Congressional Record — House, December 9, 2020

Summary

A page of the Congressional Record, House, dated December 9, 2020, beginning at page H7062, with morning-hour speeches and floor business. Members pay tribute to Mike Conaway on his retirement and to a Carver State Bank executive elected chair of the National Bankers Association, Ms. Jackson Lee speaks on the Electoral College, and Ms. Scanlon says 257 days have passed since the first major COVID relief package, with almost 290,000 Americans lost. Ms. DeLauro moves to suspend the rules and pass H.R. 8900, the Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2021, and Other Extensions Act, whose text includes health extenders and a section extending the continuing appropriations date to December 18, 2020. The page ends with the preamble of a resolution on diversity in media.

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

Cite this document

“Congressional Record — House, December 9, 2020.” Original at www.govinfo.gov. Archived at Pandemic Darlings, https://pandemicdarlings.com/source-documents/crec-crec-2020-12-09-crec-2020-12-09-pt1-pgh7062-5-7c4a832f32/, SHA-256 b6a600336c410fbc5ced091f7f644280d188afb649340afdcbf8d1ec76495e80.

Full text

H7062 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE December 9, 2020
Carver State Bank on his election as dress the House for 1 minute and to re- ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE SPEAKER
chair of the National Bankers Associa- vise and extend his remarks.) PRO TEMPORE
tion. Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu-
The National Bankers Association is Mr. Speaker, I rise today to thank, cel- ant to clause 8 of rule XX, the Chair
based in Washington, D.C., and has rep- ebrate, and congratulate my friend and will postpone further proceedings
resented minority-owned and women- colleague, MIKE CONAWAY, who will be today on motions to suspend the rules
owned banks in the U.S. since 1927. leaving us to enjoy his much-deserved on which the yeas and nays are or-
Mr. James wears many hats. He retirement. dered.
serves Carver State Bank as its direc- Mr. Speaker, it has been a tremen- The House will resume proceedings
tor of Strategic Initiatives and is a dous privilege and honor to serve under on postponed questions at a later time.
member of its board of directors; is a MIKE’s leadership throughout my time
f
partner at the law firm, Golden Holley on the Committee on Agriculture, and
James, LLP; and is president of Coast- I am grateful to have worked with such FURTHER CONTINUING APPRO-
al Legacy Group, LLC, which is a real a tireless advocate for rural America. PRIATIONS ACT, 2021, AND OTHER
estate development and consulting MIKE’s leadership on the 2018 farm EXTENSIONS ACT
firm he founded in 2004. bill was particularly impressive, which Ms. DELAURO. Mr. Speaker, I move
When he was earning his law degree marked the first time in nearly 30 to suspend the rules and pass the bill
at Harvard, he received a legal training years that a farm bill was enacted in (H.R. 8900) making further continuing
scholarship and was elected president the same year that it was introduced. I appropriations for fiscal year 2021, and
of Harvard Black Law Students Asso- continue to be inspired by MIKE’s prin- for other purposes.
ciation, as well. By stepping up to the ciples in leadership outside of com- The Clerk read the title of the bill.
plate to lead the National Bankers As- mittee work as well. I have been lucky The text of the bill is as follows:
sociation, he has demonstrated his enough to share many Wednesday H.R. 8900
dedication to serving his community mornings with him as a brother of Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Rep-
and contributing to the success of the faith during Bible study. resentatives of the United States of America in
American banking industry as a whole. Mr. Speaker, I send my very best Congress assembled,
Congratulations, again, on this great wishes to MIKE and his wife, Suzanne, SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
accomplishment. Mr. Speaker, I wish who has been kind enough to share him This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Further
