Congressional Record, House, May 12, 2021 — House Resolution 380, H.R. 2547 and H.R. 1065
Summary
This is H2226 of the Congressional Record, House, May 12, 2021, with interleaved columns of debate on H. Res. 380. The page begins with remarks supporting H.R. 1065, which would grant the Ysleta del Sur Pueblo and the Alabama-Coushatta Tribes rights and opportunities, and Mr. Westerman yields to Mr. Young, who says the two Tribes were never meant to be excluded from the gaming law. The Clerk reads H. Res. 380, providing for consideration of H.R. 2547 on consumer, student, servicemember, and small business protections regarding debt collection practices and for the rule's provisions on suspension motions through the legislative day of Friday, May 14, 2021, with the views attributed to the speakers.
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, May 12, 2021 — House Resolution 380, H.R. 2547 and H.R. 1065.”
Original at www.govinfo.gov. Archived at Pandemic Darlings, https://pandemicdarlings.com/source-documents/crec-crec-2021-05-12-crec-2021-05-12-pt1-pgh2226-b304b3a321/
, SHA-256 7d777f4e2f0c69be172f42d6214abbe7f7d99c9b883df96b43fdf261f8e07b0d.Full text
H2226 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE May 12, 2021
By passing this bill, Congress would The Clerk read the resolution, as fol- amended, are waived. The previous question
finally grant the Ysleta del Sur Pueblo lows: shall be considered as ordered on the bill, as
and the Alabama-Coushatta Tribes the H. RES. 380 amended, and on any further amendment
thereto, to final passage without intervening
rights, opportunities, and stability Resolved, That upon adoption of this reso- motion except: (1) one hour of debate equally
they have long been denied. lution it shall be in order to consider in the divided and controlled by the chair and rank-
Therefore, I urge a ‘‘yes’’ vote on this House the bill (H.R. 2547) to expand and en- ing minority member of the Committee on
important piece of legislation, and I hance consumer, student, servicemember, Education and Labor or their respective des-
am grateful to the leaders in the com- and small business protections with respect ignees; and (2) one motion to recommit.
to debt collection practices, and for other
mittee for their support. SEC. 6. (a) At any time through the legisla-
purposes. All points of order against consid-
Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I tive day of Friday, May 14, 2021, the Speaker
eration of the bill are waived. The amend- may entertain motions offered by the Major-
yield such time as he may consume to ment in the nature of a substitute rec-
the gentleman from Alaska (Mr. ity Leader or a designee that the House sus-
ommended by the Committee on Financial pend the rules as though under clause 1 of
YOUNG), the dean of the House. Services now printed in the bill, modified by rule XV with respect to multiple measures
Mr. YOUNG. Mr. Speaker, I thank the amendment printed in part A of the re- described in subsection (b), and the Chair
the ranking member, chairman, and port of the Committee on Rules accom- shall put the question on any such motion
the sponsor for this legislation. panying this resolution, shall be considered without debate or intervening motion.
It is a strange thing. If you hang as adopted. The bill, as amended, shall be (b) A measure referred to in subsection (a)
around here long enough, you keep see- considered as read. All points of order includes any measure that was the object of
ing the other end of your tail. We in- against provisions in the bill, as amended, a motion to suspend the rules on the legisla-
are waived. The previous question shall be tive day of May 11, 2021, or May 12, 2021, in
troduced these bills, and there was considered as ordered on the bill, as amend-
never any intention to exclude these the form as so offered, on which the yeas and
ed, and on any further amendment thereto, nays were ordered and further proceedings
two Tribes, never. to final passage without intervening motion
When Mo Udall and I started the postponed pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX.
except: (1) one hour of debate equally divided (c) Upon the offering of a motion pursuant
gaming law, everybody thought we and controlled by the chair and ranking mi- to subsection (a) concerning multiple meas-
were nuts. It has worked. But never nority member of the Committee on Finan- ures, the ordering of the yeas and nays on
were these two Tribes to be excluded. cial Services or their respective designees; postponed motions to suspend the rules with
In fact, this legislation rectifies that (2) the further amendments described in sec- respect to such measures is vacated to the
problem. tion 2 of this resolution; (3) the amendments end that all such motions are considered as
en bloc described in section 3 of this resolu-
Mr. Speaker, I am happy to be a withdrawn.
tion; and (4) one motion to recommit. SEC. 7. House Resolution 379 is hereby
sponsor of the legislation, who worked SEC. 2. After debate pursuant to the first
with you to try to get this done. This adopted.
section of this resolution, each further
will be justice served to all. amendment printed in part B of the report of
Mr. SOTO. Mr. Speaker, I have no the Committee on Rules not earlier consid-
b 1415
further speakers, I am prepared to ered as part of amendments en bloc pursuant The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gen-
close, and I reserve the balance of my to section 3 of this resolution shall be con- tleman from Colorado is recognized for
time. sidered only in the order printed in the re- 1 hour.
Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, in port, may be offered only by a Member des- Mr. PERLMUTTER. Mr. Speaker, for
ignated in the report, shall be considered as
closing, I support this bipartisan bill, the purposes of debate only, I yield the
read, shall be debatable for the time speci-
and I yield back the balance of my fied in the report equally divided and con- customary 30 minutes to the gen-
time. trolled by the proponent and an opponent, tleman from Pennsylvania (Mr.
Mr. SOTO. Mr. Speaker, I yield my- may be withdrawn by the proponent at any RESCHENTHALER), pending which I yield
self the balance of my time. time before the question is put thereon, shall myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I thank both Represent- not be subject to amendment, and shall not During consideration of this resolu-
ative ESCOBAR and Representative be subject to a demand for division of the tion, all time yielded is for the pur-
GONZALES for their leadership to right question. poses of debate only.
this wrong, this injustice. SEC. 3. It shall be in order at any time
after debate pursuant to the first section of GENERAL LEAVE
I thank the dean of the House, Rep-
this resolution for the chair of the Com- Mr. PERLMUTTER. I ask unanimous
resentative YOUNG, for his very inform- mittee on Financial Services or her designee consent that all Members be given 5
ative history lesson on the legislation. to offer amendments en bloc consisting of legislative days to revise and extend
I also thank Ranking Member further amendments printed in part B of the their remarks.
WESTERMAN for his bipartisan support. report of the Committee on Rules accom-
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there
Mr. Speaker, I urge our colleagues to panying this resolution not earlier disposed
of. Amendments en bloc offered pursuant to objection to the request of the gen-
support the legislation, and I yield
this section shall be considered as read, shall tleman from Colorado?
back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. be debatable for 20 minutes equally divided There was no objection.
CUELLAR). The question is on the mo- and controlled by the chair and ranking mi- Mr. PERLMUTTER. Mr. Speaker, the
nority member of the Committee on Finan- Rules Committee met yesterday and
tion offered by the gentleman from cial Services or their respective designees,
Florida (Mr. SOTO) that the House sus- reported a rule, House Resolution 380,
shall not be subject to amendment, and shall providing for consideration of H.R.
pend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. not be subject to a demand for division of the
2208. 2547, the Comprehensive Debt Collec-
question.
The question was taken; and (two- SEC. 4. All points of order against the fur- tion Improvement Act, under a struc-
thirds being in the affirmative) the ther amendments printed in part B of the re- tured rule.
rules were suspended and the bill was port of the Committee on Rules or amend- The rule provides 1 hour of debate,
passed. ments en bloc described in section 3 of this equally divided and controlled by the
A motion to reconsider was laid on resolution are waived. chair and ranking member of the Com-
SEC. 5. Upon adoption of this resolution it mittee on Financial Services or their
the table. shall be in order to consider in the House the
f designees. The rule self-executes a
bill (H.R. 1065) to eliminate discrimination
and promote women’s health and economic manager’s amendment from Chair-
PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION woman WATERS, makes in order 14
security by ensuring reasonable workplace
OF H.R. 2547, COMPREHENSIVE accommodations for workers whose ability amendments, provides en bloc author-
DEBT COLLECTION IMPROVE- to perform the functions of a job are limited ity for Chairwoman WATERS or her des-
MENT ACT; PROVIDING FOR CON- by pregnancy, childbirth, or a related med- ignee and provides one motion to re-
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SIDERATION OF H.R. 1065, PREG- ical condition. All points of order against commit.
NANT WORKERS FAIRNESS ACT; consideration of the bill are waived. The The rule also provides for consider-
AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES amendment in the nature of a substitute rec-
ation of H.R. 1065, the Pregnant Work-
ommended by the Committee on Education
Mr. PERLMUTTER. Mr. Speaker, by and Labor now printed in the bill shall be ers Fairness Act, under a closed rule,
direction of the Committee on Rules, I considered as adopted. The bill, as amended, which provides 1 hour of debate, equal-
call up House Resolution 380 and ask shall be considered as read. All points of ly divided and controlled by the chair
for its immediate consideration. order against provisions in the bill, as and ranking member of the Committee
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May 12, 2021 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H2227
on Education and Labor or their des- The rule also provides for consider- the U.S. economy. But in reality, this
ignees, and provides one motion to re- ation of H.R. 1065, the Pregnant Work- measure is just the latest step in House
commit. ers Fairness Act. Claims of pregnancy Democrats’ socialist takeover of our
The rule deems as passed H. Res. 379, discrimination have been on the rise country’s financial system.
a resolution to dismiss the election for two decades and affect all indus-
Under the Fair Debt Collection Prac-
contest in Illinois’ 14th Congressional tries and regions across the country.
District. tices Act, consumers are already pro-
This bipartisan bill will strengthen
Finally, the rule provides the major- tected from harmful debt collection
workplace protections and promote the
ity leader or his designee the ability to practices. While Democrats claim H.R.
well-being of pregnant workers by cre-
en bloc requested roll call votes on sus- ating a new right to pregnancy accom- 2547 is necessary due to the economic
pension bills considered on May 11 or modation in the workplace. effects of COVID–19, several of these
May 12. This authority lasts through Temporary modifications at work, partisan bills were introduced last Con-
May 14. like regular breaks, a stool to sit on, or gress prior to the pandemic.
