Congressional Record, House, October 1, 2020 — Rule for H. Res. 1153 and H. Res. 1154
Summary
A page of the Congressional Record, House, dated October 1, 2020, beginning at page H5123, in a long document. One-minute speeches include Mr. Burchett on the partnership between the United States and India, a tribute to a Brunswick harbor pilot who steered the capsizing Golden Ray cargo ship so that all 23 mariners aboard were rescued, remarks on improving the lives of childhood cancer survivors, and Mr. LaMalfa on the need for a domestic mineral supply chain. The Rules Committee report on the resolution providing for consideration of H. Res. 1153, condemning unwanted, unnecessary medical procedures without informed consent, and H. Res. 1154, condemning QAnon, follows, and the page ends with a Member's reflections on serving 18 years in the Congress.
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Cite this document
“Congressional Record, House, October 1, 2020 — Rule for H. Res. 1153 and H. Res. 1154.”
Original at www.govinfo.gov. Archived at Pandemic Darlings, https://pandemicdarlings.com/source-documents/crec-crec-2020-10-01-crec-2020-10-01-pt1-pgh5123-7-2bb995b58d/
, SHA-256 6e3925149753efc3d996fbdc703e089f9a408e4fc0a60fc76cf210cf5cf52a0f.Full text
October 1, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H5123
THE UNITED STATES SUPPORTS had no operational control of the ves- Thankfully, incredible progress has
INDIA sel, and it started capsizing rapidly. been made in treating cancer among
(Mr. BURCHETT asked and was given He endured flames melting the steel children. As more kids become sur-
permission to address the House for 1 and smoke emanating from airboxes vivors, we need to make a concerted ef-
minute and to revise and extend his re- the entire length of the ship. fort to improve their lives and to strive
marks.) As testament to his extensive experi- to develop treatments that do not
Mr. BURCHETT. Madam Speaker, it ence piloting more than 5,000 ships in carry permanent side effects.
is in the best interests of the United and out of the Port of Brunswick, J.T. For example, I have constituents
States of America to build and main- drove the Golden Ray as far up on the whose children have experienced per-
tain strong partnerships with our allies Sound as possible that day to ensure manent hearing loss, which can occur
across the globe. all 23 mariners aboard were safe and when young patients undergo chemo-
In that spirit, I rise today in recogni- rescued. therapy. That is why I recently sent a
tion of our important relationship with When you see the giant cargo ship in letter to the Agency for Healthcare Re-
one of those allies, the Republic of the Sound and realize there was no loss search and Quality asking them to
India. of life, it is nothing short of a miracle identify any research efforts to reverse
India, the world’s largest democracy, and a testament to the hardworking this loss of hearing.
is under constant threat from the Chi- crew, including J.T. We owe it to our young survivors to
nese Communist Party. The Chinese Although it is an unfortunate situa- help them thrive and maintain a high
Communist Party has been acting ag- tion, I am thankful for the courage and quality of life. I encourage Federal re-
gressively towards India in recent determination J.T. and the entire crew searchers to keep producing the med-
years and infringing on Indian terri- displayed that day. ical miracles that will help our kids
tory. f prevail in the fight against cancer.
India is an effective counterweight to f
A DOMESTIC MINERAL SUPPLY
the Chinese Communist Party’s desire CHAIN IS ESSENTIAL FOR OUR REPORT ON RESOLUTION PRO-
for dominance in southeast Asia, NATIONAL SECURITY VIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF
Madam Speaker, and a strong India is
(Mr. LAMALFA asked and was given H. RES. 1153, CONDEMNING UN-
critical to preventing expansion of the
permission to address the House for 1 WANTED, UNNECESSARY MED-
Chinese Communist Party’s global in-
minute and to revise and extend his re- ICAL PROCEDURES ON INDIVID-
fluence.
marks.) UALS WITHOUT THEIR FULL, IN-
I am proud to stand on the floor of
Mr. LAMALFA. Madam Speaker, for FORMED CONSENT, AND PRO-
the House of Representatives today
decades, America’s mining industry VIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF
with a strong, clear message for our
has suffered at the hands of foreign H. RES. 1154, CONDEMNING
friends in India: The United States sup-
competition from China. QANON AND REJECTING THE
ports you in your struggle against Chi-
Yesterday, President Trump signed CONSPIRACY THEORIES IT PRO-
nese aggressors. Together, our two
an executive order to expand the do- MOTES
democratic, free nations will stand
against the communism that only mestic mining industry, supporting Ms. SCANLON, from the Committee
seeks to rob citizens of their individ- thousands of American mining jobs and on Rules, submitted a privileged report
uality and beliefs. reducing our dependence on China for (Rept. No. 116–557) on the resolution (H.
critical minerals. Res. 1164) providing for consideration
f A domestic mineral supply chain is of the resolution (H. Res. 1153) con-
HONORING JONATHAN ‘‘J.T.’’ essential for our national security, be- demning unwanted, unnecessary med-
TENNANT cause they are used for military, infra- ical procedures on individuals without
structure, and energy projects. their full, informed consent, and pro-
(Mr. CARTER of Georgia asked and
America certainly should not be de- viding for consideration of the resolu-
was given permission to address the
pending on China for precious mate- tion (H. Res. 1154) condemning QAnon
House for 1 minute and to revise and
rials that are critical to our national and rejecting the conspiracy theories it
extend his remarks.)
defense. This should rest solely in our promotes, which was referred to the
Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Madam
hands. House Calendar and ordered to be
Speaker, I rise today to honor 20-year
By streamlining development of crit- printed.
veteran harbor pilot Jonathan ‘‘J.T.’’
ical minerals at home and creating
Tennant of Brunswick, Georgia, who f
jobs for American workers along the
played a pivotal role in ensuring the
way, this executive order is a win-win. ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE SPEAKER
safety of all crew members aboard the
With all the push for renewable en- PRO TEMPORE
Golden Ray carrier when it ship-
ergy in this country and electric vehi- The SPEAKER pro tempore (Ms.
wrecked over a year ago on September
cles, we certainly need to have this DEAN). Pursuant to clause 4 of rule I,
8, 2019.
supply chain come from our country the following enrolled bill was signed
If you visit St. Simons Island in
and not somewhere else. by the Speaker on Wednesday, Sep-
Georgia’s First Congressional District,
Madam Speaker, I am grateful for tember 30, 2020:
it is hard to miss the Golden Ray,
President Trump’s bold action to con- H.R. 8337, making continuing appro-
which is a 656-foot-long car carrier that
tinue our economic growth while also priations for fiscal year 2021, and for
remains capsized in the St. Simons
taking bold action against a foreign ad- other purposes.
Sound.
versary.
As the investigation into the inci- f
dent by the U.S. Coast Guard and the f
PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION
National Transportation Safety Board b 1130
continues, we have been able to gain OF H. RES. 1153, CONDEMNING
valuable insight from crew members CHILDHOOD CANCER HEARING UNWANTED, UNNECESSARY MED-
and others involved. LOSS ICAL PROCEDURES ON INDIVID-
Although he had steered a city-block- (Mr. BUDD asked and was given per- UALS WITHOUT THEIR FULL, IN-
sized cargo ship from the Brunswick mission to address the House for 1 FORMED CONSENT, AND PRO-
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River to the St. Simons Sound several minute and to revise and extend his re- VIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF
thousand times, nothing could have marks.) H. RES. 1154, CONDEMNING
prepared J.T. for what happened the Mr. BUDD. Madam Speaker, over QANON AND REJECTING THE
morning of September 8. 15,000 American children are diagnosed CONSPIRACY THEORIES IT PRO-
The Golden Ray was sailing nor- with cancer every year. Having the MOTES
mally, but the rudder and the propeller most innocent among us receive such a Ms. SCANLON. Madam Speaker, by
came up out of the water to where J.T. gut-wrenching diagnosis is devastating. direction of the Committee on Rules, I
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H5124 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE October 1, 2020
call up House Resolution 1164 and ask Madam Speaker, I am proud to offer It was only after she was deported to Ja-
for its immediate consideration. the rule for two timely and necessary maica and had her medical files reviewed by
The Clerk read the resolution, as fol- resolutions, one that addresses allega- several other doctors that she knew she had
lows: been right to raise questions.
tions of gross human rights violations A radiologist’s report, based on images of
H. RES. 1164 conducted under the watch of the her internal organs from her time at Irwin,
Resolved, That upon adoption of this reso- United States Government and the described her uterus as being a healthy size,
lution it shall be in order without interven- other a long-overdue resolution that not swollen with enlarged masses and cysts,
tion of any point of order to consider in the forcefully condemns QAnon, an anti- as the doctor had written in his notes. The
House the resolution (H. Res. 1153) con- Semitic, racist, and, frankly, unhinged cysts she had were small, and the kind that
demning unwanted, unnecessary medical occur naturally and do not usually require
procedures on individuals without their full,
conspiracy theory that has infiltrated
surgical intervention.
informed consent. The amendment to the the internet and infected the rightwing ‘‘I didn’t have to do any of it,’’ Ms. Dowe
resolution printed in the report of the Com- of our Nation’s politics. said.
mittee on Rules accompanying this resolu- Let’s start with H. Res. 1153, offered The Irwin County Detention Center in
tion shall be considered as adopted. The reso- by my colleague, Congresswoman Ocilla, Ga., drew national attention this
lution, as amended, shall be considered as JAYAPAL of the House Judiciary Com- month after a nurse, Dawn Wooten, filed a
read. The previous question shall be consid- mittee, in response to some of most re- whistle-blower complaint claiming that de-
ered as ordered on the resolution and pre- pulsive and inhumane allegations ever tainees had told her they had had their
amble, as amended, to adoption without in- uteruses removed without their full under-
directed at a U.S. Federal agency.
tervening motion or demand for division of standing or consent.
In mid-September, just a couple of Since then, both ICE and the hospital in
the question except one hour of debate equal-
ly divided and controlled by the chair and weeks ago, a whistleblower came for- Irwin County have released data that show
ranking minority member of the Committee ward to disclose that women who have that two full hysterectomies have been per-
on the Judiciary. been detained for immigration offenses formed on women detained at Irwin in the
SEC. 2. Upon adoption of this resolution it at Irwin County Detention Center in past three years. But firsthand accounts are
shall be in order without intervention of any Georgia, operated by a private prison now emerging from detainees, including Ms.
point of order to consider in the House the company, LaSalle Corrections, have Dowe, who underwent other invasive gyneco-
resolution (H. Res. 1154) condemning QAnon logical procedures that they did not fully un-
been subjected to a pattern of non-
and rejecting the conspiracy theories it pro- derstand and, in some cases, may not have
motes. The resolution shall be considered as consensual and inappropriate medical been medically necessary.
read. The previous question shall be consid- treatment, including forced partial and At least one lawyer brought the com-
ered as ordered on the resolution and pre- full sterilization. plaints about gynecological care to the at-
amble to adoption without intervening mo- This complaint was submitted to the tention of the center’s top officials in 2018,
tion or demand for division of the question Office of Inspector General at the De- according to emails obtained by The New
except one hour of debate equally divided partment of Homeland Security and York Times, but the outside referrals contin-
and controlled by the chair and ranking mi- outlined concerns raised by a nurse at ued.
nority member of the Committee on the Ju- The Times interviewed 16 women who were
the facility and numerous immigrant concerned about the gynecological care they
diciary.
detainees at the facility. received while at the center, and conducted a
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gen- While the IG’s investigation is just detailed review of the medical files of seven
tlewoman from Pennsylvania is recog- beginning, many of the central allega- women who were able to obtain their
nized for 1 hour. tions in the complaint have already records. All 16 were treated by Dr. Mahendra
Ms. SCANLON. Madam Speaker, for been confirmed in reporting by The Amin, who practices gynecology in the near-
the purpose of debate only, I yield the New York Times and by a delegation of by town of Douglas and has been described
customary 30 minutes to the gentle- a dozen of my colleagues who visited by ICE officials as the detention center’s
woman from Arizona (Mrs. LESKO), ‘‘primary gynecologist.’’
the detention center last weekend, The cases were reviewed by five gyne-
pending which I yield myself such time interviewed women who had suffered cologists—four of them board-certified and
as I may consume. During consider- through these procedures, and con- all with medical school affiliations—who
ation of this resolution, all time yield- sulted with medical professionals who found that Dr. Amin consistently overstated
ed is for the purpose of debate only. have reviewed the women’s medical the size or risks associated with cysts or
GENERAL LEAVE records relating to those incidents. masses attached to his patients’ reproduc-
Ms. SCANLON. Madam Speaker, I Madam Speaker, I include in the tive organs. Small or benign cysts do not
ask unanimous consent that all Mem- typically call for surgical intervention,
RECORD The New York Times article
bers be given 5 legislative days to re- where large or otherwise troubling ones
from yesterday entitled ‘‘Immigrants sometimes do, the experts said.
vise and extend their remarks. Say They Were Pressured Into The doctors stressed that in some cases the
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there Unneeded Surgeries.’’ medical files might not have been complete
objection to the request of the gentle- [From the New York Times, Sept. 29, 2020] and that additional information could poten-
woman from Pennsylvania? IMMIGRANTS SAY THEY WERE PRESSURED INTO tially shift their analyses. But they noted
There was no objection. UNNEEDED SURGERIES that Dr. Amin seemed to consistently rec-
Ms. SCANLON. Madam Speaker, on (By Caitlin Dickerson, Seth Freed Wessler, ommend surgical intervention, even when it
Wednesday, the Rules Committee met and Miriam Jordan) did not seem medically necessary at the
and reported a rule, House Resolution time and nonsurgical treatment options were
IMMIGRANTS DETAINED AT AN ICE-CONTRACTED
1164, providing for consideration of H. available.
