Congressional Record, House, October 12, 2021 — H. Res. 716 Rule for H.R. 2119, H.R. 3110 and H.R. 3992
Summary
Congressional Record, House, Tuesday, October 12, 2021 (Vol. 167, No. 179; page H5613). The House met at 3 p.m., stood in recess, and was called to order again at 4 p.m. McGovern, from the Committee on Rules, submits a privileged report on House Resolution 716 providing for consideration of the Family Violence Prevention and Services Improvement Act of 2021, the Providing Urgent Maternal Protections for Nursing Mothers Act, the Protect Older Job Applicants Act of 2021, and a Senate amendment to the House amendment to a Senate bill. McGovern calls up the resolution and the Clerk reads it.
Summary drafted by a model from the document's text below and checked by script against that text before publication. It is a navigation aid, not a reading of what the document proves. Where AI is used
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“Congressional Record, House, October 12, 2021 — H. Res. 716 Rule for H.R. 2119, H.R. 3110 and H.R. 3992.”
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Congressional Record
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117 th CONGRESS, FIRST SESSION
United States
of America PROCEEDINGS AND DEBATES OF THE
Vol. 167 WASHINGTON, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2021 No. 179
House of Representatives
The House met at 3 p.m. and was come forward and lead the House in the amend the Family Violence Prevention
called to order by the Speaker. Pledge of Allegiance. and Services Act to make improve-
f Mr. WILSON of South Carolina led ments; providing for consideration of
the Pledge of Allegiance as follows: the bill (H.R. 3110) to amend the Fair
PRAYER Labor Standards Act of 1938 to expand
I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the
The Chaplain, the Reverend Margaret United States of America, and to the Repub- access to breastfeeding accommoda-
Grun Kibben, offered the following lic for which it stands, one nation under God, tions in the workplace, and for other
prayer: indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. purposes; providing for consideration of
Almighty God, speak to us this day. f the bill (H.R. 3992) to amend the Age
Call us. Call us together as people of Discrimination in Employment Act of
faith and inspire us to take the time to RECESS 1967 to prohibit employers from lim-
encourage each other with testimonies The SPEAKER. Pursuant to clause iting, segregating, or classifying appli-
of Your grace and to share our experi- 12(a) of rule I, the Chair declares the cants for employment; relating to con-
ences of Your abiding love. House in recess subject to the call of sideration of the Senate amendment to
Then, when we find ourselves dis- the Chair. the House amendment to the bill (S.
couraged by the success of wrongdoers, Accordingly (at 3 o’clock and 5 min- 1301) to provide for the publication by
frustrated by the smugness of the utes p.m.), the House stood in recess. the Secretary of Health and Human
proud, and offended when the impudent Services of physical activity rec-
f ommendations for Americans; and for
put You to the test and walk away un-
repentant, because we are sure of Your b 1600 other purposes, which was referred to
ultimate word, we will not accuse You the House Calendar and ordered to be
AFTER RECESS printed.
of indifference.
If we ground ourselves in Your gra- The recess having expired, the House f
cious plan, even when confronted with was called to order by the Speaker pro
PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION
confusion, we need not question wheth- tempore (Mr. THOMPSON of California)
OF H.R. 2119, FAMILY VIOLENCE
er our devotion to You is in vain. at 4 p.m.
PREVENTION AND SERVICES IM-
In all that we encounter, may we be f PROVEMENT ACT OF 2021; PRO-
quick to recall Your define mercy and VIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF
REPORT ON RESOLUTION PRO-
steadfast promises. May we be assured, H.R. 3110, PROVIDING URGENT
VIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF
and may we share that assurance with MATERNAL PROTECTIONS FOR
H.R. 2119, FAMILY VIOLENCE
those around us, that in all things and NURSING MOTHERS ACT; PRO-
PREVENTION AND SERVICES IM-
in all times, we are Yours. We are Your VIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF
PROVEMENT ACT OF 2021; PRO-
special possession. H.R. 3992, PROTECT OLDER JOB
VIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF
We dedicate ourselves to serve You APPLICANTS ACT OF 2021; RE-
H.R. 3110, PROVIDING URGENT
with perseverance and faithfulness this LATING TO CONSIDERATION OF
MATERNAL PROTECTIONS FOR
day. SENATE AMENDMENT TO HOUSE
NURSING MOTHERS ACT; PRO-
In Your strength we go forth, and in AMENDMENT TO S. 1301, PRO-
VIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF
Your name we pray. MOTING PHYSICAL ACTIVITY
H.R. 3992, PROTECT OLDER JOB
Amen. FOR AMERICANS ACT; AND FOR
APPLICANTS ACT OF 2021; RE-
f LATING TO CONSIDERATION OF OTHER PURPOSES
THE JOURNAL SENATE AMENDMENT TO HOUSE Mr. MCGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, by di-
AMENDMENT TO S. 1301, PRO- rection of the Committee on Rules, I
The SPEAKER. Pursuant to section call up House Resolution 716 and ask
11(a) of House Resolution 188, the Jour- MOTING PHYSICAL ACTIVITY
FOR AMERICANS ACT; AND FOR for its immediate consideration.
nal of the last day’s proceedings is ap- The Clerk read the resolution, as fol-
proved. OTHER PURPOSES
lows:
f Mr. MCGOVERN, from the Com- H. RES. 716
mittee on Rules, submitted a privi- Resolved, That upon adoption of this reso-
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE leged report (Rept. No. 117–137) on the lution it shall be in order to consider in the
The SPEAKER. Will the gentleman resolution (H. Res. 716) providing for House the bill (H.R. 2119) to amend the Fam-
from South Carolina (Mr. WILSON) consideration of the bill (H.R. 2119) to ily Violence Prevention and Services Act to
sspencer on DSK126QN23PROD with HOUSE
b This symbol represents the time of day during the House proceedings, e.g., b 1407 is 2:07 p.m.
Matter set in this typeface indicates words inserted or appended, rather than spoken, by a Member of the House on the floor.
®
H5613
Pdnted on recycled papfil.
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H5614 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE October 12, 2021
make improvements. All points of order Education and Labor or their respective des- (c) Upon the offering of a motion pursuant
against consideration of the bill are waived. ignees; (2) the further amendments described to subsection (a) concerning multiple meas-
In lieu of the amendment in the nature of a in section 6 of this resolution; and (3) one ures, the ordering of the yeas and nays on
substitute recommended by the Committee motion to recommit. postponed motions to suspend the rules with
on Education and Labor now printed in the SEC. 6. After debate pursuant to section 5 respect to such measures is vacated to the
bill, an amendment in the nature of a sub- of this resolution, each further amendment end that all such motions are considered as
stitute consisting of the text of Rules Com- printed in part D of the report of the Com- withdrawn.
mittee Print 117–15, modified by the amend- mittee on Rules shall be considered only in SEC. 11. House Resolution 188, agreed to
ment printed in part A of the report of the the order printed in the report, may be of- March 8, 2021 (as most recently amended by
Committee on Rules accompanying this res- fered only by a Member designated in the re- House Resolution 667, agreed to September
olution, shall be considered as adopted. The port, shall be considered as read, shall be de- 21, 2021), is amended by striking ‘‘October 27,
bill, as amended, shall be considered as read. batable for the time specified in the report 2021’’ each place it appears and inserting (in
All points of order against provisions in the equally divided and controlled by the pro- each instance) ‘‘November 18, 2021’’.
bill, as amended, are waived. The previous ponent and an opponent, may be withdrawn
by the proponent at any time before the The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr.
question shall be considered as ordered on
the bill, as amended, and on any further question is put thereon, shall not be subject HIMES). The gentleman from Massachu-
amendment thereto, to final passage without to amendment, and shall not be subject to a setts is recognized for 1 hour.
intervening motion except: (1) one hour of demand for division of the question. All Mr. MCGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, for
debate equally divided and controlled by the points of order against the further amend- the purpose of debate only, I yield the
chair and ranking minority member of the ments printed in part D of the report of the customary 30 minutes to the gentle-
Committee on Education and Labor or their Committee on Rules are waived.
SEC. 7. Upon adoption of this resolution it
woman from Minnesota (Mrs.
respective designees; (2) the further amend- FISCHBACH), my good friend, pending
ments described in section 2 of this resolu- shall be in order to consider in the House the
tion; (3) the amendments en bloc described in bill (H.R. 3992) to amend the Age Discrimina- which I yield myself such time as I
section 3 of this resolution; and (4) one mo- tion in Employment Act of 1967 to prohibit may consume. During consideration of
tion to recommit. employers from limiting, segregating, or this resolution, all time yielded is for
SEC. 2. After debate pursuant to the first classifying applicants for employment. All the purpose of debate only.
section of this resolution, each further points of order against consideration of the
GENERAL LEAVE
amendment printed in part B of the report of bill are waived. In lieu of the amendment in
the nature of a substitute recommended by Mr. MCGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, I ask
the Committee on Rules not earlier consid-
ered as part of amendments en bloc pursuant the Committee on Education and Labor now unanimous consent that all Members
to section 3 of this resolution shall be con- printed in the bill, an amendment in the na- be given 5 legislative days to revise and
sidered only in the order printed in the re- ture of a substitute consisting of the text of extend their remarks.
port, may be offered only by a Member des- Rules Committee Print 117–14 shall be con- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there
ignated in the report, shall be considered as sidered as adopted. The bill, as amended, objection to the request of the gen-
read, shall be debatable for the time speci- shall be considered as read. All points of
order against provisions in the bill, as
tleman from Massachusetts?
fied in the report equally divided and con- There was no objection.
trolled by the proponent and an opponent, amended, are waived. The previous question
shall be considered as ordered on the bill, as Mr. MCGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, earlier
may be withdrawn by the proponent at any
time before the question is put thereon, shall amended, and on any further amendment today the Rules Committee met and re-
not be subject to amendment, and shall not thereto, to final passage without intervening ported a rule, House Resolution 716, for
be subject to a demand for division of the motion except: (1) one hour of debate equally four measures.
question. divided and controlled by the chair and rank- First, it provides for consideration of
SEC. 3. It shall be in order at any time ing minority member of the Committee on H.R. 2119, the Family Violence Preven-
after debate pursuant to the first section of Education and Labor or their respective des-
ignees; (2) the further amendments described
tion and Services Improvement Act,
this resolution for the chair of the Com- under a structured rule. The rule self-
mittee on Education and Labor or his des- in section 8 of this resolution; and (3) one
motion to recommit. executes a manager’s amendment from
ignee to offer amendments en bloc consisting
of further amendments printed in part B of SEC. 8. After debate pursuant to section 7 Chairman SCOTT, provides for 1 hour of
of this resolution, each further amendment general debate equally divided and con-
the report of the Committee on Rules accom-
printed in part E of the report of the Com- trolled by the chair and ranking minor-
panying this resolution not earlier disposed
mittee on Rules shall be considered only in ity member of the Committee on Edu-
of. Amendments en bloc offered pursuant to
the order printed in the report, may be of-
this section shall be considered as read, shall
fered only by a Member designated in the re- cation and Labor, makes in order eight
be debatable for 20 minutes equally divided amendments, provides en bloc author-
port, shall be considered as read, shall be de-
and controlled by the chair and ranking mi- ity, and provides one motion to recom-
batable for the time specified in the report
nority member of the Committee on Edu-
equally divided and controlled by the pro- mit.
cation and Labor or their respective des-
ignees, shall not be subject to amendment,
ponent and an opponent, may be withdrawn The rule provides for consideration of
by the proponent at any time before the H.R. 3110, the PUMP for Nursing Moth-
and shall not be subject to a demand for divi- question is put thereon, shall not be subject
sion of the question. ers Act, under a structured rule. The
to amendment, and shall not be subject to a
SEC. 4. All points of order against the fur-
demand for division of the question. All
rule self-executes a manager’s amend-
ther amendments printed in part B of the re- ment from Chairman SCOTT, provides
points of order against the further amend-
port of the Committee on Rules or amend- for 1 hour of general debate equally di-
ments printed in part E of the report of the
ments en bloc described in section 3 of this vided and controlled by the chair and
Committee on Rules are waived.
