this means there is a higher cost of borrowing, interest rates will go up, not only for our country, but for everybody out there who is trying to buy a house, by a are. uy a car. host: thank you for your time as always. the house is just moments away from gaveling and for today's legislative session. we will bring you up there now for live gavel-to-gavel coverage of the debate.

the speaker pro tempore: the house will be in order. the chair lays before the house a communication from the spe speaker. the clerk: the speaker's rooms, washington, d.c. september 28, 2023. i hereby appoint the honorable glenn thompson to act as speaker pro tempore on the day. signed, kevin mccarthy, speaker

of the house of representatives. the speaker pro tempore: the prayer will be offered by chaplain kibben. the chaplain: would you pray with me? let all who believe in you, o god, offer their supplications, their prairks their intersessions and their thanksgivings on behalf of our leaders and all who serve in positions of authority. let us each pause to take advantage of the privilege you have given us to pray for the men and women of this congress. lay on us the american people, the awareness of our responsibility to raise our voices, not to condemn or cajole, but to pray to you, that you would intercede for our lawmaker, and to give thanks to you, showing our deeper gratitude for their service and sacrifice. o god, our creator, redeemer and sustainer, we lay before you our hopes and fears. in you, not in powers or principal tirks parties or people, do we find the strength and hope we need to find our way

in these challenging days. let all who are in authority engage in today's challenging, making decisions that impact the entire american citizenry, do so with a clear and certain awareness of your guidance and support. your counsel and your caution. in the strength of your name then we lift up the leadership of this body, every member who serves with commitment to the common good, every debate and demand, that you would stand in the breach of your impasses, mediate our differences, and lead us in the way you would have us go. in the peace we find only in your name we pray, amen. the speaker pro tempore: the chair has examined the journal of the last day's proceedings and announces to the house the approval thereof. pursuant to clause 1 of rule 1, the journal stands approved. the pledge of allegiance will be led by the gentleman from virginia, mr. good. mr. good: i pledge allegiance to the flag of the united states of

america and to the republic for which it stands, one nation, under god, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. the speaker pro tempore: the chair will entertain up to 15 requests for one-minute speeches on each side of the aisle. for what purpose does the gentleman from virginia seek recognition? mr. good: i ask permission to address the house for one minute. the speaker pro tempore: without objection, the gentleman is recognized. mr. good: mr. speaker, i rise today to recognize the danville police department officers who recently received the 2023 valor award. each year the virginia association of chiefs of police recognizes law enforcement officers who perform an act of extraordinary heroism while engaged with an adversary at imminent personal risk in the line of duty. presenting them the via already award, the highest award offered by the association. corporal todd j. hopkins, detective lieutenant john d.

dixon, detective sergeant richard wright and dr. lamborn are recognized with this reward. they were responding to a robly ry when the suspect fired at them. they chased the criminal. after finding the criminal the they de-escalated the situation and convince thoimed surrender. these members of the danville police department were rightfully sected to receive this reward. they deserve our greenest -- our deepest gratitude for keeping the community safe. i thank them for their conned service and sacrifice. i yield back. the speaker pro tempore: for what purpose does the gentleman from massachusetts seek recognition? >> to address the house for one minute and revise and extend my remarks. the speaker pro tempore: without objection, the gentleman is recognized for one bhin. mr. mcgovern: current u.s. policy toward cuba is best described as continuing the sanctions and policy os --

policies of donald trump. one thing the united states could do is remove cuba from the state-sponsored terrorism list. there's no reason for cuba to be on that list, none. its impact affects just about every global and financial institution. many european nations and u.s. allies want to help the cuban people but their hands are tide because of the s.s.t. list and its onerous financial restrictions and punishments. it's a relic from the cold war and it's cruel. it drives increased migration to the southern border and makes no sense. it's an embarrassment. i voted for vote joe bide, not donald trump. the president needs to do better. he can begin by removing cuba from the state sponsor of terrorism list today. i yield back. the speaker pro tempore: for what purpose does the gentleman from pennsylvania seek recognition? mr. thompson: request unanimous consent to address the house for one minute and revise and extend my remarks. the speaker pro tempore: without objection, the gentleman is recognized for one minute.

