israel. In many cases, instead of helping the Palestinian issue, this reality has foiled the ability of the UN to fulfill its role effectively. The U.N.'s anti-Israel bias was evident on December 23 when the Security Council sought to pass a resolution targeting Israel. American representatives abstained from voting on the deliberately anti-Israel resolution. The refusal to defend Israel is a departure from longstanding bipartisan policy of the United States and, in fact, a departure from the standards of the Obama administration. Just days later, this decision to abstain was aggravated by comments made by Secretary of State Kerry. In a speech that sought to defend the Obama administration's diplomacy, the Secretary's one-sided lecture further criticized Israel. With so many grave and immediate foreign policy challenges concurrently facing the Obama administration and facing our country, the Secretary's decision to devote his final days at the State Department to criticism of Israel is difficult to understand. The President's party has suffered staggering electoral defeats during his time in office. Much of that can be attributed to the championing of policies at odds with much of his own party and the American people at large. This case is no different. The Obama administration's decision defies the bipartisan directive of 88 Members of this Senate who wrote the President on this issue in September of 2016. Fortunately, today marks the first day of the 115th Congress. On January 20, we will inaugurate a new President. We will have to work overtime to correct the direction of these American policies. I am committed to working with the incoming administration and both Republican and Democratic Members of Congress to make certain the United States remains appropriately supportive of Israel. We must prevent the United Nations from being further used as a forum for unjust persecution of that country. To this effort, I am introducing a resolution that recognizes the importance of Israel as a strategic ally, reiterates that Congress's bipartisan support for Israel continues, and objects to the Obama administration's decision and harmful public commentary related to the December 23 U.N. Security Council vote. The opening of the 115th Congress and the inauguration of a new President create opportunities to improve our relations, the relationship between the United States and Israel. America's alliance with Israel is critical to combating the threat of peace in the Middle East and to our own national security. It is my hope we can seize the opportunity to better stand by our ally and continue to encourage peace and cooperation between Israelis and Palestinians. I believe this resolution is an important step in repairing the relations the Obama administration has unnecessarily strained, and I hope to have the opportunity to vote on this measure in the Senate in the coming weeks. ____________________ SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 1--EXTENDING THE LIFE OF THE JOINT CONGRESSIONAL COMMITTEE ON INAUGURAL CEREMONIES Mr. McCONNELL submitted the following concurrent resolution; which was considered and agreed to: [[Page 24]] S. Con. Res. 1 Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives concurring), SECTION 1. REAUTHORIZATION OF JOINT COMMITTEE. Effective from January 3, 2017, the joint committee created by Senate Concurrent Resolution 28 (114th Congress), to make the necessary arrangements for the inauguration of the President-elect and the Vice President-elect of the United States, is continued with the same power and authority provided for in that resolution. SEC. 2. USE OF CAPITOL. Effective from January 3, 2017, the provisions of Senate Concurrent Resolution 29 (114th Congress), to authorize the use of the rotunda and Emancipation Hall of the Capitol by the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies in connection with the proceedings and ceremonies conducted for the inauguration of the President-elect and the Vice President-elect of the United States are continued with the same power and authority provided for in that resolution. ____________________ SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 2--TO PROVIDE FOR THE COUNTING ON JANUARY 6, 2017, OF THE ELECTORAL VOTES FOR PRESIDENT AND VICE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES Mr. McCONNELL submitted the following concurrent resolution; which was considered and agreed to: S. Con. Res. 2 Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives concurring), That the two Houses of Congress shall meet in the Hall of the House of Representatives on Friday, the 6th day of January 2017, at 1 o'clock post meridian, pursuant to the requirements of the Constitution and laws relating to the election of President and Vice President of the United States, and the President of the Senate shall be their Presiding Officer; that two tellers shall be previously appointed by the President of the Senate on the part of the Senate and two by the Speaker on the part of the House of Representatives, to whom shall be handed, as they are opened by the President of the Senate, all the certificates and papers purporting to be certificates of the electoral votes, which certificates and papers shall be opened, presented, and acted upon in the alphabetical order of the States, beginning with the letter ``A''; and said tellers, having then read the same in the presence and hearing of the two Houses, shall make a list of the votes as they shall appear from said certificates; and the votes having been ascertained and counted in the manner and according to the rules by law provided, the result of the same shall be delivered to the President of the Senate, who shall thereupon announce the state of the vote, which announcement shall be deemed a sufficient declaration of the persons, if any, elected President and Vice President of the United States, and, together with a list of the votes, be entered on the Journals of the two Houses. ____________________ SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 3--SETTING FORTH THE CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET FOR THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2017 AND SETTING FORTH THE APPROPRIATE BUDGETARY LEVELS FOR FISCAL YEARS 2018 THROUGH 2026 Mr. ENZI submitted the following concurrent resolution; which was placed on the calendar: S. Con. Res. 3 Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives concurring), SECTION 1. CONCURRENT RESOLUTION ON THE BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 2017. (a) Declaration.--Congress declares that this resolution is the concurrent resolution on the budget for fiscal year 2017 and that this resolution sets forth the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2018 through 2026. (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this concurrent resolution is as follows: Sec. 1. Concurrent resolution on the budget for fiscal year 2017. TITLE I--RECOMMENDED LEVELS AND AMOUNTS Subtitle A--Budgetary Levels in Both Houses Sec. 1101. Recommended levels and amounts. Sec. 1102. Major functional categories. Subtitle B--Levels and Amounts in the Senate Sec. 1201. Social Security in the Senate. Sec. 1202. Postal Service discretionary administrative expenses in the Senate. TITLE II--RECONCILIATION Sec. 2001. Reconciliation in the Senate. Sec. 2002. Reconciliation in the House of Representatives. TITLE III--RESERVE FUNDS Sec. 3001. Deficit-neutral reserve fund for health care legislation. Sec. 3002. Reserve fund for health care legislation. TITLE IV--OTHER MATTERS Sec. 4001. Enforcement filing. Sec. 4002. Budgetary treatment of administrative expenses. Sec. 4003. Application and effect of changes in allocations and aggregates. Sec. 4004. Exercise of rulemaking powers. TITLE I--RECOMMENDED LEVELS AND AMOUNTS Subtitle A--Budgetary Levels in Both Houses SEC. 1101. RECOMMENDED LEVELS AND AMOUNTS. The following budgetary levels are appropriate for each of fiscal years 2017 through 2026: (1) Federal revenues.--For purposes of the enforcement of this resolution: (A) The recommended levels of Federal revenues are as follows: Fiscal year 2017: $2,682,088,000,000. Fiscal year 2018: $2,787,834,000,000. Fiscal year 2019: $2,884,637,000,000. Fiscal year 2020: $3,012,645,000,000. Fiscal year 2021: $3,131,369,000,000. Fiscal year 2022: $3,262,718,000,000. Fiscal year 2023: $3,402,888,000,000. Fiscal year 2024: $3,556,097,000,000. Fiscal year 2025: $3,727,756,000,000. Fiscal year 2026: $3,903,628,000,000. (B) The amounts by which the aggregate levels of Federal revenues should be changed are as follows: Fiscal year 2017: $0. Fiscal year 2018: $0. Fiscal year 2019: $0. Fiscal year 2020: $0. Fiscal year 2021: $0. Fiscal year 2022: $0. Fiscal year 2023: $0. Fiscal year 2024: $0. Fiscal year 2025: $0. Fiscal year 2026: $0. (2) New budget authority.--For purposes of the enforcement of this resolution, the appropriate levels of total new budget authority are as follows: Fiscal year 2017: $3,308,000,000,000. Fiscal year 2018: $3,350,010,000,000. Fiscal year 2019: $3,590,479,000,000. Fiscal year 2020: $3,779,449,000,000. Fiscal year 2021: $3,947,834,000,000. Fiscal year 2022: $4,187,893,000,000. Fiscal year 2023: $4,336,952,000,000. Fiscal year 2024: $4,473,818,000,000. Fiscal year 2025: $4,726,484,000,000. Fiscal year 2026: $4,961,154,000,000. (3) Budget outlays.--For purposes of the enforcement of this resolution, the appropriate levels of total budget outlays are as follows: Fiscal year 2017: $3,264,662,000,000. Fiscal year 2018: $3,329,394,000,000. Fiscal year 2019: $3,558,237,000,000. Fiscal year 2020: $3,741,304,000,000. Fiscal year 2021: $3,916,533,000,000. Fiscal year 2022: $4,159,803,000,000. Fiscal year 2023: $4,295,742,000,000. Fiscal year 2024: $4,419,330,000,000. Fiscal year 2025: $4,673,813,000,000. Fiscal year 2026: $4,912,205,000,000. (4) Deficits.--For purposes of the enforcement of this resolution, the amounts of the deficits are as follows: Fiscal year 2017: $582,574,000,000. Fiscal year 2018: $541,560,000,000. Fiscal year 2019: $673,600,000,000. Fiscal year 2020: $728,659,000,000. Fiscal year 2021: $785,164,000,000. Fiscal year 2022: $897,085,000,000. Fiscal year 2023: $892,854,000,000. Fiscal year 2024: $863,233,000,000. Fiscal year 2025: $946,057,000,000. Fiscal year 2026: $1,008,577,000,000. (5) Public debt.--Pursuant to section 301(a)(5) of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 (2 U.S.C. 632(a)(5)), the appropriate levels of the public debt are as follows: Fiscal year 2017: $20,034,788,000,000. Fiscal year 2018: $20,784,183,000,000. Fiscal year 2019: $21,625,729,000,000. Fiscal year 2020: $22,504,763,000,000. Fiscal year 2021: $23,440,271,000,000. Fiscal year 2022: $24,509,421,000,000. Fiscal year 2023: $25,605,527,000,000. Fiscal year 2024: $26,701,273,000,000. Fiscal year 2025: $27,869,175,000,000. Fiscal year 2026: $29,126,158,000,000. (6) Debt held by the public.--The appropriate levels of debt held by the public are as follows: Fiscal year 2017: $14,593,316,000,000. Fiscal year 2018: $15,198,740,000,000. Fiscal year 2019: $15,955,144,000,000. Fiscal year 2020: $16,791,740,000,000. Fiscal year 2021: $17,713,599,000,000. Fiscal year 2022: $18,787,230,000,000. Fiscal year 2023: $19,901,290,000,000. Fiscal year 2024: $21,033,163,000,000. Fiscal year 2025: $22,301,661,000,000. Fiscal year 2026: $23,691,844,000,000. SEC. 1102. MAJOR FUNCTIONAL CATEGORIES. Congress determines and declares that the appropriate levels of new budget authority [[Page 25]] and outlays for fiscal years 2017 through 2026 for each major functional category are: (1) National Defense (050): Fiscal year 2017: (A) New budget authority, $623,910,000,000. (B) Outlays, $603,716,000,000. Fiscal year 2018: (A) New budget authority, $618,347,000,000. (B) Outlays, $601,646,000,000. Fiscal year 2019: (A) New budget authority, $632,742,000,000. (B) Outlays, $617,943,000,000. Fiscal year 2020: (A) New budget authority, $648,198,000,000. (B) Outlays, $632,435,000,000. Fiscal year 2021: (A) New budget authority, $663,703,000,000. (B) Outlays, $646,853,000,000. Fiscal year 2022: (A) New budget authority, $679,968,000,000. (B) Outlays, $666,926,000,000. Fiscal year 2023: (A) New budget authority, $696,578,000,000. (B) Outlays, $678,139,000,000. Fiscal year 2024: (A) New budget authority, $713,664,000,000. (B) Outlays, $689,531,000,000. Fiscal year 2025: (A) New budget authority, $731,228,000,000. (B) Outlays, $711,423,000,000. Fiscal year 2026: (A) New budget authority, $750,069,000,000. (B) Outlays, $729,616,000,000. (2) International Affairs (150): Fiscal year 2017: (A) New budget authority, $61,996,000,000. (B) Outlays, $51,907,000,000. Fiscal year 2018: (A) New budget authority, $60,099,000,000. (B) Outlays, $53,541,000,000. Fiscal year 2019: (A) New budget authority, $61,097,000,000. (B) Outlays, $55,800,000,000. Fiscal year 2020: (A) New budget authority, $60,686,000,000. (B) Outlays, $57,690,000,000. Fiscal year 2021: (A) New budget authority, $61,085,000,000. (B) Outlays, $58,756,000,000. Fiscal year 2022: (A) New budget authority, $62,576,000,000. (B) Outlays, $60,205,000,000. Fiscal year 2023: (A) New budget authority, $64,141,000,000. (B) Outlays, $61,513,000,000. Fiscal year 2024: (A) New budget authority, $65,588,000,000. (B) Outlays, $62,705,000,000. Fiscal year 2025: (A) New budget authority, $67,094,000,000. (B) Outlays, $63,915,000,000. Fiscal year 2026: (A) New budget authority, $68,692,000,000. (B) Outlays, $65,305,000,000. (3) General Science, Space, and Technology (250): Fiscal year 2017: (A) New budget authority, $31,562,000,000. (B) Outlays, $30,988,000,000. Fiscal year 2018: (A) New budget authority, $32,787,000,000. (B) Outlays, $32,225,000,000. Fiscal year 2019: (A) New budget authority, $33,476,000,000. (B) Outlays, $32,978,000,000. Fiscal year 2020: (A) New budget authority, $34,202,000,000. (B) Outlays, $33,645,000,000. Fiscal year 2021: (A) New budget authority, $34,961,000,000. (B) Outlays, $34,313,000,000. Fiscal year 2022: (A) New budget authority, $35,720,000,000. (B) Outlays, $35,038,000,000. Fiscal year 2023: (A) New budget authority, $36,516,000,000. (B) Outlays, $35,812,000,000. Fiscal year 2024: (A) New budget authority, $37,318,000,000. (B) Outlays, $36,580,000,000. Fiscal year 2025: (A) New budget authority, $38,151,000,000. (B) Outlays, $37,393,000,000. Fiscal year 2026: (A) New budget authority, $39,021,000,000. (B) Outlays, $38,238,000,000. (4) Energy (270): Fiscal year 2017: (A) New budget authority, $4,773,000,000. (B) Outlays, $3,455,000,000. Fiscal year 2018: (A) New budget authority, $4,509,000,000. (B) Outlays, $3,495,000,000. Fiscal year 2019: (A) New budget authority, $4,567,000,000. (B) Outlays, $4,058,000,000. Fiscal year 2020: (A) New budget authority, $4,975,000,000. (B) Outlays, $4,456,000,000. Fiscal year 2021: (A) New budget authority, $5,109,000,000. (B) Outlays, $4,523,000,000. Fiscal year 2022: (A) New budget authority, $5,019,000,000. (B) Outlays, $4,332,000,000. Fiscal year 2023: (A) New budget authority, $4,083,000,000. (B) Outlays, $3,337,000,000. Fiscal year 2024: (A) New budget authority, $3,590,000,000. (B) Outlays, $2,796,000,000. Fiscal year 2025: (A) New budget authority, $3,608,000,000. (B) Outlays, $2,755,000,000. Fiscal year 2026: (A) New budget authority, $5,955,000,000. (B) Outlays, $5,124,000,000. (5) Natural Resources and Environment (300): Fiscal year 2017: (A) New budget authority, $41,264,000,000. (B) Outlays, $42,254,000,000. Fiscal year 2018: (A) New budget authority, $43,738,000,000. (B) Outlays, $44,916,000,000. Fiscal year 2019: (A) New budget authority, $44,486,000,000. (B) Outlays, $45,425,000,000. Fiscal year 2020: (A) New budget authority, $46,201,000,000. (B) Outlays, $46,647,000,000. Fiscal year 2021: (A) New budget authority, $47,126,000,000. (B) Outlays, $47,457,000,000. Fiscal year 2022: (A) New budget authority, $48,203,000,000. (B) Outlays, $48,388,000,000. Fiscal year 2023: (A) New budget authority, $49,403,000,000. (B) Outlays, $49,536,000,000. Fiscal year 2024: (A) New budget authority, $50,497,000,000. (B) Outlays, $50,055,000,000. Fiscal year 2025: (A) New budget authority, $51,761,000,000. (B) Outlays, $51,164,000,000. Fiscal year 2026: (A) New budget authority, $53,017,000,000. (B) Outlays, $51,915,000,000. (6) Agriculture (350): Fiscal year 2017: (A) New budget authority, $25,214,000,000. (B) Outlays, $24,728,000,000. Fiscal year 2018: (A) New budget authority, $26,148,000,000. (B) Outlays, $24,821,000,000. Fiscal year 2019: (A) New budget authority, $23,483,000,000. (B) Outlays, $21,927,000,000. Fiscal year 2020: (A) New budget authority, $22,438,000,000. (B) Outlays, $21,751,000,000. Fiscal year 2021: (A) New budget authority, $22,834,000,000. (B) Outlays, $22,179,000,000. Fiscal year 2022: (A) New budget authority, $22,600,000,000. (B) Outlays, $21,984,000,000. Fiscal year 2023: (A) New budget authority, $23,037,000,000. (B) Outlays, $22,437,000,000. Fiscal year 2024: (A) New budget authority, $23,018,000,000. (B) Outlays, $22,409,000,000. Fiscal year 2025: (A) New budget authority, $23,343,000,000. (B) Outlays, $22,714,000,000. Fiscal year 2026: (A) New budget authority, $23,812,000,000. (B) Outlays, $23,192,000,000. (7) Commerce and Housing Credit (370): Fiscal year 2017: (A) New budget authority, $14,696,000,000. (B) Outlays, $666,000,000. Fiscal year 2018: (A) New budget authority, $16,846,000,000. (B) Outlays, $1,378,000,000. Fiscal year 2019: (A) New budget authority, $18,171,000,000. (B) Outlays, $5,439,000,000. Fiscal year 2020: (A) New budget authority, $15,799,000,000. (B) Outlays, $2,666,000,000. Fiscal year 2021: (A) New budget authority, $14,821,000,000. (B) Outlays, $915,000,000. Fiscal year 2022: (A) New budget authority, $15,408,000,000. (B) Outlays, $674,000,000. Fiscal year 2023: (A) New budget authority, $15,739,000,000. (B) Outlays, -$840,000,000. Fiscal year 2024: (A) New budget authority, $16,143,000,000. (B) Outlays, -$1,688,000,000. Fiscal year 2025: (A) New budget authority, $17,889,000,000. (B) Outlays, -$2,003,000,000. Fiscal year 2026: (A) New budget authority, $17,772,000,000. (B) Outlays, -$2,238,000,000. (8) Transportation (400): Fiscal year 2017: (A) New budget authority, $92,782,000,000. (B) Outlays, $91,684,000,000. Fiscal year 2018: (A) New budget authority, $94,400,000,000. (B) Outlays, $93,214,000,000. Fiscal year 2019: (A) New budget authority, $96,522,000,000. (B) Outlays, $95,683,000,000. Fiscal year 2020: (A) New budget authority, $91,199,000,000. (B) Outlays, $97,992,000,000. Fiscal year 2021: (A) New budget authority, $92,154,000,000. (B) Outlays, $99,772,000,000. Fiscal year 2022: (A) New budget authority, $93,111,000,000. (B) Outlays, $101,692,000,000. Fiscal year 2023: (A) New budget authority, $94,118,000,000. (B) Outlays, $103,431,000,000. Fiscal year 2024: (A) New budget authority, $95,143,000,000. (B) Outlays, $105,313,000,000. Fiscal year 2025: (A) New budget authority, $96,209,000,000. (B) Outlays, $107,374,000,000. Fiscal year 2026: (A) New budget authority, $97,323,000,000. (B) Outlays, $109,188,000,000. [[Page 26]] (9) Community and Regional Development (450): Fiscal year 2017: (A) New budget authority, $19,723,000,000. (B) Outlays, $22,477,000,000. Fiscal year 2018: (A) New budget authority, $19,228,000,000. (B) Outlays, $21,277,000,000. Fiscal year 2019: (A) New budget authority, $19,457,000,000. (B) Outlays, $20,862,000,000. Fiscal year 2020: (A) New budget authority, $19,941,000,000. (B) Outlays, $20,011,000,000. Fiscal year 2021: (A) New budget authority, $20,384,000,000. (B) Outlays, $21,048,000,000. Fiscal year 2022: (A) New budget authority, $20,825,000,000. (B) Outlays, $19,831,000,000. Fiscal year 2023: (A) New budget authority, $21,288,000,000. (B) Outlays, $19,535,000,000. Fiscal year 2024: (A) New budget authority, $21,756,000,000. (B) Outlays, $19,787,000,000. Fiscal year 2025: (A) New budget authority, $22,245,000,000. (B) Outlays, $19,285,000,000. Fiscal year 2026: (A) New budget authority, $22,751,000,000. (B) Outlays, $20,037,000,000. (10) Education, Training, Employment, and Social Services (500): Fiscal year 2017: (A) New budget authority, $104,433,000,000. (B) Outlays, $104,210,000,000. Fiscal year 2018: (A) New budget authority, $108,980,000,000. (B) Outlays, $112,802,000,000. Fiscal year 2019: (A) New budget authority, $112,424,000,000. (B) Outlays, $110,765,000,000. Fiscal year 2020: (A) New budget authority, $114,905,000,000. (B) Outlays, $113,377,000,000. Fiscal year 2021: (A) New budget authority, $116,921,000,000. (B) Outlays, $115,591,000,000. Fiscal year 2022: (A) New budget authority, $119,027,000,000. (B) Outlays, $117,545,000,000. Fiscal year 2023: (A) New budget authority, $121,298,000,000. (B) Outlays, $119,761,000,000. Fiscal year 2024: (A) New budget authority, $123,621,000,000. (B) Outlays, $122,001,000,000. Fiscal year 2025: (A) New budget authority, $126,016,000,000. (B) Outlays, $124,359,000,000. Fiscal year 2026: (A) New budget authority, $128,391,000,000. (B) Outlays, $126,748,000,000. (11) Health (550): Fiscal year 2017: (A) New budget authority, $562,137,000,000. (B) Outlays, $560,191,000,000. Fiscal year 2018: (A) New budget authority, $583,006,000,000. (B) Outlays, $593,197,000,000. Fiscal year 2019: (A) New budget authority, $615,940,000,000. (B) Outlays, $618,089,000,000. Fiscal year 2020: (A) New budget authority, $655,892,000,000. (B) Outlays, $645,814,000,000. Fiscal year 2021: (A) New budget authority, $677,902,000,000. (B) Outlays, $676,781,000,000. Fiscal year 2022: (A) New budget authority, $711,176,000,000. (B) Outlays, $709,301,000,000. Fiscal year 2023: (A) New budget authority, $744,335,000,000. (B) Outlays, $742,568,000,000. Fiscal year 2024: (A) New budget authority, $780,899,000,000. (B) Outlays, $778,293,000,000. Fiscal year 2025: (A) New budget authority, $818,388,000,000. (B) Outlays, $815,246,000,000. Fiscal year 2026: (A) New budget authority, $857,176,000,000. (B) Outlays, $853,880,000,000. (12) Medicare (570): Fiscal year 2017: (A) New budget authority, $600,857,000,000. (B) Outlays, $600,836,000,000. Fiscal year 2018: (A) New budget authority, $600,832,000,000. (B) Outlays, $600,762,000,000. Fiscal year 2019: (A) New budget authority, $667,638,000,000. (B) Outlays, $667,571,000,000. Fiscal year 2020: (A) New budget authority, $716,676,000,000. (B) Outlays, $716,575,000,000. Fiscal year 2021: (A) New budget authority, $767,911,000,000. (B) Outlays, $767,814,000,000. Fiscal year 2022: (A) New budget authority, $862,042,000,000. (B) Outlays, $861,941,000,000. Fiscal year 2023: (A) New budget authority, $886,515,000,000. (B) Outlays, $886,407,000,000. Fiscal year 2024: (A) New budget authority, $903,861,000,000. (B) Outlays, $903,750,000,000. Fiscal year 2025: (A) New budget authority, $1,007,624,000,000. (B) Outlays, $1,007,510,000,000. Fiscal year 2026: (A) New budget authority, $1,085,293,000,000. (B) Outlays, $1,085,173,000,000. (13) Income Security (600): Fiscal year 2017: (A) New budget authority, $518,181,000,000. (B) Outlays, $511,658,000,000. Fiscal year 2018: (A) New budget authority, $524,233,000,000. (B) Outlays, $511,612,000,000. Fiscal year 2019: (A) New budget authority, $542,725,000,000. (B) Outlays, $534,067,000,000. Fiscal year 2020: (A) New budget authority, $558,241,000,000. (B) Outlays, $549,382,000,000. Fiscal year 2021: (A) New budget authority, $571,963,000,000. (B) Outlays, $563,481,000,000. Fiscal year 2022: (A) New budget authority, $590,120,000,000. (B) Outlays, $587,572,000,000. Fiscal year 2023: (A) New budget authority, $599,505,000,000. (B) Outlays, $592,338,000,000. Fiscal year 2024: (A) New budget authority, $609,225,000,000. (B) Outlays, $597,287,000,000. Fiscal year 2025: (A) New budget authority, $630,433,000,000. (B) Outlays, $619,437,000,000. Fiscal year 2026: (A) New budget authority, $646,660,000,000. (B) Outlays, $641,957,000,000. (14) Social Security (650): Fiscal year 2017: (A) New budget authority, $37,199,000,000. (B) Outlays, $37,227,000,000. Fiscal year 2018: (A) New budget authority, $40,124,000,000. (B) Outlays, $40,141,000,000. Fiscal year 2019: (A) New budget authority, $43,373,000,000. (B) Outlays, $43,373,000,000. Fiscal year 2020: (A) New budget authority, $46,627,000,000. (B) Outlays, $46,627,000,000. Fiscal year 2021: (A) New budget authority, $50,035,000,000. (B) Outlays, $50,035,000,000. Fiscal year 2022: (A) New budget authority, $53,677,000,000. (B) Outlays, $53,677,000,000. Fiscal year 2023: (A) New budget authority, $57,540,000,000. (B) Outlays, $57,540,000,000. Fiscal year 2024: (A) New budget authority, $61,645,000,000. (B) Outlays, $61,645,000,000. Fiscal year 2025: (A) New budget authority, $66,076,000,000. (B) Outlays, $66,076,000,000. Fiscal year 2026: (A) New budget authority, $70,376,000,000. (B) Outlays, $70,376,000,000. (15) Veterans Benefits and Services (700): Fiscal year 2017: (A) New budget authority, $177,448,000,000. (B) Outlays, $182,448,000,000. Fiscal year 2018: (A) New budget authority, $178,478,000,000. (B) Outlays, $179,109,000,000. Fiscal year 2019: (A) New budget authority, $193,088,000,000. (B) Outlays, $192,198,000,000. Fiscal year 2020: (A) New budget authority, $199,907,000,000. (B) Outlays, $198,833,000,000. Fiscal year 2021: (A) New budget authority, $206,700,000,000. (B) Outlays, $205,667,000,000. Fiscal year 2022: (A) New budget authority, $223,542,000,000. (B) Outlays, $222,308,000,000. Fiscal year 2023: (A) New budget authority, $221,861,000,000. (B) Outlays, $220,563,000,000. Fiscal year 2024: (A) New budget authority, $219,382,000,000. (B) Outlays, $218,147,000,000. Fiscal year 2025: (A) New budget authority, $237,641,000,000. (B) Outlays, $236,254,000,000. Fiscal year 2026: (A) New budget authority, $245,565,000,000. (B) Outlays, $244,228,000,000. (16) Administration of Justice (750): Fiscal year 2017: (A) New budget authority, $64,519,000,000. (B) Outlays, $58,662,000,000. Fiscal year 2018: (A) New budget authority, $62,423,000,000. (B) Outlays, $63,800,000,000. Fiscal year 2019: (A) New budget authority, $62,600,000,000. (B) Outlays, $66,596,000,000. Fiscal year 2020: (A) New budget authority, $64,168,000,000. (B) Outlays, $69,555,000,000. Fiscal year 2021: (A) New budget authority, $65,134,000,000. (B) Outlays, $68,538,000,000. Fiscal year 2022: (A) New budget authority, $66,776,000,000. (B) Outlays, $67,691,000,000. Fiscal year 2023: (A) New budget authority, $68,489,000,000. (B) Outlays, $68,466,000,000. Fiscal year 2024: (A) New budget authority, $70,227,000,000. (B) Outlays, $69,976,000,000. Fiscal year 2025: (A) New budget authority, $72,023,000,000. (B) Outlays, $71,615,000,000. Fiscal year 2026: (A) New budget authority, $79,932,000,000. (B) Outlays, $80,205,000,000. (17) General Government (800): Fiscal year 2017: [[Page 27]] (A) New budget authority, $25,545,000,000. (B) Outlays, $24,318,000,000. Fiscal year 2018: (A) New budget authority, $27,095,000,000. (B) Outlays, $25,884,000,000. Fiscal year 2019: (A) New budget authority, $27,620,000,000. (B) Outlays, $26,584,000,000. Fiscal year 2020: (A) New budget authority, $28,312,000,000. (B) Outlays, $27,576,000,000. Fiscal year 2021: (A) New budget authority, $29,046,000,000. (B) Outlays, $28,366,000,000. Fiscal year 2022: (A) New budget authority, $29,787,000,000. (B) Outlays, $29,149,000,000. Fiscal year 2023: (A) New budget authority, $30,519,000,000. (B) Outlays, $29,886,000,000. Fiscal year 2024: (A) New budget authority, $31,101,000,000. (B) Outlays, $30,494,000,000. Fiscal year 2025: (A) New budget authority, $31,942,000,000. (B) Outlays, $31,248,000,000. Fiscal year 2026: (A) New budget authority, $32,789,000,000. (B) Outlays, $32,071,000,000. (18) Net Interest (900): Fiscal year 2017: (A) New budget authority, $393,295,000,000. (B) Outlays, $393,295,000,000. Fiscal year 2018: (A) New budget authority, $453,250,000,000. (B) Outlays, $453,250,000,000. Fiscal year 2019: (A) New budget authority, $526,618,000,000. (B) Outlays, $526,618,000,000. Fiscal year 2020: (A) New budget authority, $590,571,000,000. (B) Outlays, $590,571,000,000. Fiscal year 2021: (A) New budget authority, $645,719,000,000. (B) Outlays, $645,719,000,000. Fiscal year 2022: (A) New budget authority, $698,101,000,000. (B) Outlays, $698,101,000,000. Fiscal year 2023: (A) New budget authority, $755,288,000,000. (B) Outlays, $755,288,000,000. Fiscal year 2024: (A) New budget authority, $806,202,000,000. (B) Outlays, $806,202,000,000. Fiscal year 2025: (A) New budget authority, $854,104,000,000. (B) Outlays, $854,104,000,000. Fiscal year 2026: (A) New budget authority, $903,443,000,000. (B) Outlays, $903,443,000,000. (19) Allowances (920): Fiscal year 2017: (A) New budget authority, -$3,849,000,000. (B) Outlays, $7,627,000,000. Fiscal year 2018: (A) New budget authority, -$56,166,000,000. (B) Outlays, -$39,329,000,000. Fiscal year 2019: (A) New budget authority, -$55,423,000,000. (B) Outlays, -$47,614,000,000. Fiscal year 2020: (A) New budget authority, -$58,021,000,000. (B) Outlays, -$52,831,000,000. Fiscal year 2021: (A) New budget authority, -$61,491,000,000. (B) Outlays, -$57,092,000,000. Fiscal year 2022: (A) New budget authority, -$63,493,000,000. (B) Outlays, -$60,260,000,000. Fiscal year 2023: (A) New budget authority, -$65,783,000,000. (B) Outlays, -$62,457,000,000. Fiscal year 2024: (A) New budget authority, -$67,817,000,000. (B) Outlays, -$64,708,000,000. Fiscal year 2025: (A) New budget authority, -$70,127,000,000. (B) Outlays, -$66,892,000,000. Fiscal year 2026: (A) New budget authority, -$69,097,000,000. (B) Outlays, -$68,467,000,000. (20) Undistributed Offsetting Receipts (950): Fiscal year 2017: (A) New budget authority, -$87,685,000,000. (B) Outlays, -$87,685,000,000. Fiscal year 2018: (A) New budget authority, -$88,347,000,000. (B) Outlays, -$88,347,000,000. Fiscal year 2019: (A) New budget authority, -$80,125,000,000. (B) Outlays, -$80,125,000,000. Fiscal year 2020: (A) New budget authority, -$81,468,000,000. (B) Outlays, -$81,468,000,000. Fiscal year 2021: (A) New budget authority, -$84,183,000,000. (B) Outlays, -$84,183,000,000. Fiscal year 2022: (A) New budget authority, -$86,292,000,000. (B) Outlays, -$86,292,000,000. Fiscal year 2023: (A) New budget authority, -$87,518,000,000. (B) Outlays, -$87,518,000,000. Fiscal year 2024: (A) New budget authority, -$91,245,000,000. (B) Outlays, -$91,245,000,000. Fiscal year 2025: (A) New budget authority, -$99,164,000,000. (B) Outlays, -$99,164,000,000. Fiscal year 2026: (A) New budget authority, -$97,786,000,000. (B) Outlays, -$97,786,000,000. Subtitle B--Levels and Amounts in the Senate SEC. 1201. SOCIAL SECURITY IN THE SENATE. (a) Social Security Revenues.--For purposes of Senate enforcement under sections 302 and 311 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 (2 U.S.C. 633 and 642), the amounts of revenues of the Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund and the Federal Disability Insurance Trust Fund are as follows: Fiscal year 2017: $826,048,000,000. Fiscal year 2018: $857,618,000,000. Fiscal year 2019: $886,810,000,000. Fiscal year 2020: $918,110,000,000. Fiscal year 2021: $950,341,000,000. Fiscal year 2022: $984,537,000,000. Fiscal year 2023: $1,020,652,000,000. Fiscal year 2024: $1,058,799,000,000. Fiscal year 2025: $1,097,690,000,000. Fiscal year 2026: $1,138,243,000,000. (b) Social Security Outlays.--For purposes of Senate enforcement under sections 302 and 311 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 (2 U.S.C. 633 and 642), the amounts of outlays of the Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund and the Federal Disability Insurance Trust Fund are as follows: Fiscal year 2017: $805,366,000,000. Fiscal year 2018: $857,840,000,000. Fiscal year 2019: $916,764,000,000. Fiscal year 2020: $980,634,000,000. Fiscal year 2021: $1,049,127,000,000. Fiscal year 2022: $1,123,266,000,000. Fiscal year 2023: $1,200,734,000,000. Fiscal year 2024: $1,281,840,000,000. Fiscal year 2025: $1,369,403,000,000. Fiscal year 2026: $1,463,057,000,000. (c) Social Security Administrative Expenses.--In the Senate, the amounts of new budget authority and budget outlays of the Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund and the Federal Disability Insurance Trust Fund for administrative expenses are as follows: Fiscal year 2017: (A) New budget authority, $5,663,000,000. (B) Outlays, $5,673,000,000. Fiscal year 2018: (A) New budget authority, $6,021,000,000. (B) Outlays, $5,987,000,000. Fiscal year 2019: (A) New budget authority, $6,205,000,000. (B) Outlays, $6,170,000,000. Fiscal year 2020: (A) New budget authority, $6,393,000,000. (B) Outlays, $6,357,000,000. Fiscal year 2021: (A) New budget authority, $6,589,000,000. (B) Outlays, $6,552,000,000. Fiscal year 2022: (A) New budget authority, $6,787,000,000. (B) Outlays, $6,750,000,000. Fiscal year 2023: (A) New budget authority, $6,992,000,000. (B) Outlays, $6,953,000,000. Fiscal year 2024: (A) New budget authority, $7,206,000,000. (B) Outlays, $7,166,000,000. Fiscal year 2025: (A) New budget authority, $7,428,000,000. (B) Outlays, $7,387,000,000. Fiscal year 2026: (A) New budget authority, $7,659,000,000. (B) Outlays, $7,615,000,000. SEC. 1202. POSTAL SERVICE DISCRETIONARY ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES IN THE SENATE. In the Senate, the amounts of new budget authority and budget outlays of the Postal Service for discretionary administrative expenses are as follows: Fiscal year 2017: (A) New budget authority, $274,000,000. (B) Outlays, $273,000,000. Fiscal year 2018: (A) New budget authority, $283,000,000. (B) Outlays, $283,000,000. Fiscal year 2019: (A) New budget authority, $294,000,000. (B) Outlays, $294,000,000. Fiscal year 2020: (A) New budget authority, $304,000,000. (B) Outlays, $304,000,000. Fiscal year 2021: (A) New budget authority, $315,000,000. (B) Outlays, $315,000,000. Fiscal year 2022: (A) New budget authority, $326,000,000. (B) Outlays, $325,000,000. Fiscal year 2023: (A) New budget authority, $337,000,000. (B) Outlays, $337,000,000. Fiscal year 2024: (A) New budget authority, $350,000,000. (B) Outlays, $349,000,000. Fiscal year 2025: (A) New budget authority, $361,000,000. (B) Outlays, $360,000,000. Fiscal year 2026: (A) New budget authority, $374,000,000. (B) Outlays, $373,000,000. TITLE II--RECONCILIATION SEC. 2001. RECONCILIATION IN THE SENATE. (a) Committee on Finance.--The Committee on Finance of the Senate shall report changes in laws within its jurisdiction to reduce the deficit by not less than $1,000,000,000 for the period of fiscal years 2017 through 2026. (b) Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.-- The Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate shall report changes in laws within its jurisdiction to reduce the deficit by not less than $1,000,000,000 for the period of fiscal years 2017 through 2026. (c) Submissions.--In the Senate, not later than January 27, 2017, the Committees named in subsections (a) and (b) shall submit [[Page 28]] their recommendations to the Committee on the Budget of the Senate. Upon receiving all such recommendations, the Committee on the Budget of the Senate shall report to the Senate a reconciliation bill carrying out all such recommendations without any substantive revision. SEC. 2002. RECONCILIATION IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. (a) Committee on Energy and Commerce.--The Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives shall submit changes in laws within its jurisdiction to reduce the deficit by not less than $1,000,000,000 for the period of fiscal years 2017 through 2026. (b) Committee on Ways and Means.--The Committee on Ways and Means of the House of Representatives shall submit changes in laws within its jurisdiction to reduce the deficit by not less than $1,000,000,000 for the period of fiscal years 2017 through 2026. (c) Submissions.--In the House of Representatives, not later than January 27, 2017, the committees named in subsections (a) and (b) shall submit their recommendations to the Committee on the Budget of the House of Representatives to carry out this section. TITLE III--RESERVE FUNDS SEC. 3001. DEFICIT-NEUTRAL RESERVE FUND FOR HEALTH CARE LEGISLATION. The Chairman of the Committee on the Budget of the Senate and the Chairman of the Committee on the Budget of the House of Representatives may revise the allocations of a committee or committees, aggregates, and other appropriate levels in this resolution, and, in the Senate, make adjustments to the pay-as-you-go ledger, for-- (1) in the Senate, one or more bills, joint resolutions, amendments, amendments between the Houses, conference reports, or motions related to health care by the amounts provided in such legislation for that purpose, provided that such legislation would not increase the deficit over the period of the total of fiscal years 2017 through 2026; and (2) in the House of Representatives, one or more bills, joint resolutions, amendments, or conference reports related to health care by the amounts provided in such legislation for that purpose, provided that such legislation would not increase the deficit over the period of the total of fiscal years 2017 through 2026. SEC. 3002. RESERVE FUND FOR HEALTH CARE LEGISLATION. (a) In General.--The Chairman of the Committee on the Budget of the Senate and the Chairman of the Committee on the Budget of the House of Representatives may revise the allocations of a committee or committees, aggregates, and other appropriate levels in this resolution, and, in the Senate, make adjustments to the pay-as-you-go ledger, for-- (1) in the Senate, one or more bills, joint resolutions, amendments, amendments between the Houses, conference reports, or motions related to health care by the amounts necessary to accommodate the budgetary effects of the legislation, provided that the cost of such legislation, when combined with the cost of any other measure with respect to which the Chairman has exercised the authority under this paragraph, does not exceed the difference obtained by subtracting-- (A) $2,000,000,000; from (B) the sum of deficit reduction over the period of the total of fiscal years 2017 through 2026 achieved under any measure or measures with respect to which the Chairman has exercised the authority under section 3001(1); and (2) in the House of Representatives, one or more bills, joint resolutions, amendments, or conference reports related to health care by the amounts necessary to accommodate the budgetary effects of the legislation, provided that the cost of such legislation, when combined with the cost of any other measure with respect to which the Chairman has exercised the authority under this paragraph, does not exceed the difference obtained by subtracting-- (A) $2,000,000,000; from (B) the sum of deficit reduction over the period of the total of fiscal years 2017 through 2026 achieved under any measure or measures with respect to which the Chairman has exercised the authority under section 3001(2). (b) Exceptions From Certain Provisions.--Section 404(a) of S. Con. Res. 13 (111th Congress), the concurrent resolution on the budget for fiscal year 2010, and section 3101 of S. Con. Res. 11 (114th Congress), the concurrent resolution on the budget for fiscal year 2016, shall not apply to legislation for which the Chairman of the Committee on the Budget of the applicable House has exercised the authority under subsection (a). TITLE IV--OTHER MATTERS SEC. 4001. ENFORCEMENT FILING. (a) In the Senate.--If this concurrent resolution on the budget is agreed to by the Senate and House of Representatives without the appointment of a committee of conference on the disagreeing votes of the two Houses, the Chairman of the Committee on the Budget of the Senate may submit a statement for publication in the Congressional Record containing-- (1) for the Committee on Appropriations, committee allocations for fiscal year 2017 consistent with the levels in title I for the purpose of enforcing section 302 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 (2 U.S.C. 633); and (2) for all committees other than the Committee on Appropriations, committee allocations for fiscal years 2017, 2017 through 2021, and 2017 through 2026 consistent with the levels in title I for the purpose of enforcing section 302 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 (2 U.S.C. 633). (b) In the House of Representatives.--In the House of Representatives, if a concurrent resolution on the budget for fiscal year 2017 is adopted without the appointment of a committee of conference on the disagreeing votes of the two Houses with respect to this concurrent resolution on the budget, for the purpose of enforcing the Congressional Budget Act and applicable rules and requirements set forth in the concurrent resolution on the budget, the allocations provided for in this subsection shall apply in the House of Representatives in the same manner as if such allocations were in a joint explanatory statement accompanying a conference report on the budget for fiscal year 2017. The Chairman of the Committee on the Budget of the House of Representatives shall submit a statement for publication in the Congressional Record containing-- (1) for the Committee on Appropriations, committee allocations for fiscal year 2017 consistent with title I for the purpose of enforcing section 302 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 (2 U.S.C. 633); and (2) for all committees other than the Committee on Appropriations, committee allocations consistent with title I for fiscal year 2017 and for the period of fiscal years 2017 through 2026 for the purpose of enforcing 302 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 (2 U.S.C. 633). SEC. 4002. BUDGETARY TREATMENT OF ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES. (a) In General.--Notwithstanding section 302(a)(1) of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 (2 U.S.C. 633(a)(1)), section 13301 of the Budget Enforcement Act of 1990 (2 U.S.C. 632 note), and section 2009a of title 39, United States Code, the report accompanying this concurrent resolution on the budget, the joint explanatory statement accompanying the conference report on any concurrent resolution on the budget, or a statement filed under section 4001 shall include in an allocation under section 302(a) of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 to the Committee on Appropriations of the applicable House of Congress amounts for the discretionary administrative expenses of the Social Security Administration and the United States Postal Service. (b) Special Rule.--In the Senate and the House of Representatives, for purposes of enforcing section 302(f) of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 (2 U.S.C. 633(f)), estimates of the level of total new budget authority and total outlays provided by a measure shall include any discretionary amounts described in subsection (a). SEC. 4003. APPLICATION AND EFFECT OF CHANGES IN ALLOCATIONS AND AGGREGATES. (a) Application.--Any adjustments of allocations and aggregates made pursuant to this concurrent resolution shall-- (1) apply while that measure is under consideration; (2) take effect upon the enactment of that measure; and (3) be published in the Congressional Record as soon as practicable. (b) Effect of Changed Allocations and Aggregates.--Revised allocations and aggregates resulting from these adjustments shall be considered for the purposes of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 (2 U.S.C. 621 et seq.) as the allocations and aggregates contained in this concurrent resolution. (c) Budget Committee Determinations.--For purposes of this concurrent resolution, the levels of new budget authority, outlays, direct spending, new entitlement authority, revenues, deficits, and surpluses for a fiscal year or period of fiscal years shall be determined on the basis of estimates made by the Chairman of the Committee on the Budget of the applicable House of Congress. (d) Aggregates, Allocations and Application.--In the House of Representatives, for purposes of this concurrent resolution and budget enforcement, the consideration of any bill or joint resolution, or amendment thereto or conference report thereon, for which the Chairman of the Committee on the Budget of the House of Representatives makes adjustments or revisions in the allocations, aggregates, and other budgetary levels of this concurrent resolution shall not be subject to the points of order set forth in clause 10 of rule XXI of the Rules of the House of Representatives or section 3101 of S. Con. Res. 11 (114th Congress). SEC. 4004. EXERCISE OF RULEMAKING POWERS. Congress adopts the provisions of this title-- (1) as an exercise of the rulemaking power of the Senate and the House of Representatives, respectively, and as such they shall be considered as part of the rules of each House or of that House to which they specifically apply, and such rules shall supersede other rules only to the extent that they are inconsistent with such other rules; and (2) with full recognition of the constitutional right of either the Senate or the [[Page 29]] House of Representatives to change those rules (insofar as they relate to that House) at any time, in the same manner, and to the same extent as is the case of any other rule of the Senate or House of Representatives. ____________________ ORDERS FOR WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 4, 2017 Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate completes its business today, it adjourn until 12 noon, Wednesday, January 4; finally, that following the prayer and pledge, the morning hour be deemed expired, the Journal of proceedings be approved to date, and the time for the two leaders be reserved for their use later in the day. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. ____________________ ADJOURNMENT UNTIL TOMORROW Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, if there is no further business to come before the Senate, I ask unanimous consent that it stand adjourned under the previous order. There being no objection, the Senate, at 2:09 p.m., adjourned until Wednesday, January 4, 2017, at 12 noon. [[Page 30]] HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES--Tuesday, January 3, 2017 This being the day fixed by the 20th Amendment to the Constitution of the United States, for the meeting of the 115th Congress of the United States, the Representatives-elect met in their Hall, and at noon were called to order by the Clerk of the House of Representatives, Hon. Karen L. Haas. Very Reverend Paul Ugo Arinze, St. John Vianney Roman Catholic Church, Janesville, Wisconsin, offered the following prayer: Almighty and ever-living God, as this 115th Congress is gaveled in to begin their work for the people of this great Nation, we ask You to send down Your spirit upon the men and women of this House. Give them wisdom, so that they may lead the people of our country into peace and prosperity. Grant them an open spirit to listen to each other and to work with each other. Endow them with courage that is borne of loyalty to all that is noble and worthy; loyalty to their families, loyalty to their constituents, loyalty to the Constitution, and loyalty to our country--loyalty that scorns to compromise with vice and injustice and knows no fear when truths and rights are in jeopardy. Grant them new forms of friendship and new opportunities for service. May they always show forth in their lives and works the ideals of our country: one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Amen. Pledge of Allegiance The CLERK. The Representatives-elect and their guests will please remain standing and join in the Pledge of Allegiance. The Clerk led the Pledge of Allegiance as follows: I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. The CLERK. As directed by law, the Clerk of the House has prepared the official roll of the Representatives-elect. Certificates of election covering 435 seats in the 115th Congress have been received by the Clerk of the House, and the names of those persons whose credentials show that they were regularly elected as Representatives in accordance with the laws of their respective States or of the United States will be called. The Representatives-elect will record their presence by electronic device and their names will be reported in alphabetical order by State, beginning with the State of Alabama, to determine whether a quorum is present. Representatives-elect will have a minimum of 15 minutes to record their presence by electronic device. Representatives-elect who have not obtained their voting ID cards may do so now in the Speaker's lobby. The call was taken by electronic device, and the following Representatives-elect responded to their names: [Roll No. 1] ANSWERED ``PRESENT''--434 ALABAMA Aderholt Brooks Byrne Palmer Roby Rogers Sewell ALASKA Young ARIZONA Biggs Franks Gallego Grijalva Gosar McSally O'Halleran Sinema Schweikert ARKANSAS Crawford Hill Westerman Womack CALIFORNIA Aguilar Barragan Bass Becerra Bera Brownley Calvert Carbajal Cardenas Chu, Judy Cook Correa Costa Davis Denham DeSaulnier Eshoo Garamendi Huffman Hunter Issa Khanna Knight LaMalfa Lee Lieu, Ted Lofgren Lowenthal Matsui McCarthy McClintock McNerney Napolitano Nunes Panetta Pelosi Peters Rohrabacher Roybal-Allard Royce Ruiz Sanchez Schiff Sherman Speier Swalwell Takano Thompson Torres Valadao Vargas Walters, Mimi Waters, Maxine COLORADO Buck Coffman DeGette Lamborn Perlmutter Polis Tipton CONNECTICUT Courtney DeLauro Esty Himes Larson DELAWARE Blunt Rochester FLORIDA Bilirakis Buchanan Castor Crist Curbelo Demings DeSantis Deutch Diaz-Balart Dunn Frankel Gaetz Hastings Lawson Mast Murphy Posey Rooney, Francis Rooney, Thomas J. Ros-Lehtinen Ross Rutherford Soto Wasserman Schultz Webster Wilson Yoho GEORGIA Allen Bishop Carter Collins Ferguson Graves Hice, Jody B. Johnson Lewis Loudermilk Price, Tom Scott, Austin Scott, David Woodall HAWAII Gabbard Hanabusa IDAHO Labrador Simpson ILLINOIS Bost Bustos Davis, Danny Davis, Rodney Foster Gutierrez Hultgren Kelly Kinzinger Krishnamoorthi LaHood Lipinski Quigley Roskam Rush Schakowsky Schneider Shimkus INDIANA Banks Brooks Bucshon Carson Hollingsworth Messer Rokita Visclosky Walorski IOWA Blum King Loebsack Young KANSAS Jenkins Marshall Pompeo Yoder KENTUCKY Barr Comer Guthrie Massie Rogers Yarmuth LOUISIANA Abraham Graves Higgins Johnson Richmond Scalise MAINE Pingree Poliquin MARYLAND Brown Cummings Delaney Harris Hoyer Raskin Ruppersberger Sarbanes MASSACHUSETTS Capuano Clark Keating Kennedy Lynch McGovern Moulton Neal Tsongas MICHIGAN Amash Bergman Bishop Conyers Dingell Huizenga Kildee Lawrence Levin Mitchell Moolenaar Trott Upton Walberg MINNESOTA Ellison Emmer Lewis McCollum Nolan Paulsen Peterson Walz MISSISSIPPI Harper Kelly Palazzo Thompson MISSOURI Clay Cleaver Graves Hartzler Long Luetkemeyer Smith Wagner MONTANA Zinke NEBRASKA Bacon Fortenberry Smith NEVADA Amodei Kihuen Rosen Titus [[Page 31]] NEW HAMPSHIRE Kuster Shea-Porter NEW JERSEY Frelinghuysen Gottheimer Lance LoBiondo MacArthur Norcross Pallone Pascrell Payne Sires Smith (NJ) Watson Coleman NEW MEXICO Lujan, Ben Ray Lujan Grisham, M. Pearce NEW YORK Clarke Collins Crowley Donovan Engel Espaillat Faso Higgins Jeffries Katko King Lowey Maloney, Carolyn B. Maloney, Sean Meeks Meng Nadler Reed Rice Serrano Slaughter Stefanik Suozzi Tenney Tonko Velazquez Zeldin NORTH CAROLINA Adams Budd Butterfield Foxx Holding Hudson Jones McHenry Meadows Pittenger Price Rouzer Walker NORTH DAKOTA Cramer OHIO Beatty Chabot Davidson Fudge Gibbs Johnson Jordan Joyce Kaptur Latta Renacci Ryan Stivers Tiberi Turner Wenstrup OKLAHOMA Bridenstine Cole Lucas Mullin Russell OREGON Blumenauer Bonamici DeFazio Walden PENNSYLVANIA Barletta Boyle, Brendan F. Brady Cartwright Costello Dent Doyle, Michael F. Evans Fitzpatrick Kelly Marino Meehan Murphy Perry Rothfus Shuster Smucker Thompson RHODE ISLAND Cicilline Langevin SOUTH CAROLINA Clyburn Duncan (SC) Gowdy Mulvaney Rice (SC) Sanford Wilson (SC) SOUTH DAKOTA Noem TENNESSEE Black Blackburn Cohen Cooper DesJarlais Duncan (TN) Fleischmann Kustoff (TN) Roe (TN) TEXAS Arrington Babin Barton Brady Burgess Carter Castro Conaway Cuellar Culberson Doggett Farenthold Flores Gohmert Gonzalez Granger Green, Al Green, Gene Hensarling Hurd Jackson Lee Johnson, E. B. Johnson, Sam Marchant McCaul Olson O'Rourke Poe Ratcliffe Sessions Smith Thornberry Veasey Vela Weber Williams UTAH Bishop Chaffetz Love Stewart VERMONT Welch VIRGINIA Beyer Brat Comstock Connolly Garrett Goodlatte Griffith McEachin Scott Taylor Wittman WASHINGTON Beutler DelBene Heck Jayapal Kilmer Larsen McMorris Rodgers Newhouse Reichert Smith WEST VIRGINIA Jenkins McKinley Mooney WISCONSIN Duffy Gallagher Grothman Kind Moore Pocan Ryan Sensenbrenner WYOMING Cheney {time} 1237 The CLERK. Four hundred thirty-four Representatives-elect have recorded their presence. A quorum is present. ____________________ ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE CLERK The CLERK. Credentials, regular in form, have been received showing the election of: The Honorable Jenniffer Gonzalez-Colon as Resident Commissioner from the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico for a term of 4 years beginning January 3, 2017; The Honorable Eleanor Holmes Norton as Delegate from the District of Columbia; The Honorable Madeleine Z. Bordallo as Delegate from Guam; The Honorable Stacey E. Plaskett as Delegate from the Virgin Islands; The Honorable Amata Coleman Radewagen as Delegate from American Samoa; and The Honorable Gregorio Sablan as Delegate from the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. ____________________ ELECTION OF SPEAKER The CLERK. Pursuant to law and precedent, the next order of business is the election of the Speaker of the House of Representatives for the 115th Congress. Nominations are now in order. The Clerk recognizes the gentlewoman from Washington (Mrs. McMorris Rodgers). Mrs. McMORRIS RODGERS. Whether you are from the Evergreen State or the Badger State, we gather here on the House floor representing very diverse backgrounds and walks of life. This House, the people's House, the center of our government, is where views and beliefs of millions are represented, where ideas are considered, debated, and crafted into laws. No one understands this better than our Speaker of the House, Paul Ryan. He truly is the people's Speaker because he understands the responsibility given to this body by our Founders. It is our responsibility to protect the Constitution and the balance of power so that representative government, the rule of law, and equal opportunity for all is protected here in this Chamber by the people and for the people. Just over a year ago, when he picked up that gavel, Speaker Ryan challenged us to raise our gaze, to respect this institution and open up the legislative process which best represents the will of the people, to be accountable to the people we represent, to be men and women of integrity, to serve our country with a sense of purpose, and to empower everyone to reach their full potential. Speaker Ryan knows that the healthy competition of ideas between our passionate and talented Members is an asset of representative government. As Speaker, Paul Ryan made a commitment to getting this institution working, and as a result, we have had more conference committees and more bipartisan achievements. He put this majority to work on bold policy solutions that united us. Under his leadership, this think tank of ideas was able to find common ground without compromising conservative principles. Together, after crisscrossing our districts and listening to Americans of all walks of life, we developed A Better Way, our vision for a confident America--policies that solve the biggest challenges of our time; policies that trust people, not the government, to make their own decisions and pursue their own dreams. As Speaker Ryan said the day he was called upon for this role, ``Nothing could be more inspiring than a job well done. Nothing could stir the heart more than real, concrete results.'' In this critical moment in our Nation's history, as our unified Republican government begins to take its place, we have an opportunity to think big, to reimagine our government from the top to the bottom, and to put the people back at the center of it. It is a time to act with a sense of purpose to rebuild the American idea and reclaim the people's voice. There is no one better to lead the people's House in that calling than Paul D. Ryan. But through all of it, the man from Janesville never forgets where he came from and who he works for. He insists on calling his constituents his ``employers.'' He insists on all of us calling him ``Paul.'' But make no mistake, today and every day we are honored to call him ``Mr. Speaker.'' [[Page 32]] As chair of the Republican Conference, I am directed by the vote of that conference to present for election to the office of Speaker of the House of Representatives for the 115th Congress the name of the Honorable Paul D. Ryan, a Representative-elect from the State of Wisconsin. The CLERK. The Clerk now recognizes the gentleman from New York (Mr. Crowley). Mr. CROWLEY. Madam Clerk, first I would like to welcome back the gentlewoman from Washington State (Mrs. McMorris Rodgers) and her family, as well as welcome all of our colleagues and their families to this new session of Congress. Madam Clerk, as chair of the House Democratic Caucus, I have the honor of nominating the gentlewoman from California, Representative- elect Nancy Pelosi, as our candidate for Speaker of the House of Representatives. Madam Clerk, it is well known on both sides of the aisle and in both Chambers that Nancy Pelosi will never be outworked, outmaneuvered, or outsmarted. Under her leadership, America has made tremendous advancements. During her tenure as Speaker of the House, she successfully oversaw the rescue of the auto industry, saving over 1 million good-paying American manufacturing jobs. She was our captain when we ushered into law the Affordable Care Act, which has extended healthcare insurance to 20 million Americans and counting. But, Madam Clerk, she didn't stop there. She led the charge to enact Wall Street reform legislation to end taxpayer bailouts for big banks. But I know this, Madam Clerk, history will show that Nancy Pelosi's greatest victories will have been fought and won far beyond her Speakership. A vote for Nancy Pelosi is a vote to ensure that Congress does not undo the progress we have made over the last 8 years: a vote to ensure that health insurance companies do not go back to controlling Americans' healthcare choices, a vote to ensure Wall Street does not once again gamble away the economic future of Main Street, a vote to ensure we do not leave markets to police themselves. My friends, we cannot turn back the clock, and any attempt to do so will have to go through not just all of us on this side of the aisle, but through Nancy Pelosi. I assure you, I know that is no small task. So, in the name of fighting for our core principles and advancing the issues American workers and their families care about, and because the people's House should be ethical, accountable, and open to free debate, Madam Clerk, I am pleased to put forth the name of the Representative- elect from California, Nancy Pelosi, for Speaker of the House of Representatives for the 115th Congress. {time} 1245 The CLERK. The names of the Honorable Paul D. Ryan, a Representative- elect from the State of Wisconsin, and the Honorable Nancy Pelosi, a Representative-elect from the State of California, have been placed in nomination. Are there further nominations? There being no further nominations, the Clerk appoints the following tellers: The gentleman from Mississippi (Mr. Harper); The gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Brady); The gentlewoman from Ohio (Ms. Kaptur); and The gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Ros-Lehtinen). The tellers will come forward and take their seats at the desk in front of the Speaker's rostrum. The roll will now be called, and those responding to their names will indicate by surname the nominee of their choosing. The Reading Clerk will now call the roll. The tellers having taken their places, the House proceeded to vote for the Speaker. The following is the result of the vote: [Roll No. 2] RYAN (WI)--239 Abraham Aderholt Allen Amash Amodei Arrington Babin Bacon Banks (IN) Barletta Barr Barton Bergman Beutler Biggs Bilirakis Bishop (MI) Bishop (UT) Black Blackburn Blum Bost Brady (TX) Brat Bridenstine Brooks (AL) Brooks (IN) Buchanan Buck Bucshon Budd Burgess Byrne Calvert Carter (GA) Carter (TX) Chabot Chaffetz Cheney Coffman Cole Collins (GA) Collins (NY) Comer Comstock Conaway Cook Costello (PA) Cramer Crawford Culberson Curbelo (FL) Davidson Davis, Rodney Denham Dent DeSantis DesJarlais Diaz-Balart Donovan Duffy Duncan (SC) Duncan (TN) Dunn Emmer Farenthold Faso Ferguson Fitzpatrick Fleischmann Flores Fortenberry Foxx Franks (AZ) Frelinghuysen Gaetz Gallagher Garrett Gibbs Gohmert Goodlatte Gosar Gowdy Granger Graves (GA) Graves (LA) Graves (MO) Griffith Grothman Guthrie Harper Harris Hartzler Hensarling Hice, Jody B. Higgins (LA) Hill Holding Hollingsworth Hudson Huizenga Hultgren Hunter Hurd Issa Jenkins (KS) Jenkins (WV) Johnson (LA) Johnson (OH) Johnson, Sam Jones Jordan Joyce (OH) Katko Kelly (MS) Kelly (PA) King (IA) King (NY) Kinzinger Knight Kustoff (TN) Labrador LaHood LaMalfa Lamborn Lance Latta Lewis (MN) LoBiondo Long Loudermilk Love Lucas Luetkemeyer MacArthur Marchant Marino Marshall Mast McCarthy McCaul McClintock McHenry McKinley McMorris Rodgers McSally Meadows Meehan Messer Mitchell Moolenaar Mooney (WV) Mullin Mulvaney Murphy (PA) Newhouse Noem Nunes Olson Palazzo Palmer Paulsen Pearce Perry Pittenger Poe (TX) Poliquin Pompeo Posey Price, Tom (GA) Ratcliffe Reed Reichert Renacci Rice (SC) Roby Roe (TN) Rogers (AL) Rogers (KY) Rohrabacher Rokita Rooney, Francis Rooney, Thomas J. Ros-Lehtinen Roskam Ross Rothfus Rouzer Royce (CA) Russell Rutherford Sanford Scalise Schweikert Scott, Austin Sensenbrenner Sessions Shimkus Shuster Simpson Smith (MO) Smith (NE) Smith (NJ) Smith (TX) Smucker Stefanik Stewart Stivers Taylor Tenney Thompson (PA) Thornberry Tiberi Tipton Trott Turner Upton Valadao Wagner Walberg Walden Walker Walorski Walters, Mimi Weber (TX) Webster (FL) Wenstrup Westerman Williams Wilson (SC) Wittman Womack Woodall Yoder Yoho Young (AK) Young (IA) Zeldin Zinke PELOSI--189 Adams Aguilar Barragan Bass Beatty Becerra Bera Beyer Bishop (GA) Blumenauer Blunt Rochester Bonamici Boyle, Brendan F. Brady (PA) Brown (MD) Brownley (CA) Bustos Butterfield Capuano Carbajal Cardenas Carson (IN) Cartwright Castor (FL) Castro (TX) Chu, Judy Cicilline Clark (MA) Clarke (NY) Clay Cleaver Clyburn Cohen Connolly Conyers Correa Costa Courtney Crist Crowley Cuellar Cummings Davis (CA) Davis, Danny DeFazio DeGette Delaney DeLauro DelBene Demings DeSaulnier Deutch Dingell Doggett Doyle, Michael F. Ellison Engel Eshoo Espaillat Esty Evans Foster Frankel (FL) Fudge Gabbard Gallego Garamendi Gonzalez (TX) Gottheimer Green, Al Green, Gene Grijalva Gutierrez Hanabusa Hastings Heck Higgins (NY) Himes Hoyer Huffman Jackson Lee Jayapal Jeffries Johnson (GA) Johnson, E. B. Kaptur Keating Kelly (IL) Kennedy Khanna Kihuen Kildee Kilmer Krishnamoorthi Kuster (NH) Langevin Larsen (WA) Larson (CT) Lawrence Lawson (FL) Lee Levin Lewis (GA) Lieu, Ted Lipinski Loebsack Lofgren Lowenthal Lowey Lujan Grisham, M. Lujan, Ben Ray Lynch Maloney, Carolyn B. Maloney, Sean Matsui McCollum McEachin McGovern McNerney Meeks Meng Moore Moulton Murphy (FL) Nadler Napolitano Neal Nolan Norcross O'Halleran O'Rourke Pallone Panetta Pascrell Payne Pelosi Perlmutter Peters Peterson Pingree Pocan Polis Price (NC) Quigley Raskin Richmond Rosen Roybal-Allard Ruiz Ruppersberger Rush Ryan (OH) Sanchez Sarbanes Schakowsky Schiff Schneider Scott (VA) Scott, David Serrano Sewell (AL) Shea-Porter Sherman Sires Slaughter Smith (WA) Soto Speier Suozzi Swalwell (CA) Takano Thompson (CA) Thompson (MS) Titus Tonko Torres [[Page 33]] Tsongas Vargas Veasey Vela Velazquez Visclosky Walz Wasserman Schultz Waters, Maxine Watson Coleman Welch Wilson (FL) Yarmuth RYAN (OH)--2 Cooper Rice (NY) WEBSTER (FL)--1 Massie COOPER--1 Kind LEWIS (GA)--1 Sinema ANSWERED ``PRESENT''--0 NOT VOTING--2 Ryan (WI) Schrader Parliamentary Inquiry Ms. PLASKETT (during the roll call). Madam Clerk, parliamentary inquiry. The CLERK. The gentlewoman will state her parliamentary inquiry. Ms. PLASKETT. Madam Clerk, I rise because neither my name nor the names of the five Representatives of the separate territories, duly elected by collectively 4 million Americans, our names were not called, and I ask as a parliamentary inquiry as to why not at this time at this juncture in the United States that the territories do not have a voice on this floor? The CLERK. As the Clerk advised on January 6, 1999, Representatives- elect are the only individuals qualified to vote in the election of the Speaker. {time} 1404 The CLERK. The tellers agree in their tallies that the total number of votes cast is 433, of which the Honorable Paul D. Ryan of the State of Wisconsin has received 239, the Honorable Nancy Pelosi of the State of California has received 189, the Honorable Tim Ryan of the State of Ohio has received 2, the Honorable Jim Cooper of the State of Tennessee has received 1, the Honorable John Lewis of the State of Georgia has received 1, and the Honorable Daniel Webster of the State of Florida has received 1. Therefore, the Honorable Paul D. Ryan of the State of Wisconsin, having received a majority of the votes cast, is duly elected Speaker of the House of Representatives for the 115th Congress. The Clerk appoints the following committee to escort the Speaker- elect to the chair: The gentleman from California (Mr. McCarthy) The gentlewoman from California (Ms. Pelosi) The gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. Scalise) The gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Hoyer) The gentlewoman from Washington (Mrs. McMorris Rodgers) The gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. Clyburn) The gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Stivers) The gentlemen from New York (Mr. Crowley) The gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Messer) The gentlewoman from California (Ms. Sanchez) The gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Collins) The gentleman from New Mexico (Mr. Ben Ray Lujan) The gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Smith) The gentlewoman from Connecticut (Ms. DeLauro) The gentlewoman from California (Mrs. Mimi Walters) The gentleman from California (Mr. Swalwell) The gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Mitchell) The gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Levin) The gentleman from Texas (Mr. Sessions) The gentlewoman from New York (Mrs. Lowey) The gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. McHenry) And the Members of the Wisconsin delegation: Mr. Sensenbrenner Mr. Kind Ms. Moore Mr. Duffy Mr. Pocan Mr. Grothman, and Mr. Gallagher The committee will retire from the Chamber to escort the Speaker- elect to the chair. The Sergeant at Arms announced the Speaker-elect of the House of Representatives of the 115th Congress, who was escorted to the chair by the Committee of Escort. Ms. PELOSI. It is my honor to join Speaker Ryan in welcoming all of you to the 115th Congress. To new Members and your families, in this special moment I offer a special greeting and special congratulations. Each of us comes here sustained by the love of our own family and the trust of our constituents. I am grateful to my husband, Paul; our five children; nine grandchildren; and my D'Alesandro family, especially our patriarch, my brother, Thomas D'Alesandro III. To the people of San Francisco, thank you once again for the privilege of representing our beautiful and diverse city. In a brief span of days, we will inaugurate a new President, Donald Trump, and a new Vice President, our former colleague, Mike Pence. At that noon hour, we will enact the peaceful transfer of power that is the bedrock of our Republic. For 8 years, our country has been graced by the trailblazing leadership and dignity of President Obama and Michelle Obama. At their side have been Vice President and Dr. Jill Biden. Let us give the Obamas, the Bidens, and their families our thanks for all that they have given America. Today, as we celebrate the renewal of our democracy, let us pay tribute to the men and women in uniform--those who served or have served--and their families, whose sacrifice and bravery are guarantors of our democracy. Let us thank our men and women in uniform. In this Chamber, we stand at the very heart of the American experiment. Every time each of us steps onto the floor, we carry with us the hopes and the hurts of those who have sent us here. We surely have distinct political identities as Republicans and Democrats, but above all, we are all Americans. Here, we have the responsibility and the power to lift the lives and the hopes of the American people. Our first responsibility is to secure the Nation, embodied in the oath we take to support and defend. We must be strong and smart in defending our land, defeating terrorists, and advancing our vital interests in a world of promise and peril. America's actions must always be equal to America's values, honoring our Constitution and respecting our men and women in uniform. Another responsibility is to further secure our economy and truly secure opportunity for hardworking families. We in this Congress must focus on job creation and growing paychecks every day for everyone and everywhere in our country. From the rural heartlands, the cities, and the suburbs, we must ensure that those who do their part have the opportunity to buy a home, address the aspirations of their children, and retire with dignity. Our responsibility is also to secure our democracy. Our Founders pledged their sacred honor to create a democracy; a government of the many, not a government of the money. Now our sacred trust is to keep that covenant. We cannot permit our democracy to be suborned by the checkbooks of the powerful or to be subverted by the dark operations of a foreign regime. All of us cherish our ideals. We do have our differences, and they are real, but I hope that we will each be humble enough to accept the good faith of others. I hope, too, that we will find wisdom from the Scriptures. It says to minister to the needs of God's creation, humanity, and nature is an act of worship. To ignore those needs is to dishonor the God who made us. In that spirit, in order to meet the needs of the American people, House Democrats pledge to seek common ground wherever we can to forge a bipartisan path forward on job-creating infrastructure, make taxes and foreign trade fair to American workers, help Americans balance work and family life, and to drain the swamp of Big Money from our campaigns. [[Page 34]] All of these provisions President-elect Trump has pledged, and we will seek common ground, but we will stand our ground wherever in good conscience we must. If there is an attempt to destroy the guarantee of Medicare, harm Medicaid, Social Security, or the Affordable Care Act, Democrats will stand our ground. If there is an assault on clean air and clean water, civil rights, women's rights, or LGBT rights, if DREAMers and their immigrant families face the nightmare of deportation, Democrats will stand our ground. If there is an attempt to silence our voices for commonsense gun violence prevention, with Gabby Giffords here in the Chamber as our witness, Democrats will stand our ground. Many of us just celebrated Christmas, the birth of Christ. Sharing in our humanity, God enabled us to participate in his divinity. This spark of divinity is acknowledged in every faith tradition. In recognizing the spark in others, we reaffirm it in ourselves. Honoring that spark of divinity, we are commanded to respect the dignity and worth of all of God's children and to work together for the common good. In that spirit, I offer my congratulations to the Speaker of this new Congress, a proud son of Wisconsin, Paul Ryan. Paul Ryan is a leader of principle, immersed in ideas and gifted with experience. As we all know, Paul Ryan has had the full breadth of experience on Capitol Hill, from Tortilla Coast waiter to Hill staffer to Congressman. He went on to be a sincere and proud advocate for his point of view as chairman of the Budget Committee and chairman of the Ways and Means Committee. In a place as demanding as the Speakership, I know he gathers strength daily from the family he loves so dearly, from his wife, Janna; his children, Liza, Charlie, and Sam; and their entire family. Let us acknowledge the Ryan family. {time} 1415 Mr. Speaker, God bless them. God bless you. God bless Wisconsin. God bless the Members of this House. God bless the United States of America. This is the people's House. This is the people's gavel. In the people's name, it is my privilege to hand the gavel to the Speaker of the House, Paul D. Ryan. Mr. RYAN of Wisconsin. I will be relatively brief. I want to thank Madam Leader. You know, I stood in this spot very, very many times. It, today, though, feels a whole lot different. Part of it has to do with all the new faces in the House. You look at all the proud spouses, these beaming children at their best, people's parents, it is hard, if not impossible, to resist this rush of enthusiasm. There is no sense of foreboding in this House today. There is only the sense of potential. It kind of reminds you that, no matter how long you have been here, you haven't seen it all. So I just want to say to our new Members and to their families: Thank you, congratulations, and welcome. To my own priest, Father Paul, thank you for being here with us today. I appreciate it. And to my center, my family--Janna, Liza, Charlie, Sam--thank you for all that you have done to make this all possible. Thank you. There is another reason for optimism, and that is what we have already achieved by meeting here this moment. Just months ago, our country held a great electoral contest, and at times it was a little intense. As you all know, when you are in the heat of it, in the heat of the kind of campaign we had, you start to wonder: Will the tempers ever cool? Will the system still hold? Does our old, rich tradition still have that magic? Well, it turns out it does. The clash of opinions, the hue and cry of campaigns, the rancor and the dissension, in the end, they all dissolve in the silent and peaceful transfer of power. So, in just a few weeks' time, we will welcome a new President who offers us yet another new beginning, a new chance to work toward a more perfect Union. For all of our arguments and all of our differences, we are all united by a deep, abiding love of our country. It is this slender but sturdy thread that holds us together. We always seem to forget this, but it has never failed us. That is why, when the votes are counted and the people have spoken, we all accept the verdict. We come back from the campaign trail, we pack up the yard signs, and today--today, as one body--we pledge allegiance to one flag: the red, the white, and the blue. And that is not the only thing that we have in common. I don't care what your party is, find one person in this House who doesn't want the best for America. Find one person in this House who does not want to see help given to the unemployed or care for the sick or education for the young or honor our troops. Who here among us does not want to open wide the door to opportunity? Who here among us does not want every American, every creed, and every color to cross the threshold? You cannot find one person in this building--not one. And that, that is a true cause for celebration. Now, we have a lot to build on; but that being said, this is no time to rest on our laurels, but to redouble our efforts. It is no secret that millions and millions of Americans across this country are deeply dissatisfied with their current situation. They have looked to Washington for leadership, and all they have gotten is condescension. For years, they have suffered quietly, quietly amid shuttered factories and shattered lives. But now, now they have let out a great roar. Now we, their elected representatives, must listen. So I want to say to the American people: We hear you. We will do right by you, and we will deliver. We will honor you because you have honored us. We take this sacred trust seriously. It is not enough to say that the condition of your birth should not determine the outcome of your life, no matter how much we mean it. In a few years' time, I hope that the people will say of this 115th Congress that we didn't just pay lipservice to this beautiful American idea; we made it a reality for everyone. We are not here to be; we are here to do. We are here to improve people's lives, grow our economy, keep us safe, improve our health care and our infrastructure, fight poverty, and restore self-government. Friends, we have got our work cut out for us. As your Speaker, I intend to keep this place running at full speed. When I came into this job, I pledged to restore regular order, get that committee system working again, hold regular House and Senate conferences, because only a fully functioning House can really, truly do the people's business. We have made some pretty good progress on that front. Take our work on finding cures for deadly diseases or beating back that opioid epidemic or our work on mental health. These are all things that we should be very proud of. These efforts were directed by the committees and crafted by our Members--all through regular order. There is still a lot of work to do, like having a fully functioning appropriations process, for example. So, to the minority, I want to say this: We have never shied away from our disagreements, and I do not expect anyone to do so now. But however bright of a contrast that we draw between us, it must never blind us to the common ground that we share. We must never shy away from making progress for the American people wherever we can. As your Speaker, I promise to uphold the rights of the minority. I promise to hear you out and let you have your say. If I had to sum up, it would be this: Agreement whenever possible but, at all times, respect. And to the majority, especially to our returning Members, I want to say this: This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. This is the kind of thing that most of us only dreamed about. I know because I used to dream about this a lot. The people have given us unified government, and it wasn't because they were feeling generous. It was because they want results. How could we live with ourselves if we let them down? How could we let ourselves down? I have, for many months, been asking our Members to raise their gaze and [[Page 35]] aim high. Now, today, this Congress, let us not be timid but, rather, reach for that brighter horizon and deliver. This old Chamber might look the same, but in the hushed whispers, in the whirl of activity, you can feel the winds of change. As I stand here next to that portrait of good old George Washington, I am reminded of a line from one of his favorite plays: ``'Tis not in mortals to command success, but we'll do more . . . we'll deserve it.'' My dear friends and colleagues, I say to all of you: Good luck and Godspeed. Thank you very much. I am now ready to take the oath of office. I ask the Dean of the House of Representatives, the Honorable John Conyers of Michigan, to administer the oath of office. Mr. Conyers then administered the oath of office to Mr. Ryan of Wisconsin, as follows: Do you solemnly swear or affirm that you will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that you will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that you take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that you will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which you are about to enter, so help you God. (Applause, the Members rising.) Mr. CONYERS. Congratulations, Mr. Speaker. ____________________ SWEARING IN OF MEMBERS The SPEAKER. According to precedent, the Chair will swear in the Members-elect en masse. The Members-elect will rise and raise their right hands. The Members-elect rose, and the Speaker administered the oath of office to them as follows: Do you solemnly swear or affirm that you will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that you will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that you take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that you will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which you are about to enter, so help you God. The SPEAKER. Congratulations. You are now Members of the 115th Congress. ____________________ {time} 1430 MAJORITY LEADER Mrs. McMORRIS RODGERS. Mr. Speaker, as chair of the Republican Conference, I am directed by that conference to notify the House officially that the Republican Members have selected as majority leader the gentleman from California, the Honorable Kevin McCarthy. ____________________ MINORITY LEADER Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, as chairman of the Democratic Caucus, I have been directed to report to the House that the Democratic Members have selected as minority leader the gentlewoman from California, the Honorable Nancy Pelosi. ____________________ MAJORITY WHIP Mrs. McMORRIS RODGERS. Mr. Speaker, as chair of the Republican Conference, I am directed by that conference to notify the House officially that the Republican Members have selected as majority whip the gentleman from Louisiana, the Honorable Steve Scalise. ____________________ MINORITY WHIP AND ASSISTANT DEMOCRATIC LEADER Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, as chairman of the Democratic Caucus, I have been directed to report to the House that the Democratic Members have selected as minority whip the gentleman from Maryland, the Honorable Steny Hoyer, and as assistant Democratic leader, the gentleman from South Carolina, the Honorable James Clyburn. ____________________ ELECTING OFFICERS OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Mrs. McMORRIS RODGERS. Mr. Speaker, I offer a privileged resolution and ask for its immediate consideration. The Clerk read the resolution, as follows: H. Res. 1 Resolved, That Karen L. Haas of the State of Maryland be, and is hereby, chosen Clerk of the House of Representatives; That Paul D. Irving of the State of Florida be, and is hereby, chosen Sergeant-at-Arms of the House of Representatives; That Philip George Kiko of the State of Ohio be, and is hereby, chosen Chief Administrative Officer of the House of Representatives; and That Father Patrick J. Conroy of the State of Oregon be, and is hereby, chosen Chaplain of the House of Representatives. Mrs. McMORRIS RODGERS. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Crowley) for the purpose of offering an amendment. Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, I have an amendment to the resolution, but before offering the amendment, I request that there be a division of the question on the resolution so that we may have a separate vote on the Chaplain. The SPEAKER. The question will be divided. The question is on agreeing to that portion of the resolution providing for the election of the Chaplain. That portion of the resolution was agreed to. A motion to reconsider was laid on the table. Amendment Offered by Mr. Crowley Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, I offer an amendment to the remainder of the resolution. The SPEAKER. The Clerk will report the amendment. The Clerk read as follows: Amendment offered by Mr. Crowley: That Robert D. Edmonson of the District of Columbia be, and is hereby, chosen Clerk of the House of Representatives; That Wyndee Parker of the State of Maryland be, and is hereby, chosen Sergeant-at- Arms of the House of Representatives; and That James Fleet of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania be, and is hereby, chosen Chief Administrative Officer of the House of Representatives. The SPEAKER. The question is on the amendment offered by the gentleman from New York. The amendment was rejected. The SPEAKER. The question is on the remainder of the resolution offered by the gentlewoman from Washington. The remainder of the resolution was agreed to. A motion to reconsider was laid on the table. The SPEAKER. The Chair will now swear in the officers of the House. The officers presented themselves in the well of the House and took the oath of office as follows: Do you solemnly swear that you will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that you will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that you take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that you will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which you are about to enter, so help you God. The SPEAKER. Congratulations. ____________________ SWEARING IN OF MEMBER-ELECT The SPEAKER. Will the Representative-elect please present herself in the well. Mrs. Lawrence of Michigan appeared at the bar of the House and took the oath of office, as follows: Do you solemnly swear that you will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that you will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that you take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that you will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which you are about to enter, so help you God. The SPEAKER. Congratulations. You are now a Member of the 115th Congress. ____________________ TO INFORM THE SENATE THAT A QUORUM OF THE HOUSE HAS ASSEMBLED AND OF THE ELECTION OF THE SPEAKER AND THE CLERK Mr. McCARTHY. Mr. Speaker, I offer a privileged resolution and ask for its immediate consideration. The Clerk read the resolution, as follows: H. Res. 2 Resolved, That the Senate be informed that a quorum of the House of Representatives has assembled; that Paul D. Ryan, a Representative from the State of Wisconsin, has been elected Speaker; and that Karen L. Haas, a citizen of the State of Maryland, has been elected Clerk of the House of Representatives of the One Hundred Fifteenth Congress. The resolution was agreed to. A motion to reconsider was laid on the table. [[Page 36]] ____________________ AUTHORIZING THE SPEAKER TO APPOINT A COMMITTEE TO NOTIFY THE PRESIDENT OF THE ASSEMBLY OF THE CONGRESS Mr. McCARTHY. Mr. Speaker, I offer a privileged resolution and ask for its immediate consideration. The Clerk read the resolution, as follows: H. Res. 3 Resolved, That a committee of two Members be appointed by the Speaker on the part of the House of Representatives to join with a committee on the part of the Senate to notify the President of the United States that a quorum of each House has assembled and Congress is ready to receive any communication that he may be pleased to make. The resolution was agreed to. A motion to reconsider was laid on the table. ____________________ APPOINTMENT AS MEMBERS OF COMMITTEE TO NOTIFY THE PRESIDENT, PURSUANT TO HOUSE RESOLUTION 3 The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Womack). Without objection, pursuant to House Resolution 3, the Chair announces the Speaker's appointment of the following Members to the committee on the part of the House to join a committee on the part of the Senate to notify the President of the United States that a quorum of each House has assembled and that Congress is ready to receive any communication that he may be pleased to make: The gentleman from California (Mr. McCarthy) and The gentlewoman from California (Ms. Pelosi). There was no objection. ____________________ AUTHORIZING THE CLERK TO INFORM THE PRESIDENT OF THE ELECTION OF THE SPEAKER AND THE CLERK Mr. CONYERS. Mr. Speaker, I offer a privileged resolution and ask for its immediate consideration. The Clerk read the resolution, as follows: H. Res. 4 Resolved, That the Clerk be instructed to inform the President of the United States that the House of Representatives has elected Paul D. Ryan, a Representative from the State of Wisconsin as Speaker, and Karen L. Haas, a citizen of the State of Maryland as Clerk, of the House of Representatives of the One Hundred Fifteenth Congress. The resolution was agreed to. A motion to reconsider was laid on the table. ____________________ RULES OF THE HOUSE Mr. McCARTHY. Mr. Speaker, I offer a privileged resolution and ask for its immediate consideration. The Clerk read the resolution, as follows: H. Res. 5 Resolved, That the Rules of the House of Representatives of the One Hundred Fourteenth Congress, including applicable provisions of law or concurrent resolution that constituted rules of the House at the end of the One Hundred Fourteenth Congress, are adopted as the Rules of the House of Representatives of the One Hundred Fifteenth Congress, with amendments to the standing rules as provided in section 2, and with other orders as provided in sections 3, 4, and 5. SEC. 2. CHANGES TO THE STANDING RULES. (a) Decorum.-- (1) In clause 3 of rule II, add the following new paragraph: ``(g)(1) The Sergeant-at-Arms is authorized and directed to impose a fine against a Member, Delegate, or the Resident Commissioner for the use of an electronic device for still photography or for audio or visual recording or broadcasting in contravention of clause 5 of rule XVII and any applicable Speaker's announced policy on electronic devices. ``(2) A fine imposed pursuant to this paragraph shall be $500 for a first offense and $2,500 for any subsequent offense. ``(3)(A) The Sergeant-at-Arms shall promptly notify the Member, Delegate, or the Resident Commissioner, the Speaker, the Chief Administrative Officer, and the Committee on Ethics of any such fine. ``(B) Such Member, Delegate, or Resident Commissioner may appeal the fine in writing to the Committee on Ethics not later than 30 calendar days or five legislative days, whichever is later, after notification pursuant to subdivision (A). ``(C) Upon receipt of an appeal pursuant to subdivision (B), the Committee on Ethics shall have 30 calendar days or five legislative days, whichever is later, to either dismiss the fine or allow it to proceed. Upon a determination regarding the appeal or if no appeal has been filed at the expiration of the period specified in subdivision (B), the chair of the Committee on Ethics shall promptly notify the Member, Delegate, or the Resident Commissioner, the Speaker and the Chief Administrative Officer. The Speaker shall promptly lay such notification before the House. ``(4) The Sergeant-at-Arms and the Committee on Ethics are authorized to establish policies and procedures for the implementation of this paragraph.''. (2) In clause 4 of rule II, add the following new paragraph: ``(d)(1) Upon notification from the chair of the Committee on Ethics pursuant to clause 3(g)(3)(C), the Chief Administrative Officer shall deduct the amount of any fine levied under clause 3(g) from the net salary otherwise due the Member, Delegate, or the Resident Commissioner. ``(2) The Chief Administrative Officer is authorized to establish policies and procedures for such salary deductions.''. (3) Rule XVII is amended by redesignating clause 9 as clause 10, and by inserting after clause 8 the following new clause: ``Legislative Proceedings ``9.(a) A Member, Delegate, the Resident Commissioner, officer, or employee of the House may not engage in disorderly or disruptive conduct in the Chamber, including-- ``(1) intentionally obstructing or impeding the passage of others in the Chamber; ``(2) the use of an exhibit to impede, disrupt, or disturb the proceedings of the House; and ``(3) the denial of legislative instruments to others seeking to engage in legislative proceedings. ``(b) This clause establishes a standard of conduct within the meaning of clause 3(a)(2) of rule XI.''. (b) Authorization and Oversight Plans.-- (1) Clause 2(d) of rule X is amended to read as follows: ``(d)(1) Not later than February 15 of the first session of a Congress, each standing committee (other than the Committee on Appropriations, the Committee on Ethics, and the Committee on Rules) shall, in a meeting that is open to the public, adopt its authorization and oversight plan for that Congress. Such plan shall be submitted simultaneously to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, the Committee on House Administration, and the Committee on Appropriations. ``(2) Each such plan shall include, with respect to programs and agencies within the committee's jurisdiction, and to the maximum extent practicable-- ``(A) a list of such programs or agencies with lapsed authorizations that received funding in the prior fiscal year or, in the case of a program or agency with a permanent authorization, which has not been subject to a comprehensive review by the committee in the prior three Congresses; ``(B) a description of each such program or agency to be authorized in the current Congress; ``(C) a description of each such program or agency to be authorized in the next Congress, if applicable; ``(D) a description of any oversight to support the authorization of each such program or agency in the current Congress; and ``(E) recommendations for changes to existing law for moving such programs or agencies from mandatory funding to discretionary appropriations, where appropriate. ``(3) Each such plan may include, with respect to the programs and agencies within the committee's jurisdiction-- ``(A) recommendations for the consolidation or termination of such programs or agencies that are duplicative, unnecessary, or inconsistent with the appropriate roles and responsibilities of the Federal Government; ``(B) recommendations for changes to existing law related to Federal rules, regulations, statutes, and court decisions affecting such programs and agencies that are inconsistent with the authorities of the Congress under Article I of the Constitution; and ``(C) a description of such other oversight activities as the committee may consider necessary. ``(4) In the development of such plan, the chair of each committee shall coordinate with other committees of jurisdiction to ensure that programs and agencies are subject to routine, comprehensive authorization efforts. ``(5) Not later than March 31 in the first session of a Congress, after consultation with the Speaker, the Majority Leader, and the Minority Leader, the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform shall report to the House the authorization and oversight plans submitted by committees together with any recommendations that it, or the House leadership group described above, may make to ensure the most effective coordination of authorization and oversight plans and otherwise to achieve the objectives of this clause.''. (2) In clause 1(d)(2)(B) of rule XI, insert ``authorization and'' before ``oversight''. (3) In clause 1(d)(2)(C) of rule XI, insert ``authorization and'' before ``oversight''. [[Page 37]] (c) Amendments to Appropriation Bills.--In clause 2 of rule XXI, add the following new paragraph: ``(g) An amendment to a general appropriation bill shall not be in order if proposing a net increase in the level of budget authority in the bill.''. (d) Duplication of Federal Programs.--In clause 3(c) of rule XIII, add the following new subparagraph: ``(5) On a bill or joint resolution that establishes or reauthorizes a Federal program, a statement indicating whether any such program is known to be duplicative of another such program, including at a minimum an explanation of whether any such program was included in a report to Congress pursuant to section 21 of Public Law 111-139 or whether the most recent Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (published pursuant to section 6104 of title 31, United States Code) identified other programs related to the program established or reauthorized by the measure.''. (e) Recognition of Members.-- (1) In clause 6 of rule I, strike ``The Speaker shall rise to put a question but may state it sitting.''. (2) In clause 6(d) of rule XIII, strike ``rises'' and insert ``seeks recognition''. (3) In clause 1(a) of rule XVII, strike ``rise and''. (4) In clause 2 of rule XVII, strike ``rise at once'' and insert ``seek recognition''. (5) In clause 5 of rule XVII, strike ``walk out of or across'' and insert ``exit or cross''. (6) In clause 1(a) of rule XX, strike ``from their seats to'' and insert ``or otherwise indicate from their seats and''. (f) Convening Outside the Hall of the House.--In clause 12(d) of rule I, strike ``whenever'' and insert ``if''. (g) Temporary Presiding Authority Clarification.--In clause 2(a) of rule II, insert ``and in the absence of a Member acting as Speaker pro tempore pursuant to clause 8(b)(3)(A) of rule I,'' after ``tempore,''. (h) Continuing Litigation Authorities.--In clause 8 of rule II, add the following new paragraph: ``(c) The House, the Speaker, a committee or the chair of a committee authorized during a prior Congress to act in a litigation matter is authorized to act as the successor in interest to the House, the Speaker, such committee or the chair of such committee of a prior Congress, respectively, with respect to such litigation matter, and to take such steps as may be appropriate to ensure continuation of such litigation matter.''. (i) Clarifying Staff Access to the House Floor.--In clause 5 of rule IV, strike ``shall remain at the desk and''. (j) Member Records.--In clause 6 of rule VII-- (1) redesignate paragraphs (a) and (b) as subparagraphs (1) and (2); (2) designate the existing sentence as paragraph (a); (3) in paragraph (a) (as so designated), insert ``as described in paragraph (b)'' after ``Resident Commissioner''; and (4) add at the end the following new paragraph: ``(b) Records created, generated, or received by the congressional office of a Member, Delegate, or the Resident Commissioner in the performance of official duties are exclusively the personal property of the individual Member, Delegate, or the Resident Commissioner and such Member, Delegate, or Resident Commissioner has control over such records.''. (k) Response to Subpoenas.--Amend rule VIII to read as follows-- ``RULE VIII ``Response to Subpoenas ``1.(a) When a Member, Delegate, Resident Commissioner, officer, or employee of the House is properly served with a judicial subpoena or order, such Member, Delegate, Resident Commissioner, officer, or employee shall comply, consistently with the privileges and rights of the House, with the judicial subpoena or order as hereinafter provided, unless otherwise determined under this rule. ``(b) For purposes of this rule, `judicial subpoena or order' means a judicial subpoena or judicial order directing appearance as a witness relating to the official functions of the House or for the production or disclosure of any document relating to the official functions of the House. ``2.(a) Upon receipt of a properly served judicial subpoena or order, a Member, Delegate, Resident Commissioner, officer, or employee of the House shall promptly notify the Speaker in writing of its receipt together with either: ``(1) a determination as to whether the issuance of the judicial subpoena or order is a proper exercise of jurisdiction by the court and is consistent with the privileges and rights of the House; or ``(2) a statement that such Member, Delegate, Resident Commissioner, officer, or employee of the House intends to make a determination with respect to the matters described in subparagraph (1). ``(b) The notification required by paragraph (a) shall promptly be laid before the House by the Speaker. ``3.(a) Except as specified in paragraph (b) or otherwise ordered by the House, upon notification to the House that a judicial subpoena or order is a proper exercise of jurisdiction by the court and is consistent with the privileges and rights of the House, the Member, Delegate, Resident Commissioner, officer, or employee of the House shall comply with the judicial subpoena or order by supplying copies. ``(b) Under no circumstances may minutes or transcripts of executive sessions, or evidence of witnesses in respect thereto, be disclosed or copied. During a period of recess or adjournment of longer than three days, the Speaker may authorize compliance or take such other action as the Speaker considers appropriate under the circumstances. Upon the reconvening of the House, all matters that transpired under this clause shall promptly be laid before the House by the Speaker. ``4. Nothing in this rule shall be construed to deprive, condition, or waive the constitutional or legal privileges or rights applicable or available at any time to a Member, Delegate, Resident Commissioner, officer, or employee of the House, or of the House itself, or the right of such Member, Delegate, Resident Commissioner, officer, or employee, or of the House itself, to assert such privileges or rights before a court in the United States.''. (l) Requirements for Subcommittees.--Amend clause 5(d)(2) of rule X to read as follows: ``(2)(A) A committee that maintains a subcommittee on oversight may have not more than six subcommittees. ``(B) The Committee on Appropriations may have not more than 13 subcommittees. ``(C) The Committee on Armed Services may have not more than seven subcommittees. ``(D) The Committee on Foreign Affairs may have not more than seven subcommittees. ``(E) The Committee on Oversight and Government Reform may have not more than seven subcommittees. ``(F) The Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure may have not more than six subcommittees.''. (m) Committee Hearings.--In clause 2(g)(2)(D) of rule XI, insert ``, the Committee on Homeland Security'' after ``Armed Services''. (n) Referrals to the Court of Claims.-- (1) In clause 1(a)(1) of rule XIII-- (A) insert ``or'' before ``releasing''; and (B) strike ``, or referring a claim to the Court of Claims''; and (2) In clause 3 of rule XVIII-- (A) insert ``or'' before ``releasing''; and (B) strike ``, or referring a claim to the Court of Claims''. (o) Contents of Committee Reports Showing Changes to Existing Law.--Clause 3(e)(1) of rule XIII is amended by striking ``accompanying document--'' and all that follows and inserting ``accompanying document (showing by appropriate typographical devices the omissions and insertions proposed)-- ``(A) the entire text of each section of a statute that is proposed to be repealed; and ``(B) a comparative print of each amendment to the entire text of a section of a statute that the bill or joint resolution proposes to make.''. (p) Authority to Postpone Record Votes on Certain Motions.--In clause 8(a)(2) of rule XX-- (1) Redesignate subdivisions (E) through (H) as subdivisions (G) through (J), respectively; (2) Insert after subdivision (D) the following new subdivisions: ``(E) The question of adopting a motion to recommit. ``(F) The question of adopting a motion to concur in a Senate amendment, with or without amendment.''; and (3) In subdivision (G) (as redesignated), strike ``subdivision (A), (B), (C), or (D)'' and insert ``subdivisions (A) through (F)''. (q) Conforming Guidelines for Five-Minute Voting.--In clause 9 of rule XX-- (1) In paragraph (a), insert ``or'' after the semicolon; and (2) Strike paragraphs (b) and (c) and insert the following: ``(b) if in the discretion of the Speaker Members would be afforded an adequate opportunity to vote-- ``(1) on any question arising after a report from the Committee of the Whole without debate or intervening motion; or ``(2) on the question of adoption of a motion to recommit (or ordering the previous question thereon) arising without intervening motion or debate other than debate on the motion.''. (r) Electronic Availability.--In clause 3 of rule XXIX, strike ``in electronic form at a location designated by the Committee on House Administration'' and insert ``at an electronic document repository operated by the Clerk''. (s) Comparative Prints for Bills or Joint Resolutions Considered on Floor.--Effective December 31, 2017, in rule XXI, add at the end the following new clause: ``12.(a)(1) Before a bill or joint resolution proposing to repeal or amend a statute or part thereof may be considered, there shall be made available on a publicly available website of the House an easily searchable electronic comparative print that shows how the bill or joint resolution proposes to change current law, showing (to the greatest [[Page 38]] extent practicable) by appropriate typographical devices the omissions and insertions proposed. ``(2) Before an amendment in the nature of a substitute may be considered if the amendment proposes to repeal or amend a statute or part thereof, there shall be made available on a publicly available website of the House an easily searchable electronic comparative print that shows (to the greatest extent practicable) how the amendment proposes to change current law, showing by appropriate typographical devices the omissions and insertions proposed. ``(b) If a committee reports a bill or joint resolution, before the bill or joint resolution may be considered with text different from the text reported, there shall be made available on a publicly available website of the House a document that shows, by appropriate typographical devices, the differences between the text of the bill or joint resolution as proposed to be considered and the text of the bill or joint resolution as reported.''. (t) Appointment of Chair.--Clause 1 of rule XVIII is amended by inserting ``, Delegate, or the Resident Commissioner'' after ``Member''. SEC. 3. SEPARATE ORDERS. (a) Holman Rule.--During the first session of the One Hundred Fifteenth Congress, any reference in clause 2 of rule XXI to a provision or amendment that retrenches expenditures by a reduction of amounts of money covered by the bill shall be construed as applying to any provision or amendment (offered after the bill has been read for amendment) that retrenches expenditures by-- (1) the reduction of amounts of money in the bill; (2) the reduction of the number and salary of the officers of the United States; or (3) the reduction of the compensation of any person paid out of the Treasury of the United States. (b) Staff Deposition Authority.-- (1) During the One Hundred Fifteenth Congress, the chair of a standing committee (other than the Committee on House Administration or the Committee on Rules), and the chair of the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, upon consultation with the ranking minority member of such committee, may order the taking of depositions, including pursuant to subpoena, by a member or counsel of such committee. (2) Depositions taken under the authority prescribed in this subsection shall be subject to regulations issued by the chair of the Committee on Rules and printed in the Congressional Record. (3) At least one member of the committee shall be present at each deposition taken under the authority prescribed in this subsection, unless-- (A) the witness to be deposed agrees in writing to waive this requirement; or (B) the committee authorizes the taking of a specified deposition without the presence of a member during a specified period, provided that the House is not in session on the day of the deposition. (c) Independent Payment Advisory Board.--Section 1899A(d) of the Social Security Act shall not apply in the One Hundred Fifteenth Congress. (d) Providing for Transparency With Respect to Memorials Submitted Pursuant to Article V of the Constitution of the United States.--With respect to any memorial presented under clause 3 of rule XII purporting to be an application of the legislature of a State calling for a convention for proposing amendments to the Constitution of the United States pursuant to Article V, or a rescission of any such prior application-- (1) the chair of the Committee on the Judiciary shall, in the case of such a memorial presented in the One Hundred Fourteenth Congress or the One Hundred Fifteenth Congress, and may, in the case of such a memorial presented prior to the One Hundred Fourteenth Congress, designate any such memorial for public availability by the Clerk; and (2) the Clerk shall make such memorials as are designated pursuant to paragraph (1) publicly available in electronic form, organized by State of origin and year of receipt, and shall indicate whether the memorial was designated as an application or a rescission. (e) Spending Reduction Amendments in Appropriations Bills.-- (1) During the reading of a general appropriation bill for amendment in the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union, it shall be in order to consider en bloc amendments proposing only to transfer appropriations from an object or objects in the bill to a spending reduction account. When considered en bloc under this paragraph, such amendments may amend portions of the bill not yet read for amendment (following disposition of any points of order against such portions) and are not subject to a demand for division of the question in the House or in the Committee of the Whole. (2) Except as provided in paragraph (1), it shall not be in order to consider an amendment to a spending reduction account in the House or in the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union. (3) A point of order under clause 2(b) of rule XXI shall not apply to a spending reduction account. (4) A general appropriation bill may not be considered in the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union unless it includes a spending reduction account as the last section of the bill. An order to report a general appropriation bill to the House shall constitute authority for the chair of the Committee on Appropriations to add such a section to the bill or modify the figure contained therein. (5) For purposes of this subsection, the term ``spending reduction account'' means an account in a general appropriation bill that bears that caption and contains only-- (A) a recitation of the amount by which an applicable allocation of new budget authority under section 302(b) of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 exceeds the amount of new budget authority proposed by the bill; or (B) if no such allocation is in effect, ``$0''. (f) Point of Order Against Motion to Rise and Report.-- (1) During the One Hundred Fifteenth Congress, except as provided in paragraph (3), a motion that the Committee of the Whole rise and report a bill to the House shall not be in order if the bill, as amended, exceeds an applicable allocation of new budget authority under section 302(b) of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974, as estimated by the Committee on the Budget. (2) If a point of order under paragraph (1) is sustained, the Chair shall put the question: ``Shall the Committee of the Whole rise and report the bill to the House with such amendments as may have been adopted notwithstanding that the bill exceeds its allocation of new budget authority under section 302(b) of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974?''. Such question shall be debatable for 10 minutes equally divided and controlled by a proponent of the question and an opponent but shall be decided without intervening motion. (3) Paragraph (1) shall not apply-- (A) to a motion offered under clause 2(d) of rule XXI; or (B) after disposition of a question under paragraph (2) on a given bill. (4) If a question under paragraph (2) is decided in the negative, no further amendment shall be in order except-- (A) one proper amendment, which shall be debatable for 10 minutes 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 in the House or in the Committee of the Whole; and (B) pro forma amendments, if offered by the chair or ranking minority member of the Committee on Appropriations or their designees, for the purpose of debate. (g) Limitation on Advance Appropriations.-- (1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), any general appropriation bill or bill or joint resolution continuing appropriations, or amendment thereto or conference report thereon, may not provide an advance appropriation. (2) An advance appropriation may be provided for programs, projects, activities, or accounts identified in a list submitted for printing in the Congressional Record by the chair of the Committee on the Budget (when elected) under the heading-- (A) ``Accounts Identified for Advance Appropriations'' in an aggregate amount not to exceed $28,852,000,000 in new budget authority; and (B) ``Veterans Accounts Identified for Advance Appropriations'' in an aggregate amount not to exceed $66,385,032,000 in new budget authority. (3) Definition.--The term ``advance appropriation'' means any new discretionary budget authority provided in a general appropriation bill or bill or joint resolution continuing appropriations for fiscal year 2017, or any amendment thereto or conference report thereon, that first becomes available for the fiscal year following fiscal year 2017. (h) Point of Order Against Increasing Direct Spending.-- (1) Congressional budget office analysis of proposals.--The Director of the Congressional Budget Office shall, to the extent practicable, prepare an estimate of whether a bill or joint resolution reported by a committee (other than the Committee on Appropriations), or amendment thereto or conference report thereon, would cause, relative to current law, a net increase in direct spending in excess of $5,000,000,000 in any of the 4 consecutive 10-fiscal year periods beginning with the first fiscal year that is 10 fiscal years after the current fiscal year. (2) Point of order.--It shall not be in order to consider any bill or joint resolution reported by a committee, or amendment thereto or conference report thereon, that would cause a net increase in direct spending in excess of $5,000,000,000 in any of the 4 consecutive 10-fiscal year periods described in paragraph (1). (3) Determinations of budget levels.--For purposes of this subsection, the levels of net increases in direct spending shall be determined on the basis of estimates provided by the chair of the Committee on the Budget. (4) Limitation.--This subsection shall not apply to any bill or joint resolution, or amendment thereto or conference report thereon-- [[Page 39]] (A) repealing the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and title I and subtitle B of title II of the Health Care and Education Affordability Reconciliation Act of 2010; (B) reforming the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and the Health Care and Education Affordability Reconciliation Act of 2010; or (C) for which the chair of the Committee on the Budget has made an adjustment to the allocations, levels, or limits contained in the most recently adopted concurrent resolution on the budget. (i) Disclosure of Directed Rule Makings.-- (1) The report of a committee on a bill or joint resolution shall include a list of directed rule makings required by the measure or a statement that the proposition contains no directed rule makings. (2) For purposes of this subsection, the term ``directed rule making'' means a specific rule making within the meaning of section 551 of title 5, United States Code, specifically directed to be completed by a provision in the measure, but does not include a grant of discretionary rule making authority. (j) Exercise Facilities for Former Members.--During the One Hundred Fifteenth Congress-- (1) The House of Representatives may not provide access to any exercise facility which is made available exclusively to Members and former Members, officers and former officers of the House of Representatives, and their spouses to any former Member, former officer, or spouse who is a lobbyist registered under the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 or any successor statute or agent of a foreign principal as defined in clause 5 of rule XXV. For purposes of this subsection, the term ``Member'' includes a Delegate or Resident Commissioner to the Congress. (2) The Committee on House Administration shall promulgate regulations to carry out this subsection. (k) Numbering of Bills.--In the One Hundred Fifteenth Congress, the first 10 numbers for bills (H.R. 1 through H.R. 10) shall be reserved for assignment by the Speaker and the second 10 numbers for bills (H.R. 11 through H.R. 20) shall be reserved for assignment by the Minority Leader. (l) Inclusion of Citations for Proposed Repeals and Amendments.--To the maximum extent practicable and consistent with established drafting conventions, an instruction in a bill or joint resolution proposing to repeal or amend any law or part thereof not contained in a codified title of the United States Code shall include, in parentheses immediately following the designation of the matter proposed to be repealed or amended, the applicable United States Code citation (which may be a note in the United States Code), or, if no such citation is available, an appropriate alternative citation to the applicable law or part. (m) Broadening Availability of Legislative Documents in Machine-Readable Formats.--The Committee on House Administration, the Clerk, and other officers and officials of the House shall continue efforts to broaden the availability of legislative documents in machine readable formats in the One Hundred Fifteenth Congress in furtherance of the institutional priority of improving public availability and use of legislative information produced by the House and its committees. (n) Congressional Member Organization Transparency Reform.-- (1) Payment of salaries and expenses through account of organization.--A Member of the House of Representatives and an eligible Congressional Member Organization may enter into an agreement under which-- (A) an employee of the Member's office may carry out official and representational duties of the Member by assignment to the Organization; and (B) to the extent that the employee carries out such duties under the agreement, the Member shall transfer the portion of the Members' Representation Allowance of the Member which would otherwise be used for the salary and related expenses of the employee to a dedicated account in the House of Representatives which is administered by the Organization, in accordance with the regulations promulgated by the Committee on House Administration under paragraph (2). (2) Regulations.--The Committee on House Administration (hereafter referred to in this subsection as the ``Committee'') shall promulgate regulations as follows: (A) Use of mra.--Pursuant to the authority of section 101(d) of the House of Representatives Administrative Reform Technical Corrections Act (2 U.S.C. 5341(d)), the Committee shall prescribe regulations to provide that an eligible Congressional Member Organization may use the amounts transferred to the Organization's dedicated account under paragraph (1)(B) for the same purposes for which a Member of the House of Representatives may use the Members' Representational Allowance, except that the Organization may not use such amounts for franked mail, official travel, or leases of space or vehicles. (B) Maintenance of limitations on number of shared employees.--Pursuant to the authority of section 104(d) of the House of Representatives Administrative Reform Technical Corrections Act (2 U.S.C. 5321(d)), the Committee shall prescribe regulations to provide that an employee of the office of a Member of the House of Representatives who is covered by an agreement entered into under paragraph (1) between the Member and an eligible Congressional Member Organization shall be considered a shared employee of the Member's office and the Organization for purposes of such section, and shall include in such regulations appropriate accounting standards to ensure that a Member of the House of Representatives who enters into an agreement with such an Organization under paragraph (1) does not employ more employees than the Member is authorized to employ under such section. (C) Participation in student loan repayment program.-- Pursuant to the authority of section 105(b) of the Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 2003 (2 U.S.C. 4536(b)), relating to the student loan repayment program for employees of the House, the Committee shall promulgate regulations to provide that, in the case of an employee who is covered by an agreement entered into under paragraph (1) between a Member of the House of Representatives and an eligible Congressional Member Organization and who participates in such program while carrying out duties under the agreement-- (i) any funds made available for making payments under the program with respect to the employee shall be transferred to the Organization's dedicated account under paragraph (1)(B); and (ii) the Organization shall use the funds to repay a student loan taken out by the employee, under the same terms and conditions which would apply under the program if the Organization were the employing office of the employee. (D) Access to house services.--The Committee shall prescribe regulations to ensure that an eligible Congressional Member Organization has appropriate access to services of the House. (E) Other regulations.--The Committee shall promulgate such other regulations as may be appropriate to carry out this subsection. (3) Eligible congressional member organization defined.--In this subsection, the term ``eligible Congressional Member Organization'' means, with respect to the One Hundred Fifteenth Congress, an organization meeting each of the following requirements: (A) The organization is registered as a Congressional Member Organization with the Committee on House Administration. (B) The organization designates a single Member of the House of Representatives to be responsible for the administration of the organization, including the administration of the account administered under paragraph (1)(B), and includes the identification of such Member with the statement of organization that the organization files and maintains with the Committee on House Administration. (C) At least 3 employees of the House are assigned to work for the organization. (D) During the One Hundred Fourteenth Congress, at least 30 Members of the House of Representatives used a portion of the Members' Representational Allowance of the Member for the salary and related expenses of an employee who was a shared employee of the Member's office and the organization. (E) The organization files a statement with the Committee on House Administration and the Chief Administrative Officer of the House of Representatives certifying that it will administer an account in accordance with paragraph (1)(B). (o) Social Security Solvency.-- (1) Point of order.--During the One Hundred Fifteenth Congress, it shall not be in order to consider a bill or joint resolution, or an amendment thereto or conference report thereon, that reduces the actuarial balance by at least .01 percent of the present value of future taxable payroll of the Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund established under section 201(a) of the Social Security Act for the 75-year period utilized in the most recent annual report of the Board of Trustees provided pursuant to section 201(c)(2) of the Social Security Act. (2) Exception.--Paragraph (1) shall not apply to a measure that would improve the actuarial balance of the combined balance in the Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund and the Federal Disability Insurance Trust Fund for the 75-year period utilized in the most recent annual report of the Board of Trustees provided pursuant to section 201(c)(2) of the Social Security Act. (p) Subcommittees.--Notwithstanding clause 5(d) of rule X, during the One Hundred Fifteenth Congress the Committee on Agriculture may have not more than six subcommittees. (q) Treatment of Conveyances of Federal Land.-- (1) In general.--In the One Hundred Fifteenth Congress, for all purposes in the House, a provision in a bill or joint resolution, or in an amendment thereto or a conference report thereon, requiring or authorizing a conveyance of Federal land to a State, local government, or tribal entity shall not be considered as providing new [[Page 40]] budget authority, decreasing revenues, increasing mandatory spending, or increasing outlays. (2) Definitions.--In this subsection: (A) The term ``conveyance'' means any method, including sale, donation, or exchange, by which all or any portion of the right, title, and interest of the United States in and to Federal land is transferred to another entity. (B) The term ``Federal land'' means any land owned by the United States, including the surface estate, the subsurface estate, or any improvements thereon. (C) The term ``State'' means any of the several States, the District of Columbia, or a territory (including a possession) of the United States. SEC. 4. COMMITTEES, COMMISSIONS, AND HOUSE OFFICES. (a) House Democracy Partnership.--House Resolution 24, One Hundred Tenth Congress, shall apply in the One Hundred Fifteenth Congress in the same manner as such resolution applied in the One Hundred Tenth Congress except that the commission concerned shall be known as the House Democracy Partnership. (b) Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission.--Sections 1 through 7 of House Resolution 1451, One Hundred Tenth Congress, shall apply in the One Hundred Fifteenth Congress in the same manner as such provisions applied in the One Hundred Tenth Congress, except that-- (1) the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission may, in addition to collaborating closely with other professional staff members of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, collaborate closely with professional staff members of other relevant committees; and (2) the resources of the Committee on Foreign Affairs which the Commission may use shall include all resources which the Committee is authorized to obtain from other offices of the House of Representatives. (c) Office of Congressional Ethics.--Section 1 of House Resolution 895, One Hundred Tenth Congress, shall apply in the One Hundred Fifteenth Congress in the same manner as such provision applied in the One Hundred Tenth Congress, except that-- (1) the Office of Congressional Ethics shall be treated as a standing committee of the House for purposes of section 202(i) of the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946 (2 U.S.C. 4301(i)); (2) references to the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct shall be construed as references to the Committee on Ethics; (3) any requirement for concurrence in section 1(b)(1) shall be construed as a requirement for consultation; (4) the second sentence of section 1(b)(6)(A) shall not apply; (5) members subject to section 1(b)(6)(B) may be reappointed for a third additional term; (6) any individual who is the subject of a preliminary review or second-phase review by the board shall be informed of the right to be represented by counsel and invoking that right should not be held negatively against them; and (7) the Office may not take any action that would deny any person any right or protection provided under the Constitution of the United States. SEC. 5. ORDERS OF BUSINESS. (a) The Speaker may recognize a Member for the reading of the Constitution on any legislative day through January 13, 2017. (b) Upon adoption of this resolution it shall be in order to consider in the House the bill (H.R. 21) to amend chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, to provide for en bloc consideration in resolutions of disapproval for ``midnight rules'', 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 Majority Leader and the Minority Leader or their respective designees; and (2) one motion to recommit. Mr. McCARTHY (during the reading). Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the resolution be considered as read and printed in the Record. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the gentleman from California? There was no objection. Motion to Refer Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I rise to offer a motion that is at the desk. The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Clerk will report the motion. The Clerk read as follows: Ms. Norton moves to refer the resolution to a select committee of five members, to be appointed by the Speaker, not more than three of whom shall be from the same political party, with instructions not to report back the same until it has conducted a full and complete study of, and made a determination on, whether there is any reason to deny Delegates, in particular the Delegate from the District of Columbia, whose residents pay the highest per capita federal income taxes in the United States to support the federal government, the right to vote in the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union in light of the decision of the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit in Michel v. Anderson (14 F.3d 623 (D.C. Cir. 1994)) upholding the constitutionality of such right to vote, and the inclusion of such right to vote in the Rules for the 103rd, 110th and 111th Congresses. Motion to Table Mr. McCARTHY. Mr. Speaker, I have a motion to table at the desk. The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Clerk will report the motion to table. The Clerk read as follows: Mr. McCarthy moves to lay on the table the motion to refer. The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion to table. The question was taken; and the Speaker pro tempore announced that the ayes appeared to have it. Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays. The yeas and nays were ordered. The vote was taken by electronic device, and there were--yeas 228, nays 184, not voting 21, as follows: [Roll No. 3] YEAS--228 Abraham Aderholt Allen Amash Amodei Arrington Babin Bacon Banks (IN) Barletta Barr Barton Bergman Beutler Biggs Bilirakis Bishop (MI) Bishop (UT) Black Blackburn Blum Bost Brady (TX) Brat Bridenstine Brooks (AL) Brooks (IN) Buchanan Buck Bucshon Budd Burgess Byrne Calvert Carter (GA) Carter (TX) Chabot Chaffetz Cheney Coffman Cole Collins (GA) Collins (NY) Comer Comstock Conaway Cook Costello (PA) Cramer Crawford Culberson Curbelo (FL) Davidson Davis, Rodney Denham Dent DeSantis DesJarlais Diaz-Balart Donovan Duffy Duncan (SC) Duncan (TN) Dunn Emmer Farenthold Faso Ferguson Fitzpatrick Fleischmann Flores Fortenberry Foxx Franks (AZ) Frelinghuysen Gaetz Gallagher Garrett Gibbs Gohmert Goodlatte Gosar Granger Graves (GA) Graves (LA) Graves (MO) Griffith Grothman Guthrie Harper Harris Hartzler Hensarling Hice, Jody B. Higgins (LA) Hill Holding Hollingsworth Hudson Huizenga Hultgren Hunter Hurd Jenkins (KS) Jenkins (WV) Johnson (LA) Johnson (OH) Johnson, Sam Jordan Joyce (OH) Katko Kelly (MS) Kelly (PA) King (NY) Kinzinger Knight Kustoff (TN) Labrador LaHood LaMalfa Lamborn Lance Latta Lewis (MN) LoBiondo Long Loudermilk Love Lucas Luetkemeyer MacArthur Marino Marshall Massie Mast McCarthy McCaul McClintock McHenry McKinley McMorris Rodgers McSally Meadows Meehan Messer Mitchell Moolenaar Mooney (WV) Mullin Murphy (PA) Newhouse Noem Nunes Olson Palazzo Palmer Paulsen Pearce Perry Pittenger Poe (TX) Poliquin Posey Ratcliffe Reed Reichert Rice (SC) Roby Roe (TN) Rogers (AL) Rogers (KY) Rohrabacher Rokita Rooney, Francis Ros-Lehtinen Roskam Ross Rothfus Rouzer Royce (CA) Russell Rutherford Sanford Scalise Schweikert Scott, Austin Sensenbrenner Sessions Shimkus Shuster Simpson Smith (MO) Smith (NE) Smith (NJ) Smith (TX) Smucker Stefanik Stewart Stivers Taylor Tenney Thompson (PA) Thornberry Tiberi Tipton Trott Turner Upton Valadao Wagner Walberg Walden Walker Walorski Walters, Mimi Weber (TX) Webster (FL) Wenstrup Westerman Williams Wilson (SC) Wittman Womack Woodall Yoder Yoho Young (IA) Zeldin NAYS--184 Aguilar Barragan Bass Beatty Becerra Bera Beyer Blumenauer Bonamici Boyle, Brendan F. Brady (PA) Brown (MD) Brownley (CA) Bustos Butterfield Capuano Carbajal Cardenas Carson (IN) Cartwright Castor (FL) Castro (TX) Chu, Judy Cicilline Clark (MA) Clarke (NY) Clay Cleaver Clyburn Cohen Connolly Conyers Cooper Correa Costa Courtney Crist Crowley Cuellar Cummings Davis (CA) Davis, Danny DeFazio DeGette Delaney DeLauro DelBene Demings DeSaulnier Deutch Dingell Doggett Doyle, Michael F. Ellison Engel Eshoo Espaillat Esty Evans Foster Frankel (FL) Gabbard Gallego Garamendi [[Page 41]] Gonzalez (TX) Gottheimer Green, Al Green, Gene Grijalva Hastings Heck Himes Hoyer Huffman Jackson Lee Jayapal Jeffries Johnson (GA) Johnson, E. B. Kaptur Keating Kelly (IL) Kennedy Khanna Kihuen Kildee Kilmer Kind Krishnamoorthi Kuster (NH) Langevin Larsen (WA) Larson (CT) Lawrence Lawson (FL) Lee Levin Lewis (GA) Lieu, Ted Lipinski Loebsack Lofgren Lowenthal Lowey Lujan Grisham, M. Lujan, Ben Ray Maloney, Carolyn B. Maloney, Sean Matsui McCollum McEachin McGovern McNerney Meeks Meng Moore Moulton Murphy (FL) Nadler Napolitano Neal Nolan Norcross O'Halleran O'Rourke Pallone Panetta Pascrell Payne Pelosi Perlmutter Peters Peterson Pingree Pocan Polis Price (NC) Quigley Raskin Richmond Rosen Roybal-Allard Ruiz Ruppersberger Rush Ryan (OH) Sanchez Sarbanes Schakowsky Schiff Schneider Scott (VA) Scott, David Serrano Sewell (AL) Shea-Porter Sherman Sinema Sires Slaughter Smith (WA) Soto Speier Suozzi Swalwell (CA) Takano Thompson (CA) Thompson (MS) Titus Tonko Torres Tsongas Vargas Veasey Vela Velazquez Visclosky Walz Wasserman Schultz Waters, Maxine Watson Coleman Welch Wilson (FL) Yarmuth NOT VOTING--21 Adams Bishop (GA) Blunt Rochester Fudge Gowdy Gutierrez Hanabusa Higgins (NY) Issa Jones King (IA) Lynch Marchant Mulvaney Pompeo Price, Tom (GA) Renacci Rice (NY) Rooney, Thomas J. Young (AK) Zinke {time} 1504 Mr. GARAMENDI and Mrs. DAVIS of California changed their vote from ``yea'' to ``nay.'' So the motion to table was agreed to. The result of the vote was announced as above recorded. A motion to reconsider was laid on the table. Stated for: Mr. RENACCI. Mr. Speaker, I was unavoidably detained. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall No. 3. The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentleman from California is recognized for 1 hour. Mr. McCARTHY. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the time allocated to me be controlled by the esteemed gentleman from Texas (Mr. Sessions). The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the gentleman from California? There was no objection. Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, for the purpose of debate only, I yield the customary 30 minutes to the gentlewoman from Rochester, New York (Ms. Slaughter), 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 Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the gentleman from Texas? There was no objection. Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, I also include in the Record a section-by- section analysis of the resolution. H. Res. 5 Adopting the Rules for the 115th Congress Section-by-Section Analysis Section 1. Resolved Clause. This section provides that the Rules of the 114th Congress are the Rules of the 115th Congress, except for the amendments contained in section 2 of the resolution and orders contained in sections 3, 4, and 5. Section 2. Changes to the Standing Rules. Decorum. Subsection (a) authorizes the Sergeant-at-Arms to impose a fine against a Member, Delegate, or the Resident Commissioner for the use of an electronic device for photography, audio or visual recording, or broadcasting on the House floor in contravention of clause 5 of rule XVII and any applicable Speaker's announced policy on electronic devices. A fine for a first offense will be $500 and $2,500 for subsequent offenses. Any subsequent offense will be assessed at the higher amount, regardless of whether it is connected to any other offense by time or proximity. The subsection provides that any Member, Delegate, or Resident Commissioner that has been assessed a fine may appeal the fine in writing to the Committee on Ethics not later than 30 calendar days or five legislative days, whichever is later, after notification. Upon receipt of an appeal, the Committee on Ethics is provided 30 calendar days or five legislative days, whichever is later, to either dismiss the fine or allow it to proceed. Upon a determination regarding the appeal or if no appeal has been filed at the expiration of the period, the chair of the Committee on Ethics shall promptly notify the Member, Delegate, or the Resident Commissioner, the Speaker and the Chief Administrative Officer. The Speaker is required to promptly lay such notification before the House. The Sergeant-at-Arms, Committee on Ethics, and Chief Administrative Officer are authorized to establish policies and procedures to implement this subsection. Upon notification from the chair of the Committee on Ethics, the Chief Administrative Officer shall deduct the amount of any fine from the net salary of the Member, Delegate, or Resident Commissioner. The subsection also modifies rule XVII to clarify conduct considered disorderly or disruptive during legislative proceedings to ensure that a Member may be referred to the Committee on Ethics for behavior impeding in the rights of another Member, Delegate, or the Resident Commissioner to participate in floor proceedings, including blocking access to legislative instruments such as microphones and blocking access the well of the House. Authorization and Oversight Plans. Subsection (b) amends the current oversight plan requirements. The subsection requires each standing committee (except the Committees on Appropriations, Ethics, and Rules) to adopt an authorization and oversight plan, which must be submitted to the Committees on Oversight and Government Reform, House Administration, and Appropriations no later than February 15 of the first session of Congress. The plan must include a list of unauthorized programs and agencies within their jurisdiction that have received funding in the prior fiscal year, or in the case of a permanent authorization, has not received a comprehensive review by the committee in the prior three Congresses. The subsection requires committees to describe each program or agency that is intended to be authorized in the current Congress or next Congress, and a description of oversight to support reauthorization in the current Congress. The subsection also requires recommendations, if any, for moving such programs or agencies from mandatory to discretionary funding. The subsection also provides that committees may make recommendations to consolidate or terminate duplicative programs or agencies, or those that are inconsistent with the appropriate role of the Federal government. Committees may make recommendations for changes to existing law to address Federal rules, regulations, statutes, and court decisions related to these programs that are inconsistent with Congress' Article I authorities. The subsection requires the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, after consultation with the Speaker, Majority Leader, and the Minority Leader, report the oversight and authorization plans to the House by March 31 of the first session of Congress. Amendments to Appropriation Bills. Subsection (c) codifies the standing order from the 112th, 113th, and 114th Congresses prohibiting an amendment to a general appropriation bill proposing a net increase in budget authority in the bill. Duplication of Federal Programs. Subsection (d) codifies the standing order from the 113th and 114th Congresses that requires committee reports to include a statement on whether any provision of the measure establishes or reauthorizes a program of the Federal government known to be duplicative of another Federal program. The subsection also eliminates unnecessary language regarding the authorization of a committee chair to request that the Government Accountability Office perform a duplication analysis of any bill or joint resolution referred to that committee, and makes technical changes. Recognition of Members. Subsection (e) eliminates from the rules outdated references to physical mobility. This is a clarification to address the needs of Members who are physically unable to stand. Convening Outside the Hall of the House. Subsection (f) conforms the standing rules with current practice regarding convening outside the Hall of the House. Temporary Presiding Authority Clarification. Subsection (g) clarifies that the authority of a Speaker pro tempore appointed under clause 8(b)(3)(A) of rule I takes priority over the Clerk's authority to preserve order and decorum pending the election of a new Speaker. Continuing Litigation Authorities. Subsection (h) authorizes the House, the Speaker, a committee or chair of a committee to carry forward litigation from the previous Congress as the successor in interest in any continuing litigation matter in which the House, the Speaker, the committee or chair of a committee, respectively, was previously authorized to be involved. This subsection automatically continues previously authorized litigation authority and fully empowers [[Page 42]] the successor in interest to take all steps necessary to carry such litigation forward during the new Congress, thereby eliminating the need for a separate resolution authorizing the continuation of such litigation as in the past. Clarifying Staff Access to the House Floor. Subsection (i) conforms the standing rules to the current practice that staff accompanying Members on the floor are not required to remain at the desk. Member Records. Subsection (j) adds language to the definition of ``Records of the House'' to clarify the ownership of congressional office records of a Member, Delegate, or Resident Commissioner, and to codify the longstanding custom and practice of the House under which such records have been recognized to be the personal property of the Member, Delegate, or Resident Commissioner, in keeping with the common law. Prior rules of the House drew a distinction between the records of House committees and officers, on the one hand, and congressional office records of Members, Delegates, or the Resident Commissioner, on the other. The latter do not belong to the House, because the Rule expressly defined House ``records'' to exclude them. See, e.g., Rule VII.6, Rules of the U.S. House of Representatives, 114th Cong. (2015); Rule XXXVI, Rules of the U.S. House of Representatives, 105th Cong. (1997). This subsection adds language confirming that congressional office records are the personal property of the Member, Delegate, or Resident Commissioner who creates, generates, or receives them, in accordance with longstanding House custom and prior pronouncements. See, e.g., H. Con. Res. 307, 110th Cong. (2008) (``[B]y custom [congressional papers of Members, Delegates, and Resident Commissioners] are considered the personal property of the Member who receives and creates them, and it is therefore the Member who is responsible to decide on their ultimate disposition . . . .''); H. Rep. No. 99-994, 99th Cong. (1986), at 5 (``[I]t is relatively clear that Members' papers have been regarded as their personal property . . . .''). Response to Subpoenas. Subsection (k) clarifies and streamlines procedures governing notification of, and response to, properly served judicial subpoenas and judicial orders directing appearance as a witness relating to the official functions of the House or compelling the production or disclosure of any document relating to the official functions of the House. The subsection continues the practice of granting authority to respond to subpoenas without the necessity of a House vote, and streamlines the notification process to eliminate inefficiencies. The recipient of a properly served judicial subpoena or order compelling testimony or production of documents relating to the official functions of the House must promptly notify the Speaker in writing of the receipt of that judicial order or subpoena and must determine whether the subpoena or order is a proper exercise of the jurisdiction of the court and is consistent with the rights and privileges of the House. In keeping with current practice, the notification to the Speaker must either set forth those determinations (if they have already been made at the time of the notification) or state that the recipient intends to make those determinations. The prior rule's additional reference to determining whether the subpoena or order ``is material and relevant'' has been omitted as redundant and superfluous, because it is subsumed within the requirement to determine whether the subpoena or order is consistent with the privileges and rights of the House; it would not be consistent with the privileges and rights of the House for a Member, Delegate, Resident Commissioner, officer, or employee to be compelled to respond to a judicial subpoena or order seeking information that is not material and relevant to the underlying cause. Accordingly, no substantive change is made by the deletion of the ``is material and relevant'' determination. The subsection omits the obsolete requirements for the Clerk of the House to provide a copy of rule VIII to the court and for recipients of judicial subpoenas or orders to submit ``certified'' copies of documents when production of documents in response to a properly served judicial subpoena or order has been determined to be appropriate. References to administrative subpoenas relating to the official functions of the House have also been deleted, because the rule should not be interpreted to suggest that compliance with such subpoenas may be mandatory. The subsection deletes the truism that notifications received when the House is adjourned will be laid before the House upon its reconvening. Requirements for Subcommittees. Subsection (1) codifies the exceptions carried in previous rules packages to clause 5(d) of rule X to allow the Committee on Appropriations up to thirteen subcommittees, the Committees on Armed Services, Foreign Affairs, and Oversight and Government Reform up to seven subcommittees, and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure up to six subcommittees. Committee Hearings. Subsection (m) provides the Committee on Homeland Security with authority to close hearings for an additional 5 consecutive days when considering sensitive matters that require an executive session. Referrals to the Court of Claims. Subsection (n) conforms the standing rules with the current practice that measures making a referral to the Court of Claims are referred to the private calendar. Contents of Committee Reports Showing Changes to Existing Law. Subsection (o) modifies language adopted in the 114th Congress to address an unintended consequence that required a committee report or accompanying document to portray duplicative prints. This subsection continues to require that a Ramseyer print show the entire text of each section of statute that is proposed to be repealed and a comparative print of each amendment to the entire text of a section of statute the bill or joint resolution proposes to make. The subsection also clarifies existing practice that appropriate typographical devices be used for both repealed text and comparative prints. Authority to Postpone Record Votes on Certain Motions. Subsection (p) adds motions to recommit and motions to concur to the list of postponable questions under clause 8 of rule XX. Conforming Guidelines for Five-Minute Voting. Subsection (q) clarifies that the Speaker's ability to reduce the time for a vote pursuant to clause 9(b) or 9(c) of rule XX is subject to the same guidelines as the reduction of the time for a vote pursuant to clause 8(c)(2) of rule XX. Electronic Availability. Subsection (r) modifies and codifies a standing order from the 112th, 113th, and 114th Congresses by designating the electronic document repository operated by the Clerk of the House for the purposes of electronic availability rules. Comparative Prints for Bills or Joint Resolution Considered on Floor. Subsection (s) provides that by December 31, 2017, each bill, joint resolution, or amendment in the nature of a substitute shall have an easily searchable electronic comparative print that shows how the proposed legislation will change current law, showing by appropriate typographical devices the omissions and insertions proposed. The subsection also seeks to enhance transparency on changes made to a measure after it has been reported by a committee. Appointments of Chair. Subsection (t) allows Delegates and the Resident Commissioner to serve as chair of the Committee of the Whole. Section 3. Separate Orders. Holman Rule. Subsection (a) provides a new standing order for the first session of the 115th Congress based on the ``Holman Rule,'' most of which was removed from the standing rules in 1983. This standing order functions as an exception to clause 2 of rule XXI to allow provisions changing law in certain limited circumstances. Under this order, a provision in a general appropriation bill or an amendment thereto may contain legislation to retrench expenditures by (1) reducing amounts of money in the bill, (2) reducing the number or salaries of Federal employees, or (3) reducing the compensation of any person paid by the Treasury. To qualify for treatment under this order, an amendment must be offered after the reading of the bill and must comply with all applicable rules of the House, such as the germaneness rule. The purpose of this provision is to see if the reinstatement of the Holman rule will provide Members with additional tools to reduce spending during consideration of the regular general appropriation bills. Staff Deposition Authority. Subsection (b) carries forward and modifies provisions from the 114th Congress to provide the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence and each standing committee of the 115th Congress (except for the Committees on Rules and House Administration) the authority to order the taking of a deposition by a member or committee counsel of such committee. The authority provided under this subsection extends for the entirety of the 115th Congress. Depositions taken under this authority are subject to regulations issued by the chair of the Committee on Rules and printed in the Congressional Record. The subsection modifies the member attendance requirement, which applies unless (1) the witness waives the requirement or (2) the committee authorizes the taking of a specified deposition without the presence of a member during a specified period and the deposition occurs on a day that the House is not in session. The latter authority enables a committee to authorize the taking of one or more such depositions of one or more specified witnesses at any point over the course of a specified period of days, such as a district work period. Independent Payment Advisory Board. Subsection (c) carries forward a provision from the 113th and 114th Congresses that turns off a provision contained in the Affordable Care Act, which limits the ability of the House to determine the method of consideration for a recommendation from the Independent Payment Advisory Board or to repeal the provision in its entirety. Providing for Transparency with Respect to Memorials Submitted Pursuant to Article V of the Constitution of the United States. Subsection (d) carries forward and modifies provisions from the 114th Congress that clarify the procedures of the House regarding the receipt of Article V memorials from the States [[Page 43]] by directing the Clerk to make each memorial, designated by the chair of the Committee on the Judiciary, electronically available, organized by State of origin and year of receipt, and indicate whether the memorial was designated as an application or recession. In carrying out this subsection, it is expected that the chair of the Committee on the Judiciary will be solely charged with determining whether a memorial purports to be an application of the legislature of a state calling for a constitutional convention or recession of prior applications. The Clerk's role will be entirely administrative. The chair of the Committee on the Judiciary will only designate memorials from state legislatures (and not petitions from individuals or other parties), as it is only state legislatures that are contemplated under Article V of the Constitution. In submitting each memorial to the Clerk, the chair of the Committee on the Judiciary will include a transmission letter that indicates it has been designated under this subsection of House Resolution 5. The Clerk will make publicly available the memorial and the transmission letter from the chair. Ancillary documentation from the state or other parties is not expected to be publicized. The chair of the Committee on the Judiciary is also permitted to designate memorials from Congresses prior to the 114th Congress to be made publicly available under the same procedure. Spending Reduction Amendments in Appropriations Bills. Subsection (e) modifies and carries forward the prohibition from the 112th, 113th, and 114th Congresses against consideration of a general appropriation bill that does not include a ``spending reduction account.'' The subsection updates the definition of a spending reduction account to state a recitation of the amount by which an applicable allocation of new budget authority under section 302(b) (Appropriations subcommittee allocations) of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 exceeds the amount of new budget authority proposed by the bill, or if no such allocation is in effect, $0. Point of Order Against Motion to Rise and Report. Subsection (f) carries forward from the 113th and 114th Congresses the requirement that prevents the Committee of the Whole from rising to report a bill to the House that exceeds an applicable allocation of new budget authority under section 302(b) as estimated by the Committee on the Budget and continues a point of order. Limitation on Advance Appropriations. Subsection (g) provides limits against a fiscal year 2017 general appropriation bill or measure continuing appropriations from making advanced appropriations in fiscal year 2018. The subsection provides a limited number of standard exceptions which provide advanced appropriations only for fiscal year 2018. Point of Order Against Increasing Direct Spending. Subsection (h) establishes a point of order against consideration of a bill or joint resolution reported by a committee (other than the Committee on Appropriations) or an amendment thereto, or a conference report thereon, which has the net effect of increasing direct spending in excess of $5 billion for any of the four consecutive ten fiscal year periods beginning with the first fiscal year that is 10 fiscal years after the current fiscal year. The subsection also provides exemptions for measures repealing or reforming the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and the Health Care and Education Affordability Reconciliation Act of 2010, and measures where the chair of the Committee on the Budget made an adjustment to the allocation levels or limits contained in the most recently adopted budget resolution. Disclosure of Directed Rule Makings. Subsection (i) carries forward and modifies the requirement that committee reports on bills or joint resolutions include a list of directed rule makings required by the measure or a statement that the measure contains no directed rule makings. The subsection carries forward the definition of ``directed rule making'' to include those rule makings specifically directed to be completed by a provision in the legislation, but does not include a grant of discretionary rule making authority. The prior standing order only required an estimate of the number of direct rule makings. Exercise Facilities for Former Members. Subsection (j) continues the prohibition on access to any exercise facility that is made available exclusively to Members, former Members, officers, and former officers of the House and their spouses to any former Member, former officer, or spouse who is a lobbyist registered under the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995. Numbering of Bills. Subsection (k) reserves the first 10 numbers for bills (H.R. 1 through H.R. 10) for assignment by the Speaker and the second 10 numbers (H.R. 11 through H.R. 20) for assignment by the Minority Leader. Inclusion of U.S. Code Citations for Proposed Repeals and Amendments. Subsection (1) continues to add, to the maximum extent practicable, a requirement for parallel citations for amendatory instructions to Public Laws and Statutes at Large that are not classified in the U.S. Code. Broadening Availability of Legislative Documents in Machine-Readable Formats. Subsection (m) continues to instruct the appropriate officers and committees to continue to advance government transparency by taking further steps to publish documents of the House in machine-readable formats. Congressional Member Organization Transparency Reform. Subsection (n) carries forward the provisions from the 114th Congress to allow participating Members to enter into agreements with eligible Congressional Member Organizations for the purpose of payment of salaries and expenses. The Committee on House Administration is required to promulgate regulations, consistent with current law, to carry out this subsection. Social Security Solvency. Subsection (o) carries forward from the 114th Congress a point of order against legislation that would reduce the actuarial balance of the Federal Old- Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund, but provides an exemption to the point of order if a measure improves the overall financial health of the combined Social Security Trust Funds. This subsection would protect the Old-Age and Survivors Insurance (OASI) Trust Fund from diversion of its funds to finance a broken Disability Insurance system. Subcommittees. Subsection (p) waives clause 5(d) of rule X to allow the Committee on Agriculture up to six subcommittees, which is consistent with authorities in the 114th Congress. Treatment of Conveyances of Federal Land. Subsection (q) provides that any provision in a bill, joint resolution, amendment, or conference report requiring or authorizing a conveyance of federal land to a State, local government, or tribal entity, shall not be considered as providing new budget authority, decreasing revenues, increasing mandatory spending, or increasing outlays. Section 4. Committees, Commissions, and House Offices. House Democracy Partnership. Subsection (a) reauthorizes the House Democracy Assistance Commission, now known as the House Democracy Partnership. Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission. Subsection (b) reauthorizes the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission. Office of Congressional Ethics. Subsection (c) reauthorizes the Office of Congressional Ethics (OCE) and clarifies that term limits do not apply to members of the OCE. The subsection reaffirms that a person subject to a review by the Office of Congressional Ethics has a right to be represented by counsel, and establishes that invoking such right is not to be held as a presumption of guilt. The subsection modifies the language to require consultation prior to the appointment of members rather than concurrence. The subsection also prohibits the Office of Congressional Ethics from taking action that would deny a person any rights or protections provided under the Constitution of the United States of America. Section 5. Additional Orders of Business. Reading of the Constitution. Subsection (a) allows the Speaker to recognize Members for the reading of the Constitution on any legislative day through January 13, 2017. Consideration of Midnight Rules Relief Act of 2017. Subsection (b) provides for the consideration of the Midnight Rules Relief Act of 2017 under a closed rule. Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, today is an exciting day, a brand new 115th Congress. Here in the House of Representatives, we have new Members of Congress who are bringing their families, coming to Washington with a sense of exuberance, but mostly with what I believe is respect for the American people who sent them here, respect for the people who elected each of us with the thoughts and ideas from our districts back home, all the way to the election of the President-elect of the United States of America, Donald Trump. So we do this every 2 years. We reorganize the House of Representatives. We start anew. We start fresh. We start with the best ideas that are brought forth, and we try and bring the teams together. That is what Republicans have done. That is what Democrats are doing. We gather together and add up literally the amount of teams and who is on each side, and that is how we determine who is elected the Speaker of the House. It is from the majority party. In this case, today we elected the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Ryan), a great young leader for not just our party, but for our country. So today what we do is we show up and we exercise our constitutional rights, our duties, our views, the ideas that we have, the ideas that we were sent here to exercise, and the ideas of our majorities, of the bodies, of the groups that we represent. So today those men and women who gather together with their ideas and plans, they are going to help project and move our country forward over the next 2 years. I think that what we are saying today is important. That is, we [[Page 44]] are trying to change the direction that this country has been going for at least 2 years, and some could argue for 8 years. We are going to change that direction because the American people have given Republicans an opportunity to lead in the United States House of Representatives, in the United States Senate, and in the Presidency of the United States. I believe that we are looking at those elected officials, including the newly elected President, at the next generation, people who will take our places soon, people who we need to leave a better America for, people who are counting on us to, yes, as the saying goes, Make America Great Again, but, more importantly, to live up to the challenges of our job, the challenges that the American people have said we expect you to go to Washington and make tough decisions, not easy decisions, but to do things that are in our best interest rather than in the best interest of a government. Well, that is what this experiment is about. This experiment takes place every 4 years with the election of a Presidency and perhaps every 2 years with a new Congress. Mr. Speaker, during the first 7 years of the Obama administration, they had an opportunity, the House, to send to the President, to forge a path that they felt would be best for the American people, perhaps based upon a calling or the things that they heard. What happened is that Federal regulations added up to an average of 81 new major regulations per year for a total of 556 regulations, at least 220 of which contained new burdens on individuals and businesses with an annual cost of $108 billion. We see things differently. That is why you are going to see not only in the rules package, but by the way that we do business here in the House of Representatives, that we look at regulations differently; that we work based upon the law, the intent of the law, not the intent of a regulator who would, as I would suggest, see things perhaps differently than others would see them. So while it sounds like these are staggering numbers and they do a lot of damage on our country, it is not too late to change that. It is not too late to reevaluate the way things have been done and the way that things should be done. So we have a lot of work to do. We have a lot of work to do not just about rules and regulations but about the day-to-day business, the progression of GDP, and the growth of jobs and job creation in this country. For the first time in a long time, we will have a President-elect-- yes, Donald Trump--who will, I believe, work with the United States Congress forthrightly and find the avenues of consensus between the House of Representatives and between the United States Senate to push this body. I met with Mr. Trump earlier in the year when he was just a candidate for the Presidency, and he told me point blank: It is not so much that I am opposed to what you guys are doing in Congress; it is more to I think you ought to be forced into making more tough decisions. He said: I think Congress gets away from doing the tough things. They do the easy lift rather than the things that will be better for the American people, because proud people sent us up here. That is the standard that, I believe, we should adopt to have and be prepared for in these next 2 years: tough, straightforward, honest work that is meaningful, that can move our country forward, that will propel a generation to believe not only in a great day's pay and a hard day's work, but, more importantly, leading to something that will make our country stronger and yet stronger the next day with a heartbeat from a Nation and a people who deeply believe that America's greatest days are in our future and they are willing to give that to the next generation. That is why we are here. We have a lot of new Members who bring ideas, Mr. Speaker. They come here to Washington full and brimming with ideas about things that they would like to see happen. Well, what we are going to do is we are going to make sure that we are ready to do business with them, that we are open and prepared for them. So you will see that this package carries forward many of the rules from the previous Congress and builds on House Republicans' efforts to streamline House processes, increase transparency, and improve accountability. Specifically, it preserves the important reforms that were made in three previous Congresses. It also adds perfecting amendments in order to help us further advance and share our ideas and goals of transparency. We think this is important. We think the ideas that are contained within this package will help propel not only us in better decisionmaking, but the American people will buy into what we are doing. Fairness is important for all of us. As chairman of the Rules Committee, it is my hope that I will continue to be open, that the Rules Committee will be open to hearing from every single Member. We will welcome them. They will know that they are in the right place to not only share their ideas, but one where they can receive feedback on those ideas and help participate in what we do. Mr. Speaker, that is what we are here today to do, the new rules package for the 115th Congress. Mr. HOYER. Will the gentleman yield? Mr. SESSIONS. I yield to the gentleman from Maryland. Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, as the gentleman knows, there is a provision in the rules that are proposed which are not in the rules of the last Congress, which give us great pause because we think it tends to put Members in a difficult place from a constitutional perspective and from a freedom-of-speech perspective. The rule, of course, of which I speak is the rule that relates to empowering the Sergeant at Arms to levy fines. {time} 1515 May I ask the gentleman first: Did the Rules Committee find that there was any precedent for such a provision in rules historically? Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman very much. I would like to refer to something which I believe has been made available, and, if not, I would be very pleased to do it. The House has delegated fining authority, section 1103 of the Manual, where the House incorporates, by reference, title I of the Ethics in Government Act. Under this section, if a financial disclosure is filed late, the filer is subject to a $200 filing fee. It is a fine by another name that is administered by the House Ethics Committee. So what I am suggesting to you is we have seen where there has been the backup of rules that have been backed up by the levying of a fine, and I believe that is what the gentleman is seeking. Mr. HOYER. I thank the gentleman, and will the gentleman yield again? Mr. SESSIONS. I yield to the gentleman from Maryland. Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Texas. The gentleman refers to a fee that was levied, apparently, for a late filing of a financial disclosure statement that is required under the rules. We are troubled, however, by the fact that this is not a fee in the sense; it is a penalty for taking an action which is obviously directed toward proscribing that action, which we see as speech and transparency to the American people. One of the things that concerns us most, Mr. Speaker, is that there appears to be no due process; that is to say, the Sergeant at Arms can make an individual determination as to whether or not the rule has been violated without any opportunity given to the Member to explain or deny the allegations that are made on which the fine would be based. Mr. SESSIONS. I appreciate the gentleman asking me. As a matter of fact, we believe this may have been addressed yesterday by the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Meadows), who specifically, in our Conference, brought this issue up. It is my understanding, as I further consult my assistant who is well briefed on this, that the Meadows amendment has allowed a process which allows an appeal to the Ethics Committee that [[Page 45]] would be outside of the person who originally made the fine present, would go to the Ethics Committee for them to assess that challenge as necessary. Mr. HOYER. If I might, that was adopted last night? Mr. SESSIONS. I believe that is correct, sir. Mr. HOYER. So it is not in the rules as disclosed? Mr. SESSIONS. It would be in this package that I believe we have today. It was not in what was originally brought forth, publicly available, and then changed last night when that was then posted on the Rules Committee Web site. Yes, sir. Mr. HOYER. Thank you for that response. I have one additional question. We looked at what might be precedent. Frankly, the only one we could come up with was the gag rule that was adopted in the 19th century which precluded the introduction of legislation which would abolish slavery in the various States. That rule was in place for a number of years until ultimately repealed. This rule, we believe, Mr. Speaker, seeks to gag Members of the House of Representatives. It seeks to undermine transparency to the extent that it relates to communications devices which can--and at the point in time the grievance, from your perspective, occurred, we were in recess, as the gentleman understands. Mr. SESSIONS. Yes, sir. Mr. HOYER. If I may conclude, as the gentleman knows, and I won't say thousands, but hundreds of pictures were taken just an hour ago on this floor--hundreds. We were in session, not in recess. Mr. SESSIONS. If I could address that, and I want to do this very gingerly because I do not want to start a battle here. The gentleman and I both know what caused this action was a deep, deep feeling that many Members on your side had about a particular issue. It resulted in what could be seen as--and I saw it as--a protest. Look, we are used to that in this body, people being upset. We are not used to people violating the rule, and it already was a rule that you cannot use, for recording purposes, those devices. We did not make this up. That was already a rule. So it became an advent of a protest. We are simply trying to say--and I am not trying to get you to change your viewpoints at all--but I think it would be wise, and I believe we will not always be in the majority. I believe some day there will be a chance where the Democrats will be in the majority. I would be for this same rule, for the sake of the Speaker and the leadership and the person sitting in that chair. I can look at myself in a mirror because I was a part of this thinking. How do we say to Members a gag order says you cannot utter bad things? This, if you are willing to pay the fine and you want to do that, that is not a gag order. That is a violation of a rule. If you would like to participate in that, go for it all you want. But I don't think it is the right thing. So we tried to limit, in my opinion, very carefully to say we are going to make this a fine. Mr. HOYER. I thank the gentleman for that response, and I appreciate his feelings and, I think, his intellectually honest feelings. Mr. SESSIONS. I take it that way, and I know the gentleman does, too. That is why we are using my time right now, and I assume the gentleman knows that. Mr. HOYER. Let me briefly close, then, by saying that the gentleman in his opening comments talked about transparency and talked about openness. Mr. SESSIONS. I sure did. Mr. HOYER. And the Speaker talked about, just after noon, about respecting one another's views and hearing one another's views and considering one another's views, even though we disagree with them. I share the Speaker's view on that. Very frankly, I think the gentleman is correct; it was a protest which gave rise to this rule which I think is ill-advised, but I understand the difference. The protest was because--and as Rules chairman, the gentleman probably knows this better than anybody else--we asked for an amendment that we thought 85 to 90 percent of the American people were for. We didn't get transparency, we didn't get openness, and we did not get an opportunity to express our views. That is why we are so concerned because we think, frankly, this is analogous to a gag rule: to shut us down, to shut us out, and to shut us up. But I appreciate the gentleman's view. Mr. SESSIONS. I appreciate what the gentleman is saying. The gentleman understands what I am saying because, if the shoe were on the other foot, I am telling you I would still be on this foot and this shoe. I think the gentleman understands that because he has been in the position of not only responsibility but power, and he did not misuse his power nor his judgment, and I do not think we are. But we are trying to lay out, ahead of time, what it would be. I thank the gentleman very much for his feedback to me. I would add one more thing. I have always, during the years I have been the Rules Committee chair, tried to make the committee open to anybody that would choose to come up, to speak as long as they would like to speak, as long as they move forward with their ideas without commanding the committee, telling us what to do, and I would hope that we continue to do that. As I told the gentleman years ago, I am open to his feedback. Mr. HOYER. I thank the gentleman for his patience and for participating in this session. Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time. Ms. SLAUGHTER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume; and I thank my good friend, the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Sessions) for yielding me the customary time, and I want to wish everybody a happy new year. I hope, circumstances notwithstanding, that we can have one. I want to follow on what the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Hoyer) was talking about. I have been pretty concerned here since the day we did what was a protest regarding some of the actions we are looking at. Last night, in what I thought was a moment of pique, the majority decided that they would put into the rules package a gutting of the Office of Congressional Ethics, which was totally unconstitutional in the fact that they were not going to get rid of it, but they took everything it had from them and forbade them having on their committee a person who could talk to the press and forbade them talking to people. Mr. Speaker, that is a gag order. That is against the constitutional right that we have. It was only an hour ago that all of us raised our right hand and swore that we were going to uphold the Constitution, and now, not an hour later, we are struggling to defy it. This is not new for me. I have been very concerned about this since we were here in June and had our protest. Now, it is our job, and we all said we were going to protect the Constitution from all enemies, foreign and domestic. But we may have enemies right here in the room, which is troubling to me, because of what happened last night. I appreciate that cooler heads prevailed and that part was taken out because there was such a hue and cry of: ``What the heck do they think they are doing now?'' So this whole change did not last even 24 hours. In conjunction with that, I need to go back to what happened here on the House floor. We tried for years to try to do the simplest kinds of things on gun control measures: background checks, closing loopholes, coming up with absolutely nothing. We live in a country now where doctors are forbidden from asking patients if there are guns in the home. Doctors can ask if there are drugs in the home or any other thing that may cause great harm, but they are not allowed, by law, to ask if there are guns in the home. We have gone so far in the gun culture here that 335 million Americans own over 320 million guns, and that is life now in the United States. So what we were trying to do, what we thought made the most eminent sense--and I would almost guarantee that not a single American man, woman, or child would object to it--we [[Page 46]] said, if you were on the terrorist list and you can't fly on an airplane, you shouldn't be able to buy a gun. We called it no fly, no buy. There is such eminent sense in it. But because we are shut out-- and I know there is a lot of openness talk going on today, but in the Rules Committee there is none. We didn't have an open rule all year, over this whole last term. We don't get amendments. We don't get to talk. We were desperate to try to do something about the carnage in this country. Because it was overwhelming to us, we decided something had to be done about letting terrorists who couldn't get on airplanes have guns. So we gathered our people. I think it was totally spontaneous. There was no great plan to do it, no vote to get here. So we sat here and talked peacefully. The microphones were all turned off and C-SPAN was shut out. They couldn't hear what was going on. Because of the times we live in, some of our enterprising Members, they took their iPhones and streamed what was going on on the floor. Then Facebook took it up, and then C-SPAN got it from their stream and the whole country saw what was going on here. It was basically for the first time. Now, one of the things in the Constitution that we all revere today is the right of peaceful assembly. There were no threats, no action, no violence, no anything. We just said, if we have no bill, we will have no break. Everybody understood exactly what we were trying to do. So now what we are getting to, which again is totally unconstitutional, is to decide to fine Members of Congress for doing what we did. In other words, their free speech does not work on the floor of the House of Representatives, when we are the people who swear to uphold the Constitution. It was really an amazing sight for the people of America to see that kind of thing going on here where we are so circumscribed in what we say and how long we have to say it. So the rules of the House that we are doing today say you are going to punish a sitting Member, but not in the way that the Constitution says you can do that. {time} 1530 If you are going to punish a Member in the House, the whole House has to vote on it. But there is no provision in there to allow anybody other than the leader of this House to fine a Member. The idea of your doing that so that people can have due process is ridiculous. If you are brought up on ethics charges, you have lawyers. It was proposed simply to get at us and to say to the minority: Keep your place over there; you know where you belong. So I have talked to numerous lawyers and constitutional experts, and I know that was unconstitutional. I think I have said enough about it, but I think we will have more to say on another day. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time. Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, how much time remains on both sides? The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentleman from Texas has 12\1/2\ minutes remaining. The gentlewoman from New York has 24 minutes remaining. Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time. Ms. SLAUGHTER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Hoyer), who is the Democratic whip. Mr. HOYER. I thank the gentlewoman, and, again, I thank the gentleman from Texas for being generous with his time. Mr. Speaker, I am deeply concerned by a number of controversial provisions included by the majority in the rules they have proposed for the 115th Congress. First, reinstating the Holman rule would make it easier for the majority to circumvent the current legislative process in order to fire or cut the pay of Federal employees. It undermines civil service protections. It goes back to the 19th century. Republicans have consistently made our hardworking Federal employees scapegoats, in my opinion, for lack of performance of the Federal Government itself, and this rules change will enable them to make shortsighted and ideologically driven changes to our Nation's civil service. Secondly, I am deeply concerned by the rules changes regarding decorum in this House. The chairman was generous enough to have that discussion with me. When the cameras were turned off in this House, there was no way to communicate with the American people other than by something that I didn't know existed, and that was the streaming of the debate that was going on. As the ranking member of the Rules Committee pointed out, it was peaceful, it was honest, and it was deeply held. Now you seek to impose fines and ethics charges against any Member who broadcasts to the American people what takes place in the people's House while it is in recess and deny Americans access to their Congress. Thirdly--and I am very concerned about this and I will talk to the chairman further about it at some point in time--these rules continue the Republican policy of denying a voice to the people of the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, Northern Mariana Islands, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. When I was majority leader, we allowed them to vote in the Committee of the Whole. It showed them respect, it gave them a reason to come to the floor, and it gave them an opportunity to have their constituents see how they felt on a particular issue by putting their name up on the board. I regret that we were unable to continue that policy and I will talk to the chairman about it further. Millions of american citizens will not be able to have their delegates and resident commissioner represent their views during the consideration of amendments in the Committee of the Whole House. I also find it deeply disturbing that Republicans had been planning to use this rules package to strip away the independence of the Office of Congressional Ethics. When Democrats took the majority in 2007, we created that body to ensure that the strictest ethical standards are upheld in this House, and that partisanship could never get in the way of those standards. I am glad that public pressure led Republicans to abandon this ill- conceived proposal. The American people deserve a Congress whose rules reflect what is best about our country--fair, just, and honorable. This package does not meet that test. Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, I continue to reserve the balance of my time. Ms. SLAUGHTER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. Clyburn), who is the assistant Democratic leader. Mr. CLYBURN. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding me this time. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong opposition to the proposed changes to the rules of the House that are before us today. I have long maintained that the Affordable Care Act is the Civil Rights Act of the 21st century. Repealing the Affordable Care Act and putting discrimination back into health care is a step history will not forgive. While the majority has included a new rule limiting the consideration of legislation which increases direct spending in excess of $5 billion, they have specifically exempted from this rule any spending that may flow from repeal of the Affordable Care Act. They are admitting in their own rules that their proposal to repeal the Affordable Care Act will be devastating for the Federal deficit and the national debt. The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office has estimated that full repeal of the ACA will increase the deficit by $137 billion. The Rules Committee has put before the House a rule that defies all those expectations. Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, I continue to reserve the balance of my time. Ms. SLAUGHTER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Crowley), who is the chairman of the Democratic Caucus. Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding me such time. Well, it is a new year, but it is the same old games from our Republican colleagues. This time they are using the official rules of the House to further their radical agenda and to gag [[Page 47]] Members of the Democratic Caucus, which you all know includes taking away healthcare coverage for millions of Americans, putting insurance companies back in charge of healthcare decisions, and raising costs for taxpayers in this country. Among all the power grabs and cynical ploys in this rules package, there is a very telling sign in their priorities. They know that their plan to repeal the Affordable Care Act won't just create chaos for American families and their health care; it will also blow a huge deficit in our Nation's budget--a huge deficit in our Nation's budget-- the height of irresponsible governing. But they apparently won't let that get in the way of political games. So, today, the majority is giving themselves a pass. They wrote a rule that allows them to ignore the huge financial impact of gutting our healthcare system. They are, once again, putting themselves above the law and crushing everyday Americans under their shoes. Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, I continue to reserve the balance of my time. Ms. SLAUGHTER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Sanchez), who is the vice-chair of the Democratic Caucus. Ms. SANCHEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise to oppose the partisan and free- speech-crushing Republican rules package governing the 115th Congress. I had such high hopes that we would start off 2017 by working together on bipartisan reforms and improvements to the procedures that govern this body. Instead, I am disappointed, but not surprised, to find that House Republicans would rather undermine the public trust and integrity of this institution by these dangerous proposed changes in the rules package, changes that truly undermine the very foundation of our Constitution. The American public deserves transparency and honesty in the way that their elected officials govern themselves. Instead, this rules package is a dangerous step towards silencing free speech and open debate in the very place that should be the shining example for the world. These rules changes frighten me. We can't stand by and allow the very core of our democracy to be shredded. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote ``no'' on the rules package. Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, I continue to reserve the balance of my time. Ms. SLAUGHTER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from Connecticut (Ms. DeLauro), the co-chair of the House Democratic Steering and Policy Committee. Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, this rules package sets a disturbing tone for our new session of Congress. It requires authorizing committees to propose programs that should be moved from mandatory to discretionary. Now, what does that mean? Mandatory programs must be funded--must. Discretionary programs do not have to be funded. It is a calculated move to cut vital programs like Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, and Pell grants. As a member of the Appropriations Committee, I know that we do not even have the discretionary money--the dollars--to support the current programs in place. Medical research at the National Institutes of Health has been cut by $7.5 billion since 2003. These rules also deny Members their freedom of speech. They institute potentially unconstitutional mechanisms to punish Members for speaking their minds on the floor of this House and delivering a message to people. Our constituents elect us to speak our minds on the floor of this House. It is wrong, it is a disgrace, and it is the wrong way to start a new session. This represents the total denunciation of what our jobs are as Members of Congress. Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time. Ms. SLAUGHTER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from California (Mr. Swalwell), who is the co-chair of the House Democratic Steering and Policy Committee. Mr. SWALWELL of California. Mr. Speaker, today begins the House Republicans' efforts to end the guarantee of Medicare, an earned benefit giving our seniors healthcare security. Today also marks a united effort by House Democrats to protect it. Taking away this healthcare guarantee from our seniors hurts not just the seniors but everyone in the family. It is a family matter. Ending Medicare will burden their children and families who have to shoulder the responsibility of picking up the costs of their parents' health care. Many of those children are millennials, millions of whom now have health care thanks to the Affordable Care Act--health security that is also under threat due to the incoming administration and this Republican House. These efforts will further jeopardize the health security of millennials who are paying into it and expecting to receive benefits when they get older. We are obligated to protect the health security of all Americans, young and old. Help hold the health and economic security of families together and vote against this resolution. Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, I continue to reserve the balance of my time. Ms. SLAUGHTER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Neal), who is the ranking member of the Committee on Ways and Means. Mr. NEAL. Mr. Speaker, as Joe Friday used to say: ``Just the facts, ma'am.'' Let's oppose H. Res. 5 because this is a backdoor effort to move away from the Affordable Care Act. The act does work, it continues to work, and the statistics bear it out. It has increased the solvency of the Medicare, Social Security trust fund by 10 years. 137 million Americans now have access to preventive care, which saves us costs in the long run. Woe to those who decide that they are going to make fundamental alterations to this without explaining to the American people what they mean. Medicaid at one time in Johnson's vision was supposed to be for the poor. Medicaid, because of long-term care, dementia, Alzheimer's disease, and nursing homes, has quickly become a middle class benefit. Early intervention saves costs in the long run, and that is precisely what the Affordable Care Act was intended to do, and it has been successful. When you look today at the Affordable Care Act and how it has worked, there are 20 million more Americans who now have health insurance. The SPEAKER pro tempore. The time of the gentleman has expired. Ms. SLAUGHTER. Mr. Speaker, I yield the gentleman an additional 1 minute. Mr. NEAL. Mr. Speaker, we might remind ourselves of this today as well. This is also a sneaky effort to alter Medicare and its guarantee, and next it will be on to Social Security. What we want to understand here is, because of the Affordable Care Act and the solvency of the trust funds, that Medicare, Social Security, Medicaid, and the Affordable Care Act have all now been wed. You can't change one without making alterations to the other. Here is another consideration: you could not hope, if you were in your 40s today, preparing children for college and simultaneously taking care of aged parents. So let me boldly assert--and I think it bears up under scrutiny--the reason that Mom and Dad are not living in your attic is because of Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, and now the Affordable Care Act. We have heard a lot of talk about repeal, repeal, and repeal. I guarantee you in an actuarial sense, as an individual who pays a lot of attention to this, you are going to have a great deal of difficulty touching one of these entitlements without touching the others. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for extending the time. Mr. SESSIONS. I continue to reserve the balance of my time, Mr. Speaker. Ms. SLAUGHTER. Mr. Speaker, if we defeat the previous question, I will offer an amendment to the resolution that would establish a point of order against any legislation that would [[Page 48]] undo the requirements in the Affordable Care Act that have provided millions of Americans with affordable access to quality health care. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to insert the text of my amendment in the Record, along with extraneous material, immediately prior to the vote on the previous question. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the gentlewoman from New York? There was no objection. Ms. SLAUGHTER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Pallone), who is the distinguished ranking member of the Committee on Energy and Commerce. Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, today we are seeing just how far House Republicans are willing to go to repeal the Affordable Care Act. The party that claims to be fiscally responsible is now looking to change the rules of the House so that it can be fiscally reckless in its dangerous assault on the Affordable Care Act. House Republicans know that repealing the ACA will increase direct spending and the deficit by $3 trillion, and this cynical rules proposal shows that Republicans want to hide the true costs of their repeal plans from the American people. Now, repealing the ACA would take away health care from about 20 to 30 million people. It would increase healthcare costs for everyone else. Premium growth for Americans in employer-sponsored plans has slowed since the ACA became law. {time} 1545 If the ACA had not been enacted and average growth remained the same, job-based premiums would be a projected $3,600 higher today. Repeal will also harm hospitals. The hospital industry has warned that repealing the ACA could cost hospitals $165 billion and trigger an ``unprecedented public health crisis.'' Since the ACA was enacted, uncompensated care costs have declined for hospitals by approximately 21 percent. These costs cripple hospitals and are passed on to others in the form of higher prices. Mr. Speaker, repeal would also harm the 55 million seniors and people with disabilities enrolled in Medicare. In addition to ensuring free preventive services for Medicare beneficiaries and closing the prescription drug doughnut hole, the ACA lengthened the solvency of the Medicare trust fund by 11 years. Reforms in the ACA helped slow the rate of healthcare cost growth in Medicare, which means Medicare seniors pay less today than they would have if the ACA weren't enacted. Medicare spending was $473 billion less from 2009 to 2014, compared with spending if pre-ACA cost growth trends had continued. Repeal would reverse these gains and shift costs to seniors who simply cannot afford it. Mr. Speaker, Republicans say they are fiscally responsible and that government spending is out of control, but today they will vote to add $3 trillion to the deficit with their ACA repeal bill. Their assault is not logical. I urge all Members to vote against this GOP hypocrisy. Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Alabama (Mr. Byrne), one of the most distinguished members of the Rules Committee. Mr. BYRNE. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding. Mr. Speaker, we have heard a lot about free speech. There is not one thing in this rules package that interferes with any Member's right of free speech. In fact, what it does is guarantee our right of free speech because it provides a way for disciplining people in this body who break our rules of decorum. Every time one of us breaks the rules of decorum, we rob the right of free speech from other Members. The rules of decorum are not new. They go back to the beginning of our constitutional government in Mr. Jefferson's Manual. As technology has proceeded in this world, our rules have kept up. We haven't created any new sanction. We created a new way to make the sanction be effective. Without effective sanctions, we cannot have free speech on this floor. Every Member of this House should be concerned about maintaining the decorum of the House. The package also contains very important provisions, such as removing outdated references to physical mobility, codifying that those Members who cannot stand due to age, infirmity, or disability are not required to do so. The package provides that by December 31, 2017, each bill, joint resolution, or amendment in the nature of a substitute will have a searchable, comparative print that shows how the proposed legislation will change current law. This will enhance transparency in our process so that Members and the general public will know what we are doing. The package contains a provision championed by the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Griffith) that restores the Holman rule to the House. This provision, which lasted almost a century, until it was removed in 1983, will allow the Congress to easily reform the Federal Government and cut down on bureaucracy. I was pleased the rules package also includes an important effort to address unauthorized appropriations, an issue I have championed as a member of the Rules Committee. I think it is very concerning for Congress to appropriate money to any Federal agency that has not gone through the appropriations process or has seen their authorization expire. Thanks to provisions included in this package, it is my hope that each of our standing committees will make a better effort to address unauthorized programs and ensure that Congress is providing diligent oversight of the Federal bureaucracy. Mr. Speaker, the American people sent us to this body to make real changes on their behalf. We must adopt these rules today so that we can go about the people's business. I urge my colleagues to support these rules so the House can address the many important issues that await our attention so that we can all, each and every one of us, have real free speech. Ms. SLAUGHTER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Connecticut (Mr. Larson). Mr. LARSON of Connecticut. Mr. Speaker, I say to the gentleman from Alabama, as much as I appreciate his enthusiasm, what he is proposing here--and I say this to my dear friend from Texas as well--with respect to speech, is both unprecedented, unconstitutional, and unnecessary. It is unprecedented. You heard Representative Hoyer review this earlier. The Parliamentarian has researched this. Shame on this House of Representatives for imposing these kind of restrictions on its Members. It is unconstitutional because it directly violates Article I, section 6 of the Constitution where it specifically says, with respect to speech and debate, that those shouldn't be impeded in this House. And this rule does that. It also says, with respect to one's salary, which this rule specifically goes after, if you tamper with the salary, that can only be done through the law. It is in the Constitution. That requires both Chambers and the President to do that. That rule is blatant. What it does also is ignore hundreds of petitions from all across the country from people who only ask for a vote. And that is why this rule is unnecessary. All we have asked for is a vote. Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, the Rules Committee has a number of bright and able young, new members. One of them is a brand new member of our Republican leadership. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Collins). Mr. COLLINS of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to support the rules of the House for the 115th Congress. In fact, let's just look at it and say that this package benefited from thorough discussion within the Republican Conference. My colleagues' thoughtful debate strengthened this resolution, as we adopted cogent amendments offered by several members of our conference. As a member of the House Rules Committee, I have seen how strong, smart rules promote the effectiveness of this body as we work on behalf of 320 million Americans. The rules for the 115th Congress govern the House of Representatives, and [[Page 49]] this package also reminds us of our priority, our promises, and the hard work ahead of us. To that end, Republicans have outlined a plan that embraces commonsense policies that work for all Americans. Regulatory reform will strengthen our economy and get hardworking men and women back to work. A glut of regulatory burdens have made it harder for our families to make ends meet, but our plan and these rules will work to reverse that trend and to ensure that America remains the land where any person can turn their hopes, dreams, and ambitions into reality. Our priority is for our policies to reflect the values and the voice of the American people. This rules package helps us achieve that goal by calling for robust oversight plans for our committees, smarter budgeting and spending, and increases transparency throughout government. Therefore, this resolution works to make legislation easier for everyday Americans to access and understand. It also updates outdated policies so that our rules better reflect the realities of today. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support these rules. As we embark on a new Congress, it is critical that we begin under the guidance of documents that emphasize and improve our service to every American and move forward with a better future and a brighter tomorrow as we look forward to the proper role of this body. When we look to the role of this body, people are watching. Our voice is heard every day on this floor. For anyone to say different is just making a political show of a good set of rules. Ms. SLAUGHTER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Scott), the distinguished ranking member of the Committee on Education and the Workforce. Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to H. Res. 5. This rules package contains a special provision exempting the Affordable Care Act from normal budget rules, giving the Republicans an easier path to repealing the Affordable Care Act without an alternative. The reason this exception is needed is because the regular budget process in the rule provides that, when legislation is passed which increases spending, it must be paid for to avoid increasing the deficit. ObamaCare actually saves money. Under the normal rule, repealing it would have to be paid for. The exception in the rule will allow for the repeal without offsetting the cost of that repeal, costing billions, possibly hundreds of billions to the deficit. And what do we get with a repeal? By the way, when they say ``repeal and replace,'' the only thing you can be sure of is the repeal part. If there were a viable alternative, we would have seen what that alternative looked like sometime in the last 6 years. But we have seen nothing. We do know what repeal would look like. Just some of the consequences would be tens of millions of people would lose insurance, employers would start dropping coverage, those with preexisting conditions would lose coverage or be charged a lot more, and a loss of consumer protections. It would hurt the Medicare trust fund. Because the solvency of the trust fund was extended under the Affordable Care Act, that process would be reversed. Billions would be added to the national debt. We should not facilitate that debacle by granting this exemption found in the rule, which would add billions to the deficit and jeopardize lifesaving insurance coverage for tens of millions of hardworking Americans. We should vote ``no'' on this rule. Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Washington (Mr. Newhouse), one of our bright, young members of the Rules Committee. Mr. NEWHOUSE. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman for yielding. Mr. Speaker, adopting the rules of the House is not a mundane exercise, but it is a critically important undertaking that will allow the new, unified Republican government to do the job the American people elected us to do. By adopting these rules, we can demonstrate that House Republicans are committed to enacting an agenda that will install conservative, free-market principles to grow our economy, restore prosperity, and increase opportunities for all Americans. H. Res. 5 takes important steps toward achieving these goals and will provide increased transparency, enhance accountability, and will build on past efforts by House Republicans to streamline the process. This is a fair package that will empower Members and allow all voices to be heard, regardless of status or seniority. The House should serve as a model for the rest of the country on the fair and equal treatment of all Americans, and this package eliminates outdated rules to adequately address the physical needs of all Members. Further, this package puts an impetus on congressional oversight, maintains decorum, slows the growth of unauthorized appropriations, ensures mechanisms are in place to control spending, reduces redundancy in the Federal Government, and lowers the national debt. Now is the time to lead the country out of years of historic economic stagnation, roll back years of job-killing regulations, return to a system of limited government, and reform the way Congress works. As we begin this Congress, I look forward to working with my House and Senate colleagues, the incoming President, and the American people to rein in a Federal bureaucracy, provide oversight to agencies, restore the proper separation of powers, and reestablish a ``government of the people, by the people, for the people.'' Ms. SLAUGHTER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Jeffries). Mr. JEFFRIES. Mr. Speaker, I thank the distinguished gentlewoman for yielding. Mr. Speaker, for 8 years, House Republicans have governed under the philosophy: obstruction today, obstruction tomorrow, obstruction forever. This irresponsible approach to governance has now resulted in a Republican hostile takeover here in Washington, DC. The culture of obstruction has ended, but the culture of destruction is just getting started. House Republicans plan to destroy Social Security, destroy Medicare, destroy the Affordable Care Act, destroy the social safety net, and destroy the ability of duly elected Members of the House of Representatives to vigorously engage in speech and debate in the people's House. This proposed set of rules is unfair, unjust, unacceptable, unconstitutional, and unconscionable. Every Member who truly cares about doing the people's business should vote it down. {time} 1600 Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time. Ms. SLAUGHTER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from Massachusetts (Ms. Clark). Ms. CLARK of Massachusetts. Mr. Speaker, I include in the Record a letter from dozens of legal scholars expressing their strong concerns with the language in H. Res. 5 that permits the Sergeant at Arms to punish and fine Members of the House. January 3, 2017. Hon. Paul Ryan, The Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, U.S. Capitol, Washington, DC. Hon. Nancy Pelosi, The Minority Leader of the U.S. House of Representatives, U.S. Capitol, Washington, DC. Dear Speaker Ryan and Minority Leader Pelosi, We write to express our strong concerns regarding provisions in H. Res. 5 that would authorize the Sergeant-at-Arms of the House of Representatives to unilaterally punish and fine Members of the House for certain alleged infractions without any action by the full House. These provisions were apparently written in response to the House Democrats' protest last year over inaction on gun safety legislation. As constitutional and legal experts with experience in academia, the Federal courts, and Congress, we believe there are significant constitutional and policy problems presented by the proposed new provisions. If adopted, the new provisions would undermine core constitutional protections under Article I of the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. At a minimum, it would seem that significant and controversial changes of this nature would benefit from the input of [[Page 50]] legal experts before being considered by the full House of Representatives. Section 2 of the proposed rules package includes several potentially problematic provisions. Under subsection (a), clause 3 of House Rule II would be amended to provide that the Sergeant-at-Arms ``is authorized and directed to impose a fine against a Member . . . for the use of an electronic device for still photography, audio or visual recording or broadcasting . . .'' A fine for the first offense is set at $500 and fines for second or subsequent offenses are set at $2,500. A limited appeal of a fine is permitted to the Committee on Ethics, however that appeal process does not provide Members with recourse to a full vote of the House. Subsection (a) would also amend clause 4 of Rule II to require the Chief Administrative Officer to deduct the amount of the fine from the Member's net salary, and amend rule XVII to add a provision providing that a Member, officer or employee of the House may not engage in ``disorderly or disruptive conduct in the Chamber,'' which such conduct is deemed subject to House Ethics Committee review. The amendments also authorize the Speaker to issue further announcements on electronic devices, and the Sergeant-at- Arms, the Committee on Ethics, and the Chief Administrative Officer to establish implementing procedures and policies for these rules changes. The changes would give an administrative officer the power to do what no single Member of Congress could do--act alone to punish and fine another Member. The unprecedented delegation of systematic authority to assess fines to officers of the House--in this case the Sergeant-at-Arms and the Chief Administrative Officer--removes the power from where it belongs: the Members themselves acting as a body. Article I, Section 5 of the Constitution provides that ``Each House may . . . punish its Members for disorderly Behavior,'' and this power has always been exercised by the full House of Representatives and never delegated to a single Member or administrative officer. The Supreme Court held in Powell v. McCormack, 395 U.S. 495 (1969) that this type of constitutional authority cannot be used to abrogate other parts of the Constitution. The unprecedented delegation of the House punishment power to an administrative officer is designed to restrict activity that is at the core of the First Amendment freedom of speech, and the Members' rights under the Article I, Section 6 Speech or Debate Clause. The rules would sharply limit the ability of Members to video record proceedings on the House floor, offending the spirit if not the text of these constitutional requirements. In this regard, we would note that federal courts have previously held there is a First Amendment right to video record city council proceedings. The proposed new rules include a number of potentially vague or overbroad terms (e.g., ``use of an exhibit to impede'' and ``denial of legislative instruments''), thereby implicating due process concerns. The fact that the proposed rules were amended late last evening to allow a limited appeal to the Ethics Committee--a Committee equally divided on partisan lines-- does not resolve our constitutional concerns with these changes. This is because we are left with a process whereby an administrative officer of the House has been empowered to fine Members for speech-related activities, and the Member has no recourse under the rules for consideration by the full House. Nearly 70 years ago in Tenney v. Brandhove, the Court quoted the writings of James Wilson to highlight the importance of legislative immunity provided in the Speech or Debate Clause: ```In order to enable and encourage a representative of the public to discharge his public trust with firmness and success, it is indispensably necessary, that he should enjoy the fullest liberty of speech, and that he should be protected from the resentment of every one, however powerful, to whom the exercise of that liberty may occasion offense.''' We believe the House of Representatives should heed these words and tread very carefully before taking any action that authorizes an administrative officer of the House to punish Members of Congress for expressing themselves and informing the public concerning actions being taken on the House floor. Thank you for your consideration of these views. (Titles are indicated for identification purposes only.) Jamie Raskin, Professor of Constitutional Law, American University, Washington College of Law; Victoria F. Nourse, Professor of Law, Georgetown University Law Center; Irvin B. Nathan, Former General Counsel of the U.S. House of Representatives; Timothy M. Westmoreland, Professor of Law from Practice, Georgetown University Law Center; Charles Gardner Geyh, John F. Kimberling Professor of Law, Maurer School of Law; Malla Pollack, Former Visiting Assistant Professor, University of Idaho, College of Law; Loftus Becker, Professor of Law, University of Connecticut School of Law. Laurence H. Tribe, Carl M. Loeb University Professor and Professor of Constitutional Law, Harvard Law School; Joe Onek, Former Senior Counsel to the Speaker of the House and Former Deputy White House Counsel; Steven R. Ross, Former General Counsel of the U.S. House of Representatives; Mark Kende, James Madison Chair in Constitutional Law, Director, Drake University, Constitutional Law Center; Mark A. Graber, Regents Professor, University of Maryland Carey School of Law; Janet Cooper Alexander, Frederick I. Richman Professor of Law, Emerita Stanford Law School; Ira Lupu, F. Elwood & Eleanor Davis, Professor of Law Emeritus, George Washington University. Erwin Chemerinsky, Dean, University of California, Irvine School of Law; Norman Ornstein Congressional Scholar; Charles Tiefer, Former General Counsel of the House of Representatives Professor, University of Baltimore School of Law; Dr. Neil H. Cogan, Professor of Law and Former Dean, Whittier College School of Law; Paul Finkelman, John E. Murray Visiting Professor of Law, University of Pittsburgh School of Law; Eric M. Freedman, Siggi B. Wilzig Distinguished Professor of Constitutional Rights, Maurice A. Deane School of Law at Hofstra University; Nancy L. Rosenblum, Senator Joseph Clark Research Professor of Ethics in Politics and Government, Harvard University. Ruthann Robson, Professor of Law and University Distinguished Professor, City University of New York School of Law; Stephen Loffredo, Professor of Law, City University of New York School of Law; Lauren Sudeall Lucas, Assistant Professor, Georgia State University College of Law; Julie Seaman, Associate Professor of Law Emory University School of Law; David B. Cruz, Professor of Law, University of Southern California Gould School of Law. Sanford Levinson, W. St. John Garwood and W. St. John Garwood Jr. Centennial Chair in Law, University of Texas Law School; Samuel Bagenstos, Frank G. Millard Professor of Law, University of Michigan Law School; Peter M. Shane, Jacob E. Davis & Jacob E. Davis II Chair in Law, The Ohio State University, Moritz College of Law; Joseph P. Tomain, Dean Emeritus and the Wilbert & Helen Ziegler Professor of Law, University of Cincinnati College of Law; Suzianne D. Painter- Thorne, Associate Professor of Law, Mercer Law. Mike Steenson, Bell Distinguished Professor of Law, Mitchell I Hamline School of Law; Deborah Pearlstein, Associate Professor of Constitutional Law, Cardozo School of Law; William D. Rich, Associate Professor of Law, The University of Akron School of Law; Gregory P. Magarian, Professor of Law, Washington University in St. Louis; M. Isabel Medina, Professor of Law, Loyola University New Orleans College of Law; Dakota S. Rudesill, Assistant Professor, Moritz College of Law, The Ohio State University. Ms. CLARK of Massachusetts. Mr. Speaker, I have a question for the majority in the House today. Why would you choose to open this session of this most democratic body, the people's House, by imposing punitive measures to gag debate and reduce accountability and transparency in our government? Many of you say it is outrage at the sit-in that has brought these rules. The sit-in was one demonstration, borne of frustration from the carnage that was going unanswered by the House majority, to plead, to take a vote on two commonsense, bipartisan bills. Is that so threatening that in response we have these draconian measures? The stunning silence of Republicans in this House in the face of the public health crisis of gun violence is now met with these unprecedented rules. We can both uphold our Constitution and give voice to the American people. These rules should be rescinded, and that is what we should do. Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, I continue to reserve the balance of my time. Ms. SLAUGHTER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Johnson). Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong opposition to H. Res. 5. House rule XVII is amended to add a new section, 9(a), which prohibits Members of Congress from committing ``disorderly or disruptive conduct'' and defines that conduct as ``intentionally obstructing or impeding the passage of others in the Chamber.'' It seeks to prohibit John Lewis from leading a sit-in on the House floor; but this language is overbroad, and it is also lacking in sufficient definiteness or specificity and is, thus, unconstitutionally void for vagueness. A Democrat confined to a wheelchair could be found guilty of violating this rule. A vague rule that is incapable of enabling a person of ordinary intelligence to know how not to violate the rule lends itself to being arbitrarily and discriminatorily enforced. This rule [[Page 51]] doesn't even require that there be a victim whose passage within the House Chamber is obstructed or impeded. This body is better than this rule change, and I ask that the Members vote ``no'' on H. Res. 5. Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, I continue to reserve the balance of my time. Ms. SLAUGHTER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Lewis) to discuss our motion to commit. Mr. LEWIS of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my friend, not just my colleague but my classmate. We came to the Congress together in 1987. I want to thank her for her leadership. I want to thank her for never giving up or giving in but for keeping the faith. Now, I don't come to the well that often, but I come because I remember reading someplace that Benjamin Franklin, a Founder of this Nation, once said, ``It is the first responsibility of every citizen to question authority,'' and he made sure the right to dissent is protected by the First Amendment to the Constitution. So today I rise to question the right of House Republicans to institute fines which may violate the First Amendment and have a chilling effect on Members who disagree with the proceedings of this body. House leadership denied the will of the people to bring strong gun violence legislation to the floor. As a last resort, we staged a sit-in here in the well to give voice to their mandate. As Members of Congress, we have a sworn duty to speak up and to speak out if we do not believe the action of this body represents the will of all Americans. We should never, ever give up the right to protest for what is right, what is good, and what is necessary. We were elected to stand on the courage of our convictions. We were not sent here to run and hide. We must use our votes, our voices, and the power vested in us by the people of this Nation to speak the truth as we see it, regardless of the penalties. The SPEAKER pro tempore. The time of the gentleman has expired. Ms. SLAUGHTER. Mr. Speaker, I yield an additional 1 minute to the gentleman. Mr. LEWIS of Georgia. I am not afraid of a fine. I have been fined before. Many of us have been fined before. During the 1960s, I was arrested and jailed 40 times, beaten, left bloody and unconscious on the march from Selma to Montgomery. But no Congress, nobody, no committee has the power to tell us that we cannot stand up, speak up, and speak truth to power. We have a right to dissent. We have a right to protest for what is right. Regardless of rule or no rule, we cannot and will not be silenced. At the end of this debate, I will offer a motion to strike the section that silences the call for gun violence prevention. Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, I continue to reserve the balance of my time. Ms. SLAUGHTER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Cohen). Mr. COHEN. Mr. Speaker, I also oppose this rule as an infringement on Members' rights to express themselves. The rule says that, if you take a photograph, the Sergeant at Arms can dock your pay and find you guilty without a hearing. Well, that is wrong. And the next step would be you can't take a sketch of what is happening and publish that sketch. And the next thing after that would be you can't take notes and repeat what is spoken in this House. This proposal is a direct response to John Lewis. Mr. Lewis is an American hero. He is the most heroic person to serve in this House maybe ever, and don't forget this is an attack on him for doing what he calls good trouble. When the civil rights law said African Americans couldn't vote, he went to Selma and he marched, and he was beaten and he was arrested. And he led his Democrats on the floor when we tried to find a way to get a vote through regular order on no fly, no buy. If you were a terrorist on the terrorist list, you could not get a gun. John Lewis is trying to protect America once again and taking to the floor of this House in protest. This is wrong. I support John Lewis. I applaud the gentleman for taking your ethics proposal and ditching it. It was the wrong optics and the wrong thing to do. This is, too. Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, I continue to reserve the balance of my time. Ms. SLAUGHTER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Pelosi), the Democratic leader of whom we are extraordinarily proud. Ms. PELOSI. Mr. Speaker, I join our colleague Mr. Lewis in praising the gentlewoman's leadership as ranking member, formerly chair, of the Committee on Rules. It is an honor to serve in this House. Every day we step foot on the floor is an exciting moment because we have been sent here by our constituents to represent, as I said earlier, their hopes and their hurts. To serve with John Lewis is something beyond a privilege. To call him colleague is something that is an honor for all of us. To call him friend is a joy in our lives. I thank Mr. Lewis for his leadership on so many issues, but for speaking out so consistently on this public health issue of gun violence in our country, we could not be better served. When, in fact, the sit-in on the floor occurred under his leadership and with his inspiration, the leadership on the Republican side said it is a publicity stunt, and he replied: That is what they said the march on the Selma bridge was, a publicity stunt. It is not a publicity stunt. It is about conveying truth to the American people. And that is exactly what the Republican leadership does not want the American people to hear: the truth about obstacles to legislation coming to the floor that would reduce gun violence in our country. So here we are with this rule that has come to the floor that is outrageous in so many ways. Some ways are very esoteric and may mean nothing on first glance to the American people, but let me tell you a few things as to why you, as a person in our country, should be interested in what is happening on the floor today. You would expect that, after an election that was so hard fought and so focused on the economic security and stability of America's families, the first order of business would have been to say how can we find a bipartisan path to greater economic growth that creates jobs-- good-paying jobs--increases salaries, and contributes to the financial stability of America's working families, giving them the confidence that they will be able to buy a home, again address the aspirations of their children, whether that is at college or other training for the workforce, and also to retire with dignity. Instead, we come to the floor with, first, a proposal that was so outrageous that the Republicans even had to back off of it. Even the President-elect, Donald Trump, criticized the first actions of the Republicans in the House, so they backed off of that for the moment. For the moment they backed off their attempt to harm the way we deal with ethics violations in the Congress. We should be draining the swamp. They are backing off. I am here because we are talking about, again, a big public health issue: gun violence in our country. When Members of Congress spoke and the response from the public was so great, Republicans decided that, in this rule today, they would do something so outrageous. It is a violation of freedom of speech on the House floor. It is an insult to the intelligence of the American people that they should not be able to hear this. It violates the Constitution by saying the Sergeant at Arms can take money out of your salary if he doesn't like your behavior on the floor. It is absolutely ridiculous. But our distinguished colleague from Georgia (Mr. Lewis) has spoken, as have others spoken to that point. I want to just go to another point, and it is a health issue as well, and that is what every family in America should be concerned about what is happening in this rules package today. I recently heard over the weekend from my friend that a grandchild of that family was diagnosed with leukemia--3 years old, diagnosed with leukemia. What does that mean and what [[Page 52]] does this rule mean to that child's life? Well, this rule is a setup to overturn the Affordable Care Act. What the Affordable Care Act is doing for that child is to say you cannot be discriminated against because you have a preexisting medical condition, which that child will have for life. Insurance companies cannot have limits on your annual or lifetime limits on what kind of benefits you can receive--you are 3 years old, a whole lifetime of benefits. Up until you are 26 years old, you can be on your parents' policy. That would be eliminated as well. The issues go on and on and on that would affect that child. If that child's grandparent is on Medicare, that family is affected, too, because, in this legislation, there is a provision that would harm Medicare by changing from mandatory to discretionary. {time} 1615 Inside baseball, I know. But when you realize that the Republican budget has a provision in it to take away the guarantee of Medicare and say to seniors, you are on your own, you have a voucher, you are on your own, now this family is being assaulted at the earliest years--3 years old. Medicare, in the meantime, for grandparents. In between, it is important to note the following about the Affordable Care Act. While we talk a great deal and with great pride about the fact that 20 million Americans have received health benefits now, have health insurance now because of the Affordable Care Act, we are very proud of that. It is a wonderful thing, but it is only a part of the picture. Seventy-five percent of the American people get their health insurance through the workplace. One hundred percent of them have increased benefits because of the Affordable Care Act. One hundred percent of them have a rate of growth of the cost of health care greatly diminished--the lowest rate of increase in over 50 years that they have measured these rates of growth. So if it is a question of access, if it is a question of quality of care, if it is a question of cost, the Affordable Care Act has been a magnificent success. Can we do better? We always like to see implementation and how we can do better, and we thought we could work in a bipartisan way to do that. But the fact is that either the Republicans do not understand what this means in the lives of America's families or do not care about what it means in that regard, that they just want to repeal. They say repeal and replace. Repeal and replace has one thing going for it--alliteration. Beyond that, it has nothing going for it, because they would never even be able to get the votes to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act. It is just not possible. That is why they don't have a replacement. Do you want to know why they don't have a replacement? They don't have the votes for a replacement. Then they say repeal and delay. Delay? For how long? Delay is probably one of the most cowardice actions they could take because it says: We don't know, but we know that it would be harmful to our politics if people lose their benefits or their costs go up, so we will just delay the impact of our irresponsible action of repealing. So we have before us the makings of this bombshell of a rule that undermines the health and economic security of America's working families in so many respects. You certainly will be hearing more from us about every aspect of it, whether it is lifetime limits. Oh, we are going to keep no preexisting conditions. You are? At what cost and to whom? We would like to see that proposal. So far we haven't. So for many reasons that are, as I say, too inside baseball to go into. Think about your own life, you out there who said: Keep your government hands off of my Medicare. They want to put their hands not only on your Medicare, but to squeeze the guarantee right out of it, the lifeblood of what Medicare is, a guarantee. They want to block grant Medicaid. Do you understand that if you have a senior in your family who is in need of long-term health care, whether it is because of one physical disability or another and some related to dementia and Alzheimer's, at least 50 percent of the benefits of Medicaid go to long-term health care? So families in America who want them to overturn the Affordable Care Act and all that that means for Medicare and Medicaid and their budget to boot, you are going to have Mom and Dad, as Richard Neal says, living in your house. You are going to be taking care of them right then and there. That may be a welcome sense of community to you or it may not. It may deprive you of opportunity that you want to provide for your children because of an ideological view of Republicans that we should not have Medicaid and Medicare, which are pillars of economic security in our families. The very idea that in this bill they want to take mandatory money and turn it into discretionary money, subjecting it to the will of the Congress in terms of appropriations, says that they have their eye on Social Security as well. So be very, very vigilant, be very, very aware. I don't want you to be very, very scared, but there is reason to be if the Republicans work their will based on the blueprint that they have both in this bill, this rules package they are bringing to the floor, as well as what they have in their budget. Even their nominee for President, Donald Trump, has disassociated himself--in the campaign anyway--from what they want to do to Medicare and Social Security and the rest. We will see how that holds up as we go forward. But you can be sure that the Democrats will have a big, bright, relentless spotlight on what is happening here because of what it means to you out there and your families, whether it is a child who is sick, a worker who gets benefits in the workplace which now will be diminished, or a senior citizen who relies on Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security. There is a lot at stake. There is an ideological difference between Democrats and Republicans on these issues. I would hope that these issues would go away and that the public would weigh in in such a significant way that the Republicans would back off, as they backed off this morning when they chickened out on their very bad proposal relating to ethics. In order for the American people to weigh in, they have to know, which takes us back to what Mr. Lewis was talking about--they have to know. If it is the determination of this body that the Sergeant at Arms can effectively silence the voice of Members on the floor deducting a penalty from their paycheck, which is totally unconstitutional--but I guess that doesn't matter to the devotees of the Constitution that what they are doing is unconstitutional--then how will the public know? There is a method to this madness. It is not just about the sit-in on guns. As Mr. Cohen mentioned, it is about what other ways they will deprive us of communicating with the American people about what is at stake for them, America's working families, by actions taken on this floor. I urge my colleagues, of course, to vote ``no,'' a thousand times ``no'' on this legislation, but also to continue the fight that will unfold if it becomes the new rules of the House. It is a very unfortunate day. We should be starting with a big jobs package for America's working families, not threatening their financial stability by undermining what they have paid into, systems that they have paid into, now being subjected to the whims of an ideological majority. Again, I urge a ``no'' vote. I thank, again, our colleague, Mr. Lewis, for his extraordinary leadership over time and up to the minute today, and I look forward to following his lead as we go forward. I thank the gentlewoman (Ms. Slaughter), our ranking member, for her leadership as well. Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time. Ms. SLAUGHTER. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Connolly) for the purpose of a unanimous consent request. [[Page 53]] Mr. CONNOLLY. Mr. Speaker, I oppose this rule because of what it does to Federal employees and to the rights of the elected Members of this body. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to the rules for the 115th Congress proposed by the Majority. This rules package ushers in a new era of unified Republican government. One in which facts--when inconvenient--do not matter and ethics are subject to the interpretation of the Majority. Freedom of speech--a right guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution--has been redefined and curtailed by this resolution to accommodate the Majority's crackdown on dissent. Under a unified Republican government, witch hunts against federal employees and the agencies for which they work are empowered and encouraged. The President-elect has already engaged in a stunning overreach during his transition by demanding the names of federal employees and scientists who have worked on projects he dislikes. We know the Majority would like to gut the functionality of the federal government. The dangerous and indiscriminate cuts of Sequestration are evidence enough of that. However, this rules package provides them with the surgical tools necessary to reach into the inner workings of the federal government and cut away each part and employee that runs afoul of their ideological agenda. I will oppose this resolution, and I cannot see how anyone who calls themselves a friend to federal employees could support the Majority's proposed rules for the 115th Congress. Ms. SLAUGHTER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I include in the Record a description of the many troubling Republican rules changes in H. Res. 5. H. Res. 5, the House rules package for the 115th Congress, contains a number of troubling provisions. Most concerning is that instead of taking action to address the gun violence epidemic, Republicans have responded to the Democratic sit-in of last June by instituting an offensive and possibly unconstitutional gag rule to punish Members who violate the rules on decorum. H. Res. 5 authorizes the Sergeant-at-Arms to fine Members for the use of photographic and audio or visual recording devices on the floor. Fines are set at $500 for a first offense and $2,500 for each subsequent offense and the Chief Administrative Officer is instructed to deduct such fines from the Member's salary. The resolution also makes ``disorderly or disruptive conduct'' in the Chamber an offense for which Members and staff can be referred to the Ethics Committee. There are serious constitutional questions concerning whether fines can be deducted from Members' pay, and whether the House can delegate the responsibility of punishing Members to House officers, but most importantly this change has the potential to have a chilling effect that would silence the Minority party and the millions of constituent they represent. H. Res. 5 will also dramatically expand the Republican Majority's investigative powers, giving nearly every committee the ability to haul private citizens to Washington to be deposed by Republican staffers. After spending six years demonstrating their eagerness to spend taxpayer money on wasteful, politically-motivated witch hunts, Republicans are giving themselves additional tools to do more of the same. The rules package gives every committee (except Rules and House Administration) the ability to force private citizens to travel to Washington, DC and be subjected to unlimited hours of interrogation by Republican staff. Republicans have expanded committees' investigative powers over the last six years, but even last Congress gave staff deposition authority to only five standing committees. In this rules package, for the first time ever, Republicans are removing entirely any requirement that Members be present during such depositions (unless the House is in session), making it much more likely that depositions will be lengthy and numerous. Freely handing out the power to compel any American to appear, sit in a room, and answer staff's invasive questions on the record is truly unprecedented, unwarranted, and offensive. Note that due to the Majority's use of this authority to intimidate potential witnesses during the 114th Congress, the ranking members of the relevant committees requested that this authority not be extended at the end of the first session. Democrats are also troubled that H. Res. 5's expansion of staff deposition authority and delegation of Member punishment to a House officer represent a disturbing trend of giving to staff powers that ought to be, and have traditionally been, exercised by Members. This rules package also includes a worrisome requirement that each standing committee (except for Appropriations, Ethics, and Rules) include in its oversight plans recommendations for moving programs from mandatory to discretionary funding. This would begin the process of dismantling the guaranteed funding mechanisms for vital safety net programs such as Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid and expose these programs to the uncertainties of the annual appropriations process--something the Majority has been trying to accomplish for years. With H. Res. 5's reinstatement of the so-called ``Holman Rule,'' Republicans are unfairly targeting Federal employees. The Holman Rule, which was largely removed from the standing rules in 1983, permits provisions in and amendments to general appropriations bills that reduce the number of Federal employees, or reduce the salary of any Federal employee. Since 1983, such provisions and amendments have been out of order, as they constitute ``legislating on an appropriations bill.'' Reinstating this rule represents yet another effort by the Republican Majority to scapegoat Federal employees, make cuts to the Federal workforce, and politicize the civil service system that was established to professionalize agencies and offices. Moreover, in light of the President-Elect's transition team asking agencies to ``name names'' of Federal employees who have implemented policies with which Republicans disagree, perhaps most worrisome is the potential use of the Holman Rule to persecute career employees for doing their jobs during the Obama Administration. H. Res. 5 also intentionally hides the cost of repealing the Affordable Care Act (ACA), by preemptively waiving the Majority's own long-term direct spending point of order for any ACA repeal legislation. The rules package extends a point of order against considering legislation that would increase direct spending by $5 billion or more in any of the four 10- year periods following the decade after passage of the legislation. Repealing the ACA will result in increased direct spending and would very likely violate this long-term spending point of order, so H. Res. 5 includes a carve-out exempting ACA repeal legislation from the point of order entirely. On top of that, H. Res. 5 permits the Budget Chair to apply this waiver to any other legislation she wishes. Similar to the provision waiving the budgetary point of order against legislation repealing the ACA, an amendment to H. Res. 5 was adopted late last night that continues the Republican practice of disregarding fiscal responsibility by requiring the House to ignore the fiscal effects of the sale or transfer of Federal land to a State, local government, or tribal entity. While this rule was included to simplify the process for authorizing the transfer of land, and would also apply to instances when direct spending decreases, it is irresponsible to authorize such a sale or transfer without knowing its total cost. Democrats also find H. Res. 5's change to the rules to make it easier for the Majority to continue its wasteful, taxpayer-funded lawsuits in future Congresses very unfortunate. The rules package takes the unprecedented step of providing blanket authority for the House, Speaker, or a committee chair to carry forward any litigation from the previous Congress. Previous rules packages listed specific matters to be carried over, ensuring a level of transparency and review that will be absent following this rules change This change will ultimately permit the Majority to more easily shield its abuse of the legal process from public scrutiny. H. Res. 5 also includes several rules changes that, while not necessarily problematic on their face, have the potential to be abused by the Majority. First, H. Res. 5 allows the Majority to postpone votes on the motion to recommit by adding such motions, as well as motions to concur, to the list of questions that can be postponed for up to two legislative days under clause 8 of rule XX. This same authority already exists for many other questions and is typically used for time management. Although this may be useful in coordinating the timing of floor votes with Members' schedules, it could be used by the Majority to postpone votes on Democratic priorities if they are concerned about losing a vote. Second, the rules package explicitly states that records ``created, generated, or received'' by Members' personal offices are the personal property of the individual Members and, unlike Committee materials, are not records of the House. While this is a codification of a longstanding policy, the rule change could be exploited by the Majority to store materials in Member offices in order to circumvent requirements that they share House records with the Minority. This was a concern in the 114th Congress, for example, in relation to the Republicans' Planned Parenthood investigation. Moreover, this change could lend legitimacy to a defeated Member's decision to refuse to hand over constituent casework files to his or her successor, which appears to have happened last year. Democrats will monitor the Majority's implementation of these new rules to ensure they are used to assist in the effective operation of the House and not to prevent Members of the Minority Party from representing and serving their constituents. Finally, Democrats were very concerned with the Republican Conference's adoption of an amendment to the Rules package late last night that would have stripped the Office of [[Page 54]] Congressional Ethics (OCR) of its independence by placing it under the authority of the Ethics Committee, thereby eliminating its role as an effective Congressional watchdog. It would have effectively gutted the OCE by prohibiting it from investigating anonymous complaints, prohibiting it from having a press secretary or from talking to the press at any time, requiring OCE to refer criminal complaints directly to the Ethics Committee, and allowing the Ethics Committee to stop any OCE investigation at any time. The OCE was created in 2008 to investigate allegations against Members of Congress, following years of scandal that tarnished this institution. It was intentionally set up as an independent body to ensure that it was able to conduct proper investigations free from political influences and favoritism. Disciplinary actions against Members have increased substantially since the OCE's creation, because there is now finally an office not run by Members of Congress investigating allegations against Members. Independent Inspector General offices ensure accountability in the Executive Branch and the House should be held to the same standard. This is why the top ethics lawyers to both Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama have strongly condemned the Republican effort to gut the OCE. In attempting to implement this rules change, Republicans showed their true colors. While we are pleased that the public outcry and negative attention from the media forced Republicans to backtrack this morning and leave the OCE intact, it is disturbing that Republicans' first instinct was to weaken rather than strengthen the House's ethics rules. Ms. SLAUGHTER. Mr. Speaker, in closing, we will continue to fight, as our leader said, with all of the tools that we have. We may not be able to do much in Congress until we get to court, but we will not be silenced. We invite you to bring regular order back to this House and to bring back the barrel of ideas. And always remember that because you shut out the number of Congresspersons from being a part of what is happening here, that you are shutting out the voices of over half of the American public. Remember, too, that we did get a million more votes in the election previous to this one than you did, and we deserve to speak. Anyway, I want to make that as clear as I can. I urge a ``no'' vote on the previous question, and ``no'' on the motion to commit, and ``no'' on the resolution. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time. Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I thank my colleagues, Republicans and Democrats, for showing up today, not only for expressing their views. The Democrat majority certainly did show up and give us lots of things to think about, which is good. The new year deserves an opportunity for us to hear some of their thoughts and ideas. I will tell you that it went across the board. I am still stunned that Republicans are blamed for the failures of ObamaCare when, in fact, it is ObamaCare that we are going to amend and we are going to change. Many of the people who came to the floor of the House today know that hundreds--well, tens of hundreds of children's hospitals across the country won't take ObamaCare. Stanford University School of Medicine in California does not take ObamaCare. It is a discriminatory system. It is a system that does not work. It is a system where you might find a doctor, but no referral. It is a system that is bleeding the life out of businesses and jobs in this country. Yes, we do address that in the rules package. But what we really address in the rules package is an opportunity to streamline the procedures on rules and regulations and our ability to effectively do the work with the consent of the American people. You heard three of my Rules colleagues who very carefully and ably worked through some of the intricacies of the rules package. Make no mistake about it, Mr. Speaker, as every Member of this body attempts to gain a voice and to be heard, it will be done in an open and fair way; but there will be decorum attached to that because decorum comes with avoiding chaos. What has always allowed this body to be different from any other body in the world is the discipline of rules and order and procedures, mutual respect for each other, the opportunity to hear and be heard, but, really, the opportunity with an open process, a process that is given to the minority and one that is given to the majority. Any rule that has been promulgated in this body is not done on a partisan basis because, see, my majority has people who disagree with necessarily some in our party, too. We did not try and stop anybody from voicing what they would voice, but a rule of decorum has been placed upon that. That is what separates this body from any other bodies in the world, and that is what will continue to gain the admiration of not only the American people, but people around the world. It is something that I cherish and I believe that must happen. Mr. COHEN. Will the gentleman yield? Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the gentleman. I will yield to him in just a moment. Mr. Speaker, what we are doing here today is we are presenting openly the package giving an equal amount of time to Democrats as we do with Republicans. In the Rules Committee, we open ourselves up and hear from Democrats all the time. I know you heard that we offer no amendments. Of course, that is not true. As a matter of fact, on any given week when we were in session, we offered more amendments in the Rules Committee than Harry Reid did in several years of being in the United States Senate to Republicans. We are a body that works and tries to work well and we try to be fair. With everything that has been said today, I take it as a challenge on myself to try to work even better and closer with my colleagues to listen and to allow them to be heard. It is something that we have tried to do for a number of years. {time} 1630 Evidently, the gentleman from Tennessee wishes to engage me. Does the gentleman have a question? Mr. COHEN. Will the gentleman yield? Mr. SESSIONS. I yield to the gentleman from Tennessee. Mr. COHEN. Under the rule, if I took a still photograph of just an individual--of a friend--on the floor, would it not come under the rule that the Sergeant at Arms would then be directed to fine me $500 even though there was no question about decorum being in jeopardy? Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, in reclaiming my time, I would like to read to the gentleman what is the statement: The use of personal electronic footage not only breaches decorum but provides an avenue to exploit official business for political and personal gain. If that is personal gain, it would not be allowed. House video footage can be used for news or public affairs programs but is prohibited from being used for commercial or political purposes. I would encourage the gentleman, as I would if this were a speeding violation or something else--we have lots of people who are members of the Sergeant at Arms--to go grab your favorite individuals with the Sergeant at Arms and review with them the things which you believe would be in the context of how that Member would come in. Inasmuch as just a picture would be taken, they may say, ``but not with a flash.'' If it were disruptive, then I would consider that to be a violation. If it were taken in the back and with no one else around, I can't tell the gentleman as I am not the officer in charge of that; but they are trained in this, and they have been trained very well. I do appreciate the gentleman's asking. I would suggest that the gentleman ask that question based upon his own usage. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to support this package. Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong opposition to H. Res. 5, the Rules Package for the 115th Congress, because it will require unprecedented changes to the Standing Rules and cost the American people countless dollars through direct spending and drastic and unnecessary deficit increase. I am deeply concerned by House Republicans' decision in the dead of night to strip [[Page 55]] away the voices of Members echoing the constitutionally protected concerns of their constituents and hide the true cost of their shameful attempts at repealing the Affordable Care Act. This disturbing change contained in the Rules package has never been implemented in the House. The most troubling Republican Rules Changes in H. Res. 5 include: (1) Punishment of Members (sec. 2(a), pp. 2-31)--These changes are unprecedented in the House of Representatives and are clearly being enacted in response to the gun violence sit-in. Instead of taking action to address the epidemic of gun violence in this country, House Republicans in a potentially unconstitutional way are silencing democratically elected Members of Congress and preventing them from expressing the views and wishes of their constituents by instituting offensive and possibly unconstitutional new mechanisms for punishing Members who supposedly violate the rules on decorum. (2) Hiding the Cost of Repealing the Affordable Care Act--(sec. 3(h), pp. 22-24)--Aware that repealing the Affordable Care Act will increase direct spending and the deficit, Republicans preemptively waive their own long-term direct spending point of order for ACA repeal legislation. President-Elect Trump and the Republican Majority have promised to repeal the Affordable Care Act, even though such repeal would significantly increase the deficit and directly affect millions of Americans. In order to move forward with repealing the ACA, House Republicans are preemptively waiving their own long-term direct spending point of order. Trust in our institutions, including Congress, is already at record lows. Worsening the damage they are doing to the House as an institution, the Republicans have proposed this change without any hearings or input from Democratic Members late in the evening, less than twenty-four hours before it would be voted on. H. Res. 5 authorizes the Sergeant-at-Arms to impose fines on Members for use of photographic, audio or visual recording devices on the floor. Fines are set at $500 for a first offense and $2,500 for each subsequent offense. The Chief Administrative Officer is instructed to deduct such fines from the Member's salary. There are serious constitutional questions concerning whether fines can be deducted from Members' pay, and whether the House can delegate the responsibility of punishing Members to House officers. The resolution also makes ``disorderly or disruptive conduct'' in the Chamber an offense for which Members and staff can be referred to the Ethics Committee. The potential chilling effect of these rules changes raises serious First Amendment concerns. The Rules package makes another dangerous and unprecedented change to the House rules by introducing H. Res. 5, which extends a point of order against considering legislation that would increase direct spending by $5 billion or more in any of the four 10-year periods following the decade after passage of the legislation. Despite the widely acknowledged fact that repeal of the ACA would result in increased direct spending, H. Res. 5 also includes a preemptive waiver of this point of order for any legislation repealing or reforming the ACA. The resolution also gives the chair of the Budget Committee the power to apply this waiver to any other legislation she or he wishes. House Republicans could have found willing partners among Democrats to increase transparency and renew faith in government through bipartisan action, including making possible improvements to the Office of Congressional Ethics and the way Congress polices itself and maintains the highest standards of integrity among its Members. Instead they chose this shameful move, which is an indication of their priorities for the new Congress. When House Republicans take steps to decrease accountability and make it harder to reveal partisan driven and unethical behavior, the public ought to question why. House Democrats will continue to fight for the strongest possible ethical standards for our nation's elected leaders. The material previously referred to by Ms. Slaughter is as follows: An Amendment to H. Res. 5 Offered by Ms. Slaughter of New York At the end of section 2, add the following new subsection: (u) Restrictions on Consideration of Certain Legislative Provisions Relating to Health Care.--Rule XXI of the Rules of the House of Representatives is amended by adding at the end the following new clause: ``12. (a) It shall not be in order to consider a bill, joint resolution, amendment, or conference report which includes any provision described in paragraph (b). ``(b) A provision described in this paragraph is a provision which, if enacted into law, would result in any of the following: ``(1) The denial of health insurance coverage to individuals on the basis that such individuals have a preexisting condition or a requirement for individuals with a preexisting condition to pay more for premiums on the basis of such individuals having such a preexisting condition. ``(2) The elimination of the prohibition on life time limits on the dollar value of health insurance coverage benefits. ``(3) The termination of the ability of individuals under 26 years of age to be included on their parent's employer or individual health coverage. ``(4) The reduction in the number of people receiving health plan coverage pursuant to the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. ``(5) An increased cost to seniors for prescription drug coverage pursuant to any changes to provisions closing the Medicare prescription drug `donut hole'. ``(6) The requirement that individuals pay for preventive services, such as for mammography, health screening, and contraceptive services. ``(7) The reduction of Medicare solvency or any changes to the Medicare guarantee. ``(8) The reduction of Federal taxes on the 1 percent of the population with the highest income or increase the tax burden (expressed as a percent of aggregate Federal taxes) on the 80 percent of the population with the lowest income. ``(c) It shall not be in order to consider a rule or order that waives the application of paragraph (a) or paragraph (b). As disposition of a point of order under this paragraph, the Chair shall put the question of consideration with respect to the rule or order, as applicable. The question of consideration shall be debatable for 10 minutes by the Member initiating the point of order and for 10 minutes by an opponent, but shall otherwise be decided without intervening motion except one that the House adjourn.''. The Vote on the Previous Question: What It Really Means This vote, the vote on whether to order the previous question on a special rule, is not merely a procedural vote. A vote against ordering the previous question is a vote against the Republican majority agenda and a vote to allow the Democratic minority to offer an alternative plan. It is a vote about what the House should be debating. Mr. Clarence Carillon's Precedents of the House of Representatives (VI, 308-311), describes the vote on the previous question on the rule as ``a motion to direct or control the consideration of the subject before the House being made by the Member in charge.'' To defeat the previous question is to give the opposition a chance to decide the subject before the House. Cannon cites the Speaker's ruling of January 13, 1920, to the effect that ``the refusal of the House to sustain the demand for the previous question passes the control of the resolution to the opposition'' in order to offer an amendment. On March 15, 1909, a member of the majority party offered a rule resolution. The House defeated the previous question and a member of the opposition rose to a parliamentary inquiry, asking who was entitled to recognition. Speaker Joseph G. Cannon (R-Illinois) said: ``The previous question having been refused, the gentleman from New York, Mr. Fitzgerald, who had asked the gentleman to yield to him for an amendment, is entitled to the first recognition.'' The Republican majority may say ``the vote on the previous question is simply a vote on whether to proceed to an immediate vote on adopting the resolution. . . . [and] has no substantive legislative or policy implications whatsoever.'' But that is not what they have always said. Listen to the Republican Leadership Manual on the Legislative Process in the United States House of Representatives, (6th edition, page 135). Here's how the Republicans describe the previous question vote in their own manual: ``Although it is generally not possible to amend the rule because the majority Member controlling the time will not yield for the purpose of offering an amendment, the same result may be achieved by voting down the previous question on the rule. . . . When the motion for the previous question is defeated, control of the time passes to the Member who led the opposition to ordering the previous question. That Member, because he then controls the time, may offer an amendment to the rule, or yield for the purpose of amendment.'' In Deschler's Procedure in the U.S. House of Representatives, the subchapter titled ``Amending Special Rules'' states: ``a refusal to order the previous question on such a rule [a special rule reported from the Committee on Rules] opens the resolution to amendment and further debate.'' (Chapter 21, section 21.2) Section 21.3 continues: ``Upon rejection of the motion for the previous question on a resolution reported from the Committee on Rules, control shifts to the Member leading the opposition to the previous [[Page 56]] question, who may offer a proper amendment or motion and who controls the time for debate thereon.'' Clearly, the vote on the previous question on a rule does have substantive policy implications. It is one of the only available tools for those who oppose the Republican majority's agenda and allows those with alternative views the opportunity to offer an alternative plan. Mr. SESSIONS. 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. The question was taken; and the Speaker pro tempore announced that the ayes appeared to have it. Ms. SLAUGHTER. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays. The yeas and nays were ordered. The vote was taken by electronic device, and there were--yeas 237, nays 193, not voting 3, as follows: [Roll No. 4] YEAS--237 Abraham Aderholt Allen Amash Amodei Arrington Babin Bacon Banks (IN) Barletta Barr Barton Bergman Beutler Biggs Bilirakis Bishop (MI) Bishop (UT) Black Blackburn Blum Bost Brady (TX) Brat Bridenstine Brooks (AL) Brooks (IN) Buchanan Buck Bucshon Budd Burgess Byrne Calvert Carter (GA) Carter (TX) Chabot Chaffetz Cheney Coffman Cole Collins (GA) Collins (NY) Comer Comstock Conaway Cook Costello (PA) Cramer Crawford Culberson Curbelo (FL) Davidson Davis, Rodney Denham Dent DeSantis DesJarlais Diaz-Balart Donovan Duffy Duncan (SC) Duncan (TN) Dunn Emmer Farenthold Faso Ferguson Fitzpatrick Fleischmann Flores Fortenberry Foxx Franks (AZ) Frelinghuysen Gaetz Gallagher Garrett Gibbs Gohmert Goodlatte Gosar Gowdy Granger Graves (GA) Graves (LA) Graves (MO) Griffith Grothman Guthrie Harper Harris Hartzler Hensarling Hice, Jody B. Higgins (LA) Hill Holding Hollingsworth Hudson Huizenga Hultgren Hunter Hurd Issa Jenkins (KS) Jenkins (WV) Johnson (LA) Johnson (OH) Johnson, Sam Jones Jordan Joyce (OH) Katko Kelly (MS) Kelly (PA) King (IA) King (NY) Kinzinger Knight Kustoff (TN) Labrador LaHood LaMalfa Lamborn Lance Latta Lewis (MN) LoBiondo Long Loudermilk Love Lucas Luetkemeyer MacArthur Marchant Marino Marshall Massie Mast McCarthy McCaul McClintock McHenry McKinley McMorris Rodgers McSally Meadows Meehan Messer Mitchell Moolenaar Mooney (WV) Mullin Murphy (PA) Newhouse Noem Nunes Olson Palazzo Palmer Paulsen Pearce Perry Pittenger Poe (TX) Poliquin Posey Ratcliffe Reed Reichert Renacci Rice (SC) Roby Roe (TN) Rogers (AL) Rogers (KY) Rohrabacher Rokita Rooney, Francis Rooney, Thomas J. Ros-Lehtinen Roskam Ross Rothfus Rouzer Royce (CA) Russell Rutherford Sanford Scalise Schweikert Scott, Austin Sensenbrenner Sessions Shimkus Shuster Simpson Smith (MO) Smith (NE) Smith (NJ) Smith (TX) Smucker Stefanik Stewart Stivers Taylor Tenney Thompson (PA) Thornberry Tiberi Tipton Trott Turner Upton Valadao Wagner Walberg Walden Walker Walorski Walters, Mimi Weber (TX) Webster (FL) Wenstrup Westerman Williams Wilson (SC) Wittman Womack Woodall Yoder Yoho Young (AK) Young (IA) Zeldin Zinke NAYS--193 Adams Aguilar Barragan Bass Beatty Becerra Bera Beyer Bishop (GA) Blumenauer Blunt Rochester Bonamici Boyle, Brendan F. Brady (PA) Brown (MD) Brownley (CA) Bustos Butterfield Capuano Carbajal Cardenas Carson (IN) Cartwright Castor (FL) Castro (TX) Chu, Judy Cicilline Clark (MA) Clarke (NY) Clay Cleaver Clyburn Cohen Connolly Conyers Cooper Correa Costa Courtney Crist Crowley Cuellar Cummings Davis (CA) Davis, Danny DeFazio DeGette Delaney DeLauro DelBene Demings DeSaulnier Deutch Dingell Doggett Doyle, Michael F. Ellison Engel Eshoo Espaillat Esty Evans Foster Frankel (FL) Fudge Gabbard Gallego Garamendi Gonzalez (TX) Gottheimer Green, Al Green, Gene Grijalva Gutierrez Hanabusa Hastings Heck Higgins (NY) Himes Hoyer Huffman Jackson Lee Jayapal Jeffries Johnson (GA) Johnson, E. B. Kaptur Keating Kelly (IL) Kennedy Khanna Kihuen Kildee Kilmer Kind Krishnamoorthi Kuster (NH) Langevin Larsen (WA) Larson (CT) Lawrence Lawson (FL) Lee Levin Lewis (GA) Lieu, Ted Lipinski Loebsack Lofgren Lowenthal Lowey Lujan Grisham, M. Lujan, Ben Ray Lynch Maloney, Carolyn B. Maloney, Sean Matsui McCollum McEachin McGovern McNerney Meeks Meng Moore Moulton Murphy (FL) Nadler Napolitano Neal Nolan Norcross O'Halleran O'Rourke Pallone Panetta Pascrell Payne Pelosi Perlmutter Peters Peterson Pingree Pocan Polis Price (NC) Quigley Raskin Rice (NY) Richmond Rosen Roybal-Allard Ruiz Ruppersberger Rush Ryan (OH) Sanchez Sarbanes Schakowsky Schiff Schneider Scott (VA) Scott, David Serrano Sewell (AL) Shea-Porter Sherman Sinema Sires Slaughter Smith (WA) Soto Speier Suozzi Swalwell (CA) Takano Thompson (CA) Thompson (MS) Titus Tonko Torres Tsongas Vargas Veasey Vela Velazquez Visclosky Walz Wasserman Schultz Waters, Maxine Watson Coleman Welch Wilson (FL) Yarmuth NOT VOTING--3 Mulvaney Pompeo Price, Tom (GA) {time} 1658 Messrs. PALAZZO and ZINKE changed their vote from ``nay'' to ``yea.'' So the previous question was ordered. The result of the vote was announced as above recorded. Motion to Commit Mr. LEWIS of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I have a motion to commit at the desk. The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Clerk will report the motion to commit. The Clerk read as follows: Mr. Lewis of Georgia moves that the resolution (H. Res. 5) be committed to a select committee composed of the Majority Leader and the Minority Leader with instructions to report it forthwith back to the House with the following amendment: Strike subsection (a) of section 2 (and redesignate the succeeding subsections accordingly). The SPEAKER pro tempore. Without objection, the previous question is ordered on the motion to commit. There was no objection. The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion to commit. The question was taken; and the Speaker pro tempore announced that the noes appeared to have it. Mr. LEWIS of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays. The yeas and nays were ordered. The vote was taken by electronic device, and there were--yeas 193, nays 236, not voting 4, as follows: [Roll No. 5] YEAS--193 Adams Aguilar Barragan Bass Beatty Becerra Bera Beyer Bishop (GA) Blumenauer Blunt Rochester Bonamici Boyle, Brendan F. Brady (PA) Brown (MD) Brownley (CA) Bustos Butterfield Capuano Carbajal Cardenas Carson (IN) Cartwright Castor (FL) Castro (TX) Chu, Judy Cicilline Clark (MA) Clarke (NY) Clay Cleaver Clyburn Cohen Connolly Conyers Cooper Correa Costa Courtney Crist Crowley Cuellar Cummings Davis (CA) Davis, Danny DeFazio DeGette Delaney DeLauro DelBene Demings DeSaulnier Deutch Dingell Doggett Doyle, Michael F. Ellison Engel Eshoo Espaillat Esty Evans Foster Frankel (FL) Fudge Gabbard Gallego Garamendi Gonzalez (TX) Gottheimer Green, Al Green, Gene Grijalva Gutierrez Hanabusa Hastings Heck Higgins (NY) Himes Hoyer Huffman Jackson Lee Jayapal Jeffries Johnson (GA) Johnson, E. B. Kaptur Keating Kelly (IL) Kennedy Khanna Kihuen Kildee Kilmer Kind Krishnamoorthi Kuster (NH) Langevin Larsen (WA) Larson (CT) Lawrence Lawson (FL) Lee Levin Lewis (GA) Lieu, Ted Lipinski Loebsack Lofgren Lowenthal Lowey Lujan Grisham, M. Lujan, Ben Ray Lynch Maloney, Carolyn B. Maloney, Sean Matsui McCollum McEachin McGovern McNerney Meeks Meng Moore Moulton [[Page 57]] Murphy (FL) Nadler Napolitano Neal Nolan Norcross O'Halleran O'Rourke Pallone Panetta Pascrell Payne Pelosi Perlmutter Peters Peterson Pingree Pocan Polis Price (NC) Quigley Raskin Rice (NY) Richmond Rosen Roybal-Allard Ruiz Ruppersberger Rush Ryan (OH) Sanchez Sarbanes Schakowsky Schiff Schneider Scott (VA) Scott, David Serrano Sewell (AL) Shea-Porter Sherman Sinema Sires Slaughter Smith (WA) Soto Speier Suozzi Swalwell (CA) Takano Thompson (CA) Thompson (MS) Titus Tonko Torres Tsongas Vargas Veasey Vela Velazquez Visclosky Walz Wasserman Schultz Waters, Maxine Watson Coleman Welch Wilson (FL) Yarmuth NAYS--236 Abraham Aderholt Allen Amash Amodei Arrington Babin Bacon Banks (IN) Barletta Barr Barton Bergman Beutler Biggs Bilirakis Bishop (MI) Bishop (UT) Black Blackburn Blum Bost Brady (TX) Brat Bridenstine Brooks (AL) Brooks (IN) Buchanan Buck Bucshon Budd Burgess Byrne Calvert Carter (GA) Carter (TX) Chabot Chaffetz Cheney Coffman Cole Collins (GA) Collins (NY) Comer Comstock Conaway Cook Costello (PA) Cramer Crawford Culberson Curbelo (FL) Davidson Davis, Rodney Denham Dent DeSantis DesJarlais Diaz-Balart Donovan Duffy Duncan (SC) Duncan (TN) Dunn Emmer Farenthold Faso Ferguson Fitzpatrick Fleischmann Flores Fortenberry Foxx Franks (AZ) Frelinghuysen Gaetz Gallagher Garrett Gibbs Gohmert Goodlatte Gosar Gowdy Granger Graves (GA) Graves (LA) Graves (MO) Griffith Grothman Guthrie Harper Harris Hartzler Hensarling Hice, Jody B. Higgins (LA) Hill Holding Hollingsworth Hudson Huizenga Hultgren Hunter Hurd Issa Jenkins (KS) Jenkins (WV) Johnson (LA) Johnson (OH) Johnson, Sam Jones Jordan Joyce (OH) Katko Kelly (MS) Kelly (PA) King (IA) King (NY) Kinzinger Knight Kustoff (TN) Labrador LaHood LaMalfa Lamborn Lance Latta Lewis (MN) LoBiondo Long Loudermilk Love Lucas Luetkemeyer MacArthur Marchant Marino Marshall Massie Mast McCarthy McCaul McClintock McHenry McKinley McMorris Rodgers McSally Meadows Meehan Messer Mitchell Moolenaar Mooney (WV) Mullin Murphy (PA) Newhouse Noem Nunes Olson Palazzo Palmer Paulsen Pearce Perry Pittenger Poe (TX) Poliquin Posey Ratcliffe Reed Reichert Renacci Rice (SC) Roby Roe (TN) Rogers (AL) Rogers (KY) Rokita Rooney, Francis Rooney, Thomas J. Ros-Lehtinen Roskam Ross Rothfus Rouzer Royce (CA) Russell Rutherford Sanford Scalise Schweikert Scott, Austin Sensenbrenner Sessions Shimkus Shuster Simpson Smith (MO) Smith (NE) Smith (NJ) Smith (TX) Smucker Stefanik Stewart Stivers Taylor Tenney Thompson (PA) Thornberry Tiberi Tipton Trott Turner Upton Valadao Wagner Walberg Walden Walker Walorski Walters, Mimi Weber (TX) Webster (FL) Wenstrup Westerman Williams Wilson (SC) Wittman Womack Woodall Yoder Yoho Young (AK) Young (IA) Zeldin Zinke NOT VOTING--4 Mulvaney Pompeo Price, Tom (GA) Rohrabacher Announcement by the Speaker Pro Tempore The SPEAKER pro tempore (during the vote). The Chair would ask Members to observe proper decorum within the Chamber. {time} 1716 Mr. NUNES changed his vote from ``yea'' to ``nay.'' So the motion to commit was rejected. The result of the vote was announced as above recorded. The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the resolution. The question was taken; and the Speaker pro tempore announced that the ayes appeared to have it. Ms. SLAUGHTER. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays. The yeas and nays were ordered. The vote was taken by electronic device, and there were--yeas 234, nays 193, not voting 6, as follows: [Roll No. 6] YEAS--234 Abraham Aderholt Allen Amodei Arrington Babin Bacon Banks (IN) Barletta Barr Barton Bergman Beutler Biggs Bilirakis Bishop (MI) Bishop (UT) Black Blackburn Blum Bost Brady (TX) Brat Bridenstine Brooks (AL) Brooks (IN) Buchanan Buck Bucshon Budd Burgess Byrne Calvert Carter (GA) Carter (TX) Chabot Chaffetz Cheney Coffman Cole Collins (GA) Collins (NY) Comer Comstock Conaway Cook Costello (PA) Cramer Crawford Culberson Curbelo (FL) Davidson Davis, Rodney Denham Dent DeSantis DesJarlais Diaz-Balart Donovan Duffy Duncan (SC) Duncan (TN) Dunn Emmer Farenthold Faso Ferguson Fitzpatrick Fleischmann Flores Fortenberry Foxx Franks (AZ) Frelinghuysen Gaetz Gallagher Garrett Gibbs Gohmert Goodlatte Gosar Gowdy Granger Graves (GA) Graves (LA) Graves (MO) Griffith Grothman Guthrie Harper Harris Hartzler Hensarling Hice, Jody B. Higgins (LA) Hill Holding Hollingsworth Hudson Huizenga Hultgren Hunter Hurd Issa Jenkins (KS) Jenkins (WV) Johnson (LA) Johnson (OH) Johnson, Sam Jordan Joyce (OH) Katko Kelly (MS) Kelly (PA) King (IA) King (NY) Kinzinger Knight Kustoff (TN) Labrador LaHood LaMalfa Lamborn Lance Latta Lewis (MN) LoBiondo Long Loudermilk Love Lucas Luetkemeyer MacArthur Marchant Marino Marshall Mast McCarthy McCaul McClintock McHenry McKinley McMorris Rodgers McSally Meadows Meehan Messer Mitchell Moolenaar Mooney (WV) Mullin Murphy (PA) Newhouse Noem Nunes Olson Palazzo Palmer Paulsen Pearce Perry Pittenger Poe (TX) Poliquin Posey Ratcliffe Reed Reichert Renacci Rice (SC) Roby Roe (TN) Rogers (AL) Rogers (KY) Rohrabacher Rokita Rooney, Francis Rooney, Thomas J. Ros-Lehtinen Roskam Ross Rothfus Rouzer Royce (CA) Russell Rutherford Sanford Scalise Schweikert Scott, Austin Sensenbrenner Sessions Shimkus Shuster Simpson Smith (MO) Smith (NE) Smith (NJ) Smith (TX) Smucker Stefanik Stewart Stivers Taylor Tenney Thompson (PA) Thornberry Tiberi Tipton Trott Turner Upton Valadao Wagner Walberg Walden Walker Walorski Walters, Mimi Weber (TX) Webster (FL) Wenstrup Westerman Williams Wilson (SC) Wittman Womack Woodall Yoder Yoho Young (AK) Young (IA) Zeldin Zinke NAYS--193 Adams Aguilar Amash Barragan Bass Beatty Becerra Bera Beyer Bishop (GA) Blumenauer Blunt Rochester Bonamici Boyle, Brendan F. Brady (PA) Brown (MD) Brownley (CA) Bustos Butterfield Capuano Carbajal Cardenas Carson (IN) Cartwright Castor (FL) Castro (TX) Chu, Judy Cicilline Clark (MA) Clarke (NY) Clay Cleaver Clyburn Cohen Connolly Conyers Cooper Correa Costa Courtney Crist Crowley Cuellar Cummings Davis (CA) Davis, Danny DeFazio DeGette Delaney DeLauro DelBene Demings DeSaulnier Deutch Dingell Doggett Doyle, Michael F. Ellison Engel Eshoo Espaillat Esty Evans Foster Fudge Gabbard Gallego Garamendi Gonzalez (TX) Gottheimer Green, Al Green, Gene Grijalva Gutierrez Hanabusa Hastings Heck Higgins (NY) Himes Hoyer Huffman Jackson Lee Jayapal Jeffries Johnson (GA) Johnson, E. B. Jones Kaptur Keating Kelly (IL) Kennedy Khanna Kihuen Kildee Kilmer Kind Krishnamoorthi Kuster (NH) Langevin Larsen (WA) Larson (CT) Lawrence Lawson (FL) Lee Levin Lewis (GA) Lieu, Ted Lipinski Loebsack Lofgren Lowenthal Lowey Lujan Grisham, M. Lujan, Ben Ray Lynch Maloney, Carolyn B. Maloney, Sean Massie Matsui McCollum McEachin McGovern McNerney Meeks Meng Moore Moulton Murphy (FL) Nadler Napolitano Neal Nolan Norcross O'Halleran O'Rourke Pallone Panetta Pascrell Payne Pelosi Peters Peterson Pingree Pocan Polis Price (NC) Quigley Raskin Rice (NY) Richmond Rosen Roybal-Allard Ruiz Ruppersberger Ryan (OH) Sanchez Sarbanes Schakowsky Schiff Schneider Scott (VA) Scott, David Serrano Sewell (AL) Shea-Porter Sherman Sinema Sires Slaughter Smith (WA) Soto Speier Suozzi Swalwell (CA) Takano Thompson (CA) Thompson (MS) Titus Tonko [[Page 58]] Torres Tsongas Vargas Veasey Vela Velazquez Visclosky Walz Wasserman Schultz Waters, Maxine Watson Coleman Welch Wilson (FL) Yarmuth NOT VOTING--6 Frankel (FL) Mulvaney Perlmutter Pompeo Price, Tom (GA) Rush {time} 1734 Mr. ZINKE changed his vote from ``nay'' to ``yea.'' So the resolution was agreed to. The result of the vote was announced as above recorded. A motion to reconsider was laid on the table. ____________________ MESSAGE FROM THE SENATE A message from the Senate by Ms. Curtis, one of its clerks, announced that the Senate has agreed to the following resolution: S. Res. 2 Resolved, That the Secretary inform the House of Representatives that a quorum of the Senate is assembled and that the Senate is ready to proceed to business. The message also announced that the Senate has agreed to concurrent resolutions of the following titles in which the concurrence of the House is requested: S. Con. Res. 1. Concurrent Resolution extending the life of the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies. S. Con. Res. 2. Concurrent Resolution to provide for the counting on January 6, 2017, of the electoral votes for President and Vice President of the United States. ____________________ ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair will make a statement with respect to the recent change on the use of electronic equipment on the House floor. The Chair would like to take this opportunity to call to the attention of all Members the changes to rule II and rule XVII just adopted for the 115th Congress. The Sergeant at Arms is charged with enforcement of clause 3(g) rule II, which prohibits the use of electronic devices for still photography or for audio or visual recording or broadcasting in contravention of clause 5 of rule XVII and related policies. The Chair understands that the Sergeant at Arms will enforce the prohibition with respect to violations observed firsthand on the House floor as well as violations that become apparent at a later time, such as through publication online or broadcast on television. In the case of violations observed on the floor, the Sergeant at Arms will hand the offending Member a card noting the violation, and will follow up by sending the Member a written letter. In the case of other violations, Members will receive a written letter detailing the offending conduct. The fine for a first offense is $500. The fine for each subsequent offense is $2,500. The Sergeant at Arms will endeavor to provide Members a written warning prior to assessing a fine for a first offense. Members may appeal a fine to the Committee on Ethics. The Chair appreciates the attention of all Members to these efforts. Parliamentary Inquiry Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, parliamentary inquiry. The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentleman from New York will state his parliamentary inquiry. Mr. CROWLEY. My understanding is, the more money you have, the more free speech you have. Is that what the Chair is indicating? The more money you have, the more free speech you have in this country: Is that what you are saying? The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentleman from New York will state a parliamentary inquiry. Mr. CROWLEY. I am asking, listening to what the Chair just said for the Record, the more money an individual has, does that mean the more free speech that individual has? The SPEAKER pro tempore. In response to the gentleman's question, he has still not stated a parliamentary inquiry. Mr. CROWLEY. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. ____________________ ELECTING MEMBERS TO CERTAIN STANDING COMMITTEES OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Mrs. McMORRIS RODGERS. Mr. Speaker, by direction of the Republican Conference, I offer a privileged resolution and ask for its immediate consideration. The Clerk read the resolution, as follows: H. Res. 6 Resolved, That the following named Members be, and are hereby, elected to the following standing committees of the House of Representatives: Committee on Agriculture: Mr. Conaway, Chair. Committee on Appropriations: Mr. Frelinghuysen, Chair. Committee on Armed Services: Mr. Thornberry, Chair. Committee on the Budget: Mrs. Black, Chair. Committee on Education and the Workforce: Ms. Foxx, Chair. Committee on Energy and Commerce: Mr. Walden, Chair. Committee on Ethics: Mrs. Brooks of Indiana, Chair, Mr. Meehan, Mr. Gowdy, Mr Marchant, and Mr. Lance. Committee on Financial Services: Mr. Hensarling, Chair. Committee on Foreign Affairs: Mr. Royce of California, Chair. Committee on Homeland Security: Mr. McCaul, Chair. Committee on House Administration: Mr. Harper, Chair, Mr. Rodney Davis of Illinois, Mrs. Comstock, Mr. Walker, Mr. Smith of Nebraska, and Mr. Loudermilk. Committee on the Judiciary: Mr. Goodlatte, Chair. Committee on Natural Resources: Mr. Bishop of Utah, Chair. Committee on Oversight and Government Reform: Mr. Chaffetz, Chair. Committee on Rules: Mr. Sessions, Chair, Mr. Cole, Mr. Woodall, Mr. Burgess, Mr. Collins of Georgia, Mr. Byrne, Mr. Newhouse, Mr. Buck, and Ms. Cheney. Committee on Science, Space, and Technology: Mr. Smith of Texas, Chair. Committee on Small Business: Mr. Chabot, Chair. Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Mr. Shuster, Chair. Committee on Veterans' Affairs: Mr. Roe of Tennessee, Chair. Committee on Ways and Means: Mr. Brady of Texas, Chair. Mrs. McMORRIS RODGERS (during the reading). Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the resolution be considered as read and printed in the Record. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the gentlewoman from Washington? There was no objection. The resolution was agreed to. A motion to reconsider was laid on the table. ____________________ ELECTING MEMBERS TO CERTAIN STANDING COMMITTEES OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, by direction of the Democratic Caucus, I offer a privileged resolution and ask for its immediate consideration. The Clerk read the resolution, as follows: H. Res. 7 Resolved, That the following named Members be and are hereby elected to the following standing committees of the House of Representatives: (1) Committee on appropriations.--Mrs. Lowey. (2) Committee on the budget.--Mr. Yarmuth. (3) Committee on education and the workforce.--Mr. Scott of Virginia. (4) Committee on energy and commerce.--Mr. Pallone (5) Committee on financial services.--Ms. Waters. (6) Committee on foreign affairs.--Mr. Engel. (7) Committee on homeland security.--Mr. Thompson of Mississippi. (8) Committee on house administration.--Mr. Brady of Pennsylvania. (9) Committee on natural resources.--Mr. Grijalva. (10) Committee on oversight and government reform.--Mr. Cummings. (11) Committee on rules.--Ms. Slaughter, Mr. McGovern, Mr. Hastings, and Mr. Polis. (12) Committee on small business.--Ms. Velazquez. (13) Committee on ways and means.--Mr. Neal. Mr. CROWLEY (during the reading). Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the resolution be considered as read and printed in the Record. The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Collins of Georgia). Is there objection to [[Page 59]] the request of the gentleman from New York? There was no objection. The resolution was agreed to. A motion to reconsider was laid on the table. ____________________ PROVIDING FOR THE DESIGNATION OF CERTAIN MINORITY EMPLOYEES Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, I offer a resolution and ask unanimous consent for its immediate consideration. The Clerk read the title of the resolution. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the gentleman from New York? There was no objection. The text of the resolution is as follows: H. Res. 8 Resolved, That pursuant to the Legislative Pay Act of 1929, as amended, the six minority employees authorized therein shall be the following named persons, effective January 3, 2017, until otherwise ordered by the House, to-wit: Nadeam Elshanni, George Kundanis, Diane Dewhirst, Richard Meltzer, Wyndee Parker, and Drew Hammill, each to receive gross compensation pursuant to the provisions of House Resolution 119, Ninety-fifth Congress, as enacted into permanent law by section 115 of Public Law 95-94. In addition, the Minority Leader may appoint and set the annual rate of pay for up to 3 further minority employees. The resolution was agreed to. A motion to reconsider was laid on the table. ____________________ FIXING THE DAILY HOUR OF MEETING OF THE FIRST SESSION OF THE ONE HUNDRED FIFTEENTH CONGRESS Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, I offer a privileged resolution and ask for its immediate consideration. The Clerk read the resolution, as follows: H. Res. 9 Resolved, That unless otherwise ordered, the hour of daily meeting of the House shall be 2 p.m. on Mondays; noon on Tuesdays (or 2 p.m. if no legislative business was conducted on the preceding Monday); noon on Wednesdays and Thursdays; and 9 a.m. on all other days of the week. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the gentleman from Texas? There was no objection. The resolution was agreed to. A motion to reconsider was laid on the table. ____________________ REGARDING CONSENT TO ASSEMBLE OUTSIDE THE SEAT OF GOVERNMENT Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, I offer a privileged resolution and ask for its immediate consideration. The Clerk read the concurrent resolution, as follows: H. Con. Res. 1 Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), That pursuant to clause 4, section 5, article I of the Constitution, during the One Hundred Fifteenth Congress the Speaker of the House and the Majority Leader of the Senate or their respective designees, acting jointly after consultation with the Minority Leader of the House and the Minority Leader of the Senate, may notify the Members of the House and the Senate, respectively, to assemble at a place outside the District of Columbia if, in their opinion, the public interest shall warrant it. The concurrent resolution was agreed to. A motion to reconsider was laid on the table. ____________________ AUTHORIZING SPEAKER, MAJORITY LEADER, AND MINORITY LEADER TO ACCEPT RESIGNATIONS AND MAKE APPOINTMENTS DURING THE 115TH CONGRESS Mr. McCARTHY. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that, during the 115th Congress, the Speaker, majority leader, and minority leader be authorized to accept resignations and to make appointments authorized by law or by the House. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the gentleman from California? There was no objection. ____________________ GRANTING MEMBERS PERMISSION TO EXTEND REMARKS AND INCLUDE EXTRANEOUS MATERIAL IN THE CONGRESSIONAL RECORD DURING THE 115TH CONGRESS Mr. McCARTHY. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that during the 115th Congress all Members be permitted to extend their remarks and to include extraneous material within the permitted limit in that section of the Record entitled ``Extensions of Remarks.'' The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the gentleman from California? There was no objection. ____________________ MAKING IN ORDER MORNING-HOUR DEBATE Mr. McCARTHY. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that during the first session of the 115th Congress: (1) on legislative days of Monday or Tuesday when the House convenes pursuant to House Resolution 9, the House shall convene 2 hours earlier than the time otherwise established by the resolution for the purpose of conducting morning-hour debate; (2) on legislative days of Wednesday or Thursday when the House convenes pursuant to House Resolution 9, the House shall convene 2 hours earlier than the time otherwise established by the resolution for the purpose of conducting morning-hour debate; (3) when the House convenes pursuant to an order other than House Resolution 9, the House shall convene for the purpose of conducting morning-hour debate only as prescribed by such order; (4) the time for morning-hour debate shall be allocated equally between the parties and may not continue beyond 10 minutes before the hour appointed for the resumption of the session of the House; and (5) the form of proceeding for morning-hour debate shall be as follows: (a) the prayer by the Chaplain, the approval of the Journal and the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag shall be postponed until resumption of the session of the House; (b) initial and subsequent recognitions for debate shall alternate between the parties; (c) recognition shall be conferred by the Speaker only pursuant to lists submitted by the majority leader and by the minority leader; (d) no Member may address the House for longer than 5 minutes, except the majority leader, the minority leader, or the minority whip; (e) no legislative business shall be in order except the filing of privileged reports; and (f) following morning-hour debate, the Chair shall declare a recess pursuant to clause 12(a) of rule I until the time appointed for the resumption of the session of the House; and (6) the Speaker may dispense with morning-hour debate upon receipt of a notification described in clause 12(c) of rule I, or upon a change in reconvening pursuant to clause 12(e) of rule I, and notify Members accordingly. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the gentleman from California? There was no objection. ____________________ ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, the Chair will postpone further proceedings today on motions to suspend the rules on which a recorded vote or the yeas and nays are ordered, or on which the vote incurs objection under clause 6 of rule XX. Record votes on postponed questions will be taken later. ____________________ ENSURING VA EMPLOYEE ACCOUNTABILITY ACT Mr. ROE of Tennessee. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 27) to amend title 38, United States Code, to require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to retain a copy of any reprimand or admonishment received by an employee of the Department in the permanent record of the employee. [[Page 60]] The Clerk read the title of the bill. The text of the bill is as follows: H.R. 27 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``Ensuring VA Employee Accountability Act''. SEC. 2. RETENTION OF RECORDS OF REPRIMANDS AND ADMONISHMENTS RECEIVED BY EMPLOYEES OF THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS. (a) In General.--Chapter 7 of title 38, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new section: ``Sec. 719. Record of reprimands and admonishments ``If any employee of the Department receives a reprimand or admonishment, the Secretary shall retain a copy of such reprimand or admonishment in the permanent record of the employee as long as the employee is employed by the Department.''. (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the beginning of such chapter is amended by adding at the end the following new item: ``719. Record of reprimands and admonishments.''. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Roe) and the gentleman from California (Mr. Takano) each will control 20 minutes. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Tennessee. General Leave Mr. ROE of Tennessee. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and add extraneous material. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the gentleman from Tennessee? There was no objection. Mr. ROE of Tennessee. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 27, the Ensuring VA Employee Accountability Act. Mr. Speaker, one of my top priorities this Congress as the new chairman of the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs is to ensure we give the next Secretary of Veterans Affairs the tools he or she will need to swiftly and effectively discipline poor-performing employees at the VA. I firmly believe that all other needed reforms are destined to fail if we don't help VA managers who are trapped in an antiquated civil service system to do their job. Mr. Speaker, currently, if a VA employee is either reprimanded or admonished for their performance, all records of those administrative punishments are removed from the employee's personnel file within 3 years for a reprimand and 2 years for an admonishment. {time} 1745 Subsequent to the removal of these personnel actions, there is no record of their poor performance or acts regardless of how many different jobs they hold in the VA or how long they remain a VA employee. Mr. Speaker, personnel policies and rules such as those we are addressing today permit a culture at the Department of Veterans Affairs that allows the misdeeds of a few to overshadow the good work done by the vast majority of VA employees. It is time we ensure that only the most ethical and qualified employees advance and retain positions of trust and service to veterans. One way to help advance that goal is to require VA to retain an employee's entire history in their personnel file, as H.R. 27 would do. Now, no one is saying that employees can't improve their performance after being reprimanded or admonished, but managers should know the complete history of their staff or potential hires when they are determining who is best qualified for any given position. This is a commonsense reform that I hope we can all support. As a reminder to my colleagues old and new, the bill before us today is identical to H.R. 1038, which passed the House during the 114th Congress. That bill, like this one, was introduced by my friend from Pennsylvania, Mr. Costello. I thank him again for reintroducing this needed legislation, and I thank the majority leader and others for scheduling this important bill on the first day of the 115th Congress. I think it sends a message to our veterans that instilling a culture of accountability at VA is, and will remain, among our highest priorities. I urge all of my colleagues to join me in supporting H.R. 27. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time. Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume, and I rise in support of the Ensuring VA Employee Accountability Act of 2017. This bill requires VA to keep a permanent copy of an admonishment or reprimand in a VA employee's personnel file. Currently, an informal admonishment remains on a VA employee's record for 2 years, while a more serious written reprimand stays in the file for more than 3 years. Maintaining a comprehensive record of VA employees' personnel files will allow VA managers to track their employees' improvement, or lack thereof, related to the specific problem addressed in the original complaint. This approach will increase transparency, allow VA managers to address problematic performance, and give VA employees a chance to improve. Although I support this bill, I want to address concerns raised by the American Federation of Government Employees and include this letter in the Congressional Record. American Federation of Government Employees, AFL-CIO, January 3, 2017. Re H.R. 27, Ensuring VA Employee Accountability Act Dear Representative: On behalf of the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), which represents nearly 700,000 federal employees, including 230,000 non-management employees of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), I strongly urge you to oppose H.R. 27, the Ensuring VA Employees Accountability Act. The bill is scheduled for floor consideration this week under suspension of the rules. This bill would deprive every VA employee, including non- managerial employees, of the chance to clear his or her name after receiving an unjustified reprimand from a manager who is acting out of incompetence, bias, anti-veteran animus or whistleblower retaliation. H.R. 27 would not increase accountability for VA mismanagement. However, it would deprive the 115,000 veterans in the VA workforce of the record expungement rights they had as military personnel. It would also deprive veterans in the VA workforce, and all VA employees, of second chances after they receive reprimands or admonishments early in their careers. If this bill is enacted, VA employees will no longer have any rights to expunge their personnel files even if the reprimands or admonishments were placed in their files decades ago. In addition, this bill would have an adverse impact on agency operations and the VA's ability to recruit and retain a strong workforce. It would divert precious VA resources away from caring for veterans through an increase in wasteful litigation because the bill eliminates the use of an extremely efficient tool for settling personnel matters through Clear Record Settlement Agreements (CRAs). CRAs give VA managers the flexibility to resolve routine personnel disputes efficiently and quickly without protracted litigation or destruction of the VA careers of front line employees, including large numbers of service-connected disabled veterans who provide medical care, clean operating rooms, process benefit claims, police VA facilities, and set cemetery headstones. The Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB) stated in its 2013 report, Clear Record Settlement Agreements and the Law, that 95% of agency representatives resolved disputes using negotiated settlement agreements (NSAs) and 89% of these agreements involved CRAs. Congress has received a great deal of testimony in recent years from brave whistleblowers and their labor representatives regarding the widespread management abuse of reprimands to punish employees and destroy their VA careers. Similarly, Congress has provided steadfast support to active duty personnel making the often-difficult transition to civilian employment, including VA support in the form of vocational rehabilitation, compensated work therapy, PTSD treatment, and programs to address homelessness and substance abuse. H.R. 27 is at best ambiguous about the fate of veterans who leave VA employment for deployment and then seek to return to the VA workforce. Would reprimands that were placed in their personnel files prior to deployment still be visible to all potential VA employers reviewing the returning veteran's application? In closing, AFGE urges lawmakers to reject this counterproductive assault on VA front line employees who are, too often, unfairly reprimanded by hostile, unsupportive [[Page 61]] and incompetent managers and human resources personnel. Thank you for considering our views on this bill. Sincerely, Marilyn Park, Legislative Representative. Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I share these concerns and intend to work with my colleagues across the aisle and in the Senate to ensure that if this bill passes into law, the change will not adversely impact whistleblowers, the thousands of veterans employed by the VA, and the VA employees who work hard every day to support the needs of our Nation's veterans. Whistleblowers and employees who face unlawful retaliation from managers should have the opportunity to clear their names before any proposed admonishments or reprimands are made permanent in their records. I also want to clarify that this bill should not be used to eliminate the VA's ability to enter into clear record settlement agreements with employees or get in the way of resolving personnel matters in an efficient manner. In our efforts to enhance personnel policies at the VA, it is important that we remember that one-third of VA employees are veterans themselves, and many more have immediate family members who are veterans. Many of these employees are also hardworking doctors and nurses who want to provide quality care for their patients. These Federal civil servants want to do a good job in order to provide veterans the best possible service, and this bill should not be used by managers to intimidate or retaliate against these employees. This bill simply requires VA to maintain a complete record of a VA employee's personnel file, a practice intended to increase transparency and ultimately improve outcomes for veterans. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time. Mr. ROE of Tennessee. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Costello), a very active member of the Committee on Veterans' Affairs and my good friend. Mr. COSTELLO of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, as we all are well aware, today begins a new session of Congress, with a new opportunity to chart a promising path for the future direction of our country. While many Americans across the country remain very frustrated with what they feel is a giant, unresponsive bureaucracy that is not working for them, all Americans want to see VA care and services implemented properly. Last session, Mr. Speaker, this Congress did make some reasonable progress legislatively to bring about reforming the VA, but more needs to be done. Some of our legislation which passed the House died in the Senate. The bill I introduced and rise in support of today, the Ensuring VA Employee Accountability Act, is important for the following reasons: the bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs to maintain an up- to-date file of employee disciplinary actions throughout each employee's tenure at the VA. Under current VA policy, disciplinary actions remain in an employee's file for only 3 years before they are deleted, preventing poor performers within the VA from being tracked or held accountable over the long term. This bill will ensure a complete record is kept and evaluated when a VA employee is considered for bonuses, promotions, or other career advancement. I also want to be clear about this. This bill is fair to all VA employees, and a great many VA employees do very, very good work in caring for our veterans. This bill does not impose any new employee penalties or affect the existing due process rights for a VA employee to appeal a disciplinary action in any manner whatsoever. The goal is simply to ensure our veterans are receiving the best possible care from our government and that these employees who do wrong or perform poorly do not have it swept under the rug and then disappear after a few years. I thank the staff on the Committee on Veterans' Affairs for their work on this bill, especially Jon Clark and Kelsey Baron, and look forward to the leadership of Chairman Roe in this session of Congress. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill. Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers. I yield back the balance of my time. Mr. ROE of Tennessee. Mr. Speaker, once again, I encourage all Members to support this legislation. I yield back the balance of my time. The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Roe) that the House suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 27. The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the rules were suspended and the bill was passed. A motion to reconsider was laid on the table. ____________________ BIOLOGICAL IMPLANT TRACKING AND VETERAN SAFETY ACT OF 2017 Mr. ROE of Tennessee. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 28) to amend title 38, United States Code, to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to adopt and implement a standard identification protocol for use in the tracking and procurement of biological implants by the Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes. The Clerk read the title of the bill. The text of the bill is as follows: H.R. 28 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``Biological Implant Tracking and Veteran Safety Act of 2017''. SEC. 2. IDENTIFICATION AND TRACKING OF BIOLOGICAL IMPLANTS USED IN DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS MEDICAL FACILITIES. (a) In General.--Subchapter II of chapter 73 of title 38, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new section: ``Sec. 7330C. Identification and tracking of biological implants ``(a) Standard Identification System for Biological Implants.--(1) The Secretary shall adopt the unique device identification system developed for medical devices by the Food and Drug Administration under section 519(f) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 360i(f)), or implement a comparable standard identification system, for use in identifying biological implants intended for use in medical procedures conducted in medical facilities of the Department. ``(2) In adopting or implementing a standard identification system for biological implants under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall permit a vendor to use any of the accredited entities identified by the Food and Drug Administration as an issuing agency pursuant to section 830.100 of title 21, Code of Federal Regulations, or any successor regulation. ``(b) Biological Implant Tracking System.--(1) The Secretary shall implement a system for tracking the biological implants described in subsection (a) from human donor or animal source to implantation. ``(2) The tracking system implemented under paragraph (1) shall be compatible with the identification system adopted or implemented under subsection (a). ``(3) The Secretary shall implement inventory controls compatible with the tracking system implemented under paragraph (1) so that all patients who have received, in a medical facility of the Department, a biological implant subject to a recall can be notified of the recall if, based on the evaluation by appropriate medical personnel of the Department of the risks and benefits, the Secretary determines such notification is appropriate. ``(c) Consistency With Food and Drug Administration Regulations.--To the extent that a conflict arises between this section and a provision of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 301 et seq.) or section 351 or 361 of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 262 and 264) (including any regulations issued under such provisions), the provision of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act or Public Health Service Act (including any regulations issued under such provisions) shall apply. ``(d) Biological Implant Defined.--In this section, the term `biological implant' means any human cell, tissue, or cellular or tissue-based product or animal product-- ``(1) under the meaning given the term `human cells, tissues, or cellular or tissue-based products' in section 1271.3 of title 21, Code of Federal Regulations, or any successor regulation; or ``(2) that is regulated as a device under section 201(h) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 321(h)).''. [[Page 62]] (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the beginning of such chapter is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 7330B the following new item: ``7330C. Identification and tracking of biological implants.''. (c) Implementation Deadlines.-- (1) Standard identification system.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall adopt or implement the standard identification system for biological implants required by subsection (a) of section 7330C of title 38, United States Code, as added by subsection (a), with respect to biological implants described in-- (A) subsection (d)(1) of such section, by not later than the date that is 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act; and (B) subsection (d)(2) of such section, in compliance with the compliance dates established by the Food and Drug Administration under section 519(f) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 360i(f)). (2) Tracking system.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall implement the biological implant tracking system required by section 7330C(b) of title 38, United States Code, as added by subsection (a), by not later than the date that is 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act. (d) Reporting Requirement.-- (1) In general.--If the biological implant tracking system required by section 7330C(b) of title 38, United States Code, as added by subsection (a), is not operational by the date that is 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives a report explaining why the system is not operational for each month until such time as the system is operational. (2) Elements.--Each report submitted under paragraph (1) shall include a description of the following: (A) Each impediment to the implementation of the system described in such paragraph. (B) Steps being taken to remediate each such impediment. (C) Target dates for a solution to each such impediment. SEC. 3. PROCUREMENT OF BIOLOGICAL IMPLANTS USED IN DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS MEDICAL FACILITIES. (a) Procurement.-- (1) In general.--Subchapter II of chapter 81 of title 38, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new section: ``Sec. 8129. Procurement of biological implants ``(a) In General.