resolution are waived. SEC. 9. The House hereby concurs in the
SEC. 5. Upon adoption of this resolution it ranking minority member of the Com-
Senate amendment to the House amendment mittee on Education and Labor, makes
shall be in order to consider in the House the
to the bill (S. 1301) to provide for the publica- in order two amendments, and provides
bill (H.R. 3110) to amend the Fair Labor tion by the Secretary of Health and Human
Standards Act of 1938 to expand access to Services of physical activity recommenda- one motion to recommit.
breastfeeding accommodations in the work- tions for Americans. The rule also provides for consider-
place, and for other purposes. All points of SEC. 10. (a) At any time through the legis- ation of H.R. 3992, the Protecting Older
order against consideration of the bill are lative day of Friday, October 22, 2021, the Job Applicants Act, under a structured
waived. The amendment in the nature of a Speaker may entertain motions offered by rule. It provides for 1 hour of general
substitute recommended by the Committee the Majority Leader or a designee that the
on Education and Labor now printed in the debate equally divided and controlled
House suspend the rules as though under
bill, modified by the amendment printed in by the chair and ranking minority
clause 1 of rule XV with respect to multiple
part C of the report of the Committee on measures described in subsection (b), and the member of the Committee on Edu-
Rules accompanying this resolution, shall be Chair shall put the question on any such mo- cation and Labor, makes in order two
considered as adopted. The bill, as amended, tion without debate or intervening motion. amendments, and provides one motion
shall be considered as read. All points of (b) A measure referred to in subsection (a) to recommit.
sspencer on DSK126QN23PROD with HOUSE
order against provisions in the bill, as includes any measure that was the object of Additionally, the rule provides that
amended, are waived. The previous question a motion to suspend the rules on the legisla- the House hereby concurs in the Senate
shall be considered as ordered on the bill, as tive day of July 26, 2021, September 29, 2021,
amended, and on any further amendment
amendment to the House amendment
October 19, 2021, October 20, 2021, October 21,
thereto, to final passage without intervening 2021, or October 22, 2021, in the form as so of- to S. 1301, an increase of the public
motion except: (1) one hour of debate equally fered, on which the yeas and nays were or- debt limit.
divided and controlled by the chair and rank- dered and further proceedings postponed pur- Finally, the rule provides the major-
ing minority member of the Committee on suant to clause 8 of rule XX. ity leader or his designee the ability to
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October 12, 2021 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H5615
en bloc requested roll call votes on pre- couldn’t even bring himself to vote for limit extension using their majority
viously considered suspension bills the deal that he pushed for. since it is their policies that are re-
through October 22, 2021, and provides But the deal was made, and the com- quiring substantially larger and earlier
recess instructions, suspension author- promise passed the Senate, and I am increases to the debt limit.
ity, and same day authority through hopeful that we can send this bill to In the past, when Congress was re-
November 18, 2021. the President today and avert a totally quired to raise the debt ceiling, the two
Mr. Speaker, Republican Teddy Roo- self-made, unnecessary catastrophe. parties were able to negotiate a bipar-
sevelt once said: ‘‘The government is And let me say, for the record, the tisan path forward. Democrats simply
us; we are the government, you and I.’’ first time we saw a dramatic increase refuse to work with House Republicans,
He knew that government is at its in our Nation’s debt was under Presi- despite having many opportunities to
best when it brings all of us together dent Ronald Reagan, a Republican, who do so. Instead, they are determined to
while also working for every single one added $4 trillion to our Nation’s debt; ram a $3.5 trillion spending bill check-
of us. That means a system that allows part of that was to pass tax cuts, again, ing off every item on their socialist
every American the chance to put a primarily for those at the top. wish list.
roof over their head, food on their So please spare us the lectures on I am equally incensed that Demo-
table, and a job that allows them to taxes and spending today. Let’s just fi- crats won’t even give the debt limit ex-
put some money in the bank, and nally do the right thing. tension a proper debate or vote on the
where education and healthcare are af- I want to thank all of those who will House floor. Instead, this rule will
fordable and not a luxury for the pre- join with us today in making this pos- deem the debt limit extension passed.
cious wealthy few. sible. I pray that those who vote ‘‘no’’ This is an insult to the Members of this
Unfortunately, as a deadline loomed, will have their wisdom enlarged be- body who are being denied the oppor-
those discussions have had to give way cause what is before us is ultimately a tunity to fully consider the gravity of
to a debate about whether our Nation stopgap. We will need to find a long- extending the debt limit to account for
will pay its debts. Rather than coming term solution in a matter of weeks; one increasing unnecessary spending. It is
together to get this done, some on the that protects the full faith and credit absolutely unacceptable to run Con-
other side advocated an approach that of the United States, hopefully, with- gress in this fashion.
out lurching from one short-term dead- The second bill up for consideration
would stop government in its tracks
line to the next. under this rule is H.R. 3110, the PUMP
and open the door on default for the
That is one of the most basic tasks of for Nursing Mothers Act.
first time in our history. Nursing mothers deserve protections
We all know what that would mean. Congress and, on behalf of our economy
and the American people, we will have in the workplace, which is why we al-
It would send our economy off a cliff ready have strong laws in place to en-
and make the cost of virtually every- to get this done. We always have. And
sure reasonable break time and access
thing skyrocket, all at a time when we we cannot afford not to this time
to private, non-bathroom locations.
should be helping families recover from around.
Lastly, Mr. Speaker, let me also urge This bill imposes a one-size-fits-all re-
the economic shock of the COVID pan- quirement for employers and includes
demic. passage of the three underlying bills
penalties for employer violations.
Last week our Defense Secretary, that are also included in this rule; leg-
Mr. Speaker, our small businesses
Lloyd Austin, said that defaulting our islation that will extend protections have suffered through enough new bur-
debt would risk the benefits of more for nursing mothers in the workplace, densome regulations as they fought to
than 2 million military retirees and prevent discrimination of older Ameri- survive over the last year. There is no
roughly 400,000 survivors. cans in the workforce, and combat inti- need to duplicate existing law.
Mark Zandi is chief economist at mate partner violence. They are impor- The third bill included in this rule is
Moody’s Analytics and previously tant ways for us all to show our sup- H.R. 3992, the Protect Older Job Appli-
worked for Republican Senator John port for protecting our Nation’s chil- cants Act, which expands the definition
McCain. He recently said that default- dren, families, and workers. in the existing Age Discrimination in
ing ‘‘would be financial Armageddon.’’ I urge all my colleagues to support Employment Act of 1967 to include ap-
That is what has been at stake here, this rule and the underlying bills. Let’s plicants for employment as a protected
Mr. Speaker, financial Armageddon. show that the words of Teddy Roo- class.
sevelt haven’t completely fallen on To be clear, the Age Discrimination
b 1615
deaf ears. Let’s show that America in Employment Act already prohibits
The debt ceiling has been raised or pays its bills; and let’s show that we age discrimination in hiring, making
suspended roughly 80 times in our Na- can keep making government work this legislation redundant and unneces-
tion’s history, often in a bipartisan better for every single American. sary. Under the scope of this new pro-
way. And I am grateful that, after Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of posed legislation, employers using
much debate, we are finally doing the my time. common recruiting practices like in-
right thing again here today. Mrs. FISCHBACH. Mr. Speaker, I ternships and job fairs could be accused
I took to the House floor two weeks yield myself such time as I may con- of discriminating against older work-
ago, Mr. Speaker, and stressed the im- sume, and I thank the gentleman from ers, as older workers are less likely to
portance of preventing default. I spoke Massachusetts (Mr. MCGOVERN) for participate in these opportunities than
about how I voted to raise the debt yielding me the customary 30 minutes. young Americans entering the work-
ceiling when I was in the majority and Mr. Speaker, H. Res. 716 provides for force for the first time.
in the minority, when there was a the consideration of four bills, includ- This bill is just a murky expansion of
Democrat in the White House and when ing an irresponsible extension of the the Age Discrimination in Employment
there was a Republican in the White Federal debt limit and two bills that Act. The only impact this legislation
House, and I asked Republicans to do would have questionable consequences will have is on the number of lawsuits
one thing: If they weren’t going to help for small businesses. brought against American businesses.
us raise the debt ceiling, I asked them I am most concerned about S. 1301, Finally, Mr. Speaker, the fourth bill
to get out of the way so that Demo- which serves as the vehicle for an ex- up for consideration under this rule is
crats could prevent default on our own. tension of the Federal debt limit until H.R. 2119, the Family Violence Preven-
Now, I want to thank the minority December 3. This accomplishes nothing tion and Services Improvement Act of
leader in the Senate, MITCH MCCON- more than kicking the can down the 2021. The Family Violence Prevention
sspencer on DSK126QN23PROD with HOUSE
NELL, for taking that advice. He craft- road on something that should be ad- and Services program does critical
ed the initial framework of a deal that dressed now. work to support victims of family vio-
will temporarily increase our debt Given the majority’s insistence on lence, and many of my colleagues and I
limit into early December. And after passing several multi-trillion-dollar support reauthorizing this program in
voting with just 10 other Republicans spending packages—Democrats are now its current form.
to allow debate on that compromise, he in control of the House, Senate, and Unfortunately, this is another exam-
got so far out of the way that he White House—they can pass a debt ple of the majority working alone to
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H5616 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE October 12, 2021
draft legislation rather than working friends don’t like that, they can vote to whether we increase the debt limit
in a bipartisan fashion to put together against it. or not, I hope that not a single one of
a bill we can all support. But let’s be clear. Ninety-seven per- us would say no.
Mr. Speaker, I am particularly con- cent of what we are covering here are b 1630
cerned about a provision in this bill bills accumulated by Donald Trump
that could allow funds from this pro- and my Republican friends; I mean, 97 Now, collectively, we apparently can
gram, funds that should be going to percent. So I don’t know what the con- rationalize saying no because some-
support victims of violence, to be used troversy is on the other side of the body else will get it done. Somebody
for abortion services now that the aisle. else will take the responsibility. Some-
Hyde amendment was stripped out of You didn’t want to accumulate all body else will act responsibly.
the annual appropriations bill. This is this debt? I remember during the tax Mr. Speaker, the previous Speakers, I
obviously troubling, and we cannot debate we were talking to you about am sure although not here, perhaps
allow a pathway for taxpayer dollars to debt and you didn’t want to hear any- have followed politics relatively close-
fund abortion. thing about it. We had some Repub- ly. I have been here for a number of ad-
Mr. Speaker, there is much to be con- licans say that debt doesn’t matter on ministrations. Ronald Reagan asked us
cerned about in these four bills; most this floor. And now all of a sudden it to increase the debt. George H.W. Bush
troubling of which is the temporary in- does; now that we have a Democratic asked us to increase the debt. Bill Clin-
crease to the Federal debt limit, which President and, by the way, a Demo- ton asked us to increase the debt.
is happening for no other reason than cratic Congress that is trying to pay George W. Bush asked us to increase
the Democrats’ own mistakes. the bills that you accumulated. This is the debt. Barack Obama asked us to in-
They have worked alone on every- ridiculous. It is absurd that we are hav- crease the debt. Donald Trump asked
thing else. They have chosen not to be ing this debate. us to increase the debt.
bipartisan to resolve the issues facing Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the And now Joe Biden asks us to do the
our country. Instead, they have chosen gentleman from Maryland (Mr. HOYER), same. Why? Because the catastrophic
to push through partisan proposals the majority leader. alternative is unacceptable. Perhaps
while kicking critical issues down the Mr. HOYER. I thank the chairman nobody is listening. But every Sec-
road. for yielding. retary of the Treasury, Republican and
I urge my colleagues to oppose the Mr. Speaker, this is our debt. It is Democrat, has risen to the Congress of
rule and the underlying bills. America’s debt. the United States and the American
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of Now, I agree with the chairman of people and said: You must raise the
my time. the Rules Committee that some of this debt or we will invite recession or per-
Mr. MCGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, I yield debt clearly accumulates from tax haps depression and global chaos in the
myself such time as I may consume. cuts, cutting our revenue before we cut fiscal marketplace.