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased we are an exemption from heavy lifting, can It is absolutely clear that my col-
here today to provide consideration of be the difference between a healthy leagues across the aisle are using the
two important bills to protect and sup- pregnancy and pregnancy complica- COVID–19 pandemic as an excuse to
port our constituents. First is the tions. When pregnant workers are de- dismantle our free market system and
Comprehensive Debt Collection Im- nied reasonable workplace accommoda- force their radical, progressive agenda
provement Act, which will create pro- tions, they are often left to choose be- on the American people.
tections for servicemembers, small tween their financial stability and a
businesses, students, and other con- healthy pregnancy. Instead of actually helping con-
sumers against mistreatment by debt Currently, only 30 States require em- sumers, H.R. 2547 will increase
collectors. Debt collection is consist- ployers to provide reasonable accom- healthcare costs and make credit more
ently one of the top complaints made modations for pregnant workers, in- expensive for borrowers. In fact, under
to the Consumer Financial Protection cluding, thankfully, my home State of this legislation, the lowest income bor-
Bureau, and the pandemic has further Colorado. But this has created a con- rowers may be pushed out of the sys-
exposed weaknesses in current con- fusing patchwork of local, State, and tem entirely.
sumer protection laws. Federal laws, leaving many pregnant Further, H.R. 2547 will make it hard-
In March, the Subcommittee on Con- workers with few protections. er for small businesses, many of which
sumer Protection and Financial Insti- The Pregnant Workers Fairness Act have been devastated by this pandemic.
tutions, which I chair, held a hearing enjoys support from both worker advo- It will make it harder for those small
on protecting consumers during the cates and business groups because it is businesses to receive payments for
pandemic. We heard expert witnesses good for families, it is good for busi-
discuss how many debt collectors have services rendered.
ness, and it is good for the economy.
seen record profits in the pandemic, de- The House passed this bill last Con- Finally, H.R. 2547 undermines the
spite many families and individuals gress in a broad, bipartisan vote of 329– CFPB’s October 2020 final rule, in-
continuing to struggle. 73, and I hope more of my colleagues tended to modernize debt collection
H.R. 2547 is comprehensive legisla- join us in passing the bill this year. practices. This rule was the result of
tion to update consumer protections in I urge all my colleagues to support more than 7 years of research and set
debt collection across many different the rule and the underlying bills. I re- forth guidelines for both consumers
issues. For example, the bill codifies serve the balance of my time. and debt collectors on acceptable com-
and expands protections for small and Mr. RESCHENTHALER. Mr. Speak- munications.
minority-owned businesses and pro- er, I yield myself such time as I may
During committee consideration of
hibits debt collectors from threatening consume. I want to thank the distin-
this bill, Ranking Member MCHENRY
a servicemember with reduction in guished gentleman, my good friend
offered a substitute amendment to ad-
rank or other military disciplinary ac- from Colorado, for yielding me the cus-
tions. Additionally, it protects private dress bipartisan concerns with the cur-
tomary 30 minutes.
student loan borrowers with disabil- The rule before us today provides for rent financial framework. This com-
ities, would prohibit entities from col- consideration of two pieces of legisla- monsense proposal included provisions
lecting medical debt or reporting it to tion. The first bill, H.R. 1065, would to prevent debt collection harassment
a credit reporting agency without giv- create a stand-alone law requiring em- of servicemembers, provide protection
ing the consumer notice about his or ployers to provide accommodations to for cosigners in cases of death or per-
her rights, and clarifies that entities in known limitations related to preg- manent disability, and prohibited the
nonjudicial foreclosure proceedings are nancy, childbirth, or related medical use of Social Security numbers by con-
covered by the Fair Debt Collection conditions. sumer reporting agencies.
Practices Act. Republicans have long supported The majority, however, refused to
This legislation is sponsored by Fi- antidiscrimination legislation, includ- work with Republicans. This refusal is
nancial Services Committee Chair- ing protections for pregnant workers. just the latest in the Democrats’ dis-
woman MAXINE WATERS and incor- We agree pregnant workers should be turbing ‘‘my way or the highway’’ ap-
porates bills from committee members, protected and accommodated in the proach on issues where there is actu-
Representatives NYDIA VELÁZQUEZ, workplace. However, it is disappointing ally room for bipartisan solutions.
MADELEINE DEAN, RASHIDA TLAIB, that the Education and Labor Demo-
AYANNA PRESSLEY, EMANUEL CLEAVER, crats absolutely refuse to work with House Republicans will continue to
GREG MEEKS, and JAKE AUCHINCLOSS. committee Republicans to include a support policies that provide Ameri-
The bill is supported by many con- longstanding provision protecting reli- cans with access to affordable credit,
sumer and civil rights organizations, gious organizations from being forced while ensuring that our financial sys-
including Americans for Financial Re- to make employment decisions that tem remains safe and sound.
form, Center for Responsible Lending, conflict with their faith. I really hope I strongly urge my colleagues to op-
Color of Change, Consumer Federation that moving forward, my colleagues pose this rule. I reserve the balance of
of America, National Consumer Law across the aisle will actually work with my time.
Center, Public Citizen, U.S. PIRG, and Republicans and help protect religious
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Mr. PERLMUTTER. Mr. Speaker, I
others. liberty.
yield myself such time as I may con-
This legislation will update and im- The rule also makes in order H.R.
prove debt collection consumer protec- 2547, the Comprehensive Debt Collec- sume.
tion laws, and make sure that small tion Improvement Act, a collection of I include in the RECORD a letter dated
businesses, families, and individuals eight Financial Services bills that May 10, 2021, from about 85 different
are treated fairly as we all work to claim to address the debt collection public interest and financial organiza-
come out of this pandemic stronger. practices and the problems thereof in tions supporting H.R. 2547.
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H2228 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE May 12, 2021
MAY 10, 2021. Clarifying FDCPA coverage for non-judi- duction in their rank and revoking
Re H.R. 2547, the ‘‘Comprehensive Debt Col- cial foreclosures. their security clearance or prosecuting
lection Improvement Act’’ (Waters), Enactment of H.R. 2547 will protect vulner- them under the Uniform Code of Mili-
which includes: able consumers from abusive debt collection
practices, and we thank the House of Rep-
tary Justice, and requires a GAO study
HR 2540, the ‘‘Small Business Fairness Lend-
ing Act’’ (Velázquez). resentatives for considering legislation to on the impact of debt collection on
HR 1491, the ‘‘Fair Debt Collection Practices address these important issues. servicemembers.
for Servicemembers Act’’ (Dean). Please feel free to contact April Kuehnhoff It requires discharge of private stu-
HR 2498, the ‘‘Private Loan Disability Dis- at the National Consumer Law Center, re- dent loans for both the borrower and
charge Act’’ (Dean). garding this legislation. cosigner in the case of permanent dis-
HR 2537, the ‘‘Consumer Protection for Med- Very truly yours, ability of the borrower, extending pro-
ical Debt Collections Act’’ (Tlaib). Alaska PIRG; Americans for Financial Re-
form; Arizona PIRG; California Low-Income
tections that currently exist for Fed-
HR 1657, the ‘‘Ending Debt Collection Har-
Consumer Coalition (CLICC); CALPIRG; Cen- eral student loans. So it assists people
assment Act’’ (Pressley).
HR 2572, the ‘‘Stop Debt Collection Abuse ter for Economic Integrity; Center for Re- with serious disabilities.
Act’’ (Cleaver). sponsible Lending; Color of Change; Commu- It requires private lenders who are
HR 2628, the ‘‘Debt Collection Practices Har- nities United for Restorative Youth Justice; notified the Federal Government has
monization Act’’ (Meeks). ConnPIRG; Consumer Action; Consumer Fed- discharged the Federal student loans of
HR 2458, the ‘‘Non-Judicial Foreclosure Debt eration of America; Consumer Reports; a borrower to discharge the private
Collection Clarification Act’’ CoPIRG. student loans of that same borrower.
(Auchincloss). Demos; Equal Justice Under Law; Every
Texan; Fines and Fees Justice Center; Flor-
It bars entities from collecting med-
Representative NANCY PELOSI, ical debt or reporting it to a consumer
Speaker of the House of Representatives, ida PIRG; Friendship of Women, Inc.; Geor-
gia PIRG; Georgia Watch; GLOBAL GREEN reporting agency without giving the
Washington, DC.
INITIATIVE; Housing and Family Services consumer a notice about their rights.
Representative KEVIN MCCARTHY,
Minority Leader of the House of Representa- of Greater New York; HPPCARES; Illinois These are so simple, and you would
tives, Washington, DC. PIRG; Insight Center for Community Eco- expect that there would be universal
DEAR SPEAKER PELOSI AND MINORITY LEAD- nomic Development; Institute for Constitu- acceptance of this, but apparently not.
ER MCCARTHY: The 85 undersigned public in- tional Advocacy and Protection; Iowa PIRG; It provides a minimum 1-year delay
terest, legal services, consumer, labor, and Kentucky Resources Council; Lawyers’ Com-
from adverse information reported and
civil rights organizations write in support of mittee for Civil Rights of the San Francisco
Bay Area; Legal Action Chicago; Legal Aid a 2-year delay before collection at-
HR 2547 and urge you to support this legisla-
tion when it comes up for a vote on May Center of Southern Nevada, Inc.; Legal Aid tempts are made on these medical
13th. Justice Center; Legal Aid Service of Broward bills.
Prior to the pandemic, the Urban Institute County, Inc.; Legal Services Center of Har- b 1430
reported that more than 68 million adults in vard Law School; Long Island Housing Serv-
the U.S. had one or more debts in collection ices, Inc.; Maryland Consumer Rights Coali- We heard last night in committee
on their credit report, and consumer debt tion; Maryland PIRG; MASSPIRG. even Dr. BURGESS talking about the
has continued to grow during the pandemic, Michigan League for Public Policy; Mis- normal practices of medical profes-
reaching $14.56 trillion at the end of 2020. sissippi Center for Justice; Missouri Faith sionals allowing people to have time to
Debt in collection can wreak havoc on con- Voices; MontPIRG; MoPIRG; Mountain
sumers, subjecting them to harassing debt
pay their bills, especially when we are
State Justice; National Association of Con-
collection calls and potential lawsuits. De- sumer Advocates; National Center for Access in the middle of a pandemic or as we
spite the enactment of the federal Fair Debt to Justice; National Center for Law and Eco- are coming out of a pandemic.
