Congressional Record, House, August 12, 2022 — Rule on Senate Amendment to H.R. 5376
Summary
Page H7561 of the House section of the Congressional Record for August 12, 2022. Mr. McGovern, from the Committee on Rules, submits a privileged report, Rept. No. 117-451, on H. Res. 1316 providing for consideration of the Senate amendment to H.R. 5376, headed Build Back Better Act, under which the House would concur in the Senate amendment after 3 hours of debate divided among the Budget, Energy and Commerce, and Ways and Means committees. In the debate, a speaker says the top 1 percent dodge $160 billion in taxes each year, that insulin is capped at $35 for people on Medicare, and that IRS money will not mean more audits of anyone making under $400,000, citing IRS Commissioner Charles Rettig.
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“Congressional Record, House, August 12, 2022 — Rule on Senate Amendment to H.R. 5376.”
Original at www.govinfo.gov. Archived at Pandemic Darlings, https://pandemicdarlings.com/source-documents/crec-crec-2022-08-12-crec-2022-08-12-pt1-pgh7561-2-32d83c0f6f/
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August 12, 2022 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H7561
b 0915 Finally, it provides 3 hours of debate else. Honest, hardworking middle-class
on the motion equally divided among families have to pay their fair share,
REPORT ON RESOLUTION PRO-
and controlled by the respective chairs but the top 1 percent dodge $160 billion
VIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF
and ranking minority members of the in taxes each year.
SENATE AMENDMENT TO H.R. The Republican answer? They want
Committees on the Budget, Energy and
5376, BUILD BACK BETTER ACT to make it easier for the rich and pow-
Commerce, and Ways and Means, or
Mr. MCGOVERN, from the Com- their respective designees. erful to cheat. Whose side are they on?
mittee on Rules, submitted a privi- Mr. Speaker, for too long too many Mr. Speaker, this is historic. It is
leged report (Rept. No. 117–451) on the people in this country have felt like bold. Just so everyone understands, it
resolution (H. Res. 1316) providing for the work that happens in Washington lowers the deficit, and it is fully paid
consideration of the Senate amend- isn’t meant to help them. Like the peo- for with no new taxes on families mak-
ment to the bill (H.R. 5376) to provide ple who work in this city are not on ing $400,000 per year or less, and no new
for reconciliation pursuant to title II their side. You know what? For a long taxes on small businesses. Those who
of S. Con. Res 14, which was referred to time they have been right. For decades, oppose this bill don’t want to talk
the House Calendar and ordered to be corporate special interests and their about how it will help people. Instead,
printed. out-of-touch friends in the Republican they are pushing total made-up BS.
f Party have blocked progress in Wash- The money in this bill for the IRS
ington. They got what was good for the isn’t going to result in increased audits
PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION rich and powerful, not what was right on anyone making under $400,000 a
OF SENATE AMENDMENT TO H.R. for working families and the middle year. Don’t take my word for it.
5376, BUILD BACK BETTER ACT class. Who appointed Charles Rettig, the
Mr. MCGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, by di- No more. That time is over. Presi- current Commissioner of the IRS?
rection of the Committee on Rules, I dent Biden and Democrats are putting Oh, it was Donald Trump.
call up House Resolution 1316 and ask people over politics. We are fighting to Charles Rettig, Trump’s appointee,
for its immediate consideration. create better jobs, safer communities, says the money in this bill will go to-
The Clerk read the resolution, as fol- and a brighter future for our planet. wards better customer support, quicker
lows: This is a historic bill, Mr. Speaker, and turnaround times, so people can get
H. RES. 1316 at the end of the day it is not a com- long-overdue refunds, and enforcing tax
plicated vote. It all comes down to laws against rich people cheating on
Resolved, That upon adoption of this reso-
lution it shall be in order to take from the what your values are. their taxes. Don’t take it from me,
Speaker’s table the bill (H.R. 5376) to provide Democrats have been fighting for take it from Trump’s own hand-picked
for reconciliation pursuant to title II of S. years to lower drug prices, and this bill IRS Commissioner.
Con. Res. 14, with the Senate amendment lets Medicare negotiate with drug com- I get calls into my district office
thereto, and to consider in the House, with- panies to lower the price of prescrip- every day from people who are frus-
out intervention of any point of order, a mo- tion drugs. It caps the out-of-pocket trated that their calls to the IRS go
tion offered by the chair of the Committee cost of insulin at $35 for people on unanswered and their tax returns are
on the Budget or his designee that the House late. This bill will help fix it. Look,
concur in the Senate amendment. The Sen-
Medicare. It stops excessive price hikes
ate amendment and the motion shall be con- on drugs and says, if you are on Medi- here is the truth. This bill puts our
sidered as read. The motion shall be debat- care you won’t have to pay more than government back on the side of work-
able for three hours equally divided among $2,000 a year for your prescriptions. ing people in this country.
and controlled by the respective chairs and Meanwhile, Republicans oppose this Like I said earlier, this is about val-
ranking minority members of the Commit- bill because it will cut into Big ues: Democrats put people over poli-
tees on the Budget, Energy and Commerce, Pharma’s corporate profits. Boo-hoo. I tics. We are fighting to reduce infla-
and Ways and Means, or their respective des- mean, really? They oppose this bill be- tion for the people, lower the cost of
ignees. The previous question shall be con- healthcare and prescription drugs,
sidered as ordered on the motion to its adop-
cause they want to let pharmaceutical
tion without intervening motion. companies continue price gouging. make heating, cooling, and electricity
Give me a break. bills cheaper, combat climate change
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gen- This bill listens to the climate ex- with green energy, and lower the def-
tleman from Massachusetts is recog- perts who tell us that melting glaciers icit.
nized for 1 hour. and record heat are not normal. It puts Let’s just tell the truth. Republicans
Mr. MCGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, for us on a path to cutting carbon emis- are cheering for inflation. Every day
the purpose of debate only, I yield the sions 40 percent by 2030, helping create they come to this floor cheering for us
customary 30 minutes to the gen- millions of new jobs along the way. to fail. In my opinion, they are cheer-
tleman from Texas (Mr. BURGESS), This is a huge investment in energy se- ing for this administration and this
pending which I yield myself such time curity made in America by American country to fail because they think it
as I may consume. During consider- workers that lowers energy costs for will help them politically. They don’t
ation of this resolution, all time yield- working families. It is the biggest in- put people over politics. They put Big
ed is for the purpose of debate only. vestment in fighting climate change in Pharma, oil CEOs, corporate tax evad-
GENERAL LEAVE history. Ever. This is a turning point in ers, and greedy insurance companies
Mr. MCGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, I ask the fight to protect our planet. over everything else. It is rotten, it is
unanimous consent that all Members Republicans oppose this bill because wrong, and it is hurting America.
be given 5 legislative days to revise and they have never given a damn about Enough with the cynicism. This is a
extend their remarks. pollution or climate change—they are great day for America. I am proud to
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there more interested in protecting Big Oil’s be here. It is not very often we get to
objection to the request of the gen- bottom line. That is whose side they pass bills that are going to change the
tleman from Massachusetts? are on. course of history for generations to
There was no objection. Let’s look at healthcare costs. This come. I will sleep better tonight know-
Mr. MCGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, on bill cuts healthcare costs for millions ing that when we pass this bill we are
Wednesday, the Rules Committee met of people by locking in lower Afford- putting people over politics to leave a
and reported a rule, House Resolution able Care Act premiums, saving people better world for our kids and
1316. $800 a year on average. Republicans op- grandkids. This is a historic moment.
The rule provides for consideration of pose it because they want insurance Let’s get this bill passed and to the
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the Senate amendment to H.R. 5376, companies to make more money by rip- President’s desk.
the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022. It ping people off. You can’t make this Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my col-
makes in order a motion offered by the stuff up. leagues to support this rule, and I re-
chair of the Committee on the Budget Democrats want a tax code that is serve the balance of my time.
or his designee that the House concur fair, where rich and powerful people Mr. BURGESS. I thank the gen-
in the Senate amendment to H.R. 5376. pay what they owe, just like everyone tleman from Massachusetts (Mr.
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H7562 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE August 12, 2022
MCGOVERN) for yielding me the cus- short period of time. In reality, we The confluence of these cuts threat-
tomary 30 minutes, and I yield myself know that once something is started it ens the sustainability of medical prac-
such time as I may consume. never stops up here. If you remove the tices and will lead to physicians clos-
Mr. Speaker, while I recognize we are sunset provisions and assume all spend- ing their doors. So let me be quite
engaged in a very, very partisan exer- ing in this bill is going to be extended clear about that: A vote for this bill is
cise and a harsh partisan debate, I do through the 10-year budget window, a vote to close medical practices.
want to acknowledge the loss from our this bill actually spends $745 billion To make matters worse, the pro-
congressional family of the Represent- and adds $148 billion to the national viders who would be affected work in
ative from Indiana (Mrs. WALORSKI). I debt. After Democrats pushed through fields such as oncology, rheumatology,
so appreciated your presence at her fu- a $1.9 trillion reconciliation package— interventional pain management, he-
neral yesterday. I know it was a dif- and we all remember when that hap- matology, internal medicine, and gas-
ficult time for many of us. We also lost pened, February and March of 2021—bil- troenterology. I never thought I would
two of our congressional staffers, who, lions of dollars more in spending is the be up here fighting to save specialty
in many ways, are like family. Emma last thing that American consumers practices, especially oncology—com-
Thomson used to work in my office as need in the middle of record-high infla- munity oncology—which focuses on the
my communications director. tion. treatment of cancer. But as these prac-
It has been a tough week, and now we To combat inflation, the Federal Re- tices close—and they will close—care
end it with today’s rule providing for serve has had to raise interest rates. will shift to hospitals.
the consideration of a Senate amend- They were late in starting, they dis- What happens when the care shifts to
ment to H.R. 5376, the so-called Infla- missed inflation, and they said it was hospitals from the doctors’ offices?
tion Reduction Act. I say the so-called transitory; it wasn’t really happening, Oh, it goes up by a factor of about 66
Inflation Reduction Act because you a figment of your imagination. But percent. So instead of saving money,
would almost need a degree in nano- since March they have raised interest we are actually costing money.
metrology, you would almost need a rates by 2.25 percent, the fastest cumu- Ultimately, the combined financial
micrometer to be able to measure the lative rate hike in over 10 years. pressures will result in limited access
amount of deficit reduction that is in- According to the Congressional Budg- to treatment for patients including
cluded in this failed legislation that we et Office—and we really haven’t heard those in rural areas.
have in front of us. from them much this Congress—but ac- Following a major pandemic and a
In fact, this is the second time we cording to the Congressional Budget healthcare workforce shortage, we
have seen this legislative vehicle. The Office, the increase in interest rates should be encouraging physicians to
Democrats tried to push through a par- will cost taxpayers an extra $100 billion keep their practices open in order to
tisan budget reconciliation. Now, what this year alone. have a more stable healthcare system
Let me describe for you what is cost- that would benefit patients. But, in-
does that mean?
That means that there is zero input ing Americans so much. There are se- stead, we do exactly the opposite.
from the Republican side of the aisle. vere negative impacts in implementing If this bill is signed into law, millions
Why is that important? government drug price controls, which of patients could die waiting—waiting
You have a House and a Senate that are included in this bill. However, what for those new drugs and cures that will
are almost evenly divided. It is 50–50 in most people do not understand is the no longer be developed in their life-
the Senate. They relied on the Vice effect this reconciliation package will time. The last bill signed into law by
President’s vote to get this across the have on healthcare and doctor’s prac- President Obama at the end of 2016 was
tices in America. the 21st Century Cures Act, something
finish line. As we heard this morning
At the end of this year, doctors are
at the swearing-in of our new Member, that our Committee, the Committee on
expecting a payment update in Medi-
you have a bare majority in the House Energy and Commerce, worked on, this
care that is now calculated to be zero
of Representatives. House passed, everyone was proud of
percent. Anywhere else in this town, a
So don’t try to tell people that this the 21st Century Cures Act. We wanted
zero percent update is viewed as a pay
has been an exercise that is well to deliver the 21st Century Cures Act
cut because we have 8 to 9 percent in-
thought out, that has come through to patients who had been long-suf-
flation. Guess what?
the committees of jurisdiction where That same inflation affecting house- fering, we wanted to get them there
people have had input. No. No Repub- hold budgets affects your budget run- faster, and we wanted to get them
lican has had any input into this trav- ning a medical practice. In addition to there at lower cost. But now we are
esty that we have in front of us today. that, there is a 4.5 percent Medicare doing exactly the opposite.
Mr. Speaker, I sit on the Budget conversion factor, which is reduced, Millions of patients could die waiting
Committee. We did not mark up a and the adoption of several changes to for new drugs and new cures. I have
budget resolution for fiscal year 2022. the evaluation and management of heard directly from providers that po-
Instead, what happened? Current Procedural Terminology codes. tentially millions of patients will be
The budget was deemed passed in a The net effect is a big cut to the Na- affected if doctors close their doors.
rule vote without any—zero—floor con- tion’s doctors. That is really where we This bill is anti-doctor and anti-pa-
sideration. should have been focusing some of our tient, and we will, unfortunately, see
This bill is a reconfigured Build Back efforts. Instead, we tell our doctors and those consequences after final passage.
Better Act that the House passed last our nurses: You are our heroes. You got This reconciliation bill also includes
October that didn’t really have the us through the coronavirus pandemic— numerous Green New Deal provisions:
breath to rise up off the floor, but the worst pandemic in 100 years. Thank There is a tax on natural gas produc-
somehow Senators cut a deal—Demo- you, heroes. Here is your pay cut. And tion that will be passed on to con-
cratic Senators cut a deal with them- the doctors go: Wait. What? sumers. Make no mistake about it. It is
selves—and now we have it on the floor going to make it harder and more ex-
today. b 0930 pensive to heat homes, to buy gro-
Mr. Speaker, I stress again, this bill Under this legislation, we will see ceries, and to farm the land.
had no Republican input, and it will changes to part B drug reimbursements This bill establishes a Department of
have a negligible effect on inflation. that would lead to an average of a 40 Energy loan guarantee at $250 billion
President Biden has stated that this percent cut for healthcare providers. to support greenhouse gas reduction
bill will reduce inflationary pressures. Yet, Wednesday during the Rules Com- projects. I have been here long enough
Oh, my God, just make stuff up. What mittee hearing, I offered an amend- that I remember Solyndra in the
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do you mean, inflationary pressures? ment with Dr. Murphy to actually fix Obama administration. This was a
That is not the same thing as actu- this problem. I thought: Maybe this is failed investment that cost the Amer-
ally reducing inflation. In fact, when just an oversight. Maybe they didn’t ican taxpayers $500 million.
you look at the language of this bill, really mean to do this. There is also an energy efficiency
you will recognize that there are Unfortunately, it was rejected in the home appliance rebate program to
things started but they are only for a Rules Committee by a party-line vote. allow wealthy Americans to update
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August 12, 2022 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H7563
their homes to the tune of $9 billion, This has a 600 percent IRS funding by thanking President Biden for doing
and a $1 billion program to electrify increase over last year and a doubling what he actually had said that he is
garbage trucks and school busses. of the number of employees. going to do and delivering for the peo-
The bill includes $27 billion in a Wouldn’t it be great to double the ple. I also thank our Vice President
greenhouse gas reduction fund at the amount of employees in the FAA? from California, Kamala Harris, for
Environmental Protection Agency that How many people have recently been being courageous and splitting that 50/
will be a slush fund for greenhouse stuck trying to get from one place to 50 Senate. I also recognize the leader-
projects—$27 billion to the Environ- another with air travel in this country? ship of both Houses that have brought
mental Protection Agency with no Instead we are expanding the IRS. us to where we are today to consider a
guardrails and with no oversight and Currently, the best accounting firms Senate amendment to H.R. 5376, the In-
we just hope that they are going to fix are struggling to hire CPAs. How is the flation Reduction Act, IRA, of 2022.
