Congressional Record — House, December 7, 2021, Page H6925
Summary
Congressional Record, House, December 7, 2021 (page H6925 and following). The page records debate on a rule. Stauber opposes the previous question so the House can consider the Protecting Our Communities from Gang Violence Act, while Scanlon and Maloney, who is introduced as chair of the Committee on Oversight and Reform, speak for bringing the Protecting Our Democracy Act to the floor. Hartzler speaks in support of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2022. The vote on ordering the previous question on the resolution is printed as yeas 218, nays 210, not voting 5.
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“Congressional Record — House, December 7, 2021, Page H6925.”
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December 7, 2021 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H6925
The crisis at the southern border bipartisan bill the Committee on Over- Mr. Speaker, H.R. 1995 is simple. It
continues to rage, with over 160,000 il- sight and Reform approved earlier this will make gang members inadmissible
legal aliens pouring into the country year. These provisions would strength- to and deportable from the United
every single month. en protections for whistleblowers by States of America. This legislation
In fiscal year 2021, a record-breaking protecting their anonymity and prohib- should be noncontroversial. Violent
1.7 million illegal aliens crossed our iting retaliation when they come for- and dangerous criminals have no right
southern border, and that is only those ward with abuses in government. to live in our communities and benefit
who were caught. How many others The Protecting Our Democracy Act from our country.
avoided authorities and successfully would strengthen the Hatch Act, which We must finally send a signal that we
entered into our country illegally? is intended to protect the government will not allow this cycle of crime and
Mr. Speaker, we know cartels are from political interference with our violence to continue.
sending gang members across our bor- workforce. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to
der and into our communities. I can Last month, the independent Office defeat the previous question.
tell you—and as a former sheriff, I can of Special Counsel found that senior of- f
assure you, Mr. Speaker—these gang ficials in the last administration re-
peatedly broke the law by using their b 1800
members, these alien gang members,
are bringing violence and drugs, and government positions to campaign for Ms. SCANLON. Mr. Speaker, I would
they are straining police resources in the former President. just remind our colleagues we are here
cities all across America. In fact, vio- The bill also includes Representative today to talk about a rule to bring the
lent crime skyrocketed in many cities KATIE PORTER’s bill, the Account- Protecting Our Democracy Act to the
last year, and much of that was tied to ability for Acting Officials Act, which floor. That is a bill that would prevent
gang violence. would limit who can be named an act- criminal behavior by Presidents, not
I hope that my colleagues on the ing official and for how long. These re- by illegal aliens, so I would just kind of
other side of the aisle can agree that forms would close loopholes that are redirect the conversation there.
alien gang members should not be al- ripe for abuse. We are also here to engage in the ex-
Mr. Speaker, I urge everyone to vote tremely important business of passing
lowed into the United States. A ‘‘no’’
for this important bill. the National Defense Authorization
vote on the previous question sends a Mr. COLE. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3
message to those looking to bring Act and to help the Senate, since they
minutes to the gentleman from Min-
crime and violence into our country are having difficulty on their own, to
nesota (Mr. STAUBER), my good friend,
that they are not welcome here. raise the debt limit. That is what we
a former police officer, and a member
Mr. Speaker, for the sake of my chil- are here to discuss.
of the Law Enforcement Caucus, to
dren, for the sake of your children, for Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of
provide further information about the
the sake of our children, I would ask my time.
previous question.
all of my colleagues, on both sides of Mr. STAUBER. Mr. Speaker, I rise to Mr. COLE. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2
the aisle, to vote ‘‘no’’ on the previous oppose the previous question so that minutes to the distinguished gentle-
question and stop these illegal alien we can immediately consider H.R. 1995, woman from Missouri (Mrs. HARTZLER),
gang members. the Protecting Our Communities from my good friend and one of the recog-
Ms. SCANLON. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 Gang Violence Act. nized experts on defense in the Con-
minutes to the gentlewoman from New Crime is running rampant in our cit- gress.
York (Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY), the ies. Smash and grab is the new normal Mrs. HARTZLER. Mr. Speaker, I rise
distinguished chair of the Committee for malls and small business owners. in strong support of the National De-
on Oversight and Reform. Carjackings are happening with such fense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year
Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY of New frequency that it is now recommended 2022.
York. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentle- that you drive in the center lane of I want to thank my colleagues on
woman for yielding and for her out- roads and highways. What once were both sides of the aisle for their work in
standing work on the Rules Com- beloved destinations in our States and developing this comprehensive bill that
mittee. our communities have become overrun will ensure our men and women in uni-
Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support with street gangs and violent criminals form have the resources they need to
of the rule for H.R. 5314, the Protecting across this great Nation. keep our country safe.
