Congressional Record — House, August 22, 2020, Page H4270

Summary

Page H4270 of the House section of the Congressional Record for August 22, 2020, in interleaved columns, recording a recorded vote under House Resolution 965 on which Mr. Woodall demanded the yeas and nays. The vote, Roll No. 180, was yeas 230, nays 171, not voting 29, followed by lists of Members and pairing notes. Text on the page also covers a premium fee adjustment tied to the Consumer Price Index and benefit requests handled by the Secretary of Homeland Security. A unanimous consent request from a Member from Maryland follows.

Summary drafted by a model from the document's text below and checked by script against that text before publication. It is a navigation aid, not a reading of what the document proves. Where AI is used

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“Congressional Record — House, August 22, 2020, Page H4270.” Original at www.govinfo.gov. Archived at Pandemic Darlings, https://pandemicdarlings.com/source-documents/crec-crec-2020-08-22-crec-2020-08-22-pt1-pgh4270-5-18e5205a17/, SHA-256 284853bdacede543eb0e5e496bad2fec513e700113eb246e607ede82bd50739b.

Full text

H4270 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE August 22, 2020
MR. WOODALL. Mr. Speaker, on Bost Hagedorn Reed Lowenthal Payne Sánchez
Brady Harris Reschenthaler (Beyer) (Wasserman (Aguilar)
that I demand the yeas and nays. Brooks (AL) Hartzler Rice (SC) Lowey (Tonko) Schultz) Schakowsky
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- Buchanan Hern, Kevin Riggleman McNerney Peters (Rice (Kelly (IL))
ant to section 3 of House Resolution Buck Herrera Beutler Roby (Raskin) (NY)) Schneider
Bucshon Hice (GA) Rodgers (WA) (Houlahan)
965, the yeas and nays are ordered. Meng (Clark Peterson (Vela)
Serrano
Budd Hill (AR) Roe, David P. (MA)) Pingree (Clark
The vote was taken by electronic de- Burchett Hollingsworth Rogers (AL) (Jeffries)
Moore (Beyer) (MA))
vice, and there were—yeas 230, nays Burgess Hudson Rogers (KY)
Mucarsel-Powell Porter (Wexton)
Sires (Pallone)
171, not voting 29, as follows: Byrne Huizenga Rooney (FL) Speier (Scanlon)
(Wasserman Price (NC)
Calvert Hurd (TX) Rose, John W. Thompson (CA)
[Roll No. 180] Schultz) (Butterfield)
Carter (GA) Jacobs Rouzer (Kildee)
Carter (TX) Johnson (OH) Rutherford Nadler (Jeffries) Rooney (FL) Titus (Connolly)
YEAS—230
Chabot Johnson (SD) Scalise Napolitano (Beyer) Visclosky
Adams Gomez Omar (Correa) Roybal-Allard
Cheney Jordan Schweikert (Raskin)
Aguilar Gonzalez (TX) Pallone Omar (Pressley) (McCollum)
Cline Joyce (PA) Scott, Austin Watson Coleman
Allred Gottheimer Panetta Panetta (Kildee) Ruiz (Aguilar)
Cloud Katko Sensenbrenner (Pallone)
Axne Green, Al (TX) Pappas Pascrell Rush
Cole Keller Simpson Welch
Barragán Grijalva Pascrell (Pallone) (Underwood)
Comer Kelly (MS) Smith (MO) (McGovern)
Bass Haaland Payne Conaway King (NY) Smith (NE) Wilson (FL)
Beatty Harder (CA) Perlmutter Crawford Kinzinger Smith (NJ) (Hayes)
Bera Hastings Peters Crenshaw Kustoff (TN) Smucker
Beyer Hayes Peterson f
Curtis LaHood Stauber
Bishop (GA) Heck Phillips Davidson (OH) LaMalfa Stefanik RECESS
Blumenauer Higgins (NY) Pingree Davis, Rodney Lamborn Steil
Blunt Rochester Himes Pocan The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu-
DesJarlais Latta Stivers
Bonamici Horn, Kendra S. Porter
Boyle, Brendan Horsford
Duncan Lesko Taylor ant to clause 12(a) of rule I, the Chair
Pressley Dunn Long Thompson (PA)
F. Houlahan Price (NC)
declares the House in recess for a pe-
Emmer Loudermilk Tiffany
Brindisi Hoyer
Quigley Estes Lucas Tipton riod of less than 15 minutes.
Brown (MD) Huffman Accordingly (at 1 o’clock and 19 min-
Raskin Ferguson Luetkemeyer Turner
Brownley (CA) Jackson Lee
Bustos Jayapal
Rice (NY) Fitzpatrick Marshall Upton utes p.m.), the House stood in recess.
Richmond Fleischmann Massie Van Drew
Butterfield Jeffries
Rose (NY) Fortenberry Mast Wagner f
Carbajal Johnson (GA)
Cárdenas Johnson (TX) Rouda Foxx (NC) McCarthy Walberg b 1334
Roybal-Allard Fulcher McCaul Walker
Carson (IN) Kaptur
Cartwright Keating Ruiz Gaetz McClintock Walorski AFTER RECESS
Ruppersberger Gallagher McKinley Waltz
Case Kelly (IL) The recess having expired, the House
Rush Garcia (CA) Miller Watkins
Casten (IL) Kennedy
Castor (FL) Khanna Ryan Gianforte Mitchell Weber (TX) was called to order by the Speaker pro
Sánchez Gibbs Moolenaar Webster (FL) tempore (Mr. CUELLAR) at 1 o’clock and
Castro (TX) Kildee
Sarbanes Gohmert Mooney (WV) Wenstrup
Chu, Judy Kilmer Gonzalez (OH) Mullin Westerman 34 minutes p.m.
Cicilline Kim Scanlon
Cisneros Kind Schakowsky Gooden Murphy (NC) Williams f
Gosar Newhouse Wilson (SC)
Clark (MA) Kirkpatrick Schiff
Schneider
Graves (LA) Norman Wittman REAPPOINTMENT OF INDIVIDUAL
Clarke (NY) Krishnamoorthi
Clay Kuster (NH) Schrader
Graves (MO) Nunes Womack TO THE HEALTH INFORMATION
Green (TN) Palazzo Woodall
Cleaver Lamb Schrier
Griffith Palmer Wright
TECHNOLOGY ADVISORY COM-
Clyburn Langevin Scott (VA) MITTEE
Grothman Pence Yoho
Cohen Larsen (WA) Scott, David Guest Perry Young The SPEAKER pro tempore. The
Connolly Larson (CT) Serrano Guthrie Posey Zeldin
Cooper Lawrence Sewell (AL) Chair announces the Speaker’s re-
Correa Lawson (FL) Shalala NOT VOTING—29 appointment, pursuant to section
Costa Lee (CA) Sherman
Courtney Lee (NV) Sherrill
Aderholt Graves (GA) Olson 4003(e) of the 21st Century Cures Act
Amodei Higgins (LA) Roy (Pub. L. 114–255), and the order of the
Cox (CA) Levin (CA) Sires Banks Holding Shimkus
Craig Levin (MI) Slotkin House of January 3, 2019, of the fol-
Brooks (IN) Johnson (LA) Spano
Crist Lieu, Ted Smith (WA)
Crow Lipinski
Collins (GA) Joyce (OH) Steube lowing individual on the part of the
Soto Cook Kelly (PA)
Cuellar Loebsack Spanberger
Stewart House to the Health Information Tech-
Diaz-Balart King (IA)
Cunningham Lofgren Speier Flores Marchant
Thornberry nology Advisory Committee:
Davids (KS) Lowenthal Stanton Timmons Mr. Arien Malec, Oakland, California
Gabbard McHenry
Davis (CA) Lowey Stevens Walden
Davis, Danny K. Luján
Granger Meuser f
Suozzi
Dean Luria
Swalwell (CA) COMMUNICATION FROM THE
DeFazio Lynch
Takano b 1317 REPUBLICAN LEADER
DeGette Malinowski
Thompson (CA)
DeLauro Maloney,
Thompson (MS) Mrs. MILLER and Mr. VAN DREW The SPEAKER pro tempore laid be-
DelBene Carolyn B. changed their vote from ‘‘yea’’ to
Delgado Maloney, Sean
Titus fore the House the following commu-
Demings Matsui Tlaib ‘‘nay.’’ nication from the Honorable KEVIN
DeSaulnier McAdams Tonko So the resolution was agreed to.
Torres (CA) MCCARTHY, Republican Leader:
Deutch McBath The result of the vote was announced
Dingell McCollum Torres Small CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES,
Doggett McEachin (NM) as above recorded. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
Doyle, Michael McGovern Trahan A motion to reconsider was laid on Washington, DC, August 21, 2020.
F. McNerney Trone the table. Hon. NANCY PELOSI,
Engel Meeks Underwood
Vargas MEMBERS RECORDED PURSUANT TO HOUSE Speaker of the House,
Escobar Meng Washington, DC.
Eshoo Mfume Veasey RESOLUTION 965, 116TH CONGRESS
Vela DEAR MADAM SPEAKER, pursuant to 42 USC
Espaillat Moore Axne (Raskin) DelBene (Heck) Horsford (Kildee)
Evans Morelle Velázquez Sec. 300jj–12, I am pleased to appoint the fol-
Barragán (Beyer) DeSaulnier Huffman (Kildee)
Finkenauer Moulton Visclosky Bera (Aguilar) (Matsui) lowing individual to the Health Information
Jayapal (Raskin)
Fletcher Mucarsel-Powell Wasserman Blumenauer Doggett (Raskin) Johnson (TX) Technology Advisory Committee:
Foster Murphy (FL) Schultz (Beyer) Engel (Pallone) (Jeffries)
Ms. Cynthia A. Fisher, Newton, Massachu-
Frankel Nadler Waters Bonamici Escobar (Garcia setts
Kennedy
Fudge Napolitano Watson Coleman (Raskin) (TX)) Thank you for your attention to this mat-
(Deutch)
Gallego Neal Welch Brownley (CA) Foster (Beyer) ter.
Wexton Khanna (Gomez)
Garamendi Neguse (Clark (MA)) Frankel (Clark Sincerely,
Garcı́a (IL) Norcross Wild Kind (Beyer)
Cárdenas (MA))

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Garcia (TX) O’Halleran Wilson (FL) Kirkpatrick KEVIN MCCARTHY,
(Gomez) Garamendi
Golden Ocasio-Cortez Yarmuth Case (Sherman)
(Gallego) Republican Leader.
(Cartwright) Gonzalez (TX) Kuster (NH) f
NAYS—171 Clay (Davids (Gomez) (Clark (MA))
Abraham Babin Bergman (KS)) Grijalva (Garcı́a Lawson (FL) DELIVERING FOR AMERICA ACT
Allen Bacon Biggs Costa (Cooper) (IL)) (Evans)
Lieu, Ted (Beyer)
Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY of New
Amash Baird Bilirakis Davis (CA) (Wild) Hastings
Armstrong Balderson Bishop (NC) DeGette (Blunt (Wasserman Lipinski (Cooper) York. Mr. Speaker, pursuant to House
Arrington Barr Bishop (UT) Rochester) Schultz) Lofgren (Jeffries) Resolution 1092, I call up the bill (H.R.

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August 22, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H4271
8015) to maintain prompt and reliable (d) DEFINITIONS.—In this section— are continuing to deliver the mail for
postal services during the COVID–19 (1) the term ‘‘COVID–19 public health emer- the American people in the middle of a
health emergency, and for other pur- gency’’ means the public health emergency de- global pandemic.
clared by the Secretary of Health and Human
poses, and ask for its immediate con- Services on January 27, 2020, with respect to the The Postal Service is a critical com-
sideration in the House. 2019 Novel Coronavirus; ponent of America’s infrastructure. It
The Clerk read the title of the bill. (2) the term ‘‘election mail’’ means mail con- provides a lifeline of medication, sup-
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- sisting of— plies, and mail for all Americans, ev-
ant to House Resolution 1092, an (A) voter registration application forms, com- erywhere they live, especially in this
amendment in the nature of a sub- pleted voter registration application forms, and time of need.
stitute consisting of the text of Rules voter registration cards or similar materials;
(B) absentee and other mail-in ballot applica-
Earlier this year, the Postal Service
Committee Print 116–61, modified by asked Congress to help. They asked us
tion forms, blank absentee and other mail-in
the amendment printed in House Re- for $25 billion in critical assistance to
ballots, and completed absentee and other mail-
port 116–480, is adopted and the bill, as in ballots; and help navigate through this crisis, just
amended, is considered read. (C) other materials relating to an election like all these other industries did, busi-
The text of the bill, as amended, is as which are mailed by a State or local election of- nesses and entities that received Fed-
follows: ficial to individuals who are registered to vote in eral funds from Congress.
H.R. 8015 the election; and
(3) the term ‘‘government entity’’ means the
This was not a Democratic request.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Rep- It came from the Postal Service, and it
resentatives of the United States of America in Federal Government or any State (as that term
is defined in section 311 of title 5, United States was supported unanimously by the
Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
Code) or local government and any subdivision Board of Governors, all of whom were
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Delivering for
thereof. appointed by President Trump.
America Act’’. SEC. 3. ADDITIONAL APPROPRIATION FOR THE In response to this urgent request,
POSTAL SERVICE. the House acted. The House said yes.
SEC. 2. PROMPT AND RELIABLE POSTAL SERV-
ICES DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC. There is appropriated, out of any money in We acted swiftly to help the Postal
(a) IN GENERAL.—During the period beginning the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, for the
fiscal year ending September 30, 2020, for an ad-
Service. We voted to include $25 billion
on the date of enactment of this Act and ending in the HEROES Act, and we passed it
on the last day of the COVID-19 public health ditional payment to the Postal Service Fund (es-
tablished under section 2003 of title 39, United on May 15.
emergency or January 31, 2021, whichever is
later, the United States Postal Service may not States Code), $25,000,000,000, to remain available Unfortunately, the President would
implement or approve any change to the oper- until expended. Of the amount appropriated in not agree, and the request has lan-
ations or the level of service provided by the the previous sentence, $15,000,000 shall be trans- guished for more than 3 months. And
Postal Service from those in effect on January 1, ferred to ‘‘United States Postal Service—Office now we know why, because the Presi-
2020, that would reduce service performance or of Inspector General—Salaries and Expenses’’.
dent told us why. He admitted on na-
impede prompt, reliable, and efficient services, SEC. 4. RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.
tional television that he was blocking
including any of the following actions: Nothing in this Act shall be construed to alter
or otherwise effect the terms and conditions of
the $25 billion in order to hobble mail-
(1) Any change in the nature of postal serv-
ices which will generally affect service on a na- section 3406 of title 39, United States Code (re- in voting. That is what he said, and I
tionwide or substantially nationwide basis. lating to balloting materials under the Uni- would like to read it to you.
(2) Any revision of service standards. formed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting ‘‘They want $25 billion for the post
(3) Any closure or consolidation of any post Act). office. Now they need that money in
office or postal facility, or any reduction of such SEC. 5. BUDGETARY EFFECTS. order to make the post office work, so
office or facility hours. (a) IN GENERAL.—The amounts provided by it can take all of these millions and
(4) Any prohibition or restriction on the use of this Act are designated as an emergency require-
overtime or overtime pay to Postal Service offi-
millions of ballots.’’
ment pursuant to section 4(g) of the Statutory Regrettably, it does not end there.
cers or employees. Pay-As-You-Go Act of 2010 (2 U.S.C. 933(g)).
(5) Any change that would prevent the Postal (b) DESIGNATION IN THE SENATE.—In the Sen- Now the new Postmaster General is
Service from meeting its service standards or ate, this Act is designated as an emergency re- using this lack of funding to justify
cause a decline in measurements of performance quirement pursuant to section 4112(a) of H. Con. sweeping and damaging changes to
relative to those service standards. Res. 71 (115th Congress), the concurrent resolu- Postal Service operations, and we have
(6) Any change that would have the effect of tion on the budget for fiscal year 2018. seen the results: national headlines
delaying deferring, or curtailing mail, allowing
for the non-delivery of mail to a delivery route, The SPEAKER pro tempore. The bill, about delays of days and weeks in mail,
or increasing the volume of undelivered mail. as amended, shall be debatable for 2 veterans desperately waiting for their
(7) Treating election mail as any class of mail hours, equally divided and controlled medications, sorting machines being
other than first-class mail, regardless of whether by the chair and ranking minority ripped out and put in dumpsters.
such treatment requires payment of overtime member of the Committee on Oversight Yesterday, some of my Republican
pay to officers or employees of the Postal Serv- colleagues argued at the Rules Com-
and Reform.
ice.
(8) Removing, decommissioning, or any other The gentlewoman from New York mittee that there are ‘‘no delays.’’
stoppage of mail sorting machines, other than (Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY) and the That is right, no delays happening any-
for routine maintenance. gentleman from Kentucky (Mr. COMER) where. They claimed repeatedly that
(9) Removing or eliminating any mail collec- each will control 1 hour. there is no data that proves these
tion box that is available to the public. The Chair recognizes the gentle- delays are real.
(10) Enacting any rule, policy, or standard woman from New York. But we have eyes, and we have heard
the purpose or effect of which would delay the
GENERAL LEAVE accounts from across this Nation, from
delivery of mail to or from a government entity.
(11) Instituting any hiring freeze. Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY of New our districts and every district in this
(b) REVERSAL OF POLICIES HINDERING DELIV- York. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous Nation, and we have the Postmaster
ERY OF MAIL.—The United States Postal Service consent that all Members may have 5 General himself who admitted yester-
shall reverse any initiative or action that is legislative days in which to revise and day that there are, in fact, delays, that
causing delay in processing or delivery or non- extend their remarks and insert extra- he feels bad about them, and that he is
delivery of the mail. working feverishly to address them.
(c) ELECTION MAIL.— neous material on H.R. 8015.
(1) POLICY ON POSTMARKS.—It shall be the The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there In addition, this afternoon, we have
policy of the United States Postal Service to objection to the request of the gentle- something else. We have new informa-
postmark, which shall include any imprinted in- woman from New York? tion. We have received new internal
dicia from the Postal Service that indicates the There was no objection. Postal Service documents showing na-

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date of receipt, all election mail processed by the Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY of New tionwide performance data from July
Postal Service. York. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself 5 and August, official post office data.
(2) SAME-DAY PROCESSING.—The United States
minutes. These new documents show that the
Postal Service shall ensure, to the maximum ex-
tent practical, that election mail is processed Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support delays we have all heard about are ac-
and cleared from any postal facility or post of- of the Delivering for America Act. I tually far worse than previously ex-
fice on the same day it is received at such a fa- also rise in strong support of the brave pected and told us. And they are across
cility or post office. postal workers across this Nation who the board. They are across this Nation.

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H4272 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE August 22, 2020
This afternoon, I am making these Second, Democrats claim Postmaster Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the
new documents available to all Mem- DeJoy is removing mail sorters to in- gentlewoman from the District of Co-
bers of the House, and I urge you to re- tentionally slow the mail. These sort- lumbia (Ms. NORTON).
view them carefully. They will be ers were on track to be removed prior Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, even dur-
available on the floor during this de- to his appointment and reflect the re- ing this pandemic with most agencies
bate. ality that mail volume is down 33 per- down, we had not heard complaints
The bill we are considering today is cent over the past 15 years. from the Postal Service until Louis
simple. It does two things. First, it DeJoy was appointed Postmaster Gen-
b 1345
provides the $25 billion the Postal eral. On the contrary, the pandemic
Service requested on a bipartisan basis The third Democrat claim is that the had not kept our mail from being faith-
to help during the coronavirus crisis. Postal Service cannot manage volume fully delivered.
Second, it returns delivery standards resulting from the upcoming election. Almost immediately after DeJoy as-
to the way they were before the Post- In 2019, the Postal Service handled an sumed office, pandemonium broke out.
master General recently caused all average of 471 million pieces of mail For example, in Ward 8 of my district,
each day. Assuming all 158 million reg- there was no mail for 2 weeks. And the
those delays, which has an impact on
istered voters decided to vote by mail, District and 46 States have been
the delivery and the ability of Ameri-
the total volume of requested and warned by the Postal Service itself
cans to vote by mail.
This is not a partisan issue. It makes mailed ballots would not exceed a typ- that it cannot guarantee that all mail
ical day of total USPS mail volume. ballots will arrive in time to be count-
absolutely no sense to implement these
Fourth, the Democrats claim the ed.
dramatic changes in the middle of a
Postmaster General’s pilot program Mr. DeJoy did not tell the truth at
pandemic less than 3 months before the and his efforts to reduce excessive the Senate hearing yesterday. We know
November elections. overtime were intended to sabotage the
The American people do not want that from a July 15 memorandum di-
election. The Postmaster General testi- recting employees explicitly to leave
anyone messing with the post office.
fied he never sought to eliminate over- mail behind and to significantly cut
They certainly do not want it to be po- time. Instead, he sought to get postal
liticized. They just want their mail, overtime. We know that from an Au-
operations on time so there would be gust 7 Postal Service action that reas-
they want their medicines, and they less need to rely on overtime and re- signed 23 top executives with decades
want their mail-in ballots delivered in duce extra mail truck trips. With over- of institutional knowledge of postal op-
a timely way. And that is exactly what time costs of $1.1 billion in 2018 alone, erations in order to centralize oper-
our bill does. why wouldn’t you try to improve on ations. We know and will bring out be-
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of that? fore this hearing is over today that the
my time. The Fifth Democratic claim is that
Mr. COMER. Mr. Speaker, I yield my- Post Office continues to be sabotaged.
the Postal Service General Counsel Mr. COMER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2
self such time as I may consume. sent letters to the Senate election minutes to the gentlewoman from
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in opposi- boards to intimidate and stoke fears. North Carolina (Ms. FOXX), a member
tion to H.R. 8015, the Delivering for Letters were also sent in May, well be- of the Education Committee.
America Act. This is the result of a fore Postmaster DeJoy took over—re- Ms. FOXX of North Carolina. Mr.
legislative process only slightly less member, the Postmaster has only been Speaker, during my time in this Cham-
absurd than the conspiracies, insinu- in office 60 days—saying what the U.S. ber I have devoted myself to finding
ations, and fabrications that gave rise Postal Service has been saying for the truth and working toward good
to the purported need for it. years, that some State election boards governance. That requires gathering
I mean, just this second, the sponsor have deadlines and requirements that the facts and exposing the lies. It is in
of the bill says she has data now that simply do not consider the reality of this light that I rise today to oppose
we can all receive while we are voting Postal Service operations and logistics H.R. 8015, the so-called Delivering for
on the bill. I mean, is this data from a constraints. America Act.
whistleblower? We all know their If a State allows voters to request ab- H.R. 8015 aims to solve a made-up cri-
record with whistleblowers. sentee ballots 1 day before the election, sis by forcing the Postal Service to
The process is broken. Regardless, we why wouldn’t the Postal Service advise double down on the very same activi-
are here today debating a bill to simul- there might be a problem. ties that have caused it to lose money
taneously hamstring and bail out the Sixth. Democrats are acting like any consistently each year since 2006. Then
Postal Service. We have had no com- mail delays are new and orchestrated they give the Postal Service another
mittee hearings or markups. On Mon- by Postmaster General DeJoy. As I $25 billion to lose with no strings at-
day, we will hear from the new Post- have said time and time again, I have tached.
master General, after we vote on the been hearing about postal delays for Mr. Speaker, there is no immediate
bill. It makes no sense. The result is years. Where there are delays, it makes Postal Service crisis. Democrats manu-
deeply flawed. sense to figure out why, and it makes factured this crisis and are using it to
Although Dr. Fauci advised that even more sense to do something to fix create fear and advance their agenda.
there is no reason Americans cannot them. The Postal Service currently has $14
vote in person, citizens choosing to And, finally, the false narrative that billion in cash on hand, which is
vote by mail must have their ballots the Postal Service is running out of enough to sustain operations through
delivered in a timely manner. The money and will cease operations before August of 2021. This comes on top of
Postmaster General has pledged that is the election. Currently, the Postal the fact that the Postal Service has
his mission. And on Friday, before the Service has over $15 billion cash on not even touched the $10 billion loan
Senate, he pledged ballots would be de- hand, that’s enough to keep it solvent that Congress extended to it in the re-
livered faster than first-class mail, until August 2021, and enough time for cently passed CARES act.
without rate increases. us to do the right thing. The Postal Service has many long-
I want to turn now and, one by one, Like the Russia hoax and the im- term problems, but there is no short-
debunk the Democrats’ conspiracy peachment sham, the Democrats have term crisis. If Democrats were serious
theories. manufactured another scandal for po- about ensuring the longevity of the
First, Democrats claim DeJoy is re- litical purposes. Postal Service, we would finally pass
moving blue collection boxes to sabo- Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY of New bipartisan measures like the Postal

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tage the election. This is an absurd York. Mr. Speaker, first, in response, Service Reform Act of 2017 that was
claim. This removal process is routine. this is not a Democratic conspiracy championed by former Representatives
The Postal Service has removed 35,000 theory. Republican officials from Meadows and Cummings. This bill
boxes over the last 10 years. Under across this country, elected and ap- would enact meaningful reforms, keep
President Obama, at least 12,000 mail- pointed, have expressed their own con- mailing costs down, encourage innova-
boxes were removed, and no one cried cerns about postal delays and the tion, and not require additional tax-
foul then. President’s comments. payer bailouts.