problems. Good luck with that. IRS going to attract qualified individ- This is a critical piece of legislation
It also reinstates the Superfund ex- uals? It will only create tax techni- that will help reduce the Federal def-
cise tax on crude oil and imported pe- cians who could be injurious to citizens icit and tackle inflation, lower
troleum, and this will result in an addi- if not properly trained. healthcare and prescription drug costs,
tional $11 billion tax burden on our oil Americans deserve better. and address the climate crisis. The In-
Mr. Speaker, I urge opposition to the
and gas industry in the midst of flation Reduction Act will also help
rule, and I reserve the balance of my
record-high gas prices. It is a telling lower energy bills for working families
time.
mental image that the President was all while changing the Tax Code to en-
Mr. MCGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, I yield
forced to go hat in hand over to the myself such time as I may consume. sure—to ensure the corporations—you
Middle East, over to Saudi Arabia, and Mr. Speaker, I feel as if I just walked know, Mr. Speaker, the ones that can
ask them to pump more oil. It is not as into the Festivus celebration, the an- donate politically and be considered as
if we ran out here, but the President nual airing of grievances. There is so if they were humans?
went over to Saudi Arabia hat in hand. much that needs to be responded to. If they are able to give money politi-
And how embarrassing: they told him Let me just say two things. cally, then they should be able to also
they actually weren’t able to produce On inflation, last week, five former pay their own fair share of taxes, and
any more than they were right now. Treasury Secretaries issued a state- the filthy rich should also pay their
Last but not least, this bill contains ment—five former Treasury Secre- fair share.
a $7,500 tax credit for electric vehicles taries—urging us to pass this critical Many families are still struggling to
that must be made with a certain per- legislation to ‘‘help increase American make ends meet with the cost of goods
centage of minerals mined in the competitiveness, address our climate on the rise, forcing many to choose be-
United States or countries with U.S. crisis, lower costs for families, and tween basic necessities like food and
free trade agreements. Most of the fight inflation.’’ lifesaving medication to stay healthy.
minerals come from China and Russia. Larry Summers was among those Let us not forget that we shut down
There is not a single electric vehicle former Treasury Secretaries who said our economy as a result of a massive
currently on the market that complies that this bill helps fight inflation. My world pandemic. Let us not forget that
with this provision, and the European Republican colleagues love to cite Mr. Russia, the bully, has declared war on
Union recently warned that this may Summers but it seems as though they their neighbor; and, yes, China con-
violate the World Trade Organization only like to acknowledge his analysis tinues to shut down many of their com-
domestic content and local assembly when he agrees with the point that munities as a result of high
rules. they are trying to make. coronavirus infections. So inflation is
I could continue but let me highlight Just on process, I just have to say high.
some of the tax increases that average this: Perhaps my friends are forgetting It is disappointing to see that Amer-
Americans will face. the extensive hearings and markups ican families pay nearly twice as much
This bill creates a 15 percent min- that we held during consideration of for their prescription drugs in compari-
imum book tax on companies, but it in- Build Back Better. The Energy and son to other developed countries.
cludes exclusions for Green New Deal Commerce markup alone took 3 days. Why is that?
tax credits. Almost every piece of the Inflation Re- Because we have been handcuffed be-
A fix to the carried interest loophole duction Act was included in some form cause we are not able to negotiate fair
was axed in the Senate to buy one vote in the original House bill. Of course, it pharmaceutical prices. I have even
and replaced with a 1-year extension of is not identical. Unfortunately, we had heard from my constituents that medi-
the State and local SALT tax cap. This to let the Senate work its will, too. Be- cation can be so expensive that in
was done to appease one Senator. It lieve me, I wish we could send the many cases they decide to reduce the
was removed and replaced with a pass- House-passed bill straight to the Presi- recommended dosage and to decline
through loss limitation which will pro- dent’s desk. But I don’t have the time medication altogether.
hibit passthroughs from claiming a cer- to go through an exhaustive list. The SPEAKER pro tempore. The
tain amount of after loss. Democrats Let me just remind my colleagues of time of the gentlewoman has expired.
have chosen to protect individuals in just a few of the many provisions that Mr. MCGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, I yield
high-tech States over Main Street busi- this body already considered through the gentlewoman an additional 30 sec-
nesses. regular order. The ACA premium re- onds.
There is also a 1 percent excise tax duction, prescription drug pricing re- Mrs. TORRES of California. This is
on stock buybacks which will harm re- form, clean energy tax credits, energy- unacceptable. The Inflation Reduction
tirement investments. efficiency rebates, funds to fight Act will allow Medicare to negotiate
There are extensions of production wildfires, rural energy programs, clean prescription drug prices with pharma-
tax credits for renewables—as if we vehicle manufacturing, funds to reduce ceutical companies. The cost to seniors
haven’t subsidized them enough al- air pollution, drought assistance, and a per year will not exceed $2,000. It also
ready. lot, lot, lot more. caps insulin for them at $35 per month.
And $80 billion—$80 billion—for the Now, I understand that my col- This is a game changer for working
Internal Revenue Service including leagues don’t like this bill, but it has class people, not only in my commu-
87,000 new agents—new agents who will gone through regular order, and it is nity but across America.
all be members of a Federal employees’ way past time that we send it to the Mr. Speaker, I urge everyone to sup-
union, likely contribute to Democratic President’s desk for his signature. port this bill and to be proud to help
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campaigns, but are not required to be Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the American families move forward.
CPAs. distinguished gentlewoman from Cali- Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 4
I mean, where in the world do you go fornia (Mrs. TORRES), who is a member minutes to the gentleman from Okla-
to make stuff like this up? of the House Rules Committee. homa (Mr. COLE), who is the ranking
Oh, yes, the United States House of Mrs. TORRES OF California. Mr. member of the House Rules Com-
Representatives run by Democrats. Speaker, I want to begin my comments mittee.
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H7564 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE August 12, 2022
Mr. COLE. Mr. Speaker, I thank my are going to hire, as my friend from been given an opportunity to amend
good friend from Texas for yielding. Texas suggested, 87,000 new IRS em- this package when the Majority com-
(Mr. COLE asked and was given per- ployees. Only my friends on the other pletely rewrote the original bill at the
mission to revise and extend his re- side think that is a good idea. Nobody Rules Committee, when we first consid-
marks.) thinks 87,000 new IRS agents are going ered this on the floor in November of
Mr. COLE. Mr. Speaker, it is worth to do anything to help us with infla- last year, or today since every Repub-
asking why we are here at all right tion, or help us with the problems that lican amendment to this package was
now, quite frankly. We face no emer- we have in energy, or help us in any blocked in the rule. Instead, the House
gency. The government is not about to meaningful way improve the economy is preparing to pass exactly what the
shut down. Nothing in this bill is actu- or the lives of the average American. Senate produced behind closed doors.
ally going to take effect in the imme- What is not in this bill is another At least the Senate had the luxury of a
diate future. We are simply here be- reason to vote against it. It does noth- CBO score during its consideration.
cause my friends on the other side ing to deal with inflation. Indeed, dur- The House isn’t even afforded that.
want to create the illusion that they ing the Rules Committee, we submitted This is an embarrassment.
are doing something positive before the a letter from 280 economists that said The Majority pushed through a reck-
midterm election. this is going to make it worse, not bet- less one point nine trillion dollar rec-
I think they also fear that the Amer- ter. onciliation bill last year, stubbornly
ican people will actually have a chance They can rely on Mr. Summers. I will insisting it would not lead to inflation,
to look at this monstrosity over a rely on the 280 economists from both even though economists were warning
month and their own Members would parties and every point of view who us the exact opposite. Today, hard-
then have to go home and give a full said this is not going to work when it working American taxpayers are suf-
accounting of what they have done comes to inflation. There is nothing in fering for their hubris.
Instead of learning their lesson, the
here. Sadly, we are going to rush this this bill that is going to increase en-
Majority is once again pushing another
through without appropriate consider- ergy production in the United States,
foolhardy tax-and-spend package
ation. nothing at all.
Finally, there is nothing meaningful, through on partisan lines. They were
It is worth noting, Mr. Speaker, 180
as my friend from Texas pointed out, wrong last year and they are wrong
of our own Members-plus are not even again this year. Unfortunately, it will
here. They are not here because they that will actually reduce the deficit.
be the average American who again
have submitted a declaration because That deficit doesn’t begin to come
pays the price in the form of more in-
we are in a health emergency. down until 7 years from now under this
flation, fewer jobs, slower growth, and
What health emergency? legislation. That assumes everything
a lower standard of living for every
We have vaccines, we have thera- stays the same for 7 years. That is not
family in America.
peutics, the airports are full of people. going to happen. It is easy to see why when you think
People are traveling pretty easily, but For those reasons, Mr. Speaker, we
about the policies that are actually in-
180 Members won’t be here—both par- ought to reject this rule. We ought to
cluded in this bill. A tax hike on cor-
ties. Again, that is a sad commentary submit this bill to the appropriate porations that will inevitably pass
on the manner in which we are oper- committees of jurisdiction in this their increased costs onto consumers.
ating this House. House, allow them to do their work, A six hundred percent increase in the
This bill comes before us in a process and continue to negotiate with the budget of the IRS so they can hire an
that I can only describe as lousy. No Senate. There is no emergency. There army of eighty-seven thousand new
committee of jurisdiction in either the is no hurry here. We don’t need to ram agents. Massive spending on Green New
Senate or the House has dealt with this this through. Deal priorities, including giving sub-
bill as written. No House Member has For that reason, Mr. Speaker, I urge sidies on luxury electric vehicles to
had any meaningful input in this legis- the rejection of the rule and the rejec- high-earning individuals. Policies like
lation. The reality is this bill was ne- tion of the underlying legislation. these are bad enough in good times,
gotiated in back rooms by two Sen- Mr. Speaker, I rise to oppose the rule
but raising taxes when we are in a re-
ators and rammed through the Senate to provide for consideration of the Sen- cession to give subsidies to the rich to
on a partisan vote. My friends have ate amendment to H.R. 5376, the gross- buy luxury electric vehicles just
picked it up without changing it, with- ly mis-named Inflation Reduction Act. doesn’t make any sense.
out considering it, and they are going Instead of actually doing something to But we should also talk about what is
to ram it through here today. That is a address the current economic crisis, not in this bill. Despite the title,
process that they ought to be embar- the bill is instead yet another partisan there’s nothing in this bill that will re-
rassed by. tax-and-spend bill. My friends on the duce inflation. There’s nothing in this
There are two reasons to oppose the other side of the aisle will tout the def- bill that will address our current en-
legislation itself, Mr. Speaker. The icit reduction as good for reducing in- ergy crisis, and in fact, the policies in
first is simply because of what is in it. flation—and that’s true. But the bill here will make it worse. While my
The Democrats are repeating the mis- we are considering isn’t a serious at- friends in the Majority are willing to
take they made last year. They are tempt at deficit reduction. Eighty per- pour tens of billions of dollars into
going to try and spend their way out of cent of the deficit reduction they claim Solyndra-style green energy programs,
inflation—a novel approach. in this bill doesn’t even show up for there is nothing in this bill that will
seven years. And the deficit reduction lower the price of gasoline, nothing
b 0945 they claim is laughable when you con- that will make it cheaper to heat and
We see how well that worked when sider the one point nine trillion spend- cool homes, and nothing that will en-
they rammed through the American ing bill they put on American’s credit sure energy independence for America.
Rescue Plan under reconciliation. It is card just last year. Americans need re- The Majority could have chosen to
going to work exactly the same way lief now. prioritize these things but didn’t.
again. I shouldn’t be surprised but I am dis- Instead, the Majority is showing
On top of that, we are going to try appointed at the Majority’s egregious what their priorities truly are. An
and tax our way out of recession. That surrender of the House’s institutional army of new IRS agents to harass tax-
is a novel, new economic idea: Raise prerogatives. When you have a process payers at all income levels. A massive
taxes while you are in a recession, that is this bad, you should expect bad and unaffordable tax increase that will
something other administrations of results. And the process on this bill make the recession worse. Massive new
ctelli on DSK11ZRN23PROD with HOUSE
both parties have always rejected as a was about as bad as it gets. The bill be- spending programs on the Green New
bad idea. But my friends, feverishly in- fore us was written behind closed doors Deal. Subsidies for high-income folks
tent upon action, are going to do it with just two senators negotiating its to buy luxury electric vehicles. It all
here. provisions. No Member of the House adds up to a bad deal for taxpayers, a
We are going to do one thing, and I had any input into the package, nor did bad deal for the economy, and a bad
guess that could start immediately. We any but a few senators. Nor have we deal for the nation.
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August 12, 2022 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H7565
Mr. Speaker, at the end of the day, Mr. Speaker, I urge the House to join for you because of the increased money
this bill will make inflation worse, not me in passing this bill. for carbon capture and hydrogen.
better, and will make the recession Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 If you make the steel tube that goes
longer and deeper. We should not make minutes to the gentlewoman from Min- into those pipelines, if you work at a
the exact same error the Majority nesota (Mrs. FISCHBACH), a fellow mem- nuclear power plant, or if you build
made last year in passing yet another ber of the House Committee on Rules. things for the nuclear power plant, this
tax and spend boondoggle. We cannot Mrs. FISCHBACH. Mr. Speaker, I bill is for all of you. It strengthens and
tax and spend our way out of a reces- just wanted to comment that I do talk widens our energy portfolio and gives
sion, and we cannot tax and spend our to farmers, and what farmers are talk- us more options at a better price.
way into lower inflation. The nation ing to me about is the incredible costs Yet, today’s bill is not a Republican
has already suffered enough after last of their inputs this year. That is what bill. It is a Democratic bill. I wish it
year’s reconciliation bill. Doing so all they are talking about. wasn’t only a Democratic bill, but it
over again will only make this suf- They are not coming to me about cli- will be because when it comes to the
fering worse. mate change. They are coming to me needs of these workers and the true
Mr. MCGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, I yield about the cost it is for them to do busi- need for our country to be energy se-
myself such time as I may consume. ness and the inflation they are facing. cure, we are the ones doing the job.
With all due respect, my friend asked Last year, my Democrat colleagues Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2
why we are here in August and what is sling-shotted us into record inflation minutes to the gentleman from Penn-
the emergency. Well, the Inflation Re- with trillions in reckless spending. sylvania (Mr. RESCHENTHALER), an-
duction Act actually addresses an Now, they have the audacity to use other valuable member of the House
emergency that a lot of families are that very crisis to justify doing it Committee on Rules.
faced with right now. again. Mr. RESCHENTHALER. Mr. Speak-
Rising grocery costs, rising fuel They call this bill the Inflation Re- er, I thank my good friend and fellow
costs, those things are emergencies, duction Act. In reality, this is just an- Rules Committee member for the time.
maybe not to people on the other side other installation of their tax-and- Mr. Speaker, 61 percent of Americans
of the aisle here, but they are to a lot spend agenda that got us here in the are living paycheck to paycheck, yet
of families in my district and across first place. here we are today, considering another
the country. Rising prescription drug This time, they are spending $80 bil- reckless tax-and-spend bill that dou-
prices are an emergency. lion in funding to send 87,000 new IRS bles down on the same failed economic
If that is not enough, addressing the agents to shake loose change from policies that brought us to the current
issue of the climate crisis. I mean, the Americans to pay for their spending situation in the first place.
front page of The Washington Post:
spree. With this new staff, the IRS will Under Democrats’ one-party rule, in-
‘‘As U.S. prepares for climate action,
be bigger than the Pentagon, State De- flation has increased nearly 550 per-
planet isn’t waiting around.’’ The plan-
partment, FBI, and Border Patrol. cent. Let me repeat that. Inflation has
et is, literally, on fire, and we are actu-
This new IRS army will increase au- increased nearly 550 percent.
ally addressing that in a meaningful
dits on individuals by more than 1.2 Americans are spending over $2,000
way with this bill, the biggest invest-
million, nearly half of which will be on more a year on gas. Our economy, de-
ment ever to combat the climate crisis.
Americans making $75,000 per year or spite the new definition, is actually in
Now, that is an emergency.
You should talk to young people in less. You don’t have to take my word a recession.
your district who have been fighting for it. This is according to the non- Despite what the majority claims,
passionately to try to get Congress to partisan Congressional Budget Office. this bill will do nothing to reduce the
finally address this issue. Talk to your What do Americans get in return? $3 record-high inflation that is forcing
farmers in your district. They will tell billion in grants to promote climate Americans to pay more for just about
you that climate change is real. justice; $7.5 billion for wealthy families everything.