mr. thompson: thank you, madam speaker. i rise today remember the life of sergeant richard sherrill of marianville, pennsylvania. army sergeant richard m. sherrill was reported missing on july 25, 1950 at 22 years old. he was deemed missing after his unit so staned heavy casualties while defending against the north korean army's advance near yung dong, south korea. on monday his remains were returned home and he was laid to rest with full honors in marionville. we still feel the pain of those missing from conflicts fought generations ago. we are forever indebted to their service my prayers are with sergeanter is rill's family in this solemn time. it is my hope with his return his family is able to find peace and solace in knowing their loved one died a hero in the service to the nation. thank you, madam speaker, and i

yield back the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: for what purpose does the gentleman from virginia seek recognition? >> i request unanimous consent to address the house and revise and extend my remarks. the speaker pro tempore: without objection, the gentlewoman is recognized for one minute. >> madam speaker, i rise today to urge my republican colleagues to stop the partisan brinksmanship and join house democrats and senate democrats and republicans in our efforts to fully fund the government. ms. mcclellan: back in april, speaker mccarthy and house republicans negotiated a deal with the white house to avoid a catastrophic default on our national debt which stipulated fiscal year 2024 spending levels remain at 2023 levels. it passed with bipartisan support. 314-117. and yet now speaker mccarthy is reneging on this agreement as the extreme maga republican wing of his chaos caucus drives us

toward a government shutdown. realizing that their extreme ayen da cannot pass on its own merits and does not align with the wishes of the american people they are attempting to load down must-pass pieces of legislation with their harmful policy riders and severe cuts. the american people deserve better. in virginia, we are the second highest -- have the second highest number of federal employees. we have over 130,000 active duty military personnel. who will be wondering if they can get paid. it is a very big deal. they deserve better. and we -- i urge my republican colleagues to stop their games, and stop holding the appropriations process hostage. madam speaker, i yield back. the speaker pro tempore: for what purpose does the gentlewoman from texas seek recognition? >> madam speaker, i ask unanimous consent to address the house for one minute. the speaker pro tempore: without objection they are gentlewoman is recognized for one minute.

ms. de la cruz: i rise to commemorate a milestone of endurance in the heart of texas. in 1854, a brave community of polish families planted their roots in kearns county, founding the settlement of virgin mary or panna maria in their beloved sicilian dialect. through droughts and hardships they built church they built schools and businesses. with resilience, they flourished and enriched the lone star state. residents in the surrounding areas had to travel miles across creeks and open prairies in order to attend church. in 1873, a group of these original immigrants and descendants decided to venture a few miles up the road to establish a new church and

parish. the land was donated and funds were raised to begin the project. initial construction was completed in 1878. the residents renamed their christian -- they renamed it christian to their community honoring their roots. the church dedicated to the nativity of the blessed virgin mary stands as a testament of their faith and unity. as kearns county proclaims october as polish american heritage month, we hn nor these pioneers and may their story continue to inspire us. thank you. the speaker pro tempore: for what purpose does the gentleman from nevada seek recognition? >> i ask unanimous consent to address the house for one minute and revise and extend my remarks. the speaker pro tempore: without objection, the gentleman is recognized for one minute. mr. horsford: i rise today to

introduce my legislation, the pay workers what they earn act. as we face this extreme maga republican shutdown caused by speaker mccarthy's unwillingness to work in a bipartisan fashion we must remember the lessons of past shutdowns. while you're hellbent on shut do you think the federal government, harming thousands of nevadan workers and small business contractor, wreaking havoc on our economy and impacting essential services for women and children, our military and delatos medicare and social security payments to seniors, it's wrong. it's unacceptable, and it's why i'm committed to supporting a bipartisan solution to keep government working for my constituents in nevada. madam speaker, my legislation would reimburse federal employees for fees and interest and fines charged through no fault of their own during a government shutdown. the bill would also reimburse state and tribal governments for costs incurred during government

shutdowns. as thousands of federal employees and small business contractors learned in previous sessions, simply reopening the government doesn't help them pay their credit card fees, or their overdue rent notices. this is something you may not understand but the hardworking people of nevada's fourth do. this is not their problem, it's our problem. pass the budget to keep government open. i yield back. the speaker pro tempore: for what purpose does the gentleman from guam seek recognition? >> i ask unanimous consent to address the house for one minute and to revise and extend my remarks. the speaker pro tempore: without objection, the gentleman is recognized for one minute. mr. moylan: i rise to recognize a milestone, the 33rd anniversary of micronegs mall. -- micronesian mall. since 1988 the mall under the leadership of the goodwin

