Congressional Record — House, July 30, 2020
Summary
A page of the Congressional Record, House, dated July 30, 2020, beginning at page H4179, with one-minute speeches. Members honor Deacon William Kane, who died of the coronavirus under the care of the Veterans Administration and was among the 2,083 veterans the virus has killed in its care, and a college freshman and Miss Garden State titleholder who organized a food drive and made masks. Mr. Keller shares a story of heroism by first responders in Pennsylvania's 12th, and Mr. Garcia of California praises the launch of the Perseverance Mars rover and the Ingenuity helicopter. The page ends with remarks on nursing homes and what it means to be an American.
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“Congressional Record — House, July 30, 2020.”
Original at www.govinfo.gov. Archived at Pandemic Darlings, https://pandemicdarlings.com/source-documents/crec-crec-2020-07-30-crec-2020-07-30-pt1-pgh4179-4-7a31e7d19f/
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July 30, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H4179
became a deacon for the Archdiocese of Mr. VAN DREW. Madam Speaker, I Mr. ROY. Madam Speaker, I yield to
Boston. He ministered to inmates and rise to recognize Augostina Mallous on the gentleman from California (Mr.
learned Spanish to reach more people. her many accomplishments. GARCIA).
Later in life, he organized mission trips Augostina is currently a freshman Mr. GARCIA of California. Madam
abroad. journalism major at Hofstra University Speaker, I thank my distinguished col-
Deacon William Kane served us, but with a 4.0 grade average. Augostina is a league from Texas for yielding.
we failed him. On May 10, he died from member of the competitive dance team Madam Speaker, I stand here this
the coronavirus while under the care of and practices 50 hours a week. evening inspired. More specifically, I
the Veterans Administration. He is Augostina is the former Miss New Jer- am proud, and I am in awe of our
among the 2,083 veterans in the VA’s sey’s Outstanding Teen and is the cur- American space program and the mon-
care that this virus has killed. rent Miss Garden State. umental step that they took this morn-
It is on us to use the powers of this During this pandemic, Augostina has ing with the launch of the Persever-
body to protect veterans, and everyone, made a significant impact on our com- ance Mars rover on the back of an
from this virus. We must get to the munity. She not only organized a food Atlas V rocket. But the rover is just
bottom of the mistakes at the VA that drive for seniors to help deliver food to one element of this amazing story.
allowed the virus to spread. It is the those in need, Augostina was also mak- While humans have lived on this
least we can do for the memory of Dea- ing masks for Cape Regional and Shore planet for millions of years, it was a
con William Francis Xavier Kane. Medical Hospitals, along with several mere 117 years ago when Americans
f nursing homes. were the first to solve the mystery of
Madam Speaker, Augostina exempli- sustained, powered flight in our own
b 2045 fies the virtues of compassion, honor, atmosphere. That is a mere blink of an
HONORING FIRST RESPONDERS integrity, dignity, and sincerity. eye in the long arc of our planet and
Augostina’s family, friends, and com- our own species’ history. Now, just a
(Mr. KELLER asked and was given munity are proud of her. few hours ago, besides the rover vehi-
permission to address the House for 1 Madam Speaker, I thank Augostina cle, we also launched a small heli-
minute.) for her inspiration, and may God bless copter named Ingenuity that will ulti-
Mr. KELLER. Madam Speaker, I rise her. mately fly in the atmosphere of an-
today to share a remarkable story of other planet.
f
heroism by our first responders in Madam Speaker, we will operate a
Pennsylvania’s 12th Congressional Dis- HONORING THE LIFE OF DENNIS helicopter on Mars. We will also collect
trict. SHACKELFORD samples of the Martian terrain and
On the evening of Saturday, Feb- (Mr. RODNEY DAVIS of Illinois eventually return those samples back
ruary 15, 2020, in Jersey Shore, Penn- asked and was given permission to ad- to Earth in about 6 years for further
sylvania, a multiple alarm fire was re- dress the House for 1 minute and to re- study.
ported at the Broadway Hotel and Res- vise and extend his remarks.) However, even while I and so many
taurant, quickly engulfing the building Mr. RODNEY DAVIS of Illinois. others applaud and celebrate these
and the multiple residential apart- Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor American successes, others question
ments in the upper levels of the struc- the life of Dennis Shackelford, who our pursuit of such endeavors amid the
ture. passed away last week. COVID–19 pandemic and the resulting
The situation quickly escalated as I got to know Dennis very well dur- economic challenges thereof. They see
reports indicated that a man was ing my first campaign for Congress this endeavor as unnecessary to our
trapped on the third floor. when he ran for State Representative survival.
With complete disregard for their in 2012. Though he was unsuccessful in My response to those individuals is
own well-being, Chief Howard Fausey his campaign, our friendship continued. simple: You haven’t been paying atten-
and Assistant Chief Ethan Goodbrod of Dennis was a small business owner tion. You haven’t been paying atten-
Citizen’s Hose Company Station 45, for 30 years, running Hallmark stores tion to what makes this country the
Jason Clarke, and Ron Daley of Inde- across central Illinois, including in my greatest country this world has ever
pendent Hose Company, and Patrolman hometown of Taylorville. After that seen.
Shawn Hummer took decisive action successful career as a small business As Americans, we carry an inherent
knowing life was at stake. owner, he continued working in the desire to push ourselves forward
Under thick smoke and extreme heat, banking industry in the Springfield, Il- through adversity. In mankind’s evolu-
the firefighters breached the structure, linois, area. tionary journey from the caves all the
retrieved and extracted the victim Dennis served his community being way up now to Mars, there is no great-
while sharing their oxygen with the elected to the Lincoln Land Commu- er enemy to the American spirit than
man due to overwhelming conditions. nity College board in 2013, and later he complacency and self-doubt.