Maybe my friends would rather be on to purchase their next Tesla; $1.3 bil- But just don’t take my word for it.
vacation, but we are here, in August, to lion for those same families to boost Analysis from the Wharton School
do something meaningful for the Amer- the sale value of their old Tesla; and $1 found this bill will actually increase
ican people and for this planet. billion for electric garbage trucks. inflation through 2024. This bill will
Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the This bill is riddled with provisions also increase taxes on individuals earn-
gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. that carry the Green New Deal stamp ing under $400,000 a year while fun-
AUCHINCLOSS). of approval. neling taxpayer dollars to the wealthi-
Mr. AUCHINCLOSS. Mr. Speaker, the This bill is not designed to help the est Americans.
Inflation Reduction Act represents the country recover. It is not going to help Under this bill, coastal elites, mem-
biggest climate action in history and American families pay for groceries. It bers from the ruling class, will receive
rightfully boosts offshore wind produc- is not designed to help American fami- $7,500 to buy electric vehicles while ev-
tion to meet our renewable energy lies. It is designed to send an army of eryday Americans will have to pay
goals. IRS agents after low- and middle-in- more at the pump thanks to $12 billion
First, the bill provides a $10 billion come Americans so Democrats can pay in taxes on American energy producers.
investment tax credit for clean energy for their Green New Deal. Unsurprisingly, this legislation is
manufacturing facilities. This will ben- Mr. MCGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, I yield stuffed full of socialist Big Government
efit wind turbine manufacturers, pro- 1 minute to the gentleman from Penn- handouts, including more than $400 bil-
pelling a nascent industry that will sylvania (Mr. LAMB). lion for the radical, dangerous Green
create jobs and clean energy both in Mr. LAMB. Mr. Speaker, if you were New Deal policies.
Massachusetts and across the country. in western Pennsylvania for the 2020 It also provides the IRS with $80 bil-
Further, the bill provides additional campaign season, you would have seen lion for 87,000 new agents to apparently
tax support to manufacturing projects a lot of commercials about what Re- audit just 700 billionaires. The IRS
located in energy communities, includ- publicans were going to do on the issue doesn’t need 87,000 agents to audit the
ing those that previously housed coal of energy and for energy workers and rich; they need 87,000 agents to harass
power plants, like Brayton Point in my what Democrats were going to do. The the working class and pay for their far-
district. Offshore wind farms that con- contention was that Republicans were left handouts.
nect to wholesale electric grids in such going to make us energy dominant, Ultimately, this bill will push our
communities should be eligible for this that they were going to help all these Nation deeper into recession and make
ctelli on DSK11ZRN23PROD with HOUSE
additional support, as well, to maxi- workers and give them more job oppor- life even more unaffordable for Amer-
mize these credits’ impact. tunities, and that the Democrats were ican families.
The Inflation Reduction Act is a gen- going to take all that away. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to
erational step forward in taking on Big So here today, we have a bill that is oppose this rule.
Oil and Gas and driving our Nation to- all about energy dominance and energy Mr. MCGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, I in-
ward a clean energy future. jobs. If you build pipelines, this bill is clude in the RECORD a New York Times
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H7566 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE August 12, 2022
article titled, ‘‘IRS says funding won’t Mr. Rettig, whose term expires later this narrative and the way it talks about its mis-
mean more audits for middle-income year, insisted on Thursday that those sug- sion to one of service and being one of the
Americans’’; an AP article titled, ‘‘IRS gestions were unfounded. most important antipoverty systems that we
‘‘Large corporate and high-net-worth tax- have in the U.S.’’
plans to hire 10,000 workers to relieve payers often engage teams of sophisticated
massive backlog’’; a TIME article ti- [From TIME, Aug. 9, 2022]
representatives pursuing unsettled or some-
tled, ‘‘Trump Allies Are Attacking TRUMP ALLIES ARE ATTACKING BIDEN FOR A
times questionable interpretations of tax
PLAN TO HIRE 87,000 NEW IRS AGENTS THAT
Biden For a Plan to Hire 87,000 New law,’’ he said. ‘‘The integrity and fairness of
DOESN’T EXIST
IRS Agents That Doesn’t Exist’’; and a our tax administrative system relies upon
the ability of our agency to maintain a (By Eric Cortellessa)
New York Times article titled, ‘‘For
strong, visible, robust enforcement presence Since news broke on Monday that the FBI
Older Americans, Health Bill Will searched former President Donald Trump’s
directed to these and other similarly situ-
Bring Savings and ‘Peace of Mind.’ ’’ ated noncompliant taxpayers.’’ South Florida home, Republican members of
[From The New York Times, Aug. 4, 2022] Congress and right-wing media figures have
[From AP NEWS, Mar. 10, 2022]
THE I.R.S. SAYS NEW FUNDING WON’T MEAN launched a new line of attack against Demo-
IRS PLANS TO HIRE 10,000 WORKERS TO
MORE AUDITS FOR MIDDLE-INCOME AMERICANS crats: that the Internal Revenue Service in-
RELIEVE MASSIVE BACKLOG
(By Alan Rappeport) tends to use nearly $80 billion in new funding
(By Fatima Hussein)
WASHINGTON.—Charles P. Rettig, the Inter- to pursue similar intrusions on average
WASHINGTON (AP).—The IRS said Thursday Americans. Those dollars, Trump allies are
nal Revenue Service commissioner, told Con- it plans to hire 10,000 new workers to help re-
gress on Thursday that the tax collection saying, will go toward the hiring of 87,000
duce a massive backlog that the government new IRS agents.
agency would not increase audits of house- says will make this tax season the most
holds earning less than $400,000 if it was ‘‘Do you make $75,000 or less?’’ tweeted
challenging in history. House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy.
given the additional $80 billion that law- The agency released a plan to work down
makers were considering in a proposed cli- ‘‘Democrats’’ new army of 87,000 IRS agents
the tens of millions of filings that includes will be coming for you—with 710,000 new au-
mate and tax legislation package. speeding up the traditionally slow hiring
Providing more funding for the I.R.S. has dits for Americans who earn less than $75k.’’
process, relying more on automated proc- Richard Grenell, Trump’s former Acting Di-
been a top priority of the Biden administra- esses and bringing on more contract workers
tion and has emerged as key way to finance rector of National Intelligence, wrote on the
to help with mailroom and paper processing. social media platform: ‘‘The FBI raids
some of the policies that Democrats are pro- Getting it done will be the big challenge, tax
posing without raising individual tax rates. Trump’s house and the Democrats vote to
experts say. add 87,000 new IRS agents to go after Ameri-
The additional funding is expected to go to- The agency faces a backlog of around 20
ward hiring more enforcement agents to cans. Wake up, America.’’
million pieces of correspondence, which is Other high-profile conservatives have in-
crack down on wealthy tax evaders and cor- more than 15 times as large as in a normal
porations and to modernize the agency’s an- sinuated that the Biden administration in-
filing season, according to the agency. And tends to direct those additional auditors to
tiquated technology. the IRS workforce is the same size it was in
‘‘These resources are absolutely not about dig up dirt on the President’s political oppo-
1970, though the U.S. population has grown nents. ‘‘After todays raid on Mar A Lago
increasing audit scrutiny on small busi- exponentially and the U.S. tax code has be-
nesses or middle-income Americans,’’ Mr. what do you think the left plans to use those
come increasingly complicated. 87,000 new IRS agents for?’’ tweeted Sen.
Retting wrote in a letter to lawmakers. ‘‘As Additionally, the need to administer pan-
we have been planning, our investment of Marco Rubio.
demic-related programs has imposed an en- It’s a notion that has taken off like wild-
these enforcement resources is designed tirely new workload on the agency.
around Treasury’s directive that audit rates fire, signaling what is likely to be a promi-
White House officials have said the agency
will not rise relative to recent years for nent broadside from Republicans against
is not equipped to serve taxpayers even in
households making under $400,000.’’ Democrats in the midterm elections.
nonpandemic years. A senior administration
That commitment is in keeping with Presi- There’s only one problem. It’s not true.
official, speaking on condition of anonymity The Inflation Reduction Act, a landmark
dent Biden’s promise not to raise taxes on Thursday to preview the new IRS plan, said
middle-income Americans. climate, health care and tax package that
processing returns will continue to be a mas- passed the Senate on Sunday and is expected
Mr. Rettig added that better technology sive challenge so long as the agency operates
and customer service at the I.R.S. would to head to Biden’s desk after the House ap-
on 1960s infrastructure. proves it on Friday, includes roughly $78 bil-
make honest taxpayers less likely to be au- The IRS’ latest plan to combat the current
dited. lion for the IRS to be phased in over 1O
backlog includes creating a 700–person surge
The I.R.S. funding is projected to raise $124 years. A Treasury Department report from
team to process new returns, adding 2,000
billion in additional tax revenue over a dec- May 2021 estimated that such an investment
contractors to respond to taxpayer questions
ade. Treasury Department officials believe would enable the agency to hire roughly
about stimulus and child tax credit pay-
that this estimate is overly conservative and 87,000 employees by 2031. But most of those
ments and developing new automated voice
that an agency with more robust audit abili- hires would not be Internal Revenue agents,
and chat bots to answer taxpayer questions.
ties will deter tax cheats. There is no plan to extend the current and wouldn’t be new positions.
Democrats are expected to consider the ad- According to a Treasury Department offi-
April 18 filing deadline, the senior official
ditional funding as part of a new package, cial, the funds would cover a wide range of
said. The new IRS plan comes as lawmakers
the Inflation Reduction Act, which includes positions including IT technicians and tax-
have made persistent calls for additional fed-
raising taxes on corporations and lowering payer services support staff, as well as expe-
eral funding for the agency.
prescription drug costs, among other provi- Congress’ mammoth $1.5 trillion omnibus rienced auditors who would be largely tasked
sions. The overall package has garnered stiff package, released early Wednesday, would with cracking down on corporate and high-
opposition from Republicans and would need provide $14.3 billion to the Treasury Depart- income tax evaders. ‘‘It is wholly inaccurate
every Senate Democrat to support it in order ment, including $12.6 billion devoted to the to describe any of these resources as being
to pass. IRS. That would be the largest funding in- about increasing audit scrutiny of the mid-
Among the provisions that Republicans op- crease for the tax agency since 2001. dle class or small businesses,’’ Natasha
pose is the I.R.S. funding. Republicans have However, Republicans have questioned the Sarin, a counselor for tax policy and imple-
a long history of trying to starve the I.R.S. need for additional funding. Florida Sen. mentation at the Treasury Department, tells
of funds and have complained for years that Rick Scott’s ‘‘11 Point Plan to Rescue Amer- TIME.
it is being used as a political weapon and un- ica,’’ unveiled in February, proposes a 50% At the same time, more than half of the
fairly targets conservative groups. cut in funding and workforce at the IRS. agency’s current employees are eligible for
The agency’s scrutiny has crossed party The White House and Senate Minority retirement and are expected to leave the
lines, according to the I.R.S. inspector gen- Leader Mitch McConnell have roundly re- agency within the next five years. ‘‘There’s a
eral. But it came under fire again last month jected Scott’s idea. big wave of attrition that’s coming and a lot
after The New York Times reported that Caroline Bruckner, a tax professor at the of these resources are just about filling those
James B. Comey, the former F.B.I. director, American University Kogod School of Busi- positions,’’ says Sarin, an economist who has
and his deputy, Andrew G. McCabe—both ness, said the agency is ‘‘at a competitive studied tax avoidance extensively and who
perceived enemies of former President Don- disadvantage’’ for finding new staff based on was tapped by the Biden administration to
ald J. Trump—faced rare, exhaustive audits its reputation for employees being wholly beef up the IRS’s auditing power.
during the Trump administration. The I.R.S. overworked. She said she based this on her In all, the IRS might net roughly 20,000 to
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said Mr. Rettig had not been involved in the own survey of tax students she teaches. 30,000 more employees from the new funding,
audits. Bruckner said, ‘‘It’s absurd we have put so enough to restore the tax-collecting agency’s
In assailing the proposed legislation, the much work on the IRS’’ without giving it the staff to where it was roughly a decade ago.
Republican National Committee claimed this necessary resources to help Americans in the The IRS currently has roughly 78,000 em-
week that an ‘‘army’’ of 87,000 I.R.S. agents way that is expected. ployees. According to John Koskinen, who
would ‘‘disproportionately target poorer Bruckner says along with increased fund- served as IRS commissioner from 2013 to
Americans.’’ ing, the IRS also ‘‘really has to change its 2017, that’s down from around 100,000 when he
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August 12, 2022 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H7567
first started. By the time he resigned four medications he needed to survive—just two the bill’s proposed $35 co-payment to all in-
years later, he said, it was clear that the of the 11 drugs he took. Mr. Spring, of Mari- sulin prescriptions, including those covered
agency was in the grip of a systematic at- etta, Ga., died in April, before the unveiling by private insurers. But Republican senators
tempt by the GOP to weaken it. of the tax, climate and health bill that the forced the removal of that language—even
‘‘Nobody loves tax collectors,’’ Koskinen Senate passed over the weekend. The meas- though seven of them wanted to keep it in
tells TIME. ure aims to lower the cost of prescription the bill. To hear the voices of older Ameri-
It’s an effort that goes back to 2010, when drugs for people on Medicare, like him; his cans who confront high drug costs month in
Republicans took back control of the House wife, Gretchen Van Zile, has been left to and month out is to hear fear and worry,
of Representatives and immediately insti- look back on what felt like an outrageous in- anger and stress. Many say they are figuring
tuted a series of crippling cuts on the IRS. justice. out how to get by, skipping vacations and
Since then, overall funding for the IRS has ‘‘Here seniors are in their golden years,’’ other niceties for which they saved.
fallen further, by more than 20 percent, said Ms. Van Zile, 74, ‘‘and the only people For Kim Armbruster, 65, who recently re-
while enforcement funding has dropped by 31 seeing gold are the pharmaceutical compa- tired after a 40-year nursing career, keeping
percent. That’s made it easier for high-net- nies.’’ down the costs of her medications for diabe-
worth tax cheats and major corporations to Nearly 49 million people, most of them tes, psoriatic arthritis and Graves’ disease,
avoid federal taxes to the tune of billions of older Americans, get prescription drug cov- an autoimmune disorder affecting the thy-
dollars. erage through Medicare, yet many find that roid, has been a scramble since she started
‘‘The largest corporations in the United it does not go very far. Low-income people on Medicare in March. Ms. Armbruster, of
States with over $20 billion of assets have quality for government subsidies, so those in Cary, Ill., said she had saved extra insulin
had their rate of audits go from nearly 100% the middle class—people like Mr. Spring and from prescriptions filled when she had com-
to 50%,’’ says Janet Holtzblattt, a senior fel- Ms. Van Zile—are hit hardest by high drug mercial insurance, enough to keep costs
low at the Urban-Brookings Tax Policy Cen- costs. down before a monthly cap kicks in. But her
ter. ‘‘Among wealthy individuals who had a The Senate bill, which the House is ex- other conditions have caused immense finan-
positive income of a million dollars or more, pected to pass on Friday, then send to Presi- cial strain.
the audit rate fell from 8.4% in 2010 to 2.4% dent Biden’s desk, could save many Medicare By June, she had reached Medicare’s
in 2019.’’ beneficiaries hundreds, if not thousands of threshold for catastrophic coverage after
Meanwhile, the employee shortage only dollars a year. Its best-known provision paying more than $7,000 for Enbrel, a drug
made it harder for average Americans to would empower Medicare to negotiate prices she takes for the arthritis; Synthroid, which
reach IRS customer support, which has been with drug makers with the goal of driving she takes for Graves’ disease; Eliquis, for
inundated with requests far beyond what the down costs—a move the pharmaceutical in- atrial fibrillation, insulin and her insulin
staff could handle. ‘‘I used to say there’s no dustry has fought for years, and one that ex- pump.
Democratic or Republican way to run the ‘‘It’s all about thinking ahead, looking for
perts said would help lower costs for bene-
IRS,’’ Koskinen says. ‘‘The people who are alternatives and strategizing the home budg-
ficiaries.
significantly disadvantaged are the average But the legislation would also take more et to be able to take the necessary meds,’’
taxpayers who have a simple question and direct steps to keep money in people’s pock- she said. Learning to keep up with costs, she
added, had been like ‘‘baptism by fire, to
can’t get through. Those are Republicans as etbooks, though they would be phased in
learn everything I can possibly learn about
well as independents and Democrats.’’ As of over time.