Collection Practices Act (‘‘FDCPA’’) in 1977, nomic Justice; National Consumer Law Cen- It bans the reporting of medical debts
debt collection remains a frequent source of ter (on behalf of its low-income clients); Na- arising from medically necessary pro-
complaints to the Consumer Financial Pro- tional Fair Housing Alliance; NCPIRG; New cedures. This was something that
tection Bureau, Federal Trade Commission, Jersey Citizen Action; New York Taxi Work- Ralph Hall, a Republican, championed
and other state and federal agencies. ers Alliance; NHPIRG; NJPIRG; NMPIRG;
Data from the Urban Institute also show
for years.
Ohio PIRG; Ohio Poverty Law Center; Or- It prohibits a debt collector from
racial disparities in debt collection, with 39 egon PIRG (OSPIRG).
percent of residents in communities of color PennPIRG; Pennsylvania Council of contacting a consumer by email or text
with debt in collection compared to 24 per- Churches; PIRG in Michigan (PIRGIM); Pub- message without a consumer’s consent
cent of residents in white communities. lic Citizen; Public Counsel; Public Good Law to be contacted electronically.
These statistics highlight the fact that con- Center; Public Justice; Public Justice Cen- It requires the CFPB to analyze and
sumer protections for consumers with al- ter; Public Law Center; RIPIRG; South Caro- annually report on the impact of elec-
leged debts in collection are also a racial jus- lina Appleseed Legal Justice Center; Student
tice issue.
tronic communications utilized by debt
Borrower Protection Center; Texas collectors.
Additionally, other groups may be particu- Appleseed; TexPIRG; The Leadership Con-
larly vulnerable to abusive debt collection The provisions of this bill are simple,
ference on Civil and Human Rights; Tzedek
practices including servicemembers, older
DC; U.S. PIRG; United Way of Massachusetts
consumer-oriented efforts to provide
consumers, and consumers with limited information to the consumer debtor
Bay and Merrimack Valley; Virginia Citizens
English proficiency. and to take into consideration that we
To better protect vulnerable consumers, Consumer Council; Washoe Legal Services;
this bill would enact a wide variety of crit- WASHPIRG; Western Center on Law and are in a pandemic and medical bills
ical reforms, including: Poverty; WISPIRG; Woodstock Institute; WV have piled up for so many people.
Prohibiting the use of confessions of judg- Citizen Action. This is a very simple bill. It has bi-
ment as an unfair credit practice that elimi- Mr. PERLMUTTER. I appreciate my partisan provisions in it. It should be
nate notice and the right to be heard; friend from Pennsylvania’s comments, passed, as should the rule.
Prohibiting certain abusive collection but, apparently, consumer protection Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of
practices directed at servicemembers, in-
is not high on the list of priorities for my time.
cluding threats to reduce rank or revoke se-
curity clearance; the other side of the aisle. Mr. RESCHENTHALER. Mr. Speak-
Requiring discharge of private student I would just say, this particular piece er, I yield 11⁄2 minutes to the gentle-
loans due to total and permanent disability; of legislation, H.R. 2547, has many good woman from Georgia (Mrs. GREENE).
Prohibiting collection of medical debt for aspects, a number of which are bipar- Mrs. GREENE of Georgia. The Preg-
the first two years and credit reporting of tisan in nature: nant Workers Fairness Act, I rise in
debt arising from any medically necessary
It codifies the protections that cur- opposition to H.R. 1065.
procedures;
Requiring debt collectors to obtain consent rently exist under the FTC regulation There is language that I find many
before using electronic communications and for consumer loans prohibiting the use Democrats use in a lot of Democrats’
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provide written validation notices; of confessions of judgment that waive bills. It is called pregnancy rights.
Amending the FDCPA to expand and clar- due process protections, and extends Pregnancy rights means abortion to
ify coverage, including extending coverage those protections to commercial loans them, and I really don’t understand
for all federal, state, and local debts col-
to protect small and minority-owned that because that is not pregnancy.
lected by debt collectors;
Adjusting statutory damages in the businesses. Abortion is killing a baby in the womb.
FDCPA for inflation and indexing them to It prohibits debt collectors from That is not pregnancy rights. That is
index for inflation in the future; and threatening a servicemember with re- one issue we have there.
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May 12, 2021 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H2229
Democrats are once again using iden- the dignity of the average borrower in Los Angeles: L.A. defunded the police
tity politics—this identity is a preg- this country. by $175 million. They, too, experienced
nant woman—to overregulate busi- Mr. PERLMUTTER. Mr. Speaker, I an increase in crime, an 11.6 percent
nesses. Rather than giving mothers reserve the balance of my time. rise in homicides.
greater access to paid family leave or Mr. RESCHENTHALER. Mr. Speak- Then, there is New York City. New
making healthcare affordable, Demo- er, I yield myself such time as I may York City cut police funding by $1 bil-
crats want to double down on a govern- consume. lion, that is billion with a B. In return,
ment mandate that punishes businesses Mr. Speaker, you wouldn’t know it New York City saw a 97 percent rise in
and religious organizations and pro- from the Democrats’ floor schedule, shootings and a 45 percent increase in
vides more access to abortion. That is but Sunday marked the beginning of homicides. Let me repeat that for you
killing the baby in the womb. That is National Police Week. because the stats are so alarming: a 97
not pregnancy rights. In 1962, President John F. Kennedy percent increase in shootings and a 45
Passing this bill means a small busi- signed a proclamation designating May percent increase in homicides.
ness or religious organization could be 15 as Peace Officers Memorial Day, and Mr. Speaker, House Republicans sup-
forced to provide paid time off to an the week in which that date falls as port law enforcement officers and want
employee to have an abortion even if Police Week. to help them do their jobs safely, effec-
that violates the religious beliefs of Throughout this week, our Nation tively, and professionally. That is why
honors and pays tribute to law enforce- if we defeat the previous question, I
the organization. On top of that, these
ment officers who made the ultimate will offer an amendment to the rule to
groups can be sued for damages for not
sacrifice to keep our country and our consider Congressman DON BACON’s
taking every step to accommodate
communities safe. Back the Blue Act, Congressman JOHN
pregnant workers. That means church- RUTHERFORD’s Protect and Serve Act,
es and small businesses, the backbone When Republicans controlled the
House, we marked this week by moving and Congressmen MCCAUL, CUELLAR,
of America, will be tied up in court for and CHABOT’s Jaime Zapata and Victor
years seeking to comply with a one- legislation to support our police offi-
Avila Federal Law Enforcement Pro-
size-fits-all government agenda from cers and help them keep our commu-
tection Act. Let’s talk about each one
Washington. nities safe. In stark contrast, this lib-
of those bills.
The solution to this problem is to re- eral, progressive majority is not mov- The Back the Blue Act would protect
open America, reduce government reg- ing a single bill to support law enforce- our police officers by making it a Fed-
ulations on small businesses, and keep ment during this year’s Police Week. eral crime to kill or assault a Federal
Trump tax cuts that allow companies Instead, Democrats are choosing to law enforcement officer.
to keep more of their money to pass on ignore Police Week, even though 2020 The Protect and Serve Act would cre-
to employees. was the deadliest year on record for po- ate enhanced penalties for anyone who
I cannot support a bill that allows lice officers in 50 years; even though, targets law enforcement officers and
more abortion. barely 1 month ago, Capitol Police Of- purposefully harms them.
Mr. PERLMUTTER. Mr. Speaker, as ficer Billy Evans, a father of two, was The Jaime Zapata and Victor Avila
to H.R. 1065, there are at least 20, if not killed defending this very building in Federal Law Enforcement Protection
more, Republican cosponsors of that which we stand; and even though more Act, a bipartisan piece of legislation,
piece of legislation. I want the RECORD police officers have been shot and would ensure individuals who harm or
to reflect that. killed in the first 41⁄2 months of 2021 attempt to harm U.S. Federal officers
Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the than in all of 2020 and 2019. or employees serving abroad can be
gentlewoman from North Carolina (Ms. I guess that is not surprising coming brought to justice and prosecuted here
ROSS), a member of the Rules Com- from the party that has openly at- in the United States.
mittee. tacked our law enforcement officers Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous con-
Ms. ROSS. Mr. Speaker, debt collec- and called for defunding, dismantling, sent to insert the text of my amend-
tors often operate with impunity, and abolishing the police. ment in the RECORD, along with extra-
threatening servicepeople, denying Don’t believe me? Just take their neous material, immediately prior to
small business owners due process, and word for it. the vote on the previous question.
harassing customers and homeowners Congresswoman RASHIDA TLAIB The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there
with repeated calls, texts, and emails. tweeted: ‘‘Policing in our country is in- objection to the request of the gen-
Harassment by debt collectors nega- herently and intentionally racist.’’ The tleman from Pennsylvania?
tively affects students’ career deci- Congresswoman then went on and said: There was no objection.
‘‘No more policing, incarceration, and Mr. RESCHENTHALER. Mr. Speak-
sions, small business growth, home-
er, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman
ownership, and families’ financial sta- militarization.’’
Congresswoman CORI BUSH called St. from Texas (Mr. NEHLS). He is here to
bility. It hurts the economy and ampli-
explain this amendment. He is my good
fies racial, gender, and socioeconomic Louis’ decision to eliminate $4 million
friend and a former law enforcement
inequities across the Nation. from the city’s police budget a ‘‘his-
officer.
For example, rates of student loan toric’’ move that ‘‘marks a new future Mr. NEHLS. Mr. Speaker, I rise in
distress are especially concentrated for our city.’’ support of the Back the Blue Act, the
among low-income borrowers, bor- Then there is Chairwoman MAXINE Serve and Protect Act, and the Jaime
rowers in rural areas, and borrowers of WATERS, chairwoman of the Financial Zapata and Victor Avila Federal Law
color. Debt collectors incessantly con- Services Committee, who tweeted, and Enforcement Protection Act. Mr.
tacting borrowers without consent I read the tweet verbatim: ‘‘Police re- Speaker, all of these are necessary and
adds another layer of loan distress, form is not enough. Getting rid of se- commonsense protections for our brave
particularly during this pandemic. rial, racist, ignorant, and stupid cops law enforcement officers.