Our Democracy Act. Now, President Biden is helping bring The bill before us today does not in-
This sweeping package of reforms, that crime to every suburban and rural clude a provision requiring women to
many of which have been supported by community in America. As we speak, register for the Selective Service. This
Democrats and Republicans in the the Biden administration is using tax- bill does not include any red-flag gun
past, will protect our government from payer dollars to fly and transport ille- provisions that would infringe on the
future abuses, restore the govern- gal immigrants across this country. Second Amendment rights of our serv-
ment’s system of checks and balances, This is without knowledge of who these icemembers. And this bill does not es-
and strengthen our accountability and people are or their criminal back- tablish an office of extremism.
transparency. ground. I want to thank Ranking Member
The Committee on Oversight and Re- Now, violent gang members have ROGERS for his advocacy in removing
form has jurisdiction over several ti- been illegally entering our country and these provisions from the final bill.
tles in this landmark legislation, and I circumventing our laws well before the This bill does protect servicemem-
am proud to be an original cosponsor of Biden administration implemented bers who choose not to receive the
this bill. their weak border policies. But it is COVID–19 vaccine by prohibiting the
The Protecting Our Democracy Act gravely naive to think these gang DOD from issuing dishonorable dis-
includes the Inspector General Inde- members are not taking full advantage charges. It also requires the DOD to es-
pendence Act, which I introduced last of this crisis, crossing the border with tablish uniform standards for COVID–
year with Majority Leader STENY ease, hopping on these taxpayer-funded 19 vaccine exemptions and requires the
HOYER and several other members of flights, and making their way into Pentagon to consider the effects of nat-
the Committee on Oversight and Re- every small town across this great Na- ural immunity.
form. tion. The Biden administration is, As ranking member of the Tactical
The bill would strengthen protec- without a doubt, providing gang mem- Air and Land Forces Subcommittee, I
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tions for inspectors general by only al- bers new playgrounds for their crimi- am pleased with the continued invest-
lowing an IG to be removed for specific, nal behavior. This is unacceptable in ments this bill makes for our air and
documented causes and not for polit- our great Nation. land capabilities.
ical retaliation, for doing their jobs As Members of Congress, we cannot Under the Tactical Air and Land
and conducting oversight. sit idly by and allow our communities Forces Subcommittee’s jurisdiction,
The bill also includes my Whistle- to be infiltrated by gang members and this bill continues critical oversight of
blower Protection Improvement Act, a exposed to violence. the Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps’
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H6926 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE December 7, 2021
strike fighter force structure and in- Why don’t we face the facts and get fiscal policies, we encourage them to
ventory management, setting better things done correctly from the start? do the work with us to pass a funding
conditions for ensuring the right mix Unfortunately, our authorizing com- bill for the current fiscal year. We are
of fourth- and fifth-generation fighters mittees, the Committee on Energy and now 2 months into this fiscal year, and
and managing operational risk. Commerce and the Committee on Ways we still don’t have a funding bill be-
Specifically, this legislation author- and Means, have not seen fit to hold cause Senate Republicans are refusing
izes funding for 12 F/A–18 Super Hor- the hearings that would be necessary to work with the rest of Congress to
nets, 85 F–35 Joint Strike Fighters, and to provide a solution to this problem. negotiate a bipartisan appropriations
17 F–15EX aircraft. Our providers need and deserve that bill.
The legislation also provides much- certainty. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of
needed funding increases within the Mr. Speaker, I don’t know what it is my time.
Army’s small and medium caliber am- like in your part of the State, but in Mr. COLE. Mr. Speaker, we are still
munition accounts as well as to sup- my part of the State, we are experi- waiting for a speaker, but I would in-
port operational and safety improve- encing a shortage of healthcare work- quire of the gentlewoman if she is pre-
ments to the Nation’s ammunition in- ers. We are also seeing hospital con- pared to close, we will go ahead and
dustrial base. I am proud of this legis- solidation becoming more and more close.
lation, and I urge all of my colleagues prevalent. The coming Medicare cuts Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the bal-
to vote ‘‘yes’’ on the final passage of will only worsen these issues. ance of my time.