Mr. James the very best. with us for over the last 16 years. Continuing Appropriations Act, 2021, and
f I thank MIKE for his friendship and Other Extensions Act’’.
guidance over the years. He will be sin- SEC. 2. TABLE OF CONTENTS.
ELECTORAL COLLEGE The table of contents of this Act is as fol-
cerely missed.
(Ms. JACKSON LEE asked and was lows:
given permission to address the House f Sec. 1. Short title.
for 1 minute.) Sec. 2. Table of contents.
Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I Sec. 3. References.
COVID RELIEF FOR AMERICANS
know that we will be discussing DIVISION A—FURTHER CONTINUING
COVID–19, and I cannot stand on this (Ms. SCANLON asked and was given APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2021
floor without ever mentioning that we permission to address the House for 1 DIVISION B—HEALTH EXTENDERS
must help the American people. minute and to revise and extend her re- Title I—Medicare and Medicaid Extenders
But today I stand on this floor to ac- marks.) Title II—Public Health Extenders and Food
knowledge the existence of the Elec- Ms. SCANLON. Mr. Speaker, it has and Drug Administration Pro-
toral College. been 257 days since the first major visions
Mr. Speaker, many Americans are COVID relief package was signed into Title III—Offsets
law—257 days. In that time period, Title IV—Budgetary Effects
unfamiliar with this very interesting
COVID cases in the U.S. have sky- SEC. 3. REFERENCES.
fixture in law. Article II, Section 1 of
rocketed, and we have lost almost Except as expressly provided otherwise,
the Constitution gives us the Electoral
290,000 Americans. any reference to ‘‘this Act’’ contained in any
College. But let me be very clear. In division of this Act shall be treated as refer-
the next couple of days, many States The devastation this virus has
ring only to the provisions of that division.
will certify those who have voted. The wrought on our families, our commu-
DIVISION A—FURTHER CONTINUING
Electoral College will meet, by the nities, and our economy is enormous.
APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2021
Constitution, on December 14. Most But it would have been so much worse
SEC. 101. The Continuing Appropriations
State legislators have indicated that if we had not provided that early relief
Act, 2021 (division A of Public Law 116–159) is
the electors are to vote the popular to our families, our small businesses, amended by striking the date specified in
vote. All of the battleground States and workers impacted by the spring section 106(3) and inserting ‘‘December 18,
have certified that the next President surge. And economists are clear that 2020’’.
and Vice President of the United we need to provide more direct relief in This division may be cited as the ‘‘Further
States are Joe Biden and KAMALA HAR- order to buoy the economy, much less Continuing Appropriations Act, 2021’’.
RIS. to keep people safe. DIVISION B—HEALTH EXTENDERS
What is my plea today? The relief that we are seeking, that TITLE I—MEDICARE AND MEDICAID
My plea today is for us to harmo- the American people are seeking is not EXTENDERS
niously join together in recognizing a handout. It is a lifeline. It is critical SEC. 1101. EXTENSION OF THE WORK GEO-
the value of this Constitution, the to get relief in the hands of families, GRAPHIC INDEX FLOOR UNDER THE
small businesses, frontline workers, MEDICARE PROGRAM.
sanctity of democracy, and to proceed
and local governments so we can get Section 1848(e)(1)(E) of the Social Security
as a House and Senate to embrace this Act (42 U.S.C. 1395w–4(e)(1)(E)), as amended
election and the victors. the virus under control. But, also, so
by section 3801 of the CARES Act (Public
Why? we can get the country back to work Law 116–136) and section 2201 of the Con-
Because the Nation needs us, and the once we do so. tinuing Appropriations Act, 2021 and Other
Constitution says so. Mr. Speaker, time is of the essence. Extensions Act (Public Law 116–159), is
Mr. Speaker, I look forward to us Unemployment is running out, small amended by striking ‘‘December 12, 2020’’ and
working together. businesses—and especially, res- inserting ‘‘December 19, 2020’’.
f taurants—are closing. Families are fac- SEC. 1102. EXTENSION OF FUNDING OUTREACH