This is why I introduced an amend- must be a top priority. Let’s call them The hateful anti-law-enforcement
ment to this bill that requires a GAO out.’’ rhetoric over the past 12 months has
investigation of communications by Not only is this disrespectful to the led to violence and division in Demo-
debt collectors, including specific rec- men and women who put their lives on crat-controlled cities across our coun-
ommendations for Congress to reduce the line every day to protect our com- try. We saw it in Seattle, Minneapolis,
the harassment and abuse of individ- munities, but it is actually dangerous. and Portland, city blocks burned, busi-
uals with debt. The stats speak for themselves. In nesses destroyed, lives ruined.
SSpencer on DSK126QN23PROD with HOUSE
The Comprehensive Debt Collection Democrat-run cities that defunded the Our local, State, and Federal law en-
Improvement Act is critical to pro- police, they have seen increases in forcement officers have been subjected
tecting students, servicemembers, crime. Let’s look at some of the num- to violence like we have never seen in
small business owners, and consumers bers. this country, ambush shootings taking
with debt from predatory practices. Austin, Texas: They cut funding for officers’ lives, violent riots, police pre-
I urge my colleagues to support this police by $150 million. In return, they cincts burned to the ground—yes,
entire legislation. It is important for saw a 50 percent spike in homicides. burned to the ground.
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H2230 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE May 12, 2021
Now more than ever, we need to send to law enforcement, they vote for it the police. I would say that it is not a
a loud and clear message to would-be and not just say they are supportive of myth. They actually do want to defund
criminals targeting our brave law en- it. Let’s put their moneys where their and dismantle the police. But don’t
forcement officers: If you attack or mouths are. take my words for it. We can take the
harm law enforcement in any way, you Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the words of my liberal colleagues, the
will pay. We back the blue in this coun- gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. LOIS Democrats.
try. FRANKEL). Representative ALEXANDRIA OCASIO-
To the radicals chanting to defund b 1445 CORTEZ, when reacting to Mayor Bill de
and abolish law enforcement, who are Blasio’s plan to cut one-sixth of New
you going to call if an armed criminal Ms. LOIS FRANKEL of Florida. Mr. York City’s Police Department budget,
breaks into your home? It is certainly Speaker, I thank the chairman for she actually deemed that as insuffi-
not going to be a social worker. yielding to me. cient. And I will quote my colleague:
We are a nation of laws and law and Mr. Speaker, give me a break. Since
‘‘Defunding the police means defunding
order. Without law enforcement, our when is having babies a liberal activ-
police. It doesn’t mean budget tricks or
country would cease to exist. Keep that ity?
In fact, I believe that police women funny math.’’
in mind when you hear anti-law-en- Again, that was my colleague from
have babies, too. And let me tell you
forcement zealots chanting to abolish New York, a Democrat. Her words, not
about a couple of other women.
police. What they are really advocating Erica was working at a warehouse mine.
for is abolishing the United States of lifting heavy boxes. She had been Representative CORI BUSH, when cele-
America. working there for years. And when she brating St. Louis defunding their po-
The hatred, vitriol, and violence lice force, despite consistently ranking
was denied her request to pick up light-
against law enforcement have to stop. as one of the most dangerous cities in
er boxes, she lost her pregnancy.
We need to stand and support our law Hannah gave 5 years of her life to a the United States, to that my col-
enforcement officers. That is why I healthcare company, was consistently league said: ‘‘Today’s decision to
urge my colleagues to support the promoted; but when she disclosed her defund the St. Louis Metropolitan Po-
Back the Blue Act, the Serve and Pro- pregnancy to her employer, she was lice Department is historic. It marks a
tect Act, and the Jaime Zapata and fired. new future for our city.’’
Victor Avila Federal Law Enforcement And Sara, who spent 7 years building Well, my colleague might be half cor-
Protection Act. a tech startup from the ground up and rect because it was historic. It did
Mr. PERLMUTTER. Mr. Speaker, I truly loved her job and had been prom- usher in a new future for that city, and
yield myself such time as I may con- ised a promotion when she came back that is the fact that you have crime
sume. I want to remind my friends on from maternity leave, had it revoked. rates rising to historic levels.
the Republican side of the aisle that we These are all true stories of women My colleague from Missouri contin-
passed a bill about 2 months ago called who have faced the real-world con- ued and she also said: ‘‘If we remove
the American Rescue Plan. Not one Re- sequence of discrimination against that’’—meaning the funding from the
publican voted for that. That had pregnant workers in America. So right police, if we cut police funding—‘‘and
money to support law enforcement and now, if a woman becomes pregnant, she take that money and put it into our
local governments and cities and can be denied, for example, an extra education system, put it into making
States that saw their tax revenues fall bathroom break, a place to sit, a light- sure our unhoused community mem-
off a cliff. er lifting, or fired for asking for simple bers are sheltered, putting it into men-
Mr. Speaker, when my friend, Mr. accommodations or even just dis- tal health resources, that is what we
RESCHENTHALER, says, oh, a billion dol- closing that she is pregnant. are saying because that is what is
lars was cut from the funding here, or This leaves many women having to going to make our communities safer.’’
$150 million cut from there, he forgot choose between the health of their So please stop the myth that Demo-
to talk about the fact that tax reve- pregnancy and putting foods on their crats actually don’t want to defund the
nues across the country for local gov- family’s table. We are putting women police. They absolutely do. They have
ernments and State governments were in danger every single day while we said it over and over again, and their
cut to the bone because of the pan- hold off on this action. They are real- policies have proven it in many cities.
demic. world implications for women like And what do the American people
If my friends really wanted to put Erica and Sara and Hannah, especially get?
their money where their mouths are, in light of how women have really suf- Increased crime rates.
then they would have supported the fered the brunt of the job loss during Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the
American Rescue Plan because it pro- the pandemic and as we see a rise in gentleman from Florida (Mr. RUTHER-
vided $350 billion to State and local maternal mortality rates for women of FORD), my good friend and a former
governments so that they could in- color. sheriff.
crease funding to the police, to law en- Mr. Speaker, so these stories are not Mr. RUTHERFORD. Mr. Speaker, I
forcement, to social services, to a unique. Pregnancy should not prevent thank the gentleman for yielding.
whole variety of agencies and needs. a woman from putting food on the Mr. Speaker, I rise to urge defeat of
But, apparently, they chose not to. In- table, for paying her bills. the previous question so that we can
stead, they choose to bring claims that Mr. Speaker, I urge everybody to immediately consider the Protect and
Democrats want to defund the police, pass this good and needed bill, Preg- Serve Act, my bipartisan bill to in-
which couldn’t be further from the nant Workers Fairness Act. crease penalties for individuals who de-
truth. Mr. RESCHENTHALER. Mr. Speak- liberately target law enforcement offi-
We put our money where our mouths er, I yield myself such time as I may cers with violence.
are, and we said we support law en- consume. Throughout my 40 years of law en-
forcement. We support local govern- Mr. Speaker, my good friend from forcement, including 12 as sheriff, I
ment employees. We support State gov- Colorado was talking about money in have seen firsthand the dangerous situ-
ernment employees. We provided in the the American Rescue Plan and money ations our men and women in law en-
American Rescue Plan, which not a going to States and how that is being forcement face every day. In Jackson-
single Republican voted for, hazard pay used. Let’s be clear about something. ville, in fact, our memorial wall is
because it has been so difficult for law California was actually running a filled with the names of many good po-
SSpencer on DSK126QN23PROD with HOUSE
enforcement and for so many others to surplus in their budget, yet that didn’t lice officers who laid down their lives
conduct their services, to be out in the stop them from taking the money from in service to their community.
community during this particular pan- the American Rescue Plan and giving This Police Week, we are honoring
demic. that not to the police, but to illegal the memory of the 394 officers our Na-
Mr. Speaker, I just would suggest to immigrants. tion lost last year. We pause to remem-
my friends, next time they get an op- And there is this myth out there that ber their sacrifice and pledge to sup-
portunity to actually provide funding Democrats really don’t want to defund port policies that keep our officers
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May 12, 2021 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H2231
safe. These policies should include Collection Improvement Act. This legisla- The Administration encourages the House
harsh penalties for violence targeted tion would expand necessary safeguards to to pass this bipartisan, commonsense legisla-
against our men and women in blue. ensure working families and small busi- tion and looks forward to working with the
nesses are protected from predatory debt col- Congress to protect pregnant workers across
When I first introduced the Protect
lection practices. the country.
and Serve Act in 2018, it was over- As our Nation works to recover from the Mr. PERLMUTTER. Mr. Speaker, I
whelmingly passed by the House 382–35. worst economic and public health crises of appreciate my friends on the other side
Police Week has always been a uni- our lifetimes, many families and small busi- of the aisle trying to find a subject to
fying time to honor those lost, but nesses are dealing with outstanding debts. In talk about, since apparently they don’t
now, now the majority will barely ac- addition to providing robust relief, the gov- really have too many objections to ei-
knowledge it. ernment must also protect Americans from
ther of the bills that are being dis-
What is going on? abusive and predatory practices.