I am happy to report that the victim rose to chairman while serving stu- Madam Speaker, when you look back
has recovered from his injuries and is dents across central Illinois. Dennis upon our Nation’s history, the truth is
undoubtedly alive today because of the was also elected a trustee for Roch- that there has always been a conflict
bravery of these men. ester Township. or a reason not to reach further to-
We can all sleep safer knowing that Dennis was a great friend, deeply in- wards the next milestone of monu-
there are dedicated and selfless first re- volved in his community, whether it mental exploration. But we have never
sponders that stand ready to give their was coaching baseball, youth baseball, let that stop us before, and we cannot
lives for ours. or mentoring high schoolers, and allow it to stop us now.
Madam Speaker, I thank Chief countless others throughout his life. With this mission to Mars, we are in-
Fausey, Assistant Chief Goodbrod, fire- My condolences extend to his wife, spired not only by the journey, not
fighters Jason Clarke and Ron Daley, Judy, his son, Andrew, and his three only by the machinery, not only by
Patrolman Shawn Hummer, the police daughters, Amy, Lindsey, and Emily as technology and this marvelous team
department, and the responding compa- well as his extended family. Dennis was that got us here, but by the very name
nies for their service and heroism in one of a kind and will be deeply missed of the rover vehicle: Perseverance. You
the line of duty. by all. see, this morning’s launch of this pre-
f f cious payload, the combined efforts of
the thousands of Americans over the
RECOGNIZING AUGOSTINA
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ISSUES OF THE DAY last 10 years working for NASA, the
MALLOUS The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under Jet Propulsion Laboratory, United
(Mr. VAN DREW asked and was given the Speaker’s announced policy of Jan- Launch Alliance, and others is about to
permission to address the House for 1 uary 3, 2019, the gentleman from Texas payoff, despite the many technical
minute and to revise and extend his re- (Mr. ROY) is recognized for 60 minutes challenges, as well as the challenges
marks.) as the designee of the minority leader. that COVID–19 produced.
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H4180 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE July 30, 2020
Just days after the 51st anniversary not often filled with positive things I was in Independence Hall on July
of the Apollo 11 Moon landing, we once that we ought to be celebrating to- 2nd. I went up there because I wanted
again sent American hardware beyond gether as Americans and the great ac- to be up there when I was watching so
the surly bonds of Earth toward an- complishments that we are achieving many of our monuments and so many
other landmark mission. together, the great accomplishments of our statues under attack, and it is
And while we celebrate this achieve- we are achieving on a completely non- not the marble, it is not the mortar, it
ment of American innovation and our partisan basis and advancing our con- is not the bricks that matter, it was
ability to work through challenging tinued exploration. the ideals represented there.
and seemingly impossible problems, we Jim Bridenstine is a friend of mine. I I went up to Independence Hall, and
must also remain vigilant. While our am just thrilled with what he is doing it was on July 2nd, which many will
aim and our mission are admirable, not with NASA. I am certainly thrilled to know is the day we separated from the
every country carries that same pas- be seeing that we are returning to crown, the day of the actual vote. And
sion and desire for peaceful explo- space vigorously and that we are doing the folks there were very kind to me.
ration. We need look no further than so actively, and I just appreciate their They were closed down because of what
the Chinese Communist Government service. I love the rich tradition, the we are dealing with with the virus.
and their willingness to antagonize us connection between NASA and our They were very kind and allowed me to
while continuing to increase their foot- military. go into Independence Hall. I had the
print in the vacuum of space. Madam Madam Speaker, I know that Mr. great blessing of being in Independence
Speaker, they are not a near-peer GARCÍA is a veteran of our United Hall on July 2nd, 244 years to the day
threat; they are, in fact, a peer threat, States Navy, and I thank him for his of the vote. Then I got to go over to
especially in this domain. service. I appreciate him joining me the other room, which is a different
It is too great a threat to our na- here tonight. room, where the first five Congresses of
tional security and the rest of the Madam Speaker, I come down here the United States met. Then, of course,
world to let their efforts go unmatched tonight for a few reasons. we have a history of then moving on to
or uncontested. First of all, a few weeks ago, a young different capitols, and we ended up
For the sake of science and the de- lady, a 20-year-old named Rebekah here. And we have been in this Cham-
fense of our precious planet, we must Wendt was campaigning in west Texas ber for, I don’t know the history as
persevere. with another young fellow from Trin- well as I should, but 100 years or some-
What sets the United States of Amer- ity University. I represent Trinity Uni- thing in this Chamber.
ica apart from the rest of the world is versity in San Antonio. I got a call This people’s House, in my opinion, is
our resolve, our ingenuity, and our from my staff assistant, Jonah Wendt, failing the people of the United States.
commitment to progress for noble mis- that his sister had been killed an hour I am going to say that again. The peo-
sions. or two before in a car accident in west ple’s House, the 435 Representatives
I spoke earlier of the American spir- Texas. that make up this half of Congress,
it. It is a story of exploration, and it is I will have more to say about Re- one-half of one-third of the Federal
a story we haven’t finished writing. We bekah in the future, but she was a Government is failing the American
continue the next chapter so that our bright star and a great defender of this people. It is failing the American peo-
children and our children’s children country, out working hard, volun- ple because we literally never debate.
may know what it means to succeed teering, as many of our young folks do, We literally never offer amendments
where others thought we would stum- on campaigns. She was a member of and have any debate here on this floor.
ble to accomplish what others thought the Young Conservatives of Texas. She We are ruled by a handful of folks who
was impossible. was majoring in history. She and an- meet in rooms in back chambers, drop
And as we meet here today, two as- other young fellow, again, I will talk bills on the floor of the House and then
tronauts continue to orbit overhead more about, Tyler, was with her. They demand we come down and vote on
thanks to a successful SpaceX rocket were out trying to make this country them. By the way, that is both Demo-
launch a couple of weeks ago that better. They were out trying to get crats and Republicans.
launched American astronauts from someone they believed in elected. They The people’s House is supposed to be
our soil to the International Space Sta- were trying to change this country for the people’s House. We are supposed to
tion. Those astronauts will return in the better by standing up for Texas, actually debate, engage.