Beginning next year, insulin co-payments it to maneuver drug costs and stay healthy
last month, the IRS backlog included 10.2
for Medicare recipients would be capped at without complications.’’
million unprocessed individual returns. The carousel of medications taken by Mr.
Funding from the Inflation Reduction Act $35 a month. As of 2024, those with costs high
Spring, the dementia patient who died in
will also go toward tech modernization. The enough to qualify for the program’s ‘‘cata-
April, included eye-popping price tags for
IRS currently uses technology from the strophic coverage’’ benefit would no longer
drugs including Eliquis, for a heart condi-
1960s, called COBOL, to process and intake have to pick up 5 percent of the cost of every tion, and Namenda, an Alzheimer’s drug. Mr.
individual tax returns. According to govern- prescription. And starting in 2025, out-of- Spring also took an antidepressant and
ment officials, the agency has struggled to pocket costs for prescription medicines medications to dull the side effects from
find workers who are still equipped to code would be capped at $2,000 annually. Namenda.
under the antiquated system. ‘‘This is a huge policy change and one that Those drugs ran the couple around $1,000 a
The increased funding for the IRS is a key has been a long time coming,’’ said Dr. month. Had the $2,000 annual out-of-pocket
part of Democrats’ plan to pay for the Infla- Stacie Dusetzina, an associate professor of cap been in place when her husband was
tion Reduction Act. By going more forcefully health policy at Vanderbilt University. ‘‘For alive, Ms. Van Zile said, they would have
after tax cheats and increasing compliance, people needing high-cost drugs, this will pro- reached it by March every year. Ms. Van Zile
the Congressional Budget Office estimates vide significant financial relief.’’ retired from her job working for Fulton
the agency will increase revenue by $204 bil- Between 2009 and 2018, the average price County in Georgia so that she could take
lion over the next decade. more than doubled for brand-name prescrip- care of her husband, further cramping their
Yet while the IRS may be in desperate tion drugs in Medicare Part D, the program savings. ‘‘His sense of humor put a smile on
need of more funding, it’s not exactly most that covers products dispensed by phar- my face every day,’’ she said. ‘‘The bitter as-
Americans’ favorite government institution. macies, the Congressional Budget Office pect of it was the financial stress.’’
Nobody likes to fork over a big check to found. Between 2019 and 2020, price increases Democrats have been promising for years
Uncle Sam. Which is a big reason why Re- outpaced inflation for half of all drugs cov- to lower the cost of prescription drugs. So
publicans are likely to keep hammering this ered by Medicare, according to an analysis have some Republicans, including former
point in the coming months, and potentially from the Kaiser Family Foundation. President Donald J. Trump. But the Senate
pointing to 87,000 new IRS agents who will Perhaps no drug has been talked about as bill passed along party lines, without any
never materialize. much as insulin, the diabetes medication Republican votes. In the 50–50 Senate, Vice
‘‘I think a lot of people are going to be that is more than 100 years old. Prices for in- President Kamala Harris broke the tie vote.
upset by this across the country and across sulin and its analogues have risen so fast Republicans, and the pharmaceutical in-
the political spectrum,’’ Hogan Gidley, that many diabetes patients who rely on the dustry, insist that the measure will stifle in-
Trump’s former White House deputy press drug put themselves at risk by taking less novation and reverse progress on therapies
secretary, tells TIME, when asked about IRS than is prescribed to cut costs. and treatments, including those for cancer
funding. He falsely described the Biden ad- More than three million Medicare bene- care—a high priority for Mr. Biden. The in-
ministration’s plan as hiring ‘‘85,000 IRS ficiaries take one of the 42 different types of dustry’s main trade group, PhRMA, says the
agents to come after mom-and-pop busi- insulin that are covered by Medicare, accord- bill, which imposes stiff penalties on compa-
nesses.’’ ing to an estimate by the Kaiser Family nies that refuse to negotiate, amounts to
But if Gidley’s right, Americans will only Foundation, which found that the average government price setting—not negotiation.
be angry because of what Republicans are out-of-pocket cost is $54 a month. But for At a media briefing last month, Stephen J.
telling them about the IRS—not what’s actu- some people, the costs are much higher. Ubl, the chief executive of PhRMA, warned
ally happening there. Evelyn Polay, 82, of Merrick, N.Y., spends that Democrats were ‘‘about to make a his-
[From The New York Times, Aug. 10, 2022] more than $1,200 every three months on four toric mistake that will devastate patients
different diabetes medicines, including desperate for new cures.’’
FOR OLDER AMERICANS, HEALTH BILL WILL
Humalog and another type of injectable insu- But backers of the measure say new treat-
BRING SAVINGS AND ‘PEACE OF MIND’
lin, which she has been taking for about 30 ments are meaningless if patients can’t af-
(By Sheryl Gay Stolberg and Noah Weiland) years. ford them. The promise of Medicare, enacted
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WASHINGTON.—After Pete Spring was diag- She still works as a part-time bookkeeper in 1965, has always been that it would take
nosed with dementia in 2016, he and his wife and counts herself as fortunate. ‘‘It’s not a care of older Americans. The prescription
emptied their checking account in part to question of do I eat or do I take my medi- drug benefit was not added until 2003.
pay for his prescription drugs, then ran cine,’’ she said. It includes the provision for catastrophic
through $60,000 in pension payments before But she worries about other people, includ- coverage, in which the government picks up
resorting to a charge card to help make sure ing her own grandchildren, three of whom the full cost of medicines—except for 5 per-
Mr. Spring had the heart and Alzheimer’s also have diabetes. Democrats tried to apply cent, paid by the patient—after an individual
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H7568 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE August 12, 2022
spends $7,050 a year out of pocket. The Kaiser Ms. SCANLON. Mr. Speaker, the impact Oklahomans throughout my
Family Foundation says that 1.3 million American people asked, and Democrats district. Sadly, the legislation will
Medicare beneficiaries hit the catastrophic are delivering. only worsen inflation and further the
threshold each year; 1.4 million have out-of- Democrats’ Green New Deal priorities.
I am proud to join my colleagues in
pocket costs of $2,000 or more.
‘‘You rarely hear people complain about moving this historic effort to fight cli- The bill should instead be called the
turning age 65 and going on Medicare; it’s mate change, lower prescription drug Green New Deal lite.
often a relief,’’ said Larry Levitt, the foun- prices, and reduce the deficit. To make matters worse, the bill will
dation’s executive vice president for health Every district in our country has felt not solve the energy crisis our Nation
policy. ‘‘But the way Medicare now works, the pain of inaction on the growing cli- is currently facing. It raises the roy-
there can be some nasty surprises for people mate crisis, from forest fires in the alty rate for onshore oil and gas leases,
with very high drug expenses, and this bill West to unprecedented flooding in the imposes a new per-acre fee to nominate
will provide a lot of relief.’’ these parcels, and provides billions for
A study conducted by Dr. Dusetzina high-
Midwest and Northeast.
My district is no exception. Just this so-called environmental justice initia-
lighted how the middle class gets squeezed. tives. The legislation also includes a
She examined 17,076 new prescriptions issued week, I visited the Brandywine River
between 2012 and 2018 for Part D bene- Museum of Art, home of Andrew natural gas tax, which would make it
ficiaries, and found that those receiving sub- Wyatt’s masterpieces, which, 1 year more expensive to heat homes, cook,
sidies were nearly twice as likely to obtain ago, experienced devastating damage and more.
the prescribed drug within 90 days as those Mr. Speaker, for these reasons, I urge
when extreme weather caused the near-
without subsidies. my colleagues to reject the rule and
by river to rise over 18 feet.
Among those who did not qualify for sub- oppose this legislation.
sidies, 30 percent of all prescriptions for can-
Yesterday, I toured the wetlands at Mr. MCGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, I yield
cer drugs went unfilled, as did more than 50 John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge to 2 minutes to the gentleman from Colo-
percent of prescriptions to treat immune discuss measures to address the ever- rado (Mr. NEGUSE), a distinguished
system disorders or high cholesterol. more-frequent flooding being experi- member of the Committee on Rules.
Patti Kellerhouse, a 64–year-old in Hender- enced in the nearby Eastwick neighbor- Mr. NEGUSE. Mr. Speaker, I thank
son, Nev., was diagnosed with metastatic hood. the chairman for yielding.
breast cancer in 2017 that had spread to her From one end of my district to an- My colleagues on the other side of
liver. On long-term disability through her
other, my constituents are seeing the the aisle talk a big game about deficit
employer, she had paid $10 a month out of
pocket for the oral cancer treatment she devastating impact of climate change reduction. They used the same par-
needed. But when she transitioned to a Medi- every single day. Congress must deliver liamentary procedure, budget rec-
care Advantage plan, the medication cost results for these people: legislation onciliation, when they were in power
more than $3,100 for the first month. that makes a difference for hard- and in control of this majority, and
While she has been able to afford the price working Americans. they blew a $2 trillion hole in the def-
jump, it has stressed her financial planning. When my Republican colleagues were icit.
She is saving money for a new car, among in the majority, they used their con- House Democrats here today, putting
other things. She said she has daughters and people over politics, have put a bill on
trol over this body to pass tax cuts for
grandchildren whom she would like to con-
the wealthy and deny healthcare to the floor that would reduce the deficit
tinue supporting.
‘‘I worked hard my whole life,’’ she said. millions of Americans. But Democrats by billions of dollars. Apparently, that
‘‘These are high co-payments. They have proven over and over they take is not enough for my colleagues on the
shouldn’t happen when you’re at retirement seriously their job to deliver results for other side of the aisle.
age.’’ all of their constituents, and that is This bill will lower costs. It will cre-
Many Americans make tough choices why we are here today. ate better-paying jobs for the Amer-
about whether to continue taking drugs they Through tax incentives, grants, and ican people, and it will invest in cli-
need. Bob Miller, a 71 year-old multiple scle- mate action and the existential threat
loans, the Inflation Reduction Act will
rosis patient in Prior Lake, Minn., is among of our time facing my constituents in
them. reduce CO2 emissions by 40 percent by
2030. This legislation will invest in our Colorado.
Every other day for 12 years, Mr. Miller Since 1982, Colorado has experienced
took Betaseron, a brand-name prescription energy sector to promote innovation
natural disaster after natural disaster
drug that can delay the progression of his and renewable energy, and it will do
disease by staving off flare-ups of numbness, that has cost our State over $55 billion,
this while supporting workers’ unions
muscle stiffness and other symptoms that including the most destructive fire in
and creating more than 9 million new the history of my State just this past
can leave patients worse off than they were jobs over the next decade.
before. But the drug was expensive; even December.
with his Medicare insurance, it cost more
The bill will also ensure that vulner- It is time for us to take this climate
than $10,000 a year. able communities like Eastwick, most crisis seriously. That is exactly what
So he quit taking the drug in 2016 after likely to feel the impact of a climate this bill does, through investments in
consulting with his doctors, who told him he crisis, will receive the tools and atten- R&D, through investments in energy
could ‘‘roll the dice’’ and survive without tion they deserve. storage and battery technology, and so
it—at least for the time being. Since then, he Beyond addressing climate, the bill much more to enable our transition to
has lived with the unsettling worry that he will radically lower the cost of expen-
is gambling with his own health. a clean energy future.
sive prescription drugs, help 13 million I am proud to support this bill be-
‘‘In the background, you don’t know what’s
going on,’’ Mr. Miller said. ’There might still
Americans keep their health insurance, cause I believe it delivers for the Amer-
be some damage being done to my nerve fi- and empower the IRS to go after ican people. Mr. Speaker, I certainly
bers.’’ wealthy corporations and tax cheats. urge my colleagues to support it, as
When a neurologist recently told him it Notably, it will do all this while reduc- well.
might help to go back on a disease-modi- ing the budget deficit. Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, I yield
fying drug, Mr. Miller told him he would like Mr. Speaker, I am proud to support myself such time as I may consume.
to, if not for the prohibitive cost. The new this legislation, and I urge all of my Mr. Speaker, if we defeat the pre-
legislation, he said, will deliver something colleagues to do the same. vious question, Republicans will amend
he has been longing for: ‘‘Peace of mind.’’
b 1000 the rule to allow the House to consider
Mr. MCGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, sen- an amendment that would stop the IRS
iors know that this bill will help bring Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 from hiring 87,000 new agents to target
down their healthcare and prescription minute to the gentlewoman from Okla- and harass lower-income Americans.
drug costs dramatically. Passing this homa (Mrs. BICE). Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous con-
bill will be a huge sigh of relief for 34 Mrs. BICE of Oklahoma. Mr. Speaker, sent to insert the text of the amend-
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million Americans covered by Medi- I thank my colleague for yielding. ment into the RECORD, along with ex-
care. I rise in opposition to the rule to con- traneous material, immediately prior
Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the sider the Senate amendment to H.R. to the vote on the previous question.
gentlewoman from Pennsylvania (Ms. 5376, the so-called Inflation Reduction The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there
SCANLON), a distinguished member of Act. This partisan legislation is full of objection to the request of the gen-
the Rules Committee. new tax hikes, which will negatively tleman from Texas?
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August 12, 2022 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H7569
There was no objection. Because we would only make in order the top 1 percent—$160 billion they do
Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 this one single amendment, if we defeat not pay—yet we will raise no taxes on
minutes to the gentleman from Ne- the previous question, it will only those making $400,000 or less.
braska (Mr. SMITH), who is here to ex- delay final passage of the bill by about We will make corporations and
plain the amendment. 20 minutes. ultrawealthy persons pay their fair
Mr. SMITH of Nebraska. Mr. Speak- Mr. Speaker, I have many serious share through the IRS working to help
er, I thank my colleague from Texas concerns about this bill that the rule working people. No new taxes on fami-
for yielding me time. makes in order, which I will discuss lies. That is crucial.
As Mr. BURGESS pointed out, if we de- later. I find it particularly troubling Now, on the underlying bill, I would
feat the previous question, I will move the Democrats think auditing thou- have wanted to offer an amendment
to amend the rule to make in order my sands of more American families and dealing with the carried interest,
amendment to strike funding for IRS small businesses is the solution to in- which would have gotten us $14 billion.
enforcement activities. flation. I wanted to make sure that we had the
The administration’s own Treasury Let’s defeat the previous question $35 limit on insulin and, as well, help
Department has said this funding and help assure law-abiding Americans for Medicaid recipients.
would be used to hire 87,000 new IRS that the IRS isn’t going to show up at This is a great bill. I support the rule
agents. This has been verified. These their doors. and the underlying bill.
agents will be focused on targeting Mr. MCGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, I yield Mr. Speaker, I would like to commend you
American families, small businesses, myself such time as I may consume. and Chairman MCGOVERN for the Rule ena-
farmers, and ranchers with audits. For anybody to suggest that the IRS bling the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, H.R.
Families and small businesses are is somehow coming after people is ab- 5376, to be considered and voted on the floor
struggling. That is no secret. Inflation surd and dangerous. This fear- today.
is at 8.5 percent. Food and gas prices mongering has to stop. Rapid action on the Inflation Reduction Act
are at record highs. Despite this bill’s Yesterday, the top Republican on the is vital, as it will have a major positive impact
name, reasonable economists agree it Senate Judiciary Committee, CHUCK on quality-of-life for American families, reduce
will do nearly nothing to actually re- GRASSLEY, made this outrageous state- inflation for all Americans, and bolster our na-
duce inflation, especially in the near ment that armed IRS agents will go tional economy and competitiveness for years
term. door-to-door with assault rifles after to come.