Let me remind my good friend that our spending. And some of it relates to I don’t see any animation from those
the compromise we are voting on was greater spending promoted by both who listened to that number or that as-
designed by Republican leader MITCH sides of the aisle. sertion, and I am glad to have any one
MCCONNELL. It is not what I wanted. I For any one of us to get up and say of them get up and try to deny that
wanted to get this out of the way and it is your debt—it is America’s debt, every President over the last 40 years
make it longer, quite frankly, so we and America pays its bills. that I have been here has asked us not
weren’t lurching from one deadline to Mr. Speaker, as a Member of Con- to put the full faith and credit of the
another. gress, I have faced this question of rais- United States at risk.
I would also say to my friend on the ing or suspending the debt limit 49 Fifty times in 40 years. Every time
Rules Committee that it is a little bit times. This will be the 50th time since we have made a determination, every
hard for us to stand over here and to I was first asked to vote on this ques- time—Democrats and Republicans
listen to some of my Republican col- tion when Ronald Reagan was Presi- often together in common cause—that
leagues complain, because what we are dent of the United States. the full faith and credit of the United
doing here is we are paying for the bills Now, the gentlewoman is talking, States must never even be questioned.
that Donald Trump and the Repub- Mr. Speaker, to her staff, but I want to The 14th Amendment says that, Mr.
licans accumulated. say that the argument that she offered Speaker. It has been our shared deter-
I didn’t like the tax cut that my with references to why it is our debt is mination as responsible parties loyal
friends forced through, by the way, specious, and I emphatically deny that to Constitution and country that the
with no Democratic support or con- assertion. costs we have incurred on behalf of the
sultation. It added trillions to our It is our debt. We have different pri- American people must be paid.
debt. But we have to pay for it. orities, different perspectives, different And so many of the Republicans will
It is like my Republican friends went mandates. But every time we cut reve- vote today not to do that. And they
out to a fancy restaurant, drank cham- nues or we approve spending, we raise will use some rationalization that they
pagne and ate caviar and ran out of the the debt limit. don’t like the rest of the rule or this
restaurant before paying the bill, and And by the way, the gentlewoman bill or that bill. Vote against them.
now they want us to take the responsi- was not here in the last Congress, but But don’t vote against your country’s
bility to pay for their bills. we accumulated $5.4 trillion in debt. full faith and credit. Don’t vote against
Well, you know what? We have some And the gentlewoman may be reminded your country’s credit.
experience in cleaning up the messes that they were passed in a bipartisan Preventing a default was the obliga-
that have been left behind by our Re- way to meet a crisis that we thought tion of Members from both parties to-
publican colleagues. The last time Re- justified those expenditures. gether. That is what all the Secretaries
publicans controlled the House, the Mr. Speaker, my Republican friends of Treasury have said. Sometimes a
Senate, and the White House, they shut across the aisle have been asked to number of us on one side or the other
the government down, and then the take this same vote many times as would vote against it to lodge our con-
new Democratic majority had to come well, and they have voted ‘‘yes’’ on cerns about fiscal policies of the day as
in and try to fix all that. So my friends some of those occasions and ‘‘no’’ on long as it was clear that somebody else
are really good at creating messes and others. would get it done.
piling up big bills, by the way, and Nobody has clean hands when it Together, Democrats and Repub-
sspencer on DSK126QN23PROD with HOUSE
then they say to us, you clean it up. comes to the debt limit. We all tend to licans would make sure the debt limit
Well, you know what? We are putting rationalize that it is somebody else’s was raised or suspended when needed
our country first, and so we are going debt. Let me repeat: It is our debt, and that default was never a possi-
to clean up this mess, and we are going America’s debt. bility.
to move forward. And we are going to And I will tell you this: I would hope I want to thank Representative FOS-
have a reconciliation bill, by the way, that if only one of us of our 435, if only TER and Representative BOYLE and oth-
that will be mostly paid for. And if my one of us had the decision to make as ers who have introduced legislation
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October 12, 2021 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H5617
that would eliminate the debt ceiling recovery. 194 sitting Democratic Mem- come to the floor—and I am going to
altogether. It is a phony issue. It is a bers of this House, myself included, an- bring all three of them to the floor. I
fraud. It is fake news. And to think swered the call to help suspend the will tell you that—and you can vote
otherwise is intellectually not correct. debt limit under President Trump. Ap- against them.
We ought to think about eliminating parently, you don’t care about that. But do not vote against the good
this debt limit because all it does is You think, well, yes, that was the re- faith and credit of the United States of
have a threat to global instability; sponsible thing to do because we had a America, our country. Don’t hide be-
something we ought to consider very Republican President, but not now hind some facade that somehow we cre-
seriously given how the debt limit has when we have a Democratic President. ated the debt and you had no responsi-
in recent years been dangerously I hope the voters of America think that bility. Don’t hide behind some facade
weaponized by one party to hold the hypocrisy is not acceptable. that somehow we are going to offer
country hostage. Others in our caucus who were not something that has a whole lot of
Republicans first did that in 2011, here at the time to take those votes, money coming to it because, very
even though they were in the House surely would have acted the same frankly, if that had been the case,
majority, and the result was the first- under the circumstances. 194 of us, not Democrats would not have joined you
ever downgrade of America’s credit rat- some few of us, but 194 of us voted for under Donald Trump and raising the
ing. Of course, that same party sang a it. debt limit so we did not default.
very different tune when it was in the The roll is going to be called, and not Vote as an American; not as a Repub-
White House. When Donald Trump sat up yonder, but here. And I hope so lican or Democrat. Vote as a respon-
in the Oval Office, Democrats were many of you are there when that roll is sible human being sent here by your
asked three times by your party to called. Leader MCCONNELL knows it is neighbors and friends to do the right
help not default on the debt, and three the right thing to do. These are Sen- thing. You know in your hearts the
times Democrats overwhelmingly re- ator MCCONNELL’s words: ‘‘Let me right thing is to not allow this coun-
sponded. make it perfectly clear.’’
Now President Biden has asked us to try’s full faith and credit to be com-
Hear me, my colleagues, Mr. Speak- promised in any way.
do the same thing, take action on the er, and hopefully our people, Mr.
debt limit to ensure that a default does The SPEAKER pro tempore. Mem-
MCCONNELL, the minority leader in the bers are reminded to address their re-
not happen in the coming months. United States Senate, the Republican
I don’t like this deal that the Senate marks to the Chair.
leader: ‘‘Let me make it perfectly Mrs. FISCHBACH. Mr. Speaker, I
sent us. If I were voting on the merits clear,’’ he said, ‘‘the country must
of this deal, I would vote ‘‘no.’’ It is a just want to remind my colleague on
never default. The debt ceiling will the Rules Committee that I stated very
lousy deal. It holds hostage the debt
need to be raised.’’ He didn’t say unless clearly that I was talking about House
and credit of the United States for an-
you stop pushing your policies, Demo- Republicans. But I do want to point out
other 2 months, and then we are going
crats, that you ran on to help people, that no Republican in the Senate voted
to play this game one more time; a des-
to help children, to help businesses. He for this debt limit extension in addi-
picable and irresponsible act for adults
didn’t say that. He said, the debt limit tion to that, and I appreciate the ma-
who know better.
While it is a relief to so many Amer- must be raised. jority leader’s words. He gave us a his-
In 2015 when Republicans were in the tory lesson about the debt limit and
ican business workers that the threat
of default has now been pushed back majority and asked Democrats to join the votes and about not playing poli-
just a little bit, that relief will surely them in voting to address the debt tics, but I just want to, before we move
be short-lived because we will find our- limit, he tweeted again—this is Sen- on, remind everyone about a quote
selves here again in a month’s time ator MCCONNELL, the leader of the Re- from then-Senator and now President
faced with the same situation in which publican Party on the Senate side, Biden. It was from 2004, during Presi-
we found ourselves these past weeks. ‘‘When the United States makes prom- dent Bush’s Presidency and then-Sen-
That did not happen during the ises, it keeps them, which is why the ator Biden said: ‘‘My symbolic vote
Trump administration because this House voted today to avoid the threat against raising the debt limit would
side of the aisle was responsible. This of a debt default,’’ with the over- have been a protest of the policies that
side of the aisle knew the truth. This whelming majority of us joining in brought us to this point, and I demand
side of the aisle was not very happy that responsible action. that we change course.’’
with the President of the United I hope Leaders MCCARTHY and
So this has not always been as bipar-
States, but happy with America’s cred- MCCONNELL and their House and Sen-
tisan as the majority leader made it
itworthiness. One party has played par- ate Republican colleagues will reject
appear.
tisan games with the full faith and hypocrisy and embrace responsibility
Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the
credit of our country, refusing to act by joining with Democrats before De-
gentleman from Virginia (Mr. GOOD).
responsibly as we all have so many, cember 3 to eliminate the threat of de-
PARLIAMENTARY INQUIRY
many times before. fault this time and before December 3,
Mr. Speaker, between now and De- after this bill passes, to ensure that Mr. GOOD of Virginia. Person Speak-
cember 3, America will be watching our country pays for what it has al- er, I have a parliamentary inquiry.
Leaders MCCARTHY and MCCONNELL to ready bought. The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gen-
see if they will lead their party down Now, I would simply add to the obser- tleman will state his parliamentary in-
the responsible path or continue to vations of the Rules Committee chair- quiry.
play the game that has already pushed man, for whom I have not only respect Mr. GOOD of Virginia. This rule pro-
us to the brink of default. Let me be but affection, I say to Mr. Chairman: vides for debate on H.R. 3110, which, as
clear, I will urge my colleagues on my We both went into that restaurant. We you know, is entitled the PUMP For
side of the aisle not to play that game both got a steak. Neither one of us Nursing Mothers Act, and I am very
in this administration or future admin- ought to leave without paying the bill. concerned this majority doesn’t seem
istrations. It wasn’t just you that went and got to be concerned about the men around
This is not about politics. This is the steak. We got a steak, too. And we the country who identify as nursing
about responsibility. This is about our both have the responsibility to pay for mothers.
country. This is, indeed, about the that steak. That is what this vote is Does not the title of this act violate
global fiscal health. We will continue about. the rules of this 117th Congress because
sspencer on DSK126QN23PROD with HOUSE
to do the responsible thing and urge a Do not hide behind some differences it recognizes distinction between men
longer term suspension of the debt you may have on the three bills, as the and women in biological terms? Would
limit so that we can get our country gentlewoman, Mr. Speaker, referred us not this act be required to be called the
through the pandemic’s economic crisis to. Don’t hide behind that. This is pump for nursing persons act or the
and build back better. about whether or not we are going to pump for nursing birthing persons act?
Even the possibility of a default, Mr. be fiscally responsible or not. And you I am very concerned that we are not
Speaker, risks harming our economic can vote against those bills when they concerned about the men around the
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H5618 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE October 12, 2021
country who identify as nursing moth- It goes on to say: ‘‘The 2008 financial More recently, in 2011, each of the
ers and how we would allow a debate on crisis had ripple effects throughout the seven times that the debt limit was ad-
this bill or this act as presented. global economy that ricocheted back dressed, Congress did so on a bipartisan
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gen- to the U.S. shores, causing firms to lay basis. This includes three times under
tleman has not stated a parliamentary off workers and cut private invest- the last administration, when Demo-
inquiry. The gentleman is recognized ment. A financial crisis driven by a de- crats cooperated in order to protect the
for his remaining time. fault has the potential to be even economy from catastrophe.