Do you want to know why things are
just a few short days, and today we standing up for this country.
so broken?
continue writing the story for future I want to celebrate her life, and
It is because if you even dare think
generations with yet another mission again, I want to do it more in the fu-
about offering an amendment to a bill,
to Mars in parallel. ture, but her brother, Jonah, and his
you have got to go to some Rules Com-
To not only land on Mars, but also twin brother, Manfred, are very dear to
mittee to get blessed to be able to even
fly a helicopter in the Martian atmos- me and worked hard on my campaign 2
have the ability to offer it. You will
phere, we should take pride in this. years ago and continue to serve this
get shut down in Rules Committee, and
We can hold Communist China ac- country as well as serving in support of
then there is never any debate.
countable and limit its dangerous me.
power grab. We can survive COVID–19 And I mention that because I do want b 2100
and develop and deliver a vaccine to to talk more about her another time, What kind of a people’s House is
our entire country as well as the world, but I mention that because it got me to that? I would posit that it is not one.
and we can continue to persevere in thinking about what this is all about, We have so many issues right now
our quest to become a multiplanetary what we are doing. that are tearing our country apart.
species. We can do all of the above, and Now, for those few people at home Why? Because there is no leadership
we will. watching on C–SPAN, I am here alone, coming from the Representatives sent
History will not forgive us if we fail mostly, in the Chamber with the excep- to Washington to represent the people.
to do so. tion of the Speaker and my friend from None.
Madam Speaker, this evening I say, California. And I think about Rebekah, If there were leadership, we would
Godspeed to the Perseverance team and and I think about all of those young have actual debate. We would actually
the thousands who have supported to- Americans out there working hard sit down here and come up with ideas,
day’s successful launch. With over a every day, trying to get someone elect- offer solutions, and then hammer them
decade of preparation, today they dem- ed or go fight for what they believe in. out. We would actually sit down at a
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onstrated the true meaning of Amer- And that is what this is about. This is table like a small business or sit down
ican perseverance. the people’s House. This is the House of at a table like a family and balance a
Mr. ROY. Madam Speaker, I appre- Representatives. It is really an unbe- budget. We would have a debate about
ciate the gentleman from California lievable institution when you think the proper policies to deal with a pan-
bringing up this important topic. The about what it meant in the history of demic instead of pointing fingers and
news these days tend to be filled—it is the world. politicizing a virus.
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July 30, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H4181
In what universe do you politicize a But there is another point to all of Two days ago, I took my 10-year-old
virus? Yet that is precisely what the this, which is the Constitution talks son and my 9-year-old daughter to Mt.
leaders of this great and august coun- about securing the blessings of liberty. Vernon so they could see the home of
try have done. It talks about what we are supposed to the Father of our Country, George
Everyone in America is sitting do as a Nation in terms of defending Washington, where I unapologetically
around wondering what on Earth has the rule of law. taught my children about the great-
happened that we are now deciding how Of course, the Federal Government ness of our first President. It is impor-
we make policy based on polls and re- should defend the Federal courthouse tant, that part. I unapologetically
actions to whatever the President says in Portland. To say otherwise is pat- taught my children about the great-
or whatever Speaker PELOSI says. ently absurd. ness of our country and of the Father
It is absolutely amazing. The needle Yet, what did my Democratic col- of our Country.
moved when President Trump said that leagues do this week? What did they do We are all flawed. We always will be
we ought to open our schools. Simple when the Attorney General of the because we are men and women. We are
notion: Let’s open up our schools. United States was here before the made in the image of God, but we are
Why might that be important? I House Judiciary Committee but sit not God. And thank the Lord that he
don’t know. How about for all the there and talk over him and mock him sent his son so that I might have eter-
working-class Americans who can’t af- and relentlessly stand on the side of nal life because I am flawed. But we
ford daycare and are trying to figure lawless Marxists who are trying to de- should not look at our country with
out how to have their children get edu- stroy a city of the United States of shame or disregard because we have
cated. America instead of standing up along- made mistakes.
Why aren’t we having a robust debate side our law enforcement. Yet, the other side of the aisle seems
about that instead of just pointing fin- What are we doing? What are we hellbent on tearing down this great
gers and saying, ‘‘Uh-oh. Be afraid’’? doing as a country? country brick by brick, statue by stat-
But that is what we are doing. We are in an empty Chamber with
It is really easy for all the latte- ue, thread by thread of our flag, word
three votes today at 6:30 tonight, two by word of our anthem.
drinking, Peloton-riding, Volvo-driving
votes or three votes tomorrow, and It is a mockery of this House.
White Americans to run around going
then head home. And then what? Be How on Earth can you explain to a
off and saying: ‘‘Oh, I am going to go
gone for August while our businesses veteran who is missing limbs, who bled
by and get my little drink, but some-
burn, literally and figuratively, while in the Middle East or bled at Nor-
body is serving me. And those people
millions of Americans don’t have jobs? mandy or bled in the Pacific? How can
serving me, how are they going to have
Why are we going to adjourn? Why you explain to a veteran that our coun-
their kids get educated?’’
It ain’t going to be if we don’t open have we only met something like 15 out try is bad?
our schools. of the last 100 days, or whatever it has Our country is not bad. Our country
Can I tell you, Madam Speaker, what been? is great. Our country has done more for
they are doing in Austin, Texas? This It is an absolute embarrassment more men and more women than any
is how genius it is in Austin, Texas. what has become of the people’s House. other nation in the history of the
They are saying we can’t open our We should be ashamed. We should be world. I will debate that anywhere,
schools until late September or some ashamed that we are not here doing the anytime, with anyone who cares to ac-
undetermined date. Oh, but don’t work of the American people. tually have a debate in this so-called
worry. We will open the buildings, More importantly, we should be people’s House. I will not sit here and
allow the YMCA to go in, hold a group ashamed that when we are here, we are listen to supposed representatives of
forum there to watch virtual edu- not sitting down at a table and work- this country tear her down.