I think the answer is simple. Sup- H.R. 2547 would extend existing consumer cussed in the rule today.
protections against predatory lending ar- Obviously, it doesn’t seem like there
porting our police has become unpopu-
rangements to small businesses, prohibit is much conversation about H.R. 1065,
lar in the Democratic Party. Pressure
debt collectors from threatening service the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act.
from online radicals, political pundits
members with a reduction in rank, prosecu- And there isn’t much discussion about
who have never worn a badge, never tion or loss of security clearance, and re- the Comprehensive Debt Collection Im-
been on a ride-along, they are dictating strict contact to consumers by email or text provement Act. Because those things
what policies the House majority will messages. The legislation would require dis- are commonsense. They should be
support. charge of private student loans for both the
passed by this House. We thank so
To make matters worse, House borrower and cosigners in the case of perma-
nent disability for the borrower, establishing many Republicans for being cosponsors
Democrats are pushing a police reform
greater parity in protections for private and of the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act.
bill right now that eliminates qualified
Federal student loan borrowers. The bill also Mr. Speaker, as I said earlier in my
immunity, the lifeblood of law enforce- opening remarks, a number of the pro-
clarifies protections for consumers in the
ment. Mr. Speaker, without qualified visions in the Comprehensive Debt Col-
case of non-judicial foreclosure proceedings.
immunity, the entire profession would The Administration applauds these steps lection Improvement Act are really bi-
end as we know it today. to strengthen consumer protections for hard- partisan, including the one Mr. Hall
It makes you wonder if that is their working Americans and their families, and used to champion when he was a Mem-
goal: End local law enforcement and we look forward to working with the Con-
ber here in the Congress.
replace it with a national police force gress further on the details of this legisla-
So you want to go off and talk about
similar to almost every socialist coun- tion.
something else. I wonder where the
try in the world. STATEMENT OF ADMINISTRATION POLICY
outrage for brutality against our police
Regardless, the growing antipolice H.R. 1065—PREGNANT WORKERS FAIRNESS ACT—
was when a rightwing mob stormed
rhetoric and widespread efforts to REP. NADLER, D–NY, AND 228 COSPONSORS
this Capitol. And the only one of the
defund police departments are leaving The Administration strongly supports
people that really is speaking of the
officers increasingly at risk to attacks House passage of H.R. 1065, the Pregnant
Workers Fairness Act. Pregnant workers are truth today in the Republican Caucus—
in communities less safe. Ms. CHENEY from Wyoming—was
As mentioned earlier, we are not too often unable to access simple changes to
their working conditions that would allow ousted from her leadership position be-
even halfway through 2021 and we have
them to keep doing their jobs and do so safe- cause she talked about the truth and
already seen more police officers shot ly. This can create risks to their health as the fact there was a mob, and our po-
this year than all of last year. Mean- well as economic consequences. No worker lice were beaten by a rightwing mob.
while, as mentioned earlier, American should be forced to choose between a pay- Mr. Speaker, so I would just say to
cities are experiencing a spike in vio- check and a healthy pregnancy. my friends on the other side of the
lent crime. The U.S. surpassed 20,000 The Pregnant Workers Fairness Act would
aisle: Take a look in the mirror, and
murders last year for the first time provide basic, long overdue protections to
ensure that pregnant workers and job appli- let’s support our police across the
since 1995. And just this year, shootings board. Because I certainly support the
cants are not fired or otherwise discrimi-
in Chicago, up 43 percent; New York nated against, or denied reasonable accom- law enforcement in Colorado. I support
City, Los Angeles, up 36 percent; Wash- modations that allow them to work. Such our Capitol Police, our FBI—particu-
ington, D.C., homicide up 63 percent. protections promote family economic secu- larly, the FBI.
Mr. Speaker, it turns out if you de- rity by helping women stay in the workforce, President Trump would always un-
moralize, defund, and delegitimize the including for those, often women of color, dercut the FBI.
police, crime goes up. I know many of who are the sole or primary breadwinners in So I would suggest to my friends:
my colleagues on the other side of the their families. Approximately two million Take a look in the mirror. Let’s all
aisle do support law enforcement. I women have left the workforce due to the
support our law enforcement because
know that. In fact, I know that a par- COVID–19 pandemic, eroding more than 30
years of progress in women’s labor force par-
they are important members of our
ticular few even have backgrounds in ticipation, and this Administration is com- community.
law enforcement. mitted to ensuring that women can both Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of
Mr. Speaker, so this is what I would care for and support themselves and their my time.
like to impart to my Democrat col- families. Mr. RESCHENTHALER. Mr. Speak-
leagues: Here is your chance to say H.R. 1065 is a bipartisan bill that requires er, I yield myself such time as I may
during Police Week that you support certain employers to make reasonable ac- consume.
our law enforcement officers. Vote for commodations for qualified employees and Mr. Speaker, my colleague from Col-
my bill, the Protect and Serve Act, job applicants with known limitations re- orado is asking why we are talking
lated to pregnancy, childbirth, or a related about the police. Well, the Democrats
just like you did in 2018, and show your
medical condition. These accommodations
constituent police officers that you have been doing a lot of talking about
might include simple modifications, such as
have their backs. modifying a no-food-or-drink policy, pro- police themselves—lots of talking
Mr. PERLMUTTER. Mr. Speaker, I viding additional break time to use the bath- about police.
yield myself such time as I may con- room, or helping avoid the lifting of heavy Representative ILHAN OMAR, in talk-
sume. objects, depending on the circumstances. The ing about the Minneapolis Police De-
Mr. Speaker, I include in the RECORD bill would require employers to provide rea- partment following the death of George
two Statements of Administration Pol- sonable accommodations for qualified preg- Floyd, said: ‘‘You can’t really reform a
icy. One on H.R. 2547, and the other one nant workers unless doing so would pose an department that is rotten to the root.’’
on H.R. 1065, both in support of the undue hardship to the employer. It would So, again, we are talking about po-
SSpencer on DSK126QN23PROD with HOUSE
also provide for an interactive process, where lice because police are heroes. We have
bills that are under consideration. necessary, between employers and pregnant
STATEMENT OF ADMINISTRATION POLICY always stood with the police, as Repub-
workers to determine appropriate and effec-
H.R. 2547—COMPREHENSIVE DEBT COLLECTION tive reasonable accommodations, and would
licans. I wish my Democrat colleagues
IMPROVEMENT ACT—REP. WATERS, D–CA, AND protect pregnant workers from being denied could say the same. But they have said
SEVEN COSPONSORS employment opportunities, or from retalia- repeatedly throughout the summer, in
The Administration supports House pas- tion or interference, because they request or the past, atrocious things about the po-
sage of H.R. 2547, the Comprehensive Debt use an accommodation. lice.
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H2232 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE May 12, 2021
Chairwoman MAXINE WATERS, in re- than all of 2020 and all of 2019. In 4 ⁄ 12 Air Force. My house was robbed once
sponse to the death of Rayshard months, we have had more fatalities, when I was a captain deployed to Bah-
Brooks, who tried to shoot officers more murders of policemen than in the rain. Another time, someone assumed a
with their own tasers during an at- whole year of 2020 and the whole year false identity when I was a lieutenant
tempted DUI arrest, said: ‘‘Police re- of 2019. It is clear that we need to en- colonel during the invasion of Iraq
form is not enough. Getting rid of se- force greater protections for those who when I was flying combat operations.
rial racist, ignorant, and stupid cops protect us, and that is why my col- Thankfully, one of the times the police
must be a top priority. Let’s call them leagues and I introduced the Back the captured one of the perpetrators and
out. Police protective unions, you have Blue Act. arrested him and he was charged for a
got to go, too.’’ The numbers are alarming. In 2018, 83 crime.
The attacks go on and on, on our law police officers were shot and 26 were I deployed to go to the battle. Every
enforcement. After the death of Daunte killed. In 2019, 86 were shot and 18 were day our police walk out their front
Wright, following a physical struggle killed. And 2020, 89 were shot and 18 door, after kissing their spouse good-
where an officer fired their service killed. This year, in 2021, as of April bye, wondering if they are going to en-
weapon instead of the intended taser, 30th, there have been 91 officers shot so counter a violent criminal. We cannot
Representative RASHIDA TLAIB said: far, and 19 of them killed by gunfire. thank our police officers enough.
‘‘Policing in our country is inherently Our police are being targeted. We During Police Week, I urge my col-
and intentionally racist.’’ need to defend our law enforcement leagues to support our first responders
and public safety officers, and our bill by immediately considering and sup-
b 1500 porting the Back the Blue Act.
does just that.
Representative TLAIB has also said: Specifically, the Back the Blue Act Mr. PERLMUTTER. Mr. Speaker, I
‘‘No more policing, incarceration, and creates new criminal provisions to Fed- yield myself such time as I may con-
militarization. It can’t be reformed.’’ eral law enforcement officers; U.S. sume.
Again, this is what Democrats say Mr. Speaker, I commend my friend
judges; and federally funded public
about police. from Nebraska for condemning—fi-
And I know my colleague from Colo- safety officers, such as firefighters,
chaplains, and members of a rescue nally, somebody condemning the riot
rado said he supports police, but in re- and the attack that occurred against
sponse to riots across the country sur- squad or ambulance crew.
The Back the Blue Act creates a new all of us and against our police, the
rounding the death of George Floyd, Capitol Police, on January 6. I would
Federal crime for killing, attempting
my good friend from Colorado said: also like to see more members of the
to kill, or conspiring to kill a Federal
‘‘Supporting Representative Republican Party stand up and do ex-
judge, Federal law enforcement officer
PRESSLEY’s resolution to condemn all actly that same thing.
or a federally funded public safety offi-
acts of police brutality, racial Mr. Speaker, I would also like to see
cer. The offender would be subject to
profiling, and excessive use of force is them do what Ms. CHENEY did, and con-
the death penalty and a mandatory
the first step, but an important step, in demn the ex-President, Donald Trump,
minimum sentence of 30 years if death
affecting change and working to end for his role in inciting that whole mob
results. The offender would otherwise
these injustices.’’ action on January 6, and then we could
That sounds very benign, and under- face a minimum sentence of 10 years.
start getting things back together.
standably so. But if you look at the The bill creates a new Federal crime Instead, my friend from Pennsyl-
support for what the resolution actu- for assaulting a federally funded law vania, reading a resolution that con-
ally said, let’s read what the resolution enforcement officer with escalating demns racist policing that may have
said. penalties, including mandatory mini- existed for a very long time, and I can’t
‘‘The system of policing in America mums based on the extent of any in- believe that he supports policing that
and its systemic targeting of and use of jury and the use of a dangerous weap- is delivered in some kind of racist fash-
deadly and brutal force against people on. However, no prosecution can be ion. We have had too many people
of color, particularly Black people, commenced absent certification by the killed across this country. I know that
stems from the long legacy of slavery, Attorney General that prosecution is is not what he meant.