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August 22, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H4273
Our current Postmaster General The Postmaster’s announcement [Feb. 23, 2012]
DeJoy took the job despite being didn’t commit to reversing the cuts to KENTUCKY MAIL PROCESSING CLOSINGS
vilified in public. He was unanimously service and capacity, especially restor- ANNOUNCED
selected by the bipartisan U.S. Postal ing sorting machines that absolutely KENTUCKIANA DISTRICT—As a result of
Service Board of Governors because the are critical tools in moving large vol- studies begun five months ago, the Postal
board saw tremendous value in his dec- Service has made the decision to move all
umes of mail, especially on the eve of a
mail processing processing operations from:
ades of experience managing and grow- consequential national election. Bowling Green, KY Processing and Dis-
ing a successful nationwide logistics That is why this bill would restore tribution Facility (P&DF) to the Nashville,
company. He certainly had the quali- the service delivery standards and op- TN, Processing and Distribution Center
fications to work with Congress and erations in place before Mr. DeJoy (P&DC).
take on the task of postal reform. took office. Campton, KY, Customer Service Mail
Mr. Speaker, we need long-term solu- Processing Center (CSMPC) to the Louis-
The Postmaster’s announcement ville, KY, P&DC.
tions to fix the long-term problems of didn’t include an agenda to support Elizabethtown, KY, CSMPC to the Louis-
the Postal Service. H.R. 8015 merely election mail that demonstrates a com- ville P&DC.
aims to score political points on an mitment to helping the Postal Service Hazard, KY, CSMPC to the Knoxville, TN,
issue that does not even exist. I urge fulfill its historic role in this upcoming P&DC.
my colleagues to vote ‘‘no’’ on this bill. Lexington, KY, P&DC to the Louisville
election in a pandemic. That is why P&DC and the Knoxville P&DC.
Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY of New
this bill will ensure that election mail London, KY P&DF to the Knoxville P&DC.
York. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to
is prioritized for expedited delivery, as Paducah, KY, P&DF to the Evansville, IN,
the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. CON- P&DF.
has been the practice in previous years.
NOLLY), the distinguished chairman of Somerset, KY, CSMPC to the Knoxville
The Postmaster’s announcement did
the Subcommittee on Government Op- P&DC.
erations. not explain to the public, whom he Once the transfers are completed, the mail
Mr. CONNOLLY. Mr. Speaker, we serves, how an executive could fail so processing operation at the closing sites will
just heard more of the same on the spectacularly and still keep his job. So cease. There will be no change to any of the
we still have work to do because the retail units, business mail entry units or ve-
other side of the aisle, denial and
sabotage continues. hicle maintenance facilities at these loca-
disinformation. And I find it particu- tions at this time.
larly ironic that my friend from North We must restore public confidence in It also has been determined as a result of
Carolina would cite the unanimous de- the Postal Service and its ability to the study of the Louisville, KY, Annex, that
cision of the Board of Governors. support voting by mail during the there was no significant opportunity to im-
Well, guess what? That same Board worst pandemic in 100 years. American prove efficiency or service through consoli-
of Governors unanimously rec- democracy demands no less. dation of mail processing operations, and no
ommended the $25 billion you are de- That is our history. That is the his- changes will be made at this time.
The Postal Service has experienced a 25
clining that is in this bill today. It is tory Mr. DeJoy ignored, and that is the percent decline in First-Class Mail volume
interesting how we cherry-pick facts. awesome responsibility he betrayed. since 2006, and receives no tax dollars for its
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support Mr. COMER. Mr. Speaker, I want to operations, relying instead on the sale of
of the Delivering for America Act. add, there is no evidence of the charges postage, and postal products and services.
There is an ongoing and concerted ef- of the gentleman from Virginia. ‘‘The decision to consolidate mail proc-
fort to disrupt the timeliness of mail Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the essing facilities recognizes the urgent need
delivery and to erode public confidence to reduce the size of the national mail proc-
gentleman from Kentucky (Mr. essing network to eliminate costly underuti-
in the Postal Service, all leading, if MASSIE). lized infrastructure,’’ said Chief Operating
successful, to the largest voter suppres- Mr. MASSIE. Mr. Speaker, in March, Officer. ‘‘Consolidating operations is nec-
sion in American history since Jim Speaker PELOSI called me a dangerous essary if the Postal Service is to remain via-
Crow. nuisance for insisting that at least half ble to provide mail service to the nation.’’
The effort is being directed by the Specific dates have not been set for the
of Congress come back to vote on a $2
new Postmaster General, Louis DeJoy, transition. Until a specific date has been an-
trillion bailout bill. This week, she has nounced, residential and business mailers
a crony and major donor of the Presi-
called Congress into session to vote on will continue to be served through the cur-
dent. A President who opposes mail-in
a post office bill that is nothing but po- rent facilities.
voting for everyone apparently but
litical posturing. In December 2011, the Postal Service
himself and his wife. A President who agreed to impose a moratorium on closing or
has called the Postal Service a joke Now, Speaker PELOSI told us we
would probably be back in August to consolidating post offices and mail proc-
and a scam, and who threatened to essing facilities prior to May 15, 2012, to give
veto the CARES Act with $2 trillion for vote on a PPP bill. What she didn’t tell
Congress and the Administration the oppor-
desperately needed assistance all over us is that the PPP would stand for tunity to enact an alternative plan.
this country simply to block this fund- PELOSI’s political posturing. This delay was designed to allow Congress
ing. Let me read a quote from the chief sufficient time to enact comprehensive post-
On August 18, the Postmaster Gen- operating officer of the U.S. Postal al legislation. In the meantime, the Postal
Service that might explain what is Service continued all necessary steps re-
eral announced, finally, he put a hold quired for the review of these facilities, in-
on some of the sweeping operational going on. ‘‘The decision to consolidate
cluding public notifications, public input
changes that were not only misguided mail processing facilities recognizes meetings and consideration of public com-
amid a pandemic, but actually eroded the urgent need to reduce the size of ments.
public confidence in America’s favorite the national mail processing network Implementation of this consolidation is
government agency, the Postal Serv- to eliminate costly underutilized infra- contingent upon the outcome of pending
ice. structure.’’ That was the chief oper- rulemaking for a proposal to revise existing
All in a day’s work for someone un- ating officer under Obama and Biden. service standards. This announcement is pro-
In fact, that is from a press release in vided in advance so that appropriate plan-
qualified and unfit to begin with for ning and notification can be made in accord-
the office he now occupies. 2012 when they announced they were
ance with existing employee agreements.
By now we should all know better closing nine processing facilities in the A list of mail processing studies and their
than to take the administration at its State of Kentucky. In fact, they didn’t status is available at usps.com/
word. And despite the Postmaster’s re- remove the equipment, they locked the ourfuturenetwork. Specific information
ported retreat, the sabotage continues. doors and turned out the lights and about individual studies, including public
The Postmaster is still not advocating shut it down forever, even in Lex- meeting summaries and summary briefs, is

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for additional funding for the Postal ington, Kentucky, our second biggest posted on the website, usps.com/
areamailprocessing, as it becomes available.
Service, despite the recommendation city in Kentucky. A year earlier they
by his own Board of Governors. He is closed down a processing facility in my [Apr. 28, 2011]
still not committed to using overtime district, the Obama administration ASHLAND MAIL PROCESSING OPERATIONS
as a tool during the pandemic to com- did—Obama/Biden. MOVING TO CHARLESTON, WV
pensate for 40,000 postal workers who I include those press releases in the ASHLAND, KY—As a result of a study begun
have had to quarantine or gotten sick. RECORD. in September 2010, the Postal Service has

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H4274 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE August 22, 2020
made the decision to move mail processing In my own district, in the city of have ballot harvesting across the coun-
operations from the Ashland Processing and Boston and city of Brockton, the Post- try. So, we have no purging of votes.
Distribution Facility to the Charleston WV al Service has removed at least six We are just going to send out millions
Processing and Distribution Facility.
Kentuckiana District Manager James W.
high-capacity mail sorting machines in of ballots, among which deceased peo-
Kiser said, ‘‘Given the drastic 20 percent de- the mail facility in South Boston, and ple are there, folks who have moved, or
cline in mail volume the Postal Service has two more from the postal processing ballots just being sent out all over the
experienced since 2007, we must take action and distribution center in the city of place. There will be no voter IDs re-
to reduce the size of our mail processing net- Brockton, causing a 4- to 5-day delay quired. Yet, all these ballots, somebody
work. Consolidating operations and placing right now in the city of Brockton. is going to vote for them and send
our people where we need them is necessary them back in. Talk about political
if the Postal Service is to remain viable to b 1400
malpractice.
provide mail service to the nation.’’ Why would someone do that 10 days The chairwoman herself ought to be
I understand our employees’ concern over before a congressional primary in Mas-
this move,’’ Kiser added, ‘‘but the consolida- the first to stand up and testify of the
sachusetts in the midst of a pandemic disaster of her own election that took
tion makes sense given the fiscal realities.
The Charleston facility has the capacity to
when people are being asked to vote by over 6 weeks or thereabouts to get the
handle the additional workload and we can mail in order to keep themselves safe? results because these mail-in ballots
realize significant savings by shifting oper- Mr. Speaker, I was elected on 9/11,
kept coming and coming and coming,
ations there.’’ the day of the terrorist attacks on our
thousands of which were thrown out. It
The transition is expected to be completed country. As horrific as that day was, I
by January 2012. Some employees may be re- opened doors for lawsuits in your own
feel proud that our Nation came to-
assigned to the Charleston facility or to election.
gether, as Americans do in difficult
other vacant positions as a result of the It is just absolute insanity what we
times. We mourned our fallen heroes.
move. are doing here, to me. It is a represen-
This move will not cause any changes in We tried to comfort their families. And
tation of why people are so disgusted
local mail delivery,’’ said Kiser. ‘‘Letters we turned to face our adversary to-
with Washington.
mailed to local addresses will be delivered gether, Democrat and Republican. We talk about the delays in the mail
the next day, the same as before. I am con- Looking back, I believe our democ-
service. In April this year, we had a
fident the transition will be smooth and racy was less in danger then than it is
transparent to our customers and they will briefing—not a hearing, a briefing—to
today. I say that for two reasons. First,
continue to receive the same excellent serv- inform us of the delays that were going
because we were united then, and we
ice they always have.’’ to be brought about in the Postal Serv-
There will be no change in service stand-
are divided today. And we know who
ice due to COVID. Well, that is hap-
ards for 96.3 percent of mail. However, as a divides us. Secondly, back then, the
pening. We have thousands of postal
result of the consolidation, service to 403–406, threat was external. But today, at this
workers who are not working because
413–414, 417–418, 430–432 and 456 will change moment, the greatest threat to our de-
of COVID.
from overnight to 2-day. Service to 246–248, mocracy is the current administration.
We also have great delays—would
250–253, 258–259 and 261–266 will improve from I call on my colleagues: Stand to-
2-day to overnight. ‘‘The significant cost you not agree?—in cities like Portland,
gether. Stand together and defend de-
savings and productivity gains expected from like Chicago. Of course, there are in-
mocracy. Defend your own constitu-
this consolidation were deciding factors in credible delays. People are scared to
ents’ right to vote. I urge my col-
making this very difficult decision,’’ said death to even deliver the mail in cities
Kiser.
leagues to vote in favor of H.R. 8015.
Defend democracy. You will miss it like this. Here we come to a place like
Full retail services will still be available this to bail out the Postal Service with
at the Ashland Post Office. when it is gone.
The Ashland Business Mail Entry Unit will Mr. COMER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 $25 billion that the Postmaster General
remain open for large volume business mail- minutes to the gentleman from Geor- himself says they do not need, with $14
ers. Large volume business mailers will be gia (Mr. HICE), the ranking member of or $15 billion cash on hand and another
able to bring their mail to the Ashland Busi- the Subcommittee on Government Op- $10 billion waiting, if needed, in the
ness Mail Entry Unit at 1140 Carter Ave. erations. Treasury.
Mr. MASSIE. Mr. Speaker, my mail, Mr. HICE of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I This is absolutely unneeded. Yet, this
if I send it to my neighbor, goes to thank the ranking member and my bill is going to give an additional $25
Charleston, West Virginia, before it friend for yielding. billion without any reforms.
comes back to Kentucky. Is this part of I would counter by saying the great- Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to
some vast conspiracy? No. It’s part of a est threat to democracy in the country vote against this bill.
decade’s long realignment process is the current majority in the House of Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY of New
where the post office is trying to Representatives. What we are doing York. Mr. Speaker, yesterday, in the
match the needs of the consumers to even right here today, what we are Rules Committee, the other side kept
the post office infrastructure. doing right now, we haven’t even had a claiming that there was no data about
These voter suppression conspiracies, hearing on this. the slowdown in the mail, absolutely
who knows what the Democrats will We are going to have a hearing on none.
blame next. Last month they were Monday for something we are voting on Well, this new report, this data,
blaming the Census, this month they today. Absolute political malpractice shows a 10 percent decline in service
are blaming the post office, probably is what we are watching right here. since July 1 after the new Postmaster
next month they will blame Amtrak. Why do we even debate this? Why don’t General came into office and imple-
Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY of New we have a vote and then debate it? mented a slowdown of the mail.
York. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to That is the same issue as what we are Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the
the gentleman from Massachusetts doing right now. distinguished gentlewoman from Illi-
(Mr. LYNCH), the chair of the Sub- My Democratic friends over here are nois (Mrs. BUSTOS).
committee on National Security for blaming the President as though he is Mrs. BUSTOS. Mr. Speaker, I thank
the Committee on Oversight and Re- involved in voter suppression. We want the gentlewoman for yielding.
form. to talk about voter suppression. We I rise in support of the Delivering for
Mr. LYNCH. Mr. Speaker, as chair- want to talk about influencing the America Act. The post office is a life-
man of the Subcommittee on National vote. line to rural communities. More than
Security, I want to rise in strong sup- Our own Speaker PELOSI just a little 1,000 people in the district that I serve
port of H.R. 8015, the Delivering for while ago had a press conference in have written to my office desperate to

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America Act. which she was touting, 100 days ago, save the Postal Service: a disabled vet-
This urgent legislation would reverse the HEROES Act passed. What she did eran who depends on the post office to
the ill-advised changes to mail delivery not say was what was in the HEROES deliver lifesaving medication; a small
that the new Postmaster General has Act: forbidding States from having business owner who needs the post of-
implemented to the injury of every voter ID. fice to deliver her products in an effi-
American’s right to vote, and at a seri- We are going to have universal mail- cient and cost-effective way, so she can
ous peril to our democracy. in ballots, no voter ID. We are going to feed her family; seniors who must self-

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August 22, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H4275
isolate because they are at high risk, procurement process because the spe- things. At the end of the day, we are
who depend on the Postal Service for cial interest group said that they calling for a vote as we normally do.
the supplies they need each and every weren’t notified in time so they could Things are voted up; things are voted
day. get preferential treatment on the gov- down. That has been the process that I
The Postal Service is more than a ernment contract. And surely, there have come to know over all these
service; it is part of who we are. For will be the customary environmental years.
Joseph in Peoria, he was a child wait- review. We are here because Americans who
ing for that decoder ring to come The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. are Democrats and Republicans and
through the mail. For Heather in CISNEROS). The time of the gentleman independents are not getting their mail
Pekin, it is a care package full of old has expired. on time. We are here because there has
family photos after losing a loved one. Mr. COMER. Mr. Speaker, I yield an been a 10 percent slowdown in the last
For Joseph in Kewanee, it is a letter additional 30 seconds to the gentleman 66 days. We are here because sorting
from his best friend serving in Afghani- from Georgia. machines have been dismantled at an
stan. Mr. FERGUSON. Mr. Speaker, surely accelerated rate, not the normal rate,
Birth certificates, college acceptance there will be the customary environ- an accelerated rate all across America.
letters, the mortgage paid off, the mental review to understand the im- We are here because mailboxes, with-
Postal Service delivers the American pact on the spotted blue tail south out density studies, are being snatched.
Dream. We cannot let it fail. Georgia armadillo being run over by all They have been removed over the
Mr. COMER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 the new mail trucks. years, but it has accelerated. It has ac-
minutes to the gentleman from Geor- This bill is a sham. It is a shame. It
celerated to such an extent that now
gia (Mr. FERGUSON), the chief deputy is not needed right now. We are piling
people are wondering: Where is their
whip. up money. We might as well put it on
medication? Where is their check?
Mr. FERGUSON. Mr. Speaker, I The National Mall, have a bonfire, in-
It is veterans. It is our small busi-
would like to wish my mother a happy vite Americans to bring their lawn
nesses that are hampered by this. It is
birthday. Happy birthday, mom. I wish chairs and a cooler of beer to watch the
senior citizens. So, we are not here
I were there to celebrate with you. But bonfire, so they can see firsthand how
mysteriously on a Saturday to point
instead, I am in D.C., voting on a this place wastes money.
Mr. Speaker, I urge a ‘‘no’’ vote. fingers and to call names.
senseless bill that was designed strictly The other side has a right to dis-
Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY of New
for political purposes and will put your agree, but this is a problem. I don’t
York. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such
beloved grandchildren further into know about your constituents, but all
time as I may consume.
debt. The other side of the aisle has a dou- of mine are telling me that they can’t
Now, I have watched my colleagues ble standard. Congress provided hun- get their mail on time. They expect more.
on the other side of the aisle come up dreds of billions of dollars to all sorts If the first Postmaster General looked back
with some intellectually dishonest of industries, businesses, large and at this day, I am sure Ben Franklin would be
stuff in the past. I have seen it happen spinning in his grave.
small entities across the country to We have an issue before us. We ought
more times than I care to count, but help them cope with the coronavirus
this effort takes the cake. Just look at to go at it with vigorous debate. At the
crisis. We did not require them to come end of the day, I may lose and you may
what Postmaster General DeJoy said forward with detailed plans of how
when he testified before the Senate last win, or I may win and you may lose,
they are going to spend their money. but the American public loses without
week and clearly addressed the litany But they want it for the Postal Serv-
of baseless claims. us standing up for this issue.
ice. Mr. COMER. Mr. Speaker, obviously
First of all, he stated that no reforms Now, the Postal Service made a pub-
would be implemented between now the last speaker, the gentleman from
lic request, and they requested it and
and the election. Overtime will not be Maryland, missed the part where one of
presented it to the Board of Governors,
cut between now and November. And his Members proclaimed that the
who are appointed by President Trump,
the very thing the USPS needs more President was the greatest threat to
and the Board approved it unani-
than anything else, reform, is going to democracy.
mously. That is far more than all these
be delayed. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the
other entities that we have given bil-
He said the removal of the drop boxes gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr.
lions of dollars to did. And we should
will cease, something that I remember GROTHMAN), the ranking member of the
support the Postal Service now.
well because it happened when I was On top of it, the CBO came out with Committee on Oversight and Reform’s
mayor of my hometown of West Point, an estimate that this money would be National Security Subcommittee.
Georgia, and our town was furious spent in the next fiscal year, and that Mr. GROTHMAN. Mr. Speaker, I
about it then. I just wish my col- they needed it. The CBO record can be thank the gentleman for yielding.
leagues on the other side of the aisle found online. This is a very interesting debate
had found religion about this issue Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the today. I think it would be a good de-
back then instead of sitting up here gentleman from Maryland (Mr. bate to be reviewed by every political
fighting over what color to paint the MFUME). science class in the country as we ana-
fire hydrants while Rome burned. Mr. MFUME. Mr. Speaker, I thank lyze how Congress has spent us to a $25
This bill calls for 25 billion addi- the gentlewoman for yielding. trillion debt.
tional dollars. The postmaster has al- I heard someone on the other side We have a situation today in which
ready testified there is over $13 billion said something that disturbed me, so it the U.S. Postal Service is sitting on $15
cash on hand, another $10 billion in has actually taken me off my remarks billion. They have the right to borrow
loans they won’t need. because it can’t go unaddressed. $10 billion from a stimulus package bill
I want someone to explain to me how For the gentleman to say that Demo- we passed earlier. They are making
you are going to spend $25 billion be- crats, the majority party here in the more money this year than last year
tween now and November. We know House, are the greatest threat to because deliveries of packages are up.
how this place works. On an unauthor- American democracy that the world But despite all these numbers, the ma-
ized appropriation, we all know that has ever known, that means we are jority party has decided to spend an ad-
before you spend money here, you have more threatening than Putin and the ditional $25 billion.
to have a plan, and I haven’t seen one. Russians, more threatening than this Now, I like the post office. I really

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Then, that plan has to be reviewed and terrible pandemic around us. It is the do. But when you have an agency that
then commented on and reviewed sort of thing that I would admonish my can spend $25 billion that is unspent
again. Then one more time, it probably side never to say about the other side, right now, $24 billion, and you intro-
has to be reviewed. Then, there is the and it is the sort of thing that I think duce a bill to say they need another $25
whole procurement process, bid process takes us away from why we are here. billion, and if you don’t vote for that
on equipment, background checks on We are here to have debate and dis- $25 billion bill, it means you don’t want
new employees, the lawsuits on the cussion and to reasonably disagree on children to get little toys they are

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H4276 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE August 22, 2020
going receive in the mail, or it means honor to serve the people of this great swift completion of their appointed
that we don’t like the post office, that Nation and our constitutional obliga- rounds.’’ But, of course, no one foresaw
is outlandish. tion to be here present to vote on the that any American President would
b 1415 issues facing America. willingly crowbar our mail system to
So the question today is: Are there sway an election. So the Delivering for
There are other things we can look at issues that need to be addressed in the America Act will safeguard our democ-
as well. United States Postal Service? racy from any Presidential subversion.
They talk about getting rid of post There certainly are. We all know This legislation will also allow our
offices. In the first 3 years in which that there are. After all, the USPS has mail carriers to do their job by ensur-
President Trump has complete control been on the Government ing overtime and proper equipment are
of the administration, they will be get- Accountability’s High Risk List since available.
ting rid of less post office boxes than the beginning of the Obama-Biden ad- It will make sure intentional service
Obama from 2013 to 2016—I don’t have ministration. delays are avoided so our seniors get
the numbers before 2013; it might be 4 The systemic issues are not new. their Social Security checks and pre-
years in a row—in the greatest year in They did not creep up all of a sudden in scriptions.
which President Trump got rid of mail- the last few weeks since the new Post- It defends our veterans, who count on
boxes. master has been in office. They have this noble occupation for work and rely
Another thing to point out is, even if been here for awhile. So, if we are real- on the postal system to deliver their
every single person in this country ly trying to address the issues, there is medicine.
votes absentee, which they won’t, it room for discussion. My State, Florida, just completed a
would only increase mail that month The late Chairman Elijah Cummings primary where nearly 60 percent of the
by 11⁄2 percent. So we have no crisis and the now White House Chief of Staff counted ballots arrived by mail. Savvy
here. It is something they will easily MARK MEADOWS have a bill that has seniors and residents reeling from a
be able to handle. some serious effort put into it. summer of viral outbreaks wanted the
The idea that we are even talking Tomorrow we will be having a hear- safety that only mail-in balloting pro-
about spending another $25 billion ing with the Postmaster to discuss the vided.
today is indicative of why this country bill we are arguing today and voting This year, our country saw half a
is going to wind up spending itself into on. million primary ballots rejected, and a
oblivion. The White House has offered a $10 bil- main reason they get tossed is due to
Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY of New lion package, which the Speaker has postal delays.
York. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to rejected. These brave frontline workers are de-
the gentleman from New York (Mr. So there are options if we want to ad- livering goods amid a pandemic, and it
JEFFRIES), the distinguished chair of dress the real issues, but today is not has taken its toll on their workforce.
the Democratic Caucus. about a serious effort. Today’s effort is So in a State like Florida, known for
Mr. JEFFRIES. Mr. Speaker, I thank yet another smokescreen, another con- its razor-thin Presidential elections,
the distinguished chair for yielding and spiracy theory forced upon the Amer- we can’t afford to have 59 sorting ma-
for her tremendous leadership. ican people to distract us from the real chines left on the sidelines.
The post office is as American as problems facing the American people; Blocking postal employees from
motherhood, baseball, and apple pie. It to distract from the Speaker’s unwill- overtime is not an option, especially
is one of the only entities actually ingness to work with the White House when it may hold up hundreds of bal-
mentioned in the United States Con- to protect schools, hospitals, and small lots that decide the Presidency.
stitution. It has been around for hun- businesses; to extend PPP to mom-and- The Delivering for America Act helps
dreds of years. The first Postmaster pop businesses that are on the brink defend our democracy from the hypoc-
General was Dr. Ben Franklin. It is and the families connected to them; to risy of a President who casts mail-in
part of the heart and soul of this coun- address the heartbreaking violence and ballots himself one day, then tries to
try, and the attacks on the post office destruction in our cities and streets. meddle in our neighbor’s mailbox the
by the Trump administration are The American people are tired of next.
shameful. this, tired of lurching from one manu- Don’t mess with the USPS. Pass this
The American people deserve a Post- factured crisis to another, tired of lead- good bill.
al Service that delivers Social Security ership by fear-mongering, tired of this The SPEAKER pro tempore. Mem-
checks to senior citizens, delivers med- House preferring to campaign on issues bers are reminded to refrain from en-
icine to disabled veterans, delivers un- rather than to fix them. gaging in personalities toward the
employment insurance checks to dis- The bill offered today will not save President.
placed Americans, and, yes, delivers the USPS or provide for long-term sus- Mr. COMER. Mr. Speaker, that ship
ballots to those who choose to vote by tainability. Today’s effort is another has sailed.
mail in the midst of a deadly pan- attempt to mask the fact that this Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the
demic, because no American should House under this leadership is doing gentleman from Ohio (Mr. GIBBS), an-
ever have to choose between their very little for the American people. other great member of the Oversight
health, safety, and well-being on the Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY of New and Reform Committee.
one hand and the constitutional right York. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to Mr. GIBBS. Mr. Speaker, once again,
to vote on the other. the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. my colleagues on the other side of the
This is why we need a fully func- WASSERMAN SCHULTZ), another member aisle are pulling the wool over the
tional Postal Service. Don’t mess with of the Committee on Oversight and Re- American people’s eyes.
USPS. form. We are here today not to debate or
Mr. COMER. Mr. Speaker, may I in- Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. Mr. conduct public policy for the benefit of
quire as to the balance of our time. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for the Nation; we are here so they can
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gen- yielding. perform in political theater. If you
tleman from Kentucky has 431⁄2 min- I rise to support the Delivering for have any doubt about that, this coming
utes remaining. America Act, to protect a pillar of our Monday, the Oversight and Reform
Mr. COMER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 democracy and fortify a lifeline so Committee is having a hearing with
minutes to the gentleman from Texas many Americans count on. the Postmaster General about this

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(Mr. CLOUD), another Oversight and Re- This bill would provide urgently same issue.
form Committee ranking member. needed Postal Service funding and bar So we are voting first, then we are
Mr. CLOUD. Mr. Speaker, I thank its leaders from compromising its serv- having hearings? I think that is you-
Mr. COMER for yielding. ices during this COVID–19 crisis. know-what backwards.
Mr. Speaker, you will never hear me We all know the motto: ‘‘Neither My colleagues on the left are faking
complain about having to come to snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of outrage over a made-up crisis to score
Washington to vote. After all, it is an night stays these couriers from the points during an election. The United