Mr. GOOD of Virginia. Well, I am just worse, in addition to hitting a global I want to remind us that when Presi-
very concerned that we would have this economy not fully recovered from the dent Obama was President and the Re-
kind of debate that is inconsistent with pandemic.’’ publican majority in the Congress was
the apparent rules of the 117th House, Addressing the debt limit honors our threatening to not lift the debt limit,
and Person Speaker, I just don’t think duty to the Constitution. The 14th just the threat of that had an impact
it should be permitted that we would Amendment, Section 4, states: ‘‘The on our credit rating. Our credit rating
have this kind of debate. validity of the public debt of the went down. The mere discussion of not
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The United States, authorized by law . . . lifting the debt limit had a negative
time of the gentleman has expired. shall not be questioned.’’ impact on our credit rating.
Mr. MCGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, let me My question, Mr. Speaker, to you and
Don’t you care about that?
just state for the record that the House to our colleagues, is: What is it that
rules do not ban the use of any of the they have against families, when they It is sad that Republican obstruction
words that the gentleman is referring want to increase unemployment, de- has delayed action for so long, and it is
to. It is another one of these rightwing crease household wealth, and have fam- sad that they will not join us for a
conspiracies. ilies be charged more for car loans, longer-term suspension.
Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the credit card loans, mortgage payments, The full faith and credit of the
gentlewoman from California (Ms. and other borrowing? United States must never be ques-
PELOSI), the distinguished Speaker of Don’t you care about that? tioned and the financial security of
the House. What do you have against our own families must never be gambled with,
economy, where this catastrophe of un- as our Republican colleagues seem to
b 1645
believable proportion could have im- be doing, even though, as Mr. HOYER
Ms. PELOSI. Mr. Speaker, I thank pact for over 100 years? mentioned, that Mr. MCCONNELL at one
the gentleman for yielding, for his on- Don’t you care about that? point was saying was playing Russian
going leadership to bring this impor- Also, the health of the global econ- roulette with the economy.
tant legislation to the floor, and for omy, which I described so clearly caus- Russian roulette from Moscow
the work of the Rules Committee ongo- ing credit markets worldwide to freeze MITCH. Interesting.
ing to make sure that we have the up and stock markets to plunge and
right discussion on the floor to meet Democrats are for the people. I urge
employers around the world have to
the needs of the American people. a strong bipartisan vote for this legis-
begin laying off workers, again, coming
Mr. Speaker, multiple times now, the lation and for protecting the economic
back to our shores.
Democratic House has taken action to strength of America’s working fami-
Certainly, you have respect for the
honor our responsibility to address the lies.
Constitution of the United States to
priority of the debt limit. We have which we take an oath to protect and Mr. Speaker, I commend the chair-
done so because this is about pro- defend, which states: ‘‘The validity of man for bringing this to the floor and
tecting families. the public debt of the United States, ask for a unanimous vote on this im-
The failure to lift the debt limit authorized by law . . . shall not be portant legislation.
could result in the loss of up to 6 mil- questioned.’’ Mrs. FISCHBACH. Mr. Speaker, I
lion jobs, the elimination of $15 trillion Let us be clear about what this yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from
in household wealth, and drastic in- means. Addressing the debt limit is not Texas (Mr. BURGESS).
creases in the cost of car loans, mort- about future spending, as some have Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, this is a
gages, student loans, credit card bills, tried to represent. This is about meet- lot of money that we are talking about.
and other borrowing. ing obligations that the Government But it is not just the volumes of
Our action also protects the Amer- has already incurred, including from money; it is the velocity with which we
ican economy. When we say domestic the bipartisan COVID relief legislation are spending money over these last 2
economy, we are talking domestic, we passed last year. Only 3 percent of the years.
are talking kitchen table when we talk current debt that we are addressing Yes, the coronavirus is terrible. Yes,
about car loans, mortgages, student here has been incurred during the the American economy needed some
loans, credit card bills, et cetera, as Biden years. We are talking about the help. But we passed the big American
well as jobs and trillions of dollars in Trump debt incurred and some of it in Rescue Plan in February, and the
household wealth. a bipartisan way to address the COVID States and municipalities, as of this
In terms of the domestic economy at crisis. Not all, though. We were not date, have spent 2.5 percent of that
large, our action protects the economy, complicit in the Republican tax scam money.
preventing a decline in the real GDP of to give 83 percent of benefits to the top
up to 4 percent, a surge in the unem- I am also on the Energy and Com-
1 percent in our country, adding about
ployment rate, as I mentioned, and merce Committee. We are one of the
$2 trillion that we have to cover here
what JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie principal authorizing committees in
now.
Dimon called a: ‘‘catastrophe of unbe- Let us remember: This should not be the United States House of Representa-
lievable proportions and damage to controversial. The debt limit has been tives. Have we had a single hearing on
America for up to 100 years.’’ a longtime bipartisan issue. Congress how much money we have pushed out
This is also about the health of the has addressed the debt limit 78 times to the healthcare sector, to the States,
global economy; kitchen table econ- since 1960: 29 times with a Democratic to the municipalities? No, we have not.
omy, broader domestic economy, na- President in the White House and 49 Have we had a single hearing of what
tional economy, the global economy. times under a Republican President, al- is likely to be required going forward?
The Council of Economic Advisors most twice as many times under a Re- The answer is: No, we have not.
sspencer on DSK126QN23PROD with HOUSE
has stated: ‘‘A default would send publican President. Mr. Speaker, I include in the RECORD
shock waves through global financial But it has always been bipartisan. It a letter I penned to FRANK PALLONE,
markets and would likely cause credit has not always been unanimous. People the chairman of the Energy and Com-
markets worldwide to freeze up and have registered their concerns and merce Committee, asking him can we
stock markets to plunge. Employers their complaints. But up until now, please do just a modicum of the over-
around the world would likely have to they haven’t stood in the way of pass- sight that we are required to do in the
begin laying off workers.’’ ing legislation. Committee on Energy and Commerce.
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October 12, 2021 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H5619
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Since January of this year, they have whether or not we should pay the bills
COMMITTEE ON ENERGY AND COMMERCE, seen a never-ending array of manufac- that many on the other side voted to
Washington, DC, October 7, 2021. tured crises. accumulate. But now, all of a sudden,
Hon. FRANK PALLONE, Jr.,
Look, I live in Texas. It is a border they don’t want to pay the bill.
Chairman, Energy and Commerce Committee,
Washington, DC. State. There are a lot of problems on Mr. Speaker, I heard the news today
DEAR CHAIRMAN PALLONE: I urge you to the southern border. We hear about it that Mr. YARMUTH will not be running
hold a hearing on the implementation of the every time we turn on the news. for reelection, and I think it is a sad
American Rescue Plan, so that we may fulfil The border wall was supposed to be day for this institution. He conducts
the oversight responsibilities of the Energy built. It was to help that problem. But himself with grace, with dignity, al-
and Commerce Committee. Nearly seven there are stacks and stacks of material ways sticking to the facts, and he has
months have passed since the enactment of to build that border wall that are just a demeanor about him that I think all
the American Rescue Plan, but despite cost-
ing the American taxpayer $1.9 trillion,
sitting because the current administra- of us should try to emulate. It is kind
many Americans have yet to feel or recog- tion has put a pause on all of that and of sad to hear that news today, but I do
nize its effects. As the House committee with said we are not building any more. admire him greatly.
jurisdiction over the Department of Health What is going to happen to all of that Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the
and Human Services, the agency responsible material, that material that was paid gentleman from Kentucky (Mr. YAR-
for allocating many of these funds, it is only for with borrowed money that, yes, is MUTH), the distinguished chairman of
reasonable that proper oversight is enforced part of the debt? What is going to hap- the Budget Committee.
to ensure Congressional intent is practiced pen to that? It is going to be stolen; it Mr. YARMUTH. Mr. Speaker, I thank
and the taxpayer dollar used accordingly
is going to be diverted to some other the chairman of the Rules Committee
during implementation.
During consideration of the American Res- use, probably to no good end. for both yielding and for his kind re-
cue Plan, many lawmakers heard from states But had that wall been in place, marks.
and localities on the urgent need for emer- maybe the streams of people that were Mr. Speaker, this is what our Repub-
gency funding. While I do not doubt that coming across the border at Del Rio a lican colleagues won’t tell the Amer-
many localities were in need of assistance, it couple of weeks ago could have been in- ican people: The debt ceiling does not
was reported that as of this summer, most terrupted. control spending. It is raised, as has
had spent only 2.5% of the $350 billion that The Dallas Morning News, on Sun-
was appropriated to states and localities in
been said multiple times now, to cover
day, had a story about how 250 buses the debt we have already incurred.
the American Rescue Plan.
I understand this large sum of funds will transported Haitians from Central In this case, a lot of that debt is from
take time to properly distribute, and states America up to the lower Rio Grande the 2017 Trump tax scam. Our Repub-
and localities must be prudent and spend al- Valley. Could our Department of lican colleagues will tell you they
locations in ways which will prove to be an Homeland Security not have had some voted to cover that debt. But here is
investment and grant long-term security, visibility on who was renting 250 buses the deal: That massive giveaway to
but it is imperative that these funds have to bring the 15,000 people to the south- wealthy corporations and individuals
adequate direction from Congress stipulating
ern border? Maybe they could have has a price tag of nearly $2 trillion.
the appropriateness of their expenditure.
States and localities need certainty that spent some of that money in that re- This year, it added $271 billion to the
they are spending funds as directed and that gard. debt. Republicans are refusing to pay
these funds will not be at risk of being re- I don’t know if anybody has noticed, that bill. Next year, it will add another
voked for improper use. Fortunately, as di- but gas is $1 a gallon more than it was $243 billion to the debt. Are Repub-
rected by Section 602 of the American Rescue 9 months ago. We are in for a cold win- licans going to pay that bill? How
Plan, the Treasury Department is requiring ter, Mr. Speaker. It would be nice to about in fiscal 2024 or fiscal 2025 or fis-
expenditure reports with an interim report have some provisions to deal with that cal 2026?
for all states and localities having been due cold winter, but this administration
on August 31, 2021, and quarterly reports They refuse to vote to pay those
starting October 31, 2021 for states and cities
has turned a blind eye to the energy bills. This whole debate about the debt
with populations of 250,000 residents or more. needs of our constituents in this coun- ceiling has become a dangerous lie, a
I am afraid that Congress and the Amer- try. very dangerous lie.
ican people may lose sight of the signifi- It is almost as if they wanted to The truth is, the debt ceiling needs
cance that $1.9 trillion in one single stimulus harm the people of this country. I to be repealed or at least it needs to be
package may mean and the responsibility as- know that is not true. I know them to reformed so we can put an end to this
sociated with appropriating such funds. be good people. But at the same time,
While these funds were appropriated with the
political brinkmanship that will con-
what I hear from my constituents is an tinue to threaten our economy and the
intention of helping communities recover
from and respond to the devastation of the incredible amount of frustration with livelihoods of American families for
COVID–19 pandemic, it is important that the what is coming from the administra- years. It is time to end this charade.
American people are aware of specific tion and what is coming from the Con- Mrs. FISCHBACH. Mr. Speaker, I
projects being funded by this package. I have gress. It is time we took care of the yield myself such time as I may con-
read reports of the American Rescue Plan needs of the American people, and we sume.
being used by cities to buy 78 electric vehi- ought to get on with it. Mr. Speaker, as we hear so much
cles, build technology labs at recreation cen- Mr. MCGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, I yield
ters, and fund long avoided infrastructure
about this wonderful bipartisan history
myself such time as I may consume. of this debt ceiling, I just want to point
projects. Although these projects may have
Mr. Speaker, let me just say to the out that the last five times Repub-
merit, are they really the intent of the
American Rescue Plan? gentleman, my colleague on the Rules licans controlled the House, Senate,
It has been a tumultuous and difficult year Committee, none of what he just stated and the White House, the current
for Americans across the country, with busi- has anything to do with what we are Speaker and the entire current Demo-
nesses, schools, and social endeavors oper- debating here today. What we are de- cratic leadership only voted to raise
ating different than the norm—Congress and bating here today is whether or not we the debt limit one time. So I wish that
the Energy and Commerce Committee have are going to pay the bills that have
been no different. However, as we continue we would make sure that we point out
been accumulated, whether we are the accurate history of how this has
to consider historically large spending pack-
ages, we have an obligation to our Constitu- going to pay the bills accumulated as a happened.
ents to oversee the implementation and use result of an unpaid-for tax cut, mostly Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the
of these funds. for wealthy people, and other spending. gentleman from Missouri (Mr. SMITH).