CENTER IN GEORGIA SAID THEY HAD INVASIVE In almost every woman’s chart, Dr. Amin
Res. 1153, condemning unwanted, un- GYNECOLOGY PROCEDURES THAT THEY LATER listed symptoms such as heavy bleeding with
necessary medical procedures on indi- LEARNED MIGHT HAVE BEEN UNNECESSARY clots and chronic pelvic pain, which could
viduals without their full, informed Wendy Dowe was startled awake early one justify surgery. But some of the women said
consent, under a closed rule. morning in January 2019, when guards called they never experienced or reported those
The rule self-executes a manager’s her out of her cellblock in the Irwin County symptoms to him.
amendment offered by Chairman NAD- immigration detention center in rural Geor- Both the reviewing doctors and all of the
LER, which clarifies the last statement gia, where she had been held for four months. women interviewed by The Times raised con-
She would be having surgery that day, they cerns about whether Dr. Amin had ade-
in the resolved clause. The rule pro-
said. quately explained the procedures he per-
vides 1 hour of debate, equally divided Still groggy, the 48-year-old immigrant formed or provided his patients with less
and controlled by the chair and rank- from Jamaica, who had been living without invasive alternatives. Spanish-speaking
ing minority member of the Judiciary legal status in the United States for two dec- women said a nurse who spoke Spanish was
Committee. ades before she was picked up by immigra- only sporadically present during their
The rule also provides for consider- tion authorities, felt a swell of dread come exams.
SSpencer on DSK126QN23PROD with HOUSE
ation of H. Res. 1154, condemning over her. An outside gynecologist who saw The diagnoses and procedures are ‘‘poorly
QAnon and rejecting the conspiracy patients in immigration custody told her supported’’ and ‘‘not well documented,’’ said
that the menstrual cramping she had was Dr. Sara Imershein, a clinical professor at
theories it promotes, under a closed
caused by large cysts and masses that needed George Washington University and the
rule. The rule provides 1 hour of de- to be removed, but she was skeptical. The Washington, D.C., chair of the American Col-
bate, equally divided and controlled by doctor insisted, she said, and as a detainee— lege of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.
the chair and ranking minority mem- brought to the hospital in handcuffs and Even if the patients had reported the
ber of the Judiciary Committee. shackles—she felt pressured to consent. symptoms recorded by Dr. Amin, ‘‘there
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October 1, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H5125
would have been many avenues to pursue be- uled a surgery to remove them. He also then, the doctors raised questions about sev-
fore rushing to surgery,’’ she said. ‘‘Advil for wrote that she had complained of heavy eral seemingly healthy and naturally occur-
one.’’ menstruation and pelvic pain. She said that ring cysts that Dr. Amin might have re-
‘‘He is overly aggressive in his treatment she never experienced or reported those con- moved unnecessarily while he was operating
and does not explore appropriate medical ditions and that she had not asked to see a on her.
management before turning to procedures or gynecologist. After the procedure, Dr. Amin wrote in his
surgical intervention,’’ said Dr. Deborah Weeks later, she underwent surgery. Pa- notes that Ms. Dowe requested a second sur-
Ottenheimer, a forensic evaluator and in- thology reports show that she did not have gery—a full abdominal hysterectomy and re-
structor at the Weill Cornell Medical School dangerous cysts, but small ones of the kind moval of her ovaries.
Human Rights Clinic. that occur naturally in most women and do But Ms. Dowe insists she never made any
But the doctors who reviewed the cases not call for surgical intervention. such request. A note in her medical records
noted that aggressive overtreatment is all Yuridia said she had expected only a minor from the detention center appears to cor-
too common among doctors—especially with procedure that would be performed roborate her denial. ‘‘Detainee is requesting
patients who do not have the resources to vaginally, but she was surprised when she a second opinion to have a hysterectomy,’’ it
seek a second opinion. woke up to find three incisions on her abdo- reads, ‘‘OB/GYN scheduled hysterectomy and
Dr. Ada Rivera, medical director of the ICE men and a piece of skin missing from her patient refused.’’
Health Service Corps, said in a statement genital area. Complaints about Dr. Amin had also been
that the whistle-blower’s allegations ‘‘raise ‘‘I woke up and I was alone, and I was in raised with senior officials long before Ms.
some very serious concerns that deserve to pain and everyone spoke English so I could Dowe’s case.
be investigated quickly and thoroughly.’’ not ask any questions,’’ Yuridia said. Three In November 2018, a woman named Nancy
She added, ‘‘If there is any truth to these al- days later, still sore and recovering, she was Gonzalez Hidalgo was left shaken after sev-
legations, it is my commitment to make the deported. eral visits with the physician, during which
corrections necessary to ensure we continue Yuridia’s case bears striking similarities she said he performed rough vaginal
to prioritize the health, welfare and safety of to others that the panel of doctors reviewed. ultrasounds and ignored her when she cried
ICE detainees.’’ Many of them led to two surgical procedures out in pain. Ms. Gonzalez Hidalgo’s lawyers
Dr. Amin’s lawyer, Scott Grubman, said in performed simultaneously: ‘‘dilation and sent an email to the warden of the center,
a statement that the physician ‘‘strongly curettage,’’ often referred to as a ‘‘D & C,’’ David Paulk.
disputes any allegations that he treated any which involves inserting tools into a wom- In the email, Erin Argueta, a lawyer at the
patient with anything other than the utmost an’s vagina and scraping tissue from the Southern Poverty Law Center, explained
care and respect.’’ uterus, and laparoscopy, in which three inci- that Ms. Gonzalez Hidalgo’s health was wors-
‘‘Dr. Amin also strongly disputes that any sions are made to insert a camera into the ening because of complications she was expe-
patient was treated without full informed abdominal cavity to examine or perform pro- riencing from an earlier miscarriage.
consent,’’ the statement continued. Mr. cedures on the reproductive organs. ‘‘Nancy hesitated to seek medical atten-
Grubman said that patient privacy laws pre- The cases suggest a pattern of ‘‘excessively tion because her last experience with Dr.
vented him from discussing any specific pa- aggressive surgical intervention without Amin was so painful and traumatic that she
tient’s treatment, but in each case it ‘‘was adequate trial of medical remedies,’’ Dr. did not want to be sent back to him,’’ Ms.
medically necessary, performed within the Ottenheimer said. Argueta wrote.
standard of care, and done only after obtain- She referred in her email to several pre-
A REPORT REVEALS LONGSTANDING COMPLAINTS
ing full informed consent.’’ vious verbal complaints about Dr. Amin that
It was the Irwin County center’s handling lawyers had taken to the center’s inmates
The statement added that Dr. Amin always
of the coronavirus pandemic that inspired services director, Marteka George. ‘‘Ms.
uses an interpreter when treating patients
Ms. Wooten, the nurse whose whistle-blower George stated that this was not the first
who do not speak English and ‘‘always at-
complaint was first reported by The Inter- time someone complained about Dr. Amin,
tempts to treat his patients with more con-
cept, to come forward about another issue and she said that she would look into wheth-
servative treatment, including medicine and
that troubled her: Dr. Amin’s surgeries. She er Nancy could see a different provider,’’ the
less invasive procedures, before even recom-
said in an interview that she had for years lawyer wrote.
mending surgery,’’ which he views as a last
noticed that an inordinate number of women The warden responded twice, stating on
resort.
were being referred to Dr. Amin. She said she Nov. 30 that Ms. Gonzalez Hidalgo had been
Independent doctors that provide treat-
would hear reports that they had undergone scheduled for an appointment with an out-
ment for ICE detainees are paid for the pro-
surgeries but that they had no idea why the side provider ‘‘that is unassociated with Dr.
cedures they perform with Department of
surgeries were performed. Amin.’’ The other doctor, Warden Paulk
Homeland Security funds. Procedures like
‘‘After they get up from general anes- said, was ‘‘reportedly well thought of by his
the ones that Dr. Amin performed are nor-
thesia,’’ Ms. Wooten said, the women would patients.’’
mally billed at thousands of dollars each.
ask, ‘‘Why’d I have this surgery?’’ Warden Paulk did not respond to requests
Dr. Amin’s billings had previously come to
‘‘And I don’t have an answer for why,’’ she for comment.
the attention of federal authorities. In 2013,
said. ‘‘I am just as shocked as they are. No- Other women who questioned Dr. Amin’s
the Justice Department named him in a civil
body explained it to them.’’ care in the past said they had also faced
case alleging that he and several other doc-
Data from ICE inspection reports show challenges when they tried to seek answers.
tors had overbilled Medicare and Medicaid
that the center, which is operated by a pri- On the morning of Aug. 14, Mileidy
by, among other things, performing unneces-
vate prison company, Lasalle Corrections, Cardentey Fernandez said, there was no in-
sary procedures on terminal patients and
refers more than 1,000 detainees a year for terpreter present at the Irwin County Hos-
leaving the emergency room staffed by
outside medical care, far more than most pital when she was presented with consent
nurses while billing for diagnoses and treat-
other immigration detention centers of the forms in English to sign for a procedure she
ments as if they had been performed by doc-
same size. It is not clear how many of these was undergoing that day.
tors. The case was settled for $520,000 with no
referrals are for gynecological care. Lasalle She asked the technician, ‘‘Spanish,
admission of fault on the part of the defend-
Corrections did not respond to requests for please? Little English.’’ The woman urged
ants.
comment. her to sign the forms—and so she did.
I COULD NOT ASK ANY QUESTIONS Concerns from women detained at Irwin Afterward, she said, she filled out a form
In many cases, Dr. Amin’s patients said emerged long before Ms. Wooten came for- on numerous occasions at the detention cen-
they were confused about why they ended up ward. ter requesting her medical records but got no
being sent to his office in the first place— Ms. Dowe, after being told by Dr. Amin response.
some after raising medical issues that had that she had a mass the size of a ‘‘canta- ‘‘I wanted to know everything they had
nothing to do with gynecology. loupe’’ on her uterus, had reached out in done,’’ she said. ‘‘I made requests for the bi-
Yuridia, a 36-year-old immigrant from early 2019 to Donald Anthonyson, an immi- opsy, analyses, and they don’t want to give
Mexico, sought out a nurse at the center grant advocate she had met through a fellow them to me. They said they don’t have the
soon after she arrived because she was hav- detainee. She was asking for help, Mr. results. How can they not have the results?’’
ing pain in her rib after a fight with her abu- Anthonyson said. When she was released from detention on
sive ex-partner just before she was picked up ‘‘She expressed real concerns about going Sept. 21, she called her daughter in Virginia
by ICE. She asked to be identified by her to that doctor,’’ he said. ‘‘She was concerned and then headed straight to Dr. Amin’s clin-
first name because she feared for her safety. about what was happening to her and what ic with her lawyer to demand her records,
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She was sent for a medical exam at Dr. she was hearing from other women.’’ which she received.