cation—which now, by the way, I am ing through the issues of the day based Right now, we have people who are
seeing all sorts of stories of teachers on the rule of law, based on the Con- hurting because of the virus, people
saying: ‘‘Well, we don’t want to do the stitution, based on the Declaration, who are hurting because they have lost
virtual education either.’’ based on our job as Representatives to jobs, people who are hurting because
What are we doing for our children? represent the people of the United their businesses have gone out of busi-
Why aren’t we debating this right now States. ness, people who are hurting because
instead of having, ‘‘Oh, President Our police officers stand up to defend streets have been torn down or burned
Trump said we should open our the rule of law. People come from all or because we have allowed looting to
schools,’’ so we are going to have a 20 over the globe here. Why? Is it for what occur in the false name of social jus-
percent swing in how we view opening is enumerated in the Bill of Rights? Is tice.
our schools? it for what was enumerated, or laid What are we doing for them? Ad-
In what universe does that statement out, in the Declaration of Independ- journing? Heading home to campaign
by the President change what we ence, those unalienable rights? Yes. so that people can score political
should be doing as the people’s House It is all of those things, and it is points?
about opening our schools? Yet, that is equal justice under the law, all the I have had people on my own side of
precisely what happened. things that we should be fighting to the aisle say perhaps they shouldn’t do
We have a current environment in strive for in order to reach those ideals bills or work with certain Members on
the United States of America where that, by the way, we will never reach the other side of the aisle. Why? Be-
the very rule of law, which attracts because we are flawed men and women. cause they don’t want us to avoid the
people from all over the world to come My faith teaches me that. But they are ability to score political points.
here, is being trampled upon by peo- the ideals that we will constantly I know that has happened on the
ple—frankly, often self-identifying as strive to reach. other side of the aisle. How do I know
Marxists—but people who are ravaging It is why, when I went to Independ- that? Because DEAN PHILLIPS, a very
cities, literally undermining the ence Hall, I was proud to stand up and good man, and I worked together to
health, security, safety, community of say this is a great thing that happened pass the Paycheck Protection Program
our cities, our States, our homes. A here. I will never back away from de- Flexibility Act. And DEAN, to his great
Federal courthouse is being targeted fending the United States of America. credit, because he is a gentleman, de-
and burned in Portland. I stopped off where Francis Scott Key ferred to me to introduce the bill be-
Now, what happens? Again, it be- wrote our national anthem, and I did a cause we had been working on the leg-
comes politicized. In what universe is video there. I am not going to back islative part, and he was working on
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that political? I mean, I would suggest away from defending our national an- the political part. We were working to-
to anybody, go look at anything I have them and defending our history. gether. So, I introduced the bill.
ever said about federalism or about re- I went from there to the Jefferson We had worked to get to an agree-
specting States and respecting local Memorial. I went to the Roosevelt ment. It was going to move through
powers to make decisions that are best monument. I went to the Lincoln Me- this Chamber. Ah, but it couldn’t be in
for the people. morial. the name of the Republican freshman
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H4182 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE July 30, 2020
from Texas, who, by the way, is in a clue what our national deficit is going made about kids drinking out of toi-
district that might be on the hot list to be this year? No. lets, and they were toilets that have
for the DCCC. We don’t have a clue because we are water fountains attached to them.
Coincidence that they then took the spending money hand over fist. Why? But this is the hyperbole that drives
same language and dropped it into an- Because we are trying to deal with a public opinion, gets out in social
other bill with my friend from Min- pandemic that, frankly, our own public media, and undermines the one thing
nesota—no fault of his own—and put it actions and public governments are that almost all Americans understand
under his name and then said, ‘‘Great. causing a hell of a lot of the very dam- is critically important, and that is to
Let’s move it through’’? And it passed age we are trying to bail out. State and have border security where cartels
417–1. local governments are taking actions, don’t run our border. That is not a con-
Yes, Madam Speaker, I am looking at which basically are tantamount to troversial statement.
Congressman MASSIE, with a little bit takings, shutting down people’s liveli- By the way, it is not just my col-
of love. hoods. Then, they just walk away and leagues on the other side of the aisle.
Why? This is what the American peo- shake their hands, and they go, ‘‘Well, There are a whole lot of people on my
ple are sick and tired of. They are lit- I guess the Federal Government will side of the aisle who love to sit there at
erally just sick of it. bail them out.’’ the Rio Grande and have a little sign
We can disagree, and we are going to Governors, mayors: ‘‘Sorry, bars, that says ‘‘no trespassing,’’ and then
disagree. DEAN and I disagree. The shut down. Sorry, restaurants, shut they wink, wink, nod, nod, over here,
Speaker pro tempore and I disagree on down. Sorry, barbershops, shut down. and they have a ‘‘help wanted’’ sign.
issues. But we also agree. Sorry, live music venues, shut down. How about we have an honest con-
I was proud to join the Speaker pro Sorry, artists who have to sing in the versation about what a secure border
tempore in January, along with DEAN live music venue, you are shut down. looks like? Why don’t we sit down at a
and another Democrat, three Repub- Sorry, churches, you can’t worship.’’ table and actually do that? I am sick
licans and an independent. You can and tired of Republicans who 10 years
b 2115 ago were saying to those of us who
guess who the independent was. Why?
To write an op-ed in The Washington Madam Speaker, I am sitting here in thought we should have a secure border
Post saying: Hold on here. Maybe we this Chamber, wondering what it is because we knew what was happening,
should rethink a 20-year-old Authoriza- going to take for the House of Rep- and we saw what the cartels were
tion for Use of Military Force. resentatives to actually represent. We doing, and we saw the hordes of human
Now, do I have all the answers to don’t govern. That is not what we do in trafficking, and we saw the dead bodies
what we should do in Afghanistan, America. We represent. in deserts, and people in our own party
Iraq, Syria, Iran? I do not. It is okay to We each represent whatever we rep- were saying: Well, fences are a 19th
say that, by the way. It is okay to say resent, 700,000, 800,000 people, depending century solution to a 21st century
you don’t have all the answers. on the district. We are here to share problem.
their values and beliefs and reach some Now, because it is a politically
But we got together to say maybe,
point of actual responsible leadership charged thing, the President is for it
just maybe we should rethink 20-year-
and do our job. and it has become partisan, they say:
old authorizations of force when there
But I have to say something here. Well, yeah, we are all for it.
are men and women who are now en- When are we going to do our job, Re-
listing who weren’t alive when we The President of the United States, he
draws a lot of fire. The President of the publicans and Democrats, to do that,
passed them. to secure the border of the United
Just a couple of weeks ago, we had a United States ran in 2016 on what?