Sincerely, The gentleman complains about gas
b 1700
sspencer on DSK126QN23PROD with HOUSE
MICHAEL C. BURGESS, M.D., prices. Imagine what is going to hap-
Member of Congress. pen to gas prices if we default on our Mr. SMITH of Missouri. Mr. Speaker,
Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, we have debt, if we destroy the entire economy. I want to thank the gentlewoman from
heard over and over again that what Imagine the harsh impacts on every- Minnesota for pointing out the truth. I
awaits is a manufactured crisis. The day, average citizens. am glad that I decided to wear my
American people have some experience All of the other stuff is nice rhetoric, boots today because it is getting deep
now dealing with manufactured crises. but we are talking about here today in the swamp up here today, listening
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H5620 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE October 12, 2021
to the garbage on the other side of the The big drivers of this debt limit in- concerning prospect that we will have
aisle. crease were the CARES Act programs to do all this again in 2 or 3 months,
Let’s put it this way: The Democrats we all supported, higher defense spend- and Republican leaders are already
have already pushed through $2 trillion ing under the previous President, and promising even stronger opposition to
of reckless, wasteful spending at the enormous Republican tax cuts that avoiding the self-inflicted destruction
expense of working-class Americans, were not paid for, which mostly went of our economy.
and now they are wanting to push to the wealthy. Sooner or later, if we don’t all recog-
through another $4.3 trillion reckless Since 1960, Congress has raised the nize the risks and take an adult, re-
spending bill that will reward their po- debt ceiling 78 times, mostly when a sponsible approach to governance, the
litical friends, their wealthy donors, Republican was in the White House. worst will happen, and we will default.
and their allies, at the expense of Mr. Speaker, this has always been a Mrs. FISCHBACH. Mr. Speaker, I
working-class Americans. bipartisan vote. In 2017, when Donald yield 1 minute to the gentleman from
Let me tell you, the Budget Com- Trump was President, more than 90 Wisconsin (Mr. STEIL).
mittee chairman said we should in- percent of the Democrats voted to in- Mr. STEIL. Mr. Speaker, today
crease the debt limit a gazillion dol- crease the debt limit. In 2019, when Washington is once again kicking the
lars—a gazillion. Donald Trump was President, more can down the road. We are adding near-
We have folks on the other side of the than 90 percent of the Democrats voted ly $2 million in debt per minute.
aisle just in the last 30 minutes that to increase the debt limit. What is this institution doing about
have said we should not have a debt It should be a bipartisan vote now. it? Kicking the can down the road,
limit. This is the Democratic Party. The simple fact is, if it wasn’t, if Con- while at the same time the Democrats
They do not believe there should be gress fails to raise the debt ceiling, it across the aisle want to spend trillions
limit in debt. They have said this on would mean we refuse to pay our debts, more.
the floor. But that is not what the and that would lead to destruction. By borrowing another $480 billion,
I am confused, too. In one way, this Speaker PELOSI and President Biden
American people want.
If you want to raise the debt $480 bil- is very asymmetric. We help the Re- are simply kicking the can down the
publican Presidents, but they refuse to road. We can’t continue to avoid our
lion until December, guess what? Lis-
help us. I don’t understand that. responsibilities and spend ourselves
ten to the White House. Just last week,
My friend from South Carolina, in into oblivion.
the White House said there is $480 bil- front of the Rules Committee, said this
lion of unobligated funds from your Those across the aisle are not being
is because of the Build Back Better honest with the American people who
Biden bailout bill from March. Use bill, the proposed $3.5 trillion that is
that. are going to have to ultimately pay for
coming. That fails to recognize that this.
But, no, you want to continue to during the Trump administration, the This is not responsible. Prices for
take more money from working-class U.S. Federal debt went up $7.8 trillion, workers, families, and seniors continue
Americans by putting in debt their more than the theoretical maximum of to rise because of Washington’s out-of-
kids and grandkids. Of course, on the Build Back Better. control spending. Yet, Washington re-
other side of the aisle, they will tell But even more importantly, Build fuses to take accountability for its
you: Oh, we will never pay back the Back Better would not add one penny spending problem.
debt. That is what comes from the to the Federal deficit. We have worked Today’s vote will simply kick the can
other side of the aisle. very hard to raise revenues from the down the road once again and fail to
Folks, we have so many crises right people who can most afford it, whose get our spending here in Washington
now: a border crisis, an Afghanistan lives would not be diminished one iota under control.
crisis, an inflation crisis, an energy cri- by the revenues that we would raise. I urge my colleagues to vote against
sis, all as a result of Joe Biden, NANCY Millions of Americans would lose this bill. We must stop the out-of-con-
PELOSI, and CHUCK SCHUMER. And now their jobs if this debt ceiling doesn’t go trol spending in Washington.
they are trying to increase the debt through. The unemployment rate Mr. MCGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, I yield
$480 billion more that will fuel those would shoot upward to 9 percent; pay- 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from
crises. ments would cease for Social Security Texas (Ms. JACKSON LEE).
The American people have had recipients, veterans, and hospitals that Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, let
enough. take Medicare and Medicaid; and our me thank the distinguished gentleman
Mr. MCGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, you Federal workforce and our troops from Massachusetts and my friends on
wonder why people hate Congress. I wouldn’t be paid. the other side of the aisle.
mean, we have somebody on the Budget Ten years ago, the Government Ac- The good news is that Democrats,
Committee who is trying to make us countability Office said the U.S. had to and I hope some good friends, some Re-
believe that, in fact, raising the debt pay an extra $1.3 billion in borrowing publicans, will not kick American fam-
limit somehow controls spending. costs because of debt limit brinkman- ilies down the aisle and down the road.
The bottom line is the debt limit is ship. That is why we are here today, to en-
about paying the bills that have al- If you want to address the debt, the sure that those human beings will not
ready been accumulated, including obvious way to do it is to pay for your be kicked down the road.
many of the bills that my friend who spending, to be fiscally responsible. I am stunned by the actions of my
just spoke voted to accumulate, includ- That is exactly what my Democratic friends that would not support the pay-
ing a tax cut bill that benefited the colleagues are doing with the Build ing of your bills.
well off and the well connected. Back Better bill, where my colleagues Let us not discard the reality of what
Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the and I on the Ways and Means Com- lifting the debt ceiling means. It is the
gentleman from Virginia (Mr. BEYER), mittee spent many, many months fig- bills that have already accrued. It is
the distinguished chairman of the uring out how to best pay for these in- the light bill; it is the telephone bill; it
Joint Economic Committee. vestments. is the heat bill; it is the tuition for col-
Mr. BEYER. Mr. Speaker, I rise in It is pretty ridiculous, Mr. Speaker, lege. Those are bills that have accrued
support of the legislation to pay Amer- that the party that claimed a $2 tril- that we are paying for. That is the ex-
ica’s bills and avoid a catastrophic de- lion handout to the wealthy would pay ample the American people ask.
fault. for itself, mostly in dividends and Then we are trying to work together
Raising the debt ceiling doesn’t incur stock buybacks, now complains about to ensure that lead poisoning that is
sspencer on DSK126QN23PROD with HOUSE
new debts. It simply allows the Treas- the debt. killing our children in water—that the
ury Department to continue to pay the If you are really worried about the INVEST Act is ready to go with the
debts that this Congress already voted debt, there are ways to address it with- Build Back Better, that broadband is
to incur. out taking a wrecking ball to the U.S. ready to go with the Build Back Bet-
Ninety-seven percent of the debt sub- economy. ter.
ject to the current increase was passed Preventing a recession should have Then, of course, we want to do some-
before President Biden took office. unanimous support in this body. It is a thing innovative. The housing crisis in
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October 12, 2021 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H5621
America is unbelievable. Homelessness cost breakfast and lunch to low-income stu- them with newly issued bonds—that
is on the rise. Veterans who have dents, might not be immediately reimbursed. wouldn’t raise the debt ceiling, Mr. Fichtner
pledged their life to us as Americans The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Pro- argues.
gram, formerly known as food stamps, would It’s not clear whether the Treasury agrees
and who have put on the uniform un- with his assessment.
also be affected.
selfishly are homeless in droves. They And it would probably halt payments being WHAT ELSE COULD HAPPEN?
are homeless in big cities, like Hous- made to families under the newly expanded
If the United States were to default on its
ton, Los Angeles, New York, and Chi- child tax credit, which in July began sending
debts—that is, stop making payments on the
cago, and in rural areas. None of that eligible families half of the credit in month-
Treasurys it has sold—there would almost
is attributed to local leaders. ly installments. Roughly 35 million families
certainly be major consequences in the glob-
When I was home yesterday inter- received the benefit in July.
al markets.
acting with the engine of the econ- WHEN COULD THIS HAPPEN? The immediate effect would be that port-
omy—construction companies and That’s not totally clear. The Treasury sec- folios held by investors as varied as pension
workers and engineers—they begged for retary, Janet L. Yellen, has said the govern- funds and holders of 401(k)s would face a
having us come together, INVEST Act, ment will hit the debt ceiling on Oct. 18. But market tailspin. Even after any debt-ceiling
some analysts believe the actual date could standoff were resolved, global investors
Build Back Better. This bill includes a
be pushed back a few days, or perhaps longer. would demand higher interest payments on
$35 billion investment in the HOME In- It’s important to note that this situation U.S. Treasury bonds—so the government’s
vestment Partnerships. is different from a government shutdown, borrowing in the future could become more
We want to make sure that Medicare which happens when Congress fails to pass expensive.
is strong, Federal Medicaid. We want bills that permit new spending. White House A default may also make it more difficult
housing, climate change, the immigra- officials warn that running into the debt for consumers to secure loans, and they
tion reform. There are many elements ceiling is far more damaging. would most likely pay more when they did.
that will stop pushing the American WON’T THE GOVERNMENT STILL HAVE SOME ‘‘In the case of a debt default, it would
people down the road like a can and MONEY? quickly spark a credit crunch so the issue for
Yes, the Treasury will have some revenue borrowers becomes much more about wheth-
just keep saying to them: We will get it er you can get a loan in the first place,’’ said
one day. We will get it another day. coming in—from estimated quarterly income
taxes, excise taxes and other sources—but Greg McBride, chief financial analyst at
Provide education for all those work- Bankrate.com. ‘‘Lenders would likely freeze
the department has maintained that it does
ers who were stymied during the pan- or cut credit lines on home equity lines of
not have the authority to pick and choose
demic. Stop the eviction of individuals which payments it will make. credit and credit cards. Personal loans would
who I saw come out into the street. ‘‘There is only one viable option to deal be harder to get and could see higher rates.’’
Mr. Speaker, I include in the RECORD with the debt limit: Congress needs to in- WHAT IF THE PROBLEM ISN’T QUICKLY
an article from The New York Times. crease or suspend it, as it has done approxi- RESOLVED?