lynching, Jim Crow laws, and the war appropriate. So I just would urge us to focus on
on drugs in the United States.’’ Now, I want to respond to my friend, the bills that are at hand, which is the
So, in essence, supporting that reso- who I respect, from Colorado. I con- Comprehensive Debt Collection Im-
lution is really linking modern police demned the behavior and the riot that provement Act and the Pregnant Work-
to the horrors of slavery and Jim Crow. occurred on January 6. Over one hun- ers Fairness Act, because those are im-
It is absolutely unacceptable. dred of our policemen were injured. portant pieces of legislation that
Again, it was a Democrat, it was JFK This bill provides extra protections for should be considered immediately by
in 1962, who declared this week Police Capitol Hill law enforcement. Those this House. And when we pass this rule,
Week. I just wish the current Demo- who injured our Capitol Police on Jan- they will be considered.
cratic Party could stand with the Re- uary 6 would be under greater punish- So I oppose the gentleman’s sugges-
publicans and honor police, especially ment or penalties, if convicted. tions that we move to a different pre-
memorialize police who have died de- Our bill also creates a new Federal vious question. I appreciate Mr.
fending our communities and our coun- crime for interstate flight from justice BACON’s comments about his bill.
try. to avoid prosecution for killing, at- There are provisions in there that are
Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes the tempting to kill or conspiring to kill a really outstanding, but we are here to
gentleman from Nebraska (Mr. BACON), Federal judge, Federal law enforce- deal with debt collections and we are
my good friend the former general. ment officer or federally funded public here to deal with pregnant workers’
Mr. BACON. Mr. Speaker, I rise to safety officer. The offender would be fairness.
urge defeat of the previous question so subject to a mandatory minimum sen- Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of
that we can immediately consider my tence of 10 years for this offense. my time.
bill to ensure that those who risk their Lastly, the Back the Blue Act cre- Mr. RESCHENTHALER. Mr. Speak-
lives to protect all of us are afforded ates a specific aggravating factor for er, I would ask how much time each
greater protections as well. the Federal death penalty prosecu- side has remaining.
I introduced the Back the Blue Act of tions. It expands self-defense and Sec- The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gen-
2021 with Senator CORNYN in the Sen- ond Amendment rights for law enforce- tleman from Pennsylvania has 23⁄4 min-
SSpencer on DSK126QN23PROD with HOUSE
ate and my two original cosponsors in ment officers. It opens up grant fund- utes remaining. The gentleman from
the House, Representatives STIVERS ing to strengthen relationships be- Colorado has 101⁄2 minutes remaining.
and JOHNSON, during Police Week be- tween police and their communities. Mr. RESCHENTHALER. Mr. Speak-
cause this bill is needed now more than Mr. Speaker, I want to thank our law er, I yield myself the balance of my
ever. enforcement personally. I was a victim time.
There have been more officers shot of crime twice, and both times I was Mr. Speaker, it is relevant, these
and killed in the last 41⁄2 months of 2021 deployed when I was assigned to the three police bills, because, as I said
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May 12, 2021 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H2233
when I opened, if we defeat this pre- So the Comprehensive Debt Collec- amendment thereto to final passage without
vious question, I will bring forth the tion Improvement Act is very impor- intervening motion except: (1) one hour of
amendment personally to bring up tant for the financial health of our con- debate equally divided and controlled by the
chair and ranking minority member of the
these three bills that actually honor sumers and people across the country.
Committee on the Judiciary; and (2) one mo-
our police officers. The provisions in the bill are bipar- tion to recommit.
Again, it is a historical norm in this tisan ideas to protect consumers from SEC 10. Immediately after disposition of
body, in this Chamber, that during Po- abusive debt collection practices. They H.R. 3080, the House shall proceed to the con-
lice Week we focus on bills to help po- also ensure pregnant women can re- sideration in the House of the bill (H.R. 2137)
lice officers. That is why this is rel- ceive reasonable workplace accom- to amend title 18, United States Code, to fur-
evant today. And the fact that my modations to ensure that they can stay ther protect officers and employees of the
Democrat colleagues refuse to talk in the workforce. United States, and for other purposes. All
about the police raises a lot of ques- According to the CFPB 2021 Annual points of order against consideration of the
tions. We need to help the police. bill are waived. The bill shall be considered
Report, more than one in four Ameri- as read. All points of order against provi-
Let me just give you one example of cans have a third-party debt collection sions in the bill are waived. The previous
the heroic acts of the police. After a item attached to their credit report. question shall be considered as ordered on
suicidal man drove off a bridge into an And, last year, the CFPB received the bill and on any amendment thereto to
ocean, San Diego Police Department 82,700 consumer complaints about debt final passage without intervening motion ex-
K–9 officer, Jonathan Wiese, sprung collection. It is time for Congress to cept: (1) one hour of debate equally divided
into action, scaling down the side of a act. and controlled by the chair and ranking mi-
cliff to rescue twin 2-year-old sisters And based on the gentleman from nority member of the Committee on the Ju-
who were caught inside the vehicle. diciary; and (2) one motion to recommit.
Pennsylvania’s argument, which has
When asked about this decision to SEC. 11. Clause 1(c) of rule XIX shall not
nothing to do with that particular bill apply to the consideration of H.R. 3079, H.R.
throw himself over a cliff, Officer or the facts as we have seen them de-
Wiese explained: ‘‘I didn’t do this job to 3080, and H.R. 2137.
velop during this pandemic, that Mr. PERLMUTTER. Mr. Speaker, I
be liked every day. I didn’t do it to be- should be an easy vote for everybody,
come rich. I did it because I wanted to yield back the balance of my time, and
whether they are Democrat or Repub- I move the previous question on the
be out there making a difference and lican.
helping people.’’ resolution.
The Comprehensive Debt Collection The SPEAKER pro tempore. The
That is the mentality of the men and
Improvement Act provides important question is on ordering the previous
women who are in our law enforce-
consumer protections to stop abusive question.
ment. That is why this week they de-
debt collection practices, and it en- The question was taken; and the
serve our attention, and that is why
sures that small businesses, families, Speaker pro tempore announced that
my colleagues should be afforded the
and individuals are treated fairly. the ayes appeared to have it.
right to bring up their three bills
The Pregnant Workers Fairness Act Mr. RESCHENTHALER. Mr. Speak-
through an amendment.
Mr. Speaker, while the rest of the is necessary to support the more than er, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
Nation recognizes National Police 80 percent of women who will give birth The yeas and nays were ordered.
Week and shows gratitude for the men to a child at some point during their The vote was taken by electronic de-
and women keeping our communities working years. These women deserve to vice, and there were—yeas 212, nays
safe, House Democrats are prioritizing have reasonable accommodations, 206, not voting 12, as follows:
two pieces of legislation that do abso- which oftentimes cost businesses little
[Roll No. 135]
lutely nothing, nothing to help law en- to no money to implement. So we can
help pregnant women stay in the work- YEAS—212
forcement officers. Adams Cuellar Johnson (TX)
Instead, they are jamming through a force. This bill passed on broad bipar-
Aguilar Davids (KS) Jones
socialist takeover of our country’s fi- tisan vote last Congress, and I hope it Allred Davidson Kahele
nancial system that will actually hurt passes with even more support again Axne Davis, Danny K. Keating
consumers and our Nation’s small busi- this week. Barragán Dean Kelly (IL)
Mr. Speaker, I encourage a ‘‘yes’’ Bass DeFazio Khanna
nesses. That is why I urge my col- Beatty DeGette Kildee
leagues to vote ‘‘no’’ on the previous vote on the rule and the previous ques- Bera DeLauro Kilmer
question, and I urge ‘‘no’’ on the under- tion. Beyer DelBene Kim (NJ)
lying measure. The material previously referred to Bishop (GA) Delgado Kind
by Mr. RESCHENTHALER is as follows: Blumenauer Demings Kirkpatrick
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance Blunt Rochester DeSaulnier Krishnamoorthi
of my time. AMENDMENT TO HOUSE RESOLUTION 380 Bonamici Deutch Kuster
Mr. PERLMUTTER. Mr. Speaker, I At the end of the resolution, add the fol- Bourdeaux Dingell Lamb
lowing: Bowman Doggett Langevin
yield myself the balance of my time. Boyle, Brendan Doyle, Michael Larsen (WA)
Mr. Speaker, I, too, during this week, SEC. 8. Immediately upon adoption of this
F. F. Larson (CT)
applaud our law enforcement and our resolution, the House shall proceed to the
Brown Escobar Lawrence
consideration in the House of the bill (H.R. Brownley Eshoo Lawson (FL)
first responders, but particularly law 3079) to amend title 18, United States Code, Bush Espaillat Lee (CA)
enforcement right now for their valor, to punish criminal offenses targeting law en- Bustos Evans Lee (NV)
for their protection of our commu- forcement officers, and for other purposes. Butterfield Fletcher Leger Fernandez
nities. I appreciate the gentleman for All points of order against consideration of Carbajal Foster Levin (CA)
bringing up that subject at this time. the bill are waived. The bill shall be consid- Cárdenas Frankel, Lois Levin (MI)
Carson Gallego Lieu
But we are here on a rule dealing ered as read. All points of order against pro-
Carter (LA) Garamendi Lofgren
with the Comprehensive Debt Collec- visions in the bill are waived. The previous Cartwright Garcı́a (IL) Lowenthal
tion Improvement Act and Pregnant question shall be considered as ordered on Case Garcia (TX) Luria
Workers Fairness Act. The treatment the bill and on any amendment thereto to Casten Gomez Lynch
final passage without intervening motion ex- Castor (FL) Gonzalez, Malinowski
of consumers in the collection of debts cept: (1) one hour of debate equally divided Castro (TX) Vicente Maloney,
and businesses and military personnel and controlled by the chair and ranking mi- Chu Gottheimer Carolyn B.