ctelli on DSK11ZRN23PROD with HOUSE
ing eviction and foreclosure. AND ASSISTANCE FOR LOW-INCOME
CONGRATULATING REPRESENTA- PROGRAMS.
Mr. Speaker, fighting this pandemic (a) STATE HEALTH INSURANCE PROGRAMS.—
TIVE MICHAEL CONAWAY ON HIS has been hard enough on the American
RETIREMENT Subsection (a)(1)(B)(xi) of section 119 of the
people. Getting them the relief they Medicare Improvements for Patients and
(Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania need to stay safe and healthy shouldn’t Providers Act of 2008 (42 U.S.C. 1395b–3 note),
asked and was given permission to ad- be. as amended by section 3306 of the Patient

VerDate Sep 11 2014 07:49 Dec 10, 2020 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00014 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K09DE7.026 H09DEPT1
December 9, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H7063
Protection and Affordable Care Act (Public reason of being determined eligible under (1) by striking ‘‘$29,589,042’’ and inserting
Law 111–148), section 610 of the American section 1902(a)(10)(C) of such Act (42 U.S.C. ‘‘$32,465,753’’; and
Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 (Public Law 112– 1396a(a)(10)(C)) or by reason of section 1902(f) (2) by striking ‘‘December 11, 2020’’ and in-
240), section 1110 of the Pathway for SGR Re- of such Act (42 U.S.C. 1396a(f)) or otherwise serting ‘‘December 18, 2020’’.
form Act of 2013 (Public Law 113–67), section on the basis of a reduction of income based (b) SPECIAL DIABETES PROGRAMS FOR INDI-
110 of the Protecting Access to Medicare Act on costs incurred for medical or other reme- ANS.—Section 330C(c)(2)(D) of the Public
of 2014 (Public Law 113–93), section 208 of the dial care under which the State disregarded Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 254c–3(c)(2)(D))
Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization the income and assets of the individual’s is amended—
Act of 2015 (Public Law 114–10), section 50207 spouse in determining the initial and ongo- (1) by striking ‘‘$29,589,042’’ and inserting
of division E of the Bipartisan Budget Act of ing financial eligibility of an individual for ‘‘$32,465,753’’; and
2018 (Public Law 115–123), section 1402 of divi- such services in place of the spousal impov- (2) by striking ‘‘December 11, 2020’’ and in-
sion B of the Continuing Appropriations Act, erishment provisions applied under section serting ‘‘December 18, 2020’’.
2020, and Health Extenders Act of 2019 (Pub- 1924 of such Act (42 U.S.C. 1396r–5). SEC. 1203.
PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY EDU-
lic Law 116–59), section 1402 of division B of SEC. 1106. EXTENSION OF DELAY OF DSH REDUC- CATION; SEXUAL RISK AVOIDANCE
the Further Continuing Appropriations Act, TIONS. EDUCATION.
2020, and Further Health Extenders Act of Section 1923(f)(7) of the Social Security (a) SEXUAL RISK AVOIDANCE EDUCATION.—
2019 (Public Law 116–69), section 103 of divi- Act (42 U.S.C. 1396r–4(f)(7)(A)) is amended by Section 510 of the Social Security Act (42
sion N of the Further Consolidated Appro- striking ‘‘December 12’’ each place such U.S.C. 710) is amended by striking ‘‘Decem-
priations Act, 2020 (Public Law 116–94), sec- phrase appears and inserting ‘‘December 19’’ ber 11, 2020’’ each place it appears and insert-
tion 3803 of the CARES Act (Public Law 116– in each such place. ing ‘‘December 18, 2020’’.
SEC. 1107. EXTENSION OF MONEY FOLLOWS THE
(b) PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY EDUCATION.—
136), and section 2203 of the Continuing Ap-
PERSON. Section 513 of the Social Security Act (42
propriations Act, 2021 and Other Extensions
Section 6071(h)(1)(H) of the Deficit Reduc- U.S.C. 713) is amended by striking ‘‘Decem-
Act (Public Law 116–159), is amended by
tion Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 1396a note) is ber 11, 2020’’ each place it appears and insert-
striking ‘‘December 11’’ and inserting ‘‘De-
amended by striking ‘‘December 11’’ and in- ing ‘‘December 18, 2020’’.
cember 18’’.
(b) AREA AGENCIES ON AGING.—Subsection serting ‘‘December 18’’. Subtitle B—Food and Drug Administration
(b)(1)(B)(xi) of such section 119, as so amend- TITLE II—PUBLIC HEALTH EXTENDERS Provisions
ed, is amended by striking ‘‘December 11’’ AND FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION SEC. 1211. RARE PEDIATRIC DISEASE PRIORITY
and inserting ‘‘December 18’’. PROVISIONS REVIEW VOUCHER EXTENSION.
(c) AGING AND DISABILITY RESOURCE CEN- Subtitle A—Public Health Extenders Section 529(b)(5) of the Federal Food, Drug,
TERS.—Subsection (c)(1)(B)(xi) of such sec- and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 360ff(b)(5)) is
SEC. 1201. EXTENDING FUNDING FOR COMMU-
tion 119, as so amended, is amended by strik- amended—
NITY HEALTH CENTERS, NATIONAL
ing ‘‘December 11’’ and inserting ‘‘December HEALTH SERVICE CORPS, AND (1) by striking ‘‘December 11, 2020’’ each
18’’. TEACHING HEALTH CENTER GME. place it appears and inserting ‘‘December 18,
(d) CONTRACT WITH THE NATIONAL CENTER (a) COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTERS.—Section 2020’’; and
FOR BENEFITS AND OUTREACH ENROLLMENT.— 10503(b)(1)(F) of the Patient Protection and (2) in subparagraph (B), by striking ‘‘De-