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August 22, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H4277
States Postal Service is under no For every American, no matter how tinue to have Trump derangement syn-
greater stress than it was before the remote they live, they can get mail. drome.
coronavirus pandemic and well before They can get their prescriptions. They Here are the questions I would ask
this election cycle. can have a small business in Powers, my Democrat colleagues:
The facts have been laid out by ex- Oregon, pretty remote from every- If the Democrats are so concerned,
perts, by independent journalists, by thing, and use the Postal Service. then why have we not had a hearing
regular citizens who do the job the Now, you can’t have it both ways, about the Postal Service issues since
mainstream media refuses to do. Rath- guys. You say the Postal Service June 15 of 2019?
er than find out and report what is doesn’t have a problem. Well, wait a If the Democrats are so concerned,
really going on, we have mainstream minute. DeJoy is making these cuts be- why have we not had round-the-clock
media parroting Speaker PELOSI’s con- cause he says it has a revenue problem. meetings to discuss the bill that we in-
spiracy theory. He has prohibited overtime because tend to fund at $25 billion which is
Here are the facts: they have a revenue problem. They being proposed?
The post office is solvent through can’t move their delivery vehicle more We have been out of session for 17
most of 2021 and will be able to operate than four times on a route. Eight-mile- percent of the time since March 15.
for the 2020 election. They have $15 bil- long route, you are going to walk 2 Why haven’t we been called back in to
lion cash on hand. They have a $10 bil- miles each way. discuss this?
lion line of credit they have not used. Guess what? Mail is getting delayed If you do the math, on $25 billion,
If every single American voted by all across the country. and we have got 70 days left, that is
mail this cycle, it would be as low as The fact is, before the pandemic, roughly $325 million per day.
one-quarter of the mail the post office they were breaking even or making You tell the American taxpayer
handles daily. money if we did away with the stupid where you are spending that money.
We have heard a lot about the sorting prefunding of 75 years of healthcare You tell the American taxpayer how
machines. First-class mail has really that was put in in the dark of the night we are going to come up with it. You
tapered off and the volume of packages by the Bush administration in a lame- tell the American taxpayer this is like
has increased, so that is an efficiency duck Congress, and 309 people in this dropping money from a helicopter.
standard that is doing better. House, including 87 Republicans, voted If the Democrats are so concerned
During the 5-year span of the Obama for that in February, but it hasn’t hap- about the post office, why are we hav-
administration, 14,000 blue collection pened. ing to vote today when the Postmaster
boxes were removed from the streets. So you can’t have it both ways. General is appearing at the hearing on
Twice during election years, the But there is no doubt that the mail is Monday? This is just like determining
Obama administration proposed fund- being delayed. I am hearing it from ev- the score of a football game and then
ing cuts to the Postal Service. Where erywhere. playing the game on Monday. It makes
was the outrage then? There was none. Ms. Lorey, she cares for a blind elder- no sense.
Removing and relocating collection ly veteran: I ordered the VA refills for b 1430
boxes where they are more useful is him. They were so late arriving, we had The Democrats have no interest in
common sense, not a conspiracy. to ration out his most important medi- hearing the testimony of Mr. DeJoy.
Postmaster DeJoy testified and has cation from two pills a day to one pill The only thing they want to do is be-
come out publicly saying they are not a day until the prescription arrived. rate and not give the Postmaster Gen-
going to do any more cost-cutting Ms. Trudy, Eugene, Oregon: My hus- eral the opportunity to answer, just
measures before the election, so every- band is a Vietnam war veteran. His like they did Attorney General Barr,
thing is frozen. meds are delivered by mail. I love my which was a disgrace to this country.
What the other side really wants is husband. I want him to get the meds he The taxpayers deserve better.
universal mail voting, not absentee needs to survive. The Democrats will have no discus-
voting, which we all support. They Last year, the Postal Service deliv- sion on the spying of the President
want universal mail voting. We just ered 125 million VA prescriptions on since 2016.
mail out ballots to anybody, and who time, but somehow, with the efficiency The Democrats have no explanation
knows who they will be. All that is measures and the cuts—which I guess of a failed Mueller Report.
going to do is sow the seeds, if the elec- they don’t need to make, but he is The Democrats have no explanation
tion doesn’t go their way, to create making because of the financial cri- for the impeachment of the President.
more chaos and more division in this sis—they can’t deliver VA meds on The post office will fail as well.
country. time. They can’t deliver prescription Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY of New
You won’t hear any of these facts drugs for seniors and many other York. Mr. Speaker, I would like to cor-
from the mainstream media. Americans who are required by their rect for the RECORD that the Com-
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The insurance plan to get their meds mittee on Oversight and Reform had a
time of the gentleman has expired. through the mail with just-in-time de- briefing on postal on April 9, 2020—
Mr. COMER. Mr. Speaker, I yield an livery, which isn’t happening. right after the COVID crisis struck
additional 30 seconds to the gentleman You cannot deny those things. us—with the Postmaster General.
from Ohio. Why are they happening? How are Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the
Mr. GIBBS. Mr. Speaker, this bill you going to fix it? gentlewoman from Illinois (Ms.
provides funding that is already there. You are up here blathering about all KELLY), who is another great member
Creating and peddling this conspiracy sorts of crap. Talk about how we are of the committee.
theory is irresponsible and reckless. At going to restore this Postal Service in Ms. KELLY of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I
a time when Russia and China are med- the United States of America to effi- stand with my colleagues today
dling in our elections, we don’t need ciency. shocked and dismayed by the actions of
help from Congress peddling fake news. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Mem- this administration.
This is one bill that needs to be la- bers are reminded to address their re- For the past few years, the Oversight
beled, ‘‘Return to sender.’’ marks to the Chair. and Reform Committee has worked in a
Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY of New Mr. COMER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 bipartisan fashion to modernize the
York. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to minutes to the gentleman from South Postal Service with former Representa-
the gentleman from Oregon (Mr. DEFA- Carolina (Mr. NORMAN), another great tive MARK MEADOWS leading the

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ZIO), the distinguished chair of the member of the Oversight and Reform charge.
Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. Now, like too many things over the
Committee. Mr. NORMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise past 31⁄2 years, mail has become a par-
Mr. DEFAZIO. Mr. Speaker, see this today to apologize to the American tisan issue. The Postal Service is a pil-
mask? What does it say? ‘‘United taxpayers for this total sham of a proc- lar of our democracy. It is essential for
States Postal Service.’’ Not ‘‘busi- ess that the Democrats and this leader- providing critical services such as: life-
ness’’; ‘‘service.’’ ship are trying to spread. They con- saving prescriptions, Social Security

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H4278 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE August 22, 2020
benefits, paychecks, tax returns, let- Ms. PLASKETT. Mr. Speaker, today I supported former Chairman Cum-
ters home from military families, and we vote on a bill that would block an mings’ and MARK MEADOWS’ bipartisan
absentee ballots to millions of Ameri- attack on the U.S. Postal Service. By solution for the Postal Service because
cans. doing so we are blocking an attack on I represent a rural State, and privatiza-
The VA delivers prescriptions to 80 an American institution, on our Amer- tion is bad for my constituents.
percent of our veterans via the mail. ican way of life, and on democracy. By But do you know how important this
This intentional and ridiculous slow- responding to the unanimous requests has been to the Oversight and Reform
down means vets are skipping doses of the Trump-appointed Board of Gov- Committee?
while checking empty mailboxes. ernors of the Postal Service for a fund- Our last hearing on the Postal Serv-
While I was back home, one of my ing of $25 billion and restoring oper- ice was in April of 2019. But somehow,
businesses told me they hadn’t received ations to January 1 levels, we will lit- we have decided that because the pre-
mail for 10 days. Another person told erally be saving lives. vious Postmaster General who was ap-
me they received mail every other day. The necessity of this vote and the ne- pointed in 2015 and didn’t resign until
This cannot go on, and we cannot cessity of this legislation shows the June and did something unique in this
trust the word of a Postmaster General peril to our democracy that this ad- town—made sure just about everybody
who is unqualified and whose sweeping ministration has placed us all in, our hated her.
operational changes degrade the Postal elders, our veterans, our businesses, But now we are saying this all blew
Service, delay the mail, and threaten and our vote. up last week. But it didn’t. I know it
our upcoming election. We must pass We will go further than just voting, didn’t because you can Google postal
the Delivering for America Act so we and we will have that hearing on Mon- problems in any jurisdiction from one
can return the United States post of- day on the Oversight and Reform Com- end of this country to the other and
fice to normal and ensure we have a mittee led by Chairwoman MALONEY to you know they have existed before.
safe election where everyone is count- speak with the Postmaster General to But instead we will come to the floor,
ed. examine some of his, shall we say, cre- debate a bill offered and sponsored by
Mr. COMER. Mr. Chair, I have to ative decisions. the chair of the committee of jurisdic-
comment on what the chairwoman said We want to examine the operational tion, we will vote on it today, and then
about the briefings. A briefing is not a and organizational changes at the we will have a hearing on Monday
committee hearing. With a briefing, Postal Service that have resulted in de- about the bill. So before we even talk
there are no notice requirements. Of- livery delays across the country, in- about the fact that we are giving $25
tentimes in the beginning we weren’t cluding the delays of goods and serv- billion to an organization that already
allowed to have witnesses, and there ices for small businesses and families, has $25 billion cash on hand, and re-
are no transcripts. So there is a big dif- as well as critical medicines. gardless of how you feel about this, $25
ference between a briefing and a com- In my district of the Virgin Islands billion does not deliver votes, and we
we are hostage to the U.S. Postal Serv- have no ability to do this.
mittee hearing.
ice. We cannot drive to big-box stores, We are doing this in a way that is
Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the
never mind medicines for our elders or completely and utterly political the-
gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr.
our veterans. ater because anybody who has been
KELLER), who is another member of the
We will review the impact of these paying attention knows that the post
Oversight and Reform Committee.
changes on the rights of eligible Amer- office problems are chronic, they are
Mr. KELLER. Mr. Speaker, I rise
icans to cast their vote through the not acute. They have lost $70 billion
today to discuss the need for meaning-
mail in the November elections, but we since 2007, and they lost $9 billion in
ful, long-term reform for the United
will also have a few closing questions 2019.
States Postal Service. So my question is: Why haven’t we
The USPS provides an essential serv- for Mr. DeJoy.
Is Mr. DeJoy thinking about that been having hearings on this in the
ice to every community in the Nation, Committee on Oversight and Reform
yet this agency has lost $78 billion in senior who won’t receive their medi-
cine on time due to his policies? for the 2 years I have been here?
the last 13 years. In 2009 the Govern- Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY of New
ment Accountability Office published a Has he thought about the veteran
who served our Nation and can’t get York. Mr. Speaker, I would like to re-
report placing USPS on the high-risk spond to the gentleman’s statement
list, doubting the self-sustaining finan- their prescriptions to heal?
Has he considered rural Americans that the money is not needed. The
cial viability of this agency. The finan- Postal Service sought the $25 billion
who have to drive 20 miles to the near-
cial state of the USPS has progres- from Congress to provide this critical
est post office?
sively worsened due to declining mail Has he thought about any of these relief, and that request was supported
volume, liabilities, and debt. Proposals people? unanimously by a vote by the Board of
to give the USPS $25 billion in cash Or is he, like the President, only con- Governors who were all appointed by
without serious reforms will not ad- cerned about his own self-interest? President Trump.
dress the fundamental issues that the The SPEAKER pro tempore. Mem- Yesterday we received the report
agency faces. bers are reminded to refrain from en- from the nonpartisan Congressional
The proposals before us today only gaging in personalities toward the Budget Office, and that report esti-
delay real reform and throw taxpayer President. mates that the vast majority of this
dollars at a problem with no clear vi- Mr. COMER. That ship has sailed. funding would, in fact, be needed with-
sion forward. Rather than politicizing Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the in fiscal year 2021 to provide services to
the mail, we should be working to give gentleman from North Dakota (Mr. the American people.
the USPS longevity through com- ARMSTRONG) who is another valuable This should be a nonpartisan issue.
prehensive reforms. Rather than trying member. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the
to fix a problem by simply spending Mr. ARMSTRONG. Mr. Speaker, if gentlewoman from California (Ms.
more taxpayer money, we should be en- there is a bill that more accurately re- WATERS). My good friend is the distin-
acting reforms to equip our Nation’s flects the failure of Democratic leader- guished chairwoman of the Committee
outstanding postal workers with the ship for my first 2 years in Congress, I on Financial Services.
tools they need and deserve to continue don’t know what it is. Ms. WATERS. Mr. Speaker, I ran to
delivering the mail. This is the only I know that because I came to Con- the floor when I heard that our Mem-
way we will ensure that Americans gress knowing of the problems with the bers on the Republican side of the aisle

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continue to receive this vital service Postal Service. I am the only Repub- are trying to use as an excuse we have
without interruption. lican on the Oversight and Reform not had a hearing. Oh, yes. You have
Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY of New Committee who cosponsored the Demo- had a hearing. You have had a hearing
York. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to crats’ bill to remove the prefunding of from the American people who are
the gentlewoman from the Virgin Is- their pensions. I have been working on shocked that the President and DeJoy
lands (Ms. PLASKETT), who is another this, been curious about it, and have are out there dismantling and destroy-
outstanding member of the committee. cared about it for a very long time. ing our Postal Service.

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August 22, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H4279
For 3 years I warned the American Many of us are asking that question stitution. It is not a business to fund
people and my colleagues that this today: Why are we here? the bottom line.
President was a threat to our democ- The answer is because this House is In just the first 2 months of his ten-
racy. Yet, here we are today voting on adrift. This House is a ship without a ure, without having any postal experi-
a measure to save the Postal Service rudder. It lacks vision, it lacks direc- ence, this Postmaster General has
because it is being sabotaged by a des- tion, and, most importantly, it lacks threatened and has taken actions to
perate President in order to cheat in leadership. It simply gets tossed to and undermine decades of precedence with-
the 2020 elections. fro by the political wind of the day. in the Postal Service.
Since our country’s founding, the Mr. Speaker, it didn’t just start. It Today, Congress must act. As my
people have relied on the Postal Serv- has been that way this whole Congress. chairwoman said, that is why we are
ice for everything from delivery of let- At a time when America has legitimate here. We must act. The Delivering for
ters to our seniors wanting their medi- needs with a pandemic and an economy America Act does just that. Along with
cines delivered on time. Veterans want trying to get back on track, it is really providing the Postal Service with a
their disability checks on time. Social no surprise that this is the best the left desperately needed $25 billion to offset
Security recipients want and need can do. House Democrats offer no hope. revenue that has been forgone due to
their money. We need change. COVID–19, it also—and this is some-
So I want to say to the Members on Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY of New thing that is very important—this leg-
the opposite side of the aisle: You had York. Why are we here? islation prohibits the Postmaster Gen-
better get some courage. If you are We are here because the President of eral from making any operational
afraid of the President, you had better the United States went on national tel- changes that will undermine the Postal
step up to the plate on this. We will evision on Thursday night and said he Service’s ability to fulfill its mission.
not allow the United States Postal was going to defund the post office. Its mission is to deliver the mail.
Service to be destroyed by you. That is why we are here. Rain, sleet, snow, gloom of night, the
And another message to the Presi- Further, he said he didn’t support Postal Service will deliver the mail.
Mr. Speaker, we have a Postmaster
dent: Stop removing our blue mail- mail-in voting when we know that mil-
General who has come inside and tried
boxes from our neighborhoods. lions of Americans will want to vote,
to rip it apart from the inside. We will
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Mem- for health reasons, by mail. That is
say: Cease and desist.
bers are reminded to refrain from en- why we are here. In addition to us having the goal of
gaging in personalities toward the We are here because we wrote numer- the Postal Service to deliver the mail,
President and to address their remarks ous letters to the Postmaster General, our democracy is hinging upon them
to the Chair. which he ignored. That is why we are doing that basic job.
Mr. COMER. Mr. Speaker, Ms. here. Mr. Speaker, I stand here today to
WATERS forgets that President Obama I applaud the Democratic leadership say that the money was asked for by
removed 12,000 of those blue boxes that for calling us in for this emergency the Board of Governors—which, by the
she just asked that they quit removing. meeting to make sure that the post of- way, is appointed by the President, and
Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the fice is funded. It was funded before we which, by the way, are all Republicans
gentleman from Arkansas (Mr. even had a Constitution. It is one of who asked for that money to be appro-
WESTERMAN). the pillars of our democracy. It is en- priated. The Postmaster General ap-
Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I shrined in our Constitution, and it pro- proved and said he needed that money
rise today in support of frontline, es- vides vital services to Americans who as well.
sential rural mail carriers and postal need medication, the ability to conduct Mr. Speaker, I thank the Speaker for
workers across my district and Amer- business, and to stay in touch. It binds bringing this critical legislation to the
ica who have continued to go to work us together as a nation. Most of us do floor. I thank the chairwoman for in-
and do their jobs during the pandemic. not like the fact that the President of cluding the language that will prohibit
This is in sharp contrast to many of our country would even mention the enactment of any rule or standard
my colleagues across the aisle who defunding the post office. That is why or policy with the intent to delay the
draw a paycheck but don’t show up to we are here. mail from our government.
vote or do their jobs. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the We have a real responsibility here
Mr. Speaker, I also stand in opposi- gentlewoman from Michigan (Mrs. today. There is not a Member on either
tion to H.R. 8015 because it is a sham LAWRENCE), a very distinguished mem- side of the aisle who has not received a
bill that has no future. It doesn’t be- ber of the committee who brings valu- letter from our constituents. Let’s do
long on this floor. It belongs in the ar- able experience to us as a former mem- our job.
chives at the election hoax of the ber of the Postal Service. Mr. COMER. Mr. Speaker, I have the
month club. most respect for my friend, the chair-
How do the Democrats keep a b 1445
woman of the Committee on Oversight
straight face while proposing a $25 bil- Mrs. LAWRENCE. Mr. Speaker, I and Reform, but I believe she
lion bailout disguised as election integ- thank the chairwoman for yielding me misspoke.
rity when it would equal about $200 per the time. She said the President wanted to
ballot if every voter voted by mail? Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong defund the Postal Service. That is not
That is preposterous. support of H.R. 8015. This is essential what the President wants to do. The
With its current over $14 billion cash legislation to offset the dangerous ac- only time I have heard the word
on hand and access to $10 billion from tions taken by the Postmaster General ‘‘defund’’ lately was by the liberal pro-
the CARES Act, do we even have to over the last 2 months. gressive wing of the majority party
keep explaining that the United States We are here today, in addition to that wants to defund the police.
Postal Service is in a more than ade- that, to fund the Postal Service. For Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the
quate financial position to remain more than two centuries, the United gentleman from Alabama (Mr. PALM-
fully functional well beyond the elec- States Postal Service has delivered ER).
tion? mail to every house in America across Mr. PALMER. Mr. Speaker, we are
No. The American people are smarter this country—every single home. It is here today because my Democratic col-
than Democrats give us credit. I be- the only Federal organization that leagues have created a conspiratorial
lieve most see past the smoke and mir- touches every American every single crisis out of thin air in another at-

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rors. The post office is important. It is day, 6 days a week, confirming that it tempt to dupe Americans with an elec-
not going anywhere, and this bill has is an essential government service. tion hoax. Only this time, instead of
nothing to do with a fair election. Today, the current administration Russia, it is the United States Postal
The ranking member and I partici- and the new Postmaster General seem Service.
pated in a youth organization, and at to struggle to understand that the Democrats are intentionally mis-
the beginning of each meeting the lead- Postal Service is an essential govern- leading people to believe that the oper-
er would ask: Why are we here? ment service authorized by the Con- ational changes at the Postal Service,

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H4280 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE August 22, 2020
including the removal of mailboxes and demic. Families and small businesses on. MARK MEADOWS, I don’t even think
antiquated processing equipment, just are desperately trying to stay safe and the Democrats—I know the chair-
started. That is a lie. Nonetheless, stay afloat as the crisis rages on, and woman hasn’t even talked to him
Postal Service officials have confirmed the Postal Service plays a critical role about this, the expert on this issue on
that these operational changes, some in their survival. our side. Oh, by the way, he happens to
of which were agreed to by Democrat Who else suffers due to the Post- have a pretty important job in this
Members, have already been halted master General’s actions? The hard- town, a pretty important job, and you
until after the election. working men and women who process guys didn’t even talk to him.
In regard to the delay and delivery of and deliver our mail, essential workers. They had a bipartisan bill. If you
mail over the last few weeks, the na- He is compromising jobs for genera- really want to work on bipartisan con-
tional number cited may well reflect tions that have been a pathway to the cerns and solutions to some problems
delays in cities that have been under middle class, particularly in in the post office, that is fine, but that
siege by anarchists. I will direct my marginalized communities. is not what this is about. This is all
colleagues and the American people’s Our Nation’s economy and the peo- about politics.
attention to these photos of the ple’s health rely upon the Postal Serv- You don’t want to address real issues,
burned-out post office in Minneapolis. ice. So, too, does American democracy. too busy defunding the police, too busy
There is no way to know how many let- Millions will use this indispensable not denouncing the mob that is run-
ters to loved ones were lost, or birth- tool to cast their ballots this year. ning so many of our cities. This is all
day cards or gifts or family heirlooms They should not be discouraged. They about politics.
or that decoder ring that that kid had should be encouraged by the Post- First, it was the Russian collusion. In
been waiting for were destroyed and master General. The Postmaster Gen- this committee, it was the Michael
will never be delivered. eral is directly attacking the funda- Cohen hearing. I remember that, when
I am certain because of the lawless- mental rights and well-being of all he came, the first big hearing of this
ness that the Democrats are dan- Americans. Congress. The first-announced witness
gerously silent about, the delivery of I call upon him to step down now. His of this committee came and lied to us
mail in Portland, Seattle, Chicago, removal is urgently needed, as are all seven times. Then, it was the Mueller
New York, and Minneapolis, and other the provisions in the Delivering for report. Then, it was the Ukraine fake
cities have been delayed. America Act. impeachment. And now, it is the White
You want to talk defunding? Instead Mr. Speaker, I strongly support this House is putting mailboxes in cages
of Democrat mayors defunding the po- legislation and call on my colleagues and whatever you are saying now.
lice, I would submit that we need to to do the same. A reminder: His sup- Mr. Speaker, the American people
make sure that law enforcement in port right now is urgently needed to re- see this for what it is. They see this for
every American city is well funded so verse what he has been doing and say- what it is. If you want real solutions,
that they can protect not just the post ing. we could have had them. You could
office facilities that handle our mail, Mr. COMER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 have worked with Chief of Staff Mead-
but also the people who deliver our minutes to the gentleman from Ohio ows. You didn’t want to do that. You
mail so that those cards, letters, gifts, (Mr. JORDAN). wanted politics.
and election ballots can be delivered. Mr. JORDAN. Mr. Speaker, I thank This was said earlier: If anyone
Instead of pushing a conspiracy farce, the gentleman for yielding. should know, it should be the chair-
we should be here making sure that Mr. Speaker, the Democrats talked woman of this committee who had to
law enforcement has the resources about a slight delay in mail delivery wait 6 weeks after election day to get
needed to protect the property and the last several weeks. Well, of course. the results of her election.
lives of American families in these cit- Would you want to deliver mail in Imagine what the Democrats want to
ies that are under siege. That will help Portland today, cities that have been do is throw live ballots out there to ev-
make sure the mail is delivered on under siege for 90-some days? I bet eryone. That was just one congres-
time, and people will feel safe in get- there are delays in Portland, Seattle, sional primary election. Imagine what
ting it from the mailbox or the post of- Minneapolis, Chicago, and New York. I they want to do—150 million live bal-
fice. bet that is where the delays are. lots. That is what the Democrats want.
In that regard, the silence of the In fact, how do you deliver mail to a Imagine what that is going to be like.
Democrats in this Chamber is deadly. CHOP zone, to a CHAZ zone? How do That is where these guys want to go.
Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY of New you do that? They won’t let them in. I Mr. Speaker, we should be working
York. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to mean, come on. We know the facts on real solutions instead of this cha-
the gentleman from Massachusetts here. The facts are the post office has rade that the Democrats are putting us
(Mr. NEAL), the distinguished chairman more money today than they had this through.
of the Committee on Ways and Means. time last year. Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY of New
Mr. NEAL. Mr. Speaker, I thank They got a $14 billion cash reserve. York. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to
Chairwoman MALONEY for her good They got a $10 billion line of credit we the gentleman from California (Mr.
work on this very issue, and I rise to gave them in the CARES Act. And oh, GOMEZ), the vice chair and an out-
condemn Postmaster General DeJoy’s the Postmaster General is moving standing member of the Committee on
assault on the U.S. Postal Service. some sorting machines and removing Oversight and Reform.
The organizational and operational some mail collection boxes, the same Mr. GOMEZ. Mr. Speaker, someone is
changes he has been implementing are thing every Postmaster General has al- lying. On one side, you have the White
a betrayal at this moment of the Amer- ways done. In fact, between 2011 and House and the Postmaster General. On
ican people. They are turning their 2016, the Obama-Biden administration the other side, you have the hard-
backs on seniors and veterans in Pitts- removed 12,000 mail collection boxes. working men and women of the U.S.
field, North Adams, Springfield, and Oh, my goodness. And it is happening Postal Service.
Southbridge who rely upon the Postal again. The President and the Postmaster
Service for their medications and other We are moving some boxes, and General say there is nothing to see
essential services. somehow, that is a reason to give $25 here. Nothing to see. They tell us that
The Postmaster General is disman- billion to the Postal Service and create their operational changes are meant to
tling a lifeline for people in every com- all this ‘‘conspiracy theory’’—not my help the Postal Service.

SSpencer on DSK126QN23PROD with HOUSE
munity across the Commonwealth, but words; The Wall Street Journal called The Postal Service workers, whose
his actions particularly harm those it—that the Democrats are doing. job it is to deliver the mail day in and
who live in some of the most rural What is really going on here? If you day out, are saying something dif-
areas in western Massachusetts. These really wanted to focus on some con- ferent. They are telling us that they
mail delays and disruptions will be cerns the post office has, we have a bi- are falling behind on processing pack-
harmful at any time, but they are partisan bill that the late Chairman ages because of these operational
downright deadly during this pan- Cummings and MARK MEADOWS worked changes. As a result, they are seeing

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August 22, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H4281
bugs and rodents swimming around about this administration. It isn’t So, as the Democrats perpetuate this
containers of rotten food and meat and being sabotaged. sad political stunt, unfortunately,
animals. Myth no. 2: Removing mailboxes there is serious business that goes
Now, my Republican colleagues say from public places is uncommon and unmet. But it shows real priority.
that this is a conspiracy theory. But I cause for alarm. This week, we learned that 71 percent
say to them: You can’t smell a con- This is shocking. We have got coun- of small businesses have used their en-
spiracy theory. There are dying ani- try-western stars putting this up on tire paycheck protection loan—they
mals, rotten food, rotten meat, rats, Instagram. We need to rush back here spent it all—and 46 percent anticipate
flies. on Saturday. But little did we know that they will need more financial sup-
You can’t see that in a conspiracy that, during the Obama-Biden years, port over the next 12 months. But that
theory. I want them to open their eyes nearly 12,000 mailboxes were removed wasn’t critical enough to be here, be-
because their constituents, my con- from communities. Never once did we cause these are real people with real
stituents, are suffering because of this rush in on a Saturday to have a bill families. They don’t expect miracles
deliberate attempt to sabotage the U.S. that you didn’t have marked up and from us, but they do expect us to at
Postal Service. Their constituents— one-third of the Democrats would not least care. Unfortunately, not one
seniors and veterans who depend on show. piece of legislation in this so-called
fast delivery of their medicines, the The Postal Service is actually con- emergency session is about the fami-
small businesses that depend on the stantly moving mailboxes from low- to lies or their future.
U.S. Postal Service to stay afloat, and high-volume growth areas, kind of a Nor are we working to protect vac-
every American who wants to partake smart thing to do. In some cases, they cine research and support Operation
in our democracy safely during this replace them with more modern Warp Speed. No, House Democrats are
pandemic. versions. I saw a picture where they ac- doing what they have done for the last
Mr. Speaker, I can tell you which tually had a lock in the front. 2 years: They are putting politics be-
side I believe: the employees of the If you have townhall meetings, you
fore people.
U.S. Postal Service. It is with them in will find out a lot of mail gets stolen, Last month, Speaker PELOSI said to
mind that I strongly support the pas- so they were protecting the packages
us: We can’t go home until a
sage of H.R. 8015, the Delivering for but still allowing you to put the letter
coronavirus relief package is complete.
America Act. in. This isn’t voter suppression. It is I guess we know that is not true. I
Mr. COMER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 routine maintenance.
wonder if she wants to keep her word
minute to the gentleman from Cali- Myth no. 3: The Postal Service
this time as well, but I guess we will go
fornia (Mr. MCCARTHY), the Republican doesn’t have the capacity to handle
more absentee ballots. home this Saturday. But good news for
leader. one-third of the Democrats: They don’t
Mr. MCCARTHY. ‘‘I urge everyone to The Postal Service delivers 471 mil-
lion pieces of mail on an average day. have to go anywhere. They are already
be calm. . . . The Postal Service is not home. When she did not get her liberal
incapacitated. It is still fully capable Little known fact: People mail less
every single year. With all of the ad- wish list, she sent Members home. And
of delivering the mail.’’ I guess good news for some Americans:
Those are not my words I speak. vancements we put in the Postal Serv-
ice, with the technology of our own Those who stayed home and voted,
Those aren’t even words of a Repub- they still got paid.
lican. They are the words of Ruth life, do you know what year equalled
471 million? About exactly what we did But those small businesses that are
Goldway, a Democrat, a former Postal running out, that we are here in this
Commissioner and Clinton appointee in 1985.
But we do it different than 1985. We body right now that we could do some-
who served for 18 years under three thing about, or those who are on unem-
have more technology. And because of
Presidents. ployment we could do something
Based on the facts, Goldway says the that, the Postmaster General actually
refuted the capacity in no uncertain about—you have the majority; we
Postal Service is perfectly capable of don’t. We are not allowed to bring it to
handling election mail. terms to the Senate yesterday.
The Postal Service released this: If the floor; you can. But you picked a
b 1500 all Americans vote by mail, 330 million crisis of something that is already
Unfortunately, we have got bad news ballots over the course of this election, funded.
for her. This majority didn’t get the it would only be 75 percent of what They can’t spend the money you
message. Instead of listening to the ex- they deliver in a single day. want to give them. Why? Because they
perts or following the facts, Democrats Now, I don’t want to claim, Mr. have got $14 billion sitting in the bank
are wasting precious time spreading Speaker, that all the Democrats think and another $10 billion they could pull
Speaker PELOSI’s mailbox myths. this is a myth. Maybe that is why one- from. But the small businesses don’t.
You had an opportunity to have bi- third didn’t show today. I am not sure. The families that can’t pay their rent,
partisanship. I have heard words on They said their health was bad. I am they don’t. And what about the vac-
this floor today, Mr. Speaker, ‘‘essen- not sure if that is the case either. cine?
tial,’’ ‘‘critical’’ that we are here. I ap- Even The New York Times isn’t buy- But you did do something this week.
plaud the few Democrats on the other ing the House Democrats’ obvious You extended the shadow voting
side who were willing to show. untruths. As it was reported earlier scheme, granting yourselves permis-
I know if you cannot make it today, this month: Experts agree that the sion to vote from home until October 2.
you have to sign paperwork that your Postal Service has the raw capacity to Mr. Speaker, I will take a bet. I will
health will not allow you to be here. absorb the additional ballots, even if make a bet on this floor right now,
And the Speaker is bringing us back on 150 million people decided to vote by maybe even a prediction. I bet that
a Saturday because it is so critical to mail. gets extended again and probably goes
be here right now, in this moment, in Myth no. 4: The Democrats’ legisla- a few days past the election in Novem-
this time, but one-third on the other tion will make the Postal Service fis- ber.
side must think otherwise. cally sustainable. Who would like to take that bet with
Now, let’s go through some of the You are not fixing any of the fun- me? How much do you want to get that
myths versus facts. damentals. You are not even taking extended all the way through?
Myth no. 1: The Postal Service is the bill that you spent years on, with a What does that mean to the Amer-
being sabotaged. Republican and a Democrat, with Eli- ican people? Well, it means the major-

SSpencer on DSK126QN23PROD with HOUSE
The Postal Service is properly funded jah Cummings and MARK MEADOWS, ity party, the Democrats, have cast
for the election and beyond. We said it two who would say they come from dif- over 2,520 votes—and counting—from
many times here. It is funded com- ferent walks of life, from a philosophy, home. That is just unconstitutional. It
pletely through August 2021. That is but found common ground when it doesn’t matter that it is such a big cri-
according to the Postal Service. came to the post office, to really fix sis that we are called back. There is
The Postal Service has long-term the core of what the problems are. But plenty of room on the floor on the
challenges, but they predate anything that is not why we are here today. other side.