is a very important subject, especially Cicilline Green, Al (TX) Maloney, Sean
nority member of the Committee on the Ju-
Clark (MA) Grijalva Manning
during this time of COVID when so diciary; and (2) one motion to recommit. Clarke (NY) Harder (CA) Matsui
many families are struggling. SEC. 9. Immediately after disposition of Cleaver Hayes McBath
We have thousands and thousands of H.R. 3079, the House shall proceed to the con- Clyburn Higgins (NY) McCollum
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people who were laid off. In fact, where sideration in the House of the bill (H.R. 3080) Cohen Himes McEachin
to protect law enforcement officers, and for Connolly Horsford McGovern
millions of people are still out of work Cooper Houlahan McNerney
other purposes. All points of order against
a year and a half after COVID started. Correa Hoyer Meeks
consideration of the bill are waived. The bill
And, as a consequence, a lot of folks shall be considered as read. All points of
Costa Huffman Meng
need assistance and need help, and they Courtney Jackson Lee Mfume
order against provisions in the bill are Craig Jacobs (CA) Moore (WI)
don’t need to be hounded in improper waived. The previous question shall be con- Crist Jayapal Morelle
ways as they go through this struggle. sidered as ordered on the bill and on any Crow Jeffries Moulton
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H2234 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE May 12, 2021
Mrvan Ruiz Takano NOT VOTING—12 Manning Pingree Speier
Nadler Ruppersberger Thompson (CA) Matsui Pocan Stanton
Auchincloss Johnson (GA) Murphy (FL)
Napolitano Rush Thompson (MS) McBath Porter Stevens
Dunn Kaptur Omar
Neal Ryan Titus McCollum Pressley Strickland
Golden Kinzinger Sherrill
Neguse Sánchez Tlaib McEachin Price (NC) Suozzi
Greene (GA) LaMalfa Webster (FL)
Newman Sarbanes Tonko McGovern Quigley Swalwell
McNerney Raskin Takano
Norcross Scanlon Torres (CA) b 1548 Meeks Rice (NY) Thompson (CA)
O’Halleran Schakowsky Torres (NY)
Ocasio-Cortez Schiff Trahan Messrs. KATKO, VALADAO, Meng Ross Thompson (MS)
Mfume Roybal-Allard Titus
Pallone Schneider Trone FEENSTRA, and PERRY changed their Moore (WI) Ruiz Tlaib
Panetta Schrader Underwood vote from ‘‘yea’’ to ‘‘nay.’’
Pappas Schrier Morelle Ruppersberger Tonko
Vargas
Pascrell Scott (VA) Veasey
Ms. SPEIER changed her vote from Moulton Rush Torres (CA)
‘‘nay’’ to ‘‘yea.’’ Mrvan Ryan Torres (NY)
Payne Scott, David Vela Nadler Sánchez Trahan
Perlmutter Sewell Velázquez So the previous question was ordered. Napolitano Sarbanes Trone
Peters Sherman Wasserman The result of the vote was announced Neal Scanlon Underwood
Phillips Sires Schultz Neguse Schakowsky Vargas
Pingree Slotkin
as above recorded.
Waters Newman Schiff Veasey
Pocan Smith (WA) Watson Coleman MEMBERS RECORDED PURSUANT TO HOUSE Norcross Schneider Vela
Porter Soto Welch RESOLUTION 8, 117TH CONGRESS O’Halleran Schrader Velázquez
Pressley Spanberger Wexton Allred (Stevens) Lawson (FL) Ocasio-Cortez Schrier Wasserman
Owens (Stewart)
Price (NC) Speier Wild Cárdenas (Evans) Omar Scott (VA) Schultz
Payne (Pallone)
Quigley Stanton Williams (GA) (Gallego) Lieu (Beyer) Pallone Scott, David Waters
Porter (Wexton)
Raskin Stevens Wilson (FL) Crenshaw Lofgren (Jeffries) Panetta Sewell Watson Coleman
Ruiz (Aguilar)
Rice (NY) Strickland Yarmuth (Pfluger) Lowenthal Pappas Sherman Welch
Ruppersberger
Ross Suozzi Eshoo (Beyer) Pascrell Sires Wexton
(Raskin)
Roybal-Allard Swalwell (Thompson McEachin Payne Slotkin Wild
Rush
(CA)) (Wexton) Perlmutter Smith (WA) Williams (GA)
(Underwood) Peters Soto Wilson (FL)
NAYS—206 Fallon (Joyce Meng (Clark
Sewell (DelBene) Phillips Spanberger Yarmuth
Aderholt (OH)) (MA))
Gonzales, Tony Mooney Strickland
Allen Grijalva (Garcı́a Mfume
Gonzalez (OH) Moore (AL) (DelBene)
Amodei Good (VA) Moore (UT)
(IL)) (Connolly) NAYS—210
Johnson (TX) Moore (WI) Wilson (FL)
Armstrong Gooden (TX) Mullin (Hayes) Aderholt Garcia (CA) McClain
Arrington (Jeffries) (Beyer) Allen
Gosar Murphy (NC) Gibbs McClintock
Babin Kirkpatrick Napolitano Amodei
Granger Nehls Gimenez McHenry
Bacon (Stanton) (Correa) Armstrong
Graves (LA) Newhouse Gohmert McKinley
Baird Graves (MO) Norman The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Arrington Gonzales, Tony Meijer
Balderson Green (TN) Nunes Babin Gonzalez (OH) Meuser
Banks Griffith Obernolte
question is on the resolution. Bacon Good (VA) Miller (IL)
Barr Grothman Owens The question was taken; and the Baird Gooden (TX) Miller (WV)
Bentz Guest Palazzo Speaker pro tempore announced that Balderson Gosar Miller-Meeks
Bergman Guthrie Palmer the ayes appeared to have it. Banks Granger Moolenaar
Bice (OK) Hagedorn Pence Barr Graves (LA) Mooney
Biggs Harris Perry Mr. RESCHENTHALER. Mr. Speak- Bentz Graves (MO) Moore (AL)
Bilirakis Harshbarger Pfluger er, on that I demand the yeas and nays. Bergman Green (TN) Moore (UT)
Bishop (NC) Hartzler Posey The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- Bice (OK) Greene (GA) Mullin
Boebert Hern Reed Biggs Griffith Murphy (NC)
Bost Herrell Reschenthaler
ant to section 3(s) of House Resolution Bilirakis Grothman Nehls
Brady Herrera Beutler Rice (SC) 8, the yeas and nays are ordered. Bishop (NC) Guest Newhouse
Brooks Hice (GA) Rodgers (WA) The vote was taken by electronic de- Boebert Guthrie Norman
Buchanan Higgins (LA) Rogers (AL) vice, and there were—yeas 214, nays Bost Hagedorn Nunes
Buck Hill Rogers (KY) Brady Harris Obernolte
Bucshon Hinson Rose 210, not voting 6, as follows: Brooks Harshbarger Owens
Budd Hollingsworth Rosendale [Roll No. 136] Buchanan Hartzler Palazzo
Burchett Hudson Rouzer Buck Hern Palmer
Burgess Huizenga Roy
YEAS—214 Bucshon Herrell Pence
Calvert Issa Rutherford Adams Costa Houlahan Budd Herrera Beutler Perry
Cammack Jackson Salazar Aguilar Courtney Hoyer Burchett Hice (GA) Pfluger
Carl Jacobs (NY) Scalise Allred Craig Huffman Burgess Higgins (LA) Posey
Carter (GA) Johnson (LA) Schweikert Auchincloss Crist Jackson Lee Calvert Hill Reed
Carter (TX) Johnson (OH) Scott, Austin Axne Crow Jacobs (CA) Cammack Hinson Reschenthaler
Cawthorn Johnson (SD) Sessions Barragán Cuellar Jayapal Carl Hollingsworth Rice (SC)
Chabot Jordan Simpson Bass Davids (KS) Jeffries Carter (GA) Hudson Rodgers (WA)
Cheney Joyce (OH) Smith (MO) Beatty Davis, Danny K. Johnson (GA) Carter (TX) Huizenga Rogers (AL)
Cline Joyce (PA) Smith (NE) Bera Dean Johnson (TX) Cawthorn Issa Rogers (KY)
Cloud Katko Smith (NJ) Beyer DeFazio Jones Chabot Jackson Rose
Clyde Keller Smucker Bishop (GA) DeGette Kahele Cheney Jacobs (NY) Rosendale
Cole Kelly (MS) Spartz Blumenauer DeLauro Kaptur Cline Johnson (LA) Rouzer
Comer Kelly (PA) Stauber Blunt Rochester DelBene Keating Cloud Johnson (OH) Roy
Crawford Kim (CA) Steel Bonamici Delgado Kelly (IL) Clyde Johnson (SD) Rutherford
Crenshaw Kustoff Stefanik Bourdeaux Demings Khanna Cole Jordan Salazar
Curtis LaHood Steil Bowman DeSaulnier Kildee Comer Joyce (OH) Scalise
Davis, Rodney Lamborn Steube Boyle, Brendan Dingell Kilmer Crawford Joyce (PA) Schweikert
DesJarlais Latta Stewart F. Doggett Kim (NJ) Crenshaw Katko Scott, Austin
Diaz-Balart LaTurner Stivers Brown Doyle, Michael Kind Curtis Keller Sessions
Donalds Lesko Taylor Brownley F. Kirkpatrick Davidson Kelly (MS) Simpson
Duncan Letlow Tenney Bush Escobar Krishnamoorthi Davis, Rodney Kelly (PA) Smith (MO)
Emmer Long Thompson (PA) Bustos Eshoo Kuster DesJarlais Kim (CA) Smith (NE)
Estes Loudermilk Tiffany Butterfield Espaillat Lamb Diaz-Balart Kinzinger Smith (NJ)
Fallon Lucas Timmons Carbajal Evans Langevin Donalds Kustoff Smucker
Feenstra Luetkemeyer Turner Cárdenas Fletcher Larsen (WA) Duncan LaHood Spartz
Ferguson Mace Upton Carson Foster Larson (CT) Emmer LaMalfa Stauber
Fischbach Malliotakis Valadao Carter (LA) Frankel, Lois Lawrence Estes Lamborn Steel
Fitzgerald Mann Van Drew Cartwright Gallego Lawson (FL) Fallon Latta Stefanik
Fitzpatrick Massie Van Duyne Case Garamendi Lee (CA) Feenstra LaTurner Steil
Fleischmann Mast Wagner Casten Garcı́a (IL) Lee (NV) Ferguson Lesko Steube
Fortenberry McCarthy Walberg Castor (FL) Garcia (TX) Leger Fernandez Fischbach Letlow Stewart
Foxx McCaul Walorski Castro (TX) Gomez Levin (CA) Fitzgerald Long Stivers
Franklin, C. McClain Waltz Chu Gonzalez, Levin (MI) Fitzpatrick Loudermilk Taylor
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Scott McClintock Weber (TX) Cicilline Vicente Lieu Fleischmann Lucas Tenney
Fulcher McHenry Wenstrup Clark (MA) Gottheimer Lofgren Fortenberry Luetkemeyer Thompson (PA)
Gaetz McKinley Westerman Clarke (NY) Green, Al (TX) Lowenthal Foxx Mace Tiffany
Gallagher Meijer Williams (TX) Cleaver Grijalva Luria Franklin, C. Malliotakis Timmons
Garbarino Meuser Wilson (SC) Clyburn Harder (CA) Lynch Scott Mann Turner
Garcia (CA) Miller (IL) Wittman Cohen Hayes Malinowski Fulcher Massie Upton
Gibbs Miller (WV) Womack Connolly Higgins (NY) Maloney, Gaetz Mast Valadao
Gimenez Miller-Meeks Young Cooper Himes Carolyn B. Gallagher McCarthy Van Drew
Gohmert Moolenaar Zeldin Correa Horsford Maloney, Sean Garbarino McCaul Van Duyne
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May 12, 2021 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H2235
Wagner Wenstrup Womack Lanai, Oahu, and Kauai in the State of Ha- SEC. 2. FAMILY SUPPORT SERVICES FOR INDIVID-
Walberg Westerman Young waii. UALS STRUGGLING WITH SUB-
Walorski Williams (TX) Zeldin STANCE USE DISORDER.