Subsection (d)(2)(xi) of such section 119, as so Affordable Care Act (42 U.S.C. 254b–2(b)(1)(F)) cember 11, 2022’’ and inserting ‘‘December 18,
amended, is amended by striking ‘‘December is amended— 2022’’.
11’’ and inserting ‘‘December 18’’. (1) by striking ‘‘$789,041,096’’ and inserting TITLE III—OFFSETS
SEC. 1103. EXTENSION OF FUNDING FOR QUALITY ‘‘$865,753,425’’; and SEC. 1301. TRANSPARENCY OF MEDICARE SEC-
MEASURE ENDORSEMENT, INPUT, (2) by striking ‘‘December 11, 2020’’ and in- ONDARY PAYER REPORTING INFOR-
AND SELECTION. serting ‘‘December 18, 2020’’. MATION.
Section 1890(d)(2) of the Social Security (b) NATIONAL HEALTH SERVICE CORPS.—Sec- Section 1862(b)(8)(G) of the Social Security
Act (42 U.S.C. 1395aaa(d)(2)) is amended by tion 10503(b)(2)(H) of the Patient Protection Act (42 U.S.C. 395y(b)(8)(G)) is amended—
striking ‘‘December 11’’ each place such and Affordable Care Act (42 U.S.C. 254b– (1) by striking ‘‘INFORMATION.—The Sec-
phrase appears and inserting ‘‘December 18’’ 2(b)(2)(H)) is amended— retary’’ and inserting ‘‘INFORMATION.—
in each such place. (1) by striking ‘‘$61,150,685’’ and inserting ‘‘(i) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary’’; and
SEC. 1104. EXTENSION OF COMMUNITY MENTAL ‘‘$67,095,890’’; and (2) by adding at the end the following new
HEALTH SERVICES DEMONSTRA- (2) by striking ‘‘December 11, 2020’’ and in- clause:
TION PROGRAM. serting ‘‘December 18, 2020’’. ‘‘(ii) SPECIFIED INFORMATION.—In respond-
Section 223(d)(3) of the Protecting Access (c) TEACHING HEALTH CENTERS THAT OPER- ing to any query made on or after the date
to Medicare Act of 2014 (42 U.S.C. 1396a note), ATE GRADUATE MEDICAL EDUCATION PRO- that is 1 year after the date of the enactment
as amended by Public Law 116–159, is amend- GRAMS.—Section 340H(g)(1) of the Public of this clause from an applicable plan related
ed by striking ‘‘December 11’’ and inserting Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 256h(g)(1)) is to a determination described in subpara-
‘‘December 18’’. amended— graph (A)(i), the Secretary, notwithstanding
SEC. 1105. EXTENSION OF SPOUSAL IMPOVERISH- (1) by striking ‘‘$24,953,425’’ and inserting any other provision of law, shall provide to
MENT PROTECTIONS. ‘‘$27,379,452’’; and such applicable plan—
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 2404 of the Pa- (2) by striking ‘‘December 11, 2020’’ and in- ‘‘(I) whether a claimant subject to the
tient Protection and Affordable Care Act (42 serting ‘‘December 18, 2020’’. query is, or during the preceding 3-year pe-
U.S.C. 1396r–5 note), as amended by Public (d) APPLICATION OF PROVISIONS.—Amounts riod has been, entitled to benefits under the
Law 116–159, is amended by striking ‘‘Decem- appropriated pursuant to the amendments program under this title on any basis; and
ber 11’’ and inserting ‘‘December 18’’. made by this section for the period beginning ‘‘(II) to the extent applicable, the plan
(b) RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.—Nothing in on December 11, 2020, and ending on Decem- name and address of any Medicare Advan-
section 2404 of Public Law 111–148 (42 U.S.C. ber 18, 2020, shall be subject to the require- tage plan under part C and any prescription
1396r–5 note) or section 1902(a)(17) or 1924 of ments contained in Public Law 116–94 for drug plan under part D in which the claim-
the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. funds for programs authorized under sections ant is enrolled or has been enrolled during
1396a(a)(17), 1396r–5) shall be construed as 330 through 340 of the Public Health Service such period.’’.
prohibiting a State from— Act. SEC. 1302. DISPENSATION OF NARCOTIC DRUGS
(1) applying an income or resource dis- (e) CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.—Paragraph FOR THE PURPOSE OF RELIEVING
regard under a methodology authorized (4) of section 3014(h) of title 18, United States ACUTE WITHDRAWAL SYMPTOMS
under section 1902(r)(2) of such Act (42 U.S.C. Code, as amended by section 3831(e) of the FROM OPIOID USE DISORDER.
1396a(r)(2))— CARES Act (Public Law 116–136), is amend- Not later than 180 days after the date of
(A) to the income or resources of an indi- ed— enactment of this Act, the Attorney General
vidual described in section (1) by striking ‘‘Social Services Act,,’’ and shall revise section 1306.07(b) of title 21, Code
1902(a)(10)(A)(ii)(VI) of such Act (42 U.S.C. inserting ‘‘Social Services Act,’’; and of Federal Regulations, so that practi-
1396a(a)(10)(A)(ii)(VI)) (including a disregard (2) by striking ‘‘and section 2101 of the tioners, in accordance with applicable State,
of the income or resources of such individ- Continuing Appropriations Act, 2021 and Federal, or local laws relating to controlled
ual’s spouse); or Other Extensions Act’’ and inserting ‘‘sec- substances, are allowed to dispense not more
(B) on the basis of an individual’s need for tion 2101 of the Continuing Appropriations than a three-day supply of narcotic drugs to
home and community-based services author- Act, 2021 and Other Extensions Act, and sec- one person or for one person’s use at one
ized under subsection (c), (d), (i), or (k) of tion 1201(d) of the Further Continuing Appro- time for the purpose of initiating mainte-