the NDAA. Furthermore, we have not even con- Mr. Speaker, before I get into my
Ms. SCANLON. Mr. Speaker, I would sidered the cuts due to the Centers for prepared remarks and close, just in re-
inquire how many speakers Mr. COLE Medicare and Medicaid Services clin- sponse to my good friend’s last remark,
has remaining. ical labor pricing updates. Some stud- I want her to be aware, we don’t have
Mr. COLE. Mr. Speaker, we have at ies are now indicating that these cuts an appropriations bill or budget be-
least one, I think perhaps two, if the could be as significant as 20 percent for cause my friends, frankly, have riddled
gentleman can make it back in time. some providers. what happened in the Appropriations
Ms. SCANLON. Mr. Speaker, I yield Many of these same providers serve Committee with poison pills, taking
myself such time as I may consume. our seniors. They serve patients in out the Hyde protections. We have been
Mr. Speaker, As long as I have a few critical care populations, including waiting to negotiate that. Our friends
minutes left, I did just want to raise an cancer patients and patients receiving have refused to do that.
amendment I have to the Protecting critical surgeries or procedures. Over- It has been extended now to February
Our Democracy Act, which has been all, the clinical labor pricing updates 18. I hope that we meet that deadline
made in order. This amendment would will have an extreme impact on health and that we actually do get an agreed-
effectuate the findings of the Senate quality, as they will affect our most upon appropriations bill. If we do, I
Judiciary Committee report titled vulnerable populations. would be happy to support it, as I have
‘‘Subverting Justice: How the Former I appreciate the fact that the rebate so many years in the past.
President and His Allies Pressured DOJ rule is not included as an offset in this Mr. Speaker, in passing a final, bipar-
to Overturn the 2020 Election.’’ bill. That truly was budgetary smoke tisan, bicameral version of the NDAA,
That report made numerous rec- and mirrors that had no place in a ra- we are fulfilling our responsibility to
ommendations, but one of them is di- tional discussion of this. But I do have provide for the common defense. This
rectly related to the Protecting Our to ask why we are reluctant to reuse would mark the 61st year in a row that
Democracy Act. It would increase the the dollars in the Provider Relief Fund Congress has passed a final NDAA, and
frequency with which reports are made as an offset instead of creating a new I celebrate that fact.
of contact between the White House Medicare sequester that, oh, yeah, This year’s bill increases defense
and the Department of Justice in order won’t start until 10 years from now. spending to a level commensurate with
to make sure that protections occur Mr. Speaker, we are all familiar here our needs, unlike the President’s budg-
against politicization of our law en- with kicking the can down the road et. It ensures a needed pay raise for our
forcement arm at the behest of bad ac- and robbing Peter to pay Paul. We are troops and ensures that the warfighters
tors in the White House. basically now robbing Peter’s grand- of tomorrow will have the weapons and
I am very, very pleased that that children to pay Paul. The Provider Re- capabilities they need. It will also pro-
amendment was made in order and, as lief Fund is sitting there waiting to be vide needed oversight over the Presi-
always, very grateful to the Committee used. It would provide targeted relief dent’s debacle in Afghanistan and will
on Rules for its continuing efforts to to providers consistent with the origi- ensure that the American people re-
make amendments in order, which it nal intent of the fund that we all voted ceive the answers they deserve.
has been doing at a much higher rate for on March 27, 2020. I want to publicly commend Chair-
this term than last. Unfortunately, this bill includes a man SMITH and Ranking Member ROG-
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of one-time procedural change to allow ERS for working so well together in a
my time. the Senate to originate and pass a debt bipartisan fashion and also commend
Mr. COLE. Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 limit increase with only 51 votes. The their negotiating counterparts in the
minutes to the gentleman from Texas Medicare issue and the debt limit do United States Senate, Chairman REED
(Mr. BURGESS), my good friend, a fellow not belong in the same room, let alone and Ranking Member INHOFE, for co-
member of the Rules Committee and in the same bill. operating and bringing this important
distinguished member of the Com- Protecting patients’ access to care measure before us. I certainly hope we
mittee on Energy and Commerce. and helping healthcare providers dur- can pass it and move forward from
Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, you just ing a public health emergency is a bi- there.
have to ask yourself what in the heck partisan issue. It deserves sincere con- Today’s rule, unfortunately, also ad-
is going on here. Doctors across this gressional action, and it is time we vances a measure to address Medicaid
country, our heroes in the healthcare work on meaningful payment reform. sequestration. This is a bill that could
fight that we have been in the last 2 Ms. SCANLON. Mr. Speaker, I com- and should have been bipartisan but in-
years, are facing significant cuts in pletely agree that protecting Medicare stead must be used to address the
their Medicare reimbursements. from cuts is a bipartisan issue, and we Democratic leadership’s failure to re-
Instead of getting a commitment are happy to engage on that. Unfortu- solve the debt ceiling vote. That is sad.