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H4282 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE August 22, 2020
It means a Democrat Member can Why was it an MTR? Because at the here for other reasons. We should be
dial in from his boat to vote. I am not moment in time, it was essential, it here for the reasons that the American
making that up. That actually hap- was critical. It was reported on that public expect us to.
pened. day. You could act that day. The coun- Mr. Speaker, we can do so much bet-
It means another Democrat can play try needed us to act, but you said no. ter. This country needs us. We should
hooky to go watch a space shuttle You stood up for the Chinese that day. rise to the occasion, not fall for a vi-
launch that isn’t even in his own dis- I do not know what the Chinese Com- sion so small as what I see today.
trict. munist Party has on the Democrats, The SPEAKER pro tempore. Mem-
It means Democrats collect a pay- Mr. Speaker, but it must be powerful. bers are reminded to address their re-
check while the hardworking taxpayers It must be so powerful. marks to the Chair.
have to pay for their vacation. I know there are bills in the Senate b 1515
And today, it means that 68 Demo- that have passed that would hold them
crats—one-third of their Caucus— Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY of New
accountable, but they can’t come to
didn’t even care enough to show up for York. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to
the floor. the gentleman from Maryland (Mr.
this so-called emergency session. I have read the reports from the FBI
It is critical. I have heard you say it. HOYER), the distinguished majority
that they are playing in this campaign,
We cannot wait. We cannot wait one leader.
that they do have a person they want Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, I had not
day. We need to be here and now. Now, to win, to put a new person in office,
I believe that is true, but not about the necessarily intended to speak after the
but that is not critical to you. minority leader, but I cannot help but
post office; about those millions of It is critical that we come today to
Americans who need us to act. respond to some of what the minority
provide $25 billion to an organization leader had to say.
Every time we brought legislation to
that Republicans and Democrats, that First of all, he practices the Presi-
this floor dealing with the COVID situ-
are the commissioners, say they do not dent’s favorite tactic. Distract. Speak
ation, it seems to me the Speaker has
need. about that which is not relevant. All
been able to hold it up. I don’t know.
Why do they not need it? Because the Democrats are voting. They may be
Maybe you want to try to hold it up
they looked at their own bank account voting at that machine. They may be
past the election. It seems to me that
and realized they have $14 billion. They voting at that machine over there.
would be playing politics. It seems to
do not need it because, in the CARES They may be voting at that machine,
me that would be a dereliction of duty.
Act, we gave them another $10 billion or they may be voting at that machine
It is not how you empower the people’s
to sit there. They do not need it be- back there. They may be voting by
voice in Washington; it is how you di-
cause they said they could deliver proxy, which you didn’t like. The mi-
lute it. This is leadership malpractice.
every piece of mail, that it would be nority leader sued, and the Court said
This is shameful and this is embar-
only 75 percent of what they do in a it is up to the House to decide its own
rassing.
Mr. Speaker, our first Postmaster single day. rules.
General, whom I have heard people Mr. Speaker, I do not want to say all Now, when we passed the HEROES
speak of, Ben Franklin, could have the Democrats feel that way, because Act 100 days ago tomorrow, what did
been talking about this majority when one-third of them didn’t show up for the minority leader say? Let’s wait and
he said: ‘‘Lost time is never found work today even though their own see what happens. And what has hap-
again.’’ leader, the Speaker, said they needed pened since then? Thousands, tens of
As a majority, Democrats have been to come, even though, when we passed thousands of people have gotten sick,
more focused on distractions than solu- on this floor something different than and thousands and thousands of people
tions for the American people, from the we haven’t done in more than 230 years, have died in those days. Let’s wait and
weakest, most partisan impeachment to let somebody stay home, be on a see.
in American history to politicizing the boat, call in, and still get paid, you And what did the majority leader,
pandemic and stopping relief for work- said you could not do that. You could who can put a bill on the floor, what
ers and families and, now, spreading a only do it if your health was at need. I did he say? Let the States go bankrupt.
debunked conspiracy theory about the am not quite sure a hospital is on a Mr. Speaker, there has been a lot of
Postal Service. boat in a lake, but to Democrats it talk on the floor about bring this bill
Mr. Speaker, Democrats have failed must be. or that bill or the other bill. The Sen-
the American public. They have failed They won’t vote on a bill that I pro- ate is controlled by your party, I tell
the laid-off workers, the families, the pose to sanction Chinese-affiliated my minority friends in the House.
students who are waiting for help; the hackers who attack our vaccine re- They haven’t passed a single bill in 70
small businesses, the doctors, the search. I am not sure that is partisan. days, in 100 days, not a single bill.
nurses, they are waiting for help; the I thought that was pure American. Why? Because they would have to com-
researchers, the scientists who are de- They won’t help working Americans. promise.
veloping a vaccine, they are waiting for They won’t help protect our vaccines. And you say we need to bring things
help. But this majority said no. But, yes, they stood that day proudly to the floor. The minority leader, of
They did, however, say yes to China. supporting of the Chinese Communist course, had a man named Garland,
On this floor, just a few weeks ago, Party. from February to January when Obama
there was a bill to sanction anyone I am sorry, Mr. Speaker. America’s was the President of the United States,
who would hack into our companies, too great for a vision so small with our and refused to consider it. Do you
into our institutions that are working challenges before us. think there is a Founding Father who
on a vaccine faster than ever before— We showed up. But you know why we thought that advice and consent meant
that would only slow it down—to save showed up? We showed up for the small that they could simply ignore the
lives. businesses. We showed up for those who President’s nominations? I think not.
We had an opportunity to tell those are unemployed. We showed up for Some people talk about, Oh, there
countries: Work with us; don’t steal those school districts that want to find are some very, very important things
from us. But your voice was heard loud a way to open safely. We showed up for to do. One of them, the gentlewoman
and clear, all the Democrats who the doctors and the nurses. from North Carolina—now, let me,
showed up that day. More than two- I know, when I look up on the board, 84,631 deaths since HEROES passed.
thirds of you voted ‘‘no’’ on the same there will be a lot of Democrat votes. I Let’s wait. We passed HEROES. No ac-

SSpencer on DSK126QN23PROD with HOUSE
day that it was reported that two Chi- don’t know where those one-third are. tion in the Republican-controlled and
nese were hacking into our vaccine. Maybe they are on the boat. Maybe led United States Senate. So don’t
That is what you said. they are watching a spaceship. I am whine to me about what you want on
I heard the majority leader say it not sure. Maybe some are watching the floor. Don’t whine to me about we
was an MTR. Yes, it was. Oprah. could have done this, we could have
Why was it an MTR? Because you But one thing I do know, it is essen- done that, we could have done the
don’t give us an amendment. tial that we are here. But we should be other.

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August 22, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H4283
Mr. Speaker, I was just talking to service performance trends over the bill, and 178 of you voted no. No crisis.
the chief of staff of the White House, past year. 50 million Americans. Superstorm
and I kidded him, I said, You know, My friend from Ohio says, Oh, this is Sandy. People being flooded out of
when you were here in the House and a fraud. There is no problem. Not a big their businesses and homes. No crisis.
we had Republican leadership and they deal. Maybe he didn’t read the PMG ad- My suggestion is, wherever you are,
offered solutions, you undermined visory either. you came here and that’s great, you
them. According to these documents, there are here, you can vote in person. Isn’t
Who says so? John Boehner says so. has been a significant drop in service that wonderful. I think your vote
You had the opportunity to make a standards across the board beginning would count just as much if you had
deal. in July, including first-class, mar- voted—but your leadership has told
Now we control the House, and very keting, periodicals, and priority mail. you, no, don’t worry about the 86,000
frankly, the majority leader cannot The Postmaster General, of course, people who have died. The minority
pass a bill because 20 of your Members has never admitted to the sweeping leader said, well, the crisis is gone. I
in the United States Senate want to do delays and reductions in service caused don’t know where he thinks it went. It
nothing, and just tell the people who by the actions. Instead, here is what he is certainly visiting the neighborhoods
are suffering, who are on unemploy- said: ‘‘We all feel bad about what the in my State and the neighborhoods in
ment, who don’t have childcare, you dip in the level of service has been.’’ your State.
are on your own. So he knows there was a dip in serv- So the report says the mail has sub-
Now, I have heard all this talk about ice right after he made these changes. stantially gone down since the Post-
what we could have done. Do it. Do it. Now, what do we know? master General—aiding and abetting,
NANCY PELOSI and Secretary Mnuchin A, we know he is a big supporter of in my opinion, the President of the
got four deals done. Most of you voted the President, gave a lot of money to United States who wishes to suppress
for them, and they passed overwhelm- the President. the vote—acted.
ingly in a bipartisan fashion. But you Secondly, we know he was appointed Now, I don’t know how many of you
made a decision, nope, no more. by the President. Essentially, yes, read 18 U.S. Code 1703, but it says,
Now we have it speculated that if we elected by the Board of Governors—all ‘‘Whoever being a Postal Service offi-
don’t take action and have a much thanks to the membership appointed cer or employee’’—and says some other
more robust—and a plan for dealing by President Trump—who, by the way, things about secrets, destroys, detains,
with COVID–19, which we don’t have unanimously asked for the $25 billion opens, et cetera—‘‘whoever delays
and haven’t had, because this President we are talking about. mail, which was intended to be con-
called it a hoax. You don’t have to re- We know the President of the United veyed by mail, shall be fined under this
States wants to suppress the vote. title or imprisoned not more than 5
spond to hoaxes. That is what he called
Why? years, or both.’’
it, a hoax. And, of course, if it is a hoax
He says so. He says so. Now, I had a press conference with
you don’t respond, and he didn’t. Senator WARNER, Senator VAN HOLLEN,
And over 175,000—86,000 since we The first meeting I had with the
President of the United States with Re- and six other Members, including EL-
passed HEROES—175,000, and CDC says
EANOR HOLMES NORTON, one of the sen-
it may be up to 200,000 by the end of publican leaders and Democratic lead-
ers just shortly after he was inaugu- ior members of the Chair’s committee.
this year. Still, you have passed no bill
rated President, the first thing he said Five minutes before we held that press
in the United States.
was, I got a majority of the votes. conference, the Postmaster General
We sent a bill over there. You don’t
If it hadn’t been fraud, if it hadn’t issued his statement that he was going
like it, that is fine, pass your own. You
been all those people that voted ille- to stop doing what he was doing. I
control the Senate. Pass your own, and
gally, I would have gotten the majority guess it was because he thought, Well,
then we will go to conference. We will
of votes. He only got 62 million. 70 mil- what I am doing is great, everybody
see which bill is better, or maybe we
lion voted for somebody else. And 65 will support what I am doing. Or, did
will put them together. But what has
million people, the majority of the peo- he think, I got my hand caught in the
the Senate majority leader done? He
ple of the United States voting for cookie jar and I better stop? Which do
has reduced the $1 trillion offer down
President of the United States, voted you think is the more rational deter-
to $500 billion, which the governor of
for Hillary Clinton. mination as to why 5 minutes before he
my State says is only sufficient to help
I challenge one of you to name me had that press conference he issued his
the States because they are hem-
two members of the electoral college in release? That he thought it was fine?
orrhaging revenue, and they are on the
2016. You can’t do it. The American He could defend it? It was the right
front lines of responding to this crisis.
people voted for Hillary Clinton. thing to do?
Now, others of you have said all of If he thought all of those, why in
this is a feign, this is not real. The President of the United States
wants to send, maybe with no name heaven’s name did he change his mind?
Mr. Speaker, I ask Madam Chair, has I will tell you why. He knew what he
she spoken about the report from the tags and just sort of brown suits on,
did was wrong. He probably read that
Postmaster General? troops to the polls of America. Never in
briefing that service had plummeted
Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY of New my life—and I have run probably for of-
since he took that action, and that he
York. Yes, I have. fice more times than anybody here but
was putting the mail, prescription
Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, let me re- DON YOUNG—never have I seen armed
drugs, Social Security checks, vet-
peat it, notwithstanding that. troops there at the polls to intimidate
erans’ checks, at risk.
It says, ‘‘The new documents being people. That seems to me to be the logical
released by the committee today are My State checks for fraud. And, by conclusion. And as the law says, if you
part of the PMG briefing.’’ the way, all those fraudulent votes act and you delay the mail, you com-
Now, I hope the Postmaster General, that Donald Trump said had been cast, mit a crime, subject to 5 years in jail,
unlike the President of the United not a conviction. He controls the Jus- and a substantial fine.
States, reads his briefings. tice Department. He controls, presum-
The President says he doesn’t read ably, the FBI. b 1530
his briefings, so he didn’t know about Going back to what I said about this Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentle-
the Russian payments to kill American crisis that was occurring that you say woman for her leadership.
soldiers and has not responded to this doesn’t exist in the post office. The Postmaster General appeared to

SSpencer on DSK126QN23PROD with HOUSE
date on that assertion. On January 15, 2013, we voted for a back down from his attempt to set the
The new documents being released by crisis, 50 million Americans living in Postal Service up for failure just mo-
the committee today are part of the the northeast had been savaged by ments before a number of us, as I have
PMG briefing, a presentation prepared Superstorm Sandy. About 230 of you said, from the House and Senate were
directly for the Postmaster General Republicans were here, you were in about to speak in front of the Postal
last week on August 12, 10 days ago. charge. Only 49 of you, not Mr. MEAD- Service headquarters right down the
They provide a detailed assessment of OWS, not Ms. FOXX, 49 voted for that street.

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H4284 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE August 22, 2020
In his testimony yesterday, the Post- casting votes through the mail. I know Providing for justice in policing, did
master General indicated that he and you can discount the fact that the we send it over there? Yes. Why? Be-
President Trump are simply hitting President wants to suppress the vote. cause we want a fair, more just, more
pause. They don’t care about the dimi- He said so. I am not making it up. He equal, more racially conscious Nation.
nution of service that the Postmaster said so. Oh, we have all the fraud. And I say racially conscious in the
General’s report said, apparently. They By the way, he votes by mail, of sense that we don’t judge people on the
just hit pause. Why? Because they are course. You all understand that. I don’t color of their skin.
hoping it will go away, the wrongdoing know that he sends an ID card down We strengthened and expanded the
that they are perpetrating, not what when he votes. Well, maybe we ought ACA, which in a pandemic may well
was done in the past by, yes: Should we to check on that. You are so interested have been very helpful. It hasn’t been
make service efficient and effective? in ID cards, let’s see if the President of put on the floor.
We should. But that is not why this the United States sends an ID card Protecting workers’ rights to orga-
was done. down to Florida. nize and receive their pensions, it
All you have to do is look at the They employed tactics such as elimi- hasn’t been put on the floor.
President’s statement about wanting nating overtime pay, cutting routes So, if you tell me this can’t pass, it
to suppress the vote, particularly of short, reassigning experienced man- can’t pass perhaps because the Presi-
minorities. He said that if more Blacks agers, et cetera. dent of the United States tells you that
had voted in the last election, I would Maybe you guys and gals don’t have he is not for it, and so it doesn’t pass.
have lost. That is what he said. a constituent office open. But every In closing—and I know many of you
In his statement on Tuesday, the one of my Members tells me they are have said thank God—in closing, let me
Postmaster General indicated that no hearing from thousands of their people. say that you ought to vote for this bill.
additional changes would be imple- Congress, therefore, must take action Not for Democrats. You ought to vote
mented. In other words, he is not going to prevent them from simply changing for it for your people, for the people in
their minds and causing massive postal your rural neighborhoods who are
to back up, even though his report says
delays in the weeks ahead. Remember, counting on the postal department to
it is diminishing service. Why? He can
he said he has just delayed his changes,
pledge all he wants, but if you don’t bring that prescription drug, which is
which caused the fall in service.
give the post office department and its critical to maintain their health or
Delivering for America Act, that is
employees the tools with which to do what the postal department has done save their lives. You ought to vote for
the job, no matter what he says about since before the Constitution was it for the over 1 million people getting
voting—I am glad that we make sure adopted. I am not going to go through Social Security checks in the mail.
that first-class mail treatment—as a what it will require. You know what it That is why you ought to vote for it,
matter of fact, there ought to be super- will require. But it would particularly not for us.
first class. You ought to vote for it because you
require, and I am so pleased, Madam
Voting for the President of the Chair, that you included in your bill want everybody to vote; you want ev-
United States has got to be the most first-class treatment because voting is erybody to participate in this democ-
important thing a citizen does in this first-class priority in America. racy; you want an election that has,
election year, and it ought to be treat- Now, I am going to close with this like so many other countries, 80 per-
ed as such by the postal department. because so many of you said: This bill cent of our people participating, who
Even after 3 months, President is not going to pass. You are wasting don’t want to be the 86,001 who die be-
Trump and Senate Republicans con- your time. You shouldn’t send it over cause they went someplace and aggre-
tinue to refuse to take action on the there. gated together and got COVID–19.
HEROES Act. I talked about that. That If we did that, we wouldn’t do any- That is what this is about, making
is why Congress needs to take action thing unless the President said you can our people able to participate safely in
now that will ensure our Postal Service do it. Then, we would salute and say: their democracy.
can continue to deliver for America ‘‘Yes, sir. We will do it. But if you Vote for this bill. It is not a partisan
through this pandemic, just as it al- don’t want it, sir, if you don’t want bill. It is a bill that says Republicans
ways has reliably delivered for our peo- FISA—126 of us voted for FISA, but if ought to be safe in voting. Democrats
ple. That is why this legislation is nec- you don’t want it, we will change our ought to be safe in voting. Independ-
essary. minds in 24 hours,’’ which is what you ents ought to be safe in voting, if that
Millions depend on the Postal Serv- did. is what they choose to do.
ice to obtain medications, receive pay- But then again, we wouldn’t have This is a good bill. It is a bill for
checks, and access vital services. For sent campaign finance reform over America’s democracy. It is a bill for
rural communities, in particular, the there because MCCONNELL hasn’t con- making sure that our people are con-
Postal Service—that is the irony. For sidered it. We wouldn’t have sent in- nected through the mail.
rural communities, the Postal Service vestment and infrastructure and jobs, I thank the chair for bringing this
is probably even more important. which MCCONNELL has not put on the bill to the floor. Vote ‘‘yes.’’ I urge a
This year, in particular, it will play a floor. We wouldn’t have sent restoring ‘‘yes’’ vote for all Members.
crucial role, the Postal Service, in voting rights or ensuring LGBT equal- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Mem-
helping tens of millions of Americans ity or protecting Dreamers or ensuring bers are reminded to refrain from en-
stay safe from COVID–19. 86,000 Ameri- equal pay for women because MCCON- gaging in personalities toward the
cans have died since we passed the HE- NELL hasn’t put equal pay for women President and to direct their remarks
ROES Act. The minority leader seems on the floor. to the Chair.
to think: Well, people not coming to Requiring background checks for Mr. COMER. Mr. Speaker, may I in-
Congress, not wanting to get on an air- safer communities, only 90 percent of quire as to how much time is remain-
plane, not wanting to come to Wash- Americans are for that, so I can under- ing.
ington and then go home and have to stand why MCCONNELL said: Look, The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gen-
sequester themselves for 14 days, oh, there is 10 percent against it. I am not tleman from Kentucky has 25 minutes.
they are just playing games. going to put it on the floor for consid- The gentlewoman from New York has
If you doubt the validity of their eration. 24 minutes.
vote, say so. But whether I cast it far You say you haven’t gotten notice, Mr. COMER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2
over there or near here, it is the same and you haven’t been included in the minutes to the gentleman from Ohio,

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vote. It is my vote, and it is my peo- committee, et cetera. MCCONNELL Mr. LATTA.
ple’s voice. doesn’t allow anybody to vote, your Mr. LATTA. Mr. Speaker, I thank my
It was so angering for Americans leader. friend, the ranking member, for yield-
across the political spectrum that Meeting the challenge of climate ing.
President Trump and Postmaster Gen- change, well, of course, many of you Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to
eral DeJoy openly sabotaged the Postal don’t believe climate change is real. I this bill, which has not gone through
Service in order to prevent people from understand that. regular order and was put together in

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August 22, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H4285
response to misinformation and con- tions, Social Security benefits, income retary Steve Mnuchin said, ‘‘While the USPS
spiracies online. and tax payments, veterans benefits, is able to fund its operating expenses with-
Since the closure of the Toledo, Ohio, Census forms, and absentee ballots to out additional borrowing at this time, we are
pleased to have reached an agreement on the
processing plant in 2012, mail in north- all American communities, however re- material terms and conditions of a loan,
west Ohio has been sent to the mote they may be. should the need arise.’’
Metroplex Processing Facility in Americans’ dependence on the Postal And, White House Chief of Staff Mark
Michigan. As my constituents can at- Service has dramatically increased Meadows also confirmed on CNN that the
test, this new arrangement has not during this pandemic as we have White House offered the additional $10 bil-
worked. We have experienced countless watched the on-time delivery of mail lion in funding to the Postal Service. Re-
delays and destroyed and lost mail for decrease significantly. This legislation freshing the left’s collective memory about
the availability of massive amounts of fund-
years, including more than 1,000 absen- provides the $25 billion in emergency ing to the USPS ought to have put this
tee ballots in the 2016 general election. COVID funding to the Postal Service phony claim to bed.
That is why I have continuously en- that was unanimously requested by the But House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is insist-
gaged with the USPS to fix these prob- bipartisan Board of Governors. ing that the House of Representatives return
lems and get our mail sorted in Ohio. It also prohibits and even rolls back to vote on additional funding for the USPS,
They have committed to working with changes made by the post office since which illustrates the Democrats’ over-
me and officials in Ohio to implement January 1 of this year. That prohibi- arching theme: Just send money; it will al-
procedures for election materials. ways solve the problem, whatever the prob-
tion lasts through January 2021 or
lem is, even if there is no real problem.
Unfortunately, under H.R. 8015, the until the end of the pandemic, which- The second deception that the Democrats
USPS would be prohibited from mak- ever is later. are using to try and steal the upcoming elec-
ing any changes to their operation if it That means no post office can be tion is by conflating the long-established
is determined that the changes would closed, consolidated, or reduce hours; practice of absentee balloting with the elec-
impede prompt, reliable, and efficient no prohibition or restriction of over- tion-fraud-producing scam that the left is
services. time pay; no changes that will delay selling of universal mail-in ballots. By con-
It doesn’t specifically say who will be solidating the two, very different voting pro-
mail delivery or increase the volume of
making this determination, so it is safe cedures, they are trying to scare Americans
undelivered mail; and no removal of into believing that Mr. Trump is going to
to assume it will be the unelected bu- post office infrastructure, like sorting cheat in the upcoming election.
reaucrats, individuals who have told machines or mailboxes. This is consistent with Democrats’ oper-
me for years that the preferred way to This legislation protects the integ- ating strategy and the methodology that
sort mail would be through the rity of our democracy by requiring they will accuse you of what they are actu-
Metroplex. Now, this bill could legally that all election mail be treated as ally trying to accomplish. In this case, the
prohibit absentee ballots from being Democrats are trying to steal the election by
first class, which means ballots must
processed in Ohio-based sorting facili- sending ballots out to every name on every
be postmarked, processed, and cleared voter roll. But they are fighting against
ties. on the same day that they are received. cleaning up the voter rolls.
I cannot in good conscience support Your uncle is dead but still on the voter
this new Democratic political sideshow b 1545 roll? A ballot comes to his last address in his
because it threatens the rights of my Mr. COMER. Madam Speaker, I yield name. Your cat is somehow on the roll?
constituents to have their voices heard 2 minutes to the gentleman from Ari- Fluffy gets a ballot.
in November. zona (Mr. BIGGS). Democrats know that their demands will
Madam Speaker, I urge a ‘‘no’’ vote incentivize and produce fraudulent ballots by
Mr. BIGGS. Madam Speaker, I thank sending out ballots to those who haven’t re-
on this legislation. Ranking Member COMER for yielding. quested them. They are OK with that be-
Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY of New Madam Speaker, I include in the cause they think they can win the dead voter
York. Madam Speaker, I yield 3 min- RECORD two articles from periodicals. and pet cat demographics.
utes to the gentleman from South [From the Washington Tmes, Aug. 18, 2020] They accuse Mr. Trump of defunding the
Carolina (Mr. CLYBURN), the distin- DEMOCRATS FUEL POST OFFICE PANIC WITH
USPS—when the left really wants to defund
guished majority whip. the police—and their accusation is a lie.
LIES TO WIN UPCOMING ELECTION
Mr. CLYBURN. Madam Speaker, I They know that the president supports the
(By Andy Biggs) long-standing practice of absentee voting,
thank the gentlewoman for yielding.
There are two almost immutable laws of but claim he is against that. Another lie.
Madam Speaker, I rise today in sup- House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is so con-
operation that form the basis of America’s
port of H.R. 8015, the Delivering for political left. The first is that Democrats cerned that she is bringing the House back
America Act. This legislation is vital and leftists foment fear in order to obtain into session to vote on legislation that
to protecting the United States Postal and maintain political power. The other is means nothing. Oh yeah, it’s urgent alright,
Service. that they always accuse everyone else, con- but only after the Democratic convention is
I maintain that the post office is the servatives and Republicans, of acts, words completed. Oh, and it’s only to give Demo-
thread that holds the fabric of our and ideas in which the left is engaged. crats the opportunity to further the panic-
great country together. The Postal If that means that the truth must be adul- driven narrative, because the Senate isn’t
terated in order to craft a narrative that going to hear the speaker’s deceptive bill.
Service existed before our Nation’s Never forget that the Democrats and left
gins up panic and hysteria, they will shade
Constitution as the lifeline that con- the truth. Lies beget panic, panic calls for a always accuse you of what they are actually
nected far-flung communities. The solution—usually a big spending solution— doing and that they will prevaricate to fur-
Founders believed so strongly in the and the Democrats try to exploit that panic ther that claim. The left will try and stoke
importance of the post office that they to get more power. panic in the country, then attempt to spend
enshrined it in our Constitution. The Democrats are engaged in a any amount of money to quell that panic in
The post office provides a critical disinformation campaign regarding the up- order to arrogate power.
coming election and mail-in ballots that is The deception surrounding the USPS ‘‘cri-
public service that we cannot allow to sis’’ is just another great example of Marx-
become a potential political pawn of a deceptive and reflective of their goal of win-
ning the election by hook or crook. ian-Democrat duplicity.
dysfunctional, destructive, and, I dare Democrats and their left-wing publicists in
say, disastrous administration. This [From the Blaze, Aug. 21, 2020]
the media claim that President Trump is
administration has demonstrated time going to dismantle the United States Postal POSTMASTER GENERAL PROMISES TIMELY DE-
and again why government should not Service (USPS). This absurdity typifies both LIVERY OF ELECTION MAIL, SAYS USPS
be run like a business. Businesses exist of the Democratic strategies: It is a lie to en- DOESN’T NEED BAILOUT MONEY
to make profits. The post office and the gender panic, and the stealing of the election (By Aaron Colen)

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whole of our government exist to pro- is their objective, not the president’s. Postmaster General Louis DeJoy denied
vide services. That is why it is called a They claim that Mr. Trump is going to fis- accusations that the United States Postal
cally starve the behemoth USPS in order to Service wouldn’t be able to handle increased
Postal Service, not the postal corpora- prevent all mailed ballots from being count- volumes of election mail in November, and
tion. ed. Of course, neither claim is true. told the Senate Homeland Security and Gov-
Today, we are acting to reinforce our The president signed a bill that provided ernmental Affairs Committee on Friday that
Postal Service system, which provides an additional $10 billion to the USPS just a the USPS was ‘‘fully capable’’ of getting the
vital services like delivering medica- few weeks ago. At the time, Treasury Sec- job done, CBS News reported.