ctelli on DSK11ZRN23PROD with HOUSE
section 1915 of such Act (42 U.S.C. 1396n) or priations Act, 2021, and Other Extensions nance treatment or detoxification treatment
under section 1115 of such Act (42 U.S.C. Act’’. (or both).
1315); or SEC. 1202. DIABETES PROGRAMS. SEC. 1303. MEDICAID IMPROVEMENT FUND.
(2) disregarding an individual’s spousal in- (a) SPECIAL DIABETES PROGRAMS FOR TYPE Section 1941(b)(3)(A) of the Social Security
come and assets under a plan amendment to I DIABETES.—Section 330B(b)(2)(D) of the Act (42 U.S.C 1396w–1(b)(3)(A)) is amended by
provide medical assistance for home and Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 254c– striking ‘‘$3,446,000,000’’ and inserting
community-based services for individuals by 2(b)(2)(D)) is amended— ‘‘$3,464,000,000’’.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 07:49 Dec 10, 2020 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00015 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A09DE7.002 H09DEPT1
H7064 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE December 9, 2020
TITLE IV—BUDGETARY EFFECTS finally sit down with Democrats to find that we have had trouble getting to-
SEC. 1401. BUDGETARY EFFECTS. a bipartisan solution. gether and coming to an agreement.
(a) STATUTORY PAYGO SCORECARDS.—The Coupled with a full year of govern- I want to observe, and maybe it has
budgetary effects of this division shall not be ment funding, an interim coronavirus already been observed, we passed 10 of
entered on either PAYGO scorecard main- relief package is critical. It is a lifeline our 12 appropriations bills by July 26.
tained pursuant to section 4(d) of the Statu-
for working families. If we do not act, That was 2 months before the end of
tory Pay-As-You-Go Act of 2010.
(b) SENATE PAYGO SCORECARDS.—The 12 million Americans could lose unem- the fiscal year. The Senate, unfortu-
budgetary effects of this division shall not be ployment aid just after Christmas, and nately, didn’t pass any of its appropria-
entered on any PAYGO scorecard maintained millions could lose access to paid sick tions bills. It still has not passed any
for purposes of section 4106 of H. Con. Res. 71 leave and protections against evic- of its appropriations bills. It has a doc-
(115th Congress). tions. This will put working families ument that they did not pass through
(c) CLASSIFICATION OF BUDGETARY EF- over the edge and our economy closer committee and has not passed the Sen-
FECTS.—Notwithstanding Rule 3 of the Budg-
to the financial cliff. ate that is the basis for our negotia-
et Scorekeeping Guidelines set forth in the
joint explanatory statement of the com- I urge my colleagues to join me in tions.
mittee of conference accompanying Con- adopting this continuing resolution. That has delayed us substantially,
ference Report 105–217 and section 250(c)(8) of Let us support the ongoing negotia- not because the House didn’t do its
the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit tions. work on time, but, because for what-
Control Act of 1985, the budgetary effects of People are desperate. They are count- ever reasons, the Senate did not ad-
this division shall not be estimated— ing on us. We need to provide relief to dress the appropriations process in a
(1) for purposes of section 251 of such Act; working families, to our schools, to our timely fashion.
and children, to small businesses, and to Mr. Speaker, I have served on the Ap-
(2) for purposes of paragraph (4)(C) of sec-
tion 3 of the Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Act
communities across the Nation. propriations Committee for a long
of 2010 as being included in an appropriation Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of time. I went on in January 1983. I was
Act. my time. on the subcommittee that Ms.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- Ms. GRANGER. Mr. Speaker, I rise DELAURO now chairs as well. When we
ant to the rule, the gentlewoman from today in support of H.R. 8900, a con- would pass a bill, the Senate would
Connecticut (Ms. DELAURO) and the tinuing resolution that will fund the pass a bill, and we would go to con-
gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. government through December 18. ferences. Some of our Members don’t
GRANGER) each will control 20 minutes. Members of the Appropriations Com- know what a conference is.
The Chair recognizes the gentle- mittee have been negotiating night and The Members of the House com-
woman from Connecticut. day for weeks to reach agreement on a mittee and the Members of the Senate
GENERAL LEAVE
full-year appropriations bill. At the committee came together in a room
same time, House and Senate leaders and talked about how we were going to
Ms. DELAURO. Mr. Speaker, I ask
continue to discuss a coronavirus relief resolve the differences between the two
unanimous consent that all Members
package with the administration. It is bills. That hardly ever happens now,
have 5 legislative days in which to re-
my hope that we can complete both of and we are losing something of the leg-
vise and extend their remarks and in-
these important pieces of legislation as islative process because it doesn’t hap-
clude extraneous material on the bill,
soon as possible. pen.
H.R. 8900, currently under consider-
There is so much at stake: our na- With all due respect to the four peo-
ation.
tional security, the health and welfare ple who now are called the four cor-
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there
of millions of Americans, and our eco- ners, whether it is the chairs of the
objection to the request of the gentle-
nomic recovery. Passing this 1-week committees, or the Speaker and the
woman from Connecticut?
There was no objection. CR is simply a stopgap measure. I ex- minority leader in the House, and the
Ms. DELAURO. Mr. Speaker, I yield pect we will be back on the floor next minority leader and the majority lead-
myself such time as I may consume. week to complete the year’s work. er in the Senate, those four people have
Mr. Speaker, as we speak, the Appro- I urge my colleagues to join me in a lot of work to do.
priations Committees are hard at work voting in favor of this continuing reso- I am the majority leader over here. I
negotiating fiscal year 2021 appropria- lution so that the Senate can pass it know I have a lot of things to watch
tions bills. There are many serious and send it to the President for signa- out for, and I cannot focus the way the
issues facing our Nation, and Federal ture. Then, we must immediately get members of the subcommittees focus
funding plays a critical role in sup- back to the important work the Amer- on the substance of the issues. There-
porting families and communities as ican people expect us to finish. fore, we lose something by not having
they go about their day-to-day lives as Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of all of the Members included.
they try to survive during this health my time. Now, because that hasn’t happened,
and economic crisis. Ms. DELAURO. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 and they haven’t come up with a prod-
Mr. Speaker, Americans deserve the minute to the gentleman from Mary- uct, we are here with what we call a
certainty of a full-year funding, and land (Mr. HOYER). continuing resolution. But that really
the Congress has a responsibility to the Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, I want to is an admission of failure.
Nation to do its job and pass all 12 congratulate Ms. DELAURO. She and I We passed one before September 30 so
funding bills before we adjourn. have served on the Appropriations the government didn’t shut down. It
The continuing resolution we con- Committee together and in the Con- was the right thing to do. We are going
sider today will keep the government gress for a very long time. She is one of to pass one now. It is the right thing to
up and running to bring spending talks our most able, energetic, and knowl- do. This is something that we have to
to a successful conclusion. These are edgeable Members. do to keep the government working.
serious issues that touch every aspect As someone who is very proud of my But we ought not believe or pretend
of people’s lives, like their education, relationship to the Appropriations or represent this is the way we ought
transportation systems, national secu- Committee, I know that she will do an to do business. It is not. It is a function
rity, public health infrastructure, and excellent job working with the minor- of procrastination, a function of failing
our environment. ity and the ranking member, with to come together and making com-
whom I also served, to make sure that promises.
b 1230 the Appropriations Committee works That is what this body is about, all of
In addition to an omnibus appropria- in a way that benefits the American these chairs here. We have to come to