development corporation, has been a beacon of economic success in the region, providing goods and services to locals and tourists alike as the largest shopping center in micronesia. like back at the past 35 years and look forward to seeing what the mall will accomplish in the future. with new tuns, challenges and accomplishments on the horizon. i'm confident their continued dedication to the island and wish the mall a sincere congratulations and may its legacy continue to shine in its hearts and in our community. thank you, madam speaker, i yield back. the speaker pro tempore: for what purpose does the gentleman from north carolina seek recognition? >> madam speaker, i ask nam consent to address the house for one minute and revise and extend my remarks. the speaker pro tempore: without objection, the gentleman is recognized for one minute. mr. davis: madam speaker, today i rise to highlight air force

rotc 675th anniversary. as a former commandant of cadets in this remarkable detachment, it was a privilege to participate in the celebration to see form erica debts who are successful with their careers. during the celebration, a true american hero, our most decorated graduate, genre tired gary north, shared a message that resonated deeply with everyone. he reminded us that our air force stands as the finest in the world today because of the unwavering service of those who came before us and the dedication of those who serve today. his charge to us was simple but profound. always remember your oath. this oath is our commitment to protecting our constitution, our values, our great nation and our way of life. may god bless our air force and detachment 600. go pirates, may god bless america.

madam speaker, i yield back. the speaker pro tempore: for what purpose the speaker pro tempore: for what purpose does the gentleman from kansas seek recognition? >> i rise to address the house for one minute. revise and extend. the speaker pro tempore: without objection, the gentleman is recognized for one minute. >> madam speaker, i rise today to discuss the urgency of re-authorizing the farm bill. this is my 23rd speech about the importance of this legislation going back a year and a half. american consumers deserve the strongest possible farm bill as do the american farmers, ranchers, and producers who face endless hurdles as they work to feed, fuel, and clothe the world. mr. mann: mother nature is a -- we have see high infrastructure costs wreak havoc and the farm bill is our chance to protect the future of american food and agriculture. my top priorities in the farm bill in order are, number one, strengthen and maintain crop insurance. two, promote trade. and conduct rigries oversight of

the -- oversight of the executive branch. producers are working tirelessly. we need to work just as hard to pass something as soon as possible to ensure the strongest safety net possible for farmers, ranchers, and agricultural producers across kansas and the country. thank you, i yield back. the speaker pro tempore: for what purpose does the gentlewoman from virginia seek recognition? >> mr. speaker, i rise for one minute speech. the speaker pro tempore: without objection, the gentlewoman is recognized for one minute. mrs. kiggans: mr. speaker, i rise today to stand up for the men and women serving in america's armed forces. i'm working day in and day out to prevent a government shutdown in just over 48 hours. if congress can't reach a deal on government funding before saturday night, those serving in our military will not receive their paychecks. i will not allow the men and women who put their lives on the line to protect our country to go without way.

that's why i introduced the pay our troops act, ensuring our troops and the coast guard, will be paid on time no matter what. as we continue working to avoid a government shutdown, my bipartisan legislation would give our troops the financial reassurance they deserve. our service members shouldn't suffer because of washington dysfunction, especially not at a time when inflation and interest rates continue to hurt our military families. i'm a navy veteran, spouse, and navy mom. far too much our service families live paycheck to paycheck. one in three families have less than $3,000 in savings. for the sake of those families and all of our military families, i'm committed to getting our economy back on track by cutting wasteful spending. i'm also committed to ensuring our service members get a paycheck no matter what's happening in washington. mr. speaker, if there is anything that can unite us it should be taking care of our troops. i believe that we can make commonsense spending cuts while still responsibly funding our government and maintaining our national security. while we continue working to prevent a government shutdown, i urge my colleagues to join me in

providing financial certainty to our military families by supporting the pay our troops act. i yield back. the speaker pro tempore: for what purpose does the gentleman from florida seek recognition? >> mr. speaker, i ask unanimous consent that all members have five legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on h.r. 4665. mr. diaz-balart: an i may include tabular material on the same. the speaker pro tempore: without objection. pursuant to house resolution 723 and rule 18, the chair declares the house in the committee of the whole house on the state of the union for the consideration of h.r. 4665. the chair appoints the gentlewoman from virginia, mrs. kiggans, to preside over the committee of the whole.