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H4286 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE August 22, 2020
DeJoy has been a target of Democrats who General, so what we are going to do is Enough of the criminal and corrupt
believe the Trump donor and logistics expert we are going to proscribe any kind of mismanagement of the Postmaster
is handicapping the Postal Service at the efforts to make the post office, Postal General. The changes he has brought to
president’s urging in order to discourage or
Service, work better. We are going to our Postal Service during this pan-
limit mail-in voting.
‘‘As we head into the election season, I stop that. Not only are we going to demic are brazen acts of sabotage in-
want to assure this committee, and the stop that, we are going to give a new tended to slow down operations and to
American public, that the Postal Service is cause of action to trial lawyers against delay mail delivery.
fully capable of delivering the nation’s elec- the USPS. This is a hell of a way to repay 600,000
tion mail securely and on time,’’ DeJoy tes- That is what is going on in this bill, dedicated letter carriers and postal
tified. and I find that intriguing. It reminds workers who have put themselves in
DeJoy said even mail-in ballots sent one harm’s way in the midst of this pan-
me of a Eugene Ionesco play, Luigi Pi-
week before Election Day would be counted, demic, who find dignity in their work
because USPS workers will ‘‘scour every randello. We are talking theater of the
plant each night leading up to Election Day’’ absurd here. That is what we are talk- and are worried about the impact on
to make sure no ballot is left behind. ing about. services and fear for their very liveli-
Rather than being opposed to mail-in vot- Democrats call the failures of USPS hoods and retribution for the calls that
ing, as President Donald Trump is, DeJoy a crisis, but they are going to prohibit they have made to all of our offices.
told the committee ‘‘I think the American reforms or changes. Think of the irony How dare you.
public should be able to vote by mail, and of that. While the Trump administration and
the Postal Service will support it.’’
I would suggest that this illustrates its allies continue to gaslight the
DeJoy clarified that the potential issue American people, we actually listen to
with mail-in ballots is related to state dead- the Democrats’ overarching theme: If
you just send money, it will always our constituents and their lived experi-
lines that are too close to Election Day,
solve the problem, whatever the prob- ences and how this has disrupted their
which is why 46 states were notified of that
issue in a letter late last month. DeJoy said lem is, even if there is no real problem. lives, what you are referring to as
Americans should vote early, if they can. This is not a money issue. This is not fakes news, constituents like Cas-
The U.S. Postal Service plans to ‘‘send a an acute issue. This is a long-term sandra, a freelancer from Somerville
letter to every American’’ explaining ‘‘what problem that has been there for mul- who waited for 2 weeks for a check
our process is’’ for mail-in voting, DeJoy from a client to arrive.
said Friday.
tiple administrations.
Now, to come in at the last minute— ‘‘Freelancing is already unstable,’’
DeJoy, who has been in his role since June, she told me, ‘‘and post office delays
said he has never spoken to Trump or White and here is part of the absurdity.
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Ms. mean I have even less assurance that
House advisers about making changes to
service. WILD). The time of the gentleman has the money I have worked for will reach
The USPS has long been in bad financial expired. me in a timely fashion.’’
shape, and DeJoy was hired as a logistics ex- Mr. COMER. Madam Speaker, I yield Or Brendan in Charlestown, who re-
pert from the private sector to address issues an additional 30 seconds to the gen- quested an absentee ballot more than 3
of cost and efficiency. Some of the changes
tleman from Arizona (Mr. BIGGS). weeks ago so he and his pregnant wife
that have reportedly been made, such as the could vote without risking their health
limiting of overtime and the removal of Mr. BIGGS. Madam Speaker, the
richest part of this irony, this absurd- but has yet to receive it because, in the
some mail sorting machines and collection
ity, is: Here we are today. We are going Massachusetts Seventh Congressional
boxes, have led to some delays in mail deliv-
ery in some areas. Those operational changes to vote on this bill today, and we are District, nine mail sorting machines
were suspended by DeJoy this week to avoid going to have the hearing on Monday have been removed.
the appearance of tampering with the Nov. 3 There must be accountability. It is
in the committee. That is the richest
election. time to pass the Delivering for Amer-
part of an absurdity that is going to
Some recent primary elections were dis- ica Act.
rupted by issues with mail-in ballots. A New cost us $25 billion. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Mem-
York congressional election was delayed by Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY of New
bers are reminded to address their re-
six weeks due to a dispute over some ballots York. Madam Speaker, just as a point
marks to the Chair.
that were not postmarked or that were re- of clarification, there is no cause of ac- Mr. COMER. Madam Speaker, I yield
ceived after the deadline. Tens of thousands tion in this bill, and it does not in any 2 minutes to the gentleman from Texas
of votes that were mailed in weren’t counted way hinder any efficiency that would
for various reasons. (Mr. WILLIAMS).
speed up the mail. It merely stops any Mr. WILLIAMS. Madam Speaker, I
Democrats are pushing for billions of dol-
action that slows down the mail until rise today in opposition to H.R. 8015
lars in additional funding for the USPS, par-
tially to help with the election. On Friday, the end of this pandemic. and the manufactured crisis my Demo-
DeJoy told Congress the USPS did not need Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to cratic colleagues have created regard-
a federal bailout, but did advocate for reim- the gentlewoman from Massachusetts ing the U.S. Postal Service.
bursement for service provided during the (Ms. PRESSLEY), an extremely valuable For the past week, the American peo-
pandemic even while revenues were down. member of the committee. ple have been told they cannot trust
Mr. BIGGS. Madam Speaker, ‘‘The Ms. PRESSLEY. Madam Speaker, I the Postal Service to do their job and
Postal Service is fully capable of deliv- rise today to say: Enough. In a blatant that Republicans, along with President
ering the Nation’s election mail se- attempt to suppress the vote, the occu- Trump, are trying to undermine the
curely and on time.’’ That was the tes- pant has continued to attack the legit- agency.
timony of the Postmaster General. imacy of our elections, denouncing the That could not be further from the
But they don’t trust the Postmaster very method of voting he and his fam- truth. The Postal Service has more
General. ily have repeatedly used: mail-in bal- than enough funding to operate for the
The post office has taken care of over lots. next calendar year and has not even
400 million pieces of mail every day. Hypocrisy: It should look familiar to acted upon the $10 billion loan the
But they don’t trust the Postmaster my colleagues across the aisle. Treasury offered back in July.
General. How dare you refer to this as a sham The sad truth is that the Postal Serv-
That is intriguing to me, because bill. The only sham here is the patriot- ice has been financially unsustainable
they are going to give the Postmaster ism that you allege to espouse while and without reform for over a decade,
General an additional $25 billion. They you stand idly by and are complicit in and the bill we are voting on today will
don’t trust him, yet they are going to the dismantling of the United States do nothing, absolutely nothing, to im-
give him $25 billion when he already Postal Service, which is impacting the prove the shortfalls with this agency.

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has $15 billion cash on hand and a $10 lives of all of our constituents, dis- We should, instead, be working to-
billion line of credit. We don’t trust rupting services. gether to address certain problems we
this guy, but we are going to give him Patriotism: They hire more veterans have while being conscious of the tax-
$25 billion extra. than anyone else. Veterans rely on payer dollars that have been used for
But moreover, this is a crisis. We them to receive lifesaving medication. bailouts over the years.
want reforms. We want changes. We The only sham here is the patriotism Madam Speaker, I have a rural dis-
don’t trust the current Postmaster which you espouse. trict in Texas, District 25. We rely

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August 22, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H4287
upon the Postal Service to fulfill serv- Mr. BISHOP of North Carolina. Over 90 percent of Americans have a
ices that my constituents would other- Madam Speaker, I thank the gen- favorable opinion of the Postal Service.
wise go without. I am an advocate for tleman for yielding. We have to restore that bond. That is
improving this agency, and we should Madam Speaker, our presence today, what this legislation does.
dedicate time to do just that, but there this unserious legislation, even all the Mr. COMER. Madam Speaker, I yield
is an actual crisis among us that yelling across the aisle and the stray- 30 seconds to the gentleman from
should demand our immediate atten- ing off topic, they all underscore a con- Pennsylvania (Mr. FITZPATRICK).
tion. trast: Democrats whip up hysteria; Re- Mr. FITZPATRICK. Madam Speaker,
In the car business, you can’t charge publicans show up to work. I thank Ranking Member COMER for
the sticker price if you don’t have a ve- They call a Saturday session, sup- yielding.
hicle to deliver, and you don’t sell used posedly because of an emergency. Re- Madam Speaker, I stand today with
cars that won’t start. We are not deliv- publicans are here, but about 70 Demo- the hardworking letter carriers and
ering results today. The immediate cri- crats don’t show up. And that has been postal workers of the United States
sis we need to address is caused by the the pattern all summer: Republicans Postal Service.
COVID–19 pandemic. come to work; Democrats dial it in, The USPS must be fully funded so
Main Street America and families sometimes from the fishing boat. that my constituents and millions
across Texas are wanting results, but They say the virus keeps them from across our Nation can receive the high-
my colleagues on the other side of the congregating to work, but they encour- quality and timely service that the
aisle would rather ignore this truth age the throng outside the Postmaster post office has always provided us.
and, instead, politicize a conspiracy General’s personal residence. Madam Speaker, today I will vote in
theory. If my colleagues are serious Or consider Representative GRI- favor of the Delivering for America
about postal reform, then let’s get to JALVA: not at work today, but joined a Act.
work, but the legislation before us postal union protest 4 days ago. They Republicans and Democrats, House
today isn’t the answer. It is, frankly, a can congregate to whip up hysteria, and Senate, must come together and
waste of time. just not to work. address the serious challenges that
I should be home with my family. I Now, Louis DeJoy is showing up to USPS has been facing for quite some
should be home with my grandchildren. work. Testifying yesterday, he calmly time now. I look forward to continuing
As we say in Texas, ‘‘This dog won’t debunked apocryphal tales about blue to work with our colleagues on bipar-
hunt.’’ Well, let me tell you, this dog collection boxes and sorting machines. tisan solutions to move all of our he-
won’t hunt. Monday, he testifies before the House roes forward and support our heroes at
And, P.S., let’s make the Postal Oversight and Reform Committee, but the U.S. Postal Service.
Service run like a business. Democrats fan hysteria today without
b 1600
Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY of New waiting for facts, even though they
York. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 min- don’t show up. Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY of New
utes to the gentlewoman from Michi- Let’s drop the hysteria. Let’s all York. Madam Speaker, I yield 11⁄2 min-
gan (Ms. TLAIB), another great member show up to work. Americans need our utes to the distinguished gentlewoman
of the committee. help. from Massachusetts (Ms. CLARK), who
Ms. TLAIB. Madam Speaker, do you Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY of New is the vice chair of our caucus.
hear that? That is our democracy York. Madam Speaker, I yield 11⁄2 min- Ms. CLARK of Massachusetts.
crumbling. utes to the gentleman from Maryland Madam Speaker, 99 days ago House
I want all of my neighbors, I want all (Mr. SARBANES), an outstanding mem- Democrats passed the HEROES Act to
of America to know why the people’s ber of the committee. provide much-needed relief to the
House is here for an emergency vote on Mr. SARBANES. Madam Speaker, I American people suffering from this
Saturday while Senate Majority Lead- thank the chairwoman of the com- pandemic.
er MCCONNELL went on vacation: We mittee for yielding. What was the reaction from the
are experiencing a global pandemic, I support this bill strongly. GOP?
and now our U.S. Postal Service is I want to speak a little bit to what A shrug.
under attack. the Postmaster General acknowl- Funding for State and local govern-
Let it be clear: This administration edged—admitted—yesterday. He called ments to protect jobs of first respond-
is waging an authoritarian campaign it a dip in service. He finally admitted ers and teachers?
to sabotage this election by manipu- that after being pressed extensively on MITCH MCCONNELL said: Let them go
lating the Postal Service to suppress it. bankrupt.
our votes, and they are threatening the I want to tell you what the dip looks Feeding hungry children and fami-
livelihood of our postal workers, our like in my district. lies?
seniors, our veterans, and so many So, in all of 2019, our constituent They said: Let’s hit the pause button.
more in the process. service folks opened 11 cases to deal Funding for testing, treatment, and
This is not a conspiracy theory. This with delays and service problems with hospitals as death tolls soared over
is fascism. We will not stand for this the mail—11 cases in 2019. So far this 175,000?
now or ever. year, there have been 106. Donald Trump said: It is what it is.
In Michigan right now, machines ca- Now, I am not talking about people Unemployment benefits and eviction
pable of sorting 35,000 pieces of mail who are just calling in and complaining protection?
per hour have disappeared from postal because the mail is late and then they Not right now.
facilities. hang up the phone and so forth. This is In May, we also funded the post of-
Brave workers are blowing the whis- where they have got real concerns fice, a critical service enshrined in our
tle and saying that they have never about what is happening and they ask Constitution, a lifeline to seniors and
seen anything like this, Madam Speak- us to open a case. There have been 106 veterans, like John, who called me yes-
er. this year compared with 11 last year, terday from my hometown who had to
We must put an end to it. and 103 of those in the last 4 weeks. wait an extra week to get his medica-
Madam Speaker, I say to the White That is not a dip in service. That is a tion.
House: Hands off the United States collapse of service, and it tracks ex- It is a pillar of our democracy allow-
Postal Service. actly to the time that Louis DeJoy has ing people to vote safely from home

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Let’s make it clear through this law been on the job. this fall. We are here today to defend
to fund our Postal Service and undo Here is what is so terrible: When you this institution from slow deliveries
these harmful attacks and restore nor- attack the Postal Service from within, and removal of critical mail infrastruc-
mal operations. which is what he is doing, it has the ef- ture. Twelve mail sorting machines in
Mr. COMER. Madam Speaker, I yield fect of trying to separate the postal my home State have been removed.
2 minutes to the gentleman from North workers from the public that trusts When Mr. DeJoy was asked about
Carolina (Mr. BISHOP). them. this, he said: They are not needed.

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H4288 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE August 22, 2020
Donald Trump said he didn’t want Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY of New Even the Postmaster General just
those ridiculous ballots delivered. York. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute testified yesterday: ‘‘The Postal Serv-
We will not stand by while the Postal to the gentlewoman from California ice is fully capable and committed to
Service is dismantled and good jobs are (Ms. ESHOO), who is the distinguished delivering the Nation’s election mail
lost. We will fight so that every vote is chair of the Subcommittee on Health fully and on time.’’
counted. on the Energy and Commerce Com- That is the Postmaster General.
Vote ‘‘yes’’ for the Postal Service. mittee. If you would have listened to him—I
Vote ‘‘yes’’ for the people. Vote ‘‘yes’’ Ms. ESHOO. Madam Speaker, I am know there is a hearing Monday.
for democracy. here today to speak on behalf of the Maybe if you would have waited to see
Mr. COMER. Madam Speaker, I yield Postal Service in our country. what he actually said Monday in this
21⁄2 minutes to the gentleman from I am here today because I view it as committee, Madam Speaker, you would
Utah (Mr. CURTIS). a Democratic institution in our coun- have known that this is a fabricated
Mr. CURTIS. Madam Speaker, like try. crisis. But you knew that before.
many of my constituents, I have fol- I am here today because the Framers Madam Speaker, they knew this was
lowed the allegations circling around placed it in the Constitution. a fabricated crisis.
the Postal Service. These are serious I am here today because my constitu- In fact, when we talk about the
allegations. To get to the heart of the ents are not receiving their prescrip- money, oh my gosh, the post office is
problem, I spoke directly to Utah’s tion drugs, businesses are not receiving going to run out of money. Well, the
postal leadership. their mail, and people are not receiving problem is the facts decry even that.
As I asked questions and waded their mail. They have got a surplus of over $12 bil-
through the rumors, I learned four im- I am here today to speak on their be- lion sitting in the bank today and then
portant facts: half because they are outraged. They they have got—this is the Department
First, it is clear that the Postal Serv- are outraged about two things that of Treasury, Madam Speaker, a $10 bil-
ice needs additional funding. How have happened, that the President has lion line of credit that they can’t even
much and under what circumstances is said and attacked mail-in votes. access because they have too much
a worthy debate. But let me be clear: Guess how votes are counted? money in the bank right now.
the funding solution has no bearing on They are carried by the mail service. Imagine small businesses watching
their ability to handle the upcoming The Postmaster General, instead of on a Saturday because they can’t open.
mail-in ballots. The United States building it up, is dismantling it. It is They are not even sure if they are
Postal Service has enough cash on over the top to see pictures of postal going to be in business next week be-
hand to operate well into 2021. boxes being unhinged. cause they have no money in the bank,
Second, the increased demand of Vote for the Delivering for America and they are hearing about this crisis.
mail-in ballots does not stretch their Act. The people deserve it. Congress is coming in on a Saturday.
capacity. Mail-in ballots will increase Mr. COMER. Madam Speaker, I yield
Then they find out the post office has
the demand on the system by a little 3 minutes to the gentleman from Lou-
over $12 billion in the bank and they
over 1.5 percent. In the words of Utah’s isiana (Mr. SCALISE), who is the Repub-
have access to a line of credit of $10 bil-
district director, not even a bump in lican whip.
lion from Treasury that they can’t get
Mr. SCALISE. Madam Speaker, I
volume. The day I spoke with him to today because they have got too
thank the gentleman from Kentucky
Utah’s mail delivery system was 500,000 much money in the bank.
for yielding.
letters under capacity. Right now, it is here. This is the let-
When you think about why we are
Third, the accusation that they are ter from Treasury.
here on a Saturday, I would think if we
removing boxes and cutting overtime It is so important, Madam Speaker,
are being brought here on a Saturday
to thwart mail-in ballots is just plain that 68 Democrats chose not even to
in the middle of a pandemic, it is to
not true. Boxes have always been show up today. Sixty-eight are not
help those millions of families who are
moved to adjust to volume. To calm even here today because this is a fake
struggling, Madam Speaker.
fears, the Postal Service has put a 90- crisis. It is a fabricated crisis.
I would think if we are going to come
day moratorium on moving boxes. It is a shame that instead of helping
here on a Saturday, it would be to help
Likewise, rumors that overtime is small businesses and families, they are
those millions of small businesses, the
being cut so mail-in ballots will be de- trying to scare the American people
restaurants in south Louisiana and
layed is false. I confirmed this with when everybody knows there is enough
New Orleans that don’t even know if
Utah’s district director. In his words: money to carry out the mail. Barack
they are going to open again because of
Never in my career have we left mail Obama and Joe Biden took out over
where we are right now.
undelivered because of overtime. In this pandemic you would think 11,000 mailboxes, and it was never even
Fourth, the concerns with mail-in a problem.
that is what we would be here for.
balloting have everything to do with But instead, Madam Speaker, why We have got to vote against this.
the State’s preparedness, not the Post- are we here? Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY of New
al Service. States who have allowed For a fabricated crisis. York. Madam Speaker, I yield 11⁄2 min-
ballots to be requested just 4 days be- The Wall Street Journal: ‘‘NANCY utes to the distinguished gentleman
fore election are irresponsible and PELOSI Goes Politically Postal. Con- from Illinois (Mr. KRISHNAMOORTHI),
should be accountable for mail-in bal- gress ought to be embarrassed by this who is the chair of the Subcommittee
lot problems, not the United States evidence-free conspiracy theory.’’ on Economic and Consumer Policy on
Postal Service. Further, mail-in bal- The New York Times: ‘‘I Was a Post- the Oversight and Reform Committee.
lots take longer to count and delays al Service Regulator for 18 Years. Mr. KRISHNAMOORTHI. Madam
can be expected, but not because of the Don’t Panic. The service is perfectly Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman
Postal Service. capable of handling election mail.’’ from New York for her leadership.
Madam Speaker, if you are not sure That was a Bill Clinton-era appointee. Madam Speaker, I rise as a proud co-
whom to believe, ask your mail carrier. Then you look at, again, this fab- sponsor of H.R. 8015, the Delivering for
Ask them if there is anything less than ricated crisis that, oh my gosh, there America Act.
100 percent effort given by them to de- are mailboxes being closed. Madam Speaker, the USPS is under
liver mail-in ballots and all mail, and Let’s look at the record. During the attack. In the last month, Postmaster
then make sure to thank them. I am so Obama-Biden years—just 4 years— General DeJoy has made irreversible

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grateful for the many men and women 11,560 mailboxes removed. changes causing mail delivery backlogs
who work so hard to deliver our mail Where were the hearings for that? as long as 3 weeks. But don’t just take
every day. Where were the Saturday votes to my word for it; 1,612 constituents of
We need a strong and vibrant Postal decry that they were closing mail- mine have contacted us about delayed
Service, but this bill thrown together boxes? mail.
in the middle of the night does not de- It never happened because it is not a Denise Winchar contacted us saying:
liver. real crisis. I run a small business and rely on the

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August 22, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H4289
post office to receive payment for my 51 for example. But the Democrats shouted all the more. After hearing
clients. Without payment, I have no in- have grown a little lazy to develop the some of the leadership on the other
come. Any delay in getting paid is a necessary back story. side of the aisle, I guess they learned
big hardship for me. In the past month, The Postal Service hoax is more akin the same approach—a weak argument
I have had to wait several weeks for to theories that the Earth is flat, that isn’t holding up.
payment. NASA faked Moon landings, that Elvis When I heard the majority leader
Take Vanesa Deben’s word for it. She is alive, and that Paul McCartney is talk about ‘‘this is for the people,’’ this
says: My insurance forces us to get our dead. Even the Loch Ness Monster, Big is for ‘‘your people,’’ I don’t believe
prescription delivered by mail, I have Foot, and the Chupacabra at least that at all because Jeanie, my rural
diabetes and I need to take my meds or yielded photographic evidence. mail carrier, is working today; 68
risk health problems. The USPS is a In closing, I want to thank my Demo- Democrats are not working today. Yet,
service that we all pay for with our cratic colleagues for inviting us here this is supposed to be something of im-
taxes and as a paying customer we for a Saturday afternoon matinee in portance.
need to demand that we get our service August. I urge them next time to put Last week, we heard the convention
back now. more effort into their future con- start this postal deal going on. This is
The Delivering for America Act in- spiracy theories. If you no longer have just a continuation of the Democrat
cludes three important provisions, time to properly craft your fake news convention. I want you to know that
Madam Speaker. narratives, you can also have the nothing that has been said about sup-
It reverses the dangerous operational Democratic National Committee laun- posedly what the President is attempt-
changes implemented by Postmaster der money to hire a British spy to go ing to do in defunding, in deflating, in
DeJoy. to your Russian friends and develop an- stopping the vote or the mail service is
It includes $25 billion in relief to the other set of fake dossiers. true. My Democrat colleagues know
USPS. Madam Speaker, have a good after- that as well. I think that is why 68
It requires the USPS to treat all offi- noon. I urge a ‘‘no’’ vote. chose to stay home today as opposed to
cial election mail as first-class mail. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Mem- coming here in a planned event that
Madam Speaker, I strongly urge my meant nothing other than politics.
bers are reminded to address their re-
colleagues to support this legislation. Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY of New
Mr. COMER. Madam Speaker, I yield marks to the Chair.
York. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute
3 minutes to the gentleman from Cali- b 1615
to the distinguished gentleman from
fornia (Mr. NUNES). Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY of New
Mr. NUNES. Madam Speaker, I thank Rhode Island (Mr. LANGEVIN).
York. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute Mr. LANGEVIN. Madam Speaker, I
the gentleman for the time. to the gentleman from Massachusetts
Since the election of President thank the gentlewoman for yielding.
(Mr. KEATING), a distinguished Member Madam Speaker, Postmaster General
Trump, the most absurd conspiracy
of Congress. DeJoy’s attempts to push forward oper-
theories have been proclaimed as gos- Mr. KEATING. Madam Speaker, for ational changes that delay the mail are
pel by the entire Democratic Party and several years, I was a letter carrier, simply unacceptable. My constituents
their media mouthpieces. working my way through college and depend on the U.S. Postal Service. In
Let’s begin with the Russian collu-
grad school, working overtime as mail the past week alone, I received over
sion hoax; the theory that Trump was
volume necessitated—and, yes, neces- 1,000 constituent letters expressing
a secret Russian agent who colluded
sitated. It was understood then that it confusion and anger over these changes
with Putin to steal the 2016 election
was a necessity. that he has planned and implemented.
from Hillary Clinton. The theory com-
I worked with dedicated postal work- A senior from Coventry wrote to me,
prised many preposterous sub-conspir-
ers, many of whom were veterans who expressing her alarm over what might
acies, including several wild tales.
For example, secret computer servers persevered through emergencies—hur- happen if her diabetic husband failed to
communicated with Russians. ricane, blizzards, floods. As the motto receive his medications on time.
Secret meetings with Russians oc- says, ‘‘gloom of night.’’ A constituent from Wakefield, who
curred in Prague, and secret Russian Now, our country faces new emer- has not missed an election since 1956,
money laundering from the Trump gencies, a pandemic that threatens emailed me to ask if he should vote in
campaign. lives and encumbers our basic rights, person, despite being 85 years old with
Best of all, Putin had a secret stash like the right to vote safely and in an health concerns.
of nude pictures of Trump and the now economic crisis, where 600,000 Postal Madam Speaker, no one should have
infamous pee tapes that the Democrats Service workers battle back, providing to wait for lifesaving medications or
and their puppets in the media spent economic stimulus and $1.6 trillion in risk their health to cast a vote. I urge
several years searching all over Europe sales revenues. my colleagues to support this bill. Mil-
for. The Postal Service is an economic lions of Americans are counting on us,
The Russia hoax ultimately im- and healthcare lifeline, a lifeline that and we cannot let them down.
ploded. But, Madam Speaker, you have Donald Trump is trying to sever, all to Mr. COMER. Madam Speaker, I yield
to almost admire the Democrats’ amaz- sabotage mail-in voting he thinks will 1 minute to the gentleman from Texas
ing ability to jump from one debunked dampen his chances to cling to power. (Mr. GOHMERT).
conspiracy theory to another without a He is the gloom of night, and it is our Mr. GOHMERT. Madam Speaker, I
hint of shame, embarrassment, or self- job, our duty, to throw some sunlight thank my friend from Kentucky for
reflection. his way and to stop him. yielding.
The Democrats supposedly convened Mr. COMER. Madam Speaker, may I Madam Speaker, look, I am pleased
us here today to protect Americans inquire how much time each side has that Democrats here are upset about
from Trump’s latest nefarious plot—his remaining. what has happened to the post office.
alleged attempt to sabotage the Postal The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gen- My regret is, you didn’t get upset dur-
Service to steal the election. In the tleman from Kentucky has 8 minutes ing the Obama administration when
grand scheme of Democratic con- remaining. The gentlewoman from New they were shutting down our post of-
spiracy theories, this one really is York has 10 minutes remaining. fices, not just getting rid of 12,000 mail-
scraping the bottom of the barrel. Mr. COMER. Madam Speaker, I yield boxes, shutting down processing cen-
I suppose we can grant the Demo- 1 minute to the gentleman from Michi- ters. In my district, when they shut