States, not because we don’t want to
12-tour veteran, I think a marine, who Build the wall. Drain the swamp.
welcome immigrants, but because it is
killed himself. Twelve tours, Madam And what does drain the swamp
the responsible thing for a government
Speaker. mean? I would tell you that, whatever
to do?
What are we doing? Why aren’t we you think of the President, drain the Why would we let the Reynosa fac-
having a debate about that? swamp means everything I am just tion of the Gulf cartel run the border
With all due respect to some of my talking about and 1,000 other things in the Rio Grande Valley? That is pre-
friends on this side of the aisle, endless that are irritating the American people cisely what we are doing.
wars are not an answer. Neither is al- every single day about why this gov- Why would we allow fentanyl to pour
lowing bad actors to run amok around ernment, and particularly this Con- across the border? Why would we allow
the world against our national security gress, can’t do its job, why bureaucrats addicts in our country to have a con-
interests or that of our allies. stand in the way of what the people stant supply coming through from
So why must it always be, when we want, why judges make up the law, and Mexico, across our border, through
get to budget time: ‘‘Well, we have to why Congress can’t balance a budget. Texas, through Arizona, through to
have more money. We are going to That is the swamp. Mexico, through California? Why would
keep defense. We are going to keep The swamp represents the frustration we do that? It defies all rationality. It
things going. We are going to have of the American people who, while ex- makes no sense. Yet, that is what we
OCO. We are going to do this. We are tremely willing to have people come to do, and the American people are sick
going to spend more money to keep the this country with open arms, also want and tired of it.
wars going, whatever DOD wants’’? their border to be secure. They don’t Giving credit where it is due, the
Why is it on the other side of the want cartels running the border. They President of the United States has
aisle too often: ‘‘Well, an endless don’t want 900,000 people coming to our tried to attack that problem, and he
amount of dollars for nondefense dis- border being apprehended and having has met resistance from the swamp at
cretionary spending, but whatever. We to deal with it. They don’t want cartels every turn. He has met resistance from
don’t care about $26 trillion of debt. to abuse women and children on the our Democratic colleagues, met resist-
Let’s just pass a bill. Let’s just get it journey. They don’t want fentanyl ance from bureaucrats at DHS, met re-
done so we can do something. And you pouring across our border, and that is sistance from bureaucrats throughout
get what you want, and you get what the state of our border. the administration when he is trying
you want, and we spend another extra If the President of the United States to do what the American people elected
trillion dollars’’? should dare to say we should have a se- him to do.
By the way, Madam Speaker, I would cure border, what happened? Col- When we stand up saying that we
say to the gentleman from Arizona leagues on the other side of the aisle should defend the rule of law and stand
dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with HOUSE
(Mr. SCHWEIKERT), a trillion dollars went to the border and lied about the beside law enforcement, what happens?
sounds kind of quaint, doesn’t it? A state of the border with respect to kids The swamp pushes back and says: No,
trillion dollars sounds kind of quaint in cages and kids drinking out of toi- we can’t do that.
now. lets. Heaven forbid we have Federal law
I don’t even know where we are. Does I went there. My chief of staff went enforcement protecting a courthouse.
anybody in this Chamber have the first down there the week after claims were Who would have thought?
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July 30, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H4183
The swamp pushes back. Right now, Instead, everybody will go to Twit- Yet, we go around, and as long as you
we are facing the struggles that we are ter. Everybody will go to the press con- virtue signal that you are wearing a
dealing with, with respect to the pan- ferences. People will point. They will cotton mask, everybody says: Aren’t
demic. call doctors crazy. They will say it is you really important? Aren’t you just
I suspect that my friend from Ari- no good, and we will never know, or we loving your country?
zona is here to talk a little bit about won’t know unless we fight through it Are we doing what we are supposed to
the data on that. I could be wrong. I to try to figure it out ourselves, not do to actually make our country safer?
think I am right. doing the hard work of this body to fig- Does anybody here know for certain?
There is a lot of stuff that we should ure out whether HCQ is a good prophy- Does anybody know when I am sitting
be looking at about this virus. It is a lactic or not. on an airplane, and the guy two rows
virus. It is not something you bottle up Again, I am not advocating for it. I over has a cotton mask kind of dan-
into a Tupperware container and put am advocating for—it is unbelievable gling down—it is just sitting there.
on the shelf. It is a virus. It is out. It to have to say this—I am advocating And, oh, the flight attendant says,
is among us. It is in all 50 States. It is for actually investigating it, debating ‘‘Good job. You got your mask on.’’ Is
in every city and town. It is a virus. it, finding the truth, and not censoring that making me safer?
What are we going to do as a country it. How about when you wear an N95
to work through it? Cower in fear? Be But that is what is happening. Why mask with one of those little valves?
afraid to actually look at the data? Be are we always saying how bad we are Have we finally gotten around to the
afraid to actually talk to doctors who doing as a country right now? For the side of saying: Oh, we all raced to get
might have an opposing or different longest time: ‘‘We are not testing. We those, but no, you have got the valve.
view than the powers that be at the are not testing. We are not testing.’’ It is kicking too much air out, and
CDC or the NIH? We have done over 50 million tests. Are that is going to hurt people?