--(1) The Secretary may procure biological implants of human origin only from vendors that meet the following conditions: ``(A) The vendor uses the standard identification system adopted or implemented by the Secretary under section 7330C(a) of this title and has safeguards to ensure that a distinct identifier has been in place at each step of distribution of each biological implant from its donor. ``(B) The vendor is registered as required by the Food and Drug Administration under subpart B of part 1271 of title 21, Code of Federal Regulations, or any successor regulation, and in the case of a vendor that uses a tissue distribution intermediary or a tissue processor, the vendor provides assurances that the tissue distribution intermediary or tissue processor is registered as required by the Food and Drug Administration. ``(C) The vendor ensures that donor eligibility determinations and such other records as the Secretary may require accompany each biological implant at all times, regardless of the country of origin of the donor of the biological material. ``(D) The vendor agrees to cooperate with all biological implant recalls conducted on the initiative of the vendor, on the initiative of the original product manufacturer used by the vendor, by the request of the Food and Drug Administration, or by a statutory order of the Food and Drug Administration. ``(E) The vendor agrees to notify the Secretary of any adverse event or reaction report it provides to the Food and Drug Administration, as required by sections 1271.3 and 1271.350 of title 21, Code of Federal Regulations, or any successor regulation, or any warning letter from the Food and Drug Administration issued to the vendor or a tissue processor or tissue distribution intermediary used by the vendor by not later than 60 days after the vendor receives such report or warning letter. ``(F) The vendor agrees to retain all records associated with the procurement of a biological implant by the Department for at least 10 years after the date of the procurement of the biological implant. ``(G) The vendor provides assurances that the biological implants provided by the vendor are acquired only from tissue processors that maintain active accreditation with the American Association of Tissue Banks or a similar national accreditation specific to biological implants. ``(2) The Secretary may procure biological implants of nonhuman origin only from vendors that meet the following conditions: ``(A) The vendor uses the standard identification system adopted or implemented by the Secretary under section 7330C(a) of this title. ``(B) The vendor is registered as an establishment as required by the Food and Drug Administration under sections 807.20 and 807.40 of title 21, Code of Federal Regulations, or any successor regulation (or is not required to register pursuant to section 807.65(a) of such title, or any successor regulation), and in the case of a vendor that is not the original product manufacturer of such implants, the vendor provides assurances that the original product manufacturer is registered as required by the Food and Drug Administration (or is not required to register). ``(C) The vendor agrees to cooperate with all biological implant recalls conducted on the initiative of the vendor, on the initiative of the original product manufacturer used by the vendor, by the request of the Food and Drug Administration, or by a statutory order of the Food and Drug Administration. ``(D) The vendor agrees to notify the Secretary of any adverse event report it provides to the Food and Drug Administration as required under part 803 of title 21, Code of Federal Regulations, or any successor regulation, or any warning letter from the Food and Drug Administration issued to the vendor or the original product manufacturer used by the vendor by not later than 60 days after the vendor receives such report or warning letter. ``(E) The vendor agrees to retain all records associated with the procurement of a biological implant by the Department for at least 10 years after the date of the procurement of the biological implant. ``(3)(A) The Secretary shall procure biological implants under the Federal Supply Schedules of the General Services Administration unless such implants are not available under such Schedules. ``(B) With respect to biological implants listed on the Federal Supply Schedules, the Secretary shall accommodate reasonable vendor requests to undertake outreach efforts to educate medical professionals of the Department about the use and efficacy of such biological implants. ``(C) In the case of biological implants that are unavailable for procurement under the Federal Supply Schedules, the Secretary shall procure such implants using competitive procedures in accordance with applicable law and the Federal Acquisition Regulation, including through the use of a national contract. ``(4) In procuring biological implants under this section, the Secretary shall permit a vendor to use any of the accredited entities identified by the Food and Drug Administration as an issuing agency pursuant to section 830.100 of title 21, Code of Federal Regulations, or any successor regulation. ``(5) Section 8123 of this title shall not apply to the procurement of biological implants. ``(b) Penalties.--In addition to any applicable penalty under any other provision of law, any procurement employee of the Department who is found responsible for a biological implant procurement transaction with intent to avoid or with reckless disregard of the requirements of this section shall be ineligible to hold a certificate of appointment as a contracting officer or to serve as the representative of an ordering officer, contracting officer, or purchase card holder. ``(c) Definitions.--In this section: ``(1) The term `biological implant' has the meaning given that term in section 7330C(d) of this title. ``(2) The term `distinct identifier' means a distinct identification code that-- ``(A) relates a biological implant to the human donor of the implant and to all records pertaining to the implant; ``(B) includes information designed to facilitate effective tracking, using the distinct identification code, from the donor to the recipient and from the recipient to the donor; and ``(C) satisfies the requirements of section 1271.290(c) of title 21, Code of Federal Regulations, or any successor regulation. ``(3) The term `tissue distribution intermediary' means an agency that acquires and stores human tissue for further distribution and performs no other tissue banking functions. ``(4) The term `tissue processor' means an entity processing human tissue for use in biological implants, including activities performed on tissue other than donor screening, donor testing, tissue recovery and collection functions, storage, or distribution.''. (2) Clerical amendment.--The table of sections at the beginning of chapter 81 is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 8128 the following new item: ``8129. Procurement of biological implants.''. (b) Effective Date.--Section 8129 of title 38, United States Code, as added by subsection (a), shall take effect on the date that is 180 days after the date on which the tracking system required under section 7330C(b) of such title, as added by section 2(a), is implemented. (c) Special Rule for Cryopreserved Products.--During the three-year period beginning on the effective date of section 8129 of title 38, United States Code, as added by subsection (a), biological implants produced [[Page 63]] and labeled before that effective date may be procured by the Department of Veterans Affairs without relabeling under the standard identification system adopted or implemented under section 7330C of such title, as added by section 2(a). SEC. 4. FUNDING. No additional funds are authorized to carry out the requirements of this Act and the amendments made by this Act. Such requirements shall be carried out using amounts otherwise authorized. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Roe) and the gentleman from California (Mr. Takano) each will control 20 minutes. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Tennessee. General Leave Mr. ROE of Tennessee. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the gentleman from Tennessee? There was no objection. Mr. ROE of Tennessee. I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of my bill, H.R. 28, the Biological Implant Tracking and Veteran Safety Act of 2017. Two years ago this month, the Government Accountability Office, GAO, released a startling report detailing a failure on the part of the Department of Veterans Affairs to follow requirements for documenting open-market purchases of surgical implants and the lack of a standardized process for tracking biological tissue from cadaver donors to living veteran recipients. Currently, there is no requirement for VA to systematically identify or track biological implants used in the VA medical facilities. Due to this oversight, if a given biological implant was identified as potentially contaminated or made the subject of a recall, it would be impossible for VA to identify which patients receive the impacted material and, therefore, take steps to inform at-risk patients and address contamination concerns. That same GAO report also found that VA did not consistently ensure that the vendors that the Department purchases biological implants from are registered with the Food and Drug Administration, and that VA did not maintain an inventory system to prevent expired tissues from remaining in storage alongside unexpired tissues. Needless to say, each of these findings poses a serious and unacceptable risk to veterans' health and safety. Veterans seeking care through the VA healthcare system deserve a quality standard that is second to none, especially within a system which prides itself on data collection and its electronic health record. The Biological Implant Tracking and Veteran Safety Act would provide a high-quality standard for surgical implants that is now sorely missing. By requiring VA to implement a standard identification tracking system for biological implants used in the VA medical facilities and requiring VA to procure biological implants only from approved vendors, H.R. 28 would address the deficiencies GAO identified and provide VA a necessary tool to ensure accountability and patient safety. Mr. Speaker, I would say the VA just should do this for quality of care for patients. I urge all of my colleagues to join me in supporting this important legislation. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time. Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I rise today in support of the Biological Implant Tracking and Veteran Safety Act. This bill will require the VA to implement a standard identification system for biological implants that is consistent with the Food and Drug Administration's unique device identification system. This system will allow for the tracking of implants from donor to recipients. This bill will also require VA to procure biological implants only from vendors using the system and only through competitive procurement processes. The GAO has testified that the Veterans Health Administration is one of the largest purchasers of surgical implants, which include biological implants such as skin and bone grafts, and nonbiological implants such as cardiac pacemakers and artificial joints. The GAO has raised valid concerns regarding VA medical centers complying with VHA requirements for documenting surgical implants purchased from the open market and VHA's ability to identify veterans who received an implant that is being recalled by the manufacturer or the Food and Drug Administration. Patient safety is our number one concern. We all want to ensure that VA policies are fully followed in this regard. The legislation will continue to protect veterans while they receive the best care available. Mr. Speaker, before I close, I would like to extend my public congratulations to my good friend, Dr. Phil Roe, for being named by the majority as the chairman of the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. I can tell you that Members on my side of the aisle are looking very much forward to working with Dr. Roe. He has a splendid reputation. I don't want to ruin his reputation by saying that we absolutely embrace him because that would make his side of the aisle, I think, a little worried, but the fact is we believe that Chairman Roe is someone that we can work with and who has a genuine, sincere concern for veterans. He is a veteran himself. He is a medical doctor. As we try to gain the trust of veterans and gain the trust of Americans in VA health care and the veterans department, we are very much looking forward to working with him. I offer him my congratulations. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time. {time} 1800 Mr. ROE of Tennessee. Mr. Speaker, I appreciate those kind words. Certainly, Mr. Speaker, this particular committee is a bipartisan committee. For the veterans out there who are watching this and for the American citizens who are watching this, this is truly a committee where we check our political affiliations at the door and try to do what is right and best for America's heroes. I am not talking about the committee, but I am saying in the country that has not always been done. I am a Vietnam-era veteran, and that wasn't done for my generation to begin with. There is a real commitment on both sides of the aisle, the staffs of both committees and the members of both committees. I am excited to get to work with my friend, Mr. Takano. We have been to Afghanistan together and gotten to know each other very well and worked on many issues together. I look forward to doing this. I appreciate his kind comments and also his support for this bill. Mr. Speaker, I encourage all Members to support this legislation. I yield back the balance of my time. The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Roe) that the House suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 28. The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the rules were suspended and the bill was passed. A motion to reconsider was laid on the table. ____________________ APPOINTMENT OF MEMBER TO THE JOINT ECONOMIC COMMITTEE The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair announces the Speaker's appointment, pursuant to 15 U.S.C. 1024(a), and the order of the House of today, of the following Member on the part of the House to the Joint Economic Committee: Mr. Tiberi, Ohio ____________________ APPOINTMENT OF MEMBER TO THE PERMANENT SELECT COMMITTEE ON INTELLIGENCE The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair announces the Speaker's appointment, pursuant to clause 11 of rule X, clause 11 of rule I, and the order of the House of today, of the following Member to the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence: [[Page 64]] Mr. Nunes, California, Chairman ____________________ APPOINTMENT--HOUSE OFFICE BUILDING COMMISSION The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair announces the Speaker's appointment, pursuant to 2 U.S.C. 2001, and the order of the House of today, of the gentleman from California (Mr. McCarthy) and the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Pelosi) as Members of the House Office Building Commission to serve with the Speaker. ____________________ ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair announces that the Speaker has delivered to the Clerk a letter dated January 3, 2017, listing Members in the order in which each shall act as Speaker pro tempore under clause 8(b)(3) of rule I. ____________________ RECALL DESIGNEE The SPEAKER pro tempore laid before the House the following communication from the Speaker: The Speaker's Rooms, House of Representatives, Washington, DC, January 3, 2017. Hon. Karen L. Haas, Clerk of the House of Representatives, The Capitol, Washington, DC. Dear Madam Clerk: I hereby designate Representative Kevin McCarthy of California to exercise any authority regarding assembly, reassembly, convening, or reconvening of the House pursuant to House Concurrent Resolution 1, clause 12 of rule I, and any concurrent resolutions of the current Congress as may contemplate my designation of Members to exercise similar authority. In the event of the death or inability of that designee, the alternate Members of the House listed in the letter bearing this date that I have placed with the Clerk are designated, in turn, for the same purposes. Sincerely, Paul D. Ryan, Speaker. ____________________ APPOINTMENT OF MEMBERS TO ACT AS SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE TO SIGN ENROLLED BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTIONS DURING THE 115TH CONGRESS The SPEAKER pro tempore laid before the House the following communication from the Speaker: The Speaker's Rooms. House of Representatives, Washington, DC, January 3, 2017. I hereby appoint the Honorable Jeff Denham, the Honorable Mac Thornberry, the Honorable Fred Upton, the Honorable Andy Harris, the Honorable Barbara Comstock, and the Honorable Luke Messer to act as Speaker pro tempore to sign enrolled bills and joint resolutions through the remainder of the One Hundred Fifteenth Congress. Paul D. Ryan, Speaker. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Without objection, the appointments are approved. There was no objection. ____________________ COMMUNICATION FROM THE CLERK OF THE HOUSE The SPEAKER pro tempore laid before the House the following communication from the Clerk of the House of Representatives: Office of the Clerk, House of Representatives, Washington, DC, January 3, 2017. Hon. Paul D. Ryan, Speaker, House of Representatives, Washington, DC. Dear Mr. Speaker: Under Clause 2(g) of Rule II of the Rules of the U.S. House of Representatives, I herewith designate Mr. Robert Reeves, Deputy Clerk, and Mr. Robert Borden, Legal Counsel, to sign any and all papers and do all other acts for me under the name of the Clerk of the House which they would be authorized to do by virtue of this designation, except such as are provided by statute, in case of my temporary absence or disability. This designation shall remain in effect for the 115th Congress or until modified by me. With best wishes, I am Sincerely, Karen L. Haas, Clerk of the House. ____________________ ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair customarily takes this occasion at the outset of a Congress to announce his policies with respect to particular aspects of the legislative process. The Chair will insert in the Record announcements concerning: first, privileges of the floor; second, introduction of bills and resolutions; third, unanimous-consent requests for the consideration of legislation; fourth, recognition for 1-minute speeches; fifth, recognition for Special Order speeches; sixth, decorum in debate; seventh, conduct of votes by electronic device; eighth, use of handouts on the House floor; ninth, use of electronic equipment on the House floor; and tenth, use of the Chamber. These announcements, where appropriate, will reiterate the origins of the stated policies. The Chair intends to continue in the 115th Congress the policies reflected in these statements. The policy announced in the 102nd Congress with respect to jurisdictional concepts related to clauses 5(a) of rule XXI--tax and tariff measures--will continue to govern but need not be reiterated, as it is adequately documented as precedent in the House Rules and Manual. Without objection, the announcements will be printed in the Record. There was no objection. 1. Privileges of the Floor The Chair will make the following announcements regarding floor privileges, which will apply during the 115th Congress. ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE SPEAKER WITH RESPECT TO STAFF Rule IV strictly limits those persons to whom the privileges of the floor during sessions of the House are extended, and that rule prohibits the Chair from entertaining requests for suspension or waiver of that rule. As reiterated by the Chair on January 21, 1986, January 3, 1985, January 25, 1983, and August 22, 1974, and as stated in Chapter 10, section 2, of House Practice, the rule strictly limits the number of committee staff on the floor at one time during the consideration of measures reported from their committees. This permission does not extend to Members' personal staff except when a Member's amendment is actually pending during the five-minute rule. It also does not extend to personal staff of Members who are sponsors of pending bills. The Chair requests the cooperation of all Members and committee staff to assure that only the proper number of staff are on the floor, and then only during the consideration of measures within the jurisdiction of their committees. The Chair is making this statement and reiterating this policy because of Members' past insistence upon strict enforcement of the rule. The Chair requests each committee chair, and each ranking minority member, to submit to the Speaker a list of those staff who are allowed on the floor during the consideration of a measure in the jurisdiction of their committee. The Sergeant-at-Arms, who has been directed to assure proper enforcement of rule IV, will keep the list. Each staff person should exchange his or her ID for a ``committee staff'' badge, which is to be worn while on the floor. The Chair has consulted with the Minority Leader and will continue to consult with her. Furthermore, as the Chair announced on January 7, 2003, in accordance with the change in the 108th Congress of clause 2(a) of rule IV regarding leadership staff floor access, only designated staff approved by the Speaker shall be granted the privilege of the floor. The Speaker intends that his approval be narrowly granted on a bipartisan basis to staff from the majority and minority side and only to those staff essential to floor activities. ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE SPEAKER WITH RESPECT TO FORMER MEMBERS The Speaker's policy announced on February 1, 2006, will continue to apply in the 115th Congress. ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE SPEAKER, FEBRUARY 1, 2006 The SPEAKER. The House has adopted a revision to the rule regarding the admission to the floor and the rooms leading thereto. Clause 4 of rule IV provides that a former Member, Delegate or Resident Commissioner or a former Parliamentarian of the House, or a former elected officer of the House or a former minority employee nominated as an elected officer of the House shall not be entitled to the privilege of admission to the Hall of the House and the rooms extending thereto if he or she is a registered lobbyist or an agent of a foreign principal; has any direct personal pecuniary interest in any legislative measure pending before the House, or reported by a committee; or is in the employ of or represents any party or organization for the purpose of influencing, directly or indirectly, the passage, defeat, or amendment of any legislative proposal. This restriction extends not only to the House floor but adjacent rooms, the cloakrooms and the Speaker's lobby. Clause 4 of rule IV also allows the Speaker to exempt ceremonial and educational functions from the restrictions of this clause. [[Page 65]] These restrictions shall not apply to attendance at joint meetings or joint sessions, Former Members' Day proceedings, educational tours, and other occasions as the Speaker may designate. Members who have reason to know that a person is on the floor inconsistent with clause 4 of rule IV should notify the Sergeant-at-Arms promptly. 2. Introduction of Bills and Resolutions The policy that the Chair announced on January 3, 1983, with respect to the introduction and reference of bills and resolutions will continue to apply in the 115th Congress. The Chair has advised all officers and employees of the House who are involved in the processing of bills that every bill, resolution, memorial, petition or other material that is placed in the hopper must bear the signature of a Member. Where a bill or resolution is jointly sponsored, the signature must be that of the Member first named thereon. The bill clerk is instructed to return to the Member any bill which appears in the hopper without an original signature. This procedure was inaugurated in the 92d Congress. It has worked well, and the Chair thinks that it is essential to continue this practice to insure the integrity of the process by which legislation is introduced in the House. The Chair has noted a need for increased attention to detail regarding the addition of cosponsors to measures to ensure accuracy. To that end, Members are encouraged to use the template provided by the Office of the Clerk, which requests Members seeking to be added as cosponsors to include their printed name, original signature, and state. Members routinely include their original signatures, states, and districts when voting by card in the well, so the Chair is hopeful that the inclusion of such information on a cosponsor form will be a familiar task. 3. Unanimous-Consent Requests for the Consideration of Legislation The policy the Chair announced on January 6, 1999, with respect to recognition for unanimous-consent requests for the consideration of certain legislative measures will continue to apply in the 115th Congress. The Speaker will continue to follow the guidelines recorded in section 956 of the House Rules and Manual conferring recognition for unanimous-consent requests for the consideration of bills, resolutions, and other measures only when assured that the majority and minority floor leadership and the relevant committee chairs and ranking minority members have no objection. Consistent with those guidelines and with the Chair's inherent power of recognition under clause 2 of rule XVII, the Chair, and any occupant of the chair appointed as Speaker pro tempore pursuant to clause 8 of rule I, will decline recognition for the unanimous-consent requests chronicled in section 956 without assurances that the request has been so cleared. This denial of recognition by the Chair will not reflect necessarily any personal opposition on the part of the Chair to orderly consideration of the matter in question, but will reflect the determination upon the part of the Chair that orderly procedures will be followed; that is, procedures involving consultation and agreement between floor and committee leadership on both sides of the aisle. 4. Recognition for One-Minute Speeches ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE SPEAKER WITH RESPECT TO ONE-MINUTE SPEECHES The Speaker's policy announced on August 8, 1984, with respect to recognition for one-minute speeches will apply during the 115th Congress. The Chair will alternate recognition for one-minute speeches between majority and minority Members, in the order in which they seek recognition in the well under present practice from the Chair's right to the Chair's left, with possible exceptions for Members of the leadership and Members having business requests. The Chair, of course, reserves the right to limit one-minute speeches to a certain period of time or to a special place in the program on any given day, with notice to the leadership. In addition, during the 115th Congress, the Chair will continue the practice of not recognizing Members for a one- minute speech more than one time per legislative day. 5. Recognition for Special-Order Speeches ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE SPEAKER WITH RESPECT TO SPECIAL-ORDER SPEECHES The Speaker's policy with regard to special-order speeches announced on February 11, 1994, as clarified and reiterated by subsequent Speakers, will continue to apply in the 115th Congress, with the following modifications. The Chair may recognize Members for special-order speeches for up to 4 hours. Such speeches may not extend beyond the 4- hour limit without the permission of the Chair, which may be granted only with advance consultation between the leaderships and notification to the House. However, the Chair will not recognize Members for any special-order speeches beyond 10 o'clock in the evening. The 4-hour limitation will be divided between the majority and minority parties. Each party is entitled to reserve its first hour for respective leaderships or their designees. The second hour reserved to each party will be divided into two 30-minute periods. Recognition for one-hour periods and for 30-minute periods will alternate initially and subsequently between the parties each day. The Chair wishes to clarify for Members that any 60- or 30-minute period that is not claimed at the appropriate time will be considered to have expired; this includes the first 60-minute period of the day. The allocation of time within each party's 2-hour period (or shorter period if prorated to end by 10 p.m.) will be determined by a list submitted to the Chair by the respective leaderships. Members may not sign up with their leadership for any special-order speeches earlier than one week prior to the special order. Additional guidelines may be established for such sign-ups by the respective leaderships. Pursuant to clause 2(a) of rule V, the television cameras will not pan the Chamber, but a ``crawl'' indicating the conduct of morning-hour debate or that the House has completed its legislative business and is proceeding with special-order speeches will appear on the screen. The Chair may announce other adaptations during this period. The continuation of this format for recognition by the Speaker is without prejudice to the Speaker's ultimate power of recognition under clause 2 of rule XVII and includes the ability to withdraw recognition for longer special-order speeches should circumstances warrant. 6. Decorum in Debate The Chair's announced policies of January 7, 2003, January 4, 1995, and January 3, 1991, will apply in the 115th Congress. It is essential that the dignity of the proceedings of the House be preserved, not only to assure that the House conducts its business in an orderly fashion but also to permit Members to properly comprehend and participate in the business of the House. To this end, and in order to permit the Chair to understand and to correctly put the question on the numerous requests that are made by Members, the Chair requests that Members and others who have the privileges of the floor desist from audible conversation in the Chamber while the business of the House is being conducted. The Chair would encourage all Members to review rule XVII to gain a better understanding of the proper rules of decorum expected of them, and especially: to avoid ``personalities'' in debate with respect to references to other Members, the Senate, and the President; to address the Chair only during, and not beyond, the time recognized, and not to address the television or other imagined audience; to refrain from passing between the Chair and a Member speaking, or directly in front of a Member speaking from the well; to refrain from smoking in the Chamber; to wear appropriate business attire in the Chamber; and to generally display the same degree of respect to the Chair and other Members that every Member is due. The Chair would like all Members to be on notice that the Chair intends to strictly enforce time limitations on debate. Furthermore, the Chair has the authority to immediately interrupt Members in debate who transgress rule XVII by failing to avoid ``personalities'' in debate with respect to references to the Senate, the President, and other Members, rather than wait for Members to complete their remarks. Finally, it is not in order to speak disrespectfully of the Speaker; and under the precedents the sanctions for such violations transcend the ordinary requirements for timeliness of challenges. This separate treatment is recorded in volume 2 of Hinds' Precedents, at section 1248 and was reiterated on January 19, 1995. 7. Conduct of Votes by Electronic Device The Speaker's policy announced on January 4, 1995, with respect to the conduct of electronic votes will continue in the 115th Congress with modifications as follows. As Members are aware, clause 2(a) of rule XX provides that Members shall have not less than 15 minutes in which to answer an ordinary record vote or quorum call. The rule obviously establishes 15 minutes as a minimum. Still, with the cooperation of the Members, a vote can easily be completed in that time. The events of October 30, 1991, stand out as proof of this point. On that occasion, the House was considering a bill in the Committee of the Whole under a special rule that placed an overall time limit on the amendment process, including the time consumed by record votes. The Chair announced, and then strictly enforced, a policy of closing electronic votes as soon as possible after the guaranteed period of 15 minutes. Members appreciated and cooperated with the Chair's enforcement of the policy on that occasion. The Chair desires that the example of October 30, 1991, be made the regular practice of the House. To that end, the Chair enlists the assistance of all Members in avoiding the unnecessary loss of time in conducting the business of the House. The Chair encourages all Members to depart for the Chamber promptly upon the appropriate bell and light signal. As in recent Congresses, the cloakrooms should not forward to the Chair requests to hold a vote by electronic device, but should simply apprise inquiring Members of the time remaining on the voting clock. Members should not rely on signals relayed from outside the Chamber to assume that votes will be held open until they arrive in [[Page 66]] the Chamber. Members will be given a reasonable amount of time in which to accurately record their votes, and the Chair will endeavor to assess the presence of the membership and the expectation of further votes prior to exercising his authority under clause 8(c)(2) or clause 9(b) of rule XX or clause 6(g)(2) of rule XVIII. The Speaker believes the best practice for presiding officers is to await the Clerk's certification that a vote tally is complete and accurate. Members are further reminded, in accordance with the Speaker's statement of January 7, 2016, that the standard policy is to not terminate the vote when a Member is in the well attempting to cast a vote. Other efforts to hold the vote open are not similarly protected. 8. Use of Handouts on House Floor The Speaker's policy announced on September 27, 1995, which was prompted by a misuse of handouts on the House floor and made at the bipartisan request of the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct, will continue in the 115th Congress. All handouts distributed on or adjacent to the House floor by Members during House proceedings must bear the name of the Member authorizing their distribution. In addition, the content of those materials must comport with standards of propriety applicable to words spoken in debate or inserted in the Record. Failure to comply with this admonition may constitute a breach of decorum and may give rise to a question of privilege. The Chair would also remind Members that, pursuant to clause 5 of rule IV, staff is prohibited from engaging in efforts in the Hall of the House or rooms leading thereto to influence Members with regard to the legislation being amended. Staff cannot distribute handouts. In order to enhance the quality of debate in the House, the Chair would ask Members to minimize the use of handouts. 9. Use of Electronic Equipment on House Floor The Speaker's policy announced on January 27, 2000, as clarified on January 6, 2009, and as modified by the change in clause 5 of rule XVII in the 112th Congress, will continue in the 115th Congress with modifications as follows. All Members and staff are reminded of the absolute prohibition contained in clause 5 of rule XVII against the use of mobile electronic devices that impair decorum. Those devices include wireless telephones and personal computers. The Chair wishes to note that electronic tablet devices do not constitute personal computers within the meaning of this policy and thus may be unobtrusively used in the Chamber. No device may be used for still photography or for audio or video recording or for live broadcasting. The Chair requests all Members and staff wishing to receive or make wireless telephone calls to do so outside of the Chamber. The Chair further requests that all Members and staff refrain from wearing telephone headsets in the Chamber and to deactivate any audible ring of wireless phones before entering the Chamber. To this end, the Chair insists upon the cooperation of all Members and staff and instructs the Sergeant-at-Arms, pursuant to clause 3(a) of rule II and clause 5 of rule XVII, to enforce this prohibition. In light of the changes to rule II and rule XVII in the 115th Congress, the Chair would like to take this opportunity to educate all Members and staff on how these changes will be implemented. The Sergeant-at-Arms is charged with enforcement of clause 3(g) rule II, which prohibits the use of electronic devices for still photography or for audio or visual recording or broadcasting in contravention of clause 5 of rule XVII and the policies just articulated. The Chair would advise Members of the following policies of the Sergeant-at- Arms surrounding the rules change. The Sergeant-at-Arms will enforce the prohibition with respect to violations observed first-hand on the House floor as well as violations that become apparent at a later time, such as through publication online or broadcast on television. In the case of violations observed on the floor, the Sergeant-at-Arms will hand the offending Member a card noting the violation, and will follow up by sending the Member a written letter. In the case of other violations, Members will receive a written letter detailing the offending conduct. The fine for a first offense is $500. The fine for each subsequent offense is $2500. The Sergeant-at-Arms will endeavor to provide Members a written warning prior to assessing a fine for a first offense. Because of the inherent difficulty of enforcing this prohibition during ceremonial events, the Sergeant-at-Arms may choose not to cite minor violations occurring during such an event. Pursuant to clause 2(g)(3) of rule II, in addition to notifying the Member, Delegate, or Resident Commissioner concerned, the Sergeant-at-Arms will also notify the Speaker, the Chief Administrative Officer, and the Committee on Ethics of any fine imposed. Upon receiving notification of a fine, a Member, Delegate, or Resident Commissioner may appeal the fine to the Committee on Ethics within 30 calendar days or 5 legislative days, whichever is later. The Sergeant-at-Arms and the Committee on Ethics are each authorized to establish policies and procedures for the implementation of these rules. The Chief Administrative Officer is authorized to establish policies and procedures for deducting any such fine from a Member's net salary. It is the desire of the Chair that any such policies and procedures be submitted for printing in the Congressional Record. Nothing in the House rules or this policy deprives the House of its ability to address breaches of decorum or other violations of House rules that may give rise to questions of the privileges of the House under rule IX. The Chair appreciates the attention of all Members to these efforts. 10. Use of Chamber The Speaker's policy announced on January 6, 2009, with respect to use of the Chamber will continue in the 115th Congress. The Chair will announce to the House the policy of the Speaker concerning appropriate comportment in the chamber when the House is not in session. Under clause 3 of rule I, the Speaker is responsible to control the Hall of the House. Under clause 1 of rule IV, the Hall of the House is to be used only for the legislative business of the House, for caucus and conference meetings of its Members, and for such ceremonies as the House might agree to conduct there. When the House stands adjourned, its chamber remains on static display. It may accommodate visitors in the gallery or on the floor, subject to the needs of those who operate, maintain, and secure the chamber to go about their ordinary business. Because outside ``coverage'' of the chamber is limited to floor proceedings and is allowed only by accredited journalists, when the chamber is on static display no audio or video recording or transmitting devices are allowed. The long custom of disallowing even still photography in the chamber is based at least in part on the notion that an image having this setting as its backdrop might be taken to carry the imprimatur of the House. The imprimatur of the House adheres to the Journal of its proceedings, which is kept pursuant to the Constitution. The imprimatur of the House adheres to the Congressional Record, which is kept as a substantially verbatim transcript pursuant to clause 8 of rule XVII. The imprimatur of the House adheres to the audio and visual transmissions and recordings that are made and kept by the television system administered by the Speaker pursuant to rule V. But the imprimatur of the House may not be appropriated to other, ad hoc accounts or compositions of events in its chamber. ____________________ EXTENDING THE LIFE OF THE JOINT CONGRESSIONAL COMMITTEE ON INAUGURAL CEREMONIES The SPEAKER pro tempore laid before the House the following privileged concurrent resolution: S. Con. Res. 1 Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives concurring), SECTION 1. REAUTHORIZATION OF JOINT COMMITTEE. Effective from January 3, 2017, the joint committee created by Senate Concurrent Resolution 28 (114th Congress), to make the necessary arrangements for the inauguration of the President-elect and the Vice President-elect of the United States, is continued with the same power and authority provided for in that resolution. SEC. 2. USE OF CAPITOL. Effective from January 3, 2017, the provisions of Senate Concurrent Resolution 29 (114th Congress), to authorize the use of the rotunda and Emancipation Hall of the Capitol by the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies in connection with the proceedings and ceremonies conducted for the inauguration of the President-elect and the Vice President-elect of the United States are continued with the same power and authority provided for in that resolution. The concurrent resolution was concurred in. A motion to reconsider was laid on the table. ____________________ TO PROVIDE FOR THE COUNTING ON JANUARY 6, 2017, OF THE ELECTORAL VOTES FOR PRESIDENT AND VICE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES The SPEAKER pro tempore laid before the House the following privileged concurrent resolution: S. Con. Res. 2 Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives concurring), That the two Houses of Congress shall meet in the Hall of the House of Representatives on Friday, the 6th day of January 2017, at 1 o'clock post meridian, pursuant to the requirements of the Constitution and laws relating to the election of President and Vice President of the United States, and the President of the Senate shall be their Presiding Officer; that two [[Page 67]] tellers shall be previously appointed by the President of the Senate on the part of the Senate and two by the Speaker on the part of the House of Representatives, to whom shall be handed, as they are opened by the President of the Senate, all the certificates and papers purporting to be certificates of the electoral votes, which certificates and papers shall be opened, presented, and acted upon in the alphabetical order of the States, beginning with the letter ``A''; and said tellers, having then read the same in the presence and hearing of the two Houses, shall make a list of the votes as they shall appear from said certificates; and the votes having been ascertained and counted in the manner and according to the rules by law provided, the result of the same shall be delivered to the President of the Senate, who shall thereupon announce the state of the vote, which announcement shall be deemed a sufficient declaration of the persons, if any, elected President and Vice President of the United States, and, together with a list of the votes, be entered on the Journals of the two Houses. The concurrent resolution was concurred in. A motion to reconsider was laid on the table. ____________________ ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under clause 5(d) of rule XX, the Chair announces to the House that the whole number of the House is 434. ____________________ ADJOURNMENT Mr. FRANKS of Arizona. Mr. Speaker, I move that the House do now adjourn. The motion was agreed to; accordingly (at 6 o'clock and 8 minutes p.m.), under its previous order, the House adjourned until tomorrow, Wednesday, January 4, 2017, at 10 a.m. for morning-hour debate. ____________________ EXECUTIVE COMMUNICATIONS, ETC. Under clause 2 of rule XIV, executive communications were taken from the Speaker's table and referred as follows: 1. A letter from the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives, transmitting a list of reports created by the Clerk, pursuant to Rule II, clause 2(b), of the Rules of the House (H. Doc. No. 115-4); to the Committee on House Administration and ordered to be printed. 2. A communication from the President of the United States, transmitting the Economic Report of the President together with the 2017 Annual Report of the Council of Economic Advisers, pursuant to 15 U.S.C. 1022(a); February 20, 1946, ch. 33, Sec. 3(a) (as amended by Public Law 101-508; 13112(e)); (104 Stat. 1388-609) (H. Doc. No. 115-2); to the Joint Economic Committee and ordered to be printed. ____________________ PUBLIC BILLS AND RESOLUTIONS Under clause 2 of rule XII, public bills and resolutions of the following titles were introduced and severally referred, as follows: By Mr. GOODLATTE (for himself, Mr. Peterson, Mr. Chabot, Mr. Marino, Mr. Ratcliffe, and Mr. Luetkemeyer): H.R. 5. A bill to reform the process by which Federal agencies analyze and formulate new regulations and guidance documents, to clarify the nature of judicial review of agency interpretations, to ensure complete analysis of potential impacts on small entities of rules, and for other purposes; to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committees on Oversight and Government Reform, and Small Business, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned. By Mr. ISSA (for himself, Mr. Goodlatte, Mr. Sessions, Mr. Collins of Georgia, Mr. Jordan, Mr. Marino, Mr. Harris, Mr. Griffith, Mr. Ratcliffe, Mr. Jenkins of West Virginia, Mr. Smith of Texas, Mr. Gowdy, Mr. Peterson, and Mrs. Hartzler): H.R. 21. A bill to amend chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, to provide for en bloc consideration in resolutions of disapproval for ``midnight rules'', and for other purposes; to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Rules, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned. By Mr. POE of Texas (for himself, Mr. Smith of Texas, and Mrs. Black): H.R. 22. A bill to provide for operational control of the international border of the United States, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Homeland Security, and in addition to the Committees on Armed Services, Rules, Energy and Commerce, and Agriculture, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned. By Mr. VALADAO (for himself, Mr. Nunes, Mr. Rohrabacher, Mr. Cook, Mr. Issa, Mr. Royce of California, Mrs. Mimi Walters of California, Mr. Calvert, Mr. Knight, Mr. McCarthy, Mr. Hunter, Mr. LaMalfa, and Mr. McClintock): H.R. 23. A bill to provide drought relief in the State of California, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committee on Agriculture, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned. By Mr. MASSIE (for himself, Mr. Moolenaar, Mr. Guthrie, Mr. Carter of Georgia, Mr. Mullin, Mr. Buck, Ms. Foxx, Mr. Amash, Mr. Chaffetz, Mr. Brooks of Alabama, Mr. Gosar, Mr. Chabot, Mr. Bilirakis, Mr. Rothfus, Mr. Yoho, Mrs. Walorski, Mr. Walberg, Mr. Stivers, Mr. Gohmert, Mr. Barletta, Mr. Emmer, Mr. Westerman, Mr. Franks of Arizona, Mr. Jones, Mr. Duncan of South Carolina, Mr. Pearce, Mr. King of Iowa, Mr. Culberson, Mr. Hunter, Mr. Griffith, Mr. Amodei, Ms. Beutler, Mrs. Black, Mr. Smith of Missouri, Mr. Burgess, Mr. Brat, Mr. DeFazio, Mr. DeSantis, Mr. Palmer, Mr. McKinley, Mr. Rohrabacher, Mr. Meehan, Mr. Holding, Mr. Labrador, and Mr. Bishop of Utah): H.R. 24. A bill to require a full audit of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and the Federal reserve banks by the Comptroller General of the United States, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. By Mr. WOODALL (for himself, Mr. Bilirakis, Mr. Bridenstine, Mr. Brooks of Alabama, Mr. Carter of Texas, Mr. Collins of Georgia, Mr. Conaway, Mr. Culberson, Mr. DesJarlais, Mr. Duncan of Tennessee, Ms. Foxx, Mr. Franks of Arizona, Mr. Graves of Missouri, Mr. Graves of Georgia, Mr. Issa, Mr. King of Iowa, Mr. Lucas, Mr. Massie, Mr. Mullin, Mr. Olson, Mr. Pearce, Mr. Poe of Texas, Mr. Roe of Tennessee, Mr. Sanford, Mr. Walberg, Mr. Yoho, Mr. Young of Alaska, Mr. Emmer, Mr. Ratcliffe, Mr. Jody B. Hice of Georgia, Mr. Loudermilk, Mr. Carter of Georgia, Mr. Chabot, Mr. Bishop of Utah, and Mr. Posey): H.R. 25. A bill to promote freedom, fairness, and economic opportunity by repealing the income tax and other taxes, abolishing the Internal Revenue Service, and enacting a national sales tax to be administered primarily by the States; to the Committee on Ways and Means. By Mr. COLLINS of Georgia (for himself, Mr. Goodlatte, Mr. Sessions, and Mr. Marino): H.R. 26. A bill to amend chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, to provide that major rules of the executive branch shall have no force or effect unless a joint resolution of approval is enacted into law; to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committees on Rules, and the Budget, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned. By Mr. COSTELLO of Pennsylvania (for himself and Ms. Sinema): H.R. 27. A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to retain a copy of any reprimand or admonishment received by an employee of the Department in the permanent record of the employee; to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs; considered and passed. By Mr. ROE of Tennessee: H.R. 28. A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to adopt and implement a standard identification protocol for use in the tracking and procurement of biological implants by the Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs; considered and passed. By Mr. GOODLATTE (for himself, Mr. Pearce, Mr. Bost, Mr. King of Iowa, Mr. Sanford, Mr. Duncan of South Carolina, Mr. Meadows, Mr. Gosar, Mrs. Blackburn, Mr. Culberson, Mr. Carter of Georgia, Mr. Rogers of Alabama, Mr. Abraham, Mr. Franks of Arizona, Mr. Hill, Mr. Loudermilk, Mr. Gohmert, Mr. Byrne, Mr. Roe of Tennessee, Mr. Griffith, Mr. Brat, Mr. Williams, Mr. Poe of Texas, Mr. Holding, Mr. Labrador, Mr. Olson, Mr. Luetkemeyer, Mr. Cole, Mr. Diaz-Balart, Mr. Calvert, Mrs. Black, Mr. McClintock, and Mr. Massie): H.R. 29. A bill to terminate the Internal Revenue Code of 1986; to the Committee on [[Page 68]] Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on Rules, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned. By Mr. HUDSON: H.R. 30. A bill to repeal the Federal estate and gift taxes; to the Committee on Ways and Means. By Mr. HUDSON: H.R. 31. A bill to provide for the periodic review of the efficiency and public need for Federal agencies, to establish a commission for the purpose of reviewing the efficiency and public need of such agencies, and to provide for the abolishment of agencies for which a public need does not exist; to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. By Mr. HUDSON: H.R. 32. A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to exempt the spouses of active duty members of the Armed Forces from the determination of whether an employer is subject to the employer health insurance mandate; to the Committee on Ways and Means. By Mr. CHABOT (for himself, Mr. Goodlatte, Mr. Marino, Mrs. Radewagen, Mr. Knight, Mr. Cuellar, Mr. Graves of Missouri, Mr. Sessions, Mr. King of Iowa, Mr. Kelly of Mississippi, Mr. Tipton, Mr. Curbelo of Florida, Mr. Hultgren, and Mr. Luetkemeyer): H.R. 33. A bill to amend chapter 6 of title 5, United States Code (commonly known as the Regulatory Flexibility Act), to ensure complete analysis of potential impacts on small entities of rules, and for other purposes; to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Small Business, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned. By Mr. MASSIE (for himself and Mr. Gohmert): H.R. 34. A bill to repeal the Gun-Free School Zones Act of 1990 and amendments to that Act; to the Committee on the Judiciary. By Mr. BURGESS (for himself, Mr. Sanford, and Mr. Carter of Texas): H.R. 35. A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to modify rules relating to health savings accounts; to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committees on the Judiciary, and Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned. By Mr. FRANKS of Arizona: H.R. 36. A bill to amend title 18, United States Code, to protect pain-capable unborn children, and for other purposes; to the Committee on the Judiciary. By Mr. FRANKS of Arizona: H.R. 37. A bill to amend title 18, United States Code, to prohibit a health care practitioner from failing to exercise the proper degree of care in the case of a child who survives an abortion or attempted abortion; to the Committee on the Judiciary. By Mr. HUDSON (for himself, Mr. Smith of Missouri, Mr. Abraham, Mr. Cuellar, Mr. Gaetz, Mr. Holding, Mr. King of Iowa, Mr. LaMalfa, Mr. Palmer, Mrs. Wagner, Mr. Kinzinger, Mr. Thomas J. Rooney of Florida, Mr. Walker, Mr. Pittenger, Mr. Aderholt, Mr. Carter of Georgia, Mr. Graves of Georgia, Mr. Rogers of Alabama, Mr. Hensarling, Mr. Lamborn, Mr. Cramer, Mr. Cook, Mr. Westerman, Mr. Chabot, Mrs. Walorski, Mr. Mullin, Mr. Palazzo, Mr. Franks of Arizona, Mr. Jody B. Hice of Georgia, Mr. Meadows, Mr. Wenstrup, Mr. Williams, Mr. Smith of Texas, Mr. Huizenga, Mr. Amodei, Mr. Hunter, Mr. Farenthold, Mr. Jenkins of West Virginia, Mr. Emmer, Mr. Roe of Tennessee, Mr. Tipton, Mr. Johnson of Ohio, Mr. DesJarlais, Mrs. Hartzler, Mr. Duncan of South Carolina, Mr. Zeldin, Mr. Yoho, Mr. Sanford, Mr. Brat, Mr. Peterson, Mr. Duffy, Mr. Yoder, Mr. Buchanan, Mr. Cole, Mr. Newhouse, Mr. Turner, Mr. Brooks of Alabama, Mr. Katko, Mr. Ratcliffe, Mr. Hill, Mr. Olson, Mr. Harper, Mr. Buck, and Mr. Diaz-Balart): H.R. 38. A bill to amend title 18, United States Code, to provide a means by which nonresidents of a State whose residents may carry concealed firearms may also do so in the State; to the Committee on the Judiciary. By Mr. McCARTHY: H.R. 39. A bill to amend title 5, United States Code, to codify the Presidential Innovation Fellows Program, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. By Mr. CONYERS (for himself, Mr. Serrano, Mr. Al Green of Texas, Ms. Norton, Mr. Hastings, Mr. Ellison, Mrs. Beatty, Mr. Lewis of Georgia, Mr. Nadler, Mr. Danny K. Davis of Illinois, Mr. Clay, Mr. Gutierrez, Mr. Cohen, Mr. Cummings, Mr. Meeks, Ms. Schakowsky, Ms. Jackson Lee, and Ms. Lee): H.R. 40. A bill to address the fundamental injustice, cruelty, brutality, and inhumanity of slavery in the United States and the 13 American colonies between 1619 and 1865 and to establish a commission to study and consider a national apology and proposal for reparations for the institution of slavery, its subsequent de jure and de facto racial and economic discrimination against African-Americans, and the impact of these forces on living African-Americans, to make recommendations to the Congress on appropriate remedies, and for other purposes; to the Committee on the Judiciary. By Mr. MULLIN (for himself, Mr. Allen, Mr. Bishop of Utah, Mr. Cole, Mr. Franks of Arizona, Mr. Gosar, Mrs. Love, Mr. Lucas, Mr. Palazzo, Mr. Russell, Mr. Westerman, Mr. McClintock, Mr. Chaffetz, Mr. Yoho, and Mr. Smith of Missouri): H.R. 41. A bill to amend title 5, United States Code, to require agencies to respond to comments from congressional committees about proposed rulemaking, and for other purposes; to the Committee on the Judiciary. By Mr. MULLIN: H.R. 42. A bill to authorize the Directors of Veterans Integrated Service Networks of the Department of Veterans Affairs to enter into contracts with appropriate civilian accreditation entities or appropriate health care evaluation entities to investigate medical centers of the Department of Veterans Affairs; to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. By Mr. MULLIN: H.R. 43. A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to authorize the use of Post-9/11 Educational Assistance to pursue independent study programs at certain educational institutions that are not institutions of higher learning; to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. By Mr. MULLIN (for himself, Mr. Kennedy, Mr. Mooney of West Virginia, Mr. King of New York, Mr. Bucshon, and Mr. Smith of Missouri): H.R. 44. A bill to amend the Professional Boxing Safety Act of 1996 to include fighters of combat sports in the safety provisions of such Act; to the Committee on Education and the Workforce, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned. By Mr. GOODLATTE (for himself, Mr. Peterson, Mr. Smith of Texas, Mr. Marino, Mr. Sessions, and Mr. Franks of Arizona): H.R. 45. A bill to reform the process by which Federal agencies analyze and formulate new regulations and guidance documents; to the Committee on the Judiciary. By Mr. KATKO (for himself, Ms. Slaughter, and Ms. Tenney): H.R. 46. A bill to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a special resource study of Fort Ontario in the State of New York; to the Committee on Natural Resources. By Ms. JACKSON LEE: H.R. 47. A bill to amend the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to provide for the humane treatment of youths who are in police custody, and for other purposes; to the Committee on the Judiciary. By Ms. JACKSON LEE: H.R. 48. A bill to require that activities carried out by the United States in South Sudan relating to governance, reconstruction and development, and refugee relief and assistance will support the basic human rights of women and women's participation and leadership in these areas; to the Committee on Foreign Affairs. By Mr. YOUNG of Alaska: H.R. 49. A bill to direct the Secretary of the Interior to establish and implement a competitive oil and gas leasing program that will result in an environmentally sound program for the exploration, development, and production of the oil and gas resources of the Coastal Plain of Alaska, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committees on Energy and Commerce, and Science, Space, and Technology, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned. By Ms. FOXX (for herself and Mr. Cuellar): H.R. 50. A bill to provide for additional safeguards with respect to imposing Federal mandates, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, and in addition to the Committees on the Budget, Rules, and the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned. By Mr. DAVID SCOTT of Georgia (for himself, Mr. Cramer, Ms. Fudge, Mrs. Love, Ms. Adams, Mr. Cleaver, and Mr. Scott of Virginia): H.R. 51. A bill to amend the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 to direct the Secretary of [[Page 69]] Agriculture to establish a grant program under which the Secretary will award $19,000,000 of grant funding to the 19 1890-institutions ($1,000,000 to each institution), such as Tuskegee University in Alabama, Prairie View A&M University of Texas, Fort Valley State University of Georgia, North Carolina A&T State University, and Florida A&M University, and allocate the $1,000,000 to each such institution for purposes of awarding scholarships to students attending such institutions, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Agriculture. By Mr. DAVID SCOTT of Georgia (for himself, Mr. Cramer, Ms. Fudge, Mrs. Love, Ms. Adams, and Mr. Cleaver): H.R. 52. A bill to rebuild the Nation's crumbling infrastructure, transportation systems, technology and computer networks, and energy distribution systems, by strongly and urgently requesting the immediate recruitment, employment, and on-the-job ``earn as you learn'' training of African-American young men ages 18 to 39, who are the hardest hit in terms of unemployment, with an unemployment rate of 41 percent nationally, and in some States and cities, especially inner cities, higher than 50 percent, which is a national crisis; to the Committee on Education and the Workforce. By Ms. JACKSON LEE: H.R. 53. A bill to direct the Secretary of Homeland Security to develop a database that shall serve as a central location for information from investigations relating to human trafficking for Federal, State, and local law enforcement agencies; to the Committee on the Judiciary. By Ms. JACKSON LEE: H.R. 54. A bill to require the Secretary of Homeland Security to conduct a study on the feasibility of establishing a Civilian Cyber Defense National Resource in the Department of Homeland Security; to the Committee on Homeland Security. By Ms. JACKSON LEE: H.R. 55. A bill to establish a grant program for nebulizers in elementary and secondary schools; to the Committee on Education and the Workforce, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned. By Ms. JACKSON LEE: H.R. 56. A bill to establish a grant program for stipends to assist in the cost of compensation paid by employers to certain recent college graduates and to provide funding for their further education in subjects relating to mathematics, science, engineering, and technology; to the Committee on Education and the Workforce. By Ms. JACKSON LEE: H.R. 57. A bill to require the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation to report to the Congress semiannually on the number of firearms transfers resulting from the failure to complete a background check within 3 business days, and the procedures followed after it is discovered that a firearm transfer has been made to a transferee who is ineligible to receive a firearm; to the Committee on the Judiciary. By Ms. JACKSON LEE: H.R. 58. A bill to require the Secretary of Homeland Security to submit a study on the circumstances which may impact the effectiveness and availability of first responders before, during, or after a terrorist threat or event, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committee on Homeland Security, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned. By Ms. JACKSON LEE: H.R. 59. A bill to enhance the security of chemical facilities, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Homeland Security, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned. By Mr. DENHAM (for himself, Mr. Coffman, Mr. Amodei, Mr. Kinzinger, Ms. Beutler, Mr. Swalwell of California, Mr. Newhouse, Ms. Ros-Lehtinen, Mr. Smith of Washington, Mr. Valadao, Mr. Reichert, Mr. Diaz- Balart, Mr. Walz, Mr. Issa, Mr. Nunes, Mr. Upton, Mr. Welch, Mr. Gowdy, Mr. Zinke, Mr. McNerney, Mr. Lipinski, Mr. Costa, Ms. Sinema, Mr. Cuellar, Ms. Gabbard, Mr. Ted Lieu of California, Ms. Eshoo, Mr. Courtney, Mr. Crowley, and Mr. Curbelo of Florida): H.R. 60. A bill to amend title 10, United States Code, to authorize the enlistment in the Armed Forces of certain aliens who are unlawfully present in the United States and were younger than 15 years of age when they initially entered the United States, but who are otherwise qualified for enlistment, and to provide a mechanism by which such aliens, by reason of their honorable service in the Armed Forces, may be lawfully admitted to the United States for permanent residence; to the Committee on Armed Services. By Ms. JACKSON LEE: H.R. 61. A bill to provide for the expungement and sealing of youth criminal records, and for other purposes; to the Committee on the Judiciary. By Ms. JACKSON LEE: H.R. 62. A bill to provide for the hiring of 200 additional Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives agents and investigators to enforce gun laws; to the Committee on the Judiciary. By Ms. JACKSON LEE: H.R. 63. A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide a tax credit to encourage private employers to hire veterans, to amend title 38, United States Code, to clarify the reasonable efforts an employer may make under the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act with respect to hiring veterans, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned. By Ms. JACKSON LEE: H.R. 64. A bill to amend title 18, United States Code, to provide an alternate release date for certain nonviolent offenders, and for other purposes; to the Committee on the Judiciary. By Ms. JACKSON LEE: H.R. 65. A bill to provide alternatives to incarceration for youth, and for other purposes; to the Committee on the Judiciary. By Mr. RODNEY DAVIS of Illinois (for himself, Mrs. Napolitano, Mr. LaHood, Mr. Kinzinger, Mr. Bost, Mr. Schiff, Mrs. Wagner, Mr. Shimkus, Mr. Lipinski, Mr. Long, Mr. Lucas, and Mr. Foster): H.R. 66. A bill to establish the Route 66 Centennial Commission, to direct the Secretary of Transportation to prepare a plan on the preservation needs of Route 66, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. By Ms. JACKSON LEE: H.R. 67. A bill to ensure that seniors, veterans, and people with disabilities who receive Social Security and certain other Federal benefits receive a $250 payment in the event that no cost-of-living adjustment is payable in a calendar year; to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committees on Transportation and Infrastructure, and Veterans' Affairs, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned. By Ms. JACKSON LEE: H.R. 68. A bill to amend the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to reauthorize the Juvenile Accountability Block Grant program, and for other purposes; to the Committee on the Judiciary. By Mr. BLUM (for himself, Mr. Meadows, Mr. Connolly, and Mr. Cummings): H.R. 69. A bill to reauthorize the Office of Special Counsel, to amend title 5, United States Code, to provide modifications to authorities relating to the Office of Special Counsel, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. By Mr. CLAY (for himself, Mr. Cummings, Mr. Connolly, and Mr. Cooper): H.R. 70. A bill to amend the Federal Advisory Committee Act to increase the transparency of Federal advisory committees, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned. By Mr. WALBERG (for himself, Mr. Cooper, Ms. Sinema, Mr. Abraham, Mr. Royce of California, Mr. Lamborn, Mr. Huizenga, Mr. Yoder, Mr. Joyce of Ohio, Mrs. Love, Mr. Burgess, Mr. LaMalfa, Mr. Gosar, Mr. Gohmert, Mr. Farenthold, Mr. Jody B. Hice of Georgia, Mr. Emmer, Mr. Trott, Mr. Bishop of Utah, Mr. Sam Johnson of Texas, Mr. Guthrie, Mr. Yoho, Mr. Costa, and Mr. Calvert): H.R. 71. A bill to provide taxpayers with an annual report disclosing the cost and performance of Government programs and areas of duplication among them, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. By Mr. CARTER of Georgia: H.R. 72. A bill to ensure the Government Accountability Office has adequate access to information; to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. By Mr. DUNCAN of Tennessee (for himself and Mr. Cummings): H.R. 73. A bill to amend title 44, United States Code, to require information on contributors to Presidential library fundraising organizations, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. By Mr. MARINO (for himself, Mr. Bishop of Michigan, Mr. Collins of Georgia, Mr. Gohmert, Mr. Goodlatte, Mr. Jenkins of West Virginia, [[Page 70]] Mr. Smith of Texas, Mrs. Wagner, Mr. Duffy, Mr. Ratcliffe, Mr. Griffith, Mr. Issa, Mr. Grothman, Mr. Rokita, Mr. Franks of Arizona, Mrs. Mimi Walters of California, Mr. Hultgren, Mr. Tipton, Mr. Kelly of Pennsylvania, Mr. McClintock, Mr. Yoho, Mr. Labrador, Mr. Brat, Mr. Brooks of Alabama, Mr. Lamborn, Mr. Emmer, and Mr. DeSantis): H.R. 74. A bill to amend title 5, United States Code, to postpone the effective date of high-impact rules pending judicial review; to the Committee on the Judiciary. By Mr. RATCLIFFE (for himself, Mr. Goodlatte, Mr. Marino, Mr. Barr, and Mr. Holding): H.R. 75. A bill to amend title 5, United States Code, to provide for the publication, by the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, of information relating to rulemakings, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned. By Mr. RATCLIFFE (for himself, Mr. Goodlatte, Mr. Sessions, Mr. Collins of Georgia, Mr. Hensarling, Mr. King of Iowa, Mr. Roe of Tennessee, Mr. Gosar, Mr. Marino, Mr. Culberson, Mrs. Black, Mr. Emmer, Mr. Grothman, Mr. Lamborn, Mrs. Wagner, Mr. Labrador, Mr. Issa, Mr. Trott, Mrs. McMorris Rodgers, Mr. Griffith, Mr. Loudermilk, Mr. Byrne, Mr. Renacci, Mr. Burgess, Mr. Yoho, Mr. Walker, Mr. Rokita, Mr. Carter of Georgia, Mr. Chabot, Mr. Palmer, Mr. Tipton, Mr. Barr, Mr. Duncan of South Carolina, Mr. Bridenstine, Mr. Hill, Mr. Hudson, Mr. Holding, Mr. Olson, Mr. Rothfus, Mr. Franks of Arizona, Mr. Mullin, Mrs. Love, Mr. Bishop of Utah, Mr. Meadows, Mr. DeSantis, Mr. Messer, Mr. Luetkemeyer, Mr. Chaffetz, Mr. Westerman, Mr. Woodall, and Mr. Brooks of Alabama): H.R. 76. A bill to amend title 5, United States Code, to clarify the nature of judicial review of agency interpretations of statutory and regulatory provisions; to the Committee on the Judiciary. By Mr. LUETKEMEYER (for himself and Mr. Goodlatte): H.R. 77. A bill to require each agency, in providing notice of a rule making, to include a link to a 100 word plain language summary of the proposed rule; to the Committee on the Judiciary. By Mrs. WAGNER: H.R. 78. A bill to improve the consideration by the Securities and Exchange Commission of the costs and benefits of its regulations and orders; to the Committee on Financial Services. By Mr. CHABOT (for himself and Ms. Sinema): H.R. 79. A bill to clarify the definition of general solicitation under Federal securities law; to the Committee on Financial Services. By Mr. BABIN (for himself, Mrs. Walorski, Mr. Burgess, Mr. King of Iowa, Mr. Abraham, and Mr. Olson): H.R. 80. A bill to suspend the admission into the United States of refugees in order to examine the costs of providing benefits to such individuals, and for other purposes; to the Committee on the Judiciary. By Mr. BABIN: H.R. 81. A bill to suspend, and subsequently terminate, the admission of certain refugees, to examine the impact on the national security of the United States of admitting refugees, to examine the costs of providing benefits to such individuals, and for other purposes; to the Committee on the Judiciary. By Mr. BABIN: H.R. 82. A bill to withhold Federal financial assistance from each country that denies or unreasonably delays the acceptance of nationals of such country who have been ordered removed from the United States and to prohibit the issuance of visas to nationals of such country; to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned. By Mr. BARLETTA: H.R. 83. A bill to prohibit the receipt of Federal financial assistance by sanctuary cities, and for other purposes; to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned. By Mr. BIGGS: H.R. 84. A bill to protect the right of law-abiding citizens to transport knives interstate, notwithstanding a patchwork of local and State prohibitions, and to repeal Federal provisions related to switchblade knives which burden citizens; to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned. By Mrs. BLACKBURN (for herself, Mr. Franks of Arizona, Mr. Hensarling, Mrs. Mimi Walters of California, Mr. Gohmert, and Mr. Burgess): H.R. 85. A bill to make 1 percent across-the-board rescissions in non-defense, non-homeland-security, and non- veterans-affairs discretionary spending for each of the fiscal years 2017 and 2018; to the Committee on Appropriations. By Mrs. BLACKBURN: H.R. 86. A bill to make 2 percent across-the-board rescissions in non-defense, non-homeland-security, and non- veterans-affairs discretionary spending for each of the fiscal years 2017 and 2018; to the Committee on Appropriations. By Mrs. BLACKBURN: H.R. 87. A bill to make 5 percent across-the-board rescissions in non-defense, non-homeland-security, and non- veterans-affairs discretionary spending for each of the fiscal years 2017 and 2018; to the Committee on Appropriations. By Mrs. BLACKBURN: H.R. 88. A bill to modify the boundary of the Shiloh National Military Park located in Tennessee and Mississippi, to establish Parker's Crossroads Battlefield as an affiliated area of the National Park System, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Natural Resources. By Mrs. BLACKBURN: H.R. 89. A bill to amend subtitle IV of title 40, United States Code, regarding county additions to the Appalachian region; to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. By Ms. BROWNLEY of California (for herself, Mr. Poliquin, Ms. Pingree, Mr. DeSantis, Mr. Takano, Mr. Yoho, Mrs. Dingell, Mr. Thompson of California, and Ms. Kuster of New Hampshire): H.R. 90. A bill to authorize the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to carry out certain major medical facility leases of the Department of Veterans Affairs; to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. By Ms. BROWNLEY of California (for herself, Mr. Takano, and Ms. Kuster of New Hampshire): H.R. 91. A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to make permanent the pilot program on counseling in retreat settings for women veterans newly separated from service in the Armed Forces; to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. By Ms. BROWNLEY of California (for herself and Mr. Walz): H.R. 92. A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to increase the maximum age for children eligible for medical care under the CHAMPVA program; to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. By Ms. BROWNLEY of California (for herself and Ms. Kuster of New Hampshire): H.R. 93. A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to provide for increased access to Department of Veterans Affairs medical care for women veterans; to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. By Ms. BROWNLEY of California (for herself, Mr. Takano, and Ms. Kuster of New Hampshire): H.R. 94. A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to require congressional approval before the appropriation of funds for the Department of Veterans Affairs major medical facility leases; to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. By Ms. BROWNLEY of California (for herself, Mr. Walz, Ms. Kuster of New Hampshire, Miss Rice of New York, Mr. Takano, and Mr. Higgins of New York): H.R. 95. A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to provide child care assistance to veterans receiving certain medical services provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs; to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. By Ms. BROWNLEY of California: H.R. 96. A bill to amend title 49, United States Code, to direct the Assistant Secretary of Homeland Security (Transportation Security Administration) to transfer unclaimed money recovered at airport security checkpoints to nonprofit organizations that provide places of rest and recuperation at airports for members of the Armed Forces and their families, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Homeland Security. By Ms. BROWNLEY of California: H.R. 97. A bill to amend the Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2016, to enable the payment of certain officers and employees of the United States whose employment is authorized under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, and for other purposes; to the Committee on House Administration. By Ms. BROWNLEY of California: H.R. 98. A bill to replace references to ``wives'' and ``husbands'' in Federal law with references to ``spouses'', and for other purposes; to the Committee on the Judiciary. By Ms. BROWNLEY of California: H.R. 99. A bill to amend the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to [[Page 71]] provide for the eligibility of Transportation Security Administration employees to receive public safety officers' death benefits, and for other purposes; to the Committee on the Judiciary. By Ms. BROWNLEY of California: H.R. 100. A bill to amend title 23, United States Code, to modify the percentages of funds to be allocated to certain urbanized areas under the surface transportation block grant program; to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. By Ms. BROWNLEY of California: H.R. 101. A bill to direct the Comptroller General of the United States to conduct reviews of certain budget requests of the President for the medical care accounts of the Department of Veterans Affairs; to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. By Ms. BROWNLEY of California: H.R. 102. A bill to expand the research and education on and delivery of complementary and alternative medicine to veterans, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. By Ms. BROWNLEY of California: H.R. 103. A bill to amend the Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Programs Enhancement Act of 2001 and title 38, United States Code, to require the provision of chiropractic care and services to veterans at all Department of Veterans Affairs medical centers and to expand access to such care and services; to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. By Ms. BROWNLEY of California: H.R. 104. A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to make permanent certain programs that assist homeless veterans and other veterans with special needs, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. By Ms. BROWNLEY of California: H.R. 105. A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to ensure that the Secretary of Veterans Affairs repays the misused benefits of veterans with fiduciaries, to establish an appeals process for determinations by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs of veterans' mental capacity, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. By Ms. BROWNLEY of California: H.R. 106. A bill to amend the VOW to Hire Heroes Act of 2011 to make permanent the Veterans Retraining Assistance Program, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. By