Small business pessimism about this bill passes. All I can say to that is This landmark legislation will provide ur-
costs and access to workers is at all- everyone grab your tinfoil hats. gently needed relief, as well as many reforms
time highs, and audits would only com- I mean, in response, Senate Finance and initiatives that will help our nation transi-
pound this misery. Estimates put the Chairman RON WYDEN said: ‘‘It is unbe- tion to its next era of economic success for all
starting cost to a small business being lievable that we even need to say this, Americans.
audited in the range of $10,000 to but there are not going to be 87,000 Even though H.R. 5376 doesn’t include
$75,000. Ridiculous. That is the last armed IRS agents going door-to-door every solution that I hoped would be included,
thing our small businesses need, the with assault weapons.’’ I wholeheartedly and enthusiastically support
This is funding for answering phone
vast majority of whom follow the law. the rule and the bill because of the over-
calls, upgrading computer systems, and
They are law-abiding individuals and whelmingly positive effects that the Inflation
getting our constituents the refunds
law-abiding businesses. Reduction Act will have.
that they have been waiting for, for
My amendment makes the following The bill makes historic investments to com-
months and months.
changes to the bill. bat climate change by putting the United
I get it. My Republican friends do not
It strikes the $45 billion for enforce- States on a path to reduce emissions by 40
want to give the IRS the ability to go
ment activities, which include legal percent by 2030, including investments in
after wealthy tax cheats, big corpora-
and litigation support, digital asset clean energy and energy efficiency that will
tions that are using every loophole pos-
monitoring, and enforcing criminal lower household energy costs.
sible to avoid paying taxes. But do you
statutes. Those are audit activities. The bill’s clean energy and emission reduc-
know what? Our constituents have to
It strikes $25 billion for operation tion programs attack the climate crisis at its
pay their fair share. These rich people
support, which includes rent payments, source—electric utilities, cars, trucks, and
ought to pay their fair share, as well.
printing, postage, and other adminis- I get it. My Republican friends, when even methane-producing farm animals—while
trative activities to support the new they were in charge, passed a $2 trillion ensuring that rural and disadvantaged commu-
auditors. It also strikes $104 million for tax cut to make it easier for the rich nities share the benefits.
the Office of Tax Policy at IRS, the of- and powerful to cheat on their taxes. It would bring electric cars—and the fuel
fice which creates new tax regulations. This Democratic majority is going to costs they save—within the reach of working
It strikes $153 million for the U.S. make sure they pay their fair share. families. It would also lower utility bills, pro-
Tax Court, where cases related to these Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the mote community solar projects, and boost
new audits would be heard, and it gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. JACKSON America’s clean energy manufacturing base
strikes $50 million for Treasury to im- LEE). and workforce.
plement these changes. Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I The Inflation Reduction Act will lower the
Now, let me tell you what this thank the distinguished chairman for costs of prescription drugs by empowering
amendment would not do. This amend- yielding. Medicare—for the first time—to negotiate
ment leaves in place $3.2 billion for Mr. Speaker, I rise enthusiastically prices, while limiting out-of-pocket costs and
taxpayer services to help address the to support the rule and the underlying price increases. Medicare would negotiate a
backlog of nearly 20 million unproc- bill. maximum price of high-cost prescription drugs
essed returns. We agree this backlog is As I do so, let me ask my colleagues for Medicare Part B and Part D that will take
a serious problem, and taxpayers need on the other side of the aisle to join me effect in 2026. This provision will make pre-
better customer service. It leaves in in asking President Trump to lower the scription drugs more accessible and stop drug
place $4.8 billion for badly needed IRS rhetoric so we don’t have people dying companies from raising the price of prescrip-
systems modernization. every day because of his provocative tion medicines faster than inflation.
According to the CBO, the bill would words. This legislation will also extend the Afford-
still reduce the deficit if we adopt this Let me say, this bill is a miracle of able Care Act’s health insurance premium tax
amendment while leaving every other success. It is a miracle because we, the credits through 2025. This will avert a huge
provision of the package intact. Democrats, are giving back $300 billion price hike in premiums for the majority of the
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Unless there are Senate Democrats to reduce the inflation that was cre- 14 million people who have enrolled in ACA
who believe auditing families and ated by the Trump tax cut that has Marketplace plans.
small businesses is the single most im- been killing us for the last couple of The Inflation Reduction Act would create a
portant part of this bill, they should years. more equitable tax system by applying a 15
have no problem expeditiously passing I am excited about the idea that percent minimum tax to corporations with
it again. those who are not paying their fair tax, more than $1 billion in average annual income
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H7570 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE August 12, 2022
over a three-year period. This would ensure care. Although it is not in this bill, I will con- who is still there, who made it very
that these corporations at least pay roughly tinue to fight for this. clear that it won’t be used for that.
the same rate as many working taxpayers. Even without those three elements, the In- SECRETARY OF THE TREASURY,
The bill would also impose a 1 percent ex- flation Reduction Act is excellent legislation DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY,
cise tax on corporate stock buybacks, and it that will be a great leap forward for the Amer- Washington, DC, August 10, 2022.
would enable the IRS to reverse staff cuts and ican people, particularly for my constituents in CHARLES P. RETTIG,
ensure compliance with tax laws and regula- the 18th Congressional District of Texas, as Commissioner, Internal Revenue Service,
Washington, DC.
tions. well as for all of America.
DEAR COMMISSIONER: The Inflation Reduc-
By creating a more equitable tax system, Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 tion Act includes much-needed funding for
this legislation will ease the pressure of infla- minute to the gentleman from Ne- the IRS to improve taxpayer service, mod-
tion and allow more Americans to participate braska (Mr. SMITH) for the purposes of ernize outdated technological infrastructure,
productively in the economy. Americans over- rebuttal. and increase equity in the tax system by en-
whelmingly agree that corporations have paid Mr. SMITH of Nebraska. Mr. Speak- forcing the tax laws against those high-earn-
too little for too long. Only in Washington er, it is interesting, in this exchange ers, large corporations, and complex partner-
would Republicans fight against cutting costs here, the claims being made that this ships who today do not pay what they owe.
These crucial investments have been a
for low- and middle-income workers and their bill will just do so many wonderful
focus of the Biden Administration since the
families in defense of wealthy corporations. things for our country and that they President’s first day in office, and I was
That point about fundamental equity brings are holding harmless folks making less heartened to see the legislation pass the Sen-
me to one of my regrets about this bill. When than $400,000. ate this weekend.
the agreement that led to this bill was an- The CBO just reported that at least Notwithstanding the changes that arose
nounced in July, it had a provision to close the $20 billion in savings from this bill will because of Republican challenges during the
carried interest loophole. That tax code loop- come from families making less than Byrd process, I write today to confirm the
hole allows managers of private equity and $400,000 a year, hardly what has been commitment that has been a guiding precept
of the planning that you and your team are
other investment funds to pay lower taxes on stated by the folks advocating for this
undertaking: that audit rates will not rise
their earnings than those paid by wage and bill. relative to recent years for households mak-
salary earners. We know that the facts point out ing under $400,000 annually.
The Senate agreement, as it was first an- that it is 87,000 new employees, includ- Specifically, I direct that any additional
nounced, would have closed the carried inter- ing agents, over at the IRS, and these resources—including any new personnel or
est loophole by extending the required holding full-time equivalents would take place auditors that are hired—shall not be used to
period to five years, which is more in line with by 2031. I am not sure where those folks increase the share of small business or
how long private equity funds typically hold come from, necessarily. I know it has households below the $400,000 threshold that
their investments. But unfortunately, the Sen- been stated that this would fill vacan- are audited relative to historical levels. This
means that, contrary to the misinformation
ate dropped that provision from the bill, giving cies or answer retirements for the next from opponents of this legislation, small
up $13 billion that it would have raised over few years. But why do we need new business or households earning $400,000 per
ten years. money for that? That should already be year or less will not see an increase in the
The carried interest loophole benefits billion- budgeted. chances that they are audited.
aires, and by that provision being dropped Certainly, these agents at the IRS Instead, enforcement resources will focus
from the bill, billionaires scored a victory worth have law enforcement authority. They on high-end noncompliance. There, sus-
billions of dollars at the time when most Amer- have badges that let them walk around tained, multiyear funding is so critical to
icans are struggling to make ends meet. the magnetometers at the airports. the agency’s ability to make the invest-
ments needed to pursue a robust attack on
Obviously, that offends principles of equity Certainly, I would assume they are the tax gap by targeting crucial challenges,
and fairness, and, if I had the opportunity armed, as well. like large corporations, high-networth indi-
amend H.R. 5376, I would have offered an The SPEAKER pro tempore. The viduals and complex pass-throughs, where
amendment to close the carried interest loop- time of the gentleman has expired. today the IRS has resources to initiate just
hole. Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 7,500 audits annually out of more than 4 mil-
Another amendment that I would have of- an additional 30 seconds to the gen- lion returns received.
fered would have lowered the costs of insulin tleman from Nebraska. This is challenging work that requires a
for people whose health care coverage is with Mr. SMITH of Nebraska. The Joint team of sophisticated revenue agents in
place to spend thousands of hours poring
private insurance companies. Committee on Taxation estimates 78 to
over complicated returns, and it is also work
While I am delighted that H.R. 5376 im- 90 percent of new revenue from unre- that has huge revenue potential: indeed, an
poses a $35 per month cap on the price of in- ported income will come from folks additional hour auditing someone making
sulin for people covered by Medicare, this cap earning less than $200,000 per year. more than $5 million annually generates an
should have extended to Americans with pri- I think we need to be very cautious estimated $4,500 of additional taxes col-
vate insurance. I was very upset that Senate as we move forward and grow an agen- lected. This is essential work that I know
Republicans rejected that policy, as it is un- cy that even President Clinton pushed the IRS is eager to undertake.
conscionable to force people to choose be- back on when he was President, real- For regular taxpayers, as you emphasized
tween affording their life-sustaining insulin or last week, the result of this resource infu-
izing that the agency was harassing
sion will be a lower likelihood of audit by an
their other daily needs. Some Americans have the American people. agency that has the data and technological
died because they couldn’t afford their insulin, Mr. MCGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, I yield infrastructure in place to target enforcement
which has been subject to unjustifiable pricing myself such time as I may consume. resources where they belong—on the high
practices. Mr. Speaker, I want to make clear to end of the income distribution, where the top
So, I would have offered an amendment to my colleagues that, actually, in the 1 percent alone is estimated to not be paying
ensure that all Americans, including those with Senate bill, there was explicit language $160 billion in owed taxes each year. That’s
private health insurance, benefit from a $35 that made it very clear that none of important as a matter of revenue-raising,
per month cap on their insulin costs. this money would be used for audits for but it’s also essential as a matter of fairness.
Crucially, these resources will support a
Finally, I was disappointed that Senator people earning $400,000 or less or tar- much-needed upgrade of technology that is
RAPHAEL WARNOCK’s amendment about Med- geting small businesses. But Repub- decades out-of-date, and an investment in
icaid expansion was not adopted by the Sen- licans over in the Senate insisted that taxpayer service so that the IRS is finally
ate. This amendment sought to close the Med- the language be stripped out, and now able to communicate with taxpayers in an
icaid coverage gap so that 2.2 million people they are complaining about it. efficient, timely manner. I look forward to
living in poverty, with no affordable health But do you know what? I have good working with you on creating new digital
care, would be able to see a doctor when they news for you. tools to allow taxpayers to get information
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are sick, pregnant, or have other health Mr. Speaker, I include in the RECORD from the IRS instantaneously and on im-
proving taxpayer service, so the agency is
needs. a letter from Treasury Secretary Janet
well-equipped to answer calls when they
The third amendment I would have offered Yellen that makes it crystal clear that come in.
would have closed the Medicaid coverage gap that is not what is going to happen, This historic investment in our tax system
for health care to impoverished Americans along with a letter from Donald will accomplish two critical objectives. It
who have a need for, and the right to, health Trump’s appointed IRS Commissioner, will raise substantial revenue to address the
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August 12, 2022 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H7571
deficit; and it will create a fairer system, resourced tax administrator. In fact, the Mr. MCGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, I yield
where those at the top who do not today continued success of our country depends, in 1 minute to the gentleman from Geor-
comply with their tax obligations find it far part, upon the success of the agency in ap- gia (Mr. DAVID SCOTT), the distin-
less easy to do so, and where all taxpayers propriately, fairly and impartially enforcing
receive the service from the IRS that they
guished chairman of the Committee on
the tax laws and in providing meaningful,
deserve, and that your dedicated workforce impactful services to every American.
Agriculture.
is eager to deliver. The importance of the As an extremely proud American, I’m b 1015
work ahead cannot be overstated. grateful for your support of the IRS and our
Sincerely, dedicated employees. I cannot be forceful Mr. DAVID SCOTT of Georgia. Mr.
JANET L. YELLEN. enough in emphasizing that these resources Speaker, I thank the gentleman for
-- will be transformative for the agency and for yielding. This is an important bill, and,
DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY, American taxpayers. I am available to meet yes, it will bring down inflation.
INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE, with you at your convenience to discuss the Mr. Speaker, we are dealing here
Washington DC, August 4, 2022. foregoing. with basic economics, and unless we
DEAR MEMBER OF THE UNITED STATES Thank you, have multiple forces working simulta-
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES: It has been the CHARLES P. RETTIG. neously, we will not be able to bring
greatest honor of my professional life to Mr. MCGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, let’s
spend the last four years at the helm of the down the costs of food particularly.
stop the misinformation and stop the I raise this point because, as Chair-
IRS. I am struck each day by the commit- fear-mongering.
ment of dedicated IRS employees to helping woman WATERS pointed out, it does
American families. And our employees have
I get it. My Republican friends do not help in terms of prescription drugs. It
done all that without the tools to do so effec- want to lower the costs of prescription brings down the cost of healthcare.
tively. For too long, the agency has not had drugs for senior citizens. They don’t Those reflect some of our basic needs.
the resources that it needs to ensure the tax want to do anything about climate It helps our veterans with their
laws are enforced fairly and that Americans change. They don’t want to pay down healthcare.
receive the level and quality of service they the deficit or the debt. I get it. But we Just as I stepped up and helped to
deserve. We are the greatest country in the do, and the American people do, and I
world, yet the agency that touches more
deal with the step-up, we are having a
am proud of this legislation. problem with the front end of our food
Americans than any other continually strug-
Mr. Speaker, I yield 11⁄2 minutes to supply chain. We have 17,000 of our
gles to receive sufficient resources to fulfill
its important mission. the gentlewoman from California (Ms. ranchers and small farmers going out
The resources in the reconciliation pack- WATERS), the distinguished chair- of business every year.
age will get us back to historical norms in woman of the Committee on Financial The SPEAKER pro tempore. The
areas of challenge for the agency—large cor- Services. time of the gentleman has expired.
porate and global high-net-worth tax- Ms. WATERS. Mr. Speaker, I rise in Mr. MCGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, I yield
payers—as well as new areas like pass- recognition of the very long and dif- the gentleman an additional 15 sec-
through entities and multinational tax- ficult negotiations that have taken onds.
payers with international tax issues, where
place following the Build Back Better Mr. DAVID SCOTT of Georgia. Mr.
we need sophisticated, specialized teams in
place that are able to unpack complex struc- Act, led by President Biden and the Speaker, let me just say that this is
tures and identify noncompliance. Democrats. I applaud all the bene- very important, and it sets the stage
These resources are absolutely not about ficiaries of the reconciliation bill in for this bill working with our lower
increasing audit scrutiny on small busi- what is now the Inflation Reduction food and fuel costs to continue the
nesses or middle-income Americans. As Act. process.
we’ve been planning, our investment of these This act includes historic climate Finally, we will have a bill in Sep-
enforcement resources is designed around change legislation. It will lower pre- tember that addresses the front line of
the Department of the Treasury’s directive our supply chain that will also bring
that audit rates will not rise relative to re-
scription drug costs, reduce the cost of
cent years for households making under Medicare, and, hopefully, force major down costs and inflation.