Let me be clear. I don’t know Dr. they the right tests? Are we testing the Why am I saying all that? I am not
Fauci other than having interacted right way? Maybe we should have a saying don’t wear a mask. What I am
with him in a hearing or a setting like good, robust debate about that. saying is, for goodness sake, this isn’t
this. I don’t know Dr. Birx other than But we had over 50 million tests. We the gospel handed down as to what pre-
similarly engaging as an official. But are testing at a rate only surpassed by, cisely is the right way to do it when
they are not the President. They are I think, three other countries. I think our own Dr. Fauci was questioning
not an elected Member of Congress. we are fourth. I could be wrong. I think masks mere months ago, when our own
They are not an elected Member of the that is right. NIH was questioning it, when there was
Senate. No, the rate, the testing, we are report after report about it, when Den-
Why aren’t we having hearings with fourth. We have 50 million tests, more mark and Sweden and Finland and all
different alternative views from other than any other country in the world. of these other Nordic countries aren’t
health professionals, other doctors? We are testing by the thousands in wearing masks.
There is a large number of doctors, not Texas. And all the eyes have been re- ‘‘Oh, no, he is talking about masks.
insignificant, with differing opinions: cently on Florida, Texas, and Arizona. He is an anti-masker.’’ That is what it
Ioannidis at Stanford University; Scott Again, I am sure my friend from Ari- is all about now. Get on Twitter, bash
Atlas at Stanford; Oxford put out re- zona will have some data on this, but somebody. They are a nutball.
cent reports; Dr. Risch at Yale, talking these States which have had, yes, an When are we going to look at the
about the possible efficacy and success increase in the last several weeks, data and try to do the thing that we
with HCQ, hydroxychloroquine. tragically, we are concerned. We are need to do to lead this country for-
I am not a doctor. I don’t know watching it. Our Governor is all over ward? Do we know what we are doing
whether HCQ works, but I would like it. We are paying attention to it, but it to children right now? Do we have any
to know. And I would like to have the has become a political football. idea?
right to try. Why is it, in the United The total numbers in all of those We have our own CDC Director talk-
States of America, a supposedly free States still pale in comparison to New ing about the number of suicides out-
country, a doctor cannot prescribe HCQ York and New Jersey, in terms of fa- pacing the number of deaths from
in certain circumstances? Or why are talities. I have no real interest in sit- COVID.
States preventing that? Or why are ting here and pointing fingers at the I love my 10-year-old son. I love my
doctors at the CDC or NIH preventing Democratic Governor of New York or 9-year-old daughter. I would give my
that when there is evidence, studies, to the mayor of New York, talking about life for them at any given moment, but
the contrary, when it is sold off-the- how they failed versus how we suc- they are going back to school on Au-
shelf in other countries around the ceeded or not succeeded, or whatever. gust 20 because it is good for them.
world because it is a malaria medicine? Why are we doing that?
Why would we not have a debate Why aren’t we just sitting down to- b 2130
about that? You have doctors going gether and working together to try to But there are so many children in
across the street at the Supreme Court figure out what the right policies are? this country who are not going to be
of the United States, doing a press con- Dare I talk about masks? Am I al- going back to school because we have
ference. I don’t know them, but they lowed to talk about masks? It is a gen- scared the bejesus out of the entire
are doctors, M.D.s, and they give a uine question. Am I actually allowed to country.
press conference saying how they think talk about masks? Yet, the Speaker of We are America. We cured polio. We
HCQ works as a prophylactic. the House of Representative said—by put a man on the Moon. We beat Nazi
What happens? It is censored by Big the way, putting aside our constitu- Germany. We beat Japan. And we are
Tech, shut down as being potentially tional duty to represent our constitu- cowering in the corner about a virus.
misleading. Does that not concern my ents and vote on the floor of this Let’s look at the numbers. Let’s pro-
colleagues on the other side of the House—that somehow that is a breach tect the elderly. Let’s protect the peo-
aisle? of decorum. ple in nursing homes. But, for good-
That is a genuine question that I And oh, by the way, I am sure all the ness’ sake, let’s open our schools, and
would actually like to know the answer 12 viewers of this, when they take their don’t let teachers’ unions hide behind a
to. But I won’t know because the 200- viewers, my opponents will all say: virus to pretend they don’t want some-
and-some-odd colleagues are out doing ‘‘Oh, he is an anti-masker.’’ thing else when they do, and we know
whatever they are doing right now, I have had this mask since April. My they do.
dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with HOUSE
going to dinner, doing their thing, wife sewed a HEPA filter in here. It is The President of the United States
going home, will come in tomorrow. a really good mask. It is not one of ought to call a hearing and bring in
We will rush in here, and we will those flimsy old cotton masks that, by Scott Atlas, bring in Dr. Ioannidis,
have three votes. We will never actu- the way, were made fun of or said were bring in Dr. Rishi, bring in some of the
ally debate it, will we? We will not ac- inadequate by the NIH 5 years ago in a Oxford folks, and bring in other doctors
tually debate it. study. to talk about the science. Let’s have a
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H4184 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE July 30, 2020
full discussion about this. Let’s show comes the first woman elected county ative Lewis for decades are going
the American people they can go back clerk in Nolan County, Texas. She through. I can’t imagine what Chair-
to work, they can go back to school, helps my dad, gets up at 4 in the morn- man NADLER has been going through
and they can do it safely. ing, goes and does therapy. He was the with his wife’s battle with cancer. We
We are destroying our economy, the first to go on to college. I am the first could go around the room. All of us
greatest economy in the history of the to go on to graduate school, and here I deal with these kinds of things.
world. Forty-five percent of Black am in Congress. But I will acknowledge that, for me,
businesses have gone out of business It is the American story. It is the that was intensely personal, getting a
over the last 5 months. American story we ought to be proud cancer diagnosis at age whatever I was
Do you want to talk about Black to share, proud to push, and proud to at the time, 39. But the reason I am
lives mattering? How about those 45 champion. But instead we are sitting bringing it up here is because as I
percent of businesses? here in an empty Chamber running think, through this virus right now—it
I guess that doesn’t look good on the people through and voting on things is a virus. I know it is bad. I know it is
mound for Major League Baseball, does that likely have no chance of becoming scary. I know there are people who
it? law. In fact, we know these appropria- have lost loved ones. But our reaction
I guess that doesn’t fit on the back of tions bills have no chance of becoming to it does not represent the greatest of
a jersey for the NBA, does it? law. We know it. Yet we are showing this country, in my opinion.