[From the New York Times, October 8, 2021] mately 80 times, including three times dur- An extended impasse would cause signifi-
WHAT THE DEBT CEILING MEANS FOR SOCIAL ing the last administration,’’ a Treasury cant damage to the U.S. economy, Wendy
SECURITY AND MORE spokesman said. Edelberg and Louise Sheiner, both senior fel-
But if no agreement is reached, some pol- lows at the Brookings Institution, a research
The federal government is about two weeks icy experts say that the Treasury may ulti-
away from being unable to pay its bills—and group, wrote in a recent report.
mately have to pick winners and losers—and ‘‘Even in a best-case scenario where the
that could delay benefit payments to tens of that’s a difficult bind, because there are sev-
millions of retirees, Medicare and Medicaid impasse is short-lived, the economy is likely
eral conflicting laws at play. to suffer sustained—and completely avoid-
providers, and numerous others receiving The law says the government cannot bor-
checks from the U.S. Treasury. able—damage, particularly given the chal-
row once it hits the debt limit, but the 14th lenges that Covid–19 poses to the health of
Running into the federal borrowing limit Amendment to the Constitution says that
could lead to a catastrophic default on the the economy,’’ they wrote.
the United States must honor its obliga- If it dragged on through November, the
nation’s debt. Once the government reaches tions. Other laws state that certain benefits
the ceiling—and exhausts all other measures federal government would have little choice
and salaries must be paid. but to significantly slash government spend-
to keep payments flowing—it will run out of
funds for bills it has already promised to IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE THE GOVERNMENT ing by roughly $200 billion—a ‘‘devastating’’
pay. COULD DO? blow to the economy, Mark Zandi, chief
To avoid such a calamity, Democrats are The Treasury might decide to issue more economist of Moody’s Analytics, said in a re-
weighing a change to filibuster rules in order bonds anyway and leave it to the Supreme cent analysis.
to hold a vote. Senator Mitch McConnell of Court to figure out the constitutional ques- And the increased expense of borrowing
Kentucky, the minority leader, has sug- tions, said Len Burman, an institute fellow would only add to the hit in the long run.
gested allowing a temporary increase until at the Urban Institute. ‘‘Americans would pay for this default for
December, although that would merely post- ‘‘They could ignore the debt limit,’’ he generations,’’ he said.
pone a default deadline for a matter of said. ‘‘It is a question that has never been Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I
weeks. adjudicated because it hasn’t come up be- include in the RECORD an article from
The government has never defaulted on its fore.’’ Forbes.
obligations, so what would happen is un- But previous administrations have rejected
clear. But the effects could be wide-ranging, that approach, he said, and legal experts [From Forbes, Oct. 4, 2021]
covering programs as varied as Social Secu- don’t agree about whether it would actually DEFAULTING ON THE NATIONAL DEBT CEILING
rity benefits and school lunches. work. WOULD BE CATASTROPHIC FOR SMALL BUSI-
‘‘There is no public playbook for what to WHAT ABOUT SOCIAL SECURITY? NESSES
do when you breach the debt limit,’’ said Social Security—which reaches tens of Here we go again. It seems every time this
Marc Goldwein, senior policy director at the millions of Americans through retirement, issue arises, lawmakers seem intent to put
Committee for a Responsible Federal Budg- disability and survivor benefits—is a bit dif- the U.S. economy and small businesses at
et, a fiscal watchdog group. ‘‘We don’t know ferent from other programs because it is risk.
what will happen.’’ largely financed through a dedicated payroll Unfortunately, the U.S. Department of
WHAT PROGRAMS COULD BE AFFECTED? tax. It also has its own trust funds, which Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen has said
A lot, covering a lot of people. may give it more flexibility, some experts that the federal government will run out of
A default could potentially—but not nec- said. money on October 18 if the debt ceiling is not
essarily—delay the payment of Social Secu- The taxes coming into the program aren’t raised. The government reached its debt
rity benefits, which reach about 65 million enough to pay all of the benefits, according limit at the end of July and Treasury has
Americans in some form. to Jason J. Fichtner, chief economist at the been taking steps to keep from defaulting. If
It could also delay payments to govern- Bipartisan Policy Center, who held several the debt ceiling is not raised in the coming
ment contractors, including hospitals that positions, including acting principal deputy weeks, the U.S. will default on its debt for
accept patients who use Medicare and Med- commissioner, at the Social Security Admin- the first time in its history and that will be
sspencer on DSK126QN23PROD with HOUSE
icaid benefits. If the situation dragged on for istration. But since the checks are sent out catastrophic for small businesses.
weeks or months, it could threaten access to on a staggered basis, the agency could wait There is no question that our national debt
health care, Whitney Tucker, the deputy di- for more cash to come in, which would result needs to be addressed in the coming years
rector of research on the State Fiscal Policy in delayed payments. with a mixture of revenue raises and spend-
team at the Center on Budget and Policy But there’s also at least one other possi- ing cuts as the Clinton Administration did in
Priorities, said in a recent note. bility. If the Treasury redeemed the special- the 1990s. However, defaulting on the debt is
Some state-run programs that use federal issue bonds from the program’s trust fund to not the answer. It will not be some teachable
money, like those providing free or reduced- pay benefits—and then quickly replaced moment on government spending. Instead, it
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H5622 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE October 12, 2021
will have unnecessary and irreversible con- larger public companies could lose value, the investments to end the Great Depression,
sequences for most all Americans. A Navi- thus making it harder to incorporate small to finance the mobilization of resources need-
gator survey also found that 58 percent of businesses into their vendor supply chain. ed in World War II to defeat fascism and save
Americans support raising the debt ceiling. 5. Delayed Treasury Payments
The Treasury Department has been taking freedom in the nation and the world, to revive
Unfortunately, this has become a political
issue. Just a few days ago, Senate Minority steps to meet its obligations, including pay- the economy after the catastrophic Great Re-
Leader McConnell blocked Democrats from ments to households such as Social Security. cession of 2008, and most recently, to protect
using a simple majority to get this done. If the U.S. default on its debt, the govern- the public health and safety and restore the
Why? Republicans may want to use this as ment would immediately need to stop more economy during the COVID–19 pandemic.
a campaign issue against Democrats this than 40 percent of expected payments, in- This is why the ability to borrow money on
coming fall trying to claim that they are cluding Social Security and other household the credit of the United States to finance its
growing the national debt. But, the real income. There are a number of downstream
growth and protect its people and interests is
story is, the national debt has risen regard- effects this would have on small businesses,
less of which party is in control. There will including a loss of customers and a strain on essential to the national security and led Ham-
be a time when Republicans will be in the business owners and employees now taking ilton to proclaim that ‘‘the proper funding of the
driver’s seat and need to raise the debt limit, steps to make ends meet for themselves and present debt, will render it a national bless-
and let’s hope Democrats move beyond poli- their loved ones. ing.’’
tics because playing ‘‘chicken’’ with the debt The American economy and its Main But to maintain this blessing, or to ‘‘render
limit is not good politics, not good for small Streets are working through their greatest public credit immortal,’’ Hamilton understood
business, not good for our national security, crisis since World War II. Both are still that it was necessary that: ‘‘the creation of
and not good for the economy. In fact, an standing right now but a default on the na-
debt should always be accompanied with the
analysis by Moody’s Analytics chief econo- tional debt would be a knockout blow. Let’s
stop playing politics and get the debt limit means of extinguishment.’’
mist Mark Zandi estimates that defaulting
on the national debt would wipe out as many raised. Once that’s done, we can return to In other words, to retain and enjoy the pros-
as 6 million jobs and erase $15 trillion in the important work of getting an infrastruc- perity that flows from good credit, it is nec-
household wealth. ture bill passed that has the ability to pave essary for a nation to pay its bills.
‘‘We can’t emphasize enough how disas- the way for the next generation of American The United States has never defaulted on
trous it would be for Congress to consider a small businesses and entrepreneurs. the payment of any debt incurred, and be-
government shutdown if consensus cannot be Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, let cause of the size and strength of its economic
met in advance of the funding deadline. us do the debt extension that the Sen- and unmatched creditworthiness, is able to
Small businesses are especially vulnerable
ate has given us, but let us not accept borrow on the lowest and most favorable
and many would not survive a government
shutdown at this time due to the pandemic, this paltry extension. Do it right in De- terms of any nation or entity in the history of
particularly with the rapid spread of the cember and save the American people. the world.
Delta variant, and trying to move from crisis Build Back Better and the INVEST So secure and reliable is a bond issues by
to recovery,’’ wrote Candace Waterman, Act, do it together. Do it now. the Department of Treasury that the United
President and CEO of Women Impacting Pub- Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the States is the preferred haven for investments
lic Policy, in a letter to U.S. House and Sen- Rule governing debate of H.R. 2119, the of foreign governments, corporations, and sov-
ate leadership. ‘‘Family Violence and Prevention Services Im- ereign wealth funds.
Here are five ways defaulting on the na-
provement Act,’’ H.R. 3992, the ‘‘Protect Older The interest rate charged the federal gov-
tional debt would harm Main Streets across
the country. Job Applicants Act,’’ H.R. 3110, the ‘‘Pump for ernment of the United States is the base for
1. More Expensive Small Business Loans Nursing Mothers Act,’’ and the Senate Amend- which every rate, from the prime rate charged
A majority of credit rating agencies rate ment to the House Amendment to S. 1301, the richest corporation to rates charged small
the U.S. federal government at AAA, the ‘‘Temporary Extension of Public Debt Act.’’ business on purchases to the mortgages rates
highest level. Defaulting on the debt would SENATE AMENDMENT TO HOUSE AMENDMENT TO S. 1301 and students loans taken out by consumers.
lead to an automatic downgrade of the coun- TEMPORARY EXTENSION OF PUBLIC DEBT LIMIT ACT If you raise the cost of borrowing for the
try’s credit rating, driving up interest rates government of the United States, you set off
Mr. Speaker, as a senior member of the
for all Americans. Small business loans will
become costlier as private lenders are forced Committees on the Judiciary, on Homeland a chain reaction of increased interest rates for
to increase their interest rates. Even Small Security, and on the Budget, I rise in support every other borrower in the United States and
Business Administration (SBA)-guaranteed of the rule governing debate for RCP 117–16, around the world.
loans, which are often lower cost and more the Senate Amendment to the House Amend- This is why leading public finance experts
accessible but still reflective of market con- ment to S. 1301, ‘‘Temporary Extension of and agencies, like Moody’s Chief Economist
ditions, will become more expensive. Public Debt Act,’’ a temporary stopgap meas- Mark Zandi, have said it would be ‘‘cata-
2. Higher Credit Card Interest Rates ure raising the national debt limit by $480 bil- clysmic’’ for the United States to default on its
Many small business owners use their per-
sonal credit cards to cover business expenses lion and extending it through December 3, loan obligations.
and manage debt. As with loan rates, small 2021, which is imperative to avoid a wasteful, Republicans know the debt ceiling needs to
business credit card and personal credit card irresponsible, reckless threatening of the na- be raised; in 2019 during the Trump Adminis-
interest rates will also rise, squeezing the tion’s singular indispensable asset: the full tration, the Republican Senate Majority Leader
amount of capital small business owners faith and credit of the United States. marshalled Senate Republicans to vote to
have to work with and potentially driving Mr. Speaker, preserving the full faith and raise the debt ceiling, saying: ‘‘We raised the
them into more debt. credit of the United States by raising to the debt ceiling because America can’t default[,]
3. Tightened Credit Markets that would be a disaster.’’
One can look at the stories of Argentina
debt limit to ensure that America pays the bills
and Greece to see what happens to a coun- for past expenditures when they come due is Mr. Speaker, this debate over extending the
try’s credit markets when it defaults’ on its not a partisan exercise but an act of patriot- debt limit is not about restraining future spend-
debt. The same will be the case for the ism, a recognition and embrace of the solemn ing, it is about paying the bills piled up already
United States if it follows in these countries’ obligation to preserve the unrivaled advan- under both Republican and Democratic admin-
footsteps. Credit markets will tighten up and tages that flow from the ability provided in the istrations.