$400,000. Other resources will be invested in corporations to pay their fair share of Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, I yield
employees and IT systems that will allow us taxes. 30 seconds to the gentleman from Ne-
to better serve all taxpayers, including small However, as chairwoman of the Fi- braska (Mr. SMITH) for rebuttal.
businesses and middle-income taxpayers. En- nancial Services Committee, I have Mr. SMITH of Nebraska. Mr. Speak-
hanced IT systems and taxpayer service will worked with members of my com- er, let me be very clear that if Sec-
actually mean that honest taxpayers will be mittee and many Members of Congress retary Yellen were accurate when she
better able to comply with the tax laws, re- said that inflation was transitory, we
to confront the housing crisis in this
sulting in a lower likelihood of being audited would have no reason to be here right
and a reduced burden on them. country. We organized a request for
$150 billion in the Build Back Better now. Obviously, she has backed off
Large corporate and high-net-worth tax-
payers often engage teams of sophisticated Act, which included rental assistance those comments based on realities, and
representatives who pursue unsettled or with Section 8 vouchers, development that is what we need to focus on. Now,
sometimes questionable interpretations of of more affordable housing units, sup- the realities and the facts are not what
tax law. The integrity and fairness of our tax port for first-generation home buyers, some hopes might be for some legisla-
administrative system relies upon the abil-
repairs to fix deteriorating public hous- tion on the floor.
ity of our agency to maintain a strong, visi- Mr. Speaker, I include in the RECORD
ble, robust enforcement presence directed to ing, and fair housing enforcement to
documents from the CBO, the JCT, the
these and other similarly situated taxpayers eliminate discrimination and unlawful
GAO, and the Department of the Treas-
when they are noncompliant. These impor- evictions.
ury.
tant efforts also support honest taxpayers However, there is not one nickel, not CBO has received a number of questions re-
who voluntarily comply with their filing and one dime, not one dollar, for the devel- garding our estimate of an amendment of-
reporting requirements. opment of housing in this bill. We can fered by Senator Crapo during the floor de-
The IRS has fewer front-line, experienced no longer afford to have housing as an bate on H.R. 5376 last weekend. That amend-
examiners in the field than at any time since ment, #5404, would limit the use of addi-
afterthought, a ‘‘nice to have,’’ or sim-
World War II, and fewer employees than at tional funds for the Internal Revenue Serv-
any time since the 1970s. Advances in tech- ply something that can wait until
ice. If the amendment had been adopted none
nology have been helpful but have not kept later. It is foundational to the pros-
of the additional funds could have been used
pace with the ever-increasing responsibil- perity of families, key to a healthy to audit taxpayers with taxable incomes
ities and challenges facing the IRS. As a re- economy, and crucial to fighting infla- below $400,000.
sult, the IRS has for too long been unable to tion. CBO did not complete a formal cost esti-
pursue meaningful, impactful examinations Yes, I am disappointed. I am going to mate in advance of consideration of the
of large corporate and high-net-worth tax- vote for this bill because so many peo- amendment but the agency did provide the
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payers to ensure they are paying their fair ple are going to benefit in different following information to the Senate Budget
share. This creates a direct revenue loss Committee:
from evaders and lessens the potential to
ways, but I am disappointed that hous-
CBO estimates that the amendment 5404
deter others from pursuing a similar path of ing does not show up anywhere in this would have the following effects:
noncompliance. Every American should sup- legislation. No effect on outlays in the one or ten year
port a fair and impartial system of tax ad- Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, I re- budget windows; would reduce outlays in the
ministration supported by an appropriately serve the balance of my time. five year budget window.
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H7572 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE August 12, 2022
No effect on revenues in the one year budg- E income.5 Many random audits of Schedule vided additional insight, we discuss those in-
et window; would reduce the ‘‘non-scorable’’ E income did not include entity-level audits. sights in the report. In general, we used our
revenues resulting from the provisions of Entity-level audits were likely more com- broad income categories throughout the re-
section 10301 in the five and ten year budget mon among smaller, single-owner busi- port to discuss general audit trends.
windows. nesses.6 Thus, the Schedule E distribution Similar to IRS, our income categories in-
No effect on outlays after 2031 but would below is incomplete and could skew toward clude returns with the Earned Income Tax
decrease the ‘‘non-scorable’’ revenue result- lower incomes relative to a hypothetical dis- Credit (EITC). We also analyzed EITC re-
ing from the provisions of section 10301 after tribution resulting from random entity-level turns as a separate category because of their
2031. audits. high volume and improper payment report-
CBO has not completed a point estimate of The distributions below are grouped by re- ing.
this amendment but the preliminary assess- ported adjusted gross income and therefore A. RESTORING IRS RESOURCES
ment indicates that amendment 5404 would skew toward lower-income taxpayers rel-
reduce the ‘‘non-scorable’’ revenues resulting The first step in the President’s efforts to
ative to distributions done by true income restore IRS enforcement capability is a sus-
from the provisions of section 10301 by at (reported income plus unreported income).
least $20 billion over the FY2022–FY2031 pe- tained, multi-year commitment to rebuild-
However, when audit adjustments are added ing the IRS. This involves spending nearly
riod. to reported income, affected taxpayers tend
Thanks, $80 billion on IRS priorities over the course
to remain in the reported income group or of the decade including hiring new special-
LEIGH ANGRES, move up only one income group.7
Director of Legislative Affairs, ized enforcement staff, modernizing anti-
Congressional Budget Office. quated information technology, and invest-
PERCENTAGE OF ESTIMATED TAX ASSESSMENTS RELATING ing in meaningful taxpayer service—includ-
TO UNDERREPORTING OF . . . ing the implementation of the newly ex-
CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES,
panded credits aimed at providing support to
JOINT COMMITTEE ON TAXATION, Reported Adjusted Gross Income . . . Schedule C . . . Schedule E
(2010 dollars) income income American families. Importantly, the addi-
Washngton, DC, August 17, 2021.
tional resources will go toward enforcement
MEMORANDUM Less than $0 ..................................... 5% 6% against those with the highest incomes, and
To: Redacted. $0 to $50,000 ................................... 52% 34%
$50,000 to $100,000 ........................ 21% 25% audit rates will not rise relative to recent
From: Thomas A. Barthold. $100,000 to $200,000 ...................... 12% 13% years for those earning less than $400,000 in
Subject: Distributional Information. $200,000 to $500,000 ...................... 6% 14% actual income.
$500,000 and over ........................... 4% 9%
This memorandum responds to your re- Total ......................................... 100% 100% The President’s proposal includes two com-
quest for distributional information on a ponents: a dedicated stream of mandatory
proposal in Treasury’s ‘‘General Expla- Note: Details may not add to totals due to rounding. funds ($72.5 billion over a decade) and a pro-
nations of the Administration’s Fiscal Year ENDNOTES gram integrity allocation ($6.7 billion over a
2022 Revenue Proposals’’ (the ‘‘Greenbook’’). 1. Table 5, Internal Revenue Service, Tax decade). These mechanisms provide for a sus-
The proposal, ‘‘Introduce Comprehensive Fi- Gap Estimates for Tax Years 2011–2013 (Pub. tained, multi-year commitment to revital-
nancial Account Reporting to Improve Tax 1415), September 2019. izing the IRS that will give the agency the
Compliance,’’ requires financial institutions 2. Table 2, ibid. certainty it needs to rebuild.
to report inflows and outflows for every ac- 3. The random audits were done by the IRS The IRS proposal includes year-by-year es-
count with at least $600 of inflows or out- National Research Program for tax years timates of the additional resources that will
flows in a year, for tax years beginning after 2006–2014. Income adjustments from these au- be directed toward the agency as well as the
December 31, 2022. Although these inflows dits are presented in tables A3 and A5, Jason specific activities that these resources would
and outflows do not directly correspond to DeBacker, Bradley Heim, Anh Tran, and support. The design ensures that the IRS is
any line items on tax returns, the proposal is Alexander Yuskavage, ‘‘Tax Non-compliance able to absorb and usefully deploy additional
estimated to reduce underreporting of in- and Measures of Income Inequality,’’ Tax resources over the entire 10–year horizon and
come, particularly on income subject to lit- Notes Federal, February 17, 2020, pp. 1103–1118. keeps budget growth manageable at around
tle or no information reporting, such as indi- The estimated marginal tax rates are from 10 percent per year.
vidual business income, self-employment in- the Joint Committee staff’s individual tax
come, and small C corporation income. We model and combine income and SECA tax SECRETARY OF THE TREASURY,
estimate that the proposal would raise $206 rates. DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY,
billion over the 2022–31 budget window. 4. In 2010 dollars. The income ranges in the Washington, DC, August 10, 2022.
We are unable to provide distributional ef- table are also in 2010 dollars. CHARLES P. RETTIG,
fects for this proposal because we do not im- 5. Schedule E encompasses many types of Commissioner, Internal Revenue Service,
pute unreported income to our individual tax income, including partnership and S corpora- Washington, DC.
model, in part because the distribution of tion income, but table A5 in DeBacker et al. DEAR COMMISSIONER: The Inflation Reduc-
unreported income is not well identified. In- (2020) does not distinguish between them. tion Act includes much-needed funding for
stead, we provide some distributional infor- 6. See p. 11, Gerald Auten and David Splin- the IRS to improve taxpayer service, mod-
mation on the tax gap attributable to the ter, ‘‘Comment: Tax Evasion at the Top of ernize outdated technological infrastructure,
types of taxpayers that might be most af- the Income Distribution: Theory and Evi- and increase equity in the tax system by en-
fected by this proposal. In particular, under- dence,’’ August 5, 2021, available at http:// forcing the tax laws against those high-earn-
reporting of non farm proprietor income, i.e., www.davidsplinter.com/AutenSplinter- ers, large corporations, and complex partner-
Schedule C income, was estimated to con- TaxEvasion.pdf. ships who today do not pay what they owe.
tribute $68 billion to the annual $245 billion 7. Table 2, DeBacker et al. (2020). These crucial investments have been a
individual income tax underreporting tax focus of the Biden Administration since the
gap for tax years 2011 to 2013.1 Under- APPENDIX I: OBJECTIVES, SCOPE, AND President’s first day in office, and I was
reporting of Schedule C income also contrib- METHODOLOGY heartened to see the legislation pass the Sen-
utes heavily to the $45 billion self-employ- As discussed below, we analyzed data for ate this weekend.
ment (SECA) tax underreporting tax gap for the most recent years available to determine Notwithstanding the changes that arose
those same years.2 (1) audit rates by selected income categories because of Republican challenges during the
The table below presents a distribution of and the reasons for differences across these Byrd process, I write today to confirm the
estimated tax assessments from representa- categories, and (2) audit outcomes and re- commitment that has been a guiding precept
tive random audits related to underreporting sources used for auditing individual tax re- of the planning that you and your team are
of Schedule C income. To estimate these tax turns across the income categories and the undertaking: that audit rates will not rise
assessments, income adjustments from these likely reasons for any trends. Our scope of relative to recent years for households mak-
audits were multiplied by estimated average work focused on taxpayer income and did not ing under $400,000 annually .
marginal tax rates.3 As the table shows, include analyzing audits by other character- Specifically, I direct that any additional
more than half of the assessed amounts are istics, such as type of audit, type of auditor, resources—including any new personnel or
estimated to come from taxpayers with re- or audit location. auditors that are hired—shall not be used to
ported income between zero and $50,000.4 To Income levels. The Internal Revenue Serv- increase the share of small business or
the extent that taxpayers with sole propri- ice’s (IRS) 2020 Data Book Table 17 provides households below the $400,000 threshold that
etor income tend to have lower income than data on audit rates and results by various are audited relative to historical levels. This
taxpayers with partnership or S corporation groupings of total positive income. However, means that, contrary to the misinformation
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income, the distribution of the tax assess- for our analysis and to simplify reporting, from opponents of this legislation, small
ments related to underreporting of Schedule we developed fewer, broader income cat- business or households earning $400,000 per
C income might not represent the distribu- egories by combining IRS’s income year or less will not see an increase in the
tional effects of the Green Book proposal. To groupings, as shown in table 2. We analyzed chances that they are audited.
provide a fuller picture, the table also pre- IRS data using our broader income cat- Instead, enforcement resources will focus
sents a distribution of estimated tax assess- egories and compared the results with IRS’s on high-end noncompliance. There, sus-
ments related to underreporting of Schedule groupings. When the finer-level analysis pro- tained, multi-year funding is so critical to
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August 12, 2022 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H7573
the agency’s ability to make the invest- Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, may I ted since the year 1850—a figure that does
ments needed to pursue a robust attack on inquire as to how much time is remain- not include any other warming gases, such
the tax gap by targeting crucial challenges, ing on each side. as methane, which also is playing a major
like large corporations, high-net-worth indi- role in the world’s temperature increases.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gen-
viduals and complex pass-throughs, where The Inflation Reduction Act will mark ‘‘an
today the IRS has resources to initiate just tleman from Texas has 11⁄2 minutes re- historic moment’’ for the United States—one
7,500 audits annually out of more than 4 mil- maining. The gentleman from Massa- that hasn’t seemed plausible since President
lion returns received. chusetts has 41⁄2 minutes remaining. Bill Clinton and Vice President Al Gore
This is challenging work that requires a Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, I re- pushed for significant action in the 1990s,
team of sophisticated revenue agents in serve the balance of my time. said Bill Hare, a climate scientist and the
place to spend thousands of hours poring Mr. MCGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, I in- chief executive at Climate Analytics, a
over complicated returns, and it is also work clude in the RECORD a Washington Post prominent science and policy institute. The
that has huge revenue potential: indeed, an piece titled, ‘‘Climate change’s impact bill could have a global ripple effect that
additional hour auditing someone making spurs other countries to take more ambi-
more than $5 million annually generates an
intensifies as U.S. prepares to take ac- tious steps, Hare said.
estimated $4,500 of additional taxes col- tion.’’ Yet, Hare noted that the legislation does
lected. This is essential work that I know [From The Washington Post, Aug. 11, 2022] not bring the United States to President
the IRS is eager to undertake. CLIMATE CHANGE’S IMPACT INTENSIFIES AS Biden’s goal of cutting emissions at least in
For regular taxpayers, as you emphasized U.S. PREPARES TO TAKE ACTION half by 2030 from their 2005 levels. It also in-
last week, the result of this resource infu- (By Chris Mooney, Brady Dennis and Sarah cludes provisions for additional oil and gas
sion will be a lower likelihood of audit by an Kaplan) drilling and easing permitting processes for
agency that has the data and technological fossil fuel infrastructure—contradicting
infrastructure in place to target enforcement For residents of the Norwegian archipelago
findings from the United Nations Intergov-
resources where they belong—on the high of Svalbard, the United States’ recent suc-
ernmental Panel on Climate Change that the
end of the income distribution, where the top cess in clinching a major piece of climate
world must nearly eliminate coal and signifi-
1 percent alone is estimated to not be paying change legislation may feel like too little,
cantly slash the use of oil and natural gas to
$160 billion in owed taxes each year. That’s too late.
have a hope of avoiding catastrophic warm-
Over the past 40 years, as the world’s larg-
important as a matter of revenue-raising, ing.
est historical emitter of greenhouses gases
but it’s also essential as a matter of fairness. At the same time, Hare noted, there is an
Crucially, these resources will support a repeatedly failed to take significant action
ongoing ‘‘rush for gas’’ in Africa and Aus-
much-needed upgrade of technology that is on the climate, the region surrounding
tralia ‘‘that is quite inconsistent with the
decades out-of-date, and an investment in Svalbard has warmed at least four times
Paris agreement,’’ the 2015 accord in which
taxpayer service so that the IRS is finally faster than the global average, according to
nations vowed to progressively lower their
able to communicate with taxpayers in an significant research published Thursday.
emissions to avoid dangerous levels of warm-
efficient, timely manner. I look forward to The study suggests that warming in the
ing. And Russia’s war in Ukraine has
working with you on creating new digital Arctic is happening at a much faster rate
prompted a near-term scramble for fossil
tools to allow taxpayers to get information than many scientists had expected. And
fuels even in relatively climate-conscious
from the IRS instantaneously and on im- while U.S. lawmakers this summer hashed
Europe.
proving taxpayer service, so the agency is out the details of a massive bill to speed
These forces continue to push the world off
well-equipped to answer calls when they their nation’s shift toward cleaner energy—
track from meeting the Paris accord’s most
come in. the culmination of months of deliberations—
ambitious goal: limiting global temperature
This historic investment in our tax system the new findings were just the latest visceral
increases to 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 degrees
will accomplish two critical objectives. It reminder that the planet’s changing climate
Fahrenheit) above preindustrial levels. Be-
will raise substantial revenue to address the isn’t waiting around for human action.
yond that threshold, experts warn, the world
deficit; and it will create a fairer system, Recent studies on subjects including tree
faces a future of chronic food crises, esca-
where those at the top who do not today mortality in North America and evidence of
lating natural disasters and collapsing eco-
comply with their tax obligations find it far weakening ice-shelves in Antarctica, com-
systems.
less easy to do so, and where all taxpayers bined with a stream of extreme weather
Already, with the world have warmed by
receive the service from the IRS that they events that include last month’s European
roughly 1.1 degrees Celsius (2 degrees Fahr-
deserve, and that your dedicated workforce heat wave and torrential floods of late in
enheit), deadly climate impacts are unfold-
is eager to deliver. The importance of the Kentucky and South Korea, are providing
ing. Europe is broiling amid record-setting
work ahead cannot be overstated. steady evidence of global warming’s inten-
heat waves that have scorched crops and
Sincerely, sifying impact on the planet.
sparked wildfires. At least eight people were
JANET L. YELLEN. The Arctic is where some of the shifts are
killed in Seoul as the heaviest rainfall in
most severe.