ctelli on DSK11ZRN23PROD with HOUSE
tions bill, it is my hope that this addi- people and does so in a timely fashion. an agreement. The Constitution says if
tional week will allow negotiators the Normally, I would not speak—well, we don’t come to an agreement and the
time to assemble an emergency though I do speak most of the time on Senate doesn’t come to an agreement
coronavirus relief package. the CR, because the CR is a recognition and the President doesn’t come to an
To take advantage of this window of of failure. It is not any one individual’s agreement with exactly the same
opportunity, Leader MCCONNELL must failure. It is not a bad thing. It is just thing, nothing happens.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 07:49 Dec 10, 2020 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00016 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A09DE7.002 H09DEPT1
December 9, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H7065
I make this observation every time to be working round the clock over the dollars, that they are able to fund their
we do this. But I will tell you this, Mr. weekend to get us a bill done. local police and fire, that they have
Speaker. I have talked to the new We need to pass three bills. We childcare dollars, that they have re-
chair—and I know the ranking mem- passed the NDAA last night. That bill search dollars.
ber, and I have worked with her and should be passed in June as well, or At the same time, if I went on any
have great respect for her, as she late May. I told Mr. SMITH and the new local street in America today, they
knows. Why? Because she wants to get ranking member that I am going to do would be asking me to give them a life-
a job done. everything I can to have that bill on line so their restaurants can stay open.
She was a mayor. She was a mayor of the floor this coming May. We tradi- The small businesses, they would be
a great city in the State of Texas. She tionally did that. I am not inventing asking about their unemployment ex-
knows that you have to get things something. Ms. DELAURO knows we did tension and the cash payments.
done. that; the ranking member knows we That is what we need to get into the
Ms. DELAURO is a person who gets did that. negotiation, and we are hoping to do
things done. We all say it is a very important bill. the funding bill and COVID–19 as well.
I am going to work with both of Well, if it is a very important bill, let’s I want to rise on the floor today to
them, Mr. Speaker, in this coming Con- deal with it in a timely fashion and not make a number of points in particular:
gress. We are going to pass every one of have this last-minute veto; we are the necessity of the unemployment ex-
the appropriations bills, every one. going to do this. tension and increase—we had $600 in
We haven’t dealt with homeland se- We need to pass it, and 335 of us yes- the past—and the necessity of the cash
curity because of the wall, not because terday said we need to pass this bill. payment as well.
of the other items, but the wall. We So, I will end this tirade by simply But I also want to make mention of
had a disagreement. We couldn’t forge saying congratulations to Ms. the fact that our local jurisdictions,
agreement on that and compromise on DELAURO and to the ranking member, our cities and counties and Tribal ju-
that. who is a good friend and a very respon-
I am going to work with both the risdictions, they need the money for
sible Member of this House. public funding to go directly to them,
chair and the ranking member, and,
I will work closely with them and no strings attached by the State. They
frankly, all the Members on both sides
with all of our Members, Mr. Speaker, are losing out. Their firefighters are
of the aisle to get our work done by
to make sure that the American people losing out; their health clinics are los-
June 30 of this coming year. That will
can be proud of the fact that the House ing out; and their municipal workers
give us 90 days to reach agreement
of Representatives knows its respon- are losing out because it is getting en-
with the Senate, pass the bills, and do
sibilities, meets its responsibilities, tangled with the State.
it by September 30.
We have rarely done that. I think in and passes legislation in a timely fash- Finally, the Department of Transpor-
my 40 years of service in this House, I ion and does not say to the Federal em- tation needs funding for its environ-
think we have done it twice. I would ployees and the people who are oper- mental assessment for projects like I–
have to check. Maybe it was only once. ating government: Maybe you will be 45.
Maybe you could tell me that, and we funded tomorrow and maybe you won’t. The SPEAKER pro tempore. The
could find out. But I am hopeful that We have wasted billions of dollars time of the gentlewoman has expired.
we will do it. over the years I have been here with Ms. DELAURO. Mr. Speaker, I yield
There aren’t many Members on this the government trying to figure out an additional 30 seconds to the gentle-
floor. This CR has to pass. All we did how they are going to prepare for a woman from Texas (Ms. JACKSON LEE).
was change the date because of prac- shutdown. Any business that operated
b 1245
tically recognizing we have not gotten that way in America would go bank-
our work done on time. rupt pretty soon. The CEO would be Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker,
And whoever is listening, whether fired, and the board of directors, which there are so many projects, like I–45 in
the public or other Members are listen- we are, might be fired as well. Texas, that recklessly tears into mi-
ing, Mr. Speaker, as I speak, I hope Let’s learn the lesson that we learn nority neighborhoods without any re-
they will take to heart our responsi- too often, and let’s do our work on sponse to those voters, those constitu-
bility to the American people, and to time and do it well. ents, wiping out their houses and
this institution, to make it work on Ms. GRANGER. Mr. Speaker, I re- churches and schools. So the Depart-
time. serve the balance of my time. ment of Transportation funding will be
I told the majority leader of the Ms. DELAURO. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 in here that we will have the oppor-
United States Senate just about 2 days minutes to the gentlewoman from tunity to assess environment impact
ago, 3 days ago, I said: MITCH, there is Texas (Ms. JACKSON LEE). statements.
no agreement we can make on Decem- Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I Finally, let me offer my greatest ap-
ber 18 that we can’t make on December certainly associate with the concerns preciation for Chairwoman NITA
11. There is no magic in these next 7 of the majority leader, Mr. HOYER. I as- LOWEY; yes, an angel on this floor for
days—now, I guess, 9 days. There is no sociate myself with his concerns and so many years, guiding us, leading us
magic in it. It is just, psychologically, my appreciation for the Appropriations in a way that brought back the kind of
we have until December 18, so we won’t Committee. success that America needs.
make the agreement today. Let me thank Ms. DELAURO and my Mr. Speaker, I thank Ms. DELAURO
That is why I set December 11, be- fellow Texan, Ms. GRANGER, and cer- for her hard work and I wish her suc-
cause I was hopeful that we could do it tainly make mention of her ascending cess as well.
by December 11. I urged the Members to continue as ranking member in the Ms. GRANGER. Mr. Speaker, I yield
to do December 11, very frankly, for next Congress. myself such time as I may consume.
two reasons. Number one, it is the I rise to support this underlying leg- Mr. Speaker, before I close, I want to
right thing to do. And number two, our islation for the extension of the CR to take a minute to congratulate Con-
Members are at risk when they travel. December 18. And I rise to, as well, re- gresswoman DELAURO for being named
They are at risk here. They need to be emphasize the desperate conditions chairwoman of the full committee next
in their homes quarantined with people Americans are in. There are 14 million Congress. I look forward to working
who do not pose them any risk. COVID–19 cases, almost 300,000 dead. It with her in the coming years.
It is not that we want to shirk our is predicted to have Americans, trag- Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to
duty. We can do our duty, but we don’t ically, that will possibly lose their life vote ‘‘yes’’ on the bill before us today,

