my grave. if this deafness were thousand, he -- if those documents were classified, either he had a right to have those or he did not. in any event, the situation should be resolved immediately so that the american people will know what the bottom line is. host: you get the last word on this program. thanks for all your calls and comments this morning. washington journal back tomorrow morning at 7:00 eastern. next, live to the house floor from the u.s. capitol. that is next here on c-span. the speaker pro tempore: the house will be in order. the chair lays before the house a communication from the speaker. the clerk: the speaker's room, washington, d.c., june 13, 2023.

i hereby appoint the honorable aaron how muchen to act as speaker pro tempore on this day. signed, kevin mccarthy, speaker of the house of representatives. the speaker pro chair will now recognize members from lists submitted by the majority and minority leaders for morning hour debate. between parties and each member other than the majority and minority leaders and minority whip limited to five minutes. but in no event shall debate continue beyond 11:50 a.m. the chair recognizes the gentleman from rhode island, mr. magaziner, for five minutes. mr. magaziner: thank you, madam speaker. i rise today to celebrate the 300th anniversary of the town of

south kingstown, rhode island, home to some of our state's iconic, historic, economic, and cultural treasures. formally established in 1723, south kingstown's origins can be traced back to the purchase of 1658 when the founder of our state, roger williams, signed a document establishing the settlement of kingston village which became one of the five original state capitals of rhode island. the villages of piecedale and waiksdale became economic engines, well into the 20th century. some of these mills stand today. including the oldest manufacturing business in rhode island dating back to 1696. it is also home to the university of rhode island, founded in 1892. our state's flagship public land

grant university that today is leading research and innovation in the blue economy with disciplines ranging from engineering to oceanography, entrepreneurship, health care, and so much more. the town has grown and evolved but has never lost its rural character, beautiful seaescapes and hardworking roots. whether it was the farmers who tilled the land, the millworkers who built the middle class, or the university researchers on the cutting edge of innovation, everyone in south kingstown, from wakefield piecedale has contributed to the town's success in one way or another. the people of south kingstown built a strong and vibrant community over the past 300 years and may it continue to thrive for generations to come. i yield back the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the chair recognizes the gentleman from louisiana, mr. johnson, for five minutes.

mr. johnson: thank you, madam chair. this week congress is going to take up one of the most consequential pieces of legislation that this body has considered in years. despite the lack of fanfare from the media, the reins act is an important piece of legislation and has the potential to overhaul the federal bureaucracy, overhaul what many of us and many of my constituents back home in louisiana refer to as part of the deep state. and it also has the potential to restore congress' constitutional role as the chief rulemaking body in america. but to understand the necessity of this bill, it's important that we take a step back just for a moment and examine how congress has ceded our lawmaking authority to nameless, faceless bureaucrats that aren't accountable to anyone. not to voters and really largely not to even those of us in congress. article 1, section 1 of the constitution itself declares that all legislative powers

herein granted shall be vested in a congress of the united states. all. all legislative powers. the founders intended that gove governments derive their powers from the consent of the governed, of course. a radical idea that suggests that laws are unjust unless they come from the people and the way that's done in our system, in our unmatched constitutional republic is that it comes from the people through their duly elected representatives in congress. this idea, of course, is espoused originally by principles articulated by the nation's birth certificate, the declaration of independence. the founders, having signaled their intent to breakthrough from the world's powerful nature were fearful. they were fearful by the undo power and influence of an absolute monarch but, of course, tyranny in any of its forms is an evil. so they created this system. this system that we have. separation of powers. checks and balances. one that provides elected representatives with the

authority to make the laws and executive to implement them and a judiciary to calls the balls and strikes over disputes over that. however, through the decades of congress disinterest and lawmaking and an ever-growing federal bureaucracy, the executive branch has usurped congress' role as the rulemaking authority in america. it's important to note that this development has been somewhat of a slow creep and it's not a sinister plan to up-end congress' authority. you can blame mostly the congress itself for this having happened because, see, here's what has occurred. for decades, for decades congress has really willfully delicated its -- delegated its authority through passage of a patchwork of spending now and the vote now read later mindset and also evades some of the responsibility from some of the representatives here because they don't have to take tough votes. you can just make bureaucrats do it it's easier. but think of the results of

this. just consider this. here's one stat. in 2021 alone, congress passed 120 bills. in that same year by comparison. federal agencies enacted 3,257 rules. that is 23 times the number of laws actually duly passed by the congress. unfortunately, these rules often serve the interest of liberal and progressive causes. that's the effect of it. they cater to the desires of environmental groups and unions and lgbtq activists and those who want to abolish the second amendment. we have example after example. progressives have realized that they have ushered in an agenda outside of our electoral framework and their ideas are popular at the ballot box so they entrust federal agencies to do all that bidding behind closed doors. it is not american. and frarngly, my concerns with the growth of the administrative state are viewpoint neutral.