Mr. MCGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, I urge Svalbard, a cluster of Arctic islands famed
more than 100 years deluged the South Ko-
my colleagues to please stop the rean capital. Droughts have ravaged Mexico
for populations of polar bears, experienced
fearmongering and pandering to the ex- and contributed to a spiraling hunger crisis
its hottest June on record. A record 40 bil-
tremists. in East Africa. In the United States, people
lion tons of ice from the archipelago had
are dying of extreme heat, and in over-
People are listening when people melted into the ocean by the end of July.
whelming Hoods and raging wildfires.
speak on this House floor. We had Melting permafrost and unstable mountain
‘‘This summer is just a horrorscape,’’ said
someone show up at an FBI field office slopes are threatening homes.
Kim Cobb, a climate scientist at Brown Uni-
with a nail gun. Enough of the misin- And that’s just a sampling from a region
versity and the lead author of the IPCC’s
that has warmed at an astounding rate—
formation. most recent report on the science of climate
roughly 3 degrees Celsius (5.4 degrees Fahr-
Mr. Speaker, I yield 30 seconds to the enheit) since 1979.
change. ‘‘And I know it won’t be stopping in
gentleman from Oregon (Mr. BLU- the near term.’’
‘‘It’s a really vulnerable environment in
MENAUER). These disasters underscore what an explod-
the Arctic, and seeing these numbers, it’s
Mr. BLUMENAUER. Mr. Speaker, I ing body of scientific research continues to
worrying,’’ said Antti Lipponen, a scientist
show: that adverse climate change continues
appreciate the opportunity to make with the Finnish Meteorological Institute
to outpace the plodding progress of political
one point. The extent to which this is who contributed to Thursday’s peer-reviewed
action. Even a historic investment such as
a partisan bill is a result of selective study published in Communications Earth &
the Inflation Reduction Act, Cobb said, is
memory and a willful refusal on the Environment.
dwarfed by the scale of the crisis.
The study provides sobering context for
part of my Republican colleagues to this week’s expected passage by the House of
‘‘There needs to be an infinite acceleration
work with us. in frequency of this kind of legislation,’’ she
Representatives of the Inflation Reduction
This legislation is replete with items said. ‘‘I think the planet is sending that mes-
Act. Experts say it is a landmark piece of
that I am proud to have authored with sage pretty loud and clear.’’
legislation that will drive down U.S. emis-
Senator GRASSLEY: The small energy sions of greenhouse gases by incentivizing STARTLING TRENDS IN THE ARCTIC
wind tax credit; 30D in terms of elec- the purchase of electric vehicles and energy- Take the new Arctic study, which shows
tric vehicles; the 179 building tax cred- efficient appliances, and a quickening pace that the amplified warming occurring at the
ctelli on DSK11ZRN23PROD with HOUSE
it. These are historically bipartisan in of renewable-energy installations. Recent es- top of the planet, while long expected, ex-
timates suggest that the bill could lower ceeds what climate models predict by a no-
nature. There was a time when the Re- U.S. greenhouse gas emissions by as much as ticeable margin. ‘‘We suspect that either this
publicans used to work with us on that. a billion tons per year by the end of 2030. is an extremely unlikely event, or the cli-
They have chosen to move in the oppo- But that’s still tiny, compared with the mate models systematically underestimate
site direction, to their shame. more than 2 trillion tons of planet-warming this Arctic amplification,’’ Lipponen said of
We are going to remedy that today. carbon dioxide gas that humanity has emit- the rapid pace of Arctic warming.
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H7574 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE August 12, 2022
The study takes as its starting point the how tree species that dominate North Amer- Mr. MCGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, I don’t
year 1979 because of the availability of sat- ican boreal forests—including firs, spruces see any other speakers on our side, so
ellite data covering the Arctic. It defines the and pines—are experiencing growing stress I yield to the gentleman for his closing,
Arctic as the region above the Arctic Circle, and a decline in the survival of saplings in
and the authors acknowledge that if longer response to rising temperatures and reduced
and I reserve the balance of my time.
periods are considered or if the Arctic is de- rainfall. Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, I yield
fined more broadly, the rate of Arctic warm- The five-year, open-air experiment details myself the balance of my time.
ing can appear somewhat less. how critical trees that have populated the Mr. Speaker, as we close out this de-
The warming is most concentrated to the southern edge of boreal forests—a key eco- bate, once again, I acknowledge that I
east of Svalbard, in the Barents and Kara system for wildlife, timber production and have been aided on the floor during
seas, regions that have also seen some of the for soaking up massive amounts of carbon di- rule debate by the able services of Ra-
fastest loss of Arctic sea ice. This ice has oxide—are suffering profound impacts as the
traditionally reflected a huge amount of the world warms. But the species that are most
chel Huggins, who, unfortunately, is
sun’s heat back into space, keeping the plan- likely to replace them, such as maples, are leaving my office at the end of this
et cool. But as it vanishes from the sea sur- not poised to expand their distribution fast month to join the Foreign Service. Our
face, more sunlight is absorbed by the enough to fully replace the trees that are on loss is the Foreign Service’s gain, but
ocean—and then the warmer sea surface sup- their way toward dying out. she will continue to serve her country
ports even less ice. ‘‘The species that are most abundant there and serve her country well. We are so
It is one of the most well-known climate are much more vulnerable to climate change
‘‘feedbacks’’—a phenomenon through which grateful for her service that she has
than I and other scientists had thought,’’
an effect of warming contributes to further said Peter Reich, a lead author of the study provided in both my office and at the
warmth. Although scientists try to account also published in Nature and a longtime for- Rules Committee.
for this feedback in the models they use to est ecology professor at the University of Now, despite the name, this bill will
predict future climate change, they might be Minnesota. do very little to reduce inflation. Ac-
underestimating it. At the extreme, the new If current trends continue, Reich said, cording to an analysis by the Univer-
study finds some regions between Svalbard swaths of boreal forests ‘‘will be impover-
and the Russian island of Novaya Zemlya
sity of Pennsylvania Wharton School,
ished, and they might even fall apart or col- the bill increases inflation through 2024
that are warming at a rate of over 1.25 de- lapse’’ over the next half-century unless
grees Celsius, or 2.25 degrees Fahrenheit, warming slows. ‘‘The take-home message for while having an overall negligible ef-
every decade, me is that a large part of boreal forests, one fect.
That’s massively disruptive to Arctic life, of the largest carbon sinks in the world, is You would almost need to be an
human and otherwise. probably going to take a pretty good hit in atomic physicist to be able to measure
But interconnections among the ice, at- the next 40, 50 years, even in a best-case sce- on a molecular level how much this is
mosphere, land and ocean mean that no part nario,’’ he said.
of the planet will be unaffected. As extreme going to reduce inflation, but it is
That’s disturbing news, because Earth
temperatures bake the carbon-rich perma- going to increase Federal spending. We
needs to gain forests, not lose them, as peo-
frost of northern landscapes, the thawing ple try to employ every trick in the book to know already the increase in Federal
earth releases carbon dioxide gas. get carbon that is in the atmosphere back spending is what lit the fire of inflation
Even as people begin to cut their emis- into plants, soils, rocks and even under- in the first place.
sions, nature’s emissions have just begun. ground storage caverns. This is a bad bill. Reject the previous
A SUDDEN COLLAPSE Reich sees his most recent findings in a question so we can take up Mr. SMITH’s
There’s also concerning news from the broader context: While the climate-focused amendment. Reject the underlying bill.
other pole. legislation expected to pass in Congress this Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance
NASA scientists, led by Chad Greene, have week is a positive, the impacts of climate
derived a technique allowing them to study change will continue to accelerate, and they
of my time.
the enormous, sometimes country-size plat- will require more far-reaching action. Mr. MCGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, I yield
forms of ice, called ice shelves, that encircle Reich called the Inflation Reduction Act a myself the balance of my time.
Antarctica. These are Earth’s main defenses ‘‘good first step’’ but added that ‘‘even in the The decision before us is simple. I
against massive sea level rise, acting as a most optimistic scenario, there’s going to be don’t know what my friends across the
bracing mechanism that holds back Antarc- a lot of pain and suffering.’’ aisle find so off-putting about making
tica’s inland ice. ‘‘It’s going to take an economic toll on
historic investments in healthcare,
But the shelves are sustaining severe dam- poor and rich alike in the future,’’ he said.
age. Several, like Larsen A and B, have col- ‘‘We shouldn’t pat ourselves on the back and cutting costs at pharmacy counters,
lapsed entirely. Thwaites Glacier, Antarc- say, ‘Mission accomplished.’ ’’ combating climate change, slashing en-
tica’s most worrying and perhaps most vul- Mr. MCGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, I yield ergy prices, and reducing the Federal
nerable spot, has lost about 2 trillion tons of 1 minute to the distinguished gen- deficit. Maybe they are just angry that
ice from its ice shelf, which has dramatically we want to lower costs for the Amer-
retracted inland, new research found. The tleman from Texas (Mr. CASTRO).
Mr. CASTRO of Texas. Mr. Speaker, ican people by making the wealthy pay
overall area lost from Antarctic ice shelves
there are a lot of great things in this their fair share. Or maybe it is because
since 1997—about 14,000 square miles—is a
little bit larger than Maryland and rep- legislation. I want to focus on one they know that this bill will put their
resents about 2 percent of the total ice shelf thing that is important for San Anto- Big Pharma and Big Oil buddies on no-
area. nio. tice.
As a reminder of these ice shelves’ vulner- In 2019, my county, Bexar County, Do you know what? I am proud of
ability, the Conger Ice Shelf in East Antarc- had the second-highest death toll from what we are finally doing here. I am
tica—traditionally thought to be the coldest proud that we are finally allowing drug
and most stable part of the ice sheet—sud- diabetes. My grandmother died from
diabetes. My mom is diabetic. I remem- prices to be negotiated to lower those
denly collapsed this year.
Conger was not very large for an Antarctic ber going with my grandmother, and costs. I am proud that we are extending
shelf—merely the size of a large city. But its she would inject insulin into herself. the biggest expansion in healthcare
unexpected collapse—which appears to have Sometimes she had trouble paying for coverage in a decade. I am proud that
been triggered by a sudden period of unusual it and spent days, sometimes several we are reducing future energy costs for
warmth—should prompt alarm, scientist say. thousands of families. I am proud that
‘‘It means that Antarctica’s ice shelves are days, at the hospital.
vulnerable, and they can still surprise us,’’ There are so many people—senior we are making the biggest investment
NASA’s Greene, who works at the agency’s citizens—in this country who will ben- to combat climate change ever.
Jet Propulsion Laboratory, said of the event. efit from the fact that we are capping Today, we are putting people over
Greene’s study, which appeared in Nature insulin costs at $35 a month and pre- politics. People over politics, that is
this week, was co-written with colleagues scription drug costs, humble, hard- what Democrats are about. Today, we
from NASA and the University of Tasmania. working people who don’t ask a lot are delivering.