Amin’s office, where she said he began to Unlike some of the women who had no gyn- Some women said they had managed to
prepare an ultrasound machine. ‘‘I was as- ecological complaints, Ms. Dowe was experi- avoid surgeries by Dr. Amin but not without
suming they were going to check my rib,’’ encing intense menstrual cramping, which facing resistance.
she said. ‘‘The next thing I know, he’s doing the doctors who reviewed her case said could Enna Perez Santos said she objected when
a vaginal exam.’’ sometimes justify the procedure she under- Dr. Amin suggested that she undergo a pro-
Dr. Amin recorded in his notes that went—but only if the patient understands cedure similar to the ones that other women
Yuridia had cysts in her ovaries and sched- the options and elects to move forward. Even had complained about. Dr. Amin, she said,
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H5126 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE October 1, 2020
counseled her that it was a mistake to forgo was filed. This further affirms the ne- report he believed existed that would
the treatment and he wrote in his notes that cessity for the investigation and that expose the deep state, whatever that is.
she had asked to speak to a mental health the very nature of how Federal agen- The court ultimately blocked his
care provider. guilty plea as the judge determined
Back at the detention center on the same cies like ICE and DHS are operating
day, Ms. Perez Santos was given a psy- under this administration, in violation that the sentencing would have been
chiatric evaluation. ‘‘I am nervous about my of the rule of law and without account- too lenient for the crimes he had com-
upcoming procedure,’’ Ms. Perez Santos told ability, that this is unacceptable. mitted.
the examiner, according to the practitioner’s Our current administration is aware One of the most high-profile QAnon
notes. ‘‘I am worried because I saw someone of the structural flaws in our immigra- incidents came after an alleged leader
else after they had surgery, and what I saw tion system and exploits them to great of the Gambino crime family in New
scared me.’’ political effect. What we are left with York was murdered by a QAnon sup-
Ms. Perez Santos was brought three more porter who, according to his testimony,
times to Dr. Amin’s office over the next sev- is a leader and a party that vilify im-
migrants as a tool for political gain. believed that the murder would assist
eral months, she recalled. Each time, she
Then they systematically round up and President Trump.
said, Dr. Amin raised the prospect of a sur-
detain immigrants in some of the most While my colleagues on the other
gery. She felt ‘‘pressured’’ to agree, she said,
side of the aisle continue to flirt with
but each time she told him she did not con- horrific ways possible, using private
sent. these fringe conspiracy theories, in-
detention centers, separating children
Three board certified gynecologists who re- cluding riling up their base with alle-
from their parents, denying basic med-
viewed Ms. Perez Santos’s medical files say gations of invasions by antifa, which
ical treatment such as flu shots or
that her instincts appear to have been cor- have been debunked by the administra-
rect. ‘‘Based on what I see here, Amin was COVID prevention, and inflicting life- tion’s own FBI, QAnon and those who
inappropriately suggesting a D & C scope,’’ long trauma on our fellow humans, have bought into it are genuine threats
Dr. Ottenheimer said. ‘‘There is nothing at creatures of God. to our democracy.
all there to support the procedure.’’ The allegations from the Irwin Coun- We are talking about a coordinated,
Ms. SCANLON. Madam Speaker, the ty detention facility are repugnant, sophisticated cult that is poisoning the
whistleblower complaint raises mul- but they are consistent with a pattern brains of more and more Americans
tiple serious questions which should of inhumane and similar injustices each day.
concern every Member of this body and that have been perpetrated by this ad- In our Rules Committee meeting last
the administration. ministration. ICE and DHS operate night, many of my colleagues claim to
First, these women were apparently with impunity under a President who have never even heard of this deadly
subjected to unnecessary and inappro- is using them as a secret police force. cult. I cannot possibly believe that
priate medical care without their con- I hope all of my colleagues will join these skilled political operatives are so
sent, which, in many cases, has ren- me in passing this necessary resolu- clueless, but that is beside the point.
dered them unable to have children, tion, but more than that, I hope that President Trump is certainly aware,
one of the most precious decisions a we can come together to reform our and his tacit support and encourage-
family can make. broken immigration system. ment of these dangerous narratives are
Second, think about the cir- Our current system harms signifi- a threat to the law and order he so
cumstances. Many of these women did cantly more than it helps, inflicting noisily embraces.
not speak English and had no access to physical and emotional pain without I hope that every single one of my
interpreters to explain the procedures protecting our borders. We are long Republican colleagues joins us in con-
to which they were subjected. They overdue for serious changes that will demning QAnon today for the sanity of
were being held in detention, awaiting better reflect our values and interests this country. It is particularly impor-
adjudication of their legal applications as a country. tant that we do so now because the Re-
to stay in this country, not for any Next, Madam Speaker, we have H. publican Caucus may not be united on
crime. But they had no access to fam- Res. 1154, a resolution condemning the this front in the next Congress.
ily members, their family doctors, or rightwing conspiracy theory QAnon. Madam Speaker, with more than 15
legal counsel. I am not entirely sure where to start QAnon believers on the ballot this No-
Many report that they went to the with QAnon, but basic research tells us vember across the country, it appears
doctor for unrelated medical condi- it is a rightwing conspiracy theory likely that at least one or two of them
tions and only learned that they had concocted in some of the darkest cor- may be taking seats in Congress next
been subjected to surgery after the ners of the internet that purports to term.
fact. hail President Trump as a savior of the In the meantime, every single Mem-
Finally, we must determine how such country by combating shadowy mem- ber on both sides of the aisle must take
outrageous and inhumane treatment of bers of a deep state who kidnap chil- their share of blame if these Hallowed
human beings in the custody of a U.S. dren in order to drink their blood. Halls are going to be contaminated by
agency could be allowed to occur, and This is a theory so ludicrous that it Representatives of a deranged con-
we must hold that agency, as well as could be considered absurd if not for spiracy theory.
the detention center, the facility, the the thousands of Americans who have In any case, I look forward to seeing
private prison operator, and the med- fully bought into these premises and how Minority Leader MCCARTHY will
the rash of violence, hatred, and crimi- find a spot for this kind of expertise
ical personnel, accountable.
I cannot even begin to express how nal activity that these wild theories next Congress.
have encouraged. Madam Speaker, I reserve the bal-
appalling these allegations are and the
In August 2020, a woman in Colorado ance of my time.
stain that, if found to be accurate in
their entirety, they will leave on this was arrested and charged with at- b 1145
country. tempted kidnapping of her daughter, Mrs. LESKO. Madam Speaker, I yield
I am sure there is not a single Mem- who had been placed in foster care as myself such time as I may consume,
ber of this body who doesn’t want to her mother was deemed unfit to care and I thank Representative SCANLON
see a full independent investigation for her. The woman is a fervent QAnon for yielding me the customary 30 min-
into these claims, and that is exactly follower and was even found to have utes.
why we are offering this resolution consulted other QAnon believers in a Madam Speaker, this rule consists of
today. plot to kidnap her son, also in the fos- two nonbinding resolutions, H. Res.
This resolution expresses the sense of ter care system. 1153, regarding allegations made
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Congress that this investigation must Then there is the case of an Arizona against the Irwin County Detention
begin immediately. Any delay is sim- man who was a QAnon follower. He was Center, and H. Res. 1154, condemning
ply unacceptable. charged with aggravated assault and QAnon and rejecting the conspiracy
Members of this body have already making terroristic threats after he was theories it promotes.
been forced to intervene in ICE’s at- inspired by QAnon theories to use an First, H. Res. 1153 is a complete dis-
tempts to deport witnesses central to armored van to block a bridge over the regard to our Nation’s due process sys-
the investigation since the complaint Hoover Dam and demand release of a tem. If the accusations from the
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October 1, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H5127
women at Irwin County Detention Cen- the resolution itself, it states: ‘‘Where- Madam Speaker, I urge opposition to
ter are true, they are obviously hor- as these allegations indicate a failure the rule, and I reserve the balance of
rific, and this resolution would be, ob- by U.S. Immigration and Customs En- my time.
viously, an appropriate response. forcement to conduct rigorous over- Ms. SCANLON. Madam Speaker, I
However, we don’t know anything for sight to protect the health and safety yield myself such time as I may con-
certain yet. In fact, the Office of the of people in its custody.’’ sume.
Inspector General and the Department However, we do not even know if the Madam Speaker, I am so pleased to
of Homeland Security are currently allegations are true. It should, instead, hear that we should all be working to-
conducting investigations. read: ‘‘If true, these actions indicate a gether to get to the bottom of this, be-
We could open up a committee inves- failure.’’ cause that is exactly what the resolu-
tigation, too. We could go through a We can’t just base it on allegations. tion puts forward. It says that these
normal committee oversight process This is an example of my Democratic are allegations. It doesn’t say that
where we have a hearing and bring in colleagues’ acting first and learning they are conclusively proved. But the
witnesses to get to the truth. That later. resolution asks for an investigation,
would be appropriate, not this. Right now, we need to investigate, and it asks our government to pull out
Guess what. ICE agrees with us. Act- not bring a resolution condemning ICE all the stops to do that.
ing ICE Director Tony Pham issued a to the floor. This is backwards, and it The reason we need a resolution and
statement on September 18, 2020, say- is just wrong. America needs to see us a sense of Congress about this is be-
ing: ‘‘The recent allegations by the together on this issue. Unfortunately, cause we see ICE and the Department
independent contracted employee raise my Democratic colleagues clearly do of Homeland Security undermining
some very serious concerns that de- not want to work with Republicans to this investigation already. When the
serve to be investigated quickly and make that a reality. news broke 2 weeks ago, they promptly
thoroughly. ICE welcomes the efforts Madam Speaker, this rule also con- moved to deport one of the central wit-
of both the Office of the Inspector Gen- tains H. Res. 1154. nesses. One of our colleagues, SHEILA
eral as well as the Department of At the outset, let me be clear, Repub- JACKSON LEE, had to get that witness
Homeland Security’s parallel review. licans are concerned with and do not removed from a plane. She was on the
‘‘As a former prosecutor, individuals embrace QAnon. tarmac ready to be sent overseas,
found to have violated our policies and I have to admit, although I must con- where she then would not be available
procedures should be held accountable. fess I know little to nothing about this to testify.
If there is any truth to these allega- idea, organization, whatever it is, if That same person was given humani-
tions, it is my commitment to make what they say on Wikipedia is true, tarian relief. She is allowed to stay in
the corrections necessary to ensure we then, of course, we oppose it. In fact, the country. Today, this morning, as
continue to prioritize the health, wel- on August 20, the House Republican we speak here, she reported to check in
fare, and safety of ICE detainees.’’ leader, Mr. MCCARTHY, stated very to ICE, as she was required to and as
In fact, I, along with my colleague clearly that there is no place for most immigrants do in our system, and
from New Jersey, Representative CHRIS QAnon in the Republican Party. when she reported, they tried to arrest
SMITH, sent a letter to DHS last week It is a serious issue, and Republicans her and deport her again.
to state that the allegations are alarm- don’t discriminate on which dangerous As we speak, Members of this body
ing and must be investigated thor- organizations or groups we take seri- are having to work to keep ICE from
oughly. ously. We don’t just condemn groups undermining this investigation. So,
It also said in our letter that these because it is politically convenient. Be- yes, we need this resolution to move
accounts don’t comport with the state- cause, unlike many of our colleagues forward.
ment of Dr. Ada Rivera, the medical di- across the aisle, we also take the Madam Speaker, I yield 31⁄2 minutes
rector of the ICE Health Services threat of antifa seriously. to the gentleman from Massachusetts
Corps, who stated that, since 2018, only It is clear, unfortunately, that many (Mr. MCGOVERN), who is the distin-
two individuals at Irwin County Deten- of my Democratic colleagues refuse to guished chairman of the Committee on
tion Center were referred to certified, condemn antifa. Chairman NADLER said Rules.
credentialed medical professionals at here right on the floor of the U.S. Mr. MCGOVERN. Madam Speaker, I
gynecological healthcare facilities for House of Representatives something to want to thank the distinguished mem-
hysterectomies. Dr. Rivera also said the effect that antifa was a myth, a ber of the Rules Committee, Ms. SCAN-
that detainees are afforded informed fantasy. Just the other night, Vice LON, for yielding me the time.
consent, and a medical procedure like a President Biden refused to condemn Madam Speaker, I rise in strong sup-
hysterectomy would never be per- antifa at the debate. port of this rule and the underlying
formed against a detainee’s will. That is why, last night, I offered an resolutions. We must pass the resolu-
On September 18, the Associated amendment to this resolution in the tion from Congresswoman JAYAPAL.
Press published an article citing the re- Rules Committee to include con- Medical procedures being done on im-
sults of its own internal investigation. demning antifa, so we, as a governing migrants without their consent hark-
It stated that the AP’s review did not body, could unite against at least two ens back to a dark time in our Nation’s
find evidence of mass hysterectomies threatening groups and ideologies, not history when medical abuse against the
as alleged in a widely shared complaint just one. poor and people of color happened
filed by a nurse at the detention cen- Unfortunately, all of my Rules Com- again and again and again.
ter. mittee Democratic colleagues voted I rise today, though, to discuss the
The AP also noted that one attorney against my commonsense amendment, bipartisan resolution condemning the
investigating the case had found that even though FBI Director Wray, him- collective delusion known as QAnon. I
Dr. Amin has performed surgery or self, testified recently in Judiciary don’t say that description lightly,
other gynecological treatment on at Committee: ‘‘Antifa is a real thing. It Madam Speaker, but we all must call it
least eight women detained at Irwin is not fiction.’’ In other words, antifa is what it is: a sick cult.