U.S. banks will prioritize lending to busi- Article I, Section 8, clause 2 of the Constitu- The question of raising the national debt
nesses where they have pre-existing relation- tion to ‘‘borrow money on the credit of the limit does not depend on how one feels about
ships, which are more likely to be larger the Build Back Better agenda, as wildly pop-
ones than small ones. Small businesses, espe-
United States.’’
cially unbanked ones and those in under- Long ago, in 1789, Alexander Hamilton, the ular as it is among all Americans, Democrats,
served communities, would be at a severe nation’s first and greatest Treasury Secretary, Independents, and Republicans included.
disadvantage when they have the least finan- understood that the path to American pros- It is instead about preserving the singular
cial cushion. perity and greatness lay in its creditworthiness asset of the United States, its enviable and
4. Plunging Stock Markets which provided the affordable access to cap- unrivaled creditworthiness, to finance future in-
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Moody’s Report estimates that stock ital needed to fund internal improvements and vestments beneficial to the national interest,
prices would likely plunge by one-third, like the provision of free college for two years,
economic growth.
sparking that $15 trillion loss in household
It is because of the existence and wise use or $2 billion investment to reduce violence in
wealth. This would be a one-two punch for
small business owners who would see their of the Borrowing Power that the nation was communities approved by the Committee on
own retirement savings dissipate and then able to expand its reaches, resources, and the Judiciary, or investments to preserve and
lose business from consumers who are now riches by financing the Louisiana Purchase, strengthen Medicaid expansion programs, or
dealing with their lost nest egg. In turn, the purchase of Alaska from Russia, to fund extend broadband to underserved rural and
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October 12, 2021 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H5623
urban areas, an action that will be as life- FVPSA provides base core funding to sup- With this bill’s increased commitment to pre-
changing as the rural electrification program port more than 1,600 local public, private, non- vention and treatment of family violence, we
was in the 1930s. profit and faith-based organizations and pro- are sending a message to survivors that you
Mr. Speaker, if our friends across the aisle grams in their response to the urgent needs of are not forgotten.
really want to shrink the deficit, reduce the na- over 1.3 million domestic violence victims and H.R. 3992 ‘‘PROTECT OLDER JOB APPLICANTS ACT’’
tional debt, practice fiscal responsibility, and their children. Mr. Speaker, I also rise today in support of
bring about sustained economic growth and In 2020, the National Network to End Do- the Rule governing debate of H.R. 3992, the
prosperity, there is a much better, easier, and mestic Violence (NNEDV) found that in just ‘‘Protect Older Job Applicants Act,’’ which will
more certain way to achieve these goals than one day, FVPSA-funded programs helped amend the Age Discrimination in Employment
by tampering with the U.S. Constitution. 76,525 victims of domestic violence. Act of 1967, which prohibits age-based dis-
The easier and better way is for the Amer- However, over 11,000 people were unable crimination in hiring, to specifically prohibit em-
ican people to keep a Democrat in the White to be served due to a lack of funding. ployers from limiting, segregating, or
House and place Democratic majorities in the This shortage of funding is especially severe classifying job applicants on the basis of age.
House and Senate. with shelters serving rural and marginalized People of all ages, but especially older ap-
In the 1990s under the leadership of Presi- populations, and increased funding and cul- plicants, must be protected from discriminatory
dent Clinton the budget was balanced for four turally-specific programs are essential to ad- practices and loopholes that hurt their chances
consecutive years, the national debt was paid dressing the needs of these communities. to get a job, especially as we have seen that
down, the national debt, 23 million new jobs FVPSA was first passed in 1984 and was older American workers have disproportion-
were created, and projected surpluses ex- most recently reauthorized in 2010. Its author- ately experienced long-term unemployment in
ceeded $5 trillion. ization expired in 2015. the COVID economy.
Under President Obama the financial crisis Mr. Speaker, this bill marks an historic effort The federal Age Discrimination in Employ-
and economic meltdown inherited from his Re- to acknowledge and address the unique suf- ment Act (ADEA) of 1967 was passed to pro-
publican predecessor was ended, the annual fering of family violence survivors from hibit age-based discrimination for current em-
deficit was reduced by 67 percent, the auto in- marginalized communities. ployees and job applicants.
dustry was saved from collapse, and 15 mil- We must recognize that not all survivors are However, two federal circuit court decisions
lion jobs were created. a monolith. over the last five years have ruled that some
In contrast, under every Republican admin- Different communities and cultures have dif- provisions of the ADEA’s federal anti-age dis-
istration since President Reagan the size of ferent perceptions of domestic violence and crimination protections only applied to current
the deficit bequeathed to his successor was reactions to it—therefore different communities employees, not job applicants.
substantially larger than the deficit he inher- and cultures need different treatments and In 2016, the 11th Circuit case Villarreal v.
ited, a major economic recession occurred, prevention measures to address domestic vio- R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company held that the
and economic growth was lower than it was at lence. ADEA disparate impact statute only covers
the beginning of his administration. That is why I am proud to support this bill, employees, but not older applicants, and in
To preserve the sanctity of the full faith and which includes provisions that are tailored to 2019, the 7th Circuit adopted the same inter-
credit of the United States, protect American these specific populations. pretation in Kleber v. CareFusion Corporation.
jobs and businesses of all sizes, and ensure Such provisions include: The U.S. Supreme Court has declined to re-
the continued growth of the economy, I sup- 1. Providing new grants to local programs view the appellate court decisions.
port and urge all Members to join me in voting serving culturally specific or traditionally under- Currently, employers, especially those within
for the Senate Amendment to the House served communities; the 7th and 11th Circuits, have a valid defense
Amendment to S. 1301, the temporary stop- 2. Increasing access for survivors from ra- to claims under the ADEA where external job
gap measure increasing the national debt limit cial and ethnic communities to services by applicants allege they have been negatively
by $480 billion and extending the public debt creating a national grant program to build the impacted by hiring practices on the basis of
limit to December 3, 2021. capacity to address domestic violence; and their age.
H.R. 2119 ‘‘FAMILY VIOLENCE AND PREVENTION SERVICES 3. Increasing funding for Native American H.R. 3992 would give external candidates
IMPROVEMENT ACT’’ tribes by allocating tribal grants as a set-aside the express right under federal law to bring
I rise today in support of the Rule governing to acknowledge their sovereign authority. these types of claims against employers.
debate of H.R. 2119, the ‘‘Family Violence and In addition to addressing the special needs This bill will include the job application proc-
Prevention Services Improvement Act,’’ which of minority communities, there is a litany of ess in ADEA’s anti-discrimination provisions.
will improve the protection and prevention for other exciting provisions in this bill that build Specifically, this bill will make it unlawful ‘‘to
Americans affected by family violence, domes- upon the Family Violence Prevention and limit, segregate, or classify . . . [job appli-
tic violence, and dating violence. Services Act, such as: cants] in any way which would deprive or tend
Through FVPSA, survivors receive services 1. Increasing the funding authorization level to deprive any individual of employment op-
such as emergency shelter, crisis counseling, to $253 million to address chronic under- portunities or otherwise adversely affect his
safety planning, and assistance recovering funding that resulted in 11,000 people not re- status as . . . [a job applicant], because of
from financial abuse and housing insecurity. ceiving services in a single day. such individual’s age.’’
The FVPSA supports life-saving services 2. Technologically updating the National Do- According to the AARP, 1 in 4 workers age
throughout the country via grants to states, mestic Violence Hotline and improving hotline 45 and older have been subjected to negative
tribal governments, and territories through services for underrepresented populations. comments about their age from supervisors or
three primary sets of activities, all of which are 3. Authorizing funding for tribal coalitions, coworkers, and 76 percent see age discrimi-
administered by HHS. which provide support to tribal domestic vio- nation as a hurdle to finding a new job.
First, the FCPSA funds a national domestic lence programs but are not currently author- In one University of California, Irvine, study,
violence hotline receives calls for assistance ized by statute to receive FVPSA funding. résumés were sent out on behalf of more than
related to this violence. The hotline provides 4. Authorizing new grants of up to $150,000 40,000 fictitious applicants of different ages for
crisis intervention and counseling, maintains a to each state, territorial and tribal coalition to thousands of low-skill jobs like janitors, admin-
database of service providers, and provides prevent domestic violence. istrative assistants and retail sales clerks in 12
referrals for victims and others affected by do- A bill of this nature is incredibly important cities.
mestic violence. for my home state of Texas, where it is esti- This study found that the older the applicant
Second, FVPSA funds efforts to prevent do- mated that 1 in 3 Texans will be a victim of was, the fewer callbacks the applicant re-
mestic violence through a program known as domestic violence during their lifetime. ceived.
Domestic Violence Prevention Enhancement In Texas, 29 percent of domestic violence This study also found that age discrimina-
and Leadership Through Allies (DELTA). victims are Black despite making up only 12 tion has the highest impact on women, who
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Third, FVPSA supports direct services for percent of the population. suffer more age discrimination then men start-
victims and their families. Most of this funding The share of domestic violence victims in ing in their 40s.
is awarded via grants to states, territories, and Texas who are Native American is twice as According to David Neumark, a professor of
tribes. much as the proportion of Natives in the gen- economics who oversaw the study, ‘‘[t]he evi-
FVPSA is the only federal funding source eral population. dence of age discrimination against women
dedicated to providing support to domestic vio- Mr. Speaker, no member should be compla- . . . pops out in every study’’ conducted on
lence shelters and programs. cent with these egregious statistics. age discrimination.
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H5624 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE October 12, 2021
Ageism is still very much present in our so- This includes when then-Senator Biden connected? You had no problem at all
ciety, and it is important we acknowledge that and Senator SCHUMER voted against piling on $2 trillion to the debt. Re-
we still have much work to do to correct this raising the debt ceiling under Presi- member the debate we had on the
bias and give every job applicant a fair and dent George W. Bush. floor? No big deal, no big deal.
equal opportunity when applying for a job. Mr. Speaker, I yield 11⁄2 minutes to I mean, would you reconsider that
H.R. 3110 ‘‘PUMP FOR NURSING MOTHERS ACT’’ the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. vote now? Or do you want to take back
Mr. Speaker, I also rise in support of H.R. MEUSER). the vote that many of you cast—I
3110, the ‘‘Pump for Nursing Mothers Act,’’ Mr. MEUSER. Mr. Speaker, I thank think wisely so—to help provide COVID
which will close an unintentional loophole in the gentlewoman from Minnesota for relief money to families that were
the 2010 Break Time for Nursing Mothers Act. exposing that facts are very stubborn struggling because of the worst pan-
The 2010 law requires employers to provide things. demic in our lifetimes? Do you want to
break time and a place for hourly wage-earn- Mr. Speaker, what am I missing take that back?
ing and some salaried employees to express here? The Democrat leadership just Come on. This debate is embar-
breast milk at work for one year after the birth lectured us on how critical it is for all rassing. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the bal-
of the employee’s child. of us to vote for their huge debt ceiling ance of my time.
Unfortunately, this law unintentionally ex- increase as an obligation, as our duty. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Mem-
cluded a quarter of all working women—nearly Yet Democrat leadership, we are bers are reminded to direct their re-
nine million employees—from protection. showing, has voted against debt ceil- marks to the Chair.
H.R. 3110 closes this coverage gap by ex- ings many times. I have quotes here
b 1715
tending the law’s protections to cover salaried from their commentary. It would cre-
employees as well as other categories of em- ate uncertainty in the overall econ- Mrs. FISCHBACH. Mr. Speaker, I
ployees currently exempted from protections, omy, leading to job-destroying credit yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from
such as teachers, nurses, and farmworkers. downgrades, et cetera, et cetera. Texas (Mr. ARRINGTON).
H.R. 3110 would also provide employers Mr. Speaker, this is hypocrisy, and Mr. ARRINGTON. Mr. Speaker, I
clarity on paid and unpaid pumping time. my constituents and the American peo- thank the gentlewoman for yielding.