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crats that the post office actually does gan (Mr. WALBERG). down the Overton processing center, it
exist, and it does deliver mail. But Mr. WALBERG. Madam Speaker, I meant mail going from Tyler to Long-
watching them vent outrage on social thank the gentleman for yielding me view, or vice versa, went to Dallas then
media about missing mailboxes and the time. to Shreveport and back.
anti-mail theft devices is rather sad. Madam Speaker, I was told in persua- The Deputy Attorney General came
Good conspiracy theories have rich, sion class many, many years ago that to my office—I had been demanding a
false details that tell a story, like Area if you had a weak argument, you meeting with the Postmaster General—

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H4290 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE August 22, 2020
but, oh, no. No time for that. They had $15 billion in cash on hand and $10 bil- heard my friends on the other side of
no decency. They tried to say 390 miles lion more from the CARES Act. the aisle say this is not serious. Do you
would be cheaper and quicker than The independent Postal Service know why this is serious? Madam
going 30 miles. Board and the independent Postmaster Speaker, 176,000 dead Americans from
It is an outrage what the Obama ad- General have repeatedly assured the COVID–19 and the projection that there
ministration did, including their Post- American people that they can handle may be 300,000 dead by December 1.
master General, who was in office until the increased volume in mail-in voting. Madam Speaker, I left and got on a
June 15 of this year. Let’s be clear. Today’s vote is more plane from a hotspot—14 to 20 percent
Wake up. Let’s complain about the political theater. It is another scene infection. So my constituents who are
post office during the Obama years. from the Democrats’ one-act play ti- suffering from stage IV cancer need the
Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY of New tled Defeat President Trump at All mail.
York. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute Costs, even if it means peddling a de- If they want the proof, I read the
to the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. ceitful narrative that undermines the words of General Counsel and Execu-
COHEN). American people’s trust in the very in- tive Vice President Thomas J. Mar-
Mr. COHEN. Madam Speaker, I thank stitutions of our democratic Republic. shall of the U.S. Postal Service: ‘‘We
the chairwoman for yielding. To say the Postal Service is all of a are currently unable to balance our
Madam Speaker, Mr. DeJoy was be- sudden incapacitated, unable to pro- costs with available funding sources to
fore a Senate committee on Friday. He vide a secure, mail-in process, is not in- fulfill both our universal service mis-
was asked if he would put back in the tellectually honest. It is downright sion and other legal obligations.’’
sorters that he had removed, and he predatory. The post office says they have no
said no. Democrats who falsely call into ques- money. We need to be able to deliver
I think that is because he had al- tion the security of our elections to this money to them and vote on this
ready done his dirty work. He had al- justify a $25 billion bailout is a scam bill.
ready slowed down the mail by taking and a political payoff to their govern- Madam Speaker, I support the bill
the sorting machines out, and the flat ment union bosses. and urge my colleagues to vote for it.
Madam Speaker, I urge my Democrat Madam Speaker, I rise to speak in strong
sorters as well, which my postal people
colleagues: Stand up to your leader- support of H.R. 8015, the Delivering For
tell me is causing great delays and will
ship. Stop this shameful charade. See America Act.
cause greater delays.
the grave danger of manipulating the I thank Chairwoman MALONEY for her lead-
He had already done it. He refused to
American people to score cheap, polit- ership in drafting H.R. 8015.
put them back in. Why? Because the As a senior member of the House Judiciary
job was done, and he didn’t want to put ical points.
Madam Speaker, let’s get back to Committee and member of the House Budget
those sorters back in to see that the Committee, I am particularly interested in why
mail was delivered. He is no Karl Ma- work.
Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY of New and how this Administration has tampered with
lone. He does not deliver. He is not the the proper functioning of the U.S. Postal Serv-
‘‘Mailman.’’ York. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute
to the gentlewoman from California ice.
These postal sorters need to be there. The drafters of the 1789 Constitution of the
39,000 letters an hour go through. The (Ms. JUDY CHU), the distinguished chair
of the Asian Pacific American Caucus. United States knew the vital importance of
flat sorters are necessary for the mail- communication to the nation and its people, so
Ms. JUDY CHU of California. Madam
in ballots. There is no reason he they vested authority with the Congress to
Speaker, I rise today in strong support
wouldn’t put them back in. It wouldn’t sustain and maintain a national postal service.
of H.R. 8015, the Delivering for America
save any money. It costs money to Article I, Section 8, clause 7, in the Con-
Act, because I will not tolerate sabo-
take them out. He didn’t save money stitution of the United States provides that the
tage of the U.S. Postal Service.
by taking them out. He reduced effi- Congress has the power ‘‘To establish Post
This week, I went to my local post
ciency. He reduced the ability of the Offices and post Roads . . .’’
office to fight back against the attacks
Post Office to deliver ballots to elect a The Postal Clause was added to the Con-
on mail delivery that my Republican
person safely in America. This is a stitution to facilitate interstate communication
colleagues now claim never happened.
shame, and it is a crime. as well as to create a source of revenue for
But I stand by those who know better
Madam Speaker, I support the bill, the early United States.
than anyone, our country’s postal
and everyone here should. The freedoms of the press and of speech
workers.
Mr. COMER. Madam Speaker, I yield They talked about how cuts to over- are guaranteed in the First Amendment to the
2 minutes to the gentleman from Texas time are forcing mail carriers to aban- Constitution and the establishment of a na-
(Mr. ARRINGTON), my good friend. don their routes halfway through, and tional postal system, an authority vested by
Mr. ARRINGTON. Madam Speaker, I how deliberate reductions to operating the Constitution in the Congress, are indispen-
rise in strong opposition to the Demo- sable features of a strong and stable democ-
capacity mean that they cannot meet
crat bill entitled Delivering for Amer- racy.
their community’s needs.
ica Act. What an irresponsible and dis- My constituents also know better. A national postal system to collect and dis-
honest title. Every day, I have heard from seniors tribute mail efficiently, affordably, reliably, and
Democratic leadership must take the whose medications have been delayed, without regard to the sender’s or recipient’s
American people as fools. This bill at- small businesses unable to get orders race, creed, color, national origin, religion, re-
tempts to deceive the American people to customers, and workers waiting to gion of residence, or political affiliation
by manufacturing a crisis that simply receive a check. Pharmacies in my dis- strengthens and fortifies democracy by ena-
does not exist. trict have even needed to tell cus- bling all persons to communicate with any and
This bill also distracts this body tomers to pick their medicine up in all other Americans.
from actually doing something in this person instead of relying on the mail. A functioning and effective national postal
Chamber that matters, like con- No one should have to risk exposure system strengthens the economy by facilitating
demning violent mobs terrorizing our to COVID–19 just to pick up a prescrip- the efficient delivery of goods and services,
communities, like helping hardworking tion, especially not so the President promotes the public health by facilitating the
families across this country in this un- can suppress votes in November. timely delivery of needed medical supplies and
precedented time of need. Madam Speaker, vote to save the prescription drugs to senior citizens and vet-
Madam Speaker, here are the facts: post office. erans, and enriches civil society by facilitating
The United States Postal Service is a Mr. COMER. Madam Speaker, I re- the delivery of letters of greetings, sympathy,

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Blockbuster video in a Netflix world. serve the balance of my time. congratulations, and love, thus strengthening
Everyone knows it is a broken business Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY of New the mystic bonds of affection of Americans for
model. It has failed its workers; it has York. Madam Speaker, I yield 30 sec- each other and for the United States.
failed its retirees; and it has failed the onds to the distinguished gentlewoman Fifty years after the Constitution went into
American taxpayers. from Texas (Ms. JACKSON LEE). effect the population of the United States
Despite the need for long-term re- Ms. JACKSON LEE. Madam Speaker, ballooned at a greater rate than it has ever
form, the Postal Service currently has over the last couple of hours, I have since.

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August 22, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H4291
During that period, the population grew from Earlier this summer Postal Service manage- among Democratic voters at 12.81 percent
3,929,214 in 1790, the year of the first census, ment acknowledged that 2,830 workers had compared to 12.39 percent of Republican vot-
to 17,069,453 in 1840. tested positive for COVID–19, out of a total ers.
For those who may think mail tampering is workforce of approximately 630,000. In Texas, there were 16,211,198 registered
fine so long as it is an absentee ballot or ab- However, USPS officials have not made voters and 4,084,431 votes for the 2020 pri-
sentee ballot request—they need to know that publicly available the number of deaths. maries. In comparison, in 2016 there were
tampering with the U.S. mail is a federal fel- With the urgent need to fix the postal serv- 14,238,436 registered voters and 4,272,383
ony. ice, we must not forget that the Postal Service votes.
Mail theft carries a penalty of up to five employees are essential workers in COVID– The attack on the viability and value of ab-
years in federal prison and fines of up to 19, and if they are essential it means that their sentee voting should be viewed as just one
$250,000 for each violation. work is essential. component of many assaults on our elections
It is also a crime to injure, deface, or de- For 55 cents, anyone can send a first class system that may make this a very difficult
stroy any mail deposited in a mailbox. letter anywhere in the United States and there election year.
For each act of vandalism, you could be im- is no private sector mail service that can do Over the past several weeks, sweeping
prisoned for up to three years and fined up to this at this low price. operational and organization changes at the
$250,000. In 2019, the Postal Service: Postal Service have resulted in delays in the
Communication for the purpose of com- Delivered 142.6 billion pieces of mail to 260 mail across the country, including in rural com-
merce, linking and strengthening bonds million addresses in America; munities, among veterans and seniors, and in
among family, and friends as well as keeping Delivered 1.2 billion prescriptions, including blue and red states alike.
citizens informed was of the utmost impor- most of the medications ordered by the VA; Some of those changes include curtailing
tance to the health and wellbeing of the young Served 70 percent of businesses with fewer overtime, restricting deliveries, eliminating
democracy. than ten employees; and sorting machines, and removing mailboxes.
Over the centuries, the arrival of new tech- Had a 90 percent favorability rating, making Concerns have been raised by both Demo-
nology that supported communication did not it the most popular federal agency. cratic and Republican officials at the federal,
The Postal Service: state and local levels.
end the need for an affordable and easily ac-
Is often the only delivery option for rural These changes are being rushed through—
cessible national postal service.
America where service is not profitable; in the midst of a global pandemic just months
The telegraph, telephone nor the Internet Delivers 48 percent of the world’s mail with
ended the need for the delivery of letters, before the November elections—without ade-
one of the world’s largest civilian vehicle quate consultation with Congress, the Postal
cards, packages, and newspapers or maga- fleets; and Board of Governors, the Postal Regulatory
zines. Is a vital service for the more than 18 million
The American people are depending on the Commission, postal employees unions, state
seniors who do not use the Internet. election officials, business organizations, and
House and the Senate, just like they depend The Postal Service has become a pharmacy
on the Post Office to deliver a secure and other stakeholders.
of choice for millions of Americans who live in The Postmaster General also recently reas-
voter centered November Election that em- pharmacy deserts, which are locations where
powers them to cast ballots for the candidates signed 23 postal executives in an overhaul
there are no pharmacies to serve commu- that experts warn ‘‘deemphasizes decades
of their choice. nities.
Election Day must not become a victim of worth of institutional postal knowledge’’ and
The Postal Service is an essential compo- ‘‘centralizes power around DeJoy.’’
COVID–19 through manipulation of the postal nent to Veterans’ and seniors’ health because The restructure also proposed a hiring
service or by any other means foreign or do- they deliver medicines to our veterans. freeze, early retirements, unit realignments,
mestic. The VA has now confirmed to us that the and regional downscaling.
I will work with my colleagues to ensure that United States Postal Service (USPS), which is On August 11, 2020, the Postal Service’s
all available means are provided to ensure responsible for delivering about 90 percent of General Counsel sent a letter to Congress ex-
that every voter, no matter their party or pref- all VA mail order prescriptions, has indeed plaining that state election workers had been
erence has access to cast a vote that will be been delayed in delivering these critical medi- notified that paying Marketing Mail rates in-
counted in the November election. cations by an average of almost 25 percent stead of First-Class rates for election mail ‘‘will
For over 200 years, the American people over the past year, with many locations experi- result in slower delivery times and will in-
have relied upon the National Postal Service encing much more significant delays. crease the risk that voters will not receive their
to be there—no matter what—they have deliv- In addition to delivering prescriptions and ballots in time to return them by mail.’’
ered the mail during a civil war, pandemics, business mail, they are also delivering democ- This breaks from the Postal Service’s long-
hurricanes, forest fires, and terrorist attacks. racy to millions of voters who will need to cast standing practice of prioritizing the delivery of
The Postal Service employs 633,108 of our their ballot by mail this election year to reduce all election mail to meet First-Class delivery
friends and neighbors, including more than their risk of contracting COVID–19. times.
100,000 veterans. The U.S. mail service has provided essen- The 2011 Canadian RoboCon suppression
The Postal Service is one of the leading tial mail service for absentee voting for well scandal is the political scandal stemming from
employers of minorities and women, with mi- over 100 years by enabling Union troops to events during the 2011 Canadian federal elec-
norities comprising 39 percent and women vote during the Civil War, World War I, World tion.
comprising 40 percent of the workforce. War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, It involved robocalls and real-person calls
The Post Office has become a path to good Iraqi Freedom, and to this day. that were designed to result in voter suppres-
paying jobs that lifts people out of poverty. Since that time, absentee or not in-person sion.
Postal workers have been determined to be voting has grown in popularity across the Elections Canada and the Royal Canadian
essential workers during the pandemic and United States and is now a welcomed and val- Mounted Police conducted investigations into
they have delivered service without complaint ued component for assuring citizen participa- the claims that calls were made to dissuade
or fail during this national crisis. tion in public elections. voters from casting ballots by falsely telling
As of July 2020, nearly 5,400 USPS em- In 2016, 20.9 percent of all votes cast in them that the location of their polling stations
ployees tested positive for COVID–19 among that federal election were done so by absen- had changed.
its workforce of 630,000. tee ballots and this year that number is ex- Further possible electoral law violations
A May a report stated that of the 130 Fed- pected to be much higher due to COVID–19. were alleged as the evidence unfolded.
eral Employees who had died due to COVID– In 2018, there were 153.07 million people Under the Canada Elections Act, it is an of-
19, 60 of them were employed at the U.S. registered to vote in the United States, which fense to willfully prevent or endeavor to pre-
Postal Service. is lower than the peak of 157.6 million reg- vent an elector from voting in an election.
In June, a staggering 17,000 workers, or 3 istered voters in 2016. On Election Day, May 2, 2011, reports of

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percent of the United States Postal Service Montana had the highest voter turnout rate voter suppression, mostly centered on the
workforce, had been quarantined since the with 45.6 percent for the 2020 presidential pri- riding of Guelph, led to the discovery that a
start of the pandemic, according to a recent mary elections. computer in the Guelph Conservative cam-
report by Government Executive magazine. The voter turnout rate in Texas for the 2020 paign office may have been used to make the
By the beginning of July, around 70 percent presidential primary elections was 21 percent. calls.
of those quarantined have been cleared to go More than 4 million Texans voted in the While the Elections Canada investigation ini-
back to work. 2020 presidential primary election, with turnout tially focused on calls sent into Guelph amidst

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H4292 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE August 22, 2020
nationwide complaints, the investigation ex- been reassembled and removed. Work- the United States of America refused
panded to complaints in other ridings across ers are being prohibited from working to act.
the country. overtime. Letters and packages are pil- On the great issue of the HEROES
Court documents filed in mid-August 2012 ing up. Act, which has lifesaving implica-
by the Commissioner of Canada Elections in- I was proud to help lead the charge of tions—some 86,000 have died since it
dicated that the elections watchdog had re- Chairwoman MALONEY, Chairman CON- was passed—the Senate has failed to
ceived complaints of fraudulent or misleading NOLLY, and Mr. DEFAZIO earlier this act.
calls in 247 of Canada’s 308 ridings, recorded month in a letter we wrote to Speaker On the issue of delivering lifesaving
in all ten provinces and at least one territory. PELOSI. Now, I am proud to vote in medications by way of the Postal Serv-
The deciding margin for control for the gov- favor of protecting the essential insti- ice, when the Postal Service needs our
ernment was within the margin of error cre- tution. The U.S. Postal Service has help, the Senate has refused to act.
ated by the fraudulent robocalls, which were been delivering for us our entire lives. And a Senate that refuses to act puts
successful in misdirecting voters resulting in Now it is time that we deliver for them the actions of the House at risk, be-
them not being able to cast votes in that na- and for America. cause the truth is this: It takes an act
tional election. Madam Speaker, I urge my col- of Congress to help these entities; it
It is my strong view that we must prepare leagues to vote in favor of H.R. 8015. takes an act of Congress to help the
voters from all socioeconomic backgrounds Mr. COMER. Madam Speaker, may I people of the United States of America;
and ethnic cultural experiences to be prepared inquire how much time each side has and you cannot get an act of Congress
to deal effectively with efforts to misinform remaining. if the Senate refuses to act.
them about their participation in the November The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gen- Mr. COMER. Madam Speaker, I re-
Election. tleman from Kentucky has 4 minutes serve the balance of my time.
We must focus on the unsuspecting among Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY of New
remaining. The gentlewoman from New
the voting population who have no idea what York. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute
York has 51⁄2 minutes remaining.
is coming their way and prepare them to meet to the gentlewoman from Ohio (Ms.
Mr. COMER. Madam Speaker, I re-
that challenge by linking them to the election KAPTUR), the chair of the Sub-
serve the balance of my time.
protection efforts to allow them to develop the committee on Energy and Water Devel-
Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY of New
needed resources so they are prepared to ex- opment, and Related Agencies of the
York. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute
ercise the most precious of rights and do the Committee on Appropriations.
to the distinguished gentleman from
work of citizenship by casting their votes for a Ms. KAPTUR. Madam Speaker, I rise
government that serves We The People and Colorado (Mr. NEGUSE).
Mr. NEGUSE. Madam Speaker, I as a former letter carrier in support of
works to make our union more perfect. H.R. 8015, to prevent the dangerous
This view is shaped by the decades of elec- thank Chairwoman MALONEY for her
leadership. budget and service cuts proposed by
tions filled with disinformation and misinforma-
Madam Speaker, I am proud to speak Postmaster General DeJoy.
tion tactics designed to suppress or repress
in strong support of the Delivering for The Postmaster General claims he
black, LatinX, and young voters from voting or
America Act. has not taken any steps to limit over-
having their votes counted.
For these reasons, I urge my colleagues to I have been here on the floor listen- time for postal employees. His state-
join me in voting in support of H.R. 8015. ing to this debate, and I have heard ment is hollow, because internal Postal
USPS Email from Constituent several of my Republican colleagues Service documents show how policy
Ms. Jennifer describe this as a manufactured crisis. changes prohibit ‘‘extra’’ or ‘‘late’’
SUBJECT: USPS concerns MESSAGE: Tell that to my constituents. trips, which means you finish deliv-
First, thank you for having a ‘‘post office’’ Tell that to Kelsey, a small business ering the mail in your bag that day,
category. Neither senator does. Second, this owner in Loveland, Colorado, who is and they mandate that carriers ‘‘re-
is ridiculous. The postmaster has conflicts of turn on time,’’ which means they can’t
interest. He is dismantling the postal serv- worried about her ability to get pack-
ice, which is explicitly required by the con- ages delivered on time to her cus- finish the job.
stitution. I depend on the USPS as a con- tomers because of delays at the Postal In normal times, the Postal Service
stituent. My company depends on it for cor- Service. is crucial, but during a pandemic, on-
respondence and service with clients, espe- Manufactured crisis? Tell that to time and efficient mail delivery is a
cially while we work from home due to Marsha, my constituent in Boulder, matter of life and death.
Covid. My clients depend on it to get services who depends on mail-order prescrip- Today’s legislation will not just pro-
and benefits. Please vote or act to hold the tect the Postal Service, but, given that
postmaster accountable and to stop these ri-
tions, which this month took nearly 2
weeks to arrive. people’s homes are now polling places,
diculous changes he is making. They make
no business sense for a ‘‘business’’, and they This is not a manufactured crisis. the service protects the very essence of
are unethical for a government-provided, There is a real crisis at the Postal our democracy.
constitutionally-mandated service. Service under this Postmaster General, Don’t mess with USPS.
Mr. COMER. Madam Speaker, I re- and we, here in the House, strive to fix Mr. COMER. Mr. Speaker, I reserve
serve the balance of my time. it. the balance of my time.
Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY of New That is why I am a strong supporter Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY of New
York. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute of the bill that is before the House York. Mr. Speaker, I yield 30 seconds
to the gentlewoman from North Caro- today, ultimately to ensure that the to the gentlewoman from California
lina (Ms. ADAMS). current standards of the Postal Service (Ms. LEE).
Ms. ADAMS. Madam Speaker, I are protected and provide $25 billion in Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Speaker,
thank Chairwoman MALONEY for her emergency funding. we see across the country the disman-
leadership. Let us get this done for the American tling of the Postal Service, which has
Madam Speaker, I rise today in people. been a lifeline in American life.
strong support of H.R. 8015, the Deliv- My constituents are terrified, and
ering for America Act. Our courageous b 1630 they are angry because they are not re-
postal workers and letter carriers have Mr. COMER. Madam Speaker, I re- ceiving their medications on time;
been essential in keeping our country serve the balance of my time. delays are hurting our small busi-
on track during this pandemic. More of Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY of New nesses; and they are outraged that
us than ever are relying on the U.S. York. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute their constitutional right to vote could
Postal Service to safely deliver medi- to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. be taken away.

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cation and mail in a timely manner. GREEN). This is not only an attack on our de-
But now, this handpicked Postmaster Mr. GREEN of Texas. Madam Speak- mocracy but also on our workforce he-
General is engineering an unconstitu- er, it is shameful and sinful that his- roes, who, in spite of the pandemic, de-
tional assault against the Postal Serv- tory will record that, on the great liver our mail. Forty percent of these
ice from the inside out. issues of our time, many of them, the heroes are people of color. My grand-
I saw it myself just yesterday in Senate failed to act. On issues con- father retired as a letter carrier after
Charlotte. Mail sorting machines have cerning life and death, the Senate of 35 years of service.