Waltz Wilson (SC) (b) STUDY.— Part D of title V of the Public Health Serv-
Weber (TX) Wittman (1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall con- ice Act (42 U.S.C. 290dd et seq.) is amended
duct a study— by adding at the end the following:
NOT VOTING—6
(A) to determine the suitability and feasi- ‘‘SEC. 553. FAMILY SUPPORT SERVICES FOR INDI-
Deutch Golden Sherrill bility of establishing a unit of the National VIDUALS STRUGGLING WITH SUB-
Dunn Murphy (FL) Webster (FL) STANCE USE DISORDER.
Forest System in the study area; and
b 1619 (B) to identify available land within the ‘‘(a) DEFINITIONS.—In this section—
study area that could be included in the unit ‘‘(1) the term ‘family community organiza-
So the resolution was agreed to. described in subparagraph (A). tion’ means an independent nonprofit organi-
The result of the vote was announced (2) COORDINATION AND CONSULTATION.—In zation that—
as above recorded. conducting the study under paragraph (1), ‘‘(A) mobilizes resources within and out-
A motion to reconsider was laid on the Secretary shall— side of the community of families with indi-
the table. (A) coordinate with the Hawaii Depart- viduals living with addiction, to provide a
ment of Land and Natural Resources; and support network, education, and evidence-in-
MEMBERS RECORDED PURSUANT TO HOUSE
(B) consult with the Hawaii Department of formed tools for families and loved ones of
RESOLUTION 8, 117TH CONGRESS
Agriculture and other interested govern- individuals struggling with substance use
Allred (Stevens) Lawson (FL) Owens (Stewart) disorders; and
Cárdenas
mental entities, private and nonprofit orga-
(Evans) Payne (Pallone) ‘‘(B) is governed by experts in the field of
(Gallego) Lieu (Beyer) Porter (Wexton)
nizations, and any interested individuals.
Crenshaw Lofgren (Jeffries) (3) CONTENTS.—In conducting the study addiction, which may include—
Ruiz (Aguilar)
(Pfluger) Lowenthal under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall— ‘‘(i) experts in evidence-informed interven-
Ruppersberger
Eshoo (Beyer) (Raskin) (A) consider unique vegetation types that tions for family members;
(Thompson McEachin Rush occur in the study area and that should be ‘‘(ii) experts in the impact of addiction on
(CA)) (Wexton) (Underwood) targeted for inclusion in the unit of the Na- family systems;
Fallon (Joyce Meng (Clark ‘‘(iii) families who have experience with
Sewell (DelBene) tional Forest System described in paragraph
(OH)) (MA)) substance use disorders and addiction; and
Strickland (1)(A);
Grijalva (Garcı́a Mfume
(DelBene) (B) evaluate the ability of the Secretary— ‘‘(iv) other experts in the field of addiction;
(IL)) (Connolly)
Johnson (TX) Moore (WI) Wilson (FL) (i) to improve and protect forest areas and
(Jeffries) (Beyer) (Hayes) within the study area; and ‘‘(2) the term ‘family support services’
Kirkpatrick Napolitano (ii) to secure favorable water flows within means resources or programs that support
(Stanton) (Correa) the study area; families that include an individual with sub-
f (C) determine whether the unit of the Na- stance use disorder.
‘‘(b) GRANTS AUTHORIZED.—The Secretary
tional Forest System described in paragraph
DISMISSING THE ELECTION CON- (1)(A) would expand, enhance, or duplicate—
shall award grants to family community or-
TEST RELATING TO THE OFFICE ganizations to enable such organizations to
(i) resource protection; and
OF REPRESENTATIVE FROM THE develop, expand, and enhance evidence-in-
(ii) visitor-use opportunities;
formed family support services.
FOURTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL (D) consider parcels of an appropriate size ‘‘(c) FEDERAL SHARE.—The Federal share of
DISTRICT OF ILLINOIS or location to be capable of economical ad- the costs of a program funded by a grant
ministration as part of the National Forest under this section may not exceed 85 per-
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- System separately or jointly with the other
ant to section 7 of House Resolution cent.
land identified under paragraph (1)(B); ‘‘(d) USE OF FUNDS.—Grants awarded under
380, House Resolution 379 is hereby (E) evaluate the willingness of landowners subsection (b)—
adopted. to sell or transfer land in the study area to ‘‘(1) shall be used to develop, expand, and
The text of the resolution is as fol- the Secretary; enhance community and statewide evidence-
lows: (F) evaluate the suitability of land in the informed family support services; and
H. RES. 379 study area for potential selection and des- ‘‘(2) may be used to—
ignation as a research natural area or an ex- ‘‘(A) build connections between family sup-
Resolved, That the election contest relating perimental forest; port networks, including providing technical
to the office of Representative from the (G) identify cost estimates for any Federal assistance between family community orga-
Fourteenth Congressional District of Illinois acquisition, development, operation, and nizations and peer support networks, and
is dismissed. maintenance that would be needed to estab- with other family support services, focused
f lish the unit of the National Forest System on enhancing knowledge of evidence-in-
described in paragraph (1)(A); and formed interventions for family members
MOTION TO SUSPEND THE RULES
(H) consider other alternatives for the con- and loved ones of individuals living with sub-
AND PASS CERTAIN BILLS servation, protection, and use of areas with- stance use disorders and reducing harm by
Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, pursuant in the study area by the Federal Govern- educating service providers on current evi-
to section 6 of House Resolution 380, I ment, State or local government entities, or dence regarding addiction and the family, in-
move to suspend the rules and pass private and nonprofit organizations. cluding—
‘‘(i) behavioral health providers, including
H.R. 297, H.R. 433, H.R. 478, H.R. 586, (c) EFFECT.—Nothing in this section au-
such providers focused specifically on family
H.R. 721, H.R. 768, H.R. 810, H.R. 1205, thorizes the Secretary to take any action
and couples therapy in the context of addic-
H.R. 1260, H.R. 1324, H.R. 1448, H.R. 1475, that would affect the use of any land owned
tion;
H.R. 1480, H.R. 2862, H.R. 2955, and H.R. by the United States or not owned by the
‘‘(ii) primary care providers;
United States.
2981. ‘‘(iii) providers of foster care services or
The other suspension bills, either a (d) REPORT.—Not later than 3 years after support services for grandparents, guardians,
vote was not requested or, alter- the date of enactment of this Act, the Sec- and other extended family impacted by ad-
retary shall submit to the Committee on En- diction; and
natively, one bill, for which a problem
ergy and Natural Resources of the Senate ‘‘(iv) other family support services that
has arisen, we have pulled that. Hope- and the Committee on Natural Resources of connect to community resources for individ-
fully, we will consider that tomorrow the House of Representatives a report that uals with substance use disorders, including
under suspension. describes— non-clinical community services;
The Clerk read the title of the bills. (1) the results of the study; and ‘‘(B) reduce stigma associated with the
The text of the bills are as follows: (2) any conclusions and recommendations family of individuals with substance use dis-
HAWAII NATIONAL FOREST STUDY of the Secretary. orders by improving knowledge about addic-
tion and its treatment, providing compas-
H.R. 297 FAMILY SUPPORT SERVICES FOR ADDICTION ACT sionate support, and dispelling myths that
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Rep- OF 2021 perpetuate such stigma;
resentatives of the United States of America in ‘‘(C) conduct outreach on issues relating to
H.R. 433
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Congress assembled, substance use disorders and family support,
SECTION 1. HAWAII NATIONAL FOREST STUDY. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Rep- which may include education, training, and
(a) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: resentatives of the United States of America in resources with respect to—
(1) SECRETARY.—The term ‘‘Secretary’’ Congress assembled, ‘‘(i) building a resilience- and strengths-
means the Secretary of Agriculture, acting based approach to prevention of, and living
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
through the Chief of the Forest Service. with, addiction in the family;
(2) STUDY AREA.—The term ‘‘study area’’ This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Family Sup- ‘‘(ii) identifying the signs of substance use
means the islands of Hawaii, Maui, Molokai, port Services for Addiction Act of 2021’’. disorder;
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