i don't somehow quietly hope for a similarly sized federal government that serves conservative political interests. no. we are intellectually consistent in this. reining in the administrative state is not about retribution. it's about restoration of our founding principles, things that made our nation great in the first place and that's why passing the reins act is the first step in achieving these critical goals. it would prevent excessive overreach by the executive branch in the federal rulemaking process. what it means is every new major rule proposed by federal agencies would be subject to congressional scrutiny before going into effect. we define major rule as any regulation with an annual effect on the economy of over $100 million. any major increase in cost or prices for consumers or any significant adverse impact on competition, employment, investment, or productivity of u.s.-based enterprises. so by quick way of example. if congress would have passed this bill in the last session,

president biden's student bailout, the mandated climate risk disclosures would have been subject by an up or down vote by the people's duly elected representatives in this body. he finalized 69 regulations that carried over $100 million price tag or significantly impacted the economy. those regulations add up to more than $200 billion, billion with a b, in regulate regulatory -- regulatory costs and congress was not consulted to approve one dime of it. the reins act will restore accountability and reducing government overreach. and i am really grateful that house republicans have prioritized this bill this week. we will pass it off of this floor. we will send it to the senate and hopefully we can rein in the bloated government that is controlling all of our lives. madam speaker, with that i yield back. the speaker pro tempore: the chair recognizes the gentlewoman from michigan, ms. tlaib, for

five minutes. ms. tlaib: for far too long, for-profit charter schools have operated without accountability. without the necessary oversight for charter schools, our children will continue to suffer while taxpayers bank roll charter school fraud, waste, and abuse. i know our children deserve better and this is why this week i'm introducing the chaoat act. i'm doing this with representative bowman and wilson to help strengthen our country's public education system so charter school will have -- charter schools are publicly funded, madam speaker. b are managed by private organizations. this bill will require these organizations to disclose financial disclosures to the department of education in order to get funds.

michigan's experiment with charters has led to a system of poor-run schools, for-profit companies failing thousands of our children. the coat act will increase accountability to ensure charter schools provide necessary information to local, state, federal agencies to detect and prevent fraud and abuse. mr. speaker, i don't know what our education level, marital status or credit scores have to do with how much your auto insurance rate should be. the prohibit auto insurance discrimination act that i introduced with congresswoman watson coleman who's led this effort as well as congressman takano, it would end insurance discrimination. it would prohibit them from using our education levels, credit scores, previous insurer information, zip code, census tracks, or homeownership status in insurance rating or underwriting decisions.

auto insurance discrimination continues to keep our residents in the cycle of poverty, mr. speaker. your education level and zip code doesn't determine whether or not you're a good driver. neither does your credit score. yet, our neighbors, especially in detroit, regularly face higher insurance rates than other folks. someone with a perfect driving record, no tickets, crashes, or claims who has poor credit can pay hundreds of thousands of dollars more for auto insurance. sometimes twice as much. i read somewhere that somebody with a d.u.i., drinking under the influence with a higher credit score was paying three times less than someone with a lower credit score but no d.u.i. violation. we must stop the predatory discrimination practices by auto insurance companies. this is why i urge my colleagues to support the paid act, to help level the playing field and eliminate factors, proxies to discriminate that contribute to our growing inequality.

mr. speaker, during pride month i want to honor our trailblazer in our community, mother ruth ellis. a former detroit resident who was the oldest surviving open lesbian and lgbtq+ rights activist. she was born in 1899, living until the age of 101. she came out as a lesbian around 1915. she took in unhoused lgbtq+ youth and her home became known as a refuge for lgbtq+ young people. we now lovingly call it the ruth ellis center. not only did she give shelter to our young people but provided books, food, even assistance to college education. today, around 40% of unhoused youth are lgbtq+. my team and i were proud to secure $1 million in federal funding for the ruth ellis center in our community to honor mother ruth ellis and her living lifesaving work. it provides identity affirming housing for those in need,

especially our lgbtq+ young people. this month, as we honor pride month, we recognize and honor the legacy of ruth ellis and the incredible advocacy of the ruth ellis center and their team. with that, mr. speaker, i yield. the speaker pro tempore: the gentlelady yields back. the chair recognizes the gentlewoman from indiana for five minutes. mrs. houchin: mr. chairman, i ask unanimous consent to revise and extend my remarks. the speaker pro tempore: without objection. mrs. houchin: ice cream has been a staple in seymour, indiana, for five decades. they opened in the 1940's. serving up sweet treats and their chocolate malt ice cream, this family old brick store on second street has employed hundreds of hoosiers with the majority being young adults in high school or college. as we celebrate their 75th season, i am bringing well-deserved appreciation all the way from the house floor. thank you for not only your