County Detention Center since 2017, in- not a myth as some on the other side We are not talking about a group of
cluding one hysterectomy. believe. According to the FBI and the people with just some differing polit-
As a member of the Homeland Secu- Department of Justice, antifa is in- ical views. Americans respect political
rity Committee and the co-chair of the volved in the rioting and looting across disagreement. But what we do not re-
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Bipartisan Women’s Caucus, I am very our Nation. spect and what this House should not
concerned about these accusations in So while I do wish that the majority tolerate are people using conspiracy
this situation. However, what happened would have included a resolution con- theories from the darkest corners of
in this body to due process? demning antifa in this rule for floor the internet to spread hate and lies.
The way the House is moving forward consideration today, I am glad Repub- QAnon isn’t some harmless distrac-
today on this resolution sets a very licans can put country first and agree tion. It is an extremist ideology that
dangerous precedent. For instance, in when a group poses a threat. exploits children and opens the door to
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H5128 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE October 1, 2020
real-life violence. That is what we are Irwin County Hospital and the staff at [From the Washington Post, Sept. 22, 2020]
talking about here: reality versus delu- the Irwin County Hospital. And one of HOSPITAL WHERE ACTIVISTS SAY ICE DETAIN-
sion; political discussion versus polit- the things that I would like to make EES WERE SUBJECTED TO HYSTERECTOMIES
ical violence. very clear is: While I was not invited to SAYS JUST TWO WERE PERFORMED THERE
Just ask the sponsor of this resolu- the event at the Irwin County Deten- (By Nick Miroff)
tion, Congressman MALINOWSKI. In an tion Center that my colleagues had— A hospital in rural Georgia where a physi-
interview that was published yester- even though it is in my district—I was cian has been accused of performing a large
day, he talked about the death threats on the telephone with people who were number of hysterectomies on immigrant de-
tainees said its records show that just two
and hundreds of hate-filled attacks there at the time, including our local
women in immigration custody have been re-
sent to him from QAnon supporters hospital administrator. I have been to ferred to the hospital for the procedure since
after introducing this bill. that facility, and one of the things I 2017.
He is not the only Member of Con- want everybody in this Congress to un- Heath Clark, an attorney for ERH
gress who has been targeted. Sadly, derstand is, surgical procedures are not Healthcare, which operates the Irwin County
there are candidates across the country done at the Irwin County Detention fa- Hospital, said both of the procedures were
running to serve in Congress who ped- cility. They are not. They are done at performed by Mahendra Amin, the physician
dle this trash. the Irwin County Hospital. whom activists have accused of carrying out
forced sterilizations on immigrant women in
It is sick; it is wrong; and it is dan- So when you talk about procedures U.S. Customs and Immigration Enforcement
gerous. being done at the Irwin County Deten- custody.
It is frustrating that the President tion facility, it is just false. They are According to a complaint filed last week
wouldn’t condemn QAnon. He says they done at the Irwin County Hospital. The by immigrant advocates and attorneys, a
like him. But, then again, I never detention facility is not set up to do former nurse who worked at the Irwin Coun-
thought I would see the day when a surgical procedures. ty Detention Center, Dawn Wooten, claimed
President of the United States would that a doctor known as ‘‘the uterus col-
So the question is: How do we get
tell a white supremacist group to stand lector’’ was subjecting female ICE detainees
here? to unwanted hysterectomies. The doctor was
down and stand by in a national de- Well, there was a whistleblower com- later identified in news reports as Amin.
bate. He didn’t use a dog whistle; he plaint filed by a group named Project Through attorneys, he has denied the accu-
used a blow horn. South on September 14, 2020. I have a sations, and calls to his office were not an-
Extreme views like these are dan- copy of the complaint. The complaint swered Tuesday.
gerous. focuses on COVID and the challenges Clark said hospital records show that
Are we really going to stand by and Wooten’s claims are ‘‘demonstrably false.’’
that the facility may or may not have ‘‘These allegations are disturbing and sen-
do nothing, Madam Speaker? had with COVID. And every facility in
That is not who we are as a nation. sational, but they are not supported by re-
the United States, including this Con- ality,’’ said Clark, speaking by phone from
All of us, especially my Republican col- gress, had challenges with personal Nashville. ‘‘Dr. Amin is a longtime member
leagues, must condemn QAnon or risk protective equipment and COVID, and of the Irwin County Hospital medical staff
being complicit in their dangerous hate how we were handling those issues. and has been in good standing for the en-
peddling. Now, in this complaint, which fo- tirety of his service to the Irwin County
So let’s make it crystal clear: This is cuses predominantly on COVID, they community.’’
a sick and a twisted ideology. The allegations of forced sterilizations re-
make an allegation of hysterectomies. ceived significant attention from lawmakers,
Mrs. LESKO. Madam Speaker, I yield And I read to you from one of the AP
myself such time as I may consume. news organizations and human rights groups
articles: ‘‘But a lawyer who helped last week. Attorneys who represent several
Madam Speaker, let’s be clear: I al- filed the complaint said she never women have come forward to say that their
ready said it, but we agree. We con- spoke to any women who had clients received gynecological treatments
demn QAnon, but we also ask the ma- hysterectomies. Priyanka Bhatt, staff from Amin that they did not agree to or
jority to condemn antifa. attorney at the advocacy group Project fully understand, including one former Irwin
Why is the majority condemning one South, told The Washington Post that detainee, Pauline Binam. Binam said that
group and not the other group? That is one of her fallopian tubes was removed with-
she included the hysterectomy allega- out consent.
the point. tions because she wanted to trigger an
But let me go on to what my col- Binam’s deportation to Cameroon was
investigation to determine if they were halted last week at the behest of Rep. Sheila
league, Representative SCANLON, said true.’’ Jackson Lee (D–Tex.).
on H. Res. 1153. This was said in the Amin has a private clinic near the deten-
And the investigation has been trig-
Rules Committee last night, too, that tion facility, but the hospital is the only
gered. And we all want the investiga-
all this resolution does is call for an in- place where such a procedure would be per-
tion to go forward, and we want the formed in small Irwin County, Clark said.
vestigation.
facts to come out. And nobody wants Amin does not have an ownership stake in
That is inaccurate. This resolution
the facts to come out more than those the hospital, contrary to some news reports,
goes beyond that. In fact, it says it
of us who live in that area. Nobody Clark said.
right here, and I said it last night. It
wants the facts to come out more than Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (D–N.J.), one
says: ‘‘Whereas these allegations indi- of the lawmakers who participated in a vir-
the doctor and the hospital and the
cate a failure by U.S. Immigration and tual hearing Monday to discuss the ICE re-
staff at that hospital and the people
Customs Enforcement.’’ port, called Wooten’s allegations of steriliza-
who work at the detention facility.
So, if all it did was call for an inves- tion procedures on ICE detainees ‘‘one of the
tigation, fine, but that is not what it Madam Speaker, I share with you a most inhumane things I have ever heard.’’
all does. It says: Whereas these allega- couple of quotes from some other AP Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D–Wash.) wrote a
tions indicate a failure by ICE. articles. This is from The Washington letter signed by 173 lawmakers demanding a
Madam Speaker, you saw in the com- Post: ‘‘The advocacy group that filed DHS inspector general investigation.
the complaint, Project South, did not ‘‘There may be at minimum 17 to 18 women
ments that Representative SCANLON who were subjected to unnecessary medical
gave that she was going after ICE. make the hysterectomy allegations the
focus of its September 14 complaint to gynecological procedures from just this one
That is what this is about. doctor, often without appropriate consent or
Madam Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to DHS, a complaint that alleged there is knowledge, and with the clear intention of
the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. AUS- poor medical care and novel sterilization,’’ Jayapal said.
TIN SCOTT).
coronavirus risks at the ICE facility.’’ In a subsequent interview, Jayapal ac-
The attorney at Project South who knowledged that she did not know the de-
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b 1200 was the lead investigator for the com- tails of each of those cases, but the number
Mr. AUSTIN SCOTT of Georgia. plaint said in an interview with The she cited referred to the clients of attorneys
Washington Post that she did not with whom she had spoken.
Madam Speaker, I thank my colleague
The advocacy group that filed the com-
for yielding, and I thank all of my col- speak to or identify any women who plaint, Project South, did not make the
leagues for their comments. had undergone a hysterectomy. hysterectomy allegations the focus of its
Madam Speaker, I would like to focus Madam Speaker, I include in the Sept. 14 complaint to DHS, a complaint that
my comments on the attacks on the RECORD the Washington Post article. alleged there is poor medical care and novel
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October 1, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H5129
coronavirus risks at the ICE facility. But it Ebrard at the time described such poten- been acknowledged by independent re-
was the allegations of forced sterilizations tial abuse as ‘‘unacceptable’’ and said that if views by ICH, ICDC, ICE, and even the
that triggered a firestorm. the procedures were confirmed, measures Associated Press.
‘‘The rate at which the hysterectomies would have to be taken, without giving de-
have occurred have been a red flag for Ms.
Independent peer review has con-
tails.
Wooten and other nurses at ICDC,’’ the firmed those cases were medically nec-
Mr. AUSTIN SCOTT of Georgia. essary.
Project South complaint said, without iden-
tifying other nurses.
Madam Speaker, now somewhere be- Irwin County Hospital is the closest
According to Project South, ‘‘Ms. Wooten tween September 14 and September 25, hospital facility to the Irwin County
explained: ‘We’ve questioned among our- H. Res. 1153 was drafted. And I think Detention Center.
selves like goodness he’s taking everybody’s that that date is extremely important The CEO of Irwin County Hospital
stuff out . . . . That’s his specialty, he’s the because the resolution was drafted be- was available to the Hispanic Caucus
uterus collector. I know that’s ugly . . . is he fore you even went to the ICE deten- during their visit to the detention cen-
collecting these things or something . . . . tion facility in Irwin County. It was
Everybody he sees, he’s taking all their ter. The warden made the Caucus
drafted before you even got on the site aware of her presence at the facility
uteruses out or he’s taken their tubes out.’ ’’
Priyanka Bhatt, the attorney at Project to see what was actually happening. and availability and no questions nor
South who was the lead investigator for the The hospital administrator was there interaction was made by the Caucus.
complaint, said in an interview with The at the facility on the 26th. And there You absolutely refused to even speak
Washington Post that she did not speak to or are a couple of things I want to point to the lady that runs the local hospital
identify any women who had undergone a out: because you don’t want the facts.
hysterectomy. Bhatt said she included the One, the hospital administrator is a Madam Speaker, I include in the
allegations to spark an investigation into lady. She is a good lady and she is a
their validity. RECORD this statement released by the
The legal director at Project South,
good hospital administrator. And the hospital.
Azadeh Shahshahani, said by email Tuesday: doctor is an immigrant. Irwin County Hospital is aware of various
‘‘We have already heard from multiple attor- Now, everyone who came to that fa- allegations of misconduct against individ-
neys representing numerous women who cility had the opportunity to meet uals being detained at the Irwin County De-
have suffered abuses reflected by Ms. with the hospital administrator, and tention Center.
Wooten’s whistleblowing disclosures. Some every single one of you refused the op- Irwin County Hospital is committed to the
of these women are considering speaking up safety and welfare of everyone in our care,
portunity to get the facts from the hos- including patients referred for care from the
because Ms. Wooten courageously stepped pital administrator.
forward. There has been a troubling pattern Irwin County Detention Center. From 2017 to
of misreporting on the health and welfare of
Never mind the facts. And you won- the present, two individuals in detention at
detained immigrants held inside ICE facili- der why people hate us up here. the Irwin County Detention Center were re-
ties, and we look forward to Congress, the Madam Speaker, I have a statement I ferred to Irwin County Hospital for
Inspector General, and all other relevant of- would read from the Irwin County Hos- hysterectomies. Mahendra Amin, MD per-
fices conducting a full investigation and ap- pital, who wants a complete and thor- formed these two procedures. Dr. Amin is a
plying immediate, necessary, corrective ac- ough investigation: ‘‘Irwin County Hos- long-time member of the Irwin County Hos-
tions.’’ pital medical staff and has been in good
pital is aware of various allegations of standing for the entirety of his service to the
ICE said its own records show that two fe- misconduct against individuals being
male detainees at Irwin have been referred Irwin County community.
for hysterectomies since 2018. Officials at
detained at the Irwin County Deten- Irwin County Hospital is and will continue
ICE said the agency would have records of tion Center. to cooperate with any and all regulatory in-
such procedures, which would require the ap- ‘‘Irwin County Hospital is committed vestigations related to healthcare care serv-
proval of a supervising medical officer at the to the safety and welfare of everyone in ices provided at Irwin County Hospital.
agency. ICE officials say they are cooper- our care, including patients referred Ms. SCANLON. Madam Speaker, I
ating with investigators. for care from the Irwin County Deten- yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from
Mr. AUSTIN SCOTT of Georgia. tion Center. From 2017 to the present, California (Mr. CORREA).