The bill leaves in place existing law pro- ple are very tired of it. Mr. Speaker, to answer my friend’s
tecting many salaried workers from having As well, to say that this debt ceiling question about would we do this again
their pay docked and clarifies that employers is for past bills is false. Let’s then set on tax cuts, the answer is absolutely.
must pay an hourly employee for any time the debt ceiling at a responsible level, We grew the economy. We created
spent pumping if the employee is also work- not at the level which just happens to jobs. We lifted 6 million people out of
ing. accommodate the $5 trillion-plus poverty. And guess what—2 years in a
Lastly, the bill would ensure that nursing planned reconciliation tax-and-spend row, we have record revenues in the
mothers have access to remedies that are bill they are working on. Treasury coffers to bring down our
available for other violations of the Fair Labor Asking us to raise a credit card limit deficits and our national debt, which
Standards Act. trillions and have no say at all in how by the way, is the greatest threat to
New parents face an incredible amount of it is spent, Mr. Speaker, that is irre- this country and the prospects of our
increased difficulties while juggling work, fam- sponsible, and I won’t be part of it. children inheriting the blessings of lib-
ily and mental and emotional tolls that are ex- Mr. MCGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, I yield erty and prosperity.
acerbated as a new parent. myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, but instead of putting
According to a study published in Reviews Let me just say to my good friend, that as the central issue of debate
in Obstetrics and Gynecology, breastfeeding the gentlewoman from Minnesota, yes, today, we are here—we flew from all
provides health benefits for not only infants, individual Democrats on occasion have over the country—to vote to raise the
but also for mothers. voted ‘‘no’’ on the debt ceiling, and the debt ceiling, but it is buried in a bill
Abstaining from breastfeeding has been as- party in control ends up carrying the that has family violence, nursing
sociated with an increase in developing var- day. mothers, protecting old job applicants.
ious types of cancers, type 2 diabetes, heart But I guess I would ask her, does she I don’t know what costume party I
attacks, retained gestational weight gain and know how many times Democrats have arrived at here in Washington,
metabolic syndrome in adult women. threatened to filibuster the raising of but Halloween has come early here be-
For infants, not being breastfed is associ- the debt ceiling in the Senate to make cause nothing on this rule bill says,
ated with infectious illnesses such as pneu- it virtually impossible for the party in ‘‘debt limit.’’
monia, ear infections, gastroenteritis, and can control to be able to pass it? It has nursing mothers—I know that
increase the risk of developing childhood- I am happy to yield to her, but the my Democrat colleagues want to be in-
onset obesity, type 1 and 2 diabetes, leukemia answer to that is zero. Zero. volved in every facet and phase of the
and SIDS. I said this before when we debated lives of the American people, including
This bill will ensure that mothers will no this a couple of weeks ago. You know, nursing mothers, but the reality is, we
longer be forced to choose between their own I don’t expect my Republican friends to are broke. Our budget process is com-
health, their infant’s health, and their income. do the responsible thing, but I expect pletely dysfunctional. We ought to be
The PUMP for Nursing Mothers Act will al- them to get out of the way so that we talking about spending caps, no budg-
leviate the disparities that currently exist be- can. That is what is at stake here et, no recess, debt targets; things that
tween breastfeeding employees and their co- today. we could work together on to actually
workers, sending a clear message that the Again, let me remind all my col- get on a sustainable path to fiscal san-
workforce will protect and support women who leagues what happens if, in fact, we ity.
opt to balance a career and motherhood. don’t extend the debt limit. Again, ac- But instead, we bury a debt ceiling
For these reasons, I encourage all Members cording to the nonpartisan Moody’s vote—which is what this is—in a rule
to support the Rule governing debate for H.R. Analytics, Mark Zandi says such a cri- bill about family violence, older Amer-
2119, the ‘‘Family Violence and Prevention sis could result in a loss of 6 million icans, and nursing mothers. I mean,
Services Improvement Act,’’ H.R. 3992, the U.S. jobs, and $15 trillion in household that is the most Washington shuck-
‘‘Protect Older Job Applicants Act,’’ and H.R. wealth would be wiped out. Obviously, and-jive thing I have seen in a long
3110, the ‘‘Pump for Nursing Mothers Act.’’ it is something that we cannot easily time. What deception. What
Mrs. FISCHBACH. Mr. Speaker, I recover from, if we could ever recover swampiness.
continue to hear from my colleagues from it, especially after the Mr. Speaker, that is why the Amer-
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across the aisle this notion that debt coronavirus pandemic. ican people can’t stand this institu-
limit votes are always bipartisan. Let me just say, I am so happy to tion, and they certainly can’t trust
I just want to point out again, how- hear that my Republican friends fi- this institution to do the people’s busi-
ever, that in the last 20 years there nally have seen the light on the debt. ness.
were five occasions where the party in Where have you been? Where were you Mr. MCGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, oh my
power had to pass the debt limit when Donald Trump brought his tax goodness. The gentleman says that we
through the Senate by themselves. cut bill for the well off and the well buried the debt limit somehow in this
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October 12, 2021 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H5625
rule. I will lend him my glasses. It says age family back home: Mr. and Mrs. to fund. And no, I haven’t voted for a
in the title: Increase the public debt America, understand something, you debt ceiling increase before. And I cer-
limit. make $35,000 a year. You should be tainly haven’t 49 times to raise the
I don’t know how much clearer it spending $65,000 a year and just in- debt from $1 trillion to $28.5 trillion, as
could be. It is in the title. Did you not creasing your total debt. has the majority leader.
read the rule? We are at right now is between fund- Mr. MCGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, I am
Mr. Speaker, by the way, we met in ed and unfunded liabilities. America is going to save my breath, and I reserve
the Committee on Rules on S. 1301 on on the hook for $130 trillion. This is a the balance of my time.
September 29—2 weeks ago. On that pathway to destruction. Now we are Mrs. FISCHBACH. Mr. Speaker, I
same day, we debated the bill on the going to point fingers back and forth: yield 30 seconds to the gentleman from
House floor and voted on it—up or Well, you guys raised it, and you Arizona (Mr. BIGGS).
down. Fully transparent—218 Demo- should have raised it. Mr. BIGGS. Mr. Speaker, I thank the
crats voted yes; 1 Republican voted Mr. Speaker, you know what? There gentlewoman for yielding.
yes; 2 Democrats voted no; 210 Repub- is no such thing as a debt ceiling here.
licans voted no. There is no debt ceiling here. This is a f
It was a fully transparent process. sunroof. All we do is open it any time
What are you talking about? MOTION TO ADJOURN
we want to irresponsibly spend money,
Mr. Speaker, what we are dealing and we just go ahead and keep spending Mr. BIGGS. Mr. Speaker, I move that
with today is a Senate amendment to and spending. the House do now adjourn.
that very same bill. We don’t need to It all falls on the backs of not only The SPEAKER pro tempore. The
start the process of hearings and mark- our grandchildren and our children but question is on the motion to adjourn
ups and debate all over again for a Sen- also on this current generation. This is offered by the gentleman from Arizona
ate amendment to a bill that we have absolutely insane and totally irrespon- (Mr. BIGGS).
already debated and voted on—and by sible. The question was taken; and the
the way, a Senate amendment that was Mr. MCGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, I am Speaker pro tempore announced that
inspired by MITCH MCCONNELL, the Re- hearing two things from the other side. the noes appeared to have it.
publican leader. One, is that they are fine with ignor- Mr. BIGGS. Mr. Speaker, on that I
So don’t just come here and make ing the debt if it is on things that they demand the yeas and nays.
stuff up. The debt limit is in the title like. And then two, I am hearing that The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu-
of the rule, for goodness sake. they are fine with defaulting on the ant to section 3(s) of House Resolution
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of
debt, therefore throwing our economy 8, the yeas and nays are ordered.
my time.
Mrs. FISCHBACH. Mr. Speaker, I into ruin. Talk about irresponsibility. The vote was taken by electronic de-
yield myself such time as I may con- Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of vice, and there were—yeas 198, nays
sume. my time. 223, not voting 10, as follows:
Mr. Speaker, I point out that my col- Mrs. FISCHBACH. Mr. Speaker, I [Roll No. 314]
league from the Committee on Rules yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from YEAS—198
points out that we did debate this bill, Texas. Aderholt Ferguson Kustoff
S. 1301, a couple of weeks ago. But he Mr. ROY. Mr. Speaker, I just want to Allen Fischbach LaHood
also pointed out that there is a Senate thank the distinguished majority lead- Amodei Fitzgerald LaMalfa
er for sharing with us he has voted 49 Armstrong Fitzpatrick Lamborn
amendment that was added to it that Arrington Fleischmann Latta
we are not debating right now. So it is times to raise the debt ceiling, because Babin Fortenberry LaTurner
not entirely the same bill that we when he came into this body, the debt Bacon Foxx Letlow
talked about 2 weeks ago. I wanted to was about $1 trillion. Today it is $28.5 Baird Fulcher Long
Balderson Gaetz Loudermilk
make sure that was pointed out be- trillion. Banks Gallagher Lucas
cause it is not the same bill. So thank you—I guess—on behalf of Barr Garbarino Luetkemeyer
Mr. Speaker, obviously, there is lots the people of America who are staring Bentz Garcia (CA) Mace
at $28.5 trillion of debt. Bergman Gibbs Malliotakis
of discussion and input that people Bice (OK) Gimenez Mann
want to have on this debt ceiling issue, Here is the thing: My colleagues on Biggs Gohmert Massie
and I really do feel the need to say it the other side of the aisle are asking us Bilirakis Gonzales, Tony Mast
again: this is an irresponsible way to to support a half-a-trillion-dollar in- Bishop (NC) Good (VA) McCarthy
crease in the debt—half a trillion dol- Boebert Gooden (TX) McCaul
run Congress. And the Democrats are Bost Gosar McClain
not giving this debt limit extension the lars. And the American people can’t Brady Granger McHenry
proper debate. What we are actually even keep up with what those numbers Brooks Graves (MO) McKinley
even mean. But they do know that Buchanan Green (TN) Meijer
debating right now is the rule. We are Buck Greene (GA) Meuser
not debating the actual issue of the those dollars are being used to fund Bucshon Griffith Miller (IL)
debt ceiling and talking about it in government tyranny over their lives. Budd Grothman Miller (WV)
depth, as we should be. I wanted to That is what those dollars are being Burchett Guest Miller-Meeks
used for—for a border that is not se- Burgess Guthrie Moolenaar
make sure that the American people Calvert Hagedorn Mooney
understood that that is what we are cure; for cartels that are ripping into Cammack Harris Moore (AL)
doing. Texas; for critical race theory being Carl Harshbarger Moore (UT)
Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the taught to our children; to not fund po- Carter (GA) Hartzler Mullin
Carter (TX) Hern Nehls
gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. lice; to have the FBI going after par- Cawthorn Herrell Newhouse
KELLY). ents and school boards; vax mandates; Chabot Herrera Beutler Norman
Mr. KELLY of Pennsylvania. Mr. shutting down businesses; forcing peo- Cline Hice (GA) Nunes
ple to comply or they lose their job; en- Clyde Hill Obernolte
Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman Cole Hinson Owens
from Minnesota for yielding. ergy poverty, preventing people from Comer Hollingsworth Palazzo
Mr. Speaker, I was sitting in my of- actually getting the energy to heat Crawford Hudson Palmer
fice, and I couldn’t help hearing that their homes, drive their cars, and go to Crenshaw Huizenga Pence
Curtis Jackson Perry
this is kitchen table economics, so I work. That is what my colleagues on Davidson Jacobs (NY) Pfluger
just want to reduce it down to what the other side of the aisle want us to Davis, Rodney Johnson (LA) Posey
kitchen table economics actually is. borrow half a trillion dollars to keep DesJarlais Johnson (OH) Reed
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This is a country that has an income funding. Diaz-Balart Johnson (SD) Reschenthaler
Donalds Jordan Rice (SC)
of about $3.5 trillion a year. Meaning, if So please forgive me if I vote ‘‘no’’ to Duncan Joyce (OH) Rodgers (WA)
you were a regular family, that means rack up more debt for my kids and Dunn Joyce (PA) Rogers (KY)
you make about $35,000 a year. Let’s re- grandkids, to fund the tyranny over Ellzey Katko Rose
the minds and the hearts of the Amer- Emmer Keller Rosendale
duce it to kitchen table economics. Estes Kelly (MS) Roy
But we then turn around and spend ican people that my colleagues on the Fallon Kelly (PA) Rutherford
$6.5 trillion, so that is telling the aver- other side of the aisle wish to continue Feenstra Kim (CA) Salazar
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