delicious ice cream but your commitment to the community and summertime tradition for generations of families in seymour. we're proud to have so many special small businesses in southern indiana, and covener's corner is an exceptional example. thank you, mr. speaker. i yield back. the speaker pro tempore: the gentlelady yields back. the chair recognizes the gentleman from south carolina, mr. clyburn, for five minutes. mr. clyburn: thank you very much, mr. speaker. i rise today to announce that i just filed a discharge petition on the resolution providing for the consideration of h.r. 2403, the enhanced background checks act of 2023. . saturday, june 17, will mark eight years since the massacre at one of the country's most historic churches, emanuel

a.m.e. church in charleston, south carolina. that racially motivated attack took nine pa risch -- parishioners' lives and injured three others. as they participated in a bible study. it also expose add loophole in our firearm background check system known as the charleston loophole. that allows individuals to purchase firearms prior to an approval of their background check. technically that very loophole enabled the gunman, who i might add was not eligible, to purchase a firearm. to acquire a firearm and commit that horrendous act. it mandates criminal background

checks for all gun sales and licensed firearm dealers through the national instant criminal background check system, nics, and the most checks proceed within minutes. and 97% are completed within three business days. if ncics has -- nics has not completed the bag ground check in three days regardless of the reason, the dealer can proceed with the firearm sale. in charleston just because the gunman's background check had not been completed within three days, the shop had already sold the gun before he was deemed to be ineligible. every year thousands of weapons are purchased through this loophole that otherwise should be prohibited through criminal

regards or -- records, more than 5,200 in 2021 alone. though this problem was discovered too late for the 12 victims at the emanuel a.m.e. church, we must narrow this loophole to prevent future tragedies. since 2015 i have introduced the enhanced background checks act and it passed the house in the 116th and 117th congresses. this bill provides the f.b.i. with crucial additional time to complete a background check on a potential firearm purchaser before a licensed dealer can transfer a gun. if a background check has not been completed after 10 business

days, a purchaser may request an expedited review by the f.b.i. this request for an expedited review will trigger a more intensive f.b.i. investigation designed to resolve the case within an additional 10 bus business-day period. if the additional 10 business days elapse without a response from the nics system, only then may the dealer sell or transfer the gun to the purchaser. transactions for prospective purchases who do not request a expedited review cannot proceed until a background check is resolved. i would hope the house republican leadership would recognize the harm caused by the

charleston loophole and would bring this bill to the floor for a vote. this discharge petition would make that happen even if they remain unwilling. the strong support in the democratic caucus we just need a handful of republican colleagues willing to put partisanship aside and do the right thing for the american people. i would especially ask that they reflect upon denying parishioners who lost their lives at emanuel a.m.e. church eight years ago. i hope they will conclude that to prevent lives from being needlessly lost in the future, there must -- we must ensure that the enhanced background check act of 2023 be enacted into law to finally close the

charleston loophole. that starts with signing this discharge petition. now, madam speaker, i wish to close my comments. i indicated that on saturday while i'll be causing in the morning to say a prayer for the families of these nine souls, i will go to bethel a.m.e. church in columbia to celebrate the home going of miss elise martin who, when she lived in charleston and came into my life, often worshiped at emanuel a.m.e. church. fortunately the good lord allowed her to live for 108 years. pastor emanuel lost his life. thank you very much. i yield back. the speaker pro tempore: the chair recognizes the gentleman

from south carolina, mr. norman, for five minutes. mr. norman: thank you, madam speaker. i rise today to honor the life and the dedicated service of joseph costner who entered eternal rest on march 26, 2023. throughout the duration of his life, he unfailingly answered the call to serve his country and his community. he was raised in long dale, north carolina, and joined the army at the age of 18 where he dedicated the remind mainder of his life -- remainder of his life for fighting for the country he loved proudly and profoundly. first serving in the war, he later completed two tours in vietnam where his unwavering courage resulted in numerous medals of honor, including the presidential unit citation and the bronze star. eventually retired after 26 years with the rank of chief warrant officer, specializing in army intelligence. following his retirement from the army, he continued to serve

his country for the next 17 years with the defense investigative service where he rose to regional director in roanoke, virginia. his dedication to serving his country his people was perpetual and he spent the last 27 years of his life with the volunteer income tax assistance program in rock hill, south carolina. where he prepared taxes free of charge for low-income, disabled, and elderly citizens of our community. within rock hill, south carolina, and it greater community, he was widely referred to as a hero. a role model, and most of all a friend. he was greatly loved and cherished by his wife of 60 years, helen. his three children, five grandchildren, great grandson, and countless friends. he set the gold standard for over 70 years of service dedicated and committed to his country for which he will long be remembered. for all that we join in kaig