It doesn’t fit on one of those cute lit- the American people that we are I don’t mean that we are not testing
tle stickers that the NFL likes to put ‘‘doing something.’’ enough or we are not getting enough
on their helmets so they can feel good Do you want to know what the announcements out about masks. I
about themselves as social justice war- swamp is? It is that. It is a disease, mean, loved ones who are dying alone.
riors. Madam Speaker. Do somethingitis. We Let me be perfectly clear that if any
Who cares about those families that have to show the people we are doing of my loved ones get this virus, they
are destroyed because their businesses something when you are doing literally are not dying alone. No local judge, no
are gone? nothing. That is what this Chamber is local mayor, no local Governor, no
But that is what we are doing by our about. It should be about something President, and no Member of this body
own judgment and by our own deci- better, more, and bigger. is going to stop me from seeing my
sions. We should be ashamed. We can disagree violently about cer- loved one. But that is because I am
The people’s House. Look at it, tain issues and policies, but why can’t stubborn. But we are forcing that envi-
Madam Speaker, it is empty. I don’t we come together to balance our budg- ronment on a lot of people who don’t
know who is running your C–SPAN et? know how to fight a system.
cameras. Take a broad view. Show the Why can’t we come together to figure Why would we allow that to happen
American people the people’s House in out how to fight a pandemic without in America? Why?
all its glory, cycling in your Represent- politicizing it? But that is what we are doing.
atives to come in like robots and vote Yet that is precisely what we are Why would we do what we are doing
and walk out and then vote and then doing. to children out of fear?
walk out and spend all day voting but May I ask the Speaker how much Again, I promised myself I would lay
never actually debating or talking. time is remaining. down everything I have to defend and
By the way, 20 or 30 or 40 of them are The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gen- save this Republic for my kids and my
voting from boats and voting from tleman from Texas has 14 minutes re- grandkids, my now 10-year-old son and
their homes using proxy voting. maining. 9-year-old daughter who are with me
What is a proxy vote? Mr. ROY. Madam Speaker, it was 9 here this week. But I would be doing
I am glad you asked. A proxy vote is years, last night, I was in an emer- them a disservice if I held them back
when someone isn’t actually doing gency room in Austin, Texas. I had from going to school.
their constitutional duty of voting fluid on my lungs and I didn’t know I know all the arguments. Well, they
here in this Chamber. A proxy vote is what was going on. I found out 2 days go to school and then the teachers will
someone sitting at home and telling later, 3 days later, it was likely, and take it home to someone else.
another Member to vote for them, dele- then turned out to be, stage III Hodg- Madam Speaker, if we look at the
gating the nondelegable. Our Constitu- kin’s lymphoma. It was kind of a curve data, look at who is likely to get hit by
tion doesn’t provide for that. ball one gets when you have got a 4- this virus, we should be adults about
In 1793, our Founding Fathers were month-old daughter, 2-year-old son, this. We are leaders. We set the tone.
fighting yellow fever. Five thousand and a wife scared out of her mind. Fear is not the tone we should be set-
people had died in Philadelphia out of I remember the prayers and I remem- ting as a nation. Yet that is precisely
50,000—10 percent. Washington, Madi- ber the calls. I remember all of it like what we are doing.
son, Jefferson, and Adams found a way it was yesterday. I can’t believe it has We should not be letting loved ones
to meet. They were debating: How can been 9 years. die alone. We should not be doing what
we do this adhering to the Constitu- Governor Perry, for whom I worked we are doing to children.
tion? at the time, couldn’t have been a bet- By the way, I talked about cancer. I
Heaven forbid we adhere to the Con- ter man or gentleman trying to help us was blessed that I got a diagnosis at
stitution. We have a duty to be in this get through it. I went down to MD An- stage III.
Chamber. We have survived wars and derson and did a trial drug that is now What if I had been sick this year?
we have survived other pandemics. the standard of care. I am alive today What if it had gotten into my bones
This stuff isn’t foreign to me. My dad because of that and because of the with stage IV? That is happening to
is a survivor of polio. It is real. He has great doctor I had at MD Anderson. Americans right now.
got a tracheostomy. He walks with a I remember when going through that, Do we ever talk about that on the
limp and he can barely get around. But of course, you don’t know what the floor, or is everybody running around
he is 77 years old, and he is alive be- outcome is going to be. It wasn’t until talking about 150,000 dead Americans
cause his mom fought through being a October I remember being down there because it is the President’s fault?
single mom in west Texas after she lost with my wife when we got the news Why aren’t we talking about the sui-
my grandfather, who died of cancer that the cancer was clear. I had to fin- cide rates? Why aren’t we talking
when my dad was 7, and here is my ish treatment through January of 2012. about the opioid addiction? Why aren’t
grandmother finding out her son has It changes your perspective. we talking about the cancer screenings
dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with HOUSE
polio in September of 1949. Now, everybody in this Chamber has that aren’t occurring? Why aren’t we
My dad comes home from the hos- personally dealt with something like talking about the suicide?
pital to say good-bye to his dad, whom that. I can’t even imagine what my Veteran suicides are increasing. Peo-
he had only known for 2 years because friend ANDY BARR is going through in ple are feeling alone, and it is scarring
his dad had been in the Pacific theater. losing his lovely wife. I can’t imagine our children. That is not what a great
Then my grandmother runs and be- what folks who have known Represent- country does.
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July 30, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H4185
Madam Speaker, we are a great coun- b 2145 that care delivery network. If you are
try, and we should darn well start act- COVID–19 MEDICAL INNOVATION below it, maybe you have a sense you
ing like it again. IDEAS are going in the right direction.