ctelli on DSK11ZRN23PROD with HOUSE
need to be here for 2 more weeks or 1 in 2021, of upward of 500,000 Americans. and I yield back the balance of my
more week to do it. We just have to This is a funding bill. When we say time.
have the thought in mind we are going keep the government open, what we Ms. DELAURO. Mr. Speaker, I yield
to get it done today. really mean is to serve the American myself such time as I may consume.
This will give us 8 more days, 9 more people, to make sure that they have Mr. Speaker, I know the majority
days to do it. I know the staff is going healthcare, that they have education leader has left the floor, but I thank

VerDate Sep 11 2014 07:49 Dec 10, 2020 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00017 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K09DE7.030 H09DEPT1
H7066 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE December 9, 2020
him for his congratulations and his sity on our Nation’s shared telecommuni- society, as we saw with the protests
warm words. I look forward to working cations and media platforms; over the murder of George Floyd and
in conjunction with him as we move to Whereas the survival of small, inde- the disparate impact that the COVID–
pendent, and diverse media outlets that
pass 12 bills by June. 19 pandemic is having on communities
serve diverse audiences and local media mar-
I want to particularly say how kets is essential to preserving local culture of color.
pleased I am to be able to work with and building understanding on important These inequities also exist in our
the ranking member, my colleague community issues that impact the daily communications marketplace. For ex-
from Texas. We have worked on issues lives of residents; ample, the owners of broadcast and
in the past, never at this level, but I Whereas research by the American Society media outlets do not reflect our diverse
am looking forward to a really close of News Editors, the Radio Television Digital population. These media outlet owners
and wonderful relationship as we try to News Association, the Pew Research Center, make critical decisions about the edu-
do the Nation’s business. Thank you so and others has documented the continued
cational, political, entertainment, and
challenges of increasing diversity among all
very much. types of media entities; news programming Americans watch,
Mr. Speaker, with an additional week Whereas with increasing media experience and those decisions can influence peo-
to negotiate, I am optimistic that we and sophistication, it is even more impor- ple’s opinions and perceptions.
can fund the government for this year tant to have minority participation in local Diversity in viewpoints and diverse
and we can deliver coronavirus relief media to ensure a diverse range of informa- ownership of media outlets promotes
for the American people who are des- tion sources are available and different ideas programming that offers different per-
perate and looking to us for hope. and viewpoints are expressed to strengthen spectives and enables viewers to access
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to social cohesion among different commu- programming that is relevant to them.
nities; and
join me in passing this extension of A diverse media marketplace is also
Whereas the constriction in small, inde-
funding so we can complete our work. pendent, and diverse media outlets and lim- central to an informed and engaged
It is not about us. We have the respon- ited participation of diverse populations in electorate, which is critical to a vi-
sibility, but it is about the people out- media ownership and decisionmaking are brant democracy.
side of this Chamber who are relying combining to negatively impact our goal of Committing to a diverse media mar-
on us. increasing local civic engagement and civic ketplace, one that reflects our country,
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance knowledge through increased voter partici- is a worthy goal, and this resolution
of my time. pation, membership in civic groups, and reaffirms that goal.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The knowledge of local political and civil infor- Today’s resolution is a good step for-
mation: Now, therefore, be it
question is on the motion offered by Resolved, That the House of Representa- ward, but there is much more that we
the gentlewoman from Connecticut tives— need to do. The numbers and statistics
(Ms. DELAURO) that the House suspend (1) reaffirms its commitment to diversity are clear that our media marketplace
the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 8900. as a core tenet of the public interest stand- does not resemble the people we serve.
The question was taken. ard in media policy; and I hope we can come together to do
The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the (2) pledges to work with media entities and the additional work that is needed, and
opinion of the Chair, two-thirds being diverse stakeholders to develop common I urge all of my colleagues to support