Ms. BROWNLEY of California: H.R. 107. A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to direct the Secretary of Labor to prioritize the provision of services to homeless veterans with dependent children in carrying out homeless veterans reintegration programs, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. By Ms. BROWNLEY of California: H.R. 108. A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow a credit for employers providing student loan payment assistance for employees; to the Committee on Ways and Means. By Ms. BROWNLEY of California: H.R. 109. A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to make permanent the deduction for mortgage insurance premiums; to the Committee on Ways and Means. By Ms. BROWNLEY of California: H.R. 110. A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to make permanent the exclusion from gross income of discharge of qualified principal residence indebtedness; to the Committee on Ways and Means. By Mr. BUCHANAN (for himself, Mr. Renacci, and Mr. Diaz-Balart): H.R. 111. A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to increase the limitations for deductible new business expenditures and to consolidate provisions for start-up and organizational expenditures; to the Committee on Ways and Means. By Mr. BUCHANAN (for himself, Mr. Thomas J. Rooney of Florida, Ms. Frankel of Florida, Mr. Posey, Mr. Vela, Mr. Yoho, Mr. Gonzalez of Texas, Mr. Bilirakis, Ms. Ros-Lehtinen, and Mr. Diaz-Balart): H.R. 112. A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to temporarily allow expensing of certain costs of replanting citrus plants lost by reason of casualty; to the Committee on Ways and Means. By Mr. BUCHANAN (for himself and Mr. Blumenauer): H.R. 113. A bill to prevent human health threats posed by the consumption of equines raised in the United States; to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Agriculture, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned. By Mr. BUCHANAN: H.R. 114. A bill to require the Secretary of Homeland Security to search all public records to determine if an alien is inadmissible to the United States; to the Committee on the Judiciary. By Mr. BUCHANAN: H.R. 115. A bill to amend title 18, United States Code, to provide additional aggravating factors for the imposition of the death penalty based on the status of the victim; to the Committee on the Judiciary. By Mr. BUCHANAN: H.R. 116. A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to ensure that pass-through businesses do not pay tax at a higher rate than corporations; to the Committee on Ways and Means. By Mr. BURGESS: H.R. 117. A bill to repeal Federal energy conservation standards, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Energy and Commerce. By Mr. BURGESS: H.R. 118. A bill to make clear that an agency outside of the Department of Health and Human Services may not designate, appoint, or employ special consultants, fellows, or other employees under subsection (f) or (g) of section 207 of the Public Health Service Act; to the Committee on Energy and Commerce. By Mr. BURGESS: H.R. 119. A bill to repeal certain amendments to the Clean Air Act relating to the expansion of the renewable fuel program, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Energy and Commerce. By Mr. BURGESS: H.R. 120. A bill to reduce the amount of foreign assistance to Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador based on the number of unaccompanied alien children who are nationals or citizens of such countries and who in the preceding fiscal year are placed in Federal custody by reason of their immigration status; to the Committee on Foreign Affairs. By Mr. AL GREEN of Texas: H.R. 121. A bill making supplemental appropriations for the Army Corps of Engineers for flood control projects and storm damage reduction projects in areas affected by flooding in the city of Houston, Texas, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Appropriations, and in addition to the Committee on the Budget, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned. By Mr. AL GREEN of Texas: H.R. 122. A bill to amend the Fair Labor Standards Act to provide for the calculation of the minimum wage based on the Federal poverty threshold for a family of 4, as determined by the Bureau of the Census; to the Committee on Education and the Workforce. By Mr. AL GREEN of Texas: H.R. 123. A bill to extend the pilot program under section 258 of the National Housing Act that establishes an automated process for providing alternative credit rating information for mortgagors and prospective mortgagors under certain mortgages; to the Committee on Financial Services. By Mr. AL GREEN of Texas: H.R. 124. A bill to establish a grant program providing for the acquisition, operation, and maintenance of body-worn cameras for law enforcement officers, and for other purposes; to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Armed Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned. By Mr. AL GREEN of Texas: H.R. 125. A bill to authorize a pilot program to improve asset recovery levels, asset management, and homeownership retention with respect to delinquent single-family mortgages insured under the FHA mortgage insurance programs by providing for in-person contact outreach activities with mortgagors under such mortgages, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Financial Services. By Mr. AL GREEN of Texas: H.R. 126. A bill to direct the Election Assistance Commission to carry out a pilot program under which the Commission shall provide funds to local educational agencies for initiatives to provide voter registration information to secondary school students in the 12th grade; to the Committee on House Administration. By Mr. AL GREEN of Texas: H.R. 127. A bill to amend title 49, United States Code, with respect to urbanized area formula grants, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. By Mr. BURGESS: H.R. 128. A bill to amend section 416 of title 39, United States Code, to remove the authority of the United States Postal Service to issue semipostals except as provided for by an Act of Congress, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. By Mr. BURGESS: H.R. 129. A bill to amend the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 to establish a prohibition to prevent the use of an unmanned aircraft system as a weapon while operating in the national airspace system, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. By Mr. COLE: H.R. 130. A bill to amend the Act of June 18, 1934, to reaffirm the authority of the Secretary of the Interior to take land into trust for Indian tribes, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Natural Resources. By Mr. COLE: H.R. 131. A bill to reaffirm the trust status of land taken into trust by the United States pursuant to the Act of June 18, 1934, for the benefit of an Indian tribe that was federally [[Page 72]] recognized on the date that the land was taken into trust, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Natural Resources. By Mr. COLE: H.R. 132. A bill to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to convey certain land and appurtenances of the Arbuckle Project, Oklahoma, to the Arbuckle Master Conservancy District, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Natural Resources. By Mr. COLE: H.R. 133. A bill to reduce Federal spending and the deficit by terminating taxpayer financing of Presidential election campaigns; to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on House Administration, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned. By Mr. CONYERS (for himself, Mr. Johnson of Georgia, Mr. Cohen, and Ms. Jackson Lee): H.R. 134. A bill to amend title 11 of the United States Code with respect to modification of certain mortgages on principal residences, and for other purposes; to the Committee on the Judiciary. By Mr. CONYERS (for himself and Mr. Johnson of Georgia): H.R. 135. A bill to protect cyber privacy, and for other purposes; to the Committee on the Judiciary. By Mr. CONYERS (for himself, Mr. Nadler, and Mr. Johnson of Georgia): H.R. 136. A bill to amend title 28 of the United States Code to authorize the appointment of additional bankruptcy judges; and for other purposes; to the Committee on the Judiciary. By Mr. CONYERS (for himself, Mr. Cohen, and Mr. Johnson of Georgia): H.R. 137. A bill to amend title 11 of the United States Code to stop abusive student loan collection practices in bankruptcy cases; to the Committee on the Judiciary. By Mr. CONYERS (for himself, Mr. Cohen, Mr. Johnson of Georgia, Mr. Deutch, and Ms. Jackson Lee): H.R. 138. A bill to amend title 11, United States Code, to improve protections for employees and retirees in business bankruptcies; to the Committee on the Judiciary. By Mr. CONYERS (for himself, Mr. Cohen, Mr. Johnson of Georgia, and Ms. Jackson Lee): H.R. 139. A bill to amend chapter 9 of title 11 of the United States Code to improve protections for employees and retirees in municipal bankruptcies; to the Committee on the Judiciary. By Mr. KING of Iowa (for himself, Mr. Duncan of South Carolina, Mr. Gosar, Mr. Gohmert, Mr. Jones, Mr. Smith of Texas, Mr. Brooks of Alabama, Mr. Babin, Mr. Farenthold, Mr. Barletta, Mr. Rohrabacher, and Mr. Woodall): H.R. 140. A bill to amend section 301 of the Immigration and Nationality Act to clarify those classes of individuals born in the United States who are nationals and citizens of the United States at birth; to the Committee on the Judiciary. By Mr. CONYERS: H.R. 141. A bill to amend title 11 of the United States Code to dispense with the requirement of providing assurance of payment for utility services under certain circumstances; to the Committee on the Judiciary. By Mr. CONYERS: H.R. 142. A bill to amend title 18, United States Code, to provide for the protection of the general public, and for other purposes; to the Committee on the Judiciary. By Mr. CONYERS: H.R. 143. A bill to prohibit anticompetitive activities and to provide that health insurance issuers and medical malpractice insurance issuers are subject to the antitrust laws of the United States, and for other purposes; to the Committee on the Judiciary. By Mr. CONYERS: H.R. 144. A bill to establish a corporate crime database, and for other purposes; to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned. By Mr. FITZPATRICK: H.R. 145. A bill to terminate pensions for Members of Congress, to prohibit a single bill or joint resolution presented by Congress to the President from containing multiple subjects, to require the equal application of laws to Members of Congress, and for other purposes; to the Committee on House Administration, and in addition to the Committees on the Judiciary, and Oversight and Government Reform, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned. By Mr. FLEISCHMANN: H.R. 146. A bill to take certain Federal lands in Tennessee into trust for the benefit of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Natural Resources. By Mr. FRANKS of Arizona: H.R. 147. A bill to prohibit discrimination against the unborn on the basis of sex or race, and for other purposes; to the Committee on the Judiciary. By Mr. AL GREEN of Texas: H.R. 148. A bill to amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to provide incentives for education on the risk of renal medullary carcinoma in individuals who are receiving medical assistance under such title and who have Sickle Cell Disease; to the Committee on Energy and Commerce. By Mr. AL GREEN of Texas: H.R. 149. A bill to authorize funds to prevent housing discrimination through the use of nationwide testing, to increase funds for the Fair Housing Initiatives Program, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Financial Services. By Mr. AL GREEN of Texas: H.R. 150. A bill to direct the Attorney General to create a special reward program for individuals providing information leading to the apprehension and conviction of persons committing offenses under section 1030 of title 18, United States Code, and for other purposes; to the Committee on the Judiciary. By Mr. AL GREEN of Texas: H.R. 151. A bill to require any State which, after enacting a Congressional redistricting plan after a decennial census and apportionment of Representatives, enacts a subsequent Congressional redistricting plan prior to the next decennial census and apportionment of Representatives, to obtain a declaratory judgment or preclearance in the manner provided under section 5 of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 in order for the subsequent plan to take effect; to the Committee on the Judiciary. By Mr. AL GREEN of Texas: H.R. 152. A bill to provide for the issuance of a forever stamp to recognize the historical importance of Prince Hall Freemasonry, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. By Mr. AL GREEN of Texas: H.R. 153. A bill to provide for the issuance of a forever stamp to honor the work of Dr. Michael Ellis DeBakey, who helped develop the mobile army surgical hospital, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. By Mr. AL GREEN of Texas: H.R. 154. A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish the Merchant Mariner Equity Compensation Fund to provide benefits to certain individuals who served in the United States merchant marine (including the Army Transport Service and the Naval Transport Service) during World War II; to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. By Mr. GENE GREEN of Texas: H.R. 155. A bill to direct the Secretary of Labor to revise regulations concerning the recording and reporting of occupational injuries and illnesses under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970; to the Committee on Education and the Workforce. By Mr. GENE GREEN of Texas: H.R. 156. A bill to amend the National Labor Relations Act to require the arbitration of initial contract negotiation disputes, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Education and the Workforce. By Mr. HASTINGS (for himself and Mr. Schweikert): H.R. 157. A bill to authorize assistance for the Government of Tunisia, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Foreign Affairs. By Mr. HASTINGS (for himself, Mr. Deutch, Ms. Frankel of Florida, Ms. Wasserman Schultz, and Ms. Jackson Lee): H.R. 158. A bill to amend the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to impose certain additional requirements on applicants for COPS grants, and for other purposes; to the Committee on the Judiciary. By Mr. HASTINGS (for himself and Mr. Polis): H.R. 159. A bill to expand the workforce of veterinarians specialized in the care and conservation of wild animals and their ecosystems, and to develop educational programs focused on wildlife and zoological veterinary medicine; to the Committee on Agriculture, and in addition to the Committee on Natural Resources, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned. By Mr. HASTINGS: H.R. 160. A bill to end the use of corporal punishment in schools, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Education and the Workforce. By Mr. HASTINGS: H.R. 161. A bill to amend the Public Health Service Act to establish a grant program to provide supportive services in permanent supportive housing for chronically homeless individuals and families, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Energy and Commerce. By Mr. HASTINGS: H.R. 162. A bill to establish a scholarship program in the Department of State for Haitian students whose studies were interrupted as a result of the January 12, 2010, earthquake, or the October 2016 hurricane, Hurricane Matthew; to the Committee on Foreign Affairs. [[Page 73]] By Mr. HASTINGS: H.R. 163. A bill to repeal the provisions of the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act prohibiting the bringing of qualified civil liability actions in Federal or State court; to the Committee on the Judiciary. By Mr. HASTINGS: H.R. 164. A bill to provide for an evidence-based strategy for voluntary screening for HIV/AIDS and other common sexually transmitted infections, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on Education and the Workforce, Ways and Means, and Oversight and Government Reform, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned. By Mr. HASTINGS: H.R. 165. A bill to amend titles XVI, XVIII, XIX, and XXI of the Social Security Act to remove limitations on Medicaid, Medicare, SSI, and CHIP benefits for persons in custody pending disposition of charges; to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned. By Mr. HASTINGS: H.R. 166. A bill to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to stabilize and modernize the provision of partial hospitalization services under the Medicare Program, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned. By Mr. HASTINGS: H.R. 167. A bill to require the Secretary of Education to provide assistance to the immediate family of a teacher or other school employee killed in an act of violence while performing school duties; to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committees on Education and the Workforce, and the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned. By Mr. HASTINGS: H.R. 168. A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow individuals to designate overpayments of income tax for disaster relief; to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned. By Mr. HUFFMAN (for himself, Ms. DelBene, Mr. DeFazio, Mr. Panetta, Mr. Ted Lieu of California, Ms. Lee, Mr. Swalwell of California, Ms. Matsui, Mr. Kilmer, Mr. Lowenthal, Mr. Thompson of California, Ms. Speier, Mr. Peters, Mr. Garamendi, and Mr. Blumenauer): H.R. 169. A bill to amend the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act to permanently prohibit the conduct of offshore drilling on the outer Continental Shelf off the coast of California, Oregon, and Washington; to the Committee on Natural Resources. By Mr. ISSA (for himself, Mr. Peters, Mr. Hunter, Mr. Farenthold, Mr. Labrador, Mr. Smith of Texas, and Mr. Polis): H.R. 170. A bill to amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to modify the definition of ``exempt H-1B nonimmigrant''; to the Committee on the Judiciary. By Mr. JONES: H.R. 171. A bill to redesignate the Department of the Navy as the Department of the Navy and Marine Corps; to the Committee on Armed Services. By Mr. JONES: H.R. 172. A bill to restore the Free Speech and First Amendment rights of churches and exempt organizations by repealing the 1954 Johnson Amendment; to the Committee on Ways and Means. By Mr. KELLY of Pennsylvania (for himself and Mr. Courtney): H.R. 173. A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to repeal the excise tax on high cost employer-sponsored health coverage; to the Committee on Ways and Means. By Mr. KING of Iowa (for himself, Mr. Duncan of South Carolina, Mr. Gosar, Mr. Gohmert, Mr. Jones, Mr. Smith of Texas, Mr. Brooks of Alabama, Mr. Babin, Mr. Barletta, Mr. McClintock, Mr. Rohrabacher, and Mr. Palmer): H.R. 174. A bill to require U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to take into custody certain aliens who have been charged in the United States with a crime that resulted in the death or serious bodily injury of another person, and for other purposes; to the Committee on the Judiciary. By Mr. KING of Iowa (for himself, Mr. Massie, Mr. Bilirakis, Mr. Gibbs, Mr. Amash, Mr. Carter of Texas, Mr. Stewart, Mr. Jody B. Hice of Georgia, Mr. Palazzo, Mr. Byrne, Mr. Duncan of South Carolina, Mr. Franks of Arizona, Mr. Gohmert, Mr. Newhouse, Mr. Cole, Mr. Sanford, Mr. Farenthold, Mr. Meadows, Mr. Olson, Mr. Babin, Mr. DesJarlais, Mr. Westerman, Mr. Aderholt, and Mr. Duncan of Tennessee): H.R. 175. A bill to repeal the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010; to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on Ways and Means, Education and the Workforce, Natural Resources, the Judiciary, House Administration, Rules, and Appropriations, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned. By Mr. KING of Iowa (for himself, Mr. Duncan of South Carolina, Mr. Gosar, Mr. Gohmert, Mr. Jones, Mr. Smith of Texas, Mr. Brooks of Alabama, and Mr. Barletta): H.R. 176. A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to clarify that wages paid to unauthorized aliens may not be deducted from gross income, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committees on the Judiciary, and Education and the Workforce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned. By Mr. KING of Iowa: H.R. 177. A bill to bar Supreme Court decisions in certain Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act cases from citation; to the Committee on the Judiciary. By Mr. KING of Iowa: H.R. 178. A bill to require the country of origin of certain special immigrant religious workers to extend reciprocal immigration treatment to nationals of the United States; to the Committee on the Judiciary. By Mr. McKINLEY (for himself, Mr. Michael F. Doyle of Pennsylvania, Mr. Bost, Ms. Fudge, Mr. Mooney of West Virginia, Mr. Jenkins of West Virginia, and Ms. Kaptur): H.R. 179. A bill to amend the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 to transfer certain funds to the Multiemployer Health Benefit Plan and the 1974 United Mine Workers of America Pension Plan, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned. By Mr. MULLIN (for himself and Mr. Guthrie): H.R. 180. A bill to amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to eliminate the requirement for 3 months of retroactive coverage under the Medicaid program; to the Committee on Energy and Commerce. By Mr. MULLIN (for himself and Mr. Guthrie): H.R. 181. A bill to amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to count portions of income from annuities of a community spouse as income available to institutionalized spouses for purposes of eligibility for medical assistance, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Energy and Commerce. By Mr. MULLIN: H.R. 182. A bill to prohibit the Secretary of Health and Human Services from using any type of fee collected to advertise or market Exchanges established under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act; to the Committee on Energy and Commerce. By Mr. MULLIN: H.R. 183. A bill to provide for the equitable settlement of certain Indian land disputes regarding land in Illinois, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Natural Resources. By Mr. PAULSEN (for himself, Mr. Kind, Mr. Poliquin, Ms. Foxx, Ms. Sinema, Mr. Jones, Mr. Kelly of Pennsylvania, Mr. Harper, Mr. Messer, Mrs. Walorski, Mr. Joyce of Ohio, Mr. Costello of Pennsylvania, Mr. Brooks of Alabama, Mrs. Mimi Walters of California, Mr. Lance, Mr. Pearce, Mr. Carter of Texas, Mr. Reed, Mr. Hill, Mr. Turner, Mr. Denham, Mrs. Brooks of Indiana, Mr. Stivers, Mr. Rokita, Mr. Royce of California, Ms. McCollum, Mr. Westerman, Mrs. Blackburn, Mr. McCaul, Mr. MacArthur, Mr. LoBiondo, Mr. Knight, Mr. Webster of Florida, Mrs. Noem, Mr. Smith of Missouri, Mr. King of Iowa, Mr. Peterson, Ms. Ros-Lehtinen, Ms. Jenkins of Kansas, Mr. Valadao, Mr. Sensenbrenner, Mr. Kinzinger, Mr. Holding, Mr. Comer, Mr. Johnson of Ohio, Mr. Burgess, Mr. Wittman, Mr. LaHood, Mr. Long, Mr. Lucas, Mr. Olson, Mr. Barton, Mr. Duffy, Mr. Rodney Davis of Illinois, Mr. Bishop of Utah, Mr. Conaway, Mr. LaMalfa, Mr. Gibbs, Mr. Sam Johnson of Texas, Mr. Hudson, Mr. Yoho, Mr. Upton, Mr. Marino, Mr. Barletta, Mr. Palazzo, Mr. Rogers of Alabama, Mr. Bilirakis, Mr. Jody B. Hice of Georgia, Mr. Bishop of Michigan, Mr. Cole, Mr. Davidson, Mr. Wilson of South Carolina, Mr. Buck, [[Page 74]] Mr. Meadows, Mr. Newhouse, Mr. Wenstrup, Mr. Woodall, Mr. Bucshon, Mr. Ratcliffe, Mr. Williams, Mr. Palmer, Mr. Ross, Mr. Carter of Georgia, Mr. McHenry, Mr. Walker, Mr. Womack, Mr. Coffman, Mr. DesJarlais, Mr. Thompson of Pennsylvania, Mr. Roe of Tennessee, Mr. Pittenger, Mr. Trott, Mr. Walberg, Mr. Flores, Mr. Graves of Georgia, Mr. Moolenaar, Mr. Rice of South Carolina, Mr. Meehan, Mrs. Wagner, Mr. Young of Alaska, Mr. Young of Iowa, Mr. Duncan of South Carolina, Mr. Moulton, Ms. McSally, Mr. Aderholt, Mr. Grothman, Mr. Babin, Mr. Blum, Mr. Brat, Mr. Gosar, Mr. Griffith, Mr. Goodlatte, Mr. Loudermilk, Mr. Huizenga, Mr. Russell, Mr. Fleischmann, Mr. Mooney of West Virginia, Mr. Guthrie, Mr. Thornberry, Mr. Tipton, Mr. McKinley, Mr. Barr, Mr. Collins of Georgia, Mr. Fortenberry, Mr. Rothfus, Mr. Jenkins of West Virginia, Mrs. Hartzler, Mr. Bost, Mr. Rogers of Kentucky, Mr. Hultgren, Mr. Amodei, Ms. Stefanik, Mr. Perry, Mr. Lamborn, Mr. Shuster, Mr. Banks of Indiana, Mr. Hensarling, Mr. Abraham, Mr. Shimkus, Mr. Donovan, Mr. Smith of New Jersey, Mr. Roskam, Mr. Crawford, Mr. Culberson, Mr. Stewart, Mr. Chabot, Mr. Cramer, Mr. Duncan of Tennessee, Mr. Rohrabacher, Mr. Sanford, Mr. Farenthold, Mr. Katko, Mr. Tiberi, Mr. Simpson, Mr. Walden, Mr. Dent, Ms. Beutler, Mr. DeSantis, Mr. Massie, Mr. Gowdy, Mr. Frelinghuysen, Mr. Hunter, Mr. Graves of Louisiana, Mr. Posey, Mr. Luetkemeyer, Mr. Smith of Texas, Mr. Hurd, Mr. Yoder, Mrs. Black, Mr. Nunes, Mr. Thomas J. Rooney of Florida, Mrs. Love, Mr. Cook, Mrs. McMorris Rodgers, Mr. Khanna, Mr. Lynch, Ms. Speier, Mr. Diaz-Balart, Mr. Peters, Mr. Weber of Texas, Mr. Correa, Mr. Rouzer, Mr. Collins of New York, Mr. Issa, Mr. Emmer, Mr. Buchanan, Mr. Marchant, Mr. Reichert, Mr. Renacci, Ms. Brownley of California, Mr. Swalwell of California, Mr. Mullin, Mrs. Comstock, Mr. Graves of Missouri, Ms. Kuster of New Hampshire, Mr. Austin Scott of Georgia, Mr. Labrador, Mr. Curbelo of Florida, Mr. Norcross, Mr. Allen, Mr. Latta, Mr. Bera, Mr. Murphy of Pennsylvania, Mr. Bridenstine, Mr. Kustoff of Tennessee, Mr. Byrne, Mr. Hollingsworth, Mr. Poe of Texas, Mr. Calvert, Mr. Franks of Arizona, Mr. King of New York, Mr. Sessions, Mr. Walz, Mr. Fitzpatrick, Ms. Clark of Massachusetts, Mr. Schweikert, Mr. McClintock, Mr. Nolan, Mrs. Bustos, Ms. Granger, Mr. Kilmer, Mr. Aguilar, Mr. Chaffetz, and Mr. Faso): H.R. 184. A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to repeal the excise tax on medical devices; to the Committee on Ways and Means. By Ms. PLASKETT (for herself and Ms. Bordallo): H.R. 185. A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide for economic recovery in the Virgin Islands and Guam, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Ways and Means. By Ms. PLASKETT: H.R. 186. A bill to establish a program that enables college-bound residents of the United States Virgin Islands to have greater choices among institutions of higher education, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Education and the Workforce. By Ms. PLASKETT: H.R. 187. A bill to amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to establish the Virgin Islands visa waiver program; to the Committee on the Judiciary. By Ms. PLASKETT: H.R. 188. A bill to amend the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States to extend to 2027 the production certificate program that allows refunds of duties on certain articles produced in United States insular possessions; to the Committee on Ways and Means. By Ms. PLASKETT: H.R. 189. A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide for economic recovery in the possessions of the United States; to the Committee on Ways and Means. By Ms. PLASKETT: H.R. 190. A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide for economic recovery in the territories; to the Committee on Ways and Means. By Ms. PLASKETT: H.R. 191. A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow the work opportunity credit to small businesses which hire individuals who are members of the Ready Reserve or National Guard, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Ways and Means. By Ms. PLASKETT: H.R. 192. A bill to amend title 17, United States Code, and the Communications Act of 1934 to include a territory or possession of the United States, and for other purposes; to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned. By Mr. ROGERS of Alabama (for himself, Mr. Jones, Mr. Biggs, Mr. Smith of Missouri, and Mr. Massie): H.R. 193. A bill to end membership of the United States in the United Nations; to the Committee on Foreign Affairs. By Mr. RUSSELL (for himself and Mr. Connolly): H.R. 194. A bill to ensure the effective processing of mail by Federal agencies, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. By Mr. RUSSELL: H.R. 195. A bill to amend title 44, United States Code, to restrict the distribution of free printed copies of the Federal Register to Members of Congress and other officers and employees of the United States, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, and in addition to the Committee on House Administration, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned. By Mr. SIMPSON: H.R. 196. A bill to amend title 28, United States Code, to provide for the appointment of additional Federal circuit judges, to divide the Ninth Judicial Circuit of the United States into two judicial circuits, and for other purposes; to the Committee on the Judiciary. By Mr. SIMPSON: H.R. 197. A bill to authorize an additional district judgeship for the district of Idaho; to the Committee on the Judiciary. By Mr. THORNBERRY (for himself, Mr. Palazzo, Mr. Rogers of Alabama, Mr. Huizenga, Mr. Wilson of South Carolina, Mr. Gosar, Mr. Abraham, Mr. Cramer, Mr. Cook, Mr. Jody B. Hice of Georgia, Mr. Bucshon, Mr. Crawford, Mr. Culberson, Mr. Poe of Texas, Mr. Gohmert, Mr. Arrington, Mr. Aderholt, Mr. Burgess, Mr. Massie, Mr. Zeldin, Mr. Lance, Mr. Duncan of Tennessee, Mr. Duncan of South Carolina, Mr. Bridenstine, Mr. Yoho, Mr. Olson, Mr. Franks of Arizona, Mr. Bishop of Utah, Mrs. Wagner, Mr. Long, Mr. Hultgren, Mr. Graves of Missouri, Mr. Luetkemeyer, Mr. Conaway, Mr. Turner, Mr. Diaz- Balart, Mr. Harper, Mr. McClintock, Mr. Williams, and Mr. Smith of Texas): H.R. 198. A bill to repeal the Federal estate and gift taxes; to the Committee on Ways and Means. By Mr. VARGAS (for himself, Mr. Cardenas, Mr. Serrano, Mr. Grijalva, and Mr. Peters): H.R. 199. A bill to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a special resource study of Chicano Park, located in San Diego, California, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Natural Resources. By Mr. YOUNG of Alaska: H.R. 200. A bill to amend the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act to provide flexibility for fishery managers and stability for fishermen, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Natural Resources. By Ms. VELAZQUEZ (for herself, Mr. Serrano, and Mrs. Napolitano): H.R. 201. A bill to amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to provide loan deferment and loan cancellation for founders and employees of small business start-ups, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Education and the Workforce, and in addition to the Committees on Financial Services, Ways and Means, and Small Business, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned. By Ms. VELAZQUEZ: H.R. 202. A bill to amend the Fair Housing Act, to prohibit discrimination based on use of section 8 vouchers, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Financial Services, and in addition to the Committees on Ways and Means, and the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned. By Mr. YOUNG of Alaska (for himself and Mr. Larsen of Washington): H.R. 203. A bill to amend the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act to improve the efficiency of summer meals; to the Committee on Education and the Workforce. By Mr. YOUNG of Alaska (for himself and Mr. DeFazio): H.R. 204. A bill to amend the market name of genetically altered salmon in the United States, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Energy and Commerce. By Mr. YOUNG of Alaska (for himself and Mr. DeFazio): H.R. 205. A bill to amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to require labeling [[Page 75]] of genetically engineered fish; to the Committee on Energy and Commerce. By Mr. YOUNG of Alaska (for himself and Mr. DeFazio): H.R. 206. A bill to prevent the escapement of genetically altered salmon in the United States, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Natural Resources. By Mr. YOUNG of Alaska: H.R. 207. A bill to resolve title issues involving real property and equipment acquired using funds provided under the Alaska Kiln Drying Grant Program; to the Committee on Agriculture. By Mr. YOUNG of Alaska: H.R. 208. A bill to waive the essential health benefits requirements for certain States; to the Committee on Energy and Commerce. By Mr. YOUNG of Alaska: H.R. 209. A bill to improve the Department of Housing and Urban Development's regulations on hazardous storage containers; to the Committee on Financial Services. By Mr. YOUNG of Alaska: H.R. 210. A bill to facilitate the development of energy on Indian lands by reducing Federal regulations that impede tribal development of Indian lands, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Natural Resources. By Mr. YOUNG of Alaska: H.R. 211. A bill to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to complete a land exchange with the Chugach Regional Alaska Native Corporation, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Natural Resources. By Mr. YOUNG of Alaska: H.R. 212. A bill to amend the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act to provide a process for expediting congressional review of an Indian tribe's funding agreement at the Indian tribe's request, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Natural Resources. By Mr. YOUNG of Alaska: H.R. 213. A bill to remove reversionary clauses on property owned by the municipality of Anchorage, Alaska; to the Committee on Natural Resources. By Mr. YOUNG of Alaska: H.R. 214. A bill to establish the American Fisheries Advisory Committee to assist in the awarding of fisheries research and development grants, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Natural Resources. By Mr. YOUNG of Alaska: H.R. 215. A bill to empower federally recognized Indian tribes to accept restricted fee tribal lands, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Natural Resources. By Mr. YOUNG of Alaska: H.R. 216. A bill to authorize modification or augmentation of the Second Division Memorial, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Natural Resources. By Mrs. BLACK: H.R. 217. A bill to amend title X of the Public Health Service Act to prohibit family planning grants from being awarded to any entity that performs abortions, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Energy and Commerce. By Mr. YOUNG of Alaska: H.R. 218. A bill to provide for the exchange of Federal land and non-Federal land in the State of Alaska for the construction of a road between King Cove and Cold Bay; to the Committee on Natural Resources. By Mr. YOUNG of Alaska: H.R. 219. A bill to correct the Swan Lake hydroelectric project survey boundary and to provide for the conveyance of the remaining tract of land within the corrected survey boundary to the State of Alaska; to the Committee on Natural Resources. By Mr. YOUNG of Alaska: H.R. 220. A bill to authorize the expansion of an existing hydroelectric project, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Natural Resources. By Mr. YOUNG of Alaska: H.R. 221. A bill to reauthorize the Hydrographic Services Improvement Act of 1998, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Natural Resources. By Mr. YOUNG of Alaska: H.R. 222. A bill to amend the National Marine Sanctuaries Act to prescribe an additional requirement for the designation of marine sanctuaries off the coast of Alaska, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Natural Resources. By Mr. YOUNG of Alaska: H.R. 223. A bill to prohibit the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Commerce from authorizing commercial finfish aquaculture operations in the Exclusive Economic Zone except in accordance with a law authorizing such action; to the Committee on Natural Resources. By Mr. YOUNG of Alaska: H.R. 224. A bill to amend the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 to allow importation of polar bear trophies taken in sport hunts in Canada before the date the polar bear was determined to be a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Natural Resources. By Mr. YOUNG of Alaska: H.R. 225. A bill to amend the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 to allow the importation of polar bear trophies taken in sport hunts in Canada; to the Committee on Natural Resources. By Mr. YOUNG of Alaska: H.R. 226. A bill to amend the African Elephant Conservation Act of 1988 to conserve elephants while appropriately regulating ivory in the United States, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Natural Resources. By Mr. YOUNG of Alaska: H.R. 227. A bill to reauthorize the African Elephant Conservation Act, the Rhinoceros and Tiger Conservation Act of 1994, the Asian Elephant Conservation Act of 1997, the Great Ape Conservation Act of 2000, and the Marine Turtle Conservation Act of 2004, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Natural Resources. By Mr. YOUNG of Alaska: H.R. 228. A bill to amend the Indian Employment, Training and Related Services Demonstration Act of 1992 to facilitate the ability of Indian tribes to integrate the employment, training, and related services from diverse Federal sources, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Natural Resources. By Mr. YOUNG of Alaska: H.R. 229. A bill to provide for the recognition of certain Native communities and the settlement of certain claims under the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Natural Resources. By Mr. YOUNG of Alaska: H.R. 230. A bill to ensure equitable treatment of Shee Atika, Incorporated, under the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act by facilitating the transfer of land on Admiralty Island, Alaska, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Natural Resources. By Mr. YOUNG of Alaska: H.R. 231. A bill to fulfill the land conveyance requirements under the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act for the Alaska Native Village of Canyon Village, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Natural Resources. By Mr. YOUNG of Alaska: H.R. 232. A bill to authorize States to select and acquire certain National Forest System lands to be managed and operated by the State for timber production and for other purposes under the laws of the State, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committee on Agriculture, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned. By Mr. YOUNG of Alaska: H.R. 233. A bill to amend title 49, United States Code, to provide for the minimum size of crews of freight trains, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. By Mr. YOUNG of Alaska: H.R. 234. A bill to provide limitations on maritime liens on fishing permits, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. By Mr. YOUNG of Alaska: H.R. 235. A bill to amend the Indian Health Care Improvement Act to authorize advance appropriations for the Indian Health Service by providing 2-fiscal-year budget authority, and for other purposes; to the Committee on the Budget, and in addition to the Committees on Natural Resources, and Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned. By Mr. YOUNG of Alaska: H.R. 236. A bill to provide for the conveyance of certain property to the Tanana Tribal Council located in Tanana, Alaska, and to the Bristol Bay Area Health Corporation located in Dillingham, Alaska, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned. By Mr. YOUNG of Alaska: H.R. 237. A bill to reauthorize the Integrated Coastal and Ocean Observation System Act of 2009, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned. By Mr. GOODLATTE (for himself, Mr. Newhouse, Mr. Smith of Texas, Mr. Culberson, and Mr. Farenthold): H.J. Res. 1. A joint resolution proposing a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution of the United States; to the Committee on the Judiciary. By Mr. GOODLATTE (for himself, Mr. Newhouse, Mr. DeFazio, Mr. Smith of Texas, Mr. Culberson, and Mr. Farenthold): H.J. Res. 2. A joint resolution proposing a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution of the United States; to the Committee on the Judiciary. By Mr. ROE of Tennessee: H.J. Res. 3. A joint resolution approving the location of a memorial to commemorate and honor the members of the Armed Forces [[Page 76]] who served on active duty in support of Operation Desert Storm or Operation Desert Shield; to the Committee on Natural Resources. By Mr. BRIDENSTINE (for himself and Mr. O'Rourke): H.J. Res. 4. A joint resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States granting Congress the authority to enact laws limiting the number of terms that Representatives and Senators may serve; to the Committee on the Judiciary. By Mr. BUCHANAN: H.J. Res. 5. A joint resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States relative to balancing the budget; to the Committee on the Judiciary. By Mr. DeSANTIS (for himself, Mrs. Wagner, Mr. Sanford, and Mr. Blum): H.J. Res. 6. A joint resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to limit the number of terms that a Member of Congress may serve; to the Committee on the Judiciary. By Mr. FITZPATRICK: H.J. Res. 7. A joint resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to limit the number of years an individual may serve as a Member of Congress; to the Committee on the Judiciary. By Mr. FITZPATRICK: H.J. Res. 8. A joint resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to provide for balanced budgets for the Government; to the Committee on the Judiciary. By Mr. FITZPATRICK: H.J. Res. 9. A joint resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to prohibit Members of Congress from receiving compensation during a fiscal year unless both Houses of Congress have agreed to a concurrent resolution on the budget for that fiscal year prior to the beginning of that fiscal year; to the Committee on the Judiciary. By Mr. HASTINGS: H.J. Res. 10. A joint resolution to authorize the use of the United States Armed Forces to achieve the goal of preventing Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons; to the Committee on Foreign Affairs. By Mr. JENKINS of West Virginia (for himself, Mr. Barr, Mr. Rogers of Kentucky, Mr. Griffith, and Mr. Tipton): H.J. Res. 11. A joint resolution disapproving the rule submitted by the Department of the Interior known as the Stream Protection Rule; to the Committee on Natural Resources. By Mr. McCLINTOCK (for himself, Mr. Wilson of South Carolina, and Mr. Duncan of South Carolina): H.J. Res. 12. A joint resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States prohibiting the United States Government from increasing its debt except for a specific purpose by law adopted by three-fourths of the membership of each House of Congress; to the Committee on the Judiciary. By Mr. O'ROURKE: H.J. Res. 13. A joint resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to limit the number of terms a Representative or Senator may serve; to the Committee on the Judiciary. By Mr. SESSIONS: H. Con. Res. 1. Concurrent resolution regarding consent to assemble outside the seat of government; considered and agreed to. By Mr. COLE: H. Con. Res. 2. Concurrent resolution to authorize the use of United States Armed Forces against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant and its associated forces; to the Committee on Foreign Affairs. By Mr. AL GREEN of Texas: H. Con. Res. 3. Concurrent resolution recognizing former United States Federal Judge Frank Minis Johnson, Jr., for his role in the civil rights movement; to the Committee on the Judiciary. By Mrs. McMORRIS RODGERS: H. Res. 1. A resolution electing officers of the House of Representatives; considered and agreed to. By Mr. McCARTHY: H. Res. 2. A resolution to inform the Senate that a quorum of the House has assembled and of the election of the Speaker and the Clerk; considered and agreed to. By Mr. McCARTHY: H. Res. 3. A resolution authorizing the Speaker to appoint a committee to notify the President of the assembly of the Congress; considered and agreed to. By Mr. CONYERS: H. Res. 4. A resolution authorizing the Clerk to inform the President of the election of the Speaker and the Clerk; considered and agreed to. By Mr. McCARTHY: H. Res. 5. A resolution adopting rules for the One Hundred Fifteenth Congress; considered and agreed to. By Mrs. McMORRIS RODGERS: H. Res. 6. A resolution electing Members to certain standing committees of the House of Representatives; considered and agreed to. By Mr. CROWLEY: H. Res. 7. A resolution electing Members to certain standing committees of the House of Representatives; considered and agreed to. By Mr. CROWLEY: H. Res. 8. A resolution providing for the designation of certain minority employees; considered and agreed to. By Mr. SESSIONS: H. Res. 9. A resolution fixing the daily hour of meeting of the First Session of the One Hundred Fifteenth Congress; considered and agreed to. By Mr. CRAMER: H. Res. 10. A resolution recognizing linemen, the profession of linemen, the contributions of these brave men and women who protect public safety, and expressing support for the designation of April 18, 2017, as National Lineman Appreciation Day; to the Committee on Energy and Commerce. By Mr. ROYCE of California (for himself, Mr. Engel, Mrs. Carolyn B. Maloney of New York, Mr. Suozzi, Mr. Graves of Missouri, Ms. Sinema, Mr. Hudson, Miss Rice of New York, Mr. Joyce of Ohio, Mr. Perry, Ms. Ros- Lehtinen, Mr. Deutch, Mr. Nunes, Mrs. Lowey, Mr. Smith of New Jersey, Mr. Sherman, Mr. Zeldin, Ms. Meng, Mr. Yoho, Ms. Frankel of Florida, Mr. Chabot, Ms. Wasserman Schultz, Mr. Duncan of South Carolina, Mr. Sires, Mr. Poe of Texas, Mr. Brendan F. Boyle of Pennsylvania, Mr. Yoder, Mr. Banks of Indiana, Mr. Moolenaar, Mr. Luetkemeyer, Mr. Sessions, Mr. Hill, Mr. Hastings, Mr. Schneider, Mr. Marino, Mr. Vargas, Mr. Nadler, Mr. Soto, Mr. Kilmer, Mr. Gene Green of Texas, Mr. Espaillat, Mr. Carter of Texas, Mr. Norcross, Mr. Wilson of South Carolina, Mr. Marchant, Mr. Diaz-Balart, Mrs. Hartzler, Mr. Burgess, Mr. Stewart, Mr. Gallagher, Mr. Abraham, Mr. Dunn, and Mr. Newhouse): H. Res. 11. A resolution objecting to United Nations Security Council Resolution 2334 as an obstacle to Israeli- Palestinian peace, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Foreign Affairs. By Ms. JACKSON LEE: H. Res. 12. A resolution expressing the sense of the House of Representatives regarding the enhancement of unity in America; to the Committee on the Judiciary. By Ms. JACKSON LEE: H. Res. 13. A resolution expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the Transportation Security Administration should, in accordance with existing law, enhance security against terrorist attack and other security threats to our Nation's rail and mass transit systems and other modes of surface transportation; and for other purposes; to the Committee on Homeland Security. By Mr. ROSS (for himself, Mr. Pittenger, Mr. Gohmert, Mrs. Black, Mrs. Blackburn, Mr. Joyce of Ohio, Mr. Cramer, Mr. Rothfus, Mr. Chaffetz, Mr. Pearce, Mr. Gowdy, Mr. Bishop of Michigan, Mr. Gosar, Mr. Stewart, Mr. McKinley, Mr. Bilirakis, Mr. Messer, Mr. Abraham, Mr. Jenkins of West Virginia, Mr. Byrne, Mrs. Mimi Walters of California, Mr. Donovan, Mr. Hensarling, Mr. LoBiondo, Mr. Trott, Mr. Graves of Georgia, Mr. Buchanan, Mr. Schweikert, Mr. Brat, Mr. Smith of Texas, Mr. Williams, Mr. Davidson, Mr. Tipton, Mr. Fleischmann, Mr. Kelly of Pennsylvania, Mr. Culberson, Mr. Gibbs, Mr. Tiberi, Mr. Meehan, Mr. Grothman, Mr. Posey, Mr. Jody B. Hice of Georgia, Mrs. Wagner, Mr. Rokita, Mrs. Walorski, Mr. Loudermilk, Mr. Arrington, Mr. Harris, Mr. Kelly of Mississippi, Mr. Sam Johnson of Texas, Mr. Issa, and Mrs. Hartzler): H. Res. 14. A resolution disapproving of President Obama and his administration's refusal to veto the anti-Israel resolution adopted by the United Nations Security Council on December 23, 2016; to the Committee on Foreign Affairs. By Mr. GRAVES of Missouri (for himself and Mr. Connolly): H. Res. 15. A resolution expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the United States Postal Service should take all appropriate measures to ensure the continuation of its 6-day mail delivery service; to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. By Mr. AL GREEN of Texas: H. Res. 16. A resolution supporting local law enforcement agencies in their continued work to serve our communities, and supporting their use of body worn cameras to promote transparency to protect both citizens and officers alike; to the Committee on the Judiciary. By Mr. AL GREEN of Texas: H. Res. 17. A resolution expressing concern over the disappearance of Austin Tice, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on Intelligence (Permanent Select), for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned. By Mr. AL GREEN of Texas: H. Res. 18. A resolution expressing concern over the detainment of Sandy Phan-Gillis, [[Page 77]] and for other purposes; to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on Intelligence (Permanent Select), for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned. By Mr. HASTINGS (for himself, Ms. Norton, Ms. Moore, and Mr. Lewis of Georgia): H. Res. 19. A resolution supporting the goals and ideals of Jubilee Day; to the Committee on Education and the Workforce. By Mr. HASTINGS: H. Res. 20. A resolution recognizing the importance of nonprofit organizations to the economy of the United States and expressing support for designation of September as ``Nonprofit Organization (NPO) Recognition Month''; to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. By Mr. JONES: H. Res. 21. A resolution expressing the sense of the House of Representatives regarding the firefight that occurred on March 4, 2007, between members of the United States Marine Corps and enemy forces in Bati Kot District, Nangarhar Province, Afghanistan; to the Committee on Armed Services. ____________________ CONSTITUTIONAL AUTHORITY STATEMENT Pursuant to clause 7 of rule XII of the Rules of the House of Representatives, the following statements are submitted regarding the specific powers granted to Congress in the Constitution to enact the accompanying bill or joint resolution. By Mr. GOODLATTE: H.R. 5. Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant to the following: Article I, Section 1, Clause 1 of the United States Constitution, in that the legislation concerns the exercise of legislative powers generally granted to Congress by that section, including the exercise of those powers when delegated by Congress to the Executive; Article I, Section 8, Clauses 1 to 17, and Section 9, Clauses 1 to 2, 4, and 7 of the United States Constitution, in that the legislation concerns the exercise of specific legislative powers granted to Congress by those sections, including the exercise of those powers when delegated by Congress to the Executive; Article I, Section 8, clause 18 of the United States Constitution, in that the legislation exercises legislative power granted to Congress by that clause ``to make all Laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into Execution the foregoing Powers, and all other Powers vested by this Constitution in the Government of the United States, or in any Department or Officer thereof;'' Article III, Section 1, Clause 1, Sentence 1, Section 2, Clauses 1 and 4, and Section 2, Clause 2, Sentence 2, of the Constitution, in that the legislation defines or affects judicial powers and cases that are subject to legislation by Congress; Article IV, Section 3, Clause 2 of the United States Constitution, in that the legislation concerns the exercise of power granted to Congress to dispose of and make all needful Rules and Regulations respecting the Territory or other Property belonging to the United States; and, Amendment XVI to the United States Constitution, in that the legislation concerns the exercise of power granted to Congress to lay and collect income taxes. By Mr. ISSA: H.R. 21. Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant to the following: Article I, Section 1, Clause 1 of the United States Constitution, in that the legislation concerns the exercise of legislative powers generally granted to Congress by that section, including the exercise of those powers when delegated by Congress to the Executive; Article I, Section 8, Clauses 1 to 17, of the United States Constitution, in that the legislation concerns the exercise of specific legislative powers granted to Congress by those sections, including the exercise of those powers when delegated by Congress to the Executive; Article I, Section 8, clause 18 of the United States Constitution, in that the legislation exercises legislative power granted to Congress by that clause ``to make all Laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into Execution the foregoing Powers, and all other Powers vested by this Constitution in the Government of the United States, or in any Department or Officer thereof;'' and, Article I, Section 5, Clause 2, of the United States Constitution, in that the legislation concerns the powers of each House of Congress to determine the rules of its proceedings. By Mr. POE of Texas: H.R. 22. Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant to the following: Article 1, Section 8, Clause 4 By Mr. VALADAO: H.R. 23. Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant to the following: Clauses 1, 3, and 18 of section 8 and clause 7 of section 9 of article I, of the Constitution of the United States. By Mr. MASSIE: H.R. 24. Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant to the following: This legislation is authorized by Article I, Section 8 of the Constitution: ``To coin money, regulate the value thereof, and of foreign coin, and fix the standards of weights and measures:'' and ``to provide for the punishment of counterfeiting the securities and current coin of the United States.'' By Mr. WOODALL: H.R. 25. Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant to the following: Clause 1, Section 8 of Article 1: ``The Congress shall have Power To lay and collect Taxes, Duties, Imposts and Excises, to pay the Debts and provide for the common Defence and general Welfare of the United States; but all Duties, Imposts and Excises shall be uniform throughout the United States'' By Mr. COLLINS of Georgia: H.R. 26. Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant to the following: This bill is enacted pursuant to the power granted Congress under Article I of the United States Constitution, including the power granted Congress under Article I, Section 8, Clause 18, of the United States Constitution, and the power granted to each House of Congress under Article I, Section 5, Clause 2, of the United States Constitution. By Mr. COSTELLO of Pennsylvania: H.R. 27. Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant to the following: Article I, Section 8 of the United States Constitution By Mr. ROE of Tennessee: H.R. 28. Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant to the following: Article 1, Section 8 of the United States Constitution. By Mr. GOODLATTE: H.R. 29. Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant to the following: Clause 1, Section 8 of Article 1 of the United States Constitution and Amendment XVI of the United States Constitution. By Mr. HUDSON: H.R. 30. Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant to the following: Article I, Section 8, Clause 1 of the United States Constitution which states ``The Congress shall have Power To lay and collect Taxes, Duties, Imposts and Excises, to pay the Debts and provide for the common Defence and general Welfare of the United States; but all Duties, Imposts and Excises shall be uniform throughout the United States.'' By Mr. HUDSON: H.R. 31. Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant to the following: Article I, Section 8, Clause 18 of the United States Constitution which states Congress shall have the power ``To make all Laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into Execution the foregoing Powers, and all other Powers vested by this Constitution in the Government of the United States or in any Department of Officer thereof.'' By Mr. HUDSON: H.R. 32. Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant to the following: Article 1, Section 8 of the Constitution. By Mr. CHABOT: H.R. 33. Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant to the following: Article I, Section 1, Clause 1 of the United States Constitution, in that the legislation concerns the exercise of legislative powers generally granted to Congress by that section, including the exercise of those powers when delegated by Congress to the Executive; Article I, Section 8, Clauses 1 to 17, and Section 9, Clauses 1 to 2, 4, and 7 of the United States Constitution, in that the legislation concerns the exercise of specific legislative powers granted to Congress by those sections, including the exercise of those powers when delegated by Congress to the Executive; Article I, Section 8, Clause 18 of the United States Constitution, in that the legislation exercises legislative power granted to Congress by that clause ``to make all Laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into Execution the foregoing Powers, and all other Powers vested by this Constitution in the Government of the United States, or in any Department or Officer thereof;'' Article III, Section 1, Clause 1, Sentence 1, Section 2, Clause 1, and Section 2, Clause 2, Sentence 2, of the United States Constitution, in that the legislation defines or affects judicial powers and cases that are subject to legislation by Congress; Article IV, Section 3, Clause 2 of the United States Constitution, in that the legislation concerns the exercise of power granted to Congress to dispose of and make all needful Rules and Regulations respecting the Territory or other Property belonging to the United States; and, Amendment XVI to the United States Constitution, in that the legislation concerns the exercise of power granted to Congress to lay and collect income taxes. [[Page 78]] By Mr. MASSIE: H.R. 34. Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant to the following: This Act is justified by the lack of a mandate or assertion of authority in the United States Constitution for the federal government to establish the laws affected by this Act; by Article One of the United States Constitution that grants legislative powers; by the Second Amendment to the United States Constitution that recognizes the right to bear arms, and by the Ninth and Tenth Amendments to the United States Constitution, which recognize that rights and powers are retained and reserved by the people and to the States. By Mr. BURGESS: H.R. 35. Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant to the following: Article I, Section VIII, Clause 1 of the United States Constitution, which grants Congress the power to lay and collect taxes, duties, imposts and excises, to pay the debts and provide for the common defense and general welfare of the United States; but all duties, imposts and excises shall be uniform throughout the United States. Article I, Section 8, Clause 3, of the United States Constitution, which grants Congress the power to regulate commerce with foreign nations, and among the several states, and with the Indian tribes. By Mr. FRANKS of Arizona: H.R. 36. Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant to the following: Congress has authority to extend protection to pain-capable unborn children under the Supreme Court's Commerce Clause precedents and under the Constitution's grants of powers to Congress under the Equal Protection, Due Process, and Enforcement Clauses of the Fourteenth Amendment. By Mr. FRANKS of Arizona: H.R. 37. Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant to the following: Congress has authority to extend protection to born-alive abortion survivors under the Supreme Court's Commerce Clause precedents and under the Constitution's grants of powers to Congress under the Equal Protection, Due Process, and Enforcement Clauses of the Fourteenth Amendment. By Mr. HUDSON: H.R. 38. Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant to the following: The 2nd Amendment, which states that ``A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed.'' By Mr. McCARTHY: H.R. 39. Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant to the following: Article I, Section 8, Clause 18 which grants to the Congress power to make all laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into execution the foregoing powers, and all other powers vested by this Constitution in the government of the United States, or in any department or officer thereof. By Mr. CONYERS: H.R. 40. Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant to the following: Pursuant to Section 5 of the Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution, Congress shall have the power to enact appropriate laws protecting the civil rights of all Americans. By Mr. MULLIN: H.R. 41. Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant to the following: Article 1, Section 1 of the U.S. Constitution states: All legislative powers herein granted shall be vested in a Congress of the United States, which shall consist of a Senate and House of Representatives. By Mr. MULLIN: H.R. 42. Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant to the following: Article I, Section 8, Clause 18 of the U.S. Constitution By Mr. MULLIN: H.R. 43. Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant to the following: Article I, Section 8, Clause 18 of the U.S. Constitution By Mr. MULLIN: H.R. 44. Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant to the following: clause 3 of section 8 of article I of the Constitution By Mr. GOODLATTE: H.R. 45. Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant to the following: Article I, Section 1, Clause 1 of the United States Constitution, in that the legislation concerns the exercise of legislative powers generally granted to Congress by that section, including the exercise of those powers when delegated by Congress to the Executive; Article I, Section 8, Clauses 1 to 17, and Section 9, Clauses 1 to 2, 4, and 7 of the United States Constitution, in that the legislation concerns the exercise of specific legislative powers granted to Congress by those sections, including the exercise of those powers when delegated by Congress to the Executive; Article I, Section 8, clause 18 of the United States Constitution, in that the legislation exercises legislative power granted to Congress by that clause ``to make all Laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into Execution the foregoing Powers, and all other Powers vested by this Constitution in the Government of the United States, or in any Department or Officer thereof;'' and Article III, Section 1, Clause 1, Sentence 1, Section 2, Clause 1, and Section 2, Clause 2, Sentence 2, of the Constitution, in that the legislation defines or affects judicial powers and cases that are subject to legislation by Congress. By Mr. KATKO: H.R. 46. Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant to the following: Clause 2 of Section 3 of Article IV of the Constitution: The Congress shall have the Power to dispose of and make all needful Rules and Regulations respecting the Territory or other Property belonging to the United States; and nothing in this Constitution shall be so construed as to Prejudice any Claims of the United States, or any particular State. By Ms. JACKSON LEE: H.R. 47. Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant to the following: This bill is enacted pursuant to the power granted to Congress under Article I, Section 8, Clauses 1, 3 and 18 of the United States Constitution. By Ms. JACKSON LEE: H.R. 48. Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant to the following: This bill is enacted pursuant to the power granted to Congress under Article I, Section 8, Clauses 1, 3, and 18 of the United States Constitution. By Mr. YOUNG of Alaska: H.R. 49. Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant to the following: Article IV, Section 3, Clause 2 ``The Congress shall have Power to dispose of and make all needful Rules and Regulations respecting the Territory or other Property belonging to the United States; and nothing in this Constitution shall be so construed as to Prejudice any Claims of the United States, or of any particular State.'' By Ms. FOXX: H.R. 50. Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant to the following: The authority to enact this bill is derived from, but may not be limited to, Article I, Section 8, Clause 3 of the United States Constitution, and Article I, Section 8, Clause 18 of the United States Constitution. By Mr. DAVID SCOTT of Georgia: H.R. 51. Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant to the following: Article I, Section 8 By Mr. DAVID SCOTT of Georgia: H.R. 52. Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant to the following: Article I, Section 8 By Ms. JACKSON LEE: H.R. 53. Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant to the following: This bill is enacted pursuant to the power granted to Congress under Article I, Section 8, Clauses 3 and 18 of the United States Constitution. By Ms. JACKSON LEE: H.R. 54. Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant to the following: This bill is enacted pursuant to the power granted to Congress under Article I, Section 8, Clauses 1 and 18 of the United States Constitution. By Ms. JACKSON LEE: H.R. 55. Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant to the following: This bill is enacted pursuant to the power granted to Congress under Article I, Section 8, Clauses 1 and 18 of the United States Constitution. By Ms. JACKSON LEE: H.R. 56. Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant to the following: This bill is enacted pursuant to the power granted to Congress under Article I, Section 8, Clause 3 of the United States Constitution. By Ms. JACKSON LEE: H.R. 57. Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant to the following: This bill is enacted pursuant to the power granted to Congress under Article I, Section 8, Clauses 3 and 18 of the United States Constitution. By Ms. JACKSON LEE: H.R. 58. Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant to the following: This bill is enacted pursuant to the power granted to Congress under Article I, Section 8, Clauses 1, 3 and 18 of the United States Constitution. By Ms. JACKSON LEE: H.R. 59. [[Page 79]] Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant to the following: This bill Is enacted pursuant to the power granted to Congress under Article I, Section 8, Clauses 1 and 18 of the United States Constitution. By Mr. DENHAM: H.R. 60. Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant to the following: Article 1, Section 8 of the United States Constitution, specifically Clause 1 (relating to providing for the common defense and general welfare of the United States) and Clause 18 (relating to the power to make all laws necessary and proper for carrying out the powers vested in Congress). By Ms. JACKSON LEE: H.R. 61. Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant to the following: This bill is enacted pursuant to the power granted to Congress under Article I, Section 8, Clauses 1, 3 and 18 of the United States Constitution. By Ms. JACKSON LEE: H.R. 62. Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant to the following: This bill is enacted pursuant to the power granted to Congress under Article I, Section 8, Clauses 1, 3, and 18 of the United States Constitution. By Ms. JACKSON LEE: H.R. 63. Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant to the following: This bill is enacted pursuant to the power granted to Congress under Article I, Section 8, Clauses 1, 3, and 18 of the United States Constitution. By Ms. JACKSON LEE: H.R. 64. Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant to the following: This bill is enacted pursuant to the power granted to Congress under Article I, Section 8, Clauses 1 and 18 of the United States Constitution. By Ms. JACKSON LEE: H.R. 65. Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant to the following: This bill is enacted pursuant to the power granted to Congress under Article I, Section 8, Clauses 1, 3 and 18 of the United States Constitution. By Mr. RODNEY DAVIS of Illinois: H.R. 66. Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant to the following: The constitutional authority on which this bill rests is the power of Congress as stated in Article I, Section 8, Clause 7 of the United States Constitution. By Ms. JACKSON LEE: H.R. 67. Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant to the following: This bill is enacted pursuant to the power granted to Congress under Article I, Section 8, Clauses 1 and 18 of the United States Constitution. By Ms. JACKSON LEE: H.R. 68. Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant to the following: This bill is enacted pursuant to the power granted to Congress under Article I, Section 8, Clause 3 of the United States Constitution. By Mr. BLUM: H.R. 69. Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant to the following: Article 1, Section 8, Clause 18 US Constitution By Mr. CLAY: H.R. 70. Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant to the following: Article I, Section 8, Clause 18 of the Constitution of the United States grants the Congress the power to enact this law. By Mr. WALBERG: H.R. 71. Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant to the following: Article 1, Section 9, Clause 7--No Money shall be drawn from the Treasury, but in Consequence of Appropriations made by Law; and a regular Statement and Account of Receipts and Expenditures of all public Money shall be published from time to time. By Mr. CARTER of Georgia: H.R. 72. Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant to the following: Article 1, Section 8 By Mr. DUNCAN of Tennessee: H.R. 73. Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant to the following: Article IV, Section 3, Clause 2. The Congress shall have Power to dispose of and make all, needful Rules and Regulations respecting the Territory or other Property belonging to the United States; and nothing in this Constitution shall be so construed as to Prejudice any Claims of the United States, or of any particular State. By Mr. MARINO: H.R. 74. Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant to the following: Article I, Section I, Clause 1 of the U.S. Constitution, in that the legislation concerns the exercise of legislative powers generally granted to Congress, including the exercise of those powers when delegated by Congress to the Executive. Article I, Section 8, Clause 18 of the U.S. Constitution in that the legislation exercises legislative powers granted to Congress by that clause ``to make all Laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into Execution the foregoing Powers, and all other Powers vested by this Constitution in the Government of the United States, or in any Department or Office thereof;'' and Article III, Section 1, Clause 1, and Section 2, Clause 1 of the U.S. Constitution in that the legislation defines or affects judicial powers and cases that are subject to legislation by Congress. By Mr. RATCLIFFE: H.R. 75. Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant to the following: Article I, Section 1 of the United States Constitution, in that the legislation concerns the exercise of legislative powers generally granted to Congress by that section, including the exercise of those powers when delegated by Congress to the Executive; Article I, Section 8 of the United States Constitution, in that the legislation concerns the exercise of specific legislative powers granted to Congress by that section, including the exercise of those powers when delegated by Congress to the Executive; and, Article I, Section 8, Clause 18 of the United States Constitution, in that the legislation exercises legislative power granted to Congress by that clause ``to make all laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into execution the foregoing powers, and all other powers vested by this Constitution in the Government of the United States, or in any Department or Officer thereof.'' By Mr. RATCLIFFE: H.R. 76. Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant to the following: Article III, Section 1, Sentence 1, and Section 2, Clauses 1 and 4 of the Constitution, in that the legislation defines or affects judicial powers and cases that are subject to legislation by Congress; Article 1, Section 1, Clause 1 of the United States Constitution, in that the legislation concerns the exercise of legislative powers generally granted to Congress by that section, including the exercise of those powers when delegated by Congress to the Executive; and, Article 1, Section 8, Clause 18 of the United States Constitution, in that the legislation exercises legislative power granted to Congress by that clause ``to make all laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into execution the foregoing powers, and all other powers vested by this Constitution in the Government of the United States, or in any Department or Officer thereof.'' By Mr. LUETKEMEYER: H.R. 77. Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant to the following: Article 1, Section 8, Clause 18, ``To make all Laws which shall be necessary and proper from carrying into Execution from foregoing Powers, and all other Powers vested by this in the Government of the United States, or any Department or Officer thereof.'' By Mrs. WAGNER: H.R. 78. Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant to the following: Article I, Section 8, Clause 3 The Congress shall have Power *** To regulate Commerce with foreign Nations, and among the several States, and with the Indian Tribes By Mr. CHABOT: H.R. 79. Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant to the following: Article 1, Section 8, Clause 3 of the United States Constitution By Mr. BABIN: H.R. 80. Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant to the following: Article I, Section 8, Clause 4 Article I, Section 8, Clause 18 By Mr. BABIN: H.R. 81. Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant to the following: Article I, Section 8, Clause 4 Article I, Section 8, Clause 18 By Mr. BABIN: H.R. 82. Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant to the following: Article I, Section 8, Clause 4 Article I, Section 8, Clause 18 By Mr. BARLETTA: H.R. 83. Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant to the following: Article I, Section 8, Clause 4 of the U.S. Constitution By Mr. BIGGS: H.R. 84. Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant to the following: Article I, Section 8 of the U.S. Constitution By Mrs. BLACKBURN: H.R. 85. Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant to the following: Article I Section 8, ``necessary and proper'' clause of the Constitution. [[Page 80]] By Mrs. BLACKBURN: H.R. 86. Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant to the following: Article I Section 8, ``necessary and proper'' clause of the Constitution. By Mrs. BLACKBURN: H.R. 87. Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant to the following: Article I Section 8, ``necessary and proper'' clause of the Constitution. By Mrs. BLACKBURN: H.R. 88. Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant to the following: Article I, Section 8, Clause 18: To make all Laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into Execution the foregoing Powers, and all other Powers vested by this Constitution in the Government of the United States, or in any Department or Officer thereof. By Mrs. BLACKBURN: H.R. 89. Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant to the following: Article I Section 8, ``necessary and proper'' clause of the Constitution. By Ms. BROWNLEY of California: H.R. 90. Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant to the following: Article I, Section VIII of the U.S. Constitution By Ms. BROWNLEY of California: H.R. 91. Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant to the following: Article I, Section VIII of the U.S. Constitution By Ms. BROWNLEY of California: H.R. 92. Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant to the following: Article I, Section VIII of the U.S. Constitution By Ms. BROWNLEY of California: H.R. 93. Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant to the following: Article I, Section VIII of the U.S. Constitution By Ms. BROWNLEY of California: H.R. 94. Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant to the following: Article I, Section VIII of the U.S. Constitution By Ms. BROWNLEY of California: H.R. 95. Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant to the following: Article I, Section VIII of the U.S. Constitution By Ms. BROWNLEY of California: H.R. 96. Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant to the following: Article I, Section 8 By Ms. BROWNLEY of California: H.R. 97. Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant to the following: Article 1 Section 8 of the United States Constitution By Ms. BROWNLEY of California: H.R. 98. Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant to the following: Amendment IX and Amendment XIV of the United States Constitution. By Ms. BROWNLEY of California: H.R. 99. Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant to the following: Article I, Section 8 By Ms. BROWNLEY of California: H.R. 100. Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant to the following: Article I, Section 8 By Ms. BROWNLEY of California: H.R. 101. Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant to the following: Article I, Section VIII of the U.S. Constitution By Ms. BROWNLEY of California: H.R. 102. Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant to the following: Article I, Section VIII of the U.S. Constitution By Ms. BROWNLEY of California: H.R. 103. Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant to the following: Article I, Section VIII of the U.S. Constitution By Ms. BROWNLEY of California: H.R. 104. Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant to the following: Article I, Section 8 By Ms. BROWNLEY of California: H.R. 105. Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant to the following: Article 1, Section VIII of the U.S. Constitution By Ms. BROWNLEY of California: H.R. 106. Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant to the following: Article I, Section 8 By Ms. BROWNLEY of California: H.R. 107. Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant to the following: Article I, Section VIII of the U.S. Constitution By Ms. BROWNLEY of California: H.R. 108. Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant to the following: Amendment XVI. By Ms. BROWNLEY of California: H.R. 109. Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant to the following: Amendment XVI By Ms. BROWNLEY of California: H.R. 110. Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant to the following: Amendment XVI By Mr. BUCHANAN: H.R. 111. Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant to the following: Article I, Section 8 of the U.S. Constitution. By Mr. BUCHANAN: H.R. 112. Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant to the following: Article I, Section 8 of the U.S. Constitution. By Mr. BUCHANAN: H.R. 113. Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant to the following: Article I, Section 8 of the U.S. Constitution. By Mr. BUCHANAN: H.R. 114. Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant to the following: Article I, Section 8 of the U.S. Constitution. By Mr. BUCHANAN: H.R. 115. Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant to the following: Article 1, Section 8 of the U.S. Constitution. By Mr. BUCHANAN: H.R. 116. Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant to the following: Article 1, Section 8 of the U.S. Constitution. Mr. BURGESS: H.R. 117. Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant to the following: This legislation would repeal existing federal law, which was passed under the claimed constitutional authority of Article I, Section 8, Clause 3, often referred to as the ``Commerce Clause.'' By Mr. BURGESS: H.R. 118. Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant to the following: Article I, Section 9, clause 7, ``No Money shall be drawn from the Treasury, but in Consequence of Appropriations made by Law; and a regular Statement and Account of the Receipts and Expenditures of all public Money shall be published from time to time.'' By Mr. BURGESS: H.R. 119. Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant to the following: The attached legislation falls under Congress' enumerated constitutional authority to regulate interstate commerce pursuant to Article I, Section 8, clause 3. By Mr. BURGESS: H.R. 120. Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant to the following: Article I, Section 9, Clause 7 of the Constitution of the United States: No Money shall be drawn from the Treasury, but in Consequence of Appropriations made by law. and Article I, Section 8, Clause 4 of the Constitution of the United States: To Establish an uniform Rule of Naturalization; By Mr. AL GREEN of Texas: H.R. 121. Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant to the following: Commerce Clause (Art. 1, Sec. 8, Cl. 3) Necessary and Proper Clause (Art. 1, Sec. 8, Cl. 18) Appropriations Clause (Art. 1, Sec. 9, Cl. 7) By Mr. AL GREEN of Texas: H.R. 122. Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant to the following: Commerce Clause (Art. 1, Sec. 8, Cl. 3) Necessary and Proper Clause (Art. 1, Sec. 8, Cl. 18) By Mr. AL GREEN of Texas: H.R. 123. Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant to the following: Necessary and Proper Clause (Art. 1, Sec. 8, Cl. 18) By Mr. AL GREEN of Texas: H.R. 124. Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant to the following: Commerce Clause (Art. 1, Sec. 8, Cl. 3) Necessary and Proper Clause (Art. 1, Sec. 8, Cl. 18) By Mr. AL GREEN of Texas: H.R. 125. [[Page 81]] Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant to the following: Necessary and Proper Clause (Art. 1, Sec. 8, Cl. 18) By Mr. AL GREEN of Texas: H.R. 126. Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant to the following: Commerce Clause (Art. 1, Sec. 8, Cl. 3) Necessary and Proper Clause (Art. 1, Sec. 8, Cl. 18) By Mr. AL GREEN of Texas: H.R. 127. Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant to the following: Commerce Clause (Art. 1, Sec. 8, Cl. 3) Necessary and Proper Clause (Art. 1, Sec. 8, Cl. 18) By Mr. BURGESS: H.R. 128. Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant to the following: The attached legislation falls under Congress' enumerated constitutional authority to regulate the postal system pursuant to Article I, Section 8, Clause 7. By Mr. BURGESS: H.R. 129. Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant to the following: The attached language falls within Congress' delegated authority to legislate interstate commerce, found in Article I, Section 8, clause 3 of the U.S. Constitution. Further, Congress' authority to authorize the FAA to regulate airspace within the U.S. has been found to be within its authority under the General Welfare clause of the U.S. Constitution, Article I, Section 8, clause 1. By Mr. COLE: H.R. 130. Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant to the following: This bill is enacted pursuant to Article I, Section 8 which grants Congress the power to regulate Commerce with the Indian Tribes. This bill is enacted pursuant to Article II, Section 2, Clause 2 in order the enforce treaties made between the United States and several Indian Tribes. By Mr. COLE: H.R. 131. Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant to the following: This bill is enacted pursuant to Article I, Section 8 which grants Congress the power to regulate Commerce with the Indian Tribes. This bill is enacted pursuant to Article II, Section 2, Clause 2 in order the enforce treaties made between the United States and several Indian Tribes. By Mr. COLE: H.R. 132. Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant to the following: This bill is enacted pursuant to the power granted to Congress under Article IV, Section 3, Clause 2 which grants Congress the power to make all needful Rules and Regulations respecting . . . Property belonging to the United States. By Mr. COLE: H.R. 133. Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant to the following: Amendment XVI to the United States Constitution. Additionally, since the Constitution does not provide Congress with the power to provide financial support to U.S. political parties, the general repeal of the Presidential Election Campaign Fund for this purpose is consistent with the powers that are reserved to the States and to the people as expressed in Amendments IX and X to the United States Constitution. Further, Article I Section 8 defines the scope and powers of Congress and does not include this concept of taxation in furtherance of funding U.S. political parties within the expressed powers. By Mr. CONYERS: H.R. 134. Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant to the following: Article I, Section 8, Clause 4. By Mr. CONYERS: H.R. 135. Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant to the following: Article I, Section 8, Clause 3, U.S. Constitution. By Mr. CONYERS: H.R. 136. Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant to the following: Article I, Section 8, Clause 4. By Mr. CONYERS: H.R. 137. Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant to the following: Article I, Section 8, Clause 4. By Mr. CONYERS: H.R. 138. Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant to the following: Article I, Section 8, Clause 4. By Mr. CONYERS: H.R. 139. Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant to the following: Article I, Section 8, Clause 4. By Mr. KING of Iowa: H.R. 140. Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant to the following: Section 5 of the XIV Amendment and Article I Section 8 By Mr. CONYERS: H.R. 141. Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant to the following: Article I, Section 8, Clause 4. By Mr. CONYERS: H.R. 142. Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant to the following: U.S. Constitution, Article I, Section 8, Clause 3 By Mr. CONYERS: H.R. 143. Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant to the following: Article I, Section 8, Clause 3 By Mr. CONYERS: H.R. 144. Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant to the following: U.S. Constitution, Article I, Section 8, Clause 3 By Mr. FITZPATRICK: H.R. 145. Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant to the following: Article I, Section 8, Clause 1: Taxing and Spending Clause By Mr. FLEISCHMANN: H.R. 146. Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant to the following: Article IV, Section 3, Clause 2--The Congress shall have power to dispose of and make all needful Rules and- Regulations respecting the Territory or other property belonging to the United States. By Mr. FRANKS of Arizona: H.R. 147. Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant to the following: (1) the Commerce Clause; (2) section 2 of the 13th amendment; (3) section 5 of the 14th amendment, including the power to enforce the prohibition on government action denying equal protection of the laws; and (4) section 8 of article I, to make all laws necessary and proper for the carrying into execution of powers vested by the Constitution in the Government of the United States. By Mr. AL GREEN of Texas: H.R. 148. Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant to the following: Commerce Clause (Art. 1, Sec. 8, Cl. 3) Necessary and Proper Clause (Art. 1, Sec. 8, Cl. 18) By Mr. AL GREEN of Texas: H.R. 149. Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant to the following: General Welfare Clause (Art. 1, Sec. 8, Cl. 1) Commerce Clause (Art. 1, Sec. 8, Cl. 3) Necessary and Proper Clause (Art. 1, Sec. 8, Cl. 18) Appropriations Clause (Art. 1, Sec. 9, Cl. 7) By Mr. AL GREEN of Texas: H.R. 150. Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant to the following: Commerce Clause (Art. 1, Sec. 8, Cl. 3) Necessary and Proper Clause (Art. 1, Sec. 8, Cl. 18) Appropriations Clause (Art. 1, Sec. 9, Cl. 7) By Mr. AL GREEN of Texas: H.R. 151. Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant to the following: Necessary and Proper Clause (Art. 1, Sec. 8, Cl. 18) By Mr. AL GREEN of Texas: H.R. 152. Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant to the following: Necessary and Proper Clause (Art. 1, Sec. 8, Cl. 18) By Mr. AL GREEN of Texas: H.R. 153. Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant to the following: Necessary and Proper Clause (Art. 1, Sec. 8, Cl. 18) By Mr. AL GREEN of Texas: H.R. 154. Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant to the following: Necessary and Proper Clause (Art. 1, Sec. 8, Cl. 18) Appropriations Clause (Art. 1, Sec. 9, Cl. 7) By Mr. GENE GREEN of Texas: H.R. 155. Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant to the following: Article I, Section 8, Clause 3 of the U.S. Constitution (``the Commerce Clause''). By Mr. GENE GREEN of Texas: H.R. 156. Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant to the following: Article I, Section 8, Clause 3 of the U.S. Constitution (the Commerce Clause). By Mr. HASTINGS: H.R. 157. Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant to the following: U.S. Constitution Article I, Section 8 By Mr. HASTINGS: H.R. 158. Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant to the following: U.S. Constitution, Article 1, Section. 8. By Mr. HASTINGS: H.R. 159. [[Page 82]] Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant to the following: U.S. Constitution, Article 1, Section 8 By Mr. HASTINGS: H.R. 160. Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant to the following: U.S. Constitution, Article 1, Section 8 By Mr. HASTINGS: H.R. 161. Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant to the following: U.S. Const. art. I Sec. 8 By Mr. HASTINGS: H.R. 162. Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant to the following: U.S. Constitution Article I, Section 8 By Mr. HASTINGS: H.R. 163. Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant to the following: U.S. Constitution, Article 1, Section. 8. By Mr. HASTINGS: H.R. 164. Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant to the following: U.S. Constitution, Article 1, Section 8 By Mr. HASTINGS: H.R. 165. Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant to the following: U.S. Const. art. I Sec. 8 By Mr. HASTINGS: H.R. 166. Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant to the following: Article 1 Section 8 of the U.S. Constitution By Mr. HASTINGS: H.R. 167. Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant to the following: Article 1 Section 8 of the U.S. Constitution By Mr. HASTINGS: H.R. 168. Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant to the following: U.S. Constitution, Article 1, Section. 8. By Mr. HUFFMAN: H.R. 169. Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant to the following: Article IV Section III: The Congress shall have power to dispose of and make all needful rules and regualtions respecting the territory or other property belonging to the United States; and nothing in this Constitution shall be so construed as to prejudice any claims of the United States, or of any particular state. By Mr. ISSA: H.R. 170. Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant to the following: Article 1 Section 8 to establish an uniform Rule of Naturalization By Mr. JONES: H.R. 171. Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant to the following: This bill is enacted pursuant to the power granted to Congress under Article 1, section 8 of the United States Constitution (clauses 12, 13, 14, and 16), which grants Congress the power to raise and support an Army; to provide and maintain a Navy; to make rules for the government and regulation of the land and naval forces; and to provide for organizing, arming, and disciplining the militia. By Mr. JONES: H.R. 172. Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant to the following: The First Amendment of the United States Constitution, which states that Congress shall make no law prohibiting the free exercise of religion. By Mr. KELLY of Pennsylvania: H.R. 173. Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant to the following: The Congress enacts this bill pursuant to Article I Section 8 of the United States Constitution. By Mr. KING of Iowa: H.R. 174. Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant to the following: Article I Section 8 Clause 4 of the Constitution By Mr. KING of Iowa: H.R. 175. Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant to the following: Clause 1, Section 8 of Article 1 of the United States Constitution, which reads: ``The Congress shall have Power to lay and collected Taxes, Duties, Imposts, and Excises.'' Therefore, Congress' taxing power would be the authority to repeal ObamaCare's individual mandate. Clause 3, Section 8 of Article 1 of the United States Constitution, which states Congress' power ``To regulate Commerce . . . among the States.'' ObamaCare was a clear violation of the Commerce Clause, forcing individuals to buy a product, and this bill will ensure that such personal economic decisions are returned to Americans. In addition, this bill makes specific changes to existing law in a manner that returns power to the States and to the People, consistent with Amendment X of the United States Constitution. By Mr. KING of Iowa: H.R. 176. Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant to the following: Article I Section 8 Clause I and Article I Section 8 Clause 4 of the Constitution By Mr. KING of Iowa: H.R. 177. Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant to the following: Article III, Section 2, Clause 1 Article I, Section 8, Clause 9 By Mr. KING of Iowa: H.R. 178. Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant to the following: Article I Section 8 Clause 4 of the Constitution By Mr. McKINLEY: H.R. 179. Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant to the following: According to Article I, Section 8, Clause 3 of the Constitution: The Congress shall have power to enact this legislation to regulate commerce with foreign nations, and among the several states, and with the Indian tribes. By Mr. MULLIN: H.R. 180. Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant to the following: Article I, Section 8, Clause 3 of the United States Constitution By Mr. MULLIN: H.R. 181. Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant to the following: Article I, Section 8, Clause 18 of the United States Constitution By Mr. MULLIN: H.R. 182. Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant to the following: Article I, Section 8, Clause 3 of the United States Constitution By Mr. MULLIN: H.R. 183. Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant to the following: Section 1 of Article III of the Constitution By Mr. PAULSEN: H.R. 184. Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant to the following: Article 1, Section 8, Clause 1--power to lay and collect taxes, duties, imposts and excises By Ms. PLASKETT: H.R. 185. Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant to the following: Article I Sections 7 and 8, All Bills for raising Revenue shall originate in the House of Representatives. The Congress shall have Power to Lay and collect Taxes, Duties, Imposts and Excises. By Ms. PLASKETT: H.R. 186. Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant to the following: Article IV, Section 3 provides that the Congress shall have Power to dispose of and make needful Rules and Regulations respecting the Territory or other Property belong to the United States. By Ms. PLASKETT: H.R. 187. Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant to the following: Article IV, Section 3 provides that the Congress shall have Power to dispose of and make needful Rules and Regulations respecting the Territory or other Property belong to the United States. By Ms. PLASKETT: H.R. 188. Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant to the following: Article IV, Section 3, Congress shall have Power to dispose of and make needful Rules and Regulations respecting the Territory and other Property belonging to the United States. By Ms. PLASKETT: H.R. 189. Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant to the following: Article I Sections 7 and 8, All Bills for raising Revenue shall originate in the House of Representatives. The Congress shall have Power to Lay and collect Taxes, Duties, Imposts and Excises. By Ms. PLASKETT: H.R. 190. Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant to the following: Article I Sections 7 and 8, All Bills for raising Revenue shall originate in the House of Representatives. The Congress shall have Power to Lay and collect Taxes, Duties, Imposts and Excises. By Ms. PLASKETT: H.R. 191. Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant to the following: Article I Sections 7 and 8, All Bills for raising Revenue shall originate in the House of Representatives. The Congress shall have Power to Lay and collect Taxes, Duties, Imposts and Excises. By Ms. PLASKETT: H.R. 192. Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant to the following: Article IV, Section 3 provides that the Congress shall have Power to dispose of and make needful Rules and Regulations respecting the Territory or other Property belong to the United States. By Mr. ROGERS of Alabama: H.R. 193. [[Page 83]] Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant to the following: This legislation is authorized by Article I, Section 8 of the Constitution: ``To make all laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into execution the foregoing powers, and all other powers vested by this Constitution in the Government of the United States.'' By Mr. RUSSELL: H.R. 194. Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant to the following: Article I, Section 8, Clause 18 By Mr. RUSSELL: H.R. 195. Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant to the following: Article I, Section 8 By Mr. SIMPSON: H.R. 196. Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant to the following: The constitutional authority of Congress to enact this legislation is provided by Article I, Section 8 of the United States Constitution, specifically clause 9, which states ``The Congress shall have Power . . . To constitute Tribunals inferior to the supreme Court.'' In addition, Article III, Section 1 states that ``The judicial Power of the United States, shall be vested in one supreme Court, and in such inferior Courts as the Congress may from time to time ordain and establish.'' By Mr. SIMPSON: H.R. 197. Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant to the following: The constitutional authority of Congress to enact this legislation is provided by Article I, Section 8 of the United States Constitution, specifically clause 9, which states ``The Congress shall have Power . . . To constitute Tribunals inferior to the supreme Court.'' In addition, Article III, Section 1 states that ``The judicial Power of the United States, shall be vested in one supreme Court, and in such inferior Courts as the Congress may from time to time ordain and establish.'' By Mr. THORNBERRY: H.R. 198. Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant to the following: Article I, Section 8 of the United States Constitution By Mr. VARGAS: H.R. 199. Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant to the following: Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant to Clause 2 of Section 3 of Article IV of the Constitution, which states: The Congress shall have the Power to dispose of and make all needful Rules and Regulations respecting the Territory or other Property belonging to the United States; and nothing in this Constitution shall be so construed as to Prejudice any Claims of the United States, or any particular State. By Mr. YOUNG of Alaska: H.R. 200. Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant to the following: Article I, Section 8, Clause 3 ``The Congress shall have power to regulate commerce with foreign nations, and among the several states, and with the Indian tribes'' By Ms. VELAZQUEZ: H.R. 201. Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant to the following: Article I, Section 8, Clause 1 The Congress shall have Power to...provide for the... general Welfare of the United States; ... Article I, Section 8, Clause 3 The Congress shall have Power...To regulate Commerce with foreign Nations, and among the several States, and with the Indian Tribes. By Ms. VELAZQUEZ: H.R. 202. Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant to the following: Article I, Section 8, Clause 1 ``The Congress shall have Power to... provide for the...general Welfare of the United States; ...'' By Mr. YOUNG of Alaska: H.R. 203. Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant to the following: Article 1, Section 8, Clauses 3 and 18; and Article 1, Section 9, Clause 7 By Mr. YOUNG of Alaska: H.R. 204. Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant to the following: Article 1, Section 8, Clause 3 ``To regulate Commerce with foreign Nations, and among the several States, and with the Indian Tribes;'' By Mr. YOUNG of Alaska: H.R. 205. Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant to the following: Article 1, Section 8, Clause 3 ``To regulate Commerce with foreign Nations, and among the several States, and with the Indian Tribes;'' By Mr. YOUNG of Alaska: H.R. 206. Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant to the following: Article 1, Section 8, Clause 3 ``To regulate Commerce with foreign Nations, and among the several States, and with the Indian Tribes;'' By Mr. YOUNG of Alaska: H.R. 207. Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant to the following: Article 1, Section 8, Clause 3 ``To regulate Commerce with foreign Nations, and among the several States, and with the Indian Tribes;'' By Mr. YOUNG of Alaska: H.R. 208. Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant to the following: Article 1, Section 8, Clause 3 ``To regulate Commerce with foreign Nations, and among the several States, and with the Indian Tribes;'' By Mr. YOUNG of Alaska: H.R. 209. Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant to the following: Article 1, Section 8, Clause 1 ``The Congress shall have Power To lay and collect Taxes, Duties, Imposts and Excises, to pay the Debts and provide for the common Defence and general Welfare of the United States; but all Duties, Imposts and Excises shall be uniform throughout the United States; By Mr. YOUNG of Alaska: H.R. 210. Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant to the following: Article I, Section 8, Clause 3 By Mr. YOUNG of Alaska: H.R. 211. Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant to the following: Article I, Section 8, Clause 3 and Article IV, Section 3, Clause 2 By Mr. YOUNG of Alaska: H.R. 212. Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant to the following: Article I, Section 8, Clause 3 and Article IV, Section 3, Clause 2 By Mr. YOUNG of Alaska: H.R. 213. Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant to the following: Article IV, Section 3; Clause 2 ``The Congress shall have Power to dispose of and make all needful Rules and Regulations respecting the Territory or other Property belonging to the United States; and nothing in this Constitution shall be so construed as to Prejudice any Claims of the United States, or of any particular State.'' By Mr. YOUNG of Alaska: H.R. 214. Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant to the following: Article I, Section 8, Clause 18 ``The Congress shall have Power to make all Laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into Execution the foregoing Powers, and all other Powers vested by this Constitution in the Government of the United States, or in any Department or Officer thereof.'' By Mr. YOUNG of Alaska: H.R. 215. Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant to the following: Article I, Section 8, Clause 3 By Mr. YOUNG of Alaska: H.R. 216. Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant to the following: Article IV, Section 3, Clause 2 The constitutional authority of Congress to enact this legislation is provided by Article IV, Section 3, Clause 2 of the United States Constitution, which grants Congress the power to dispose of and make all needful Rules and Regulations respecting the Territory or other Property belonging to the United States. By Mrs. BLACK: H.R. 217. Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant to the following: This bill is enacted pursuant to the power granted to Congress under Article I, Section 8, Clause 1 of the United States Constitution; whereby the Congress shall have Power to lay and collect Taxes, Duties, Imposts, and Excises, to pay the Debts and provide for the common Defence and general Welfare of the United States; but all Duties, Imposts and Excises shall be uniform throughout the United States. Furthermore, this bill makes specific changes to existing law, in accordance with the Fourteenth Amendment, Section 5, which states that ``No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdicition the equal protection of the laws. By Mr. YOUNG of Alaska: H.R. 218. Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant to the following: Article IV, Section 3, Clause 2 ``The Congress shall have Power to dispose of and make all needful Rules and Regulations respecting the Territory or other Property belonging to the United States; and [[Page 84]] nothing in this Constitution shall be so construed as to Prejudice any Claims of the United States, or of any particular State.'' By Mr. YOUNG of Alaska: H.R. 219. Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant to the following: Article I, Section 8, Clause 18 ``To make all Laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into Execution the foregoing Powers, and all other Powers vested by this Constitution in the Government of the United States, or in any Department or Officer thereof.'' By Mr. YOUNG of Alaska: H.R. 220. Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant to the following: Article 1, Section 8, Clause I. & Article I, Section 8, Clause 3 The Congress shall have Power To lay and collect Taxes, Duties, Imposts and Excises, to pay the Debts and provide for the common Defense and general Welfare of the United States; but all Duties, Imposts and Excises shall be uniform throughout the United States The Congress shall have Power to regulate Commerce with foreign Nations, and among the several States, and with the Indian Tribes; By Mr. YOUNG of Alaska: H.R. 221. Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant to the following: Article I, Section 8, Clause 3 The Congress shall have Power to regulate Commerce with foreign Nations, and among the several States, and with the Indian Tribes; By Mr. YOUNG of Alaska: H.R. 222. Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant to the following: Article IV, Section 3, Clause 2 ``The Congress shall have Power to dispose of and make all needful Rules and Regulations respecting the Territory or other Property belonging to the United States; and nothing in this Constitution shall be so construed as to Prejudice any Claims of the United States, or of any particular State.'' By Mr. YOUNG of Alaska: H.R. 223. Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant to the following: Article 1, Section 8, Clause 3. The Congress shall have power to regulate Commerce with foreign Nations, and among the several States, and with the Indian Tribes'' By Mr. YOUNG of Alaska: H.R. 224. Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant to the following: Article I, Section 8, Clause 3 ``The Congress shall have the power to regulate commerce with foreign nations, and among several states, and with the Indian Tribes'' By Mr. YOUNG of Alaska: H.R. 225. Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant to the following: Article I, Section 8, Clause 3 ``The Congress shall have the power to regulate commerce with foreign nations, and among several states, and with the Indian Tribes'' By Mr. YOUNG of Alaska: H.R. 226. Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant to the following: Article I, Section 8, Clause 3 ``The Congress shall have the power to regulate commerce with foreign nations, and among several states, and with the Indian Tribes'' By Mr. YOUNG of Alaska: H.R. 227. Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant to the following: Article I, Section 8, Clause 3 ``The Congress shall have the power to regulate commerce with foreign nations, and among several states, and with the Indian Tribes'' By Mr. YOUNG of Alaska: H.R. 228. Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant to the following: Article I, Section 8, Clause 3 By Mr. YOUNG of Alaska: H.R. 229. Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant to the following: Article IV, Section 3, Clause 2 and Article I, Section 8, Clause 3 By Mr. YOUNG of Alaska: H.R. 230. Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant to the following: Article IV, Section 3, Clause 2 and Article I, Section 8, Clause 3 By Mr. YOUNG of Alaska: H.R. 231. Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant to the following: Article IV, Section 3, Clause 2 and Article I, Section 8, Clause 3 By Mr. YOUNG of Alaska: H.R. 232. Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant to the following: Article IV, Section 3, Clause 2 ``The Congress shall have Power to dispose of and make all needful Rules and Regulations respecting the Territory or other Property belonging to the United States; and nothing in this Constitution shall be so construed as to Prejudice any Claims of the United States, or of any particular State.'' By Mr. YOUNG of Alaska: H.R. 233. Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant to the following: Article 1, Section 8, Clause 3 By Mr. YOUNG of Alaska: H.R. 234. Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant to the following: Article 1, Section 8, Clause 3, and Article 1, Section 8, Clause 1 By Mr. YOUNG of Alaska: H.R. 235. Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant to the following: Article I, Section 8, Clause 3 By Mr. YOUNG of Alaska: H.R. 236. Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant to the following: Article IV, Section 3, Clause 2 and Article I, Section 8, Clause 3 By Mr. YOUNG of Alaska: H.R. 237. Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant to the following: Article 1, Section 8, Clause 3 The Congress shall have Power to regulate Commerce with foreign Nations, and among the several States, and with the Indian Tribes; By Mr. GOODLATTE: H.J. Res. 1. Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant to the following: The constitutional authority on which this joint resolution is based is found in Article V of the Constitution, which grants Congress the authority, whenever two thirds of both chambers deem it necessary, to propose amendments to the Constitution. By Mr. GOODLATTE: H.J. Res. 2. Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant to the following: The constitutional authority on which this joint resolution is based is found in Article V of the Constitution, which grants Congress the authority, whenever two thirds of both chambers deem it necessary, to propose amendments to the Constitution. By Mr. ROE of Tennessee: H.J. Res. 3. Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant to the following: Article I, Section 8, clause 17 of the United States Constitution By Mr. BRIDENSTINE: H.J. Res. 4. Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant to the following: Article V of the Constitution which grants Congress the authority to propose Constitutional Amendments. By Mr. BUCHANAN: H.J. Res. 5. Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant to the following: Article 1, Section 8 of the U.S. Constitution. By Mr. DeSANTIS: H.J. Res. 6. Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant to the following: Article V: ``The Congress, whenever two thirds of both houses shall deem it necessary, shall propose amendments to this Constitution, or, on the application of the legislatures of two thirds of several states, shall call a convention for proposing amendments, which, in either case, shall be valid to all intents and purposes, as part of this Constitution, when ratified by the legislatures of three fourths of the several states, or by conventions in three fourths thereof, as the one or the other mode of ratification may be proposed by the Congress; provided that no amendment which may be made prior to the year one thousand eight hundred and eight shall in any manner affect the first and fourth clauses in the ninth section of the first article; and that no state, without its consent, shall be deprived of its equal sufferage in the Senate.'' By Mr. FITZPATRICK: H.J. Res. 7. Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant to the following: Article V, U.S. Constitution By Mr. FITZPATRICK: H.J. Res. 8. Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant to the following: Article V, U.S. Constitution By Mr. FITZPATRICK: H.J. Res. 9. Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant to the following: Article V, U.S. Constitution By Mr. HASTINGS: H.J. Res. 10. Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant to the following: U.S. Constitution Article I, Section 8 By Mr. JENKINS of West Virginia: H.J. Res. 11. Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant to the following: Article 1, Section 8, Clause 18 By Mr. McCLINTOCK: H.J. Res. 12. [[Page 85]] Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant to the following: Article I, Section 5, which confers on Congress the power, whenever two thirds of both Houses shall deem it necessary, to propose Amendments to this Constitution. By Mr. O'ROURKE: H.J. Res. 13. Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant to the following: Article V of the Constitution: The Congress, whenever two thirds of both Houses shall deem it necessary, shall propose amendments to this Constitution, or, on the application of the legislatures of two thirds of the several states, shall call a convention for proposing amendments, which, in either case, shall be valid to all intents and purposes, as part of this Constitution, when ratified by the legislatures of three fourths of the several states or by conventions in three thereof, as the one or the other mode of ratification may be proposed by the Congress; provided that no amendment which may be made prior to the year one thousand eight hundred and eight shall in any manner affect the first and fourth clauses in the ninth section of the first article; and that no state, without its consent, shall be deprived of its equal suffrage in the Senate. [[Page 86]] EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS ____________________ RECOGNIZING NORTHWEST INDIANA'S NEWLY NATURALIZED CITIZENS ______ HON. PETER J. VISCLOSKY of indiana in the house of representatives Tuesday, January 3, 2017 Mr. VISCLOSKY. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure and sincerity that I take this time to congratulate thirty individuals who will take their oath of citizenship on Friday, January 6, 2017. This memorable occasion, presided over by Judge Joseph Van Bokkelen, will be held at the United States Courthouse and Federal Building in Hammond, Indiana. America is a country founded by immigrants. From its beginning, settlers have come from countries around the world to the United States in search of better lives for their families. Oath ceremonies are a shining example of what is so great about the United States of America--that people from all over the world can come together and unite as members of a free, democratic nation. These individuals realize that nowhere else in the world offers a better opportunity for success than here in America. On January 6, 2017, the following people, representing many nations throughout the world, will take their oaths of citizenship in Hammond, Indiana: Boyd William Lomow, Virginia Reformina Wilson, Mark Edward Sinclair, Maria del Carmen Garcia Santacruz, Salome Edda Njeri Kinyanjui, Jadranka Angelovska, Hellen Chimbuka, Maria Isabel Lopez, Idoko Anthony Emmanuel, Nikolce Trajcevski, Audrey del Rocio Ramirez Castanos, Dineshbhai Zaverbhai Patel, Diem Thuy Thi Nguyen, Roland Benoit Cormier, Sheryl Ramirez Ruggaber, Willis Mureti Imanene, Kevin Kokey Sholley, Edwin Ato Kwamina Otsin Fynn, Isaac Mercado Massri, Noemi Smith, Jose Enrique Lizarraga Leon, Milcho Georgiev Iliev, Cinthia Araceli Perez, Ghusoun Alammouri, Leah Aizam Campbell, Daisy Cipres, Olive Konima Conteh, Jessica Nguyen, John Michael Prejmak, and Jonathan Treto. Although each individual has sought to become a citizen of the United States for his or her own reasons, be it for education, occupation, or to offer their loved ones better lives, each is inspired by the fact that the United States of America is, as Abraham Lincoln described it, a country ``. . . of the people, by the people, and for the people.'' They realize that the United States is truly a free nation. By seeking American citizenship, they have made the decision that they want to live in a place where, as guaranteed by the First Amendment of the Constitution, they can practice religion as they choose, speak their minds without fear of punishment, and assemble in peaceful protest should they choose to do so. Mr. Speaker, I respectfully ask you and my other distinguished colleagues to join me in congratulating these individuals who will become citizens of the United States of America on January 6, 2017. They, too, will be American citizens, and they, too, are guaranteed the inalienable rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. We, as a free and democratic nation, congratulate them and welcome them. ____________________ IN HONOR OF NANCY A. NELSON ______ HON. NIKI TSONGAS of massachusetts in the house of representatives Tuesday, January 3, 2017 Ms. TSONGAS. Mr. Speaker, each year nearly one million people visit Minute Man National Historical Park in Concord, Massachusetts, the home to the ``shot heard round the world'' and the birthplace of the American Revolution. Since 1993, Superintendent Nancy A. Nelson has been the steward of Minute Man; a guardian of its substantial history and a visionary that has helped illuminate the past for millions and millions of visitors. Upon Nancy's retirement on January 3, 2017, the National Park Service will lose one of its most dedicated and passionate officials. However, Nancy's influence will remain visible and tangible for many years to come. Under Nancy's supervision, Minute Man NPS underwent extraordinary changes: visitor facilities were modernized, public use was expanded and numerous historic structures were rehabilitated. She focused on changing the landscape of the park, refreshing the grounds and making efficient use of its buildings. Her efforts have enabled a new generation of Americans to fully experience one of our country's most important moments in time. Nancy dedicated herself to a lifetime of public service. During her 39-year career with the National Park Service, Nancy served in myriad positions across the organization, from Landscape Architect to Environmental Protection Specialist, to Superintendent of Minute Man National Historical Park. After working closely with Nancy for many years, I am profoundly appreciative of her unmatched commitment to historic preservation and education, and her years of effective and impactful leadership. Her leadership as Superintendent will be missed here in Massachusetts and at the National Park Service. I extend my sincerest thanks and congratulations to Nancy on behalf of a grateful nation, and I am confident that even in retirement she will remain a staunch advocate for preserving our national treasures, a mission on which I look forward to continuing to work with her. ____________________ IN HONOR OF CRYSTAL HANBAUM ______ HON. PATRICK J. TIBERI of ohio in the house of representatives Tuesday, January 3, 2017 Mr. TIBERI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Crystal Hanbaum of Lakewood High School for winning the Ohio Division II State Individual Golf Tournament. An achievement such as this certainly deserves recognition. The Ohio High School Athletic Association has enabled talented teams and individuals to earn state titles since its founding in 1907. Throughout this time, the champions of OHSAA state level competitions have represented the highest achieving and most talented athletes in Ohio. Each year these elite competitors join the long ranks of those who embody Ohio's proud history of athletic success. Crystal Hanbaum's victory caps a tremendous season. This sort of achievement is earned only through many hours of practice, perspiration and hard work. She has set a new standard for future athletes to reach. Everyone at Lakewood High School can be extremely proud of her performance. On behalf of the citizens of Ohio's 12th Congressional District, I congratulate Crystal Hanbaum on her state championship. I wish her continued success in both athletic and academic endeavors. ____________________ INTRODUCTION OF THE HOME FORECLOSURE REDUCTION ACT OF 2017 _____ HON. JOHN CONYERS, JR. of michigan in the house of representatives Tuesday, January 3, 2017 Mr. CONYERS. Mr. Speaker, the ``Home Foreclosure Reduction Act of 2017'' would permit a bankruptcy judge, with respect to certain home mortgages, to reduce the principal amount of such mortgages to the fair market value of the homes securing such indebtedness. My legislation will encourage homeowners to make their mortgage payments and help stem the endless cycle of foreclosures that further depresses home values. It also would authorize the mortgage's repayment period to be extended so that monthly mortgage payments are more affordable. In addition, the bill would allow exorbitant mortgage interest rates to be reduced to a level that will keep the mortgage affordable over the long term. And, it would authorize the waiver of prepayment penalties and excessive fees. Further, the bill would eliminate hidden fees and unauthorized costs. This bill addresses a fundamental problem: homeowners in financial distress simply lack [[Page 87]] the leverage to make mortgage lenders and servicers engage in meaningful settlement negotiations, even when in the interest of all parties. My legislation would empower a homeowner, under certain circumstances, to force his or her lender to modify the terms of the mortgage by allowing the principal amount of the mortgage to be reduced to the home's fair market value. And, the implementation of this measure will not cost taxpayers a single penny. The ``Home Foreclosure Reduction Act of 2017'' is identical to H.R. 101 (introduced in the 114th and 113th Congress) and H.R. 1587 (introduced in the 112th Congress). It contains similar provisions included in H.R. 1106, which the House passed nearly six years ago. Unfortunately, those provisions were removed in the Senate and not included in the final version of the bill that was subsequently enacted into law. Section-by-Section Explanation of Provisions Section 1. Short Title. Section 1 sets forth the short title of this Act as the ``Home Foreclosure Reduction Act of 2017.'' Section 2. Definition. Bankruptcy Code section 101 defines various terms. Section 2 amends this provision to add a definition of ``qualified loan modification,'' which is defined as a loan modification agreement made in accordance with the guidelines of the Obama Administration's Homeowner Affordability and Stability Plan, as implemented on March 4, 2009 with respect to a loan secured by a senior security interest in the debtor's principal residence. To qualify as such, the agreement must reduce the debtor's mortgage payment (including principal and interest) and payments for various other specified expenses (i.e., real estate taxes, hazard insurance, mortgage insurance premium, homeowners' association dues, ground rent, and special assessments) to a percentage of the debtor's income in accordance with such guidelines. The payment may not include any period of negative amortization and it must fully amortize the outstanding mortgage principal. In addition, the agreement must not require the debtor to pay any fees or charges to obtain the modification. Further, the agreement must permit the debtor to continue to make these payments as if he or she had not filed for bankruptcy relief. Section 3. Eligibility for Relief. Section 3 amends Bankruptcy Code section 109, which specifies the eligibility criteria for filing for bankruptcy relief, in two respects. First, it amends Bankruptcy Code section 109(e), which sets forth secured and unsecured debt limits to establish a debtor's eligibility for relief under chapter 13. Section 3 amends this provision to provide that the computation of debts does not include the secured or unsecured portions of debts secured by the debtor's principal residence, under certain circumstances. The exception applies if the value of the debtor's principal residence as of the date of the order for relief under chapter 13 is less than the applicable maximum amount of the secured debt limit specified in section 109(e). Alternatively, the exception applies if the debtor's principal residence was sold in foreclosure or the debtor surrendered such residence to the creditor and the value of such residence as of the date of the order for relief under chapter 13 is less than the secured debt limit specified in section 109(e). This amendment is not intended to create personal liability on a debt if there would not otherwise be personal liability on such debt. Second, section 3 amends Bankruptcy Code section 109(h), which requires a debtor to receive credit counseling within the 180-day period prior to filing for bankruptcy relief, with limited exception. Section 3 amends this provision to allow a chapter 13 debtor to satisfy this requirement within 30 days after filing for bankruptcy relief if he or she submits to the court a certification that the debtor has received notice that the holder of a claim secured by the debtor's principal residence may commence a foreclosure proceeding. Section 4. Prohibiting Claims Arising from Violations of the Truth in Lending Act. Under the Truth in Lending Act, a mortgagor has a right of rescission with respect to a mortgage secured by his or her residence, under certain circumstances. Bankruptcy Code section 502(b) enumerates various claims of creditors that are not entitled to payment in a bankruptcy case, subject to certain exceptions. Section 4 amends Bankruptcy Code section 502(b) to provide that a claim for a loan secured by a security interest in the debtor's principal residence is not entitled to payment in a bankruptcy case to the extent that such claim is subject to a remedy for rescission under the Truth in Lending Act, notwithstanding the prior entry of a foreclosure judgment. In addition, section 4 specifies that nothing in this provision may be construed to modify, impair, or supersede any other right of the debtor. Section 5. Authority to Modify Certain Mortgages. Under Bankruptcy Code section 1322(b)(2), a chapter 13 plan may not modify the terms of a mortgage secured solely by real property that is the debtor's principal residence. Section 5 amends Bankruptcy Code section 1322(b) to create a limited exception to this prohibition. As amended, the exception only applies to a mortgage that: (1) originated before the effective date of this amendment; and (2) is the subject of a notice that a foreclosure may be (or has been) commenced with respect to such mortgage. In addition, the debtor must certify pursuant to new section 1322(h) that he or she contacted--not less than 30 days before filing for bankruptcy relief--the mortgagee (or the entity collecting payments on behalf of such mortgagee) regarding modification of the mortgage. The debtor must also certify that he or she provided the mortgagee (or the entity collecting payments on behalf of such mortgagee) a written statement of the debtor's current income, expenses, and debt in a format that substantially conforms with the schedules required under Bankruptcy Code section 521 or with such other form as promulgated by the Judicial Conference of the United States. Further, the certification must include a statement that the debtor considered any qualified loan modification offered to the debtor by the mortgagee (or the entity collecting payments on behalf of such holder). This requirement does not apply if the foreclosure sale is scheduled to occur within 30 days of the date on which the debtor files for bankruptcy relief. If the chapter 13 case is pending at the time new section 1322(h) becomes effective, then the debtor must certify that he or she attempted to contact the mortgagee (or the entity collecting payments on behalf of such mortgagee) regarding modification of the mortgage before either: (1) filing a plan under Bankruptcy Code section 1321 that contains a modification pursuant to new section 1322(b)(11); or (2) modifying a plan under Bankruptcy Code section 1323 or section 1329 to contain a modification pursuant to new section 1322(b)(11). Under new section 1322(b)(11), the debtor may propose a plan modifying the rights of the mortgagee (and the rights of the holder of any claim secured by a subordinate security interest in such residence) in several respects. It is important to note that the intent of new section 1322(b)(11) is permissive. Accordingly, a chapter 13 may propose a plan that proposes any or all types of modification authorized under section 1322(b)(11). First, the plan may provide for payment of the amount of the allowed secured claim as determined under section 506(a)(1). In making such determination, the court, pursuant to new section 1322(i), must use the fair market value of the property at the date that such value is determined. If the issue of value is contested, the court must determine such value in accordance with the appraisal rules used by the Federal Housing Administration. Second, the plan may prohibit, reduce, or delay any adjustable interest rate applicable on, and after, the date of the filing of the plan. Third, it may extend the repayment period of the mortgage for a period that is not longer than the longer of 40 years (reduced by the period for which the mortgage has been outstanding) or the remaining term of the mortgage beginning on the date of the order for relief under chapter 13. Fourth, the plan may provide for the payment of interest at a fixed annual rate equal to the applicable average prime offer rate as of the date of the order for relief under chapter 13, as determined pursuant to certain specified criteria. The rate must correspond to the repayment term determined under new section 1322(b)(11)(C)(i) as published by the Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council in its table entitled, ``Average Prime Offer Rates--Fixed.'' In addition, the rate must include a reasonable premium for risk. Fifth, the plan, pursuant to new section 1322(b)(11)(D), may provide for payments of such modified mortgage directly to the holder of the claim or, at the discretion of the court, through the chapter 13 trustee during the term of the plan. The reference in new section 1322(b)(11)(D) to ``holder of the claim'' is intended to include a servicer of such mortgage for such holder. It is anticipated that the court, in exercising its discretion with respect to allowing the debtor to make payments directly to the mortgagee or by requiring payments to be made through the chapter 13 trustee, will take into consideration the debtor's ability to pay the trustee's fees on payments disbursed through the trustee. New section 1322(g) provides that a claim may be reduced under new section 1322(b)(11)(A) only on the condition that the debtor agrees to pay the mortgagee a stated portion of the net proceeds of sale should the home be sold before the completion of all payments under the chapter 13 plan or before the [[Page 88]] debtor receives a discharge under section 1328(b). The debtor must pay these proceeds to the mortgagee within 15 days of when the debtor receives the net sales proceeds. If the residence is sold in the first year following the effective date of the chapter 13 plan, the mortgagee is to receive 90 percent of the difference between the sales price and the amount of the claim as originally determined under section 1322(b)(11) (plus costs of sale and improvements), but not to exceed the unpaid amount of the allowed secured claim determined as if such claim had not been reduced under new section 1322(b)(11)(A). If the residence is sold in the second year following the effective date of the chapter 13 plan, then the applicable percentage is 70 percent. If the residence is sold in the third year following the effective date of the chapter 13 plan, then the applicable percentage is 50 percent. If the residence is sold in the fourth year following the effective date of the chapter 13 plan, then the applicable percentage is 30 percent. If the residence is sold in the fifth year following the effective date of the chapter 13 plan, then the applicable percentage is ten percent. It is the intent of this provision that if the unsecured portion of the mortgagee's claim is partially paid under this provision it should be reconsidered under 502(j) and reduced accordingly. Section 6. Combating Excessive Fees. Section 6 amends Bankruptcy Code section 1322(c) to provide that the debtor, the debtor's property, and property of the bankruptcy estate are not liable for a fee, cost, or charge that is incurred while the chapter 13 case is pending and that arises from a claim for debt secured by the debtor's principal residence, unless the holder of the claim complies with certain requirements. It is the intent of this provision that its reference to a fee, cost, or charge includes an increase in any applicable rate of interest for such claim. It also applies to a change in escrow account payments. To ensure such fee, cost, or charge is allowed, the claimant must comply with certain requirements. First, the claimant must file with the court and serve on the chapter 13 trustee, the debtor, and the debtor's attorney an annual notice of such fee, cost, or charge (or on a more frequent basis as the court determines) before the earlier of either: one year of when such fee, cost, or charge was incurred, or 60 days before the case is closed. Second, the fee, cost, or charge must be lawful under applicable nonbankruptcy law, reasonable, and provided for in the applicable security agreement. Third, the value of the debtor's principal residence must be greater than the amount of such claim, including such fee, cost or charge. If the holder fails to give the required notice, such failure is deemed to be a waiver of any claim for such fees, costs, or charges for all purposes. Any attempt to collect such fees, costs, or charges constitutes a violation of the Bankruptcy Code's discharge injunction under section 524(a)(2) or the automatic stay under section 362(a), whichever is applicable. Section 6 further provides that a chapter 13 plan may waive any prepayment penalty on a claim secured by the debtor's principal residence. Section 7. Confirmation of Plan. Bankruptcy Code section 1325 sets forth the criteria for confirmation of a chapter 13 plan. Section 7 amends section 1325(a)(5) (which specifies the mandatory treatment that an allowed secured claim provided for under the plan must receive) to provide an exception for a claim modified under new section 1322(b)(11). The amendment also clarifies that payments under a plan that includes a modification of a claim under new section 1322(b)(11) must be in equal monthly amounts pursuant to section 1325(a)(5)(B)(iii)(I). In addition, section 7 specifies certain protections for a creditor whose rights are modified under new section 1322(b)(11). As a condition of confirmation, new section 1325(a)(10) requires a plan to provide that the creditor must retain its lien until the later of when: (1) the holder's allowed secured claim (as modified) is paid; (2) the debtor completes all payments under the chapter 13 plan; or (3) if applicable, the debtor receives a discharge under section 1328(b). Section 7 also provides standards for confirming a chapter 13 plan that modifies a claim pursuant to new section 1322(b)(11). First, the debtor cannot have been convicted of obtaining by actual fraud the extension, renewal, or refinancing of credit that gives rise to such modified claim. Second, the modification must be in good faith. Lack of good faith exists if the debtor has no need for relief under this provision because the debtor can pay all of his or her debts and any future payment increases on such debts without difficulty for the foreseeable future, including the positive amortization of mortgage debt. In determining whether a modification under section 1322(b)(11) that reduces the principal amount of the loan is made in good faith, the court must consider whether the holder of the claim (or the entity collecting payments on behalf of such holder) has offered the debtor a qualified loan modification that would enable the debtor to pay such debts and such loan without reducing the principal amount of the mortgage. Section 7 further amends section 1325 to add a new provision. New section 1325(d) authorizes the court, on request of the debtor or the mortgage holder, to confirm a plan proposing to reduce the interest rate lower than that specified in new section 1322(b)(11)(C)(ii), provided: (1) the modification does not reduce the mortgage principal; (2) the total mortgage payment is reduced through interest rate reduction to the percentage of the debtor's income that is the standard for a modification in accordance with the Obama Administration's Homeowner Affordability and Stability Plan, as implemented on March 4, 2009; (3) the court determines that the debtor can afford such modification in light of the debtor's financial situation, after allowance of expense amounts that would be permitted for a debtor subject to section 1325(b)(3), regardless of whether the debtor is otherwise subject to such paragraph, and taking into account additional debts and fees that are to be paid in chapter 13 and thereafter; and (4) the debtor is able to prevent foreclosure and pay a fully amortizing 30-year loan at such reduced interest rate without such reduction in principal. If the mortgage holder accepts a debtor's proposed modification under this provision, the plan's treatment is deemed to satisfy the requirements of section 1325(a)(5)(A) and the proposal should not be rejected by the court. Section 8. Discharge. Bankruptcy Code section 1328 sets forth the requirements by which a chapter 13 debtor may obtain a discharge and the scope of such discharge. Section 8 amends section 1328(a) to clarify that the unpaid portion of an allowed secured claim modified under new section 1322(b)(11) is not discharged. This provision is not intended to create a claim for a deficiency where such a claim would not otherwise exist. Section 9. Standing Trustee Fees. Section 9(a) amends 28 U.S.C. 586(e)(1)(B)(i) to provide that a chapter 13 trustee may receive a commission set by the Attorney General of no more than four percent on payments made under a chapter 13 plan and disbursed by the chapter 13 trustee to a creditor whose claim was modified under Bankruptcy Code section 1322(b)(11), unless the bankruptcy court waives such fees based on a determination that the debtor has income less than 150 percent of the official poverty line applicable to the size of the debtor's family and payment of such fees would render the debtor's plan infeasible. With respect to districts not under the United States trustee system, section 9(b) makes a conforming revision to section 302(d)(3) of the Bankruptcy Judges, United States Trustees, and Family Farmer Bankruptcy Act of 1986. Section 10. Effective Date; Application of Amendments. Section 10(a) provides that this measure and the amendments made by it, except as provided in subsection (b), take effect on the Act's date of enactment. Section 10(b)(1) provides, except as provided in paragraph (2), that the amendments made by this measure apply to cases commenced under title 11 of the United States Code before, on, or after the Act's date of enactment. Section 10(b)(2) specifies that paragraph (1) does not apply with respect to cases that are closed under the Bankruptcy Code as of the date of the enactment of this Act. Section 11. GAO Study. Section 11 requires the Government Accountability Office to complete a study and to submit a report to the House and Senate Judiciary Committees within two years from the enactment of this Act. The report must contain the results of the study of: (1) the number of debtors who filed cases under chapter 13, during the one-year period beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act for the purpose of restructuring their principal residence mortgages; (2) the number of mortgages restructured under this Act that subsequently resulted in default and foreclosure; (3) a comparison between the effectiveness of mortgages restructured under programs outside of bankruptcy, such as Hope Now and Hope for Homeowners, and mortgages restructured under this Act; (4) the number of appeals in cases where mortgages were restructured under this Act; (5) the number of such appeals where the bankruptcy court's decision was overturned; and (6) the number of bankruptcy judges disciplined as a result of actions taken to restructure mortgages under this Act. In addition, the report must include a recommendation as to whether such amendments should be amended to include a sunset clause. [[Page 89]] Section 12. Report to Congress. Not later than 18 months after the date of enactment of this Act, the Government Accountability Office, in consultation with the Federal Housing Administration, must submit to Congress a report containing: (1) a comprehensive review of the effects of the Act's amendments on bankruptcy courts; (2) a survey of whether the types of homeowners eligible for the program should be limited; and (3) a recommendation on whether such amendments should remain in effect. ____________________ IN HONOR OF THOMAS WORTHINGTON HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS FIELD HOCKEY ______ HON. PATRICK J. TIBERI of ohio in the house of representatives Tuesday, January 3, 2017 Mr. TIBERI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Thomas Worthington High School Girls Field Hockey Team for winning the Ohio State Field Hockey Tournament. An achievement such as this certainly deserves recognition. The Ohio High School Athletic Association has enabled talented teams and individuals to earn state titles since its founding in 1907. Throughout this time, the champions of OHSAA state level competitions have represented the highest achieving and most talented athletes in Ohio. Each year these elite competitors join the long ranks of those who embody Ohio's proud history of athletic success. The Thomas Worthington Girls Field Hockey Team's victory caps a tremendous season. This sort of achievement is earned only through many hours of practice, perspiration and hard work. They have set a new standard for future athletes to reach. Everyone at Thomas Worthington High School can be extremely proud of their performance. On behalf of the citizens of Ohio's 12th Congressional District, I congratulate the Thomas Worthington Field Hockey Team on their state championship. I wish them continued success in both athletic and academic endeavors. ____________________ INTRODUCTION OF THE PROTECTING EMPLOYEES AND RETIREES IN MUNICIPAL BANKRUPTCIES ACT OF 2017 _____ HON. JOHN CONYERS, JR. of michigan in the house of representatives Tuesday, January 3, 2017 Mr. CONYERS. Mr. Speaker, when a municipality files for bankruptcy, its employees and retirees who have devoted their lives to public service, such as police officers, firefighters, sanitation workers and office personnel, risk having their hard-earned wages, pensions and health benefits cut or even eliminated. This is why I am introducing the Protecting Employees and Retirees in Municipal Bankruptcies Act of 2017. This legislation strengthens protection for employees and retirees under chapter 9 municipality bankruptcy cases by: (1) clarifying the criteria that a municipality must meet before it can obtain chapter 9 bankruptcy relief; (2) ensuring that the interests of employees and retirees are represented in the chapter 9 case; and (3) imposing heightened standards that a municipality must meet before it may modify any collective bargaining agreement or retiree benefit. While many municipalities often work to limit the impact of budget cuts on their employees and retirees, as demonstrated in the chapter 9 plan of adjustment approved by Detroit's public employees and retirees, other municipalities could try to use current bankruptcy law to set aside collective bargaining agreements and retiree protections. My legislation addresses this risk by requiring the municipality to engage in meaningful good faith negotiations with its employees and retirees before the municipality can apply for chapter 9 bankruptcy relief. This measure would also expedite the appellate review process of whether a municipality has complied with this and other requirements. The bill ensures employees and retirees have a say in any plan that would modify their benefits. Section-by-Section Explanation Sec. 1. Short Title. Section 1 of the bill sets forth the short title of the bill as the ``Protecting Employees and Retirees in Municipal Bankruptcies Act of 2017.'' Sec. 2. Determination of Municipality Eligibility To Be a Debtor Under Chapter 9 of Title 11 of the United States Code. A municipality can petition to be a debtor under chapter 9, a specialized form of bankruptcy relief, only if a bankruptcy court finds by a preponderance of the evidence that the municipality satisfies certain criteria specified in Bankruptcy Code section 109. In the absence of obtaining the consent of a majority of its creditors, section 109 requires the municipality, in pertinent part, to have negotiated in good faith with its creditors or prove that it is unable to negotiate with its creditors because such negotiation is impracticable. Section 2(a) of the bill amends Bankruptcy Code section 109 in three respects. First, it provides clear guidance to the bankruptcy court that the term ``good faith'' is intended to have the same meaning as it has under the National Labor Relations Act, at least with respect to creditors who are employees or retirees of the debtor. Second, section 2(a) revises the standard for futility of negotiation from ``impracticable'' to ``impossible.'' This change ensures that before a municipality may avail itself of chapter 9 bankruptcy relief, it must prove that there was no possible way it could have engaged in negotiation in lieu of seeking such relief. Third, the amendment clarifies that the standard of proof that the municipality must meet is ``clear and convincing'' rather than a preponderance of the evidence. These revisions to section 109 will provide greater guidance to the bankruptcy court in assessing whether a municipality has satisfied the Bankruptcy Code's eligibility requirements for being granted relief under chapter 9. Bankruptcy Code section 921(e), in relevant part, prohibits a bankruptcy court from ordering a stay of any proceeding arising in a chapter 9 case on account of an appeal from an order granting a municipality's petition to be a debtor under chapter 9. Section 2(b) strikes this prohibition, thereby allowing a court to issue a stay of any proceeding during the pendency of such an appeal. This ensures that the status quo can be maintained until there is a final appellate determination of whether a municipality is legally eligible to be a chapter 9 debtor. Typically, an appeal of a bankruptcy court decision is heard by a district or bankruptcy appellate panel court. Under limited circumstances, however, a direct appeal from a bankruptcy court decision may be heard by a court of appeals. Until a final determination is made as to whether a municipality is eligible to be a debtor under chapter 9 of the Bankruptcy Code, the rights and responsibilities of numerous stakeholders are unclear. To expedite the appellate process and promote greater certainty to all stakeholders in the case, section 2(c) of the bill allows an appeal of a bankruptcy court order granting a municipality's petition to be a chapter 9 debtor to be filed directly with the court of appeals. In addition, section 2(c) requires the court of appeals to hear such appeal de novo on the merits as well as to determine it on an expedited basis. Finally, section 2(c) specifies that the doctrine of equitable mootness does not apply to such an appeal. Sec. 3. Protecting Employees and Retirees. The chapter 9 debtor must file a plan for the adjustment of the municipality's debts that then must be confirmed by the bankruptcy court if it satisfies certain criteria specified in Bankruptcy Code section 943. Section 3 of the bill makes several amendments to current law intended to ensure that interests of municipal employees and retirees are better protected. With respect to plan confirmation requirements, section 3 amends Bankruptcy Code section 943 to require consent from such employees and retirees to any plan that impairs--in a manner prohibited by nonbankruptcy law--a collective bargaining agreement, a retiree benefit, including an accrued pension, retiree health, or other retirement benefit protected by state or municipal law or as defined in Bankruptcy Code section 1114(a). Such consent would be conveyed to the court by the authorized representative of such individuals. Subject to certain exceptions, section 3 specifies that the authorized representative of individuals receiving any retirement benefits pursuant to a collective bargaining agreement is the labor organization that signed such agreement unless such organization no longer represents active employees. Where the organization no longer represents active employees of the municipality, the labor organization that currently represents active employees in that bargaining unit is the authorized representative of such individuals. Section 3 provides that the exceptions apply if: (1) the labor organization chooses not to serve as the authorized representative; or (2) the court determines, after a motion by a party in interest and after notice and a hearing, that different representation is appropriate. Under either circumstance, the court, upon motion by any party in interest and after notice and a hearing, must order the United States Trustee to appoint a committee of retired employees if [[Page 90]] the debtor seeks to modify or not pay the retiree benefits or if the court otherwise determines that it is appropriate for that committee to be comprised of such individuals to serve as the authorized representative. With respect to retired employees not covered by a collective bargaining agreement, the court, on motion by a party in interest after notice and a hearing, must order the United States Trustee to appoint a committee of retired employees if the debtor seeks to modify or not pay retiree benefits, or if the court otherwise determines that it is appropriate to serve as the authorized representative of such employees. Section 3 provides that the party requesting the appointment of a committee has the burden of proof. Where the court grants a motion for the appointment of a retiree committee, section 3 requires the United States Trustee to choose individuals to serve on the committee on a proportional basis per capita based on organization membership from among members of the organizations that represent the individuals with respect to whom such order is entered. This requirement ensures that the committee, in a case where there are multiple labor organizations, fairly represents the interests of the members of those various organizations on a proportional basis. Finally, section 3 of the bill imposes a significant threshold that must be met before retiree benefits can be reduced or eliminated. Current law has no such requirement. In a case where the municipality proposes in its plan to impair any right to a retiree benefit, section 3 permits the committee to support such impairment only if at least two-thirds of its members vote in favor of doing so. ____________________ IN HONOR OF THE BISHOP HARTLEY HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL TEAM ______ HON. PATRICK J. TIBERI of ohio in the house of representatives Tuesday, January 3, 2017 Mr. TIBERI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Bishop Hartley High School Football Team for winning the Ohio Division IV State Football Tournament. An achievement such as this certainly deserves recognition. The Ohio High School Athletic Association has enabled talented teams and individuals to earn state titles since its founding in 1907. Throughout this time, the champions of OHSAA state level competitions have represented the highest achieving and most talented athletes in Ohio. Each year these elite competitors join the long ranks of those who embody Ohio's proud history of athletic success. The Bishop Hartley Football Team's victory caps a tremendous season. This sort of achievement is earned only through many hours of practice, perspiration and hard work. They have set a new standard for future athletes to reach. Everyone at Bishop Hartley High School can be extremely proud of their performance. On behalf of the citizens of Ohio's 12th Congressional District, I congratulate the Bishop Hartley Football Team on their state championship. I wish them continued success in both athletic and academic endeavors. ____________________ CELEBRATING THE 150TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE TOWNSHIP OF MONTVILLE, NEW JERSEY _____ HON. RODNEY P. FRELINGHUYSEN of new jersey in the house of representatives Tuesday, January 3, 2017 Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the Township of Montville, New Jersey on its 150th Anniversary. Montville Township is a beautiful, suburban community located in Morris County in northwestern New Jersey bordered by the Passaic River. The Township's nineteen square miles are comprised of three towns: Montville, Pine Brook, and Towaco. As of 2013 U.S. Census estimates, there are approximately 21,663 people living within the Township. These residents enjoy an active, vibrant community with a full range of municipal services, an excellent public school system, and a first-rate public library that provides services, activities, and volunteer opportunities for