Let’s debate on the floor here what But these are the types of things we
we should be doing with our military The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under need to be sharing with people around
abroad authorizations of force. the Speaker’s announced policy of Jan- the country, to understand that if you
Let’s secure the border of the United uary 3, 2019, the Chair recognizes the are 25 years old, the chance of you los-
States and not allow the swamp to gentleman from Arizona (Mr. ing your life—and we don’t want any-
stand in the way of common sense. SCHWEIKERT) until 10 p.m. one getting sick—but you are well
Let’s stand up for law enforcement, Mr. SCHWEIKERT. Madam Speaker, under 1 percent.
secure our communities, and don’t let we know we are in an election year. We And this is something called—I do a
people run over streets and burn down know passions are running high. We lot of presentations here on the floor,
buildings. know we have an environment where and I didn’t bring all the charts be-
Let’s stand up in the face of a virus. our country is incredibly hurting right cause I just didn’t want to overwhelm
Let’s say we are going to defeat it, and now. the conversation—allocation of re-
let’s damn well defeat it. It is who we If you saw the unemployment num- sources.
are as a people. It is in our DNA. It has bers this morning, the GDP numbers, If your community, when you pull up
been since our founding. It has been how vibrant the economy was last your ZIP Code map—and in Arizona, we
there through all the wars. It has been quarter, you can almost have your are doing a really good job of using this
there through previous pandemics. And heart ache. We have millions and mil- heat map, where you can see where we
it is with us here now if we will just lions and millions and millions of our are having outbreaks—how do we actu-
tap into it. brothers and sisters outside these walls ally share? Because we have provided
This should not be partisan. I look at who are hurting. And I guess for many resources—maybe we need to provide
both directions when I say that. It of us in the minority, there is that more technology or other things—but
should not be partisan. I cannot believe frustration of ‘‘we care, but we want if you see on the heat map that this
we are sitting here in an environment something that actually works.’’ neighborhood, this part of your com-
where we have allowed a virus to be- And so one of my reasons for taking munity is having an outbreak, why
come partisan, but that is precisely some time tonight is I wanted to do don’t we have outreach into that com-
what we have done. one or two things. munity? Why don’t we have people
Madam Speaker, I am not going to Originally, I was going to bring in all knocking on the doors saying, Do you
take up too much more time. I know this data of what we have learned have a mask? Do you understand all
that the gentleman from Arizona has about who gets sick and who doesn’t the little rules? Do you understand the
been patiently waiting. I didn’t even get sick, and those things. And I real- Sunday barbecue in the backyard with
start to bring up my charts and talk ized, maybe that is not what we should everyone in the neighborhood probably
about numbers because I could never do. So I was going to do just a couple isn’t a brilliant idea?
do battle with the gentleman from Ari- data points and then actually talk I really want us to communicate the
zona when it comes to presenting that about pieces of legislation that should idea where the devastation is but also,
kind of information. I know he will do be easy for us, that actually would help how do we be proactive? How do we get
it well. our brothers and sisters out there in
But I do know this: We are a great out there? Instead of doing some of the
dealing with the coronavirus, in deal- craziness of everything shuts down,
country that is doing great things ing with the economic devastation it
right now to combat this virus. I do whether you are in communities where
has brought to us, and providing some we can’t find efficacy of transmissions
know that my physician is a great of the basic mechanisms. None of them
man. Dr. Yunis grew up in Damascus, to where we see some pretty tough
are panaceas, but it is good policy. numbers. So that is actually one of the
Syria. Let me start with one thing, just so
I asked Dr. Yunis: Doc, I am stage things we have been trying to commu-
we have this: If we look at our fellow nicate to the professionals in Arizona,
III. I have a 4-month-old, a 2-year-old,
Americans that we have lost since the is sort of, how do we reach out to where
and a wife. I am 39. What am I looking
pandemic—family members, mothers we see the problems?
at?
Dr. Yunis looked at me and said: I and fathers, grandmas and grandpas In Arizona recently, we had the Fed-
am not going to give you a percentage. who passed away—45 percent of them eral Government provide testing in
Later he gave me one because I made were actually in a nursing home or some of the hardest hit areas, and we
him give me one. hospice-type care and their death cer- hoped actually some of those numbers
He said: I am not going to give you a tificates make it clear that there was helped. There are other economic num-
percentage. For you, it is zero percent COVID as part of it. bers that are really tough because
or 100 percent. Choose 100 percent. So if you actually had that as a data some of it is getting on the cusp of
When are we going to choose 100 per- point, I am hoping we can sort of think being partisan. And I am going to beg
cent? When are we as a body, when are through who are the most vulnerable for my brothers and sisters on the left,
we as the Senate, when are we as the in our society, and do we continue to and those of us on the right, to back
White House, when are we together on sell, tell, share the message that if you away from it and actually sort of think
a nonpartisan basis going to choose 100 are in some of these vulnerable groups, it through.
percent behind this country, 100 per- if you are in the nursing home, it is We actually have built a number of
cent for the rule of law, 100 percent risky. There is a concentration where charts, and we are trying to build more
standing alongside of our law enforce- resources should go and what we can data of what is actually going to hap-
ment keeping our communities safe, do. pen if schools aren’t able to find a safe
100 percent that we are going to have And that is an interesting baseline way to open up.
our kids go back to school, we are for those who actually have great in- Do you actually know what happens
going to get back to work, we are going terest in the numbers. For myself in to long-term incomes of females in the
to lift our economy up, and we are Maricopa County, Arizona, our nursing country? These are things people don’t
going to prove that the 21st century is home fatality rate is at 39 percent of necessarily think about, but we can
going to be the greatest century that the fatalities. There are other places show you—we are working on it be-
this country has ever known, not be- where it is over 50 percent. Using that cause we are trying to make sure we
cause we are cowering in fear, but be- actually is a benchmark. If the na- are getting our math right—that by
dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with HOUSE
cause we are facing these things head- tional number is 45 percent of the fa- not having the daycare facilities and
on? talities from COVID come from nursing our schools open, it turns out the
That is what 100 percent means. That homes and those types of facilities, if moms and dads—but, particularly the
is what being an American means. you are above that, you really need to moms that work—that may now have
Madam Speaker, I yield back the bal- think about how you are treating that lost several months of being in the
ance of my time. population, how you are working with workplace, it actually has an effect on
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