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August 22, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H4293
I urge an ‘‘aye’’ vote to support, rath- services and their democracy and their Service, throughout our history, from
er than to destroy, our Postal Service. vote. the very start, has been in tying our
Mr. COMER. Mr. Speaker, I yield my- Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the country together.
self the balance of my time. gentlewoman from California (Ms. In the early 19th century, when vis-
Mr. Speaker, despite the passionate PELOSI), the distinguished Speaker of iting America to write his great book,
arguments made by supporters of H.R. the United States Congress, the first ‘‘Democracy in America,’’ Alexis de
8015, the truth is simple: The new Post- woman in history, as we celebrate the Tocqueville praised the Postal Service
master General is not trying to sabo- 100th anniversary of women gaining as being the great link between minds,
tage the election. He is doing the exact the right to vote. writing that not ‘‘in the most enlight-
opposite. In fact, he is ensuring that We are so proud of you and your lead- ened rural districts of France there is
States are educated on the reality of ership. an intellectual movement either so
the Postal Service operations so that Ms. PELOSI. Mr. Speaker, I thank rapid or on such a scale as’’ this, as the
enough time is given for American citi- the gentlewoman for her kind words of Postal Service.
zens to vote by mail if they choose to introduction, but I most importantly So it has been excellent from the
do so. want to thank her for being the cham- start, part of the unity of America.
Just yesterday, the Board of Gov- pion, the champion in defense of the As we all know, the postal motto
ernors announced a bipartisan com- Postal Service. I rise to join her in sup- states: ‘‘Neither snow nor rain nor heat
mittee to focus on election mail issues. port of the Delivering for America Act, nor gloom of night stays these couriers
Voting by mail is a crucial way that to protect lives, livelihood, and the life from the swift completion of their ap-
American citizens can exercise their of our American democracy during a pointed rounds.’’
constitutional right to vote, and it is critical moment for our Nation. As Members of Congress, we have a
important that all ballots be counted. I thank you, Madam Chair, again, for responsibility to ensure that those cou-
The Postal Service will be able to the intellectual resource you have been rageous couriers are not stayed from
handle an increase in mail volume in shaping the legislation, for making their constitutional duty to serve the
ahead of the election as they have al- us current in terms of the reports from American people.
the Postal Service, what is at stake, I join you, Madam Chair, in saluting
ready handled a larger volume of Cen-
and why this legislation, Mr. Speaker, the patriotic men and women who risk
sus forms and stimulus checks earlier
is so important. their health and safety to serve the
this year.
I salute House Democrats for their American people every day: our postal
This increase in mail will also bring
enthusiasm, energy, and insistence on workers, our letter carriers, and all
in revenue, strengthening the U.S.
delivering for America. Since day one who may bring us together.
Postal Service’s fiscal outlook. Let’s
of the postal crisis, they have conveyed There is a second postal motto in-
not forget that the Postal Service al- the concerns of their communities to
ready has approximately $15 billion in scribed above the original Washington,
Congress, holding events, accelerating D.C., Post Office, and this is really so
cash on hand, which will allow it to be a drumbeat, and shining light on this
operational through August of 2021. It clearly what the Postal Service has
crisis. been about:
also has a $10 billion line of credit from I am going to talk about three
the CARES Act that it has not drawn Messenger of Sympathy and Love
things, Mr. Speaker and Madam Chair Servant of Parted Friends
down. and Mr. Ranking Member. This is Consoler of the Lonely
The USPS clearly does not need a about the provenance of the postal sys- Bond of the Scattered Family
bailout for the 2020 election season. To tem and how important it has been to Enlarger of the Common Life
provide these funds without a concrete Carrier of News and Knowledge
America, also what the challenges are Instrument of Trade and Industry
business reform plan that modernizes in delaying service and, therefore, why Promoter of Mutual Acquaintance
the post office for long-term viability this legislation is so necessary. Of Peace and of Goodwill Among Men and
would be reckless. First, let me say that, in the Con- Nations.
We all want to see an operational, ef- stitution of the United States, it says Our Postal Service is the beautiful
ficient Postal Service that best serves that Congress shall have the power to thread that connects our country, de-
every American. My grandmother was establish post offices and post roads, livering sympathy and love, news and
a rural mail carrier for 27 years. As Article I, Section 8. So the post office knowledge, peace and goodwill. And as
both her grandson and as a Representa- is there in the Constitution. a grandmother, I will say, we have seen
tive elected by rural Kentuckians, I But even before that, it has been a our children and grandchildren write
know firsthand the importance of a re- pillar of American democracy. It is an their letters to Santa; we have seen
liable Postal Service in helping small all-American institution, which enjoys messages come from the tooth fairy;
businesses thrive, ensuring Americans the overwhelming support of the Amer- we have seen photos and drawings of
get their medications on time, and al- ican people for a reason. Again, en- families taking joy in each other that
lowing folks to share greeting cards shrined in the Constitution, an insepa- no amount of social media can convey.
with loved ones. rable part of our national story, help- So, again, we must honor their serv-
Americans deserve an improved Post- ing transition America from colonies ice with our full support and protection
al Service, but this bill potentially to country. and gratitude for what they mean in
makes things worse. In the early 1770s, our Founders re- our lives.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance lied on the precursor of the Postal Today, the Postal Service—and this
of my time. Service, the Committees of Cor- is why this is so important that we
Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY of New respondence, to educate people about have this legislation—provides critical
York. Mr. Speaker, delivering the mail the abuses of the British and to build services for Americans in every corner
and medications and ballots, this is a support for independence. of the country: for our workers, deliv-
part of our Constitution. It is impor- Even before the Declaration of Inde- ering paychecks and tax returns; for
tant to our democracy. pendence was signed, the Continental our seniors, ensuring Social Security
And numbers don’t lie. This internal Congress had established the Postal benefits; for small businesses, pro-
report from the Postal Service shows Service as one of the first and most im- viding shipping and essential services;
that services are down 10 percent since portant offices that would be part of for millions of Americans, particularly
this Postmaster General took charge. the new government. rural Americans, delivering 1.2 billion
I want to publicly thank the Speaker Two of our U.S. Presidents, Abraham

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prescriptions, including most of the
of this great body for her leadership Lincoln and Harry Truman, would medications delivered by the VA.
and for calling this emergency meeting proudly hold the title of postmaster. In 2019, 1.2 billion prescriptions were
and emergency vote. And there was no One of our Founders, Benjamin Frank- delivered by the Postal Service, and
change in service until she called the lin, was the Postmaster General. Actu- that was before the coronavirus hit.
meeting and vote. ally, he established the Postal Service.
I thank you for standing up to the So this goes to the heart of our coun- b 1645
American people and fighting for their try and the connection that the Postal That was before the coronavirus hit.

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H4294 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE August 22, 2020
And for voters: Delivering absentee machines that were removed from the will cast their vote to elect a new government
ballots and election mail, which is es- post offices; amidst a dangerous pandemic that has dev-
sential, especially during the I have no intention of replacing the astated countless American families. To date,
coronavirus epidemic. No one should be blue mailboxes that have been ripped over 170,000 Americans have died due to
forced to choose between his or her from our neighborhoods; and COVID–19 and over 5.6 million Americans
health and the right to vote. He has no plans for ensuring ade- have been infected. The pandemic has dis-
Across the Nation, though, the Post- quate overtime, which is critical, crit- rupted our health, economy and our way of
master General is pushing sweeping ical for the timely delivery of the mail. life, including our democratic traditions. Ameri-
new operational changes that degrade He said he has no intention of treat- cans are rightfully worried about how to safely
service, delay the mail, and threaten to ing ballots as first-class mail. Now, cast their vote this November.
disenfranchise voters, particularly in yesterday he said something different, Public health experts agree that voters will
communities of color. but that is what he told me a couple of be empowered to protect themselves and their
Now the Postmaster says he will days ago. families by having safe voting options, which
postpone any further changes until And I said to him, We will have the includes absentee voting. Having the option to
after the election, that is what he says. provision in the bill that requires you vote by mail ensures that voters who cannot
But this is about more than the elec- treat ballots as first-class mail. And he vote in person don’t have to choose between
tion. This legislation is written in a said, Well, if it is in the bill, then I will their health and their right to vote.
timely fashion to be about the have to do it. Hence, his change of atti- The engine of voting by mail is the United
coronavirus, and these changes should tude. States Postal Service. In every election, postal
be there until the end of January or He has not adequately addressed workers provide an essential service to our
the end of the raging epidemic, which- America’s concerns about the slow- democracy by processing and delivering mil-
ever is later. down and the delivery of medicine to lions of absentee ballots for domestic, over-
It is in that regard that I rise as veterans. He just didn’t even seem to seas and military voters. This November, sev-
Speaker to support the legislation. But know about it. Really? eral million Americans will depend on the
as a representative of my district Today, Chairwoman MALONEY re- Postal Service to exercise their right to vote.
where I am not called Madam Speaker, leased new internal post office docu- But in recent months, new leadership at the
I am called NANCY, this is what they ments that expose the severity of the Postal Service directed drastic operational pol-
have told me. service declines and delivery delays icy changes that disrupted mail processing
Michael said, he is a veteran with caused by the Postmaster General’s and slowed mail delivery nationwide. The im-
epilepsy. He reports that prescriptions drastic changes. pact of the delays has been harmful to Ameri-
sent by the VA through the mail are These documents make clear that the cans, especially senior citizens, veterans and
taking twice as long to arrive. Postmaster General has deliberately the sick, who depend on the Postal Service to
Walker says, he is a senior with de- misled Congress and the American peo- receive medications, retirement checks and
bilitating health conditions, is now ple about the extent of the damage, other essentials. Former Postal Service execu-
struggling to send and receive his mail brushing them off as a dip in service or tives, election administrators and voter advo-
after his closest mailbox was suddenly as unintended consequences. These rev- cacy groups have warned that ongoing delays
removed. elations show that we cannot have con- in mail services will likely disenfranchise vot-
Claire, an 83-year-old with serious fidence that the Postmaster General is ers that will cast absentee ballots this Novem-
chronic illness, who does not have a car prioritizing the Postal Service or the ber.
and is afraid to use public transport millions who rely on it. The Delivering for America Act will work to
during the pandemic, is in a panic be- Now, the House is moving forward restore prompt and reliable mail delivery serv-
cause she is utterly dependent on with a, hopefully, bipartisan vote, and ices to the American people. The bill rolls
USPS for her medication and other I think it will be, on Delivering for back the recent disruptive operational changes
vital deliveries, and of course, her bal- America Act, which will reverse the at the Postal Service and prohibits the Postal
lot. Trump damage and provided $25 billion Service from implementing any further
Another San Franciscan, Charlotte, to the United States Postal Service. changes that will delay mail and reduce deliv-
warns that the Postal Service is vital Sadly, the administration has al- ery standards.
to our country, not only when it comes ready threatened to veto this legisla- The bill also works to protect access to ab-
to mail and voting, but also for funda- tion, which contains the same amount sentee voting and prevent voter disenfran-
mental needs of Americans. of funding, the $25 billion, that was rec- chisement caused by delayed mail. It does
And as Mark, another constituent, ommended by the United States Postal this by ensuring that all election mail, including
puts it, not only does what Trump is Service Board of Governors. They are absentee ballots, will be treated as first-class
doing put the integrity of the Novem- bipartisan. They are 100 percent ap- mail, and will receive a postmark, or other in-
ber elections at risk; people are suf- pointed by Donald Trump, and they dicia indicating date of receipt. In addition to
fering every day, and they are not re- unanimously recommended the $25 bil- protecting the absentee voting system, these
ceiving their critical medications. lion that is contained in this bill. changes will help maintain trust and con-
That is what I am hearing from my So for the sake of every senior who is fidence in the Postal Service.
constituents, and they are told to go to delayed in getting his or her Social Se- And lastly, the bill will appropriate much
the drug store. Well, they really can’t curity check, every veteran who is de- needed funding support to the Postal Service
in some cases. It endangers them to go layed in getting his or her medication, in the amount of $25 billion which will help en-
to the drugstore, instead of getting it every working family who is delayed in sure the long-term financial stability of the
through the mail. Go to the drugstore. getting their paycheck, and every agency, and was requested by the Board of
So, again, this is immediate in their voter now facing the prospect of choos- Governors appointed by President Donald
lives. We are their representatives. ing between their vote and their Trump.
That is our job title and our job de- health, we need to pass this bill. As November 3rd nears, and the COVID–19
scription. In representing my constitu- Mr. Speaker, with that, I urge a pandemic continues to threaten American life
ents, I wanted to convey some samples strong bipartisan vote for H.R. 8015, the and health, our duty today, as representatives
of concern that we have heard. Delivery for America Act. Let’s pass of the American people, is to safeguard the
Earlier this week, in response to the this under the leadership of distin- American people’s right to essential mail serv-
activism of the American people, peo- guished Chairwoman MALONEY for the ices and the right to vote. The Delivering for
ple have risen up, I have never seen people. America Act, if enacted, will put into the place

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anything quite like it. The Postmaster Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY of New the necessary measures to ensure we fulfill
General announced changes that are York. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the this duty, and so I urge my colleagues to sup-
wholly insufficient and do not reverse balance of my time. port this critical legislation.
damage already wreaked. He said to Ms. LOFGREN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in sup- Mr. RODNEY DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speak-
me, frankly—and I have to give him port of H.R. 8015. er, the Postal Service is a lifeline to rural com-
credit for his honesty—he said, I have This upcoming 2020 general election will be munities. While some Americans have had the
no intention of replacing the sorting like no other we have witnessed. Americans opportunity to work from home during this

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August 22, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H4295
pandemic, our letter carriers and postmasters Postmaster General DeJoy to implement and we risk the health and lives of our sen-
do not. They’re working tirelessly to ensure harmful and unprecedented operational and iors, veterans, and millions of other patients
people in every comer to the country are get- service changes at the Postal Service, such who rely on mail-order medications during a
ting their mail and packages, which for our at- as reducing overtime, restricting deliveries, pandemic that has now claimed the lives of
risk population, has been especially critical. and eliminating sorting machines and mail- nearly 175,000 people in the U.S. Finally, we
I’ve been supportive of the $25 billion in boxes. These actions have resulted in unac- risk the disenfranchisement of seniors and
emergency funding included in this legislation ceptable wait times for mail across the coun- other higher-risk individuals whose safest op-
and I’m relieved that at the urging of members try, delaying timely delivery of prescription tion is casting mail-in ballots.
like myself and the postal workers, a dan- medication and other vital mail, and endan- Protecting the integrity of the Postal Service
gerous private right of action provision, which gering our upcoming election. should never be a partisan issue. Congress
would have allowed trial lawyers to take ad- Following heavy criticism, the Postmaster must pass the Delivering for America Act, and
vantage of the 2020 election, was removed. General issued a wholly insufficient and mis- work quickly to reverse the substantial dam-
As someone who has worked across the leading pause in operational changes. But it is age inflicted by the Trump Administration.
aisle to support the Postal Service, I was dis- now clear after his testimony before the Sen- I urge my colleagues to vote Yay and the
appointed when it recently became a political ate Committee on Homeland Security and Senate to take up this bill immediately.
weapon. Governmental Affairs, that he has no intention Ms. JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker,
We should not be politicizing the Postal of taking meaningful action to reverse the today, at a time when the United States Postal
Service and in tum, the thousands of hard- damage that the Postmaster General’s sweep- Service is needed more than ever before, I am
working employees that serve each of our dis- ing changes have inflicted. Additionally, the proud to stand in support of H.R. 8015, the
tricts. pause does nothing to ensure voters that their Delivering for America Act.
As Ranking Member of House Administra- election ballots will be delivered in time if they Ahead of the November elections, we must
tion, I’ll tell you that, while I’m supportive of mail their ballots account to their state’s dead- focus all efforts and resources to ensure that
this bill, it is not going to solve our election ad- lines. Finally, the pause is only temporary, and voting is safe, fair, and accessible for all.
ministration problems. the damaging changes are set to return after That’s why I am pleased that the Delivering for
Despite early warnings from the Postal the election. Two weeks ago, I called for the America Act includes a requirement for elec-
Service, at least eighteen states still have bal- Postmaster General to resign. Today, I repeat tion mail to be considered first-class, a ban on
lot request and return policies that are incom- that call and stand firm that he must step the removal of mail sorting machines, and a
patible with their delivery standards, which sig- down. total reversal of any policies hindering the de-
nificantly increases the risk of disenfranchising The Trump Administration’s efforts to sabo- livery of mail.
voters. tage the Postal Service have endangered the Election mail is not the only mail impacted
We saw hundreds of thousands of ballots lives and livelihoods of millions who rely on by the recent changes. In my district, I have
during recent primaries across the country go the USPS for essential services like delivering heard stories from my constituents about
uncounted for this very issue. NPR estimates life-saving medications, medical equipment, delays in delivery for vital medications, bills,
nearly a half a million were rejected—dis- Social Security benefits and paychecks. The and other important packages through the
proportionately disenfranchising minority and Postmaster General’s decision to impose mail. At a time when seniors and those with
younger voters. these dangerous changes in the middle of an preexisting conditions are unable to go out in
Despite early warnings from the Postal ongoing pandemic has magnified the disrup- public to pharmacies, or when those who lost
Service, unrealistic ballot request and return tion of many of these vital services. their jobs see the bills piling up, timely deliv-
policies continue to be one of the biggest im- The use of mail-order prescriptions, for in- eries should be the least of their worries.
pediments to ensuring every vote is counted. stance, has increased by 20 percent during This past week, I had the opportunity to
A recent poll found 59 percent of Americans the pandemic. Due to the degradation of serv- meet with the Dallas County Postal Service
still prefer to vote in person, yet there’s noth- ice, mail-order medications are reportedly tak- and Union leaders to address the role of the
ing in this bill to help states allow people to ing weeks to be delivered, forcing patients to federal government in protecting the proc-
safely go to the polls. skip doses of life-saving medicines. Veterans esses, operations, and service standards for
So I’m not voting for this bill because I think throughout the country have reportedly faced the USPS. There, I was glad to hear that ev-
the post office is trying to sabotage our elec- wait times of three weeks or more for mail- erything was running up to speed thanks to
tions, I’m voting for this bill because we’re in order medications, which has left the Depart- the hardworking men and women—who risk
the middle of a pandemic, the Postal Service ment of Veterans Affairs scrambling to find al- their health day in and day out—to guarantee
is vital to our society, and they need our help. ternative delivery services. that our mail is delivered.
And while I’m glad we’re back here for a Stopping these changes and reversing the The USPS boasts one of the most diverse
special session to help the Postal Service, I damage already done is not enough. We must workforces in the country. In Texas, African
wish we were also voting on a deal to help our provide the additional funding in this bill to en- Americans and Latinos make up a significant
schools, small businesses, and the millions of sure services continue uninterrupted through percentage of employees, and more than 50
people still out of work because of the pan- the election and the pandemic. But in the percent are women. Because minority commu-
demic. President’s own words, he opposes any emer- nities are disproportionately affected by
Mr. NADLER. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong gency funding because he believes that with- COVID–19, proper PPE is necessary for their
support of the Delivering for America Act (H.R. out it, the Postal Service will not be able to safety—which this bill provides funding for. It
8015), which would restore normal U.S. Postal handle the estimated influx of mail-in ballots in also prohibits a restriction on the use of over-
Service (USPS) operations and prohibit the the upcoming general election. The President time pay for USPS employees and prevents
Trump Administration from implementing or himself has voted by mail in the last three the institution of a hiring freeze, to ensure that
approving any changes that would impede elections but continues to attack mail-in voting they are equitably compensated for their ef-
service during the COVID–19 pandemic. The as rife with fraud. In reality, voting fraud of all forts.
bill also provides $25 billion in emergency forms is extremely rare, and that’s especially Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to sup-
funding, matching the level requested by the true with mail-in voting, whose fraud rates are port this measure and hope for its immediate
bipartisan Board of Governors, and which the immeasurably small. Oregon, the first state to consideration in the Senate.
House passed as part of the Heroes Act in expand mail-in ballots to general elections, Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker,
May. has sent out more than 100 million mail-in bal- I rise in strong support of H.R. 8015, the De-
For over two and a half centuries, our na- lots since 2000, and has documented less livering for America Act. This legislation will
tion’s Postal Service has stood as an inde- than a dozen cases of fraud. put a stop to Postmaster General Louis
pendent, neutral entity focused solely on con- With the number of Americans voting by DeJoy’s sabotage of the U.S. Postal Service
necting Americans and providing essential mail for the election expected to more than and help reverse the damage that has already

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services. This independence has allowed the double from the last due to the pandemic, been done. H.R. 8015 will prohibit operational
Postal Service to maintain its status as the Congress must protect the right of every or service changes during the COVID public
country’s most trusted government agency for American to vote. If Congress fails to act, we health emergency and ensure the level of
decades. risk permanent damage to the integrity of our service that was in place on January 1, 2020.
Over the past several weeks, the Trump Ad- elections and our government institutions; we The bill also includes $25 billion to help shore
ministration has turned the Postal Service into risk the livelihoods of farmers and workers up postal operations that have been badly im-
an instrument of partisan politics by enabling around this country who rely on the USPS; pacted by the pandemic.

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H4296 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE August 22, 2020
I have been deeply disturbed by recent Governors for $25 billion in aid and in support more relied upon than it has been in
operational and organizational changes at of H.R. 8015, the Delivering for America Act. previous elections.
USPS designed to sabotage mail delivery The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. The Postal Service will be a crucial
service ahead of our 2020 presidential elec- HIMES). All time for debate has expired. link in the chain of custody between
tion. In his brief tenure as Postmaster Gen- Pursuant to House Resolution 1092, voters and State or local election
eral, Mr. DeJoy—a major contributor to the the previous question is ordered on the boards. For the Americans who choose
President’s reelection campaign—has pushed bill, as amended. to cast their vote via mail, they need
through sweeping changes to mail delivery The question is on the engrossment to be sure that their ballot, their voice,
processes and procedures, dismantled vital and third reading of the bill. will be safe. We, therefore, need the
mail sorting equipment, and undertaken a The bill was ordered to be engrossed proper measures in place to ensure that
major restructuring intended to sideline career and read a third time, and was read the integrity is maintained.
postal officials. This nakedly partisan attempt third time. In addition, if we are going to give
to subvert democracy and undermine con- MOTION TO RECOMMIT the Postal Service funding, I think my
fidence in the integrity of our election process Mr. COMER. Mr. Speaker, I have a colleagues on both sides of the aisle
is unconscionable and unacceptable. The motion to recommit at the desk. need assurances that it will be spent
Postmaster General should be ashamed of The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is the where Americans need it more. The
himself. gentleman opposed to the bill? prioritization of medical deliveries and
The USPS is a vital lifeline to millions of Mr. COMER. Mr. Speaker, I am op- ballots for this election.
people across our country, especially now. posed to the bill in its current form. My motion contains reasonable addi-
Veterans and seniors rely on the mail to get The SPEAKER pro tempore. The tions to H.R. 8015 that ensure that this
prescriptions, people are staying connected Clerk will report the motion to recom- funding gets to where it needs to go.
with loved ones through mail while sheltering mit. These provisions ensure that funds
at home, and more voters will cast their ballots The Clerk read as follows: must only be spent on operating ex-
by mail this year than ever before. Fast, reli- Mr. COMER moves to recommit the bill,
penses to keep our postal workers paid
able postal service is critical to providing these H.R. 8015, to the Committee on Appropria- and to keep them safe with personal
tions with instructions to report the same protective equipment.
essential services. Yet, my office has received
back to the House forthwith, with the fol- These provisions will also ensure
numerous complaints of late or inconsistent
lowing amendment: that a portion of these funds go to
mail service since the Postmaster General’s prioritizing pharmaceutical deliveries
changes went into effect. One constituent, a Add after section 2(c) the following:
(d) PENALTIES FOR POSTAL SERVICE EM- to get life-saving medicines to Ameri-
senior from Napa, wrote to me afraid her nec- PLOYEE FEDERAL ELECTION TAMPERING.— cans quicker. Lastly, these provisions
essary medication would be useless by the (1) IN GENERAL.—An employee of the ensure that these funds are used to
time it arrived. The medication, which is tem- United States Postal Service may be subject prioritize ballots as well as establish
perature sensitive and usually takes 2–3 days to disciplinary action consisting of removal, penalties for postal employees who
to deliver, hadn’t shown up in more than 10. reduction in grade, debarment from Federal
tamper or interfere with election mail.
Our letter carriers are dedicated to providing employment for a period not to exceed 5
years, suspension, or reprimand if the em-
For instance, any postal employee
our communities the highest level of service. will face penalties if they knowingly
Since the founding of our Post Office, they ployee—
(A) knowingly and willfully obstructs or and willfully slow down the processing
have lived by the motto: ‘‘Neither snow nor of mail or use their official authority
retards the passage of election mail prod-
rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these ucts, or any carrier or conveyance carrying to interfere with the election of a Fed-
couriers from the swift completion of their ap- election mail products; or eral candidate. This upcoming election
pointed rounds.’’ The Delivering for America (B) uses his official authority for the pur- will put millions, possibly hundreds of
Act will help ensure postal employees can pose of interfering with, or affecting, the millions of votes, in the literal hands
keep this oath. That’s why I am proud to sup- nomination or the election of any candidate
of Postal Service workers who we must
port and to be a coauthor of the legislation. I for Federal office.
(2) APPLICATION.—Paragraph (1) shall apply trust to deliver ballots safely and on
urge a yes vote. time.
Mr. DANNY K. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speak- to any act that would be a violation of such
paragraph taken on or after the date of en- The election will put our collective
er, I rise in support of our Postal Service and actment of this Act. faith in our Postal Service like we have
in support of its mission to serve our people, In section 3, add at the end after the period never seen before, and those who break
in support of its role in our democracy, in our the following: ‘‘Such funds may only be used the trust of the Americans need to face
elections, in support of its role in delivering for operating expenses and may not be used the consequences.
vital goods and services critical to the health to pay any outstanding debt of the Postal Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to
and well-being of our people and our economy Service: Provided further, That during the vote in favor of this motion to recom-
and in support of the men and women of the COVID–19 emergency, the Postal Service
shall use a portion of such funds to prioritize
mit, and I yield back the balance of my
Postal Service who have added the pandemic time.
the delivery of postal products for ballots re-
to the list of barriers they cast aside each day lated to Federal election mail and medical or Mrs. LAWRENCE. Mr. Speaker, I
in their daily rounds. pharmaceutical delivery purposes and may claim the time in opposition to the mo-
Mr. Speaker, I note that we do not require establish temporary delivery points, in such tion.
that our government departments and agen- form and manner as the Postal Service de- The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gen-
cies show a ‘‘profit.’’ That is not their purpose. termines necessary, to protect employees of tlewoman from Michigan is recognized
We do not defend our country for a ‘‘profit.’’ the Postal Service and individuals receiving for 5 minutes.
We do not educate our children for a ‘‘profit.’’ deliveries from the Postal Service.’’ Mrs. LAWRENCE. Mr. Speaker, obvi-
We do not protect our environment for a ‘‘prof- Mr. COMER (during the reading). Mr. ously, my colleagues on the other side
it.’’ Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that of the aisle are not aware that fraud is
Mr. Speaker, we long ago rejected the the Clerk dispense with the reading. a Federal—voter fraud is a crime. We
Luddite movement which advocated breaking The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there have already established and funded
machines in a futile effort to turn back sci- objection to the request of the gen- the United States Postal Inspection
entific and technological progress. Breaking tleman from Kentucky? Service.
and discarding postal sorting machines is sab- There was no objection. Little do they know, whenever an
otage today, just as it was in the 1800s. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- employee is in a postal facility, there
Mr. Speaker, I am deeply troubled by the ant to the rule, the gentleman from are internal galleys in every facility
alarming delays in First-Class, marketing, and Kentucky is recognized for 5 minutes where you are observed for 24 hours a

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Priority Mail documented by the Postal Serv- in support of his motion. day by postal inspectors. Mr. Speaker,
ice’s own briefing packet for the Postmaster Mr. COMER. Mr. Speaker, my col- I am very comfortable that we will ad-
General from last week. I have seen evidence leagues on both sides of the aisle have here to those laws. We have clerks who
of these delays in the pictures sent and the shown immense passion today for both have sworn duties to protect elections.
stories told to me by postal employees. their constituents and the integrity of But let me tell you, Mr. Speaker, 3
Mr. Speaker, I proudly cast my vote in sup- this upcoming national election. There months ago this House passed the HE-
port of the request from the Postal Board of is no doubt that voting by mail will be ROES Act, and I ask my colleagues to