‘‘Conger counters a common expectation I know it took a while to get us to
that ice shelf collapse should only occur
from us or their government but will
benefit incredibly from this legislation. this point. It is a testament to the
after a long period of thinning and weak-
ctelli on DSK11ZRN23PROD with HOUSE
ening,’’ he continued. ‘‘Conger tells us that I say thank you to everybody who President and the Vice President. It is
ice shelves can collapse without any warning supported it and who is getting it a testament to the Speaker of the
signs whatsoever.’’ across the finish line. It is going to be House and to the Democrats on both
IMPERILED NORTHERN FORESTS great for the country. sides of the Capitol that we are finally
In another sign of the swiftly shifting cli- Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, I re- pushing this across the finish line. It is
mate, new research this week also details serve the balance of my time. a testament to the climate activists,
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August 12, 2022 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H7575
especially the young people who have SEC. 5. Clause 1(c) of rule XIX shall not Takano Trahan Waters
apply to the consideration of H.R. 5376. Thompson (CA) Trone Watson Coleman
been fighting for action. It is a testa- Thompson (MS) Underwood Welch
ment to the senior activists, groups Mr. MCGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, I yield Titus Vargas Wexton
like AARP, that have been fighting back the balance of my time, and I Tlaib Veasey Wild
tirelessly to get prescription drug costs move the previous question on the res- Tonko Velázquez Williams (GA)
Torres (CA) Wasserman Wilson (FL)
down lower so seniors don’t have to olution. Torres (NY) Schultz Yarmuth
choose between their prescription The SPEAKER pro tempore. The
question is on ordering the previous NAYS—208
drugs and paying their rent or their
utility bills. question. Aderholt Garbarino Meuser
Allen Garcia (CA) Miller (IL)
We have done it. We have moved the The question was taken; and the Amodei Gibbs Miller (WV)
ball. Speaker pro tempore announced that Armstrong Gimenez Miller-Meeks
Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my col- the ayes appeared to have it. Arrington Gohmert Moolenaar
leagues to seize this opportunity before Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, on that Babin Gonzales, Tony Mooney
Bacon Gonzalez (OH) Moore (AL)
us. Vote for this rule and the under- I demand the yeas and nays. Baird Good (VA) Moore (UT)
lying legislation so that the American The yeas and nays were ordered. Balderson Gooden (TX) Mullin
people can truly have a fair shot in the The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- Banks Gosar Murphy (NC)
Barr Granger Nehls
21st century. ant to clause 9 of rule XX, the Chair Bentz Graves (LA) Newhouse
Mr. Speaker, I urge a ‘‘yes’’ vote on will reduce to 5 minutes the minimum Bergman Graves (MO) Norman
the rule and the previous question. time for any electronic vote on the Bice (OK) Green (TN) Obernolte
The material previously referred to question of adoption of the resolution. Biggs Greene (GA) Owens
by Mr. BURGESS is as follows: Bilirakis Griffith Palazzo
The vote was taken by electronic de- Bishop (NC) Grothman Palmer
AMENDMENT TO HOUSE RESOLUTION 1316 vice, and there were—yeas 219, nays Boebert Guest Perry
Strike all after the resolving clause 208, not voting 3, as follows: Bost Guthrie Pfluger
and insert the following: Brady Harris Posey
[Roll No. 418] Brooks Harshbarger
That immediately upon adoption of this Reschenthaler
YEAS—219 Buchanan Hartzler Rice (SC)
resolution the Speaker shall, pursuant to Buck Hern
Adams Espaillat McEachin Rodgers (WA)
clause 2(b) of rule XVIII, declare the House Bucshon Herrell Rogers (AL)
Aguilar Evans McGovern
resolved into the Committee of the Whole Budd Herrera Beutler Rogers (KY)
Allred Fletcher McNerney
House on the state of the Union for consider- Burchett Hice (GA) Rose
Auchincloss Foster Meeks
ation of the Senate amendment to the bill Burgess Higgins (LA) Rosendale
Axne Frankel, Lois Meng Calvert Hill
{H.R. 5376) to provide for reconciliation pur- Barragán Gallego Mfume Rouzer
Cammack Hinson
suant to title II of S. Con. Res. 14. The first Bass Garamendi Moore (WI) Roy
Carey Hollingsworth
reading of the Senate amendment shall be Beatty Garcı́a (IL) Morelle Rutherford
Carl Hudson
Bera Garcia (TX) Moulton Salazar
dispensed with. All points of order against Carter (GA) Huizenga
Beyer Golden Mrvan Scalise
consideration of the Senate amendment are Carter (TX) Issa
Schweikert
Bishop (GA) Gomez Murphy (FL)
waived. General debate shall be confined to Cawthorn Jackson
Blumenauer Gonzalez, Nadler Scott, Austin
the Senate amendment and shall not exceed Chabot Jacobs (NY)
Blunt Rochester Vicente Napolitano Sessions
Cheney Johnson (LA)
three hours equally divided among and con- Bonamici Gottheimer Neal Simpson
Cline Johnson (OH)
trolled by the respective chairs and ranking Bourdeaux Green, Al (TX) Neguse Cloud Johnson (SD)
Smith (MO)
minority members of the Committees on the Bowman Grijalva Newman Smith (NE)
Clyde Jordan
Budget, Energy and Commerce, and Ways Boyle, Brendan Harder (CA) Norcross Smith (NJ)
Cole Joyce (OH)
F. Hayes O’Halleran Smucker
and Means, or their respective designees. Comer Joyce (PA)
Brown (MD) Higgins (NY) Ocasio-Cortez Spartz
After general debate the Senate amendment Conway Katko
Brown (OH) Himes Omar Stauber
shall be considered for amendment under the Crawford Keller
Brownley Horsford Pallone Steel
Crenshaw Kelly (MS)
five-minute rule. No amendment to the Sen- Bush Houlahan Panetta Stefanik
Curtis Kelly (PA)
ate amendment shall be in order except the Bustos Hoyer Pappas Davidson Kim (CA) Steil
amendment specified in section 4 of this res- Butterfield Huffman Pascrell Steube
Davis, Rodney Kustoff
olution. That amendment may be offered Carbajal Jackson Lee Payne Stewart
DesJarlais LaHood
Cárdenas Jacobs (CA) Perlmutter Taylor
only by Representative Smith of Nebraska or Diaz-Balart LaMalfa
Carson Jayapal Peters Tenney
his designee, shall be considered as read, Donalds Lamborn
Carter (LA) Jeffries Phillips Thompson (PA)
shall be debatable for 10 minutes equally di- Duncan Latta
Cartwright Johnson (GA) Pingree Tiffany
Dunn LaTurner
vided and controlled by the proponent and an Case Johnson (TX) Pocan Timmons
Ellzey Lesko
opponent, shall not be subject to amend- Casten Jones Porter Emmer Letlow Turner
ment, and shall not be subject to a demand Castor (FL) Kahele Pressley Upton
Estes Long
for division of the question. All points of Castro (TX) Kaptur Price (NC) Valadao
Fallon Loudermilk
Cherfilus- Keating Quigley Van Drew
order against that amendment are waived. Feenstra Lucas
McCormick Kelly (IL) Raskin Van Duyne
SEC. 2. Upon disposition of the proposed Chu Khanna Rice (NY)
Ferguson Luetkemeyer
House amendment made in order in the first Finstad Mace Wagner
Cicilline Kildee Ross Walberg
section of this resolution, the Committee of Fischbach Malliotakis
Clark (MA) Kilmer Roybal-Allard Waltz
Fitzgerald Mann
the Whole shall rise and report the Senate Clarke (NY) Kim (NJ) Ruiz Fitzpatrick Massie Weber (TX)
amendment to the House with such amend- Cleaver Kind Ruppersberger Fleischmann Mast Webster (FL)
ment as may have been adopted. Clyburn Kirkpatrick Rush Wenstrup
Flood McCarthy
SEC. 3. (a) If the Committee of the Whole Cohen Krishnamoorthi Ryan Westerman
Flores McCaul
reports the Senate amendment back to the Connolly Kuster Sánchez Williams (TX)
Foxx McClain
Cooper Lamb Sarbanes Wilson (SC)
House with an amendment, the pending ques- Franklin, C. McClintock
Correa Langevin Scanlon Wittman
tion shall be a motion that the House concur Scott McHenry
Costa Larsen (WA) Schakowsky Womack
in the Senate amendment with such amend- Fulcher McKinley
Courtney Larson (CT) Schiff Gaetz Meijer Zeldin
ment. The previous question shall be consid- Craig Lawrence Schneider
ered as ordered on the motion to its adoption Crist Lawson (FL) Schrader NOT VOTING—3
without intervening motion. Crow Lee (CA) Schrier
Gallagher Kinzinger Pence
(b) If the Committee of the Whole reports Cuellar Lee (NV) Scott (VA)
Davids (KS) Leger Fernandez Scott, David
the Senate amendment back to the House
Davis, Danny K. Levin (CA) Sewell
b 1121
without amendment or the question of adop- Dean Levin (MI) Sherman
tion referred to in subsection (a) fails, the Mr. GAETZ changed his vote from
DeFazio Lieu Sherrill
pending question shall be a motion that the DeGette Lofgren Sires
‘‘yea’’ to ‘‘nay.’’
House concur in the Senate amendment. The DeLauro Lowenthal Slotkin So the previous question was ordered.
previous question shall be considered as or- DelBene Luria Smith (WA) The result of the vote was announced
dered on the motion to its adoption without Demings Lynch Soto as above recorded.
ctelli on DSK11ZRN23PROD with HOUSE
DeSaulnier Malinowski Spanberger
intervening motion. MEMBERS RECORDED PURSUANT TO HOUSE
Deutch Maloney, Speier
SEC. 4. The amendment referred to in the
Dingell Carolyn B. Stansbury RESOLUTION 8, 117TH CONGRESS
first section of this resolution is as follows: Doggett Maloney, Sean Stanton
In section 10301(1)(A) of the Senate amend- Amodei (Keller) Barr (Guthrie) Bentz
Doyle, Michael Manning Stevens Axne (Wexton) Barragán (Blunt (Fitzgerald)
ment, strike clauses (ii) and (iii). F. Matsui Strickland Bacon (Stauber) Rochester) Bera (Beyer)
In section 10301 of the Senate amendment, Escobar McBath Suozzi Baird (Mooney) Bass (Kuster) Bonamici (Beyer)
strike paragraphs (2), (3), (4), and (5). Eshoo McCollum Swalwell
VerDate Sep 11 2014 13:33 Aug 13, 2022 Jkt 029060 PO 00000 Frm 00017 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K12AU7.021 H12AUPT1
H7576 CORRECTION CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE August 12, 2022
Bost (Miller- Hartzler Ocasio-Cortez REMEMBERING THE LIVES OF THE the vote on adoption of the resolution
Meeks) (Tenney) (Bowman)
Brownley Herrell (Norman) Omar (Bowman)
HONORABLE JACKIE WALORSKI, (H. Res. 1316) providing for consider-
(Kuster) Herrera Beutler Owens (Donalds) EMMA THOMSON, AND ZACHERY ation of the Senate amendment to the
Buchanan (Stewart) Palazzo POTTS bill (H.R. 5376) to provide for reconcili-
(Franklin, C. Huffman (Beyer) (Fleischmann)
(Mr. CARSON asked and was given ation pursuant to title II of S. Con.
Scott) Jackson Panetta (Correa)
Bucshon (Banks) (Burgess) Payne (Pallone) permission to address the House for 1 Res. 14, on which the yeas and nays
Budd (Donalds) Jacobs (NY) Phillips (Pappas) minute.) were ordered.
Bush (Bowman) (Fleischmann) Pingree (Kuster) Mr. CARSON. Madam Speaker, I rise
Calvert Johnson (GA) Porter (Wexton) as the dean of the Indiana delegation, The Clerk read the title of the resolu-
(Valadao) (Pallone) Pressley and I am joined by my fellow Hoosiers, tion.
Cárdenas Johnson (SD) (Bowman)
(Correa) (Reschenthaler) Price (NC)
to recognize our fallen colleague, Jack- The SPEAKER. The question is on
Carter (TX) Johnson (TX) (Butterfield) ie Walorski, here on the floor. We also the resolution.
(Weber (TX)) (Jeffries) Rice (SC) recognize her two staffers, Emma
Cawthorn Joyce (PA) (Gonzalez Thomson and Zachery Potts, who This is a 5-minute vote.
(Boebert) (Keller) (OH)) passed away with her while serving the The vote was taken by electronic de-
Cherfilus- Kahele (Correa) Rodgers (WA)
constituents of the Second Congres- vice, and there were—yeas 219, nays
McCormick Keating (Pappas) (Bilirakis)
(Takano) Kelly (IL) (Blunt Rogers (KY) sional District. 208, not voting 3, as follows:
Cicilline (Foster) Rochester) (Reschenthaler) Hoosiers mourn the loss of a leader
Cohen (Beyer) Khanna (Pappas) Roybal-Allard known for her kindness, dedicated pub- [Roll No. 419]
Comer (Guthrie) Kilmer (Correa) lic service, and strong work ethic. We YEAS—219
Connolly (Beyer) (Strickland) Rush (Blunt all stand together to celebrate the gen-
Cooper (Blunt Kim (CA) Rochester) Adams Frankel, Lois Moulton
Rochester) (Miller-Meeks) Sánchez
erous spirits of Jackie, Emma, and Aguilar Gallego Mrvan
Crist Kirkpatrick (Perlmutter) Zach, and their lives of public service. Allred Garamendi Murphy (FL)
(Wasserman (Pallone) Sarbanes We also lift up their families as they Auchincloss Garcı́a (IL) Nadler
Schultz) Krishnamoorthi (Ruppersberger) deal with this tragic loss. Axne Garcia (TX) Napolitano
Curtis (Stewart) (Neguse) Schakowsky Madam Speaker, I yield to my col- Barragán Golden Neal
DeFazio LaHood (Bowman) Bass Gomez Neguse
league from Indiana (Mr. BANKS). Gonzalez, Newman
(Pallone) (Reschenthaler) Sherman (Beyer) Beatty
Mr. BANKS. Madam Speaker, yester- Bera Vicente Norcross
DeGette LaMalfa Sires (Pallone)
(Perlmutter) (Fleischmann) Smith (NJ)
day, many of us celebrated the life of Beyer Gottheimer O’Halleran
DeLauro Lamborn (Kelly (PA)) Jackie Walorski at the funeral in her Bishop (GA) Green, Al (TX) Ocasio-Cortez
(Courtney) (Fleischmann) Smith (WA) district. Today, we honor her life on Blumenauer Grijalva Omar
Blunt Rochester Harder (CA) Pallone
DeSaulnier Langevin (Courtney) the floor of the House of Representa-
(Perlmutter) (Lynch) Steel (Miller- Bonamici Hayes Panetta
tives, where she served for nearly a Bourdeaux Higgins (NY) Pappas
DesJarlais Lawrence Meeks)
(Fleischmann) (Stevens) Steube
decade. Bowman Himes Pascrell
Deutch (Rice Lawson (FL) (Franklin, C. Jackie was a giant in Indiana poli- Boyle, Brendan Horsford Payne
(NY)) (Soto) Scott) tics, and she had a giant impact here in F. Houlahan Perlmutter
Diaz-Balart Leger Fernandez Suozzi this institution, as well. Her lifetime of Brown (MD) Hoyer Peters
(Salazar) (Correa) (Perlmutter) Brown (OH) Huffman Phillips
public service will be long-remembered, Brownley Jackson Lee Pingree
Doggett Lesko Swalwell from her time on the mission field in
(Takano) (Fleischmann) (Stevens) Bush Jacobs (CA) Pocan
Doyle, Michael Letlow (Tenney) Taylor (Burgess)
Romania, to her time at the Indiana Bustos Jayapal Porter
Statehouse, to the time that she spent Butterfield Jeffries Pressley
F. (Bowman) Levin (MI) Thompson (CA)
serving our Nation here with all of us. Carbajal Johnson (GA) Price (NC)
Dunn (Cammack) (Correa) (Eshoo)
Cárdenas Johnson (TX) Quigley
Escobar (Garcia Lieu (Takano) Thompson (PA) She embodied public service and put- Carson Jones Raskin
(TX)) Lucas (Bice (Keller) ting others before herself. Her legacy, Carter (LA) Kahele Rice (NY)
Fallon (OK)) Timmons
fighting for the unborn, for our vet- Cartwright Kaptur Ross
(Gohmert) Luetkemeyer (Donalds)
Flores (Pfluger) (Meuser) Titus (Pallone) erans, and for the poor and disabled, is Case Keating Roybal-Allard
a legacy that we will honor here for a Casten Kelly (IL) Ruiz
Frankel, Lois Manning Tlaib (Dingell)
Castor (FL) Khanna Ruppersberger
(Kuster) (Wexton) Tonko (Pallone) long time to come. Castro (TX) Kildee Rush
Garbarino Matsui (Eshoo) Torres (NY) We also honor the lives of Zachery Cherfilus- Kilmer Ryan
(Fleischmann) McBath (Blunt (Strickland) Potts and Emma Thomson, two staffers McCormick Kim (NJ) Sánchez
Gibbs Rochester) Trahan (Lynch)
(Balderson) McEachin Trone (Beyer)
who should remind all of us of the sac- Chu Kind Sarbanes
rifices that our staffs make to serve Cicilline Kirkpatrick Scanlon
Gomez (Correa) (Beyer) Van Drew Clark (MA) Krishnamoorthi Schakowsky
Gonzales, Tony McHenry (Tenney) each of us in our important roles. Clarke (NY) Kuster Schiff
(Gimenez) (Cammack) Van Duyne I also want to say to the family of Cleaver Lamb Schneider
Gosar McNerney (Babin) Edith Schmucker, who was involved in Clyburn Langevin Schrader
(Reschenthaler) (Correa) Vargas (Takano) this tragedy as well, that we honor her Cohen Larsen (WA) Schrier
Gottheimer Meng (Kuster) Wagner (Guthrie) Connolly Larson (CT) Scott (VA)
(Neguse) Miller (WV) Walberg
life, the life of your loved ones, as well.
Tragedies like this one remind us of Cooper Lawrence Scott, David
Granger (Weber (Mooney) (Bergman) Correa Lawson (FL) Sewell
(TX)) Moore (UT) Watson Coleman how fleeting and fragile our lives really Costa Lee (CA) Sherman
Graves (MO) (Stewart) (Bowman) are. But Jackie’s life reminds us that Courtney Lee (NV) Sherrill
(Guthrie) Moore (WI) Welch (Pallone) we should live it to the fullest, just as Craig Leger Fernandez Sires
Green (TN) (Beyer) Wenstrup
she did, and that is how we can honor Crist Levin (CA) Slotkin
(Fleischmann) Moulton (Correa) (Guthrie) Crow Levin (MI) Smith (WA)
Guest Napolitano Wilson (FL) her best.
Cuellar Lieu Soto
(Fleischmann) (Correa) (Soto) f Davids (KS) Lofgren Spanberger
Harder (CA) Nehls Wilson (SC) Davis, Danny K. Lowenthal Speier
(Beyer) (Reschenthaler) (Duncan) ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE SPEAKER
Dean Luria Stansbury
The SPEAKER. The Chair asks all DeFazio Lynch Stanton
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Members present in the Chamber, as DeGette Malinowski Stevens
question is on the resolution. well as Members and staff throughout DeLauro Maloney, Strickland
DelBene Carolyn B. Suozzi
The question was taken; and the the Capitol, to please rise for a mo- Demings Maloney, Sean Swalwell
sradovich on DSKJLST7X2PROD with CONG-REC-ONLINE
Speaker pro tempore announced that ment of silence in remembrance of the DeSaulnier Manning Takano
the ayes appeared to have it. late Honorable Jackie Walorski of Indi- Deutch Matsui Thompson (CA)
ana, along with her staff members, Dingell McBath Thompson (MS)
Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, on that Zachery Potts and Emma Thomson. Doggett McCollum Titus
Doyle, Michael McEachin Tlaib
I demand the yeas and nays. f F. McGovern Tonko
The yeas and nays were ordered. PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION
Escobar McNerney Torres (CA)
Eshoo Meeks Torres (NY)
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- OF SENATE AMENDMENT TO H.R. Espaillat Meng Trahan
ant to clause 8 of rule XX, further pro- 5376, BUILD BACK BETTER ACT Evans Mfume Trone
Fletcher Moore (WI) Underwood
ceedings on this question will be post- The SPEAKER. Pursuant to clause 8 Foster Morelle Vargas
poned. of rule XX, the unfinished business is
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