Madam Speaker, here is another arti- two individuals in detention at the Mr. CORREA. Madam Speaker, I
cle from Reuters: ‘‘Mexican Foreign Irwin County Detention Center were thank Ms. SCANLON for yielding, and I
Minister Marcelo Ebrard said on Thurs- referred to Irwin County Hospital for rise in support of H. Res. 1153.
day that the government has not yet hysterectomies.’’ First of all, let me say to my col-
found any proof of forced sterilization You have made accusations of mass league from Georgia, I was there on
of Mexican women being held at mi- sterilization. You should be embar- that trip and I was not aware that the
grant detention facilities in the United rassed by your conduct. hospital administrator was offering to
States.’’ You don’t want an investigation be- meet with us. I was meeting with the
Madam Speaker, I include in the cause you don’t want the facts. people that would want to meet with
RECORD this article. The SPEAKER pro tempore. The me and would want to talk to me. As a
[From Reuters, Sept. 24, 2020] time of the gentleman has expired. matter of fact, I had a lot of discus-
NO EVIDENCE OF STERILIZATION OF MIGRANT Mrs. LESKO. Madam Speaker, I yield sions with a lot of members of ICE
MEXICAN WOMEN, SAYS FOREIGN MINISTER an additional 1 minute to the gen- while I was there.
(By Reuters Staff) tleman from Georgia. As a member of the Committee on
MEXICO CITY (Reuters).—Mexican Foreign
Mr. AUSTIN SCOTT of Georgia. Homeland Security, I have visited a
Minister Marcelo Ebrard said on Thursday Madam Speaker, ‘‘From 2017 to the number of ICE detention centers, espe-
that the government has not yet found any present, two individuals in detention at cially in the State of California. But I
proof of forced sterilization of Mexican the Irwin County Detention Center must say nothing has prepared me or
women being held in migrant detention fa- were referred to Irwin County Hospital had prepared me for what I had found,
cilities in the United States. for hysterectomies. Mahendra Amin, what I saw and what I heard at the
The comments came after U.S. immigra- MD, performed these two procedures. Irwin Detention Center.
tion officials earlier this month said a fed- Dr. Amin is a long-time member of the This was the first time that I have
eral watchdog would investigate complaints
made by a whistleblower nurse in a Georgia
Irwin County Hospital medical staff heard individuals in ICE custody des-
immigration detention facility who alleged and has been in good standing for the perate to be let out—anywhere—to get
detainees had improperly received entirety of his service to the Irwin out. Women crying, asking not to be
hysterectomies and other gynecological pro- County community. left alone. They cried that we—please
cedures. ‘‘Irwin County Hospital is and will not forget us—don’t forget them.
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Ebrard told reporters that 20 of 24 female continue to cooperate with any and all And yet, their stories had one very
Mexican nationals being held at detention regulatory investigations related to common theme. When asking for med-
centers in the U.S. states of Georgia and
healthcare services provided at Irwin ical care, when asking for gyneco-
Texas had been interviewed and none of
them had been subjected to such procedures. County Hospital.’’ logical care, the care they received was
He added, however, that an investigation Dr. Amin has only performed two without their consent and they had no
was ongoing as more women still needed to hysterectomies in 3.5 years on detain- idea what was going on, what they
be interviewed. ees at Irwin County Hospital. This has were doing to them.
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H5130 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE October 1, 2020
The medical doctor that was deliv- they don’t like with ICE and the immi- dicting this hearsay: records showing
ering the healthcare—and I believe my gration process, which we have heard that only two detainees have had
colleague from Georgia mentioned his now in the Committee on the Judiciary hysterectomies since 2017. Let that
name—is a doctor that has allegedly for well over 2 years. Again, there are sink in: Only two since 2017.
been fined half a million dollars. He no actionable items that actually can How can they claim mass
and his medical practice paid half a fix them but a lot of talk. hysterectomies performed by the uter-
million dollars in fines. So let’s continue with this just amaz- us collector are true? The simple an-
So I would ask, why does the U.S. ing reason we are here on the floor. Be- swer is they are not.
Government, why would ICE, contract cause the majority has embraced this In fact, Project South’s attorneys
with a healthcare provider that has absurd and baseless accusation that and lead investigator admitted to The
been fined half a million dollars? employees and doctors at the Irwin Washington Post that she had not even
And if these women complained County Detention Facility in my State spoken to or identified a detainee
about their medical problems, they of Georgia are engaged in a con- claiming to have undergone a
were placed in what was called isola- spiracy—this is amazing—with local hysterectomy. The group providing
tion for observation. Many of them de- doctors to systematically sterilize ille- these claims has no evidence to back
scribed it as solitary confinement for gal aliens. them up, but nonetheless, we are here
days. Solitary confinement that caused They have proven to the American embracing them and continuing to per-
psychological pain. These women were people that no story is too outlandish petrate a falsehood. Sounds like a lit-
scared. They were traumatized, they to use in furtherance of their radical tle bit of another resolution that we
were scared to ask for further medical agenda. are dealing with here today.
treatment and they wanted to be sent It would be a completely different As the facts have come out to dis-
home. situation if we were standing here prove these absurd claims, did the
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The today to take action on substantiated Democrats acknowledge they were
time of the gentleman has expired. claims of mistreatment, but we are wrong? No. There has been no acknowl-
Ms. SCANLON. Madam Speaker, I not. edgment of their wrong. They conven-
yield an additional 30 seconds to the We are here today so that the major- iently shifted their argument to unin-
gentleman from California. ity can attempt to squeeze one last bit formed consent and expanded the alle-
Mr. CORREA. Madam Speaker, first, of value out of the false claims propa- gation to medical procedures generally
we had child separations. Now we have gated by Project South’s complaint and the lack of adequate translation
mistreatment of women. This has to about the Irwin County Detention Cen- services to strengthen their faulty ar-
stop. ter in Ocilla, Georgia. The left knows guments. But even those failed.
We need investigations. We need these complaints are not true, but they
According to the employees at the fa-
oversight. We need accountability. are hoping we will ignore the mountain
cility, the center has 24-hour access to
This is not going away. of evidence contradicting them—
interpreters for virtually every lan-
Madam Speaker, I thank my col- Madam Speaker, I have news for
guage, which they consistently utilize.
league, Ms. JAYAPAL, for bringing this them—we are not.
In fact, they even have several remote
resolution forward, and I ask all the If claims of mass hysterectomies
interpreters who specialize in relaying
Members of this body to support this were true, or even if they were substan-
medical terms and advice to non-
resolution. tiated by the smallest amount of evi-
Mrs. LESKO. Madam Speaker, yield English speakers.
dence, then there would be swift ac-
myself such time as I may consume. tion. But to the contrary—and to the Clearly, the majority does not care
Again, we are all for investigations. dismay of my Democrat colleagues— about the credibility of their witnesses
Two investigations are already going the claims of mass hysterectomies and their whistleblowers. They want
on; one by the office of Inspector Gen- were quickly proven false mere days the publicity. They want the political
eral; one by DHS. I wrote a letter, after the complaint was released. In aspect of this because we are coming to
along with Representative CHRIS fact, as Mr. SCOTT said, just days later, the real reason. As long as they
SMITH, to the DHS Secretary Chad Wolf both the hospital and the detention espouse these claims, it allows them to
last week, saying: Please investigate center confirmed only two such continue their attack on two places:
this, get back to us. hysterectomies were performed since The President and law enforcement. We
The problem that I have with this 2017. have seen this during the sham im-
resolution is that it also condemns Madam Speaker, that didn’t stop the peachment, and we are seeing it here
ICE, just based on allegations that whistleblower. That didn’t stop Project again today.
haven’t even been investigated. The South. That didn’t stop us from bring- The Democrats have already ex-
findings haven’t been done yet. So how ing this show to the floor of the House. pended a lot of time and effort trying
can you condemn an agency based on In fact, in the complaint Ms. Wooten to make the claim in this complaint
allegations that haven’t even been called the doctor at the center a uterus true by writing letters to DHS IG and
proven yet? That is the point. collector. Where does he go to get his traveling to Ocilla. In fact, just 2 days
That is what Mr. SCOTT was trying to reputation back from somebody who in after the release of Project South’s
say. There are opposing viewpoints. a group who makes basic claims? complaint, 173 Democrats wrote DHS
One side said this happened, another I need to remind Project South; they IG urging an investigation centering
said it didn’t. don’t have speech and debate privileges their call almost entirely on Ms.
So last night, in addition, in Rules like we do. They ought to be careful Wooten’s debunked claims of mass
Committee, I said: Why don’t we post- about who they are slandering and how hysterectomies.
pone this resolution until October 9? they are doing it. Madam Speaker, now that is a mass
Give it a week. Let’s go through com- Ms. Wooten said she has spoken out progression to something—173 on a de-
mittee and find out what is exactly about several inmates who have had bunked complaint that has already
going on. Let’s have DHS come in. But, hysterectomies. Even more sensa- been done. They have conveniently
no, they opposed that, too. tionalized, Ms. Wooten stated that: Ev- failed to update the DHS IG and the
Madam Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to erybody he sees has a hysterectomy— American public that their claims of a
the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. COL- just about everybody. This is what she eugenics conspiracy in south Georgia
LINS), my good friend. is saying about the doctor. have been proven false.
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Mr. COLLINS of Georgia. Madam Project South alleges that a detainee They have also conveniently failed to
Speaker, it is not a surprise why we are at the facility had talked to five dif- mention that, according to its website,
here. To the gentlewoman from Ari- ferent women detained between Octo- Project South is committed to ending
zona, it is not a surprise. They have ber and December 2019 who had the use of local police to enforce what
nothing else to put on the floor except hysterectomies done. But both the de- they characterize as the Federal Gov-
political statements a month before an tention facility and the local hospital ernment’s draconian and racist immi-
election and to further an agenda that have clear evidence directly contra- gration policies. Further, the group
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October 1, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H5131
boasts a goal of shutting down immi- train is on the tracks. We are putting woman from Pennsylvania for the time
gration centers and is a frequent user this up here for political purposes be- to speak as colead on this important
of the hashtag, #abolishICE. cause, frankly, Madam Speaker, the resolution, to establish a thorough in-
To set the record straight, Rep- majority has nothing else to put up, so vestigation. I know that we have col-
resentative AUSTIN SCOTT and I wrote a let’s get a last couple of days in to leagues across the aisle who want this
letter to the DHS IG to shed light on throw at our favorite targets: ICE and investigation, and I ask them to join us
the developments that followed Project this administration. And who cares today.
South’s complaint and the group’s who we hurt, a hospital, a community, Before having the privilege to serve
anti-law enforcement, anti-Trump and a doctor who simply was doing his in Congress, I was an adoption attorney
agenda. job. for 25 years. I sat with 300 birth moth-
b 1215 This is an investigation that needs to ers as they make the most profound,
happen, and the smear needs to stop private, and consequential decision of
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The their lifetime.
now.
time of the gentleman has expired. In America, the government should
Mrs. LESKO. Madam Speaker, I yield Ms. SCANLON. Madam Speaker, I
yield myself such time as I may con- not interfere in this most personal and
an additional 3 minutes to the gen- intimate decision. Any type of steri-
tleman from Georgia. sume.
Wow, that was hard to follow. Just to lization, without consent, is a shocking
Mr. COLLINS of Georgia. Madam and wrong interference.
Speaker, in the quest of their further take a couple pieces there.
There is no allegation here of mass I ask my colleagues: How many
radical agenda, the left has cast a shad- hysterectomies would be sufficient for
ow over an entire town in Georgia. hysterectomies. What there are allega-
tions of, which have been strengthened a resolution? Would a partial
This is more than just political fod- hysterectomy without consent, for
der here for this floor when the major- over the intervening 2 weeks, are alle-
gations that numerous women were those who hold themselves out to be
ity has nothing else to put on this floor pro-life? These are women who want to
and is wasting the American people’s subjected to inappropriate medical
care. And their medical records, as we have children. We can find common
time here. This goes back to dispar- ground.
aging a respected doctor in the commu- begin to receive them, are starting to
confirm that there were a variety of In America, the government should
nity, an Indian-American immigrant, not interfere, and that is why I and so
who provides free medical services to procedures that were committed upon
these people without their consent, in- many Members of this Congress were
low-income patients simply for polit- shocked and horrified, first, to read
ical gain. The doctor has been viciously cluding total and partial sterilization,
about the whistleblower complaint;
slandered by the left’s accusation that but a range of procedures.