people of all ages. Originally known as ``Uyle-Kill'' (the Dutch spelling of ``Owl- Kill''), the region now known as Montville Township was first settled by Dutch farmers in the early 18th Century. The settlement grew in size, and by the 1740's, construction of the first major road in the area had begun. This road was to come of use in the Revolutionary War, during which Montville served as a major military route from Morristown to the Hudson River. General Washington's troops often took this route, and Washington himself stayed in Montville in June of 1780. French reinforcement troops led by General Rochambeau also passed through Montville on their way to the Revolutionary War's final victory at Jamestown, Virginia. The mid-19th Century saw the development of two smaller village centers set apart from Montville--Pine Brook, a fertile agricultural area in the Township's southern end, and Whitehall (later called Towaco), situated on the Morris Canal. Construction of the Morris Canal was completed in this area in 1828, bringing commercial navigation to the Montville and Towaco areas. On April 11, 1867, the Township of Montville was formally chartered from nineteen square miles of territory formerly belonging to Pequannock Township. Montville Township has consistently ranked among the best places to live both in New Jersey and across the country. Montville Township has also been recognized for its commitment to public safety, which directly impacts the quality of living in the community. The Township has also implemented a Community Dispute Resolution Committee to aid law enforcement by independently mediating citizen disputes. Finally, Montville has taken a proactive approach to streamlining its business development approval process, making the Township a great place to start or relocate a business. Mr. Speaker, I ask that you and our colleagues join me in congratulating Montville on its Sesquicentennial Anniversary. ____________________ INTRODUCTION OF THE PROTECTING EMPLOYEES AND RETIREES IN BUSINESS BANKRUPTCIES ACT OF 2017 _____ HON. JOHN CONYERS, JR. of michigan in the house of representatives Tuesday, January 3, 2017 Mr. CONYERS. Mr. Speaker, throughout our Nation's history, hardworking American men and women have labored to make our businesses become the most productive and dynamic in the world. Unfortunately, when some of these businesses encounter financial difficulties and seek to reorganize their debts under Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code, these very same workers and retirees are often asked to make major sacrifices through lost job protections, lower wages, and the elimination of hard-won pension and health benefits, while the executives and managers of these business are not required to make comparable sacrifices. We must do more to ensure that America's most important resource-- workers and retirees--are treated more fairly when these business seek to reorganize their financial affairs under the protection of our bankruptcy laws. The Protecting Employees and Retirees in Business Bankruptcies Act of 2017 accomplishes this goal by amending the Bankruptcy Code in several respects. First, it improves recoveries for employees and retirees by: (1) increasing the amount of worker claims entitled to priority payment for unpaid wages and contributions to employee benefit plans up to $20,000; (2) eliminating the difficult to prove restriction in current law that wage and benefit claims must be earned within 180 days of the bankruptcy filing in order to be entitled to priority payment; (3) allowing employees to assert claims for losses in certain defined contribution plans when such losses result from employer fraud or breach of fiduciary duty; (4) establishing a new priority administrative expense for workers' severance pay; and (5) clarifying that back pay awards for WARN Act damages are entitled to the same priority as back pay for other legal violations. Second, the legislation reduces employees' and retirees' losses by: (1) restricting the conditions under which collective bargaining agreements and commitments to fund retiree pensions and health benefits may be eliminated or adversely affected; (2) preventing companies from singling out non-management retirees for concessions; (3) requiring a court to consider the impact a bidder's offer to purchase a company's assets would have on maintaining existing jobs and preserving retiree pension and health benefits; and (4) clarifying that the principal purpose of Chapter 11 bankruptcy is the preservation of jobs to the maximum extent possible. Third, the bill restricts excessive executive compensation programs by: (1) requiring full disclosure and court approval of executive compensation packages; (2) restricting the payment of bonuses and other forms of incentive compensation to senior officers and others; and (3) ensuring that insiders cannot receive retiree benefits if workers have lost their retirement or health benefits. [[Page 91]] This legislation is identical to H.R. 97, introduced in the 114th Congress, H.R. 100, introduced in the 113th Congress, and H.R. 6117, introduced in the 112th Congress. It is supported by the AFL-CIO and many of its largest affiliates. A section-by-section explanation of the bill follows: Sec. 1. Short Title. Section 1 sets forth the short title of the bill as the ``Protecting Employees and Retirees in Business Bankruptcies Act of 2017.'' It also includes a table of contents for the bill. Sec. 2. Findings. Section 2 sets forth various findings in support of this bill. Title I-Improving Recoveries for Employees and Retirees. Sec. 101. Increased Wage Priority. Bankruptcy Code section 507 accords priority in payment status for certain types of claims, i.e., these priority claims must be paid in full in the order of priority before general unsecured claims may be paid. Section 507(a)(4) accords a fourth level priority to an unsecured claim up to $10,000 owed to an individual for wages, salaries, or commissions (including vacation, severance, and sick leave pay) earned within the 180-day period preceding the filing of the bankruptcy case or the date on which the debtor's business ceased, whichever occurs first. Section 101 amends section 507(a)(4) to increase the amount of the priority to $20,000 and eliminate the 180-day reachback limitation. Bankruptcy Code section 507(a)(5) accords a fifth level priority for unsecured claims for contributions to an employee benefit plan arising from services rendered within the 180-day period preceding the filing of the bankruptcy case or the date on which the debtor's business ceased (whichever occurs first). The amount of the claim is based on the number of employees covered by the plan multiplied by $10,000, less the aggregate amount paid to such employees pursuant to section 507(a)(4) and the aggregate amount paid by the estate on behalf of such employees to any other employee benefit plan. Section 101 amends Bankruptcy Code section 507(a)(5) to: (1) increase the priority amount to $20,000; (2) eliminate the offset requirements; and (3) eliminate the 180-day limitation. Sec. 102. Claim for Stock Value Losses in Defined Contribution Plans. Section 102 amends the Bankruptcy Code's definition of a claim to include a right or interest in equity securities of the debtor (or an affiliate of the debtor) held in a defined contribution plan for the benefit of an individual who is not an insider, senior executive officer or one of the 20 next most highly compensated employees of the debtor (if one or more are not insiders), providing: (1) such securities were attributable to employer contributions by the debtor (or an affiliate of the debtor), or by elective deferrals, together with any earnings thereon; and (2) the employer or plan sponsor who commenced the bankruptcy case either committed fraud with respect to such plan or otherwise breached a duty to the participant that proximately caused the loss of value. Sec. 103. Priority for Severance Pay. Bankruptcy Code section 503(b) establishes an administrative expense payment priority for certain types of unsecured claims. Among all types of unsecured claims, administrative expenses are accorded the highest payment priority, i.e., they must be paid in full before priority and general unsecured claims may be paid. Section 103 amends section 503(b) to accord administrative expense priority for severance pay owed to the debtor's employees (other than an insider, other senior management, or a consultant retained to provide services to the debtor) under a plan, program or policy generally applicable to the debtor's employees (but not under an individual contract of employment) or owed pursuant to a collective bargaining agreement for termination or layoff on or after the date the bankruptcy case was filed. Such pay is deemed earned in full upon such termination or layoff. Sec. 104. Financial Returns for Employees and Retirees. Bankruptcy Code section 1129(a) specifies various criteria that must be satisfied before a chapter 11 plan of reorganization may be confirmed. Section 104 amends section 1129(a) to add a further requirement. The plan must provide for the recovery of damages for the rejection of a collective bargaining agreement or for other financial returns as negotiated by the debtor and the authorized representative under section 1113 to the extent such returns are paid under, rather than outside of a plan. Section 104 also replaces Bankruptcy Code section 1129(a)(13), which pertains to the payment of retiree benefits under section 1114. As revised, section 1129(a)(13) requires a plan to provide for the continuation after the plan's effective date of the payment of all retiree benefits at the level established under either section 1114(e)(1)(B) or (g) at any time prior to confirmation of the plan, for the duration of the period for which the debtor has obligated itself to provide such benefits. If any modifications are made prior to confirmation of the plan, the plan must provide for the continuation of all retiree benefits maintained or established in whole or in part by the debtor prior to the petition filing date. In addition, the plan must provide for recovery of claims arising from the modification of retiree benefits and other financial returns as negotiated by the debtor and the authorized representative to the extent such returns are paid under, rather than outside of, a plan. Sec. 105. Priority for WARN Act Damages. Section 105 amends Bankruptcy Code section 503(b)(1)(A)(ii) to provide administrative expense status to wages and benefits awarded pursuant to a judicial or National Labor Relations Board proceeding as back pay or damages attributable to any period of time occurring after the commencement of the bankruptcy case. This provision applies where the award was made as a result of the debtor's violation of federal or state law, without regard to the time of the occurrence of unlawful conduct on which the award is based or to whether any services were rendered on or after the commencement of the bankruptcy case. It includes an award by a court under section 2901 of title 29 of the United States Code of up to 60 days' pay and benefits following a layoff that occurred or commenced at a time when such award period includes a period on or after the commencement of the case, if the court determines that payment of wages and benefits by reason of the operation of this clause will not substantially increase the probability of layoff or termination of current employees or of nonpayment of domestic support obligations during the case under this title. Title II-Reducing Employees' and Retirees' Losses. Sec. 201. Rejection of Collective Bargaining Agreements. Bankruptcy Code section 1113 sets forth the requirements by which a collective bargaining agreement may be assumed or rejected. Section 201 amends section 1113 in several respects. First, it amends section 1113(a) to clarify that a chapter 11 debtor may reject a collective bargaining agreement only in accordance with section 1113. Second, it amends Bankruptcy Code section 1113(b) to clarify that no provision in title II of the United States Code may be construed to permit a trustee to unilaterally terminate or alter the terms of a collective bargaining agreement absent compliance with section 1113. The provision further specifies that the trustee must timely pay all monetary obligations arising under such agreement and that any payment required to be made pre-confirmation has the status of an allowed administrative expense under Code section 503. Third, it amends Bankruptcy Code section 1113(c) to require a trustee, when seeking to modify a collective bargaining agreement, to provide notice of such proposed modification to the labor organization representing the employees covered by the agreement. The trustee must also promptly provide an initial proposal for modification. In addition, the trustee must confer in good faith with the labor organization, at reasonable times and for a reasonable period, given the complexity of the case, in an effort to reach a mutually acceptable modification of the agreement. Each modification proposal must be based on a business plan for the reorganization of the debtor and reflect the most complete and reliable information. As amended, section 1113(c) requires the trustee to provide to the labor organization all information relevant for negotiations. If such disclosure could compromise the debtor's position with respect to its competitors in the industry, the provision authorizes the court to issue a protective order, subject to the needs of the labor organization to evaluate the trustee's proposal and any application to reject the collective bargaining agreement or for interim relief under section 1113. In consideration of federal policy encouraging the practice and process of collective bargaining and in recognition of the bargained- for expectations of the employees covered by the agreement, any modification proposed by the trustee must: (1) only be proposed as part of a program of workforce and nonworkforce cost savings devised for the debtor's reorganization, including savings in management personnel costs; (2) be limited to modifications designed to achieve a specified aggregate financial contribution for employees covered by the agreement, taking into consideration any labor cost savings negotiated within the 12-month period prior to the filing of the bankruptcy case; (3) be no more than the minimum savings essential to permit the debtor to exit bankruptcy, such that confirmation is not likely to be followed by the liquidation or the need for further financial reorganization of the debtor; and (4) not be disproportionate or overly burden the employees covered by the agreement, either in the amount of the cost savings [[Page 92]] sought from such employees or the nature of the modifications. Fourth, it amends Bankruptcy Code section 1113(d) to provide that if the trustee and the labor organization (after a period of negotiations) do not reach an agreement over mutually satisfactory modifications and further negotiations are not likely to produce mutually satisfactory modifications, the trustee may file a motion seeking rejection of the collective bargaining agreement after notice and a hearing. Absent agreement by the parties, the hearing may not be held earlier than 21 days from when notice of the hearing is provided. Only the debtor and the labor organization may appear and be heard at the hearing. An application for rejection must seek rejection effective upon the entry of an order granting such relief. In consideration of federal policy encouraging the practice and process of collective bargaining and in recognition of the bargained- for expectations of the employees covered by the agreement, section 1113(d) (as amended) provides that the court may grant a motion seeking rejection of such agreement only if the court: (1) finds that the trustee has complied with the requirements of section 1113(c); (2) has considered alternative proposals by the labor organization and concluded that such proposals do not meet the requirements of section 1113(c)(3)(B); (3) finds that further negotiations regarding the trustee's proposal or an alternative proposal by the labor organization are not likely to produce an agreement; (4) finds that implementation of the trustee's proposal will not: (a) cause a material diminution in the purchasing power of the employees covered by the agreement, (b) adversely affect the debtor's ability to retain an experienced and qualified workforce; or (c) impair the debtor's labor relations such that the ability to achieve a feasible reorganization will be compromised; and (5) concludes, based on clear and convincing evidence, that rejection of the agreement and immediate implementation of the trustee's proposal is essential to permit the debtor's exit from bankruptcy such that confirmation is not likely to be followed by the liquidation or the need for further financial reorganization of the debtor in the short term. If the trustee has implemented a program of incentive pay, bonuses or other financial returns for insiders, senior executive officers, or the 20 next most highly compensated employees or consultants (or such a program was implemented within 180 days before the bankruptcy case was filed), the court must presume that the debtor has failed to satisfy the requirements of section 1113(c)(3)(C). Subsection (d), as amended, prohibits the court from entering an order rejecting a collective bargaining agreement that would result in modifications to a level lower than that proposed by the trustee in the proposal found by the court to have complied with the requirements of section 1113. At any time after an order rejecting a collective bargaining agreement is entered (or mutually satisfactory agreement between the trustee and the labor organization is entered into), the labor organization may apply to the court for an order seeking an increase in the level of wages or benefits or relief from working conditions based on changed circumstances. The court must grant such relief only if the increase or other relief is not inconsistent with the standard set forth in section 1113(d)(2)(E). Fifth, section 201 amends Bankruptcy Code section 1113(e) to provide that during the period in which a collective bargaining agreement at issue under this section continues in effect and if either essential to the continuation of the debtor's business or in order to avoid irreparable damage to the estate, the court, after notice and a hearing, may authorize the trustee to implement interim changes in the terms, conditions, wages, cs-benefits, or work rules provided by the collective bargaining agreement. Any hearing under this provision must be scheduled in accordance of the trustee's needs. The implementation of such interim changes will not render the application for rejection moot. Sixth, section 201 amends Bankruptcy Code section 1113(f) to provide that the rejection of a collective bargaining agreement constitutes a breach of such agreement and is effective no earlier than the entry of an order granting such relief. Solely for the purpose of determining and allowing a claim arising from rejection of a collective bargaining agreement, such rejection must be treated as a rejection of an executory contract under Bankruptcy Code section 365(g) and shall be allowed or disallowed in accordance with section 502(g)(1). Subsection (f), as amended, further provides that no claim for rejection damages may be limited by section 502(b)(7). In addition, the provision permits economic self-help by a labor organization upon a court order granting rejection of a collective bargaining agreement under either subsection (d) or (e) of section 1113. It further provides that neither title 11 of the United States Code nor other provisions of State or Federal law may be construed to the contrary. Seventh, section 201 adds new subsection (g) to require the trustee to provide for the reasonable fees and costs incurred by a labor organization under section 1113, upon request and after notice and a hearing. Eighth, section 201 adds new subsection (h) to require the assumption of a collective bargaining agreement to be done in accordance with section 365. Sec. 202. Payment of Insurance Benefits to Retired Employees. Bankruptcy Code section 1114 sets out criteria pursuant to which a debtor may modify retiree benefits, among other matters. Retiree benefits include payments to retired employees, their spouses, and dependents for medical, surgical, and hospital care benefits. It also includes benefits in the event of sickness, accident, disability, or death under any plan, fund or program. Section 202 amends section 1114 in several respects. First, it amends the provision's definition of ``retiree benefits'' to specify that it applies whether or not the debtor asserts a right to unilaterally modify such benefits under such plan, fund or program. Second, it amends Bankruptcy Code section 1114(b)(2), which specifies the rights, powers and duties of a committee of retired employees appointed by the court. As amended, the provision would apply to a labor organization serving as the authorized representative under section 1114(c)(1). Third, section 202 replaces Bankruptcy Code section 1114(f), which requires a trustee to make a proposal to the authorized representative before seeking modification of retiree benefits. As amended, section 1114(f)(1) specifies that if a trustee seeks to modify retiree benefits, the trustee must provide notice of such proposed modification to the authorized representative as well as promptly provide the initial proposal. In addition, the trustee must thereafter confer in good faith with the labor organization, at reasonable times and for a reasonable period, given the complexity of the case, in attempting to reach a mutually satisfactory modification. Each modification must be based on a business plan for the reorganization of the debtor and reflect the most complete and reliable information available. The trustee must provide the authorized representative all information relevant for the negotiations. If such disclosure could compromise the debtor's position with respect to its competitors in the industry, the court may issue a protective order, subject to the needs of the authorized representative to evaluate the trustee's proposal and an application pursuant to subsection (g) or (h). Modifications proposed by the trustee must: (1) only be proposed as part of a program of workforce and nonworkforce cost savings devised for the reorganization of the debtor, including savings in management personnel costs; (2) be limited to modifications designed to achieve a specified aggregate financial contribution for the retiree group represented by the authorized representative (taking into consideration any labor cost savings negotiated within the 12-month period prior to the filing of the bankruptcy case with respect to the retiree group); (3) be no more than the minimum savings essential to permit the debtor to exit bankruptcy, such that confirmation is not likely to be followed by the liquidation or the need for further financial reorganization of the debtor; and (4) not be disproportionate or overly burden the retiree group, either in the amount of the cost savings sought from such group or the nature of the modifications. Fourth, section 202 amends Bankruptcy Code section 1113(g) to provide that if the trustee and the authorized representative do not reach a mutually satisfactory agreement (after a period of negotiations) and further negotiations are not likely to produce mutually satisfactory modifications, the trustee may file a motion seeking to modify the payment of retiree benefits after notice and a hearing. Absent agreement of the parties, the hearing may not be held earlier than 21 days from when notice of the hearing is provided. Only the debtor and the authorized representative may appear and be heard at the hearing. The court may grant a motion to modify the payment of retiree benefits only if the court: (1) Finds that the trustee complied with the requirements of section 1114(f); (2) considered any of the authorized representative's alternative proposals and determined that such proposals do not meet the requirements of section 1114(f)(3)(B); (3) finds that further negotiations are not likely to produce a mutually satisfactory agreement; (4) finds that implementation of the trustee's proposal will not cause irreparable harm to the affected retirees; and (5) concludes that, based on clear and convincing evidence, an order granting the trustee's proposal and its immediate implementation is essential to permit the debtor's [[Page 93]] exit from bankruptcy such that confirmation is not likely to be followed by the liquidation or the need for further financial reorganization of the debtor in the short term. If the trustee has implemented a program of incentive pay, bonuses, or other financial returns for insiders, senior executive officers, or the 20 next most highly compensated employees or consultants (or such program was implemented within 180 days before the bankruptcy case was filed), the court must presume that the debtor failed to satisfy the requirements of section 1114(f)(3)(C). Fifth, section 202 strikes subsection (k) and makes conforming revisions. Sec. 203 Protection of Employee Benefits in a Sale of Assets. Section 203 amends Bankruptcy Code section 363(b), which authorizes a debtor to sell or use property of the estate other than in the ordinary course of business (under certain circumstances), to add a new requirement. New section 365(b)(3) requires the court, in approving a sale, to consider the extent to which a bidder's offer: (1) maintains existing jobs; (2) preserves terms and conditions of employment, and (3) assumes or matches pension and retiree benefit obligations in determining whether such offer constitutes the highest or best offer for the property. Sec. 204. Claim for Pension Losses. Section 204 adds a new subsection to Bankruptcy Code section 502, which pertains to the allowance of claims and interests. New subsection (1) requires the court to allow a claim by an active or retired participant (or by a labor organization representing such participants) in a defined benefit pension plan terminated under section 4041 or 4042 of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) for any shortfall in pension benefits accrued as of the effective date of the pension plan's termination as a result of such termination and limitations upon the payment of benefits imposed pursuant to section 4042 of such Act, notwithstanding any claim asserted and collected by the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation with respect to such termination. In addition, section 204 adds subsection (m) to Bankruptcy Code section 502 to require a court to allow a claim described in Bankruptcy Code section 101(5)(C) (as amended by this legislation) by an active or retired participant (or a labor union representing such participant) in a defined contribution plan (within the meaning of section 3(34) of ERISA). The amount of such claim must be measured by the market value of the stock at the time of contribution to, or purchase by, the plan and the value as of the commencement of the case. Sec. 205. Payments by Secured Lender. Bankruptcy Code section 506(c) authorizes the debtor to recover from property securing an allowed secured claim the reasonable and necessary expenses incurred to preserve or dispose of such property to the extent the secured creditor benefits from such expenditures. Section 205 amends section 506(c) to add a new provision. As amended, section 506(c) deems unpaid wages, accrued vacation, severance or other benefits owed under the debtor's policies and practices or owed pursuant to a collective bargaining agreement, for services rendered on and after commencement of the case to be necessary costs and expenses of preserving or disposing of property securing an allowed secured claim. Such obligations must be recovered even if the trustee has otherwise waived the provisions of section 506(c) pursuant to an agreement with the allowed secured claimant or a successor or predecessor in interest. Sec. 206. Preservation of Jobs and Benefits. Section 206 adds a statement of purpose to chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code specifying that a chapter 11 debtor must have as its principal purpose the reorganization of its business to preserve going concern value to the maximum extent possible through the productive use of its assets and the preservation of jobs that will sustain productive economic activity. In addition, section 206 amends Bankruptcy Code section 1129(a), which sets out the criteria for confirming a plan, to add a new requirement. New section 1129(a)(17) requires the debtor to demonstrate that the reorganization preserves going concern value to the maximum extent possible through the productive use of the debtor's assets and preserves jobs that sustain productive economic activity. Section 206 also amends Bankruptcy Code section 1129(c), which requires the court to consider the preferences of creditors and equity security holders in determining which plan to confirm. Section 1129(c), as amended, instead requires the court to consider the extent to which each plan would preserve going concern value through the productive use of the debtor's assets and the preservation of jobs that sustain productive economic activity. The court must confirm the plan that better serves such interests. It further provides that a plan that incorporates the terms of a settlement with a labor organization shall presumptively constitute the plan that satisfies this provision. Sec. 207. Termination of Exclusivity. Bankruptcy Code section 1121, in pertinent part, gives a debtor the exclusive authority to file a plan and obtain acceptances of such plan for stated periods of time, under certain circumstances. Section 207 amends section 1121 to specify that cause for shortening these exclusive periods includes: (1) the filing of a motion pursuant to section 1113 seeking rejection of a collective bargaining agreement, if a plan based upon an alternative proposal by the labor organization is reasonably likely to be confirmed within a reasonable time; or (2) the proposed filing of a plan by a proponent other than the debtor, which incorporates the terms of a settlement with a labor organization, if such plan is reasonably likely to be confirmed within a reasonable time. Title III--Restricting Executive Compensation Programs Sec. 301. Executive Compensation Upon Exit From Bankruptcy. Bankruptcy Code section 1129 specifies the criteria for confirmation of a chapter 11 plan. Section 1129(a)(4), for example, requires that certain services, costs and expenses in connection with the case (or in connection with the plan and incident to the case) to have either been approved by the court (or subject to approval by the court) as reasonable. Section 301 amends section 1129(a)(4) to add a requirement that payments or other distributions under the plan to or for the benefit of insiders, senior executive officers, and any of the 20 next most highly compensated employees or consultants providing services to the debtor may not be approved unless: (1) such compensation is subject to review under section 1129(a)(5), or (2) such compensation is included as part of a program of payments or distributions generally applicable to the debtor's employees and only to the extent that the court determines that such payments are not excessive or disproportionate as compared to distributions to the debtor's nonmanagement workforce. In addition, section 301 amends section 1129(a)(5), which requires the plan proponent to disclose the identity and affiliations of the debtor's officers and others, such as the identity of any insider who will be employed or retained by the reorganized debtor and such insider's compensation. Section 301 amends section 1129(a)(5) to add a requirement that such compensation must be approved (or subject to approval) by the court in accordance with the following criteria: (1) the compensation is reasonable when compared to that paid to individuals holding comparable positions at comparable companies in the same industry; and (2) the compensation is not disproportionate in light of economic concessions by the debtor's nonmanagement workforce during the case. Sec. 302. Limitations on Executive Compensation Enhancements. In general, Bankruptcy Code Section 503(c) prohibits a debtor from making certain payments to an insider, absent certain findings by the court. Section 302 amends section 503(c)(1), which prohibits such payments when they are intended to induce the insider to remain with the debtor's business, in several respects. First, it expands the provision so that it applies a debtor's senior executive officer and any of the debtor's 20 next most highly compensated employees or consultants. Second, it clarifies that the provision prohibits the payment of performance or incentive compensation, a bonus of any kind, and other financial returns designed to replace or enhance incentive, stock, or other compensation in effect prior to the commencement of the case. And, third, it specifies that the court's findings must be based on clear and convincing evidence in the record. In addition, section 302 also amends Bankruptcy Code section 503(c)(3), which prohibits other transfers made or obligations incurred outside of the debtor's ordinary course of business and not justified by the facts and circumstances of the case, including transfers made and obligations incurred for the benefit of the debtor's officers, managers or consultants hired postpetition. Section 302 replaces section 503(c)(3) with a provision prohibiting other transfers or obligations incurred to or for the benefit of insiders, senior executive officers, managers or consultants providing services to the debtor unless they meet certain criteria. First, the court must find, based on clear and convincing evidence (without deference to the debtor's request for authorization to make such payments), that such payments are essential to the survival of the debtor's business or, in the case of a liquidation, essential to the orderly liquidation of the debtor's business and [[Page 94]] maximization of the value of the debtor's assets. Second, the services for which compensation is sought must be essential in nature. Third, such payments must be reasonable compared to individuals holding comparable positions at comparable companies in the same industry and not disproportionate in light of economic concessions made by the debtor's nonmanagement workforce during the case. Sec. 303. Assumption of Executive Retirement Plans. Section 303 amends Bankruptcy Code section 365, which sets forth the criteria pursuant to which executory contracts and unexpired leases may be assumed and rejected, to add two provisions. New subsection (q) provides that no deferred compensation arrangement for the benefit of a debtor's insiders, senior executive officers, or any of the 20 next most highly compensated employees may be assumed if a defined benefit pension plan for the debtor's employees has been terminated pursuant to section 4041 or 4042 of ERISA on or after the commencement of the case or within 180 days prior to the commencement of the case. New subsection (r) provides that no plan, fund, program, or contract to provide retiree benefits for insiders, senior executive officers, or any of the 20 next most highly compensated employees of the debtor may be assumed if the debtor: (1) has obtained relief under subsection (g) or (h) of section 1114 to impose reductions in retiree benefits; (2) has obtained relief under subsection (d) or (e) of section 1113 to impose reductions in the health benefits of the debtor's active employees; or (3) or reduced or eliminated active employee or retiree benefits within 180 days prior to the commencement of the case. Sec. 304. Recovery of Executive Compensation. Section 304 adds a new provision to the Bankruptcy Code. New section 563(a) provides that if a debtor reduces its contractual obligations under a collective bargaining agreement pursuant to section 1113(d), or retiree benefits pursuant to section 1114(g), then the court, as part of the order granting such relief, must make certain determinations. The court must determine the percentage of diminution in the value of the obligations as a result of such relief. In making this determination, the court must include any reduction in benefits as a result of the termination pursuant to section 4041 or 4042 of ERISA of a defined benefit plan administered by the debtor, or for which the debtor is a contributing employer, effective at any time within 180 days prior to the commencement of the case. The court may not take into consideration pension benefits paid or payable under title IV of ERISA as a result of such termination. If a defined benefit pension plan administered by the debtor, or for which the debtor is a contributing employer, is terminated pursuant to section 4041 or 4042 of ERISA, effective at any time within 180 days prior to the commencement of the case, and the debtor has not obtained relief under section 1113(d), or section 1114(g), new section 563(b) requires the court, on motion of a party in interest, to determine the percentage in diminution in the value of benefit obligations when compared to the total benefit liabilities prior to such termination. The court may not take into account pension benefits paid or payable pursuant to title IV of ERISA as a result of such termination. After such percentage diminution in value is determined, new section 563(c) provides that the estate has a claim for the return of the same percentage of the compensation paid, directly or indirectly (including any transfer to a self-settled trust or similar device, or to a nonqualified deferred compensation plan under section 409A(d)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986) to certain individuals. These individuals include: (1) any officer of the debtor serving as a member of the debtor's board of directors within the year before the filing of the case; and (2) any individual serving as chairman or as lead director of the board of directors at the time when relief under section 1113 or section 1114 is granted, or if no such relief has been granted, then the termination of the defined benefit plan. New section 563(d) provides that a trustee or committee appointed pursuant to section 1102 may commence an action to recover such claims. If neither commences such action by the first date set for the confirmation hearing, any party in interest may apply to the court for authority to recover such claims for the benefit of the estate. The costs of recovery must be borne by the estate. New section 563(e) prohibits the court from awarding postpetition compensation under section 503(c) or otherwise to any person subject to the provisions of section 563(c) if there is a reasonable likelihood that such compensation is intended to reimburse or replace compensation recovered by the estate pursuant to section 563. Sec. 305. Preferential Compensation Transfer. Bankruptcy Code section 547 authorizes preferential transfers to be avoided. Section 305 adds a new subsection to section 547 to permit the avoidance of a transfer to or for the benefit of an insider (including an obligation incurred for the benefit of an insider under an employment contract) made in anticipation of bankruptcy. The provision also permits the avoidance of a transfer made in anticipation of a bankruptcy to a consultant who is formerly an insider and who is retained to provide services to an entity that becomes a debtor (including an obligation under a contract to provide services to such entity or to a debtor) made or incurred within one year before the filing of the bankruptcy case. In addition, new section 547(j) provides that no provision of section 547(c) (specifying certain exceptions to section 547) may be utilized as a defense. Further, section 547(j) permits the trustee or a committee to commence such avoidance action. If neither do so as of the date of the commencement of the confirmation hearing, any party in interest may apply to the court for authority to recover the claims for the benefit of the estate. The costs of recovery must be borne by the estate. Title IV--Other Provisions Sec. 401. Union Proof of Claim. Section 401 amends Bankruptcy Code section 501(a) to permit a labor organization (in addition to a creditor or indenture trustee) to file a proof of claim. Sec. 402. Exception from Automatic Stay. Section 402 amends Bankruptcy Code section 362(b) to create an additional exception to the automatic stay with respect to the commencement or continuation of a grievance, arbitration or similar dispute resolution proceeding established by a collective bargaining agreement that was or could have been commenced against the debtor before the filing of the bankruptcy case. The exception also applies to the payment or enforcement of awards or settlements of such proceeding. ____________________ IN HONOR OF THE OLENTANGY ORANGE HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS GOLF TEAM ______ HON. PATRICK J. TIBERI of ohio in the house of representatives Tuesday, January 3, 2017 Mr. TIBERI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Olentangy Orange High School Girls Golf team for winning the Ohio Division I State Golf Tournament. An achievement such as this certainly deserves recognition. The Ohio High School Athletic Association has enabled talented teams and individuals to earn state titles since its founding in 1907. Throughout this time, the champions of OHSAA state level competitions have represented the highest achieving and most talented athletes in Ohio. Each year these elite competitors join the long ranks of those who embody Ohio's proud history of athletic success. The girls golf team's victory caps a tremendous season. This sort of achievement is earned only through many hours of practice, perspiration and hard work. They have set a new standard for future athletes to reach. Everyone at Olentangy Orange High School can be extremely proud of their performance. On behalf of the citizens of Ohio's 12th Congressional District, I congratulate the Olentangy Orange Girls Golf Team on their state championship. I wish them continued success in both athletic and academic endeavors. ____________________ THE INTRODUCTION OF A BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES _____ HON. BOB GOODLATTE of virginia in the house of representatives Tuesday, January 3, 2017 Mr. GOODLATTE. Mr. Speaker, more than 20 years ago, the U.S. Senate failed by one vote to pass a balanced budget constitutional amendment. If Congress had sent the amendment to the states for ratification in 1995, we would not be facing the fiscal crisis we are today and balancing the federal budget would be the norm rather than the exception. In order for Congress to consistently make the tough decisions necessary for fiscal responsibility, Congress must have the external pressure of a balanced budget requirement. This year marks the tenth year I have introduced amendments that require Congress to balance the federal budget. I urge my colleagues to consider the impact that reckless [[Page 95]] spending has on our nation's future and on future generations. According to a 2016 report from the Congressional Budget Office on the federal government's long-term budget outlook, the debt held by the public, assuming lawmakers abide by current law, is projected to rise ``from 75 percent of GDP in 2016 to 141 percent by 2046.'' The effect of this debt and our nation's current spending, according to CBO, will harm economic growth and will increase the risk of a fiscal crisis down the road. We should not pass on to our children and grandchildren the bleak fiscal future that our unsustainable spending is creating. In the Federalist, Number 14, James Madison reminds us that the American people relied on ``their own good sense, the knowledge of their own situation, and the lessons of their own experience'' in addressing the problems of our constitutional government. With this in mind, it is time for Congress to put an end to fiscal irresponsibility and stop saddling future generations with crushing debts to pay for our current spending. We must rise above partisanship and join together to send a balanced budget amendment to the states for ratification. The proposed amendment is a four-part balanced budget amendment. It contains a requirement for a balanced annual federal budget, places a spending cap on annual federal spending, imposes a three-fifths supermajority vote requirement to increase the debt limit, and a three- fifths supermajority requirement to raise taxes. ____________________ INTRODUCTION OF H.R. 40 THE COMMISSION TO STUDY REPARATIONS PROPOSALS FOR AFRICAN-AMERICANS ACT _____ HON. JOHN CONYERS, JR. of michigan in the house of representatives Tuesday, January 3, 2017 Mr. CONYERS. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to re-introduce H.R. 40, the Commission to Study and Develop Reparations Proposals for African- Americans Act. Over the last several years, we have seen an almost unprecedented elevation of the dialogue on reparations at both the national and international levels. This version of H.R. 40 reflects that progress and is designed to serve as the vehicle for continued discussion. Over the years, I have appeared at conferences and in the media to help lift the issues of reparations and the continuing impact of slavery in the national consciousness. Though some have tried to deflect the importance of these conversations by focusing on individual monetary compensation, the real issue is whether and how this nation can come to grips with the legacy of slavery that still infects current society. Since H.R. 40's introduction in 1989, we have made substantial progress in elevating these issues at the national level and joining the mainstream international debate on the issue. Through legislation, resolutions, news, and litigation, we are moving closer to making more strides in the movement toward reparations. At the international level, last year, the United Nations proclaimed 2015 through 2024 to be the International Decade for People of African Descent. Today there are more people at the table--more activists, more scholars, more CEO's, more state and local officials, and more Members of Congress. However, despite this progress and the election of the first American President of African descent, the legacy of slavery lingers heavily in this nation. While we have focused on the social effects of slavery and segregation, its continuing economic implications remain largely ignored by mainstream analysis. These economic issues are the root cause of many critical issues in the African-American community today, such as education, healthcare and criminal justice policy, including policing practices. The call for reparations represents a commitment to entering a constructive dialogue on the role of slavery and racism in shaping present-day conditions in our community and American society. Over the last two years, we have had a distinguished academic and activist panel from the National African American Reparations Commission dive into some of the most salient points in the reparations discussion. I have supported this effort by holding my annual reparations retrospective at the Annual Legislative Conference of the Congressional Black Caucus. I believe that H.R. 40 is a crucial piece of legislation because it goes beyond exploring the economic implications of slavery and segregation. It is a holistic bill in the sense that it seeks to establish a commission to also examine the moral and social implications of slavery. In short, the Commission aims to study the impact of slavery and continuing discrimination against African- Americans, resulting directly and indirectly from slavery to segregation to the desegregation process and the present day. The commission would also make recommendations concerning any form of apology and compensation to begin the long delayed process of atonement for slavery. With the over criminalization and policing of black bodies, a reoccurring issue in African-American communities, I believe this conversation is both relevant and crucial to restoring trust in governmental institutions in many communities. The times and circumstance may change, but the principle problem continues to weigh heavily on this country. A federal commission can help us reach into this dark past and bring us into a brighter future. As in years past, I welcome open and constructive discourse on H.R. 40 and the creation of this commission in the 115th Congress. ____________________ IN HONOR OF ZACH KREFT ______ HON. PATRICK J. TIBERI of ohio in the house of representatives Tuesday, January 3, 2017 Mr. TIBERI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Zach Kreft of Buckeye Valley High School for winning the Ohio Division II State Individual Boys Cross Country Tournament. An achievement such as this certainly deserves recognition. The Ohio High School Athletic Association has enabled talented teams and individuals to earn state titles since its founding in 1907. Throughout this time, the champions of OHSAA state level competitions have represented the highest achieving and most talented athletes in Ohio. Each year these elite competitors join the long ranks of those who embody Ohio's proud history of athletic success. Zach Kreft's victory caps a tremendous season. This sort of achievement is earned only through many hours of practice, perspiration and hard work. He has set a new standard for future athletes to reach. Everyone at Buckeye Valley High School can be extremely proud of his performance. On behalf of the citizens of Ohio's 12th Congressional District, I congratulate Zach Kreft on his state championship. I wish him continued success in both athletic and academic endeavors. ____________________ INTRODUCING A RESOLUTION EXPRESSING THE SENSE THAT THE UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE SHOULD ENSURE DOOR DELIVERY FOR ALL _____ HON. SUSAN A. DAVIS of california in the house of representatives Tuesday, January 3, 2017 Mrs. DAVIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce a resolution of the House ``expressing the sense that the United States Postal Service shall take all appropriate measure to ensure the continuation of door delivery for all.'' Many do not realize that the Post Office is already in the process of phasing out door delivery service, the heart of its customer experience. And that if some in Congress had their way it would be eliminated entirely. In my home state of California, residents in newly planned communities are already witnessing the end of traditional mail delivery. Instead, residents are being forced to resort to so-called cluster boxes--centralized curbside locations many of which are in unsecure locations, poorly maintained and far from people's homes. Just last month local residents from a community meeting in my district adopted an official neighborhood resolution calling on Congress to address this pressing issue. I have heard stories from dozens of my constituents about cluster boxes being stolen or damaged. Once that happens, postal customers have to wait months and raise enough money from their neighbors to replace them because USPS does not maintain them. While they wait, they have to go to their post office and wait in long lines every day to pick up their mail. Americans have benefited from door delivery service ever since the time of the Civil War. But now some in Congress, in a short-sighted attempt to cut costs, are pushing through a radical overhaul of the Post Office without considering the long-term consequences. Studies have shown that in today's digital age it is people with disabilities and the elderly [[Page 96]] who rely most on postal mail more, especially for prescription medicines. Yes, it is these very groups that would most be hurt by the sudden forced adoption of centralized cluster boxes. And businesses big and small all across the country rely on well- timed mailers to advertise their products and services. These efforts could be less productive without door delivery and could lead to less business mailings and less revenue for USPS. All this just for short-term cost cutting--which will do nothing to address the long-term solvency of the Post Office. And we already know that nobody wants these changes. In 2013, USPS offered voluntary cluster box conversions to businesses and only .8 percent signed up. What business survives by reducing customer satisfaction? Or by finding ways to devalue the very service, door delivery, it is known for? But that is what the proponents of such radical postal reform efforts have in mind. Furthermore, such changes as proposed in broad postal legislation will end the equal mail delivery system we have now for everyone. Forced adoption of cluster boxes and a ``delivery tax'', whereby only the wealthy will get mail at their doors, will create a two-tiered system breaking the fundamental premise that has always been central to the Post Office's mission to deliver to every door at a fixed rate. I ask my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to join me in supporting this effort to help preserve door delivery for all our constituents. ____________________ INTRODUCTION OF HEALTH CARE INDUSTRY ANTITRUST ENFORCEMENT ACT OF 2017 _____ HON. JOHN CONYERS, JR. of michigan in the house of representatives Tuesday, January 3, 2017 Mr. CONYERS. Mr. Speaker, the Health Insurance Industry Antitrust Enforcement Act of 2017 would eliminate the antitrust immunity provided under the McCarran-Ferguson Act for price fixing, bid rigging, and market allocation by health insurance issuers and medical malpractice insurers. The purpose of this bill is to extend antitrust enforcement over health insurers and medical malpractice insurance issuers as to the most egregious antitrust violations. Such insurers currently enjoy broad antitrust immunity under the McCarran-Ferguson Act. This immunity has shielded insurance companies for decades for activities that would otherwise constitute illegal and grossly anticompetitive conduct. Our Nation's antitrust laws exist to protect free-market competition and this bill will help to restore competition to the health insurance marketplace. The House Judiciary Committee held numerous hearings on the effects of the insurance industry's antitrust exemption. It has become clear that the exemption is not needed to enable the insurance industry to provide services to their policyholders, and that policyholders and the economy in general would benefit from increased competition among insurance providers. Indeed, this is why four members of the Antitrust Modernization Commission recommended repealing the McCarran-Ferguson antitrust exemption in the Commission's 2007 report. Commissioners Jonathan Jacobson, Debra Valentine, and John Warden wrote that the exemption has ``outlived any utility [it] may have had,'' and Commissioner John Shenefield wrote that it is ``among the most ill- conceived and egregious examples'' of antitrust exemptions and that its repeal ``should not be delayed.'' The bill I introduce today is intended to root out unlawful activity in an industry that has grown complacent by decades of protection from antitrust oversight. And, particularly in light of efforts to undermine the Affordable Care Act, repealing this unjustified antitrust exemption for health insurers will further ensure more affordable health insurance for Americans. I urge my colleagues to support this bill. ____________________ THE INTRODUCTION OF A BIPARTISAN BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES _____ HON. BOB GOODLATTE of virginia in the house of representatives Tuesday, January 3, 2017 Mr. GOODLATTE. Mr. Speaker, as of today, the current debt of the United States is reaching almost $20 trillion. The national debt per taxpayer is about $166,800. For comparison, a recent report by the Census Bureau stated that median household income was just under $57,000. It's clear that we are in dire straits. The States understand the gravity of this issue and for decades have been enacting policies that align their own spending with debt. Indeed, 49 states have a balanced budget provision that applies to their own budget. Furthermore, 27 states have already called for a constitutional convention to consider a balanced budget amendment to the United States Constitution. This Congress provides renewed opportunity for this body to consider such a provision. Given the difficult fiscal decisions that inevitably lie ahead, our actions must be grounded in commonsense policies that are constitutionally required. This amendment provides the necessary foundation. This balanced budget amendment is the same language that passed the House with bipartisan support in 1995 and fell only one vote short in the Senate. It is the only balanced budget proposal to achieve the support of a majority of the Members of the House of Representatives. The amendment forces Congress to live within its means by ensuring that total federal spending does not exceed total revenues. This amendment is identical to the balanced budget amendment considered in the House of Representatives in the 112th Congress, which received 261 bipartisan votes when it came to the House Floor. It requires that Congress not spend more than it receives in revenues. It also requires a true majority of each chamber to pass tax increases and a three-fifths majority to raise the debt limit. Last Congress, 110 cosponsors signed onto the resolution. A strong majority of Americans support a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution. After all, they know what it means to live by a budget and they rightfully expect the federal government to do the same. They are asking Congress to work together to ensure that this amendment, which is so critical to the future of our country, becomes a reality. ____________________ CELEBRATING WYNNEBROOK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL'S 50TH ANNIVERSARY _____ HON. ALCEE L. HASTINGS of florida in the house of representatives Tuesday, January 3, 2017 Mr. HASTINGS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Wynnebrook Elementary School, a public elementary school located in West Palm Beach, Florida, on the occasion of its 50th Anniversary. Principal Mrs. Suzanne Berry and Assistant Principal Mr. Steve Collins, continue in the path of the outstanding educators that came before them over Wynnebrook Elementary's half century of existence. Impressively, Wynnebrook Elementary has had only five Principals since its start. Currently, 876 students attend Wynnebrook. The student body is diverse with forty-six percent Hispanic, forty-three percent African American and nine percent White. Ninety-four percent of Wynnebrook students are on free or reduced price lunches and the school has received an ``A'' grade for 14 years in a row. It is ranked 19th among 124 elementary schools in the Palm Beach School District, with a 2016 calculated average standard test score of 86.92. Wynnebrook has been the recipient of many awards. In 2011 and 2016, the school won the Exceeding Expectations Project Award from the East Coast Technical Assistance Center (ECTAC). Last year, Mr. Jeffrey Pegg, immediate past principal, won the 2016 Principal Leadership Award given by Florida TaxWatch. Mr. Speaker, I am so very proud that Wynnebrook Elementary is located in my Congressional district. I am honored to recognize them on the House floor and congratulate all those who have made Wynnebrook Elementary such a wonderful school over the last 50 years. All principals, teachers, students and volunteers should not only be proud of the impressive work they are doing today, but also exceedingly proud of their storied history. I wish them many more years of continued success. ____________________ INTRODUCTION OF THE BANKRUPTCY JUDGESHIP ACT OF 2017 _____ HON. JOHN CONYERS, JR. of michigan in the house of representatives Tuesday, January 3, 2017 Mr. CONYERS. Mr. Speaker, the ``Bankruptcy Judgeship Act of 2017,'' authorizes 6 additional permanent bankruptcy judgeships [[Page 97]] and converts 16 temporary bankruptcy judgeships to permanent status, based on recommendation of the Judicial Conference of the United States. With respect to the 6 additional permanent bankruptcy judgeships, they are authorized pursuant to section 3 of the bill as follows: 2 for the District of Delaware; 2 for the Eastern District of Michigan; and 2 for the Middle District of Florida. With respect to the 16 conversions, they are authorized pursuant to section 2 of the bill for the following districts: 5 for the District of Delaware; 2 for the Southern District of Florida; 3 for the District of Maryland; 1 for the Eastern District of Michigan; 1 for the District of Nevada; 1 for the Eastern District of North Carolina; 2 for the District of Puerto Rico; 1 for the Western District of Tennessee; and 1 for the Eastern District of Virginia. This legislation responds to a serious need. Since the last time additional bankruptcy judgeships were authorized, which was 10 years ago, the 6 districts that would be authorized additional judicial resources by this bill have experienced a 55 percent increase in weighted filings, according to the Judicial Conference. All 16 of the temporary bankruptcy judgeships that the bill converts to permanent status are set to lapse as of May 25, 2017. As the Conference observes, ``These bankruptcy courts would face a serious and, in many cases, debilitating workload crisis if their temporary judgeships were to expire.'' The need for these additional judicial resources is based on a comprehensive analysis performed by the Judicial Conference based on a formal survey of all judicial circuits conducted pursuant to section 152(b)(2) of title 28 of the United States Code. Criteria considered include the workload of each court, case filing statistics, and geographic factors, among other matters. ____________________ TRIBUTE TO HONOR FIRST RESPONDER JEFF SIMPSON FOR HIS SACRIFICE AND SERVICE TO OUR NATION _____ HON. ROBERT J. WITTMAN of virginia in the house of representatives Tuesday, January 3, 2017 Mr. WITTMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Mr. Jeff Simpson, a September 11 first responder who selflessly sacrificed his life aiding his fellow Americans. Jeff will be remembered for his compassion, his bravery, and his love of community and country. Jeff was a fully certified Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) and a member of the Dumfries Triangle Rescue Squad in Triangle, Virginia. Volunteering with the local ambulance on nights and weekends was Jeff's passion. His family and friends remember Jeff stopping to help others in highway accidents and listening to emergency calls in his down time to help his neighbors. Jeff never went anywhere without his ``rescue bag'' and would always sidetrack his plans to help someone in need. Jeff worked for Oracle Corporation, and on September 11, 2001, was on assignment approximately five blocks from the World Trade Center. The sound of the first plane crashing into the North Tower caused the meeting Jeff was in to be cancelled and the building to be evacuated. After seeing the second plane hit the Second Tower, Jeff knew he had to help. A coworker remembers Jeff saying, ``There is not a fire department in the world that can handle a situation like this, I'm going to help.'' Jeff was last seen running toward the North Tower. Six months after the September 11 attacks, Jeff's remains were finally located at the structure. Jeff was with 12 other New York City Fire Department and New York Port Authority personnel where it is believed the group established a triage area to care for those who'd been injured in the attack. Jeff Simpson's sacrifice and servant leadership led to him posthumously receiving one of the first Public Safety awards established by Governor Warner and to be recognized by the National Association of Rescue Squads in 2003. Rescue Station 23 in Prince William County was dedicated to Jeff Simpson in 2010 because of how well he lived out the creed, ``We Serve to Save.'' On September 9th, 2016, the Town of Dumfries named their Community Center the Jeff Simpson Community and Cultural Arts Center in dedication to Jeff and in gratitude of his life and service to his community and country. Today, I have the honor of remembering Jeff Simpson and celebrating his legacy. Jeff embodies everything that is great about the American people, selflessly using the talents that each of us possess to aid and care for each other. I dedicate this to Jeff and to his wife Diane and his three children, Max, Elaine, and Leeann. Thank you, Diane, for continuing to share Jeff Simpson's legacy with all of us. ____________________ INTRODUCTION OF THE STOPPING ABUSIVE STUDENT LOAN COLLECTION PRACTICES IN BANKRUPTCY ACT OF 2017 _____ HON. JOHN CONYERS, JR. of michigan in the house of representatives Tuesday, January 3, 2017 Mr. CONYERS. Mr. Speaker, the ``Stopping Abusive Student Loan Collection Practices in Bankruptcy Act of 2017'' targets ruthless collection tactics employed by some student loan creditors against debtors who have sought bankruptcy relief. Specifically, my legislation bill would empower a bankruptcy judge to award costs and reasonable attorney's fees to a debtor who successfully obtained the discharge of his or her liability for a student loan debt based on undue hardship if: (1) the creditor's position was not substantially justified, and (2) there are no special circumstances that would make such award unjust. The Bankruptcy Code already grants identical authority to a bankruptcy judge to award costs and reasonable attorney's fees to debtor where a creditor requests the determination of dischargeability of a consumer debt based on the allegation that it was fraudulently incurred and the court thereafter finds that the creditor's position was not substantially justified and there are no special circumstances that would make such award unjust. Although parties typically do and should pay their own attorney's fees in litigation, dischargeability determinations concerning student loan debts present compelling factors that warrant the relief provided by this legislation. Under current bankruptcy law, debtors must meet a very high burden of proof, namely, that repayment of the student loan debt will present an undue hardship on the debtor and the debtor's dependents. The litigation typically requires extensive discovery, trial-like procedures, and legal analysis. Unfortunately, some student loan debt collectors engage in abusive litigation tactics that exponentially drive up the potential cost of legal representation for a debtor. As a result, debtors, who may legally qualify for the Bankruptcy Code's undue hardship dischargeability exception for student loans, may be unable to obtain such relief because of the potential risk of excessive and unaffordable legal fees that the debtor may have to incur not only to meet the high standard of proof, but also to combat an abusive litigation stance taken by a well-funded adversary. The ``Stopping Abusive Student Loan Collection Practices in Bankruptcy Act of 2017'' will help level the playing field for debtors overwhelmed by student loan debts, the repayment of which would present an undue hardship for themselves and their families. It is my hope that should this measure become law, bankruptcy judges will not hesitate to award debtors attorney's fees in appropriate cases of abusive litigation engaged in by student loan creditors. ____________________ TAX CODE TERMINATION ACT _____ HON. BOB GOODLATTE of virginia in the house of representatives Tuesday, January 3, 2017 Mr. GOODLATTE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to re-introduce the Tax Code Termination Act, legislation that will abolish the Internal Revenue Code by December 31, 2021, and call on Congress to approve a new federal tax system by July of the same year. Back home in the Sixth Congressional District of Virginia and across America, folks want Congress to address real problems facing our nation--problems like our broken tax code. Today's tax code is needlessly complex, unfair, discourages savings and investment, and creates uncertainty and added costs for business and families attempting to comply. In November, the American people sent a clear message to Washington--it's time for change. I applaud the efforts of my colleagues to make changes to our tax system and finally institute a new system. The discussion draft released by former Ways and Means Chairman Dave Camp in the 113th Congress and the work of Chairman Brady and the Speaker's Tax Reform Taskforce in the 114th Congress, prove that there has already been a movement afoot in Congress to take on this monstrosity. Now is the ideal time to finally act. My bill complements these efforts by setting a date-certain for sunsetting our current tax [[Page 98]] code to provide the focus we need to debate and finally enact the kind of comprehensive tax reform the American people deserve. Once the Tax Code Termination Act becomes law, today's tax code would survive only through December 2021, at which time it would expire and be replaced with a new tax code that will be determined by Congress, and the American people. Under the Tax Code Termination Act, Congress would have four years to debate various tax proposals, ultimately replacing our current tax system with a new system that applies a low rate to all Americans, provides tax relief for working Americans, protects the rights of taxpayers and reduces collection abuses, eliminates the bias against savings and investment, promotes economic growth and job creation, and does not penalize marriage or families. This legislation has gained wide support in past Congresses and had 144 bipartisan cosponsors in the 114th Congress. In fact, similar legislation has already been passed twice by the House of Representatives, first in 1998 and again in 2000. I urge my colleagues to support this legislation, and comprehensive tax reform. The American people deserve policies that promote a flourishing economy and a tax code that treats them as owners of this democratic republic, not customers of it. A new simplified and fairer tax code will do just that and a date certain for having such a system will ensure we deliver on our promises. ____________________ INTRODUCTION OF A BILL TO PROTECT THE PRIVACY OF CONSUMERS AND REDUCE THEIR VULNERABILITY TO IDENTITY THEFT _____ HON. JOHN CONYERS, JR. of michigan in the house of representatives Tuesday, January 3, 2017 Mr. CONYERS. Mr. Speaker, today, I am introducing the ``Cyber Privacy Fortification Act of 2017.'' This bill would provide criminal penalties for the failure to comply with federal or state obligations to report security breaches of the sensitive personally identifiable information of individuals. Certain breaches would also be required to be reported to the FBI or the Secret Service. The bill would also require federal agencies engaged in rulemaking related to personally identifiable information to publish privacy impact statements relating to the impact of the proposed rule. One of the main motivators for cybercrime and computer network intrusions is financial gain. Intrusions into networks of financial institutions and businesses may yield information, often on a large scale, about customers such as credit and debit card numbers, Social Security numbers, birth dates, account passwords, and other personally identifiable information. Information obtained through such data breaches may be used to steal from the accounts of the customers, use their credit cards, hack into their personal communications, or the information may be sold to others who commit these crimes or compile provides about individuals which others might find valuable. With constant revelations about new data breaches impacting millions of Americans, we must take additional steps to protect the sensitive information of consumers maintained on corporate databases. This bill will provide a greater incentive for companies to provide notice of breaches consumers' sensitive information such as Social Security numbers and financial account numbers. This protects the privacy of our citizens and allows them to be vigilant against identity theft. ____________________ IN RECOGNITION OF LYNN BLANCHETTE FOR HER 25 YEARS OF SERVICE ON THE RIVERVIEW CITY COUNCIL _____ HON. DEBBIE DINGELL of michigan in the house of representatives Tuesday, January 3, 2017 Mrs. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Lynn Blanchette, Councilwoman and Mayor Pro Tem for the City of Riverview. For the past 25 years, Mrs. Blanchette has been an effective and dedicated member of the Riverview City Council. Mrs. Blanchette has lived in Riverview for 47 years and has been active and engaged in civic life during her time in the city. She has been involved with the Riverview City Council since her election to the Council in 1991, and her public service been instrumental in helping the city of Riverview grow and develop. Recently, Mrs. Blanchette has helped Riverview navigate a challenging fiscal landscape while maintaining essential city services. With her guidance, Riverview has become a model of responsible and effective governance in the Downriver community. Mrs. Blanchette also serves Riverview as a representative on the Wayne County Community Development Block Grant Advisory Council, which helps develop affordable housing for the city and the surrounding communities. Her leadership in this capacity has been critical to helping create inclusive development and housing that is accessible to all. Mrs. Blanchette's public service has been invaluable in creating the vibrant Riverview community that exists today. Her dedication and hard work on behalf of the city has driven development and improved quality of life, and she is well-known for her hard work in the best interest of Riverview's residents. Mrs. Blanchette is widely respected for her efforts to maintain fiscal discipline while providing quality public service to the city, and it is my hope that she continues to build on her successes in the years ahead. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Lynn Blanchette and her 25 years of service to the Riverview community as a member of the Riverview City Council. Her work on behalf of Riverview has played a key role in helping create a more livable city and improve life for its residents. ____________________ THE PREVENTING TERMINATION OF UTILITY SERVICES IN BANKRUPTCY ACT OF 2017 _____ HON. JOHN CONYERS, JR. of michigan in the house of representatives Tuesday, January 3, 2017 Mr. CONYERS. Mr. Speaker, utility companies provide many basic and life-saving services, such as electricity to light our homes, water to drink, and gas to heat our homes. Sometimes, however, individuals, through no fault of their own, struggle to pay for these services often in the face of devastating medical debt, job loss, or economic disruption caused by divorce. While resorting to bankruptcy provides some relief from financial distress, current law permits utility companies to force these debtors to pay security deposits for continued service even if they were current on their bills before filing for bankruptcy or if they promise to be current on their bills after bankruptcy. Utility companies typically insist that debtors pay at least two months or more of their average bills as a deposit--in addition to requiring that they remain current on their utility bills after bankruptcy--in exchange for the utility continuing to supply service. The ``Preventing Termination of Utility Service in Bankruptcy Act of 2017'' corrects this injustice. It provides that if the debtor remains current on his or her utility bills after filing for bankruptcy relief, the debtor should not have to pay a deposit to the utility to continue service. In Detroit, for example, families across the city have seen their water rates increase by 119% over the past decade. During the same period, the Nation generally and Detroit in particular suffered in the aftermath of a global financial crisis that left one-in-five local residences in foreclosure and sent local unemployment rates skyrocketing. Fortunately, we are incrementally recovering from the Great Recession of 2008. For those individuals who must seek bankruptcy relief, however, we should ensure that their ability to pay their utility bills going forward is not hindered by unnecessary demands for deposits if these debtors remain current on their payments to these companies. Terminating a family's access to such life-saving services that keeps the lights on, warms our homes, and ensures that they can bathe, hydrate, and prepare meals is simply wrong if these utility bills are being paid on time. This legislation is part of a range of solutions that are needed to address the still pervasive adverse impacts of the Great Recession of 2008. I continue to work with my colleagues in Congress, state and federal officials, and my constituents to defend the right to water and protect public health. I will not tolerate the notion that--in the 21st Century, in the wealthiest nation on earth--families should go without access to affordable public water and sanitation services.