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August 22, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H4297
open their mail because we sent them a The vote was taken by electronic de- Higgins (NY) McBath Scanlon
Himes McCollum Schakowsky
letter that will protect the Postal vice, and there were—yeas 182, nays Horsford McEachin Schiff
Service. We sent them a letter saying 223, not voting 25, as follows: Houlahan McGovern Schneider
that we need to send funding to the [Roll No. 181] Hoyer McNerney Schrader
States and local governments so they Huffman Meeks Schrier
YEAS—182 Jackson Lee Meng Scott (VA)
will not defund the police departments. Jayapal Mfume Scott, David
If you want to know who is defunding Abraham Gooden Palazzo
Aderholt Gosar Jeffries Moore Serrano
Palmer
the police department, the lack of a Allen Graves (LA) Pence
Johnson (GA) Morelle Sewell (AL)
movement in the Senate to send that Armstrong Graves (MO) Johnson (TX) Moulton Shalala
Perry
Kaptur Mucarsel-Powell Sherman
necessary money to cities who must Arrington Green (TN) Posey
Keating Murphy (FL)
Babin Griffith Reed Sherrill
balance their budget. And the only way Bacon Grothman Reschenthaler
Kelly (IL) Nadler Sires
they can balance their budget is to cut Baird Guest Rice (SC)
Kennedy Napolitano Slotkin
Khanna Neal
because they don’t have the funding Balderson Guthrie Riggleman
Kildee Neguse
Smith (WA)
that has been taken away from them Banks Hagedorn Roby Soto
Barr Harris Kilmer Norcross
Rodgers (WA) Speier
because of COVID. Bergman Hartzler Roe, David P.
Kim O’Halleran
Stanton
So you have the responsibility, Mr. Biggs Hern, Kevin Rogers (AL)
Kind Ocasio-Cortez
Stevens
Speaker, the Republicans have on their Bilirakis Herrera Beutler Kirkpatrick Omar
Rogers (KY) Suozzi
Bishop (NC) Hice (GA) Krishnamoorthi Pallone
hands the defunding of our police de- Rooney (FL) Swalwell (CA)
Bishop (UT) Hill (AR) Kuster (NH) Panetta
Rose (NY) Takano
partment. I wanted, too, to be very Bost Holding Rose, John W.
Lamb Pappas
Langevin Pascrell Thompson (CA)
clear that we have heard repeatedly Brady Hollingsworth Rouzer Thompson (MS)
Larsen (WA) Payne
that the Democrats had manufactured Brindisi Horn, Kendra S. Rutherford
Larson (CT) Perlmutter Titus
a crisis at the expense of this Presi- Brooks (AL) Hudson Scalise Tlaib
Buchanan Huizenga Lawrence Peters
Schweikert Tonko
dent, and that the emergency funding Buck Hurd (TX) Scott, Austin
Lawson (FL) Peterson
Lee (CA) Phillips Torres (CA)
is ‘‘an unnecessary bailout plan.’’ Bucshon Jacobs Sensenbrenner Trahan
Lee (NV) Pingree
We do not need to help the current Budd Johnson (OH) Simpson
Levin (CA) Pocan Trone
President to create a crisis. We have Burchett Johnson (SD) Smith (MO) Underwood
Burgess Jordan Levin (MI) Porter
Smith (NE) Vargas
seen every single day statements from Byrne Joyce (OH) Smith (NJ)
Lieu, Ted Pressley
Lipinski Price (NC) Veasey
the White House about what we are Calvert Joyce (PA) Smucker
Vela
Loebsack Quigley
doing and what we should not do with Carter (GA) Katko Spanberger
Lofgren Raskin Velázquez
the Postal Service. I want everyone Carter (TX) Keller Stauber
Lowenthal Rice (NY) Visclosky
Chabot Kelly (MS) Stefanik
here to know that every postal em- Lowey Richmond Wasserman
Cheney King (NY) Steil
Luján Rouda Schultz
ployee takes an oath that they will ad- Cline Kinzinger Stivers
Waters
Cloud Kustoff (TN) Luria Roybal-Allard
here to the Constitution, that they will Taylor
Lynch Ruiz Watson Coleman
Cole LaHood Thompson (PA)
serve and protect. Comer LaMalfa Tiffany
Malinowski Ruppersberger Welch
The majority of the postal workers Maloney, Rush Wexton
Conaway Lamborn Tipton
Carolyn B. Ryan Wild
are veterans who have served in the Crawford Latta Torres Small
Maloney, Sean Sánchez Wilson (FL)
military, who continue their service in Crenshaw Lesko (NM)
Cunningham Long Matsui Sarbanes Yarmuth
Turner
the Postal Service. I want it to be very Curtis Loudermilk Upton NOT VOTING—25
clear that this election that is being Davidson (OH) Lucas Van Drew
Amodei Graves (GA) Shimkus
held hostage right now by the Postal Davis, Rodney Luetkemeyer Wagner
Brooks (IN) Higgins (LA)
DesJarlais Marshall Walberg Spano
Service’s internal decisions to tear it Duncan Massie Walker Collins (GA) Johnson (LA) Steube
apart, where you have over 600,000 em- Dunn Mast Walorski Cook Kelly (PA) Stewart
ployees reporting to work who want to Emmer McAdams Waltz Diaz-Balart King (IA) Thornberry
Estes McCarthy Watkins Flores Marchant Timmons
uphold their oath of office. Gabbard Meuser
Ferguson McCaul Weber (TX) Walden
I want to say today, Mr. Speaker, Fitzpatrick McClintock Webster (FL) Gibbs Olson
that the Postal Service motto is nei- Fleischmann McHenry Wenstrup Granger Roy
ther rain, snow, heat or gloom of night Fortenberry McKinley Westerman
you will not deter these carriers from Foxx (NC) Miller Williams b 1754
Fulcher Mitchell Wilson (SC)
their mission. And we are standing Gaetz Moolenaar Wittman Messrs. SEAN PATRICK MALONEY
here today saying, no. Return to sender Gallagher Mooney (WV) Womack of New York, DEUTCH, JEFFRIES, Ms.
this unnecessary MTR. That we, as Garcia (CA) Mullin Woodall
SCANLON, Mr. CICILLINE, Ms.
Gianforte Murphy (NC) Wright
Democrats, we are putting forth this Gohmert Newhouse Yoho WASSERMAN SCHULTZ, and Miss
bill to ensure that we are not in that Golden Norman Young RICE of New York changed their vote
place where we are going to try to Gonzalez (OH) Nunes Zeldin
from ‘‘yea’’ to ‘‘nay.’’
deter the Postal Service from doing NAYS—223 Mr. GOSAR changed his vote from
their job. ‘‘nay’’ to ‘‘yea.’’
Adams Cicilline Deutch
Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to Aguilar Cisneros Dingell So the motion to recommit was re-
wake up, to understand that this is not Allred Clark (MA) Doggett jected.
a Democrat or Republican issue, be- Amash Clarke (NY) Doyle, Michael
Axne Clay F. The result of the vote was announced
cause the ballots that are going to be
Barragán Cleaver Engel as above recorded.
moving through the Postal Service, Bass Clyburn Escobar MEMBERS RECORDED PURSUANT TO HOUSE
some of them may even go to them, Beatty Cohen Eshoo
RESOLUTION 965, 116TH CONGRESS
they better protect the Postal Service. Bera Connolly Espaillat
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance Beyer Cooper Evans Axne (Raskin) DeSaulnier Jayapal (Raskin)
Bishop (GA) Correa Finkenauer Barragán (Beyer) (Matsui) Johnson (TX)
of my time. Blumenauer Costa Fletcher Bera (Aguilar) Doggett (Raskin) (Jeffries)
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Without Blunt Rochester Courtney Foster Blumenauer Engel (Pallone) Kennedy
objection, the previous question is or- Bonamici Cox (CA) Frankel (Beyer) Escobar (Garcia (Deutch)
dered on the motion to recommit. Boyle, Brendan Craig Fudge Bonamici (TX)) Khanna (Gomez)
F. Crist Gallego (Raskin) Foster (Beyer) Kind (Beyer)
There was no objection. Brown (MD) Crow Garamendi Brownley (CA) Frankel (Clark
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Kirkpatrick
Brownley (CA) Cuellar Garcı́a (IL) (Clark (MA)) (MA))
(Gallego)
question is on the motion to recommit. Bustos Davids (KS) Garcia (TX) Cárdenas Garamendi
Kuster (NH)
The question was taken; and the Butterfield Davis (CA) Gomez (Gomez) (Sherman)

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Carbajal Case (Clark (MA))
Davis, Danny K. Gonzalez (TX) Gonzalez (TX)
Speaker pro tempore announced that Cárdenas Dean Gottheimer (Cartwright) (Gomez) Lawson (FL)
the noes appeared to have it. Carson (IN) DeFazio Green, Al (TX) Clay (Davids Grijalva (Garcı́a (Evans)
Mr. COMER. Mr. Speaker, on that I Cartwright DeGette Grijalva (KS)) (IL)) Lieu, Ted (Beyer)
Case DeLauro Haaland Costa (Cooper) Hastings Lipinski (Cooper)
demand the yeas and nays.
Casten (IL) DelBene Harder (CA) Davis (CA) (Wild) (Wasserman Lofgren (Jeffries)
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- Lowenthal
Castor (FL) Delgado Hastings DeGette (Blunt Schultz)
ant to section 3 of House Resolution Castro (TX) Demings Hayes Rochester) Horsford (Kildee) (Beyer)
965, the yeas and nays are ordered. Chu, Judy DeSaulnier Heck DelBene (Heck) Huffman (Kildee) Lowey (Tonko)

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H4298 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE August 22, 2020
McNerney Peters (Rice Schneider Pelosi Schrader Tonko PERSONAL EXPLANATION
(Raskin) (NY)) (Houlahan) Perlmutter Schrier Torres (CA)
Meng (Clark Peterson (Vela) Serrano Peters Scott (VA) Torres Small Ms. GRANGER. Mr. Speaker, I was unable
(MA)) Pingree (Clark (Jeffries) Peterson Scott, David (NM)
(MA))
to attend votes due to circumstances beyond
Moore (Beyer) Sires (Pallone) Phillips Serrano Trahan
Mucarsel-Powell Porter (Wexton) Speier (Scanlon) Pingree Sewell (AL) Trone
my control. Had I been present, I would have
(Wasserman Price (NC) Thompson (CA) Pocan Shalala Turner voted ‘‘nay’’ on rollcall No. 179, ‘‘nay’’ on roll-
Schultz) (Butterfield) (Kildee) Porter Sherman Underwood
Rooney (FL) Pressley Sherrill call No. 180, ‘‘yea’’ on rollcall No. 181, and
Nadler (Jeffries) Titus (Connolly) Upton
Napolitano
(Beyer)
Visclosky
Price (NC) Sires
Van Drew
‘‘nay’’ on rollcall No. 182.
Roybal-Allard Quigley Slotkin
(Correa) (Raskin) Vargas PERSONAL EXPLANATION
(McCollum) Raskin Smith (NJ)
Omar (Pressley) Ruiz (Aguilar) Watson Coleman Reed Smith (WA) Veasey
Panetta (Kildee) Rush (Pallone) Rice (NY) Soto Vela Mr. WALDEN. Mr. Speaker, due to a long-
Pascrell Welch Velázquez
(Underwood) Richmond Spanberger standing prior commitment, I was unable to re-
(Pallone) Sánchez (McGovern) Rose (NY) Speier Visclosky
Payne (Aguilar) Wilson (FL) Rouda Stanton Wagner turn for votes on Saturday, August 22. Had I
(Wasserman Schakowsky (Hayes) Roybal-Allard Stauber Wasserman been present, I would have voted ‘‘nay’’ on
Schultz) (Kelly (IL)) Ruiz Stefanik Schultz rollcall No. 179 (PQ); ‘‘nay’’ on rollcall No. 180
Ruppersberger Stevens Waters
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Rush Stivers Watson Coleman (Rule); ‘‘yea’’ on rollcall No. 181 (MTR); and
question is on the passage of the bill. Ryan Suozzi Welch ‘‘nay’’ on rollcall No. 182 (H.R. 8015).
The question was taken; and the Sánchez Swalwell (CA) Wexton
Sarbanes Takano Wild PERSONAL EXPLANATION
Speaker pro tempore announced that Scanlon Thompson (CA) Wilson (FL)
the ayes appeared to have it. Schakowsky Thompson (MS) Yarmuth Mr. ROY. Mr. Speaker, under the advice of
Mr. COMER. Mr. Speaker, on that I Schiff Titus my physician, due to a bulging disk in my
Young
Schneider Tlaib
demand the yeas and nays. back, I could not get on a plane to return to
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- NAYS—150 Washington to vote on H.R. 8015, the Deliv-
ant to section 3 of House Resolution Abraham Gohmert Newhouse ering for America Act. Had I been present, I
965, the yeas and nays are ordered. Aderholt Gonzalez (OH) Norman
Allen Gooden Nunes would have voted ‘‘nay’’ on rollcall No. 179,
The vote was taken by electronic de- Amash Gosar Palazzo ‘‘nay’’ on rollcall No. 180, ‘‘yea’’ on rollcall No.
vice, and there were—yeas 257, nays Armstrong Graves (GA) Palmer
Arrington Graves (LA) Pence 181, and ‘‘nay’’ on rollcall No. 182.
150, not voting 24, as follows:
Babin Green (TN) Perry
[Roll No. 182] PERSONAL EXPLANATION
Baird Griffith Posey
YEAS—257 Banks Grothman Reschenthaler Mr. MEUSER. Mr. Speaker, I was unable to
Barr Guest Rice (SC)
Adams DelBene Kim attend today’s roll call votes. Had I been
Bergman Guthrie Riggleman
Aguilar Delgado Kind
Allred Demings King (NY)
Biggs Hagedorn Roby present, I would have voted ‘‘nay’’ on rollcall
Bilirakis Harris Rodgers (WA)
Axne DeSaulnier Kirkpatrick Bishop (NC) Hartzler Roe, David P. No. 179, ‘‘nay’’ on rollcall No. 180, ‘‘yea’’ on
Bacon Deutch Krishnamoorthi rollcall No. 181, and ‘‘nay’’ on rollcall No. 182.
Bishop (UT) Hern, Kevin Rogers (AL)
Balderson Dingell Kuster (NH) Brady Hice (GA) Rogers (KY)
Barragán Doggett LaMalfa PERSONAL EXPLANATION
Brooks (AL) Hill (AR) Rooney (FL)
Bass Doyle, Michael Lamb Buck Holding Rose, John W.
Beatty F. Langevin Bucshon Hollingsworth Rouzer Mr. KING of Iowa. Mr. Speaker, I was un-
Bera Engel Larsen (WA)
Beyer Escobar Larson (CT)
Budd Hudson Rutherford able to vote on August 22, 2020 due to not
Burchett Huizenga Scalise
Bishop (GA) Eshoo Lawrence Burgess Jacobs Schweikert
being in DC. Had I been present, I would have
Blumenauer Espaillat Lawson (FL) voted as follows: ‘‘no’’ on rollcall No. 179; ‘‘no’’
Byrne Johnson (OH) Scott, Austin
Blunt Rochester Evans Lee (CA) Calvert Johnson (SD) Sensenbrenner on rollcall No. 180; ‘‘yes’’ on rollcall No. 181;
Bonamici Finkenauer Lee (NV) Carter (GA) Jordan Simpson
Bost Fitzpatrick Levin (CA) Carter (TX) Joyce (PA) Smith (MO) and ‘‘no’’ on rollcall No. 182.
Boyle, Brendan Fletcher Levin (MI) Chabot Keller Smith (NE)
F. Fortenberry Lieu, Ted Cheney Kelly (MS) Smucker MEMBERS RECORDED PURSUANT TO
Brindisi Foster Lipinski HOUSE RESOLUTION 965, 116TH CON-
Cline Kinzinger Steil
Brown (MD) Frankel Loebsack Cloud Kustoff (TN) Taylor GRESS
Brownley (CA) Fudge Lofgren Cole LaHood Thompson (PA)
Buchanan Gallego Lowenthal Axne (Raskin) Huffman (Kildee) Peters (Rice
Comer Lamborn Tiffany
Bustos Garamendi Lowey Barragán (Beyer) Jayapal (Raskin) (NY))
Conaway Latta Tipton
Butterfield Garcı́a (IL) Luján Bera (Aguilar) Johnson (TX) Peterson (Vela)
Crawford Lesko Walberg
Carbajal Garcia (TX) Luria Blumenauer (Jeffries) Pingree (Clark
Crenshaw Long Walker
Cárdenas Golden Lynch (Beyer) Kennedy (MA))
Curtis Loudermilk Walorski
Carson (IN) Gomez Malinowski Bonamici (Deutch) Porter (Wexton)
Davidson (OH) Lucas Waltz
Cartwright Gonzalez (TX) Maloney, (Raskin) Khanna (Gomez) Price (NC)
DesJarlais Luetkemeyer Watkins
Case Gottheimer Carolyn B. Brownley (CA) Kind (Beyer) (Butterfield)
Duncan Marshall Weber (TX)
Casten (IL) Graves (MO) Maloney, Sean (Clark (MA)) Kirkpatrick
Dunn Massie Webster (FL) Rooney (FL)
Castor (FL) Green, Al (TX) Matsui Cárdenas (Gallego)
Emmer Mast Wenstrup (Beyer)
Castro (TX) Grijalva McAdams (Gomez) Kuster (NH)
Estes McCarthy Westerman Roybal-Allard
Chu, Judy Haaland McBath Case (Clark (MA))
Ferguson McClintock Williams (McCollum)
Cicilline Harder (CA) McCaul (Cartwright) Lawson (FL)
Fleischmann McHenry Wilson (SC) Ruiz (Aguilar)
Cisneros Hastings McCollum Clay (Davids (Evans)
Foxx (NC) Miller Wittman Rush
Clark (MA) Hayes McEachin (KS)) Lieu, Ted (Beyer)
Fulcher Mitchell Womack (Underwood)
Clarke (NY) Heck McGovern Costa (Cooper)
Gaetz Moolenaar Woodall Lipinski (Cooper) Sánchez
Clay Herrera Beutler McKinley Davis (CA) (Wild)
Gallagher Mooney (WV) Wright Lofgren (Jeffries)
Cleaver Higgins (NY) McNerney DeGette (Blunt (Aguilar)
Garcia (CA) Mullin Yoho Lowenthal
Clyburn Himes Meeks Rochester) Schakowsky
Gianforte Murphy (NC) Zeldin (Beyer)
Cohen Horn, Kendra S. Meng DelBene (Heck) (Kelly (IL))
Connolly DeSaulnier Lowey (Tonko)
Horsford Mfume NOT VOTING—24 Schneider
Cooper Houlahan Moore (Matsui) McNerney
(Houlahan)
Amodei Granger Roy (Raskin)
Correa Hoyer Morelle Doggett (Raskin) Serrano
Brooks (IN) Higgins (LA) Shimkus Meng (Clark
Costa Huffman Moulton Engel (Pallone) (Jeffries)
Collins (GA) Johnson (LA) Spano (MA))
Courtney Hurd (TX) Mucarsel-Powell Escobar (Garcia Sires (Pallone)
Cook Kelly (PA) Steube Moore (Beyer)
Cox (CA) Jackson Lee Murphy (FL) (TX)) Speier (Scanlon)
Diaz-Balart King (IA) Stewart Mucarsel-Powell
Craig Jayapal Nadler Foster (Beyer) Thompson (CA)
Flores Marchant Thornberry (Wasserman
Crist Jeffries Napolitano Frankel (Clark
Gabbard Meuser Timmons Schultz) (Kildee)
Crow Johnson (GA) Neal (MA))
Gibbs Olson Walden Nadler (Jeffries) Titus (Connolly)
Cuellar Johnson (TX) Neguse Garamendi

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(Sherman) Napolitano Visclosky
Cunningham Joyce (OH) Norcross
(Raskin)
Davids (KS) Kaptur O’Halleran b 1839 Gonzalez (TX) (Correa)
Watson Coleman
Davis (CA) Katko Ocasio-Cortez (Gomez) Omar (Pressley)
Davis, Danny K. Keating Omar So the bill was passed. Grijalva (Garcı́a Panetta (Kildee) (Pallone)
Davis, Rodney Kelly (IL) Pallone The result of the vote was announced (IL)) Pascrell Welch
Dean Kennedy Panetta Hastings (Pallone) (McGovern)
as above recorded. Wilson (FL)
DeFazio Khanna Pappas (Wasserman Payne
DeGette Kildee Pascrell A motion to reconsider was laid on Schultz) (Wasserman (Hayes)
DeLauro Kilmer Payne the table. Horsford (Kildee) Schultz)

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August 22, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H4299
EMERGENCY STOPGAP USCIS month of June preceding the date on which rity shall develop and implement processes
STABILIZATION ACT such adjustment takes effect exceeds the to ensure that the availability of premium
Consumer Price Index for All Urban Con- processing, or its expansion to additional im-
Mr. RASKIN. Mr. Speaker, I ask sumers for the same month of the second migration benefit requests, does not result in
unanimous consent that the Com- preceding calendar year. The provisions of an increase in processing times for immigra-
mittee on the Judiciary and the Com- section 553 of title 5, United States Code, tion benefit requests not designated for pre-
mittee on the Budget be discharged shall not apply to an adjustment authorized mium processing or an increase in regular
from further consideration of the bill under this subparagraph. processing of immigration benefit requests
(H.R. 8089) to amend the Immigration ‘‘(4) USE OF FEE.—Fees collected under this so designated.
subsection may only be used by U.S. Citizen- SEC. 3. REPORTING REQUIREMENTS.
and Nationality Act to expand pre- ship and Immigration Services to— (a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 180 days
mium processing for certain immigra- ‘‘(A) provide the services described in para- after the date of the enactment of this Act,
tion benefits, and for other purposes, graph (5) to premium processing requestors; the Secretary of Homeland Security shall
and ask for its immediate consider- ‘‘(B) make infrastructure improvements in provide to the appropriate Committees a 5-
ation in the House. adjudications processes and the provision of year plan, including projected cost esti-
The Clerk read the title of the bill. information and services to immigration and mates, procurement strategies, and a project
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there naturalization benefit requestors; schedule with milestones, to accomplish
‘‘(C) respond to adjudication demands, in- each of the following:
objection to the request of the gen-
cluding by reducing the number of pending (1) Establish electronic filing procedures
tleman from Maryland? immigration and naturalization benefit re-
There was no objection. for all applications and petitions for immi-
quests; and gration benefits.
The text of the bill is as follows: ‘‘(D) otherwise offset the cost of providing (2) Accept electronic payment of fees at all
H.R. 8089 adjudication and naturalization services. filing locations.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Rep- ‘‘(5) PREMIUM PROCESSING SERVICES.—The
(3) Issue correspondence, including deci-
resentatives of the United States of America in Secretary—
sions, requests for evidence, and notices of
Congress assembled, ‘‘(A) may suspend the availability of pre-
intent to deny, to immigration benefit re-
mium processing for designated immigration
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. questors electronically.
benefit requests only if circumstances pre-
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Emergency (4) Improve processing times for all immi-
vent the completion of processing of a sig-
Stopgap USCIS Stabilization Act’’. gration and naturalization benefit requests.
nificant number of such requests within the
SECTION 2. EXPANSION OF PREMIUM PROC- (b) SEMI-ANNUAL BRIEFINGS.—Not later
required period; and
ESSING. than 180 days after submission of the plan
‘‘(B) shall ensure that premium processing
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 286(u) of the Im- described in paragraph (1), and on a semi-an-
requestors have direct and reliable access to
migration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. nual basis thereafter, the Secretary shall ad-
current case status information as well as
1356(u)) is amended to read as follows: vise the appropriate Committees on the im-
the ability to communicate with the pre-
‘‘(u) PREMIUM FEE FOR CERTAIN IMMIGRA- plementation status of such plan.
mium processing units at each service center
TION BENEFIT TYPES.— (c) APPROPRIATE COMMITTEES DEFINED.—In
or office that provides premium processing
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of Home- this section, the term ‘‘appropriate Commit-
services.’’.
land Security is authorized to establish and (b) EXPANSION TO NEW BENEFIT REQUESTS.— tees’’ means—
collect a premium fee for the immigration (1) IN GENERAL.—Notwithstanding the re- (1) the Committee on Appropriations, the
benefit types described in paragraph (2). quirement to set a fee by regulation under Committee on the Judiciary, and the Com-
Such fee shall be paid in addition to any section 286(u)(3)(B) of the Immigration and mittee on Homeland Security of the House of
other fees authorized by law, deposited as Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1356(u)(3)(B)), as Representatives; and
offsetting receipts in the Immigration Ex- amended by subsection (a), the Secretary of (2) the Committee on Appropriations, the
aminations Fee Account established under Homeland Security may set a fee under that Committee on the Judiciary, and the Com-
subsection (m), and used for the purposes de- section without regard to the provisions of mittee on Homeland Security and Govern-
scribed in paragraph (4). section 553 of title 5, United States Code, if mental Affairs of the Senate.
‘‘(2) IMMIGRATION BENEFIT TYPES.—Subject such fee is consistent with the following: SEC. 4. DETERMINATION OF BUDGETARY EF-
to reasonable conditions or limitations, the FECTS.
(A) For a petition for classification under
Secretary shall establish a premium fee section 203(b)(1)(C) of the Immigration and The budgetary effects of this Act, for the
under paragraph (1) in connection with— Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1153(b)(1)(C)), or a purpose of complying with the Statutory
‘‘(A) employment-based nonimmigrant pe- petition for classification under section Pay-As-You-Go Act of 2010, shall be deter-
titions and associated applications for de- 203(b)(2) involving a waiver under section mined by reference to the latest statement
pendents of the beneficiaries of such peti- 203(b)(2)(B) of such Act, the fee is set at an titled ‘‘Budgetary Effects of PAYGO Legisla-
tions; amount not greater than $2,500 and the re- tion’’ for this Act, submitted for printing in
‘‘(B) employment-based immigrant peti- quired processing timeframe is not greater the Congressional Record by the Chairman of
tions filed by or on behalf of aliens described than 45 days. the House Budget Committee, provided that
in paragraph (1), (2), or (3) of section 203(b); (B) For an application under section 248 of such statement has been submitted prior to
‘‘(C) applications to change or extend non- the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 the vote on passage.
immigrant status; U.S.C. 1258) to change status to a classifica- The bill was ordered to be engrossed
‘‘(D) applications for employment author- tion described in subparagraph (F), (J), or and read a third time, was read the
ization; and (M) of section 101(a)(15) of such Act (8 U.S.C. third time, and passed, and a motion to
‘‘(E) any other immigration benefit type 1101(a)(15)), the fee is set at an amount not
that the Secretary deems appropriate for
reconsider was laid on the table.
greater than $1,750 and the required proc-
premium processing. essing timeframe is not greater than 30 days. f
‘‘(3) AMOUNT OF FEE.— (C) For an application under section 248 of PROVIDING FOR THE APPOINT-
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—Subject to subparagraph the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 MENT OF FRANKLIN D. RAINES
(C), with respect to an immigration benefit U.S.C. 1258) to change status to be classified
type designated for premium processing by AS A CITIZEN REGENT OF THE
as a dependent of a nonimmigrant described
the Secretary on or before August 1, 2020, the in subparagraph (E), (H), (L), (O), (P), or (R) BOARD OF REGENTS OF THE
premium fee shall be $2,500, except that the of section 101(a)(15) of such Act (8 U.S.C. SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION
premium fee for a petition for classification 1101(a)(15)), or to extend such classification, Mr. RASKIN. Mr. Speaker, I ask
of a nonimmigrant described in subpara- the fee is set at an amount not greater than unanimous consent that the Com-
graph (H)(ii)(b) or (R) of section 101(a)(15) $1,750 and the required processing timeframe
shall be $1,500. mittee on House Administration be dis-
is not greater than 30 days.
‘‘(B) OTHER IMMIGRATION BENEFIT TYPES.— (D) For an application for employment au-
charged from further consideration of
With respect to an immigration benefit type thorization, the fee is set at an amount not the joint resolution (H.J. Res. 88) pro-
designated for premium processing but not greater than $1,500 and the required proc- viding for the appointment of Franklin
described in subparagraph (A), the initial essing timeframe is not greater than 30 days. D. Raines as a citizen regent of the
premium fee shall be established by regula- (2) CLARIFICATION.—The required proc- Board of Regents of the Smithsonian

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tion, which shall include a detailed method- essing timeframe for each of the applications Institution, and ask for its immediate
ology supporting the proposed premium fee and petitions described in paragraph (1) shall consideration in the House.
amount. not commence until the date that all pre-
‘‘(C) BIENNIAL ADJUSTMENT.—The Secretary
The Clerk read the title of the joint
requisites for adjudication are received by
may adjust a premium fee under subpara- the Secretary of Homeland Security.
resolution.
graph (A) or (B) on a biennial basis by the (c) OTHER BENEFIT REQUESTS.—In imple- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there
percentage (if any) by which the Consumer menting the amendments made by sub- objection to the request of the gen-
Price Index for All Urban Consumers for the section (a), the Secretary of Homeland Secu- tleman from Maryland?

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