You know, Madam Speaker and I then the expose in The New York
he carried out mass hysterectomies. Times, with even more detail; and, fi-
Frankly, he should sue these organi- both come from Pennsylvania. We have
nally, to speak with our colleagues, the
zations. seen this kind of corruption before in
codel that took the time to go to Irwin,
It is truly sad to see the lengths that our prison systems, where you have a
Georgia, over the weekend and to sit
the majority is willing to go to ad- private prison system that gets in-
and speak with the women who have
vance their own misguided policies, volved in providing care—in Pennsyl-
had unspeakable surgery on them with-
and they should apologize to the doctor vania, it was called the ‘‘kids for cash’’
out their consent or understanding.
and to the center. scandal, where public officials were This chilling report outlines invasive
It is clear to me that Project South being given kickbacks for interning gynecological procedures, ranging from
has ulterior motives, and it is dan- children. full abdominal hysterectomy to the re-
gerous that the majority is permitting Now, is that what is going on here? moval of ovaries and fallopian tubes.
the group’s complaint to serve as the The investigation may substantiate We will acknowledge, not every sur-
foundation of a resolution when so that or it may not, but there is a lot gery was a full hysterectomy, but that
many of the claims have already failed that needs to be dug into: the appro- should not keep us from helping these
under scrutiny, and the credibility of priateness of the medical care, whether women who have come forward detail-
the entire complaint is shattered by someone was profiting off what hap- ing the pain and the trauma that these
Project South’s anti-ICE motives. pened there, the humanity of what hap- procedures have inflicted with life-
Despite Democrats’ wishes, the pened to these women. All of that changing consequences.
American people deserve to know the needs to be looked into. These procedures, performed without
truth, and they deserve to see the mo- That is what the resolution is asking consent, in some cases result in the
tives behind the claim. An investiga- for, that this be investigated, because woman’s inability to ever have a child,
tion is always there; an investigation the allegations are so serious, and ev- to ever bear a life. We have removed
can start. But it is pretty amazing that erything we have seen so far has sup- that life choice without her consent.
the investigation—173 of my majority ported them. And women who want to bear a child
colleagues rushed to sign a letter with- Now, the IG is moving to investigate, should have that right.
out even knowing the facts, and espe- and Congress has started to inves- In America, the decision of whether
cially because it has salacious details tigate. While there was a general invi- to have a child rests squarely with
that they could get at ICE and to get tation to folks to attend the codel that women and is protected by the United
at a system that they don’t like, actu- went down there last week, nearly a States Constitution and 50 years of
ally protecting the American public, dozen of our colleagues did go. They precedent under the law; yet we find
enforcing our immigration laws. met with people down there. ourselves amidst a renewed national
Project South is an anti-law enforce- This is just a first step. There will be conversation about whether women can
ment organization that has a stated hearings. We will get to talk to the make healthcare decisions about their
mission of shutting down detention fa- professionals from the community. own bodies and whether they can have
cilities. They included patently false No one is saying that the investiga- the choice to bear a child.
claims in a complaint to the DHS IG. tion is complete, and no one is saying The SPEAKER pro tempore. The
Detention facilities like the Irwin that it is completely proven, but it is time of the gentlewoman has expired.
County Detention Center serve an im- absolutely something this body must Ms. SCANLON. Madam Speaker, I
portant purpose in upholding our Na- do: to act, to make sure that our gov- yield an additional 30 seconds to the
tion’s immigration laws, and efforts ernment agencies are not participating gentlewoman from New Hampshire
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like this one to disparage them and in a scheme that deprives people of (Ms. KUSTER).
shut them down by choosing to ignore their basic human rights. Ms. KUSTER of New Hampshire.
facts in favor of fiction is disgraceful, Madam Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to Madam Speaker, these are the most
not even meeting with the hospital ad- the gentlewoman from New Hampshire difficult and private decisions that
ministrator. (Ms. KUSTER). women will make, and the government
Again, what are we here for? This is Ms. KUSTER of New Hampshire. should never have a role in that deci-
shown to be exactly what it is. This Madam Speaker, I thank the gentle- sion.
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H5132 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE October 1, 2020
So make no mistake about it: Wom- ergy in favor of radical Green New Deal Mr. COHEN. Madam Speaker, I came
en’s reproductive health and well-being policies; here for the purpose of commending
is under attack in America, and wheth- Working to take away your private Representatives MALINOWSKI and
er that battleground may be a deten- doctors, taking away your private in- RIGGLEMAN for bringing the resolution
tion facility in Georgia or the highest surance; and condemning QAnon and its baseless,
court in the land, we must speak out, Killing 6 months of this body’s time racist theories. But having heard some
in unequivocal terms, to condemn ef- with partisan impeachment pro- of the remarks today, I have to tell
forts that take away a woman’s ability ceedings. you: Speaker PELOSI is standing up for
to make her own healthcare decisions, But this is a whole other level. American values and standing up for
including when and whether to bear a In June, the Heroes Act, $3 trillion in the least of us, while the Republicans
child. partisan hackery with no chance of are standing for the most of us.
Mrs. LESKO. Madam Speaker, I yield passage. The Republicans passed a $150 billion
myself such time as I may consume. But in June, I, along with freshman tax break for the richest Americans,
If we defeat the previous question, I Democrats, led by my friend DEAN people like Donald Trump who don’t
will offer an amendment to the rule to PHILLIPS, worked together and passed pay taxes. They get a 4-year backlog to
immediately consider Small Business the PPP Flexibility Act. We saved jobs. file losses in real estate deals to cut
Committee Ranking Member STEVE We now know that, according to the out their taxes.
CHABOT’s H.R. 8265, to reopen the Pay- S&P, 13.6 million jobs have been saved They won’t do anything for children
check Protection Program to Amer- nationally; in the district I represent, in a child tax credit, but they think
ica’s 30 million small businesses. 90,000 jobs, 18,500 businesses, $633 mil- that that policy of giving people, on
Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous lion. average, a $1.6 million tax benefit to
consent to insert the text of my But small businesses are still strug- the richest 1 percent is good values.
amendment in the RECORD, along with gling. Forty-seven percent of PPP bor- That is not good values. That is bad
extraneous material, immediately rowers say they need additional sup- values.
prior to the vote on the previous ques- port to survive. That is not good values; that is bad
tion. Right now, we have a bipartisan values. And the Republicans ought to
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there piece of legislation specifically de- object to that because it is making
objection to the request of the gentle- signed and ready to help small busi- them the party of greed and tax
woman from Arizona? nesses, but we are not debating or vot- weaselers and the bad people in Amer-
There was no objection. ing on it. Instead, the Speaker chooses ica and not caring about the least of
Mrs. LESKO. This amendment would what? Political messaging resolutions these.
ensure our Nation’s smallest and most that won’t do a darn thing. b 1230
vulnerable firms get the support they Worse yet, the Speaker is again pur-
posely choosing legislation that is de- Mrs. LESKO. Madam Speaker, I yield
need by allowing an opportunity for a
signed to fail: a tax cut that will go ex- to the gentleman from Texas (Mr.
second PPP loan with specific funds set
clusively to the wealthy; banking for CLOUD) for the purpose of a unanimous
aside for small businesses with 10 or
marijuana businesses; PPP loans to consent request.
fewer employees, expand the list of eli- Mr. CLOUD. Madam Speaker, I ask
gible covered expenses, simplify the Planned Parenthood; billions to bail
out State and local governments; envi- unanimous consent to call up H.R. 8265
loan forgiveness process, and extend to extend the Paycheck Protection
PPP through the end of 2020. ronmental justice grants; weed diver-
sity studies; soil health studies; stim- Program to help small businesses and
Madam Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to
ulus checks for illegal immigrants; the families they represent.
the gentleman from Texas (Mr. ROY). The SPEAKER pro tempore. The
Mr. ROY. Madam Speaker, to this bailouts for Amtrak; and bailouts for
Chair would advise that all time has
body, I say enough, enough of the the National Endowment for the Arts.
been yielded for the purpose of debate
swamp games. And the kicker? Refusing to call out
only.
The House needn’t wait for the pow- antifa. Does the gentlewoman from Pennsyl-
ers that be to meet in a dark room and And the one thing cut from the first vania yield for the purpose of this
come out and tell us what so-called Heroes Act? Law enforcement funding: unanimous consent request?
deal has been cut, whether it is the $300 million for COPS grants, $300 mil- Ms. SCANLON. No, Madam Speaker.
Speaker, the Treasury Secretary, or lion for State and local law enforce- I do not yield for that purpose, and I
anybody else. And I shouldn’t have to ment officers. have no intention of doing so during
learn what is in the bill from K Street Why won’t the Speaker—why won’t this debate.
on Twitter. Democrats—stand with our law en- The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gen-
Nor should the House take up a par- forcement? Why won’t they stand for tlewoman from Pennsylvania does not
tisan $2 trillion bill with no chance of small businesses instead of playing yield; therefore, the unanimous con-
becoming law, and you know exactly games on the floor of this House, the sent request cannot be entertained.
that is what it is. people’s House? It is an absolute Mrs. LESKO. Madam Speaker, I yield
This is the people’s House. We should abomination. to the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr.
act like it. We should debate. We I urge my colleagues to reject the STAUBER) for the purpose of a unani-
should vote. We should actually do our ways of the swamp. Let’s unite to- mous consent request.
job and amend. gether and vote ‘‘no’’ on the previous Mr. STAUBER. Madam Speaker, I
To my House Democratic freshman question and work to help small busi- ask unanimous consent to call up H.R.
colleagues: Your Speaker is playing po- nesses right now. 8265 to extend the Paycheck Protection
litical games with people’s lives. Ms. SCANLON. Madam Speaker, of Program to keep millions of employees
We are used to it. We are used to the course, I look forward to joining my on the payroll of America’s small busi-
Speaker playing games: colleagues in passing another round of nesses.
With immigrant’s lives, shouting: coronavirus relief, as we did unani- The SPEAKER pro tempore. The
kids in cages, for Obama policies rath- mously or near unanimously the first Chair understands that the gentle-
er than supporting security; four times, because we know our com- woman from Pennsylvania has not
Refusing to call out antifa, or refus- munities, our colleges, our schools, our yielded for that purpose; therefore, the
ing to come to this floor and have this State and local governments, our law unanimous consent request cannot be
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body stand with our law enforcement enforcement officers, our healthcare entertained.
officers—not once; systems all need that relief that has Mrs. LESKO. Madam Speaker, I yield
Supporting Iran over Israel; been held up by the Senate and the to the gentlewoman from Indiana (Mrs.
Refusing to stand against the exter- White House since May. WALORSKI) for the purpose of a unani-
mination of babies born alive; Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to mous consent request.
Seeking to destroy American oil and the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Mrs. WALORSKI. Madam Speaker, I
gas and energy freedom and cheap en- COHEN). ask unanimous consent to call up H.R.
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October 1, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H5133
8265 to extend the Paycheck Protection woman from Pennsylvania has not The SPEAKER pro tempore. The
Program to keep millions of employees yielded for that purpose; therefore, the Chair understands that the gentle-
on the payroll of America’s small busi- unanimous consent request cannot be woman from Pennsylvania has not
nesses. entertained. yielded for that purpose; therefore, the
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Mrs. LESKO. Madam Speaker, I yield unanimous consent request cannot be
Chair understands that the gentle- to the gentleman from Oklahoma (Mr. entertained.
woman from Pennsylvania has not KEVIN HERN) for the purpose of a unani- Mrs. LESKO. Madam Speaker, I yield
yielded for that purpose; therefore, the mous consent request. to the gentleman from Texas (Mr.
unanimous consent request cannot be Mr. KEVIN HERN of Oklahoma. BABIN) for the purpose of a unanimous
entertained. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous con- consent request.