goodbye to a hero. i yield back. the speaker pro tempore: the chair recognizes the gentlewoman from south carolina, ms. mace, for five minutes. ms. mace: thank you, madam chair. i rise today to recognize chief luther reynolds, city of charleston's police chief, who died recently to cancer. he was an exceptional leader and dedicated public servant who served the charleston community and beyond. his legacy will leave a testament of courage, service, and love. i wanted to offer my deepest condolences for his family, his wife, children, his friends, and the charleston police department. we mourn his untimely passing and honor his unyielding spirit. i have many fond memories of chief reynolds. he was the guy that called me when my house got spray painted at 7:30 in the morning making sure i was aware of it, safe and sound, and would be protected. there are so many instances of threats i have had on my life

and family's life where he was there each and every day. he was a neighbor, friend, and protector of the city of charleston. we want to remember his dedicated service and his commitment to our community. madam speaker, i also rise today and want to recognize some of the comments made by my colleagues today, four days from now will be the anniversary of mother emanuel, a day that was a very dark day in south carolina's history where nine black church members were murdered in gold blood by a white supremist. a young man who wanted to commit evil atrocities on our state and our nation. i want to recognize those individuals, cla meanta, a pastor and state senator, cynthia, susi, ethel, depaine middleton dr., taiwan, daniel simmons, cheronda and myra. as a state lawmaker i believe we

need to strengthen our background checks. the reason a killer could buy that gun and shouldn't have because of the weakened background system. we have dozens of systems across the state that don't talk about criminal information, about bad guys trying to buy a gun. it's an issue i worked on as a lawmaker, something i'm advocating for in congress, and hoping we can find a way to strengthen our background checks so bad guys breaking the law and shouldn't be able to buy a gun don't have the ability to commit such across its as those committed at mother emanuel. we stand south carolina strong and charleston strong. i want to recognize our heroes from that day. madam speaker, i rise today to congratcongratulate berkley couy adult education graduates. as a high school dropout, as someone who understands how challenging it can be to finish education, i wanted to congratulate these adult education graduates from my home

county in berkeley county. i offer a heartfelt congratulations to this class. they have demonstrated exceptional persistence and overcome so many hurdles that life has thrown their way. they are an example of learning at any age and any circumstances. their perseverance prevails. their determination reaps rewards. and their learning is lifelong. something that everyone can come in today. i express my best wishes for their future endeavors and everything they do. madam speaker, i rise today to recognize south carolina's aquarium releases of their turtles. we are celebrating the release of two loggerhead turtles named bee and pluto by south carolina's aquarium, the sea turtle chair senter in charleston. they were found in distress, each missing a flipper and they underwent expensive rehabilitation to recover. desite their physical challenges, the turtles displayed remarkable resilience and something that the coast of south carolina is certainly

proud of. i offer my gratitude to the care center, team led by melissa. madam speaker, i rise today to recognize the new deputy chief milcher taking over the fire chief for summerville from richard wearing in june on the 23rd of this month. we thank chief wearing for his 30 years of service to summerville. we also want to recognize that chief milchner wants to keep the strong family atmosphere in the department. he has served summerville since the year 2000. i was able to correct with him and meet with him and we are very proud of his achievements as summerville's new fire chief. lastly, madam speaker, i rise today to recognize a special bond formed at musc sean jenkins children's hospital. the story of three young children, resilience and friendship, three boys, formed a strong bond at the hospital as they awaited their heart transplants. despite their medical

challenges, they supported and comforted one another. their friendship demonstrates the power of human connection during difficult times. thank you, madam speaker. i yield back. the speaker pro tempore: the chair recognizes the gentleman from ohio, mr. miller, for five minutes. mr. miller: madam speaker, request unanimous consent to address the house for one minute. revise and extend my remarks. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman's been recognized. mr. miller: thank you, madam speaker. i rise at that to recognize brunswick, ohio resident isabelle. in 2016 she began placing writhes at the ohio western reserve cementtary. in 2019 having noticed that local veterans were not being recognized properly, she walked the west view cemetery grounds at which point she located 185 unmarked veteran graves. isabella solicited donations and gathered volunteers to place the writhes on the graves of each veteran. to educate the public, she coordinated a writhes across america mobile trailer visit

where the public learned about the program. she welcomed home and honored more than 25 vietnam veterans at this event. now as just a freshman in high school she continues to work with brunswick v.f.w. to coordinate flag retirements and veterans days ceremonies. she's a clear exasm of how women lead us. thank you, isabella, for your devotion to our veterans and congratulations on being res. needs the 2023medina count yvette ran advocate of the year. thank you. i yield back. the speaker pro tempore: pursuant to clause 12-a of rule 1, the chair declares the house in recess until noon

watch live coverage of the u.s. house when lawmakers return right here on c-span. and now we take you live to testimony from outgoing c.d.c. director dr. rochelle with a lynskey -- walinski. we join this subcommittee hearing on c-span.walinski -- w. we join this subcommittee hearing on c-span.