from Congress that we are going to nately, if there is a complaint about Democratic leaders have chosen to di-
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work on solving this problem, what do how this bill is coming up at this time, vide us when they could have chosen a
they get? A gimmicky bill tying a re- that is something that was pushed by different course that would have united
prieve on the Medicare cuts to the debt Republican leadership here in the us in a bipartisan agreement. Hope-
limit. That is a dead duck over in the House. That is not how our leadership fully, they will learn from that lesson.
other body. It is not going to pass, and proposed to do it. Finally, this rule also advances a
the majority knows it is not going to If my colleagues want to have a seri- highly partisan and unnecessary collec-
pass. ous conversation about the Nation’s tion of purported government reforms,
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December 7, 2021 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H6927
many of which are duplicative of meas- Ms. SCANLON. Mr. Speaker, I yield [Roll No. 402]
ures that have previously passed the back the balance of my time, and I YEAS—218
House. I urge the majority to rethink move the previous question on the res- Adams Gomez Ocasio-Cortez
these measures. olution. Aguilar Gonzalez, Omar
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Allred Vicente Pallone
vote ‘‘no’’ on the previous question and question is on ordering the previous Auchincloss Gottheimer Panetta
Axne Green, Al (TX) Pappas
‘‘no’’ on the rule, and I yield back the question. Barragán Grijalva Pascrell
balance of my time. The question was taken; and the Bass Harder (CA) Payne
Ms. SCANLON. Mr. Speaker, I yield Speaker pro tempore announced that Beatty Hayes Perlmutter
Bera Higgins (NY) Peters
myself the balance of my time. The the ayes appeared to have it. Beyer Himes Phillips
Protecting Our Democracy Act is a Mr. COLE. Mr. Speaker, on that I de- Bishop (GA) Horsford Pingree
necessary package of policies to ad- mand the yeas and nays. Blumenauer Houlahan Pocan
dress abuses of our constitutional proc- Blunt Rochester Hoyer
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- Bonamici
Porter
Huffman Pressley
esses that have developed over time ant to section 3(s) of House Resolution Bourdeaux Jackson Lee Price (NC)
but accelerated under the most recent 8, the yeas and nays are ordered. Bowman Jacobs (CA)
Quigley
administration. It has become clear Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, fur- Boyle, Brendan Jayapal
Raskin
F. Jeffries
that our government will not survive ther proceedings are postponed. Brown (MD) Johnson (GA)
Rice (NY)
solely on the good behavior of good Ross
Brown (OH) Johnson (TX)
people. We need statutory guardrails to f Brownley Jones
Roybal-Allard
Bush Kahele Ruiz
ensure compliance with norms of good Ruppersberger
behavior. RECESS Bustos Kaptur
Rush
Butterfield Keating
The Protecting Our Democracy Act The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- Carbajal Kelly (IL) Ryan
will impose reasonable and constitu- Sánchez
ant to clause 12(a) of rule I, the Chair Cárdenas Khanna
Carson Kildee Sarbanes
tionally sound limits on Presidential declares the House in recess subject to Scanlon
Carter (LA) Kilmer
power and then create enforceable pen- the call of the Chair. Cartwright Kim (NJ) Schakowsky
alties for Presidents who abuse the Accordingly (at 6 o’clock and 14 min- Case Kind Schiff
powers of their office. Casten Kirkpatrick Schneider
utes p.m.), the House stood in recess.
Castor (FL) Krishnamoorthi Schrader
I am proud of my colleagues who con- Castro (TX) Kuster Schrier
tributed legislation to the final bill, es- f Scott (VA)
Chu Lamb
pecially Representative ADAM SCHIFF, Cicilline Langevin Scott, David
who spearheaded this important effort. b 1830 Clark (MA) Larsen (WA) Sewell
Clarke (NY) Larson (CT) Sherman
The Protecting Our Democracy Act Cleaver Lawrence Sherrill
AFTER RECESS
is an important continuation of the Cohen Lawson (FL) Sires
House’s work for the people to protect The recess having expired, the House Connolly Lee (CA) Smith (WA)
was called to order by the Speaker pro Cooper Lee (NV) Soto
our democratic institutions at this Correa Leger Fernandez
tempore (Mrs. HAYES) at 6 o’clock and Spanberger
critical moment in time. It builds off Costa Levin (CA) Speier
bills like H.R. 1, H.R. 4, and the Inspec- 30 minutes p.m. Courtney Levin (MI) Stansbury
tor General Independence and Em- Craig Lieu Stanton
f Crist Lofgren Stevens
powerment Act to protect our elections Crow Lowenthal Strickland
and make good government reforms to PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION Cuellar Luria Suozzi
ensure that our government works for OF H.R. 5314, PROTECTING OUR
Davids (KS) Lynch Swalwell
Davis, Danny K. Malinowski
everyone and that the rule of law ap- DEMOCRACY ACT; PROVIDING Dean Maloney,
Takano
plies to everyone. Thompson (CA)
FOR CONSIDERATION OF S. 1605; DeFazio Carolyn B.