Mrs. LESKO. Madam Speaker, I yield sent to call up H.R. 8265 to extend the Mr. BABIN. Madam Speaker, I ask
to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. ROY) Paycheck Protection Program to keep unanimous consent to call up H.R. 8265
for the purpose of a unanimous consent millions of employees on the payroll of to extend the Paycheck Protection
request. America’s small businesses. Program to keep millions of employees
Mr. ROY. Madam Speaker, I ask The SPEAKER pro tempore. The on the payroll of America’s small busi-
unanimous consent to call up H.R. 8265 Chair understands that the gentle- nesses.
to extend the Paycheck Protection woman from Pennsylvania has not The SPEAKER pro tempore. The
Program to keep millions of employees yielded for that purpose; therefore, the Chair understands that the gentle-
on the payroll of America’s small busi- unanimous consent request cannot be woman from Pennsylvania has not
nesses and continue the benefits that entertained. yielded for that purpose; therefore, the
we have done through bipartisan work Mrs. LESKO. Madam Speaker, I yield unanimous consent request cannot be
previously. to the gentleman from South Carolina entertained.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The (Mr. NORMAN) for the purpose of a Mrs. LESKO. Madam Speaker, I yield
Chair understands that the gentle- unanimous consent request. to the gentleman from North Carolina
woman from Pennsylvania has not Mr. NORMAN. Madam Speaker, I ask (Mr. WALKER) for the purpose of a
yielded for that purpose; therefore, the unanimous consent to call up H.R. 8265 unanimous consent request.
unanimous consent request cannot be to extend the Paycheck Protection Mr. WALKER. Madam Speaker, I ask
entertained. Program to keep millions of employees unanimous consent to call up H.R. 8265
The Chair would advise Members
on the payroll of America’s small busi- to extend the Paycheck Protection
that even though a unanimous consent
nesses. Program to keep millions of employees
request is not entertained, embellish-
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The on the payroll of America’s small busi-
ments accompanying such request con-
Chair understands that the gentle- nesses.
stitute debate and will become an im-
woman from Pennsylvania has not The SPEAKER pro tempore. The
position on the time of the Member
yielded for that purpose; therefore, the Chair understands that the gentle-
who yielded for that purpose.
unanimous consent request cannot be woman from Pennsylvania has not
Mrs. LESKO. Madam Speaker, I yield
entertained. yielded for that purpose; therefore, the
to the gentleman from Pennsylvania
Mrs. LESKO. Madam Speaker, I yield unanimous consent request cannot be
(Mr. SMUCKER) for the purpose of a
to the gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. entertained.
unanimous consent request.
Mr. SMUCKER. Madam Speaker, I JOHNSON) for the purpose of a unani- Mrs. LESKO. Madam Speaker, I yield
ask unanimous consent to call up H.R. mous consent request. to the gentleman from Indiana (Mr.
8265 to extend the Paycheck Protection Mr. JOHNSON of Louisiana. Madam BAIRD) for the purpose of a unanimous
Program to keep millions of employees Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to consent request.
on the payrolls of America’s small call up H.R. 8265 to extend the Pay- Mr. BAIRD. Madam Speaker, I ask
businesses. check Protection Program to keep mil- unanimous consent to call up H.R. 8265
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The lions of employees on the payroll of to extend the Paycheck Protection
Chair understands that the gentle- America’s small businesses. Program to keep millions of employees
woman from Pennsylvania has not The SPEAKER pro tempore. The on the payroll of America’s small busi-
yielded for that purpose; therefore, the Chair understands that the gentle- nesses.
unanimous consent request cannot be woman from Pennsylvania has not The SPEAKER pro tempore. The
entertained. yielded for that purpose; therefore, the Chair understands that the gentle-
Mrs. LESKO. Madam Speaker, I yield unanimous consent request cannot be woman from Pennsylvania has not
to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. entertained. yielded for that purpose; therefore, the
AUSTIN SCOTT) for the purpose of a Mrs. LESKO. Madam Speaker, I yield unanimous consent request cannot be
unanimous consent request. to the gentleman from Arkansas (Mr. entertained.
Mr. AUSTIN SCOTT of Georgia. HILL) for the purpose of a unanimous Mrs. LESKO. Madam Speaker, I yield
Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous con- consent request. to the gentleman from Kansas (Mr.
sent to call up H.R. 8265 to extend the Mr. HILL of Arkansas. Madam WATKINS) for the purpose of a unani-
Paycheck Protection Program to keep Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to mous consent request.
millions of employees on the payrolls call up H.R. 8265 to extend the Pay- Mr. WATKINS. Madam Speaker, I
of America’s small businesses. check Protection Program to keep mil- ask unanimous consent to call up H.R.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The lions of employees on the payroll of 8265 to extend the Paycheck Protection
Chair understands that the gentle- America’s small businesses. Program to keep millions of employees
woman from Pennsylvania has not The SPEAKER pro tempore. The on the payroll of America’s small busi-
yielded for that purpose; therefore, the Chair understands that the gentle- nesses.
unanimous consent request cannot be woman from Pennsylvania has not The SPEAKER pro tempore. The
entertained. yielded for that purpose; therefore, the Chair understands that the gentle-
Mrs. LESKO. Madam Speaker, I yield unanimous consent request cannot be woman from Pennsylvania has not
to the gentleman from Washington entertained. yielded for that purpose; therefore, the
(Mr. NEWHOUSE) for the purpose of a Mrs. LESKO. Madam Speaker, I yield unanimous consent request cannot be
unanimous consent request. to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. entertained.
Mr. NEWHOUSE. Madam Speaker, I CARTER) for the purpose of a unani- Mrs. LESKO. Madam Speaker, I yield
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ask unanimous consent to call up H.R. mous consent request. to the gentleman from Arkansas (Mr.
8265 to extend the Paycheck Protection Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Madam CRAWFORD) for the purpose of a unani-
Program to keep millions of employees Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to mous consent request.
on payrolls of America’s small busi- call up H.R. 8265 to extend the Pay- Mr. CRAWFORD. Madam Speaker, I
nesses. check Protection Program to keep mil- ask unanimous consent to call up H.R.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The lions of employees on the payroll of 8265 to extend the Paycheck Protection
Chair understands that the gentle- America’s small businesses. Program to keep millions of employees
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H5134 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE October 1, 2020
on the payroll of America’s small busi- call up H.R. 8265 to extend the Pay- is supposed to be an OB/GYN, and you
nesses. check Protection Program to keep mil- are carted off like cattle in a bus with
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The lions of employees on the payroll of one diagnosis: Oh, you need a fallopian
Chair understands that the gentle- America’s small businesses. tube removed.
woman from Pennsylvania has not The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Let my friends on the other side of
yielded for that purpose; therefore, the Chair understands that the gentle- the aisle be reminded that they have
unanimous consent request cannot be woman from Pennsylvania has not been throwing the word ‘‘uterus’’ and
entertained. yielded for that purpose; therefore, the other words around the floor of the
Mrs. LESKO. Madam Speaker, I yield unanimous consent request cannot be House.
to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. entertained. The SPEAKER pro tempore. The
KELLER) for the purpose of a unani- Mrs. LESKO. Madam Speaker, I yield time of the gentlewoman has expired.
mous consent request. to the gentleman from Iowa (Mr. KING) Ms. SCANLON. Madam Speaker, I
Mr. KELLY of Pennsylvania. Madam for the purpose of a unanimous consent yield the gentlewoman from Texas an
Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to request. additional 30 seconds.
call up H.R. 8265 to extend the Pay- Mr. KING of Iowa. Madam Speaker, I Ms. JACKSON LEE. Madam Speaker,
check Protection Program to keep mil- ask unanimous consent to call up H.R. this is not a condemnation of ICE.
lions of employees on the payroll of 8265 to extend the Paycheck Protection Read the language. It just says that
America’s small businesses. Program to keep millions of employees they should engage in more vigorous
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The on the payroll of America’s small busi- oversight, and they are doing that with
Chair understands that the gentle- nesses and keep our businesses open an inspector general’s investigation.
woman from Pennsylvania has not and functioning. Look at this. This is from one of the
yielded for that purpose; therefore, the The SPEAKER pro tempore. The women:
unanimous consent request cannot be Chair understands that the gentle- Liberty, we are daughters and we are
entertained. woman from Pennsylvania has not mothers, but you are stopping us from
Mrs. LESKO. Madam Speaker, I yield yielded for that purpose; therefore, the doing that.
to the gentleman from California (Mr. And H. Res. 1154 that I join in sup-
unanimous consent request cannot be
LAMALFA) for the purpose of a unani- porting, as well, condemning QAnon,
entertained.
mous consent request. talks about a better America, that we
Mrs. LESKO. Madam Speaker, I re-
Mr. LAMALFA. Madam Speaker, I are not the way it is described in this
serve the balance of my time.
ask unanimous consent to call up H.R. resolution.
Ms. SCANLON. Madam Speaker, I
8265 to extend the Paycheck Protection I ask my colleagues to support this
yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman
Program to keep millions of employees rule and the underlying bills because
from Texas (Ms. JACKSON LEE).
on the payroll of America’s small busi- we are daughters and we are mothers,
Ms. JACKSON LEE. Madam Speaker,
nesses. and what is going on there is an atro-
let me thank the gentlewoman from
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The cious condition that should not exist.
Pennsylvania and thank my colleagues I ask my colleagues to join me, and I
Chair understands that the gentle- for this vigorous discussion and the thank my good friend from Pennsyl-
woman from Pennsylvania has not unanimous consent. vania for yielding.
yielded for that purpose; therefore, the I want to give them comfort. Tomor- Mrs. LESKO. Madam Speaker, I yield
unanimous consent request cannot be row, we will be able to vote on the He- to the gentleman from Ohio (Mr.
entertained. roes bill that we ask each and every CHABOT) for the purpose of a unani-
Mrs. LESKO. Madam Speaker, I yield one of them to support to provide mon- mous consent request.
to the gentleman from California (Mr. eys not only for small businesses but Mr. CHABOT. Madam Speaker, I ask
GARCIA) for the purpose of a unanimous nonprofits and faith institutions be- unanimous consent to call up H.R. 8265
consent request. cause we believe in the American peo- to extend the Paycheck Protection
Mr. GARCIA of California. Madam ple, and we are going to keep them Program bill that I introduced to keep
Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to working. millions of employees on the payroll of
call up H.R. 8265 to extend the Pay- I look forward to them joining this America’s small businesses.
check Protection Program to keep mil- bipartisan effort, supporting the He- The SPEAKER pro tempore. The
lions of employees on the payroll of roes bill that we have offered under the Chair would advise that all time has
America’s small businesses. leadership of Speaker PELOSI. been yielded for the purpose of debate
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The
Chair understands that the gentle- b 1245 only.
Does the gentlewoman from Pennsyl-
woman from Pennsylvania has not I rise today to support both H. Res. vania yield for the purpose of this
yielded for that purpose; therefore, the 1153 and H. Res. 1154. unanimous consent request?
unanimous consent request cannot be I traveled to Irwin County this past Ms. SCANLON. Madam Speaker, I do
entertained. weekend, but my exposure to this trag- not yield.
Mrs. LESKO. Madam Speaker, I yield edy was not just that day; just last The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gen-
to the gentleman from California (Mr. week, with butterflies in my stomach, tlewoman from Pennsylvania does not
CALVERT) for the purpose of a unani- if you will, and concern for a young yield; therefore, the unanimous con-
mous consent request. woman, 29 years old, about to enter sent request cannot be entertained.
Mr. CALVERT. Madam Speaker, I onto a plane that she obviously was di- Mrs. LESKO. Madam Speaker, I yield
ask unanimous consent to call up H.R. rected to go to a place that she had to the gentleman from Florida (Mr.
8265 to extend the Paycheck Protection never been, or had not been since she BILIRAKIS) for the purpose of a unani-
Program to keep millions of employees was 2 years old, a young woman from mous consent request.
on the payroll of America’s small busi- Cameroon who did have, who admits Mr. BILIRAKIS. Madam Speaker, I
nesses. that her fallopian tube was removed ask unanimous consent to call up H.R.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The without her consent. 8265 to extend the Paycheck Protection
Chair understands that the gentle- So people of color are not unused to Program to keep millions of employees
woman from Pennsylvania has not having medical procedures without our on the payroll for America’s small
yielded for that purpose; therefore, the consent. Women are not unused to and businesses.
unanimous consent request cannot be unfamiliar with having medical proce- The SPEAKER pro tempore. The
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entertained. dures without their consent. Chair understands that the gentle-
Mrs. LESKO. Madam Speaker, I yield Think about these women, speaking woman from Pennsylvania has not
to the gentleman from Pennsylvania mostly a different language, detained yielded for that purpose; therefore, the
(Mr. KELLY) for the purpose of a unani- for civil matters, and that is, not being unanimous consent request cannot be
mous consent request. statused. Young women, women intimi- entertained.
Mr. KELLY of Pennsylvania. Madam dated in the midst of COVID–19 in a fa- Mrs. LESKO. Madam Speaker, I yield
Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to cility where there is one physician who to the gentleman from Ohio (Mr.
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October 1, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H5135
BALDERSON) for the purpose of a unani- Mrs. LESKO. Madam Speaker, I yield unanimous consent request cannot be
mous consent request. to the gentleman from Alabama (Mr. entertained.
Mr. BALDERSON. Madam Speaker, I PALMER) for the purpose of a unani- Mrs. LESKO. Madam Speaker, I yield
ask unanimous consent to call up H.R. mous consent request. myself the balance of my time.