in the affirmative, the ayes have it. ground solutions to eliminate barriers to
this resolution.
Ms. DELAURO. Mr. Speaker, on that media diversity.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of
I demand the yeas and nays. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- ant to the rule, the gentleman from Mr. WALDEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield
ant to section 3 of House Resolution New Jersey (Mr. PALLONE) and the gen- myself such time as I may consume.
965, the yeas and nays are ordered. tleman from Oregon (Mr. WALDEN) each Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support
Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, fur- will control 20 minutes. of H. Res. 549. This is a resolution in-
ther proceedings on this motion will be The Chair recognizes the gentleman
troduced by my colleague, Mrs.
postponed. from New Jersey.
DEMINGS, that reaffirms the commit-
GENERAL LEAVE
f ment by Congress to work with media
Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I ask entities and diverse stakeholders to
REAFFIRMING COMMITMENT TO unanimous consent that all Members
MEDIA DIVERSITY find common ground solutions to
may have 5 legislative days in which to
eliminate barriers to diversity in our
Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I move revise and extend their remarks and in-
media.
to suspend the rules and agree to the clude extraneous material on H. Res. As a former radio broadcaster myself,
resolution (H. Res. 549) reaffirming the 549.
I understand the efforts that the broad-
commitment to media diversity and The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there
cast industry, and the media industry
pledging to work with media entities objection to the request of the gen-
tleman from New Jersey? as a whole, takes to ensure diversity of
and diverse stakeholders to develop ownership, viewpoint, and employ-
common ground solutions to eliminate There was no objection.
Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I yield ment. My wife and I had to make those
barriers to media diversity. hiring decisions for our five radio sta-
The Clerk read the title of the resolu- myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support tions. I know firsthand the business
tion. imperative to serve your community
of H. Res. 549, reaffirming the commit-
The text of the resolution is as fol- with local news and local programming
ment to media diversity and pledging
lows: that reflects the makeup of your com-
to work with media entities and di-
H. RES. 549 munity.
verse stakeholders to develop common
Whereas the principle that an informed ground solutions to eliminate barriers While today’s resolution focuses spe-
and engaged electorate is critical to a vi- cifically on broadcast stations, this
brant democracy is deeply rooted in our laws
to media diversity.
This resolution promotes much-need- problem is not unique to one segment
of free speech and underpins the virtues on
which we established our Constitution, ‘‘in ed diversity in the communications of the media industry; it is also an
Order to form a more perfect Union, estab- marketplace, and I commend Rep- issue for their cable and digital stream-
lish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, resentative DEMINGS and her staff for ing competitors in the marketplace.
provide for the common defence, promote all their efforts towards this resolu- I appreciate the many steps that the
the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings tion. industry has taken, not only to recog-
of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity Mr. Speaker, I also thank Ranking nize and take responsibility for this,
. . .’’; Member WALDEN, Communications and but also to put in place the many pro-

ctelli on DSK11ZRN23PROD with HOUSE
Whereas having independent, diverse, and grams and initiatives to promote op-
Technology Subcommittee Chairman
local media that provide exposure to a broad
range of viewpoints and the ability to con- DOYLE, and Subcommittee Ranking portunities for women, minorities, and
tribute to the political debate is central to Member LATTA for their work to bring veterans. But as the data show, we still
sustaining that informed engagement; this resolution to the floor. have room for improvement.
Whereas it is in the public interest to en- This past year has highlighted racial While the House is considering this
courage source, content, and audience diver- inequities that have long existed in our resolution today, it is my hope that we

VerDate Sep 11 2014 07:49 Dec 10, 2020 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00018 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K09DE7.033 H09DEPT1

File and source

File: CREC_crec-2020-12-09_crec-2020-12-09-pt1-pgh7062-5.pdf
Size: 257,529 bytes
SHA-256: b6a600336c410fbc5ced091f7f644280d188afb649340afdcbf8d1ec76495e80
Our copy: CREC_crec-2020-12-09_crec-2020-12-09-pt1-pgh7062-5.pdf
Original: www.govinfo.gov