Thompson (MS)
As with many of these bills and oth- DeGette Maloney, Sean
NATIONAL PULSE MEMORIAL; DeLauro Manning
Titus
ers passed by the House, I strongly Tlaib
PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION DelBene Matsui
urge my Senate colleagues to join us Tonko
OF S. 610, DR. LORNA BREEN Delgado McBath
Torres (CA)
and do some legislating. Our country is Demings McCollum
HEALTH CARE PROVIDER PRO- Torres (NY)
facing multiple problems, and we DeSaulnier McEachin
TECTION ACT Deutch McGovern Trahan
frankly cannot afford continued inac- Trone
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- Dingell McNerney
tion from the Senate on voting rights, Doggett Meeks Underwood
the NDAA, the debt limit, or any of the ant to clause 8 of rule XX, the unfin- Doyle, Michael Meng Vargas
ished business is the vote on ordering F. Mfume Veasey
hundreds of bills passed by the House Vela
the previous question on the resolution Escobar Moore (WI)
over the past year. Eshoo Morelle Velázquez
Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my col- (H. Res. 838) providing for consider- Espaillat Moulton Wasserman
leagues to vote for the rule today and ation of the bill (H.R. 5314) to protect Evans Mrvan Schultz
our democracy by preventing abuses of Fletcher Murphy (FL) Waters
to support the underlying legislation. Watson Coleman
presidential power, restoring checks Foster Nadler
The material previously referred to Frankel, Lois Napolitano Welch
by Mr. COLE is as follows: and balances and accountability and Gallego Neal Wexton
AMENDMENT TO HOUSE RESOLUTION 838 transparency in government, and de- Garamendi Neguse Wild
fending elections against foreign inter- Garcı́a (IL) Newman Williams (GA)
At the end of the resolution, add the fol- Garcia (TX) Norcross Wilson (FL)
lowing: ference, and for other purposes, pro- Golden O’Halleran Yarmuth
SEC. 9. Immediately upon adoption of this viding for consideration of the bill (S.
resolution, the House shall proceed to the 1605) to designate the National Pulse NAYS—210
consideration in the House of the bill (H.R. Memorial located at 1912 South Orange Aderholt Brady Clyde
1995) to amend the Immigration and Nation- Avenue in Orlando, Florida, and for Allen Brooks Cole
ality Act with respect to aliens associated Amodei Buchanan Comer
other purposes, and providing for con- Armstrong Buck Crawford
with criminal gangs, and for other purposes.
All points of order against consideration of sideration of the bill (S. 610) to address Arrington Bucshon Crenshaw
the bill are waived. The bill shall be consid- behavioral health and well-being Babin Budd Curtis
among health care professionals, on Bacon Burchett Davidson
ered as read. All points of order against pro- Baird Burgess Davis, Rodney
visions in the bill are waived. The previous which the yeas and nays were ordered. Balderson Calvert DesJarlais
question shall be considered as ordered on The Clerk read the title of the resolu- Banks Cammack Diaz-Balart
SSpencer on DSK126QN23PROD with HOUSE
the bill and on any amendment thereto to tion. Barr Carey Duncan
final passage without intervening motion ex- Bentz Carl Ellzey
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Bergman Carter (GA) Emmer
cept: (1) one hour of debate equally divided
question is on ordering the previous Bice (OK) Carter (TX) Estes
and controlled by the chair and ranking mi-
nority member of the Committee on the Ju- question on the resolution. Biggs Cawthorn Fallon
The vote was taken by electronic de- Bilirakis Chabot Feenstra
diciary; and (2) one motion to recommit. Bishop (NC) Cheney Ferguson
SEC. 10. Clause 1(c) of rule XIX shall not vice, and there were—yeas 218, nays Boebert Cline Fischbach
apply to the consideration of H.R. 1995. 210, not voting 5, as follows: Bost Cloud Fitzgerald
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