8265 to extend the Paycheck Protection Mr. PALMER. Madam Speaker, I ask Madam Speaker, in closing, we need
Program to keep millions of employees unanimous consent to call up H.R. 8265 to help the American people. The
on the payroll of America’s small busi- to extend the Paycheck Protection House should be considering a bipar-
nesses. Program to keep millions of employees tisan COVID–19 relief package right
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The on the payroll of America’s small busi- now, not binding resolutions that sim-
Chair understands that the gentle- nesses. ply have the purpose of making polit-
woman from Pennsylvania has not The SPEAKER pro tempore. The ical points.
yielded for that purpose; therefore, the Chair understands that the gentle- Our constituents need us, so let’s get
unanimous consent request cannot be woman from Pennsylvania has not to work on a bipartisan package that
entertained. yielded for that purpose; therefore, the could actually be signed into law be-
Mrs. LESKO. Madam Speaker, I yield unanimous consent request cannot be cause, let’s face it, anything else is
to the gentleman from Pennsylvania entertained. worthless to the American people.
(Mr. JOYCE) for the purpose of a unani- Mrs. LESKO. Madam Speaker, I yield Madam Speaker, I urge ‘‘no’’ on the
mous consent request. to the gentleman from Kansas (Mr. previous question, ‘‘no’’ on the under-
Mr. JOYCE of Pennsylvania. Madam MARSHALL) for the purpose of a unani- lying measure, and I yield back the
Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to mous consent request. balance of my time.
call up H.R. 8265 to extend the Pay- Mr. MARSHALL. Madam Speaker, I Ms. SCANLON. Madam Speaker, I
check Protection Program to keep mil- ask unanimous consent to call up H.R. yield myself the balance of my time.
lions of employees on the payroll of 8265 to extend the Paycheck Protection We are in trying times. We have an
America’s small businesses. Program to keep millions of employees erratic administration that operates
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The on the payroll of America’s small busi- with the primary, if not exclusive, goal
Chair understands that the gentle- nesses. of winning reelection at any cost and a
woman from Pennsylvania has not The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Republican Party willing to do any-
yielded for that purpose; therefore, the Chair understands that the gentle- thing necessary to aid in that goal.
unanimous consent request cannot be woman from Pennsylvania has not We are in the midst of a global pan-
entertained. yielded for that purpose; therefore, the demic that has already upended vir-
Mrs. LESKO. Madam Speaker, I yield unanimous consent request cannot be tually every facet of our lives. Millions
to the gentleman from Colorado (Mr. entertained. of people are unemployed or facing un-
TIPTON) for the purpose of a unanimous Mrs. LESKO. Madam Speaker, I yield employment, and over 207,000 of our
consent request. to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. friends and neighbors have died.
Mr. TIPTON. Madam Speaker, I ask OLSON) for the purpose of a unanimous Many of my constituents are facing
unanimous consent to call up H.R. 8265 consent request. eviction or are struggling to find food
to extend the Paycheck Protection Mr. OLSON. Madam Speaker, I ask for their families.
Program to be able to keep millions of unanimous consent to call up H.R. 8265 The fact that much of this suffering
employees on the payroll of America’s to extend the Paycheck Protection could be alleviated if not for the apa-
small businesses. Program to keep millions of employees thy of Senate Republicans is tough to
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The on the payroll of America’s small busi- reckon with, but the American people
Chair understands that the gentle- nesses. know who is on their side.
woman from Pennsylvania has not The SPEAKER pro tempore. The This Congress has passed more than
yielded for that purpose; therefore, the Chair understands that the gentle- 600 bills, and a quarter of them have
unanimous consent request cannot be woman from Pennsylvania has not become law. Over 350 bipartisan bills
entertained. yielded for that purpose; therefore, the lie untouched on MITCH MCCONNELL’s
Mrs. LESKO. Madam Speaker, I yield unanimous consent request cannot be desk while he focuses all of his energy
to the gentleman from North Carolina entertained. on confirming as many rightwing
(Mr. BISHOP) for the purpose of a unani- Mrs. LESKO. Madam Speaker, I yield judges as he can.
mous consent request. to the gentlewoman from North Caro- We stand ready to negotiate, and we
Mr. BISHOP of North Carolina. lina (Ms. FOXX) for the purpose of a will pass a COVID relief bill every day
Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous con- unanimous consent request. and twice on Sundays if that is what
sent to call up H.R. 8265 to extend the Ms. FOXX of North Carolina. Madam we have to do to get MITCH MCCON-
Paycheck Protection Program to keep Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to NELL’s attention. And we will do it
millions of employees on the payroll of call up H.R. 8265 to extend the Pay- while passing other legislation that is
America’s small businesses. check Protection Program to keep mil- for the benefit of all the American peo-
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The lions of employees on the payroll of ple—not just a select few, not just for
Chair understands that the gentle- America’s small businesses. those who dodge taxes—because that is
woman from Pennsylvania has not The SPEAKER pro tempore. The what governing is, and that is what we
yielded for that purpose; therefore, the Chair understands that the gentle- will continue to do.
unanimous consent request cannot be woman from Pennsylvania has not We have a duty to provide an equal
entertained. yielded for that purpose; therefore, the opportunity for all Americans to live,
Mrs. LESKO. Madam Speaker, I yield unanimous consent request cannot be work, and thrive in this country, and
to the gentleman from Pennsylvania entertained. that is a responsibility the administra-
(Mr. MEUSER) for the purpose of a Mrs. LESKO. Madam Speaker, I yield tion and Senate majority leader have
unanimous consent request. to the gentleman from North Carolina abdicated.
Mr. MEUSER. Madam Speaker, I ask (Mr. BUDD) for the purpose of a unani- So for all of the criticism lobbed
unanimous consent to call up H.R. 8265 mous consent request. from the other side of the aisle for tak-
to extend the Paycheck Protection Mr. BUDD. Madam Speaker, I ask ing up important resolutions like the
Program to millions of employees on unanimous consent to call up H.R. 8265 ones we do today while a COVID pack-
the payroll of America’s small busi- to extend the Paycheck Protection age still hasn’t been signed into law,
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nesses. Program to keep millions of employees your words are misplaced and you
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The on the payroll of America’s small busi- know exactly who to blame.
Chair understands that the gentle- nesses. We were elected to govern, and that
woman from Pennsylvania has not The SPEAKER pro tempore. The is exactly what we are going to do. You
yielded for that purpose; therefore, the Chair understands that the gentle- are more than welcome to join us, but
unanimous consent request cannot be woman from Pennsylvania has not we are not going to let you stand in our
entertained. yielded for that purpose; therefore, the way while we move to protect human
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H5136 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE October 1, 2020
rights and advance the best interests of gress, and if someone were to ask me, national media assault on you, and
the American people. well, what was your favorite session of they are going to attack you with ev-
Madam Speaker, I urge all of my col- Congress, I don’t have to worry about erything. They will throw everything
leagues to support the rule and under- the 116th being on that list. at you. He didn’t say but the kitchen
lying legislation. b 1300 sink, but I got the message.
The text of the material previously And when he first brought that up,
referred to by Mrs. LESKO is as follows: But I rise to focus on a specific cir- Madam Speaker, I passed it off, be-
AMENDMENT TO HOUSE RESOLUTION 1164
cumstance here, and that is a misquote cause I didn’t take it seriously. Noth-
of me that was driven into just a na- ing like that had ever happened before
At the end of the resolution, add the fol-
lowing: tional feeding frenzy. It was validated in the history of this country that I
SEC. 3. Immediately upon adoption of this by this Congress, this misquote. knew.
resolution, the House shall proceed to the And when I stood on the floor of this And he brought it up a second time,
consideration in the House of the bill (H.R. Congress and made a statement to de- and I passed it off again, because I
8265) to amend the Small Business Act and scribe what likely happened in an didn’t take it seriously. But the third
the CARES Act to establish a program for interview with The New York Times time, he got my attention.
second draw loans and make other modifica- that took place in early January of And the third time he brought it up,
tions to the paycheck protection program, 2019, I made the point on what that
and for other purposes. All points of order he said: They are going to make an-
against consideration of the bill are waived.
statement was, and the statement was other run at you.
The bill shall be considered as read. All regarding white nationalists, white su- This was the day before Thanks-
points of order against provisions in the bill premacists. There always was a pause giving of 2018, by the way. He said:
are waived. The previous question shall be between those two odious ideologies They are going to make another run at
considered as ordered on the bill and on any and the term ‘‘western civilization.’’ you, and they believe that they were—
amendment thereto to final passage without I advised Congress that there would this meaning Democrats, yes, but also
intervening motion except: (1) one hour of be a distinct pause to demonstrate a Republicans, establishment, the swamp
debate equally divided and controlled by the new thought started rather than jam-
chair and ranking minority member of the
creatures, the elitists, those folks, and
Committee on Small Business; and (2) one
ming those three ideologies together. also the media. They are going to make
motion to recommit. Who would compare white nation- another run, because they believe that
SEC. 4. Clause 1(c) of rule XIX shall not alism and white supremacy, those odi- the midterm elections of 2018 were a bit
apply to the consideration of H.R. 8265. ous ideologies, who would compare distracting, they had other races to be
Ms. SCANLON. Madam Speaker, I them to western civilization, the very concerned about, and so, therefore,
yield back the balance of my time, and foundation of American civilization, they couldn’t bring all their guns to
I move the previous question on the the foundation of the First World, and bear on this Member of Congress from
resolution. here, America, the flagship of western the Fourth District of Iowa.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The civilization today? There is no com- So he did have my attention by then.
question is on ordering the previous parison and should never be equated And as much as it didn’t seem plau-
question. between the two. sible, his advice to me was this: They
The question was taken; and the Yet, I didn’t tie that thought to- have a messenger that they will send
Speaker pro tempore announced that gether, but the stenographers did. to the President, a messenger whom
the ayes appeared to have it. And I am not here to be a critic, be- the President trusts and who has his
Mrs. LESKO. Madam Speaker, on cause they have done terrific work for ear, who is going to be directed to con-
that I demand the yeas and nays. me over the years, and their skill set, vince the President to send out a nega-
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- and their professionalism are second to tive tweet on Congressman KING, and
ant to section 3 of House Resolution none. They are the best in the world, as that negative tweet will be the trigger
965, the yeas and nays are ordered. far as I am concerned, but if they can that launches another media assault,
Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, fur- make a mistake, so can The New York all the broadsides that they can get on
ther proceedings on this question are Times, which is my point. this Member of Congress. And he used
postponed. So in this narrative, Madam Speaker, these words: And they believe they can
f I will take you back a little way. And force you to resign.
I want the Congress to know what all Now, that is a hard concept to get
QUESTION OF PERSONAL has transpired here that brought us to into your head when nothing like that
PRIVILEGE the point of the feeding frenzy and the had ever happened before and there was
Mr. KING of Iowa. Madam Speaker, I political lynch mob that was here that no substance for that to be based upon,
rise to raise a question of personal day on about January 12 or so, or Janu- but he did convince me.
privilege. ary 13, and it was this: that during my So I set about preempting this, at his
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The election in the year 2018, November of advice, and I did, to the extent I could,
Chair has been made aware of a valid 2018, there was a national media focus preempted it at the White House. And
basis for the gentleman’s point of per- on attacking me. That happens in I think history proves that that has
sonal privilege. other races, but I don’t know that it been successful. President Trump has
The gentleman from Iowa is recog- ever happened as intensively as it did not taken a shot at me, even though
nized for 1 hour. in my race. there were many others who couldn’t
Mr. KING of Iowa. Madam Speaker, I In any case, we came through that resist the press’s temptation to take a
appreciate being recognized here on the with a 3.4 percent victory, and I cheap shot, but the President did not.
floor of the United States House of thought that was the end of it. I ex- So I take it that the effort to preempt
Representatives, and throughout the pected that I would come back. You it at the White House was at least par-
years I have had the privilege to serve know, even your political opposition tially successful.
Iowans and Americans here. This is a needs a rest from time to time, and so Yet, I couldn’t get a meeting with
great deliberative body, although after the election is when they take a the messenger until January 8, 2019. So
sometimes we miss the facts. deep breath, retool, and get ready for on January 8, I had that meeting with
And I know that there is a phrase the legislative session. the person that was at least named as
that I heard back in a political era, But I sat down with a political opera- the potential messenger, and in that
which is, whenever you lose a vote, you tive, who was one of the top political conversation, I was assured: I would
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can sometimes use this analysis: campaign managers at the presidential never do that to you, STEVE. Be as-
Nor is the people’s judgment always level in the Nation, and a successful sured that that won’t happen.
true: the most can err as grossly as the one at that. He came in to give me a Well, I was fairly confident that
few. little bit of his advice, and as I am lis- those words were honest, and actually
And that has happened a number of tening to that, he said: They are going felt pretty happy about it when I
times in my 18 years that I have served to try again. They are going to try walked out of that meeting. But I also
in this Congress. This is the 116th Con- again to drive you out of office with a suspected that the people that were
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