the chair: the house is in the committee of the whole house on the state of the union for the consideration of h.r. 4665, which the clerk will report by title. the clerk: a bill making appropriations for the department of state, foreign operations, and related programs for the fiscal year ending september 30, 2024, and for other purposes. the chair: pursuant to the rule, the bill is considered as read the first time. general debate shall be confined to the bill and not exceed one hour equally divided and controlled by the chair and ranking minority member of the committee on appropriations, or their respective designees. the gentleman from florida, mr. diaz-balart, and the gentlewoman from california, ms0 minutes. the chair recognizes the gentleman from florida. mr. diaz-balart: madam chairwoman, thank you so much. i am proud to speak on the fiscal year 2024 department of state, foreign operations, and

related programs appropriations bill for floor consideration today. anybody who has read the bill you know that it's pretty straightforward. if you are a friend, an alley of the united states -- an ally of the united states, this bill supports you. but if you are an adversary or cozying up to the adversaries of the united states, frankly, you are just not going to like this bill. i am extremely proud of this legislation which was carefully and thoughtfully developed over many, many months. in my judgment, it reflects the values and interests of most americans. we carefully reviewed all the organizations and programs that receive u.s. taxpayer dollars in this bill. among the key factors, let be be very blunt, it's whether investments advance our national security interests. whether they can samoa

demonstrated results -- can show demonstrated results and our need to reduce the national debt and to reduce spending in a responsible way. so the saving foreign operations bill totals $55.5 billion. it cuts $8.2 billion, 14% reduction, below the 2023 enacted level. and $17 billion, or 25% below the president's request. in fact, it is $2.7 billion below the f.y.-d 2019 enacted level. $288 million below even the fiscal year 2015 enacted level. because of those cuts, of those responsible reductions, we are now able to prioritize funding for the national security threat posed by the chinese communist party. look, it's time that the u.s. we

get serious about that maligned destabilizing negative actions of the communist chinese party around the world. this measure -- this bill does precisely that in an unprecedented, unprecedented manner. let me talk a little bit it. the bill includes $4.4 billion, which is $1 billion above the president's budget request to fund programs to counter, to counter the threat of the communist -- chinese communist party around the world. for the first time this bill includes half a billion, $500 million in foreign military financing for taiwan. first time ever. these funds, as everybody knows, are critical to support our friend and democratic alley, which is on the frontlines of chinese's bullying and constant threats.

this bill provides unwavering support, unwavering support for our democratic ally, israel, and other key partners around the world. another priority is to strengthen efforts to counter fentanyl. fentanyl production and trafficking. i don't have to tell you that deadly opioids, particularly fentanyl, are affecting every area, every district, every neighborhood in our entire country. 300 americans die every single day because of fentanyl poisoning. and we must, and we do, use every tool to combat this horrific deadly epidemic. and obviously the migration prices at the southern border is really just symptomatic of the administration's lack of a clear strategic towards the western hemisphere. that's as nice as i can say it.

mr. chairman, for too long countries cozying up to our adversaries have been rewarded, rewarded, and this bill puts a stop to that practice. this bill also recognizes the growing threat of authoritarian regimes, even here in our own hemisphere and around the world. therefore, it fully funds democracy assistance accounts in support of freedom and human rights where they are most threatened. now, before discussing funding for the united nations, i just want to remind folks, members and anybody who might be watching, who is running the show at the u.n.? it would be hard to even make this stuff up. but unfortunately, remarkably, what i'm about to tell you is true. so, russia was chair of the u.n. security council during the month of april.

yeah, you heard me right. iran is currently an elected vice president of the u.n. general assembly. communist china, whose genocide against uyghurs their bullying around the world is notorious. and cuba, one of the world's oldest, most brutal dictatorships, both of those countries sit on the u.n. human rights council. yeah. you heard me right. and north korea, well, i can't even begin to talk about the atrocities of that dictatorship. is a member of the world health organization. while taiwan, a responsible democracy, has been blocked from membership of that institution by communist china. that's all on the you can't make this stuff up. therefore, it should come as no surprise to anybody that no funds are included in this bill

for the u.n. regular budget. now, my dear friend on the other side of the aisle argue that by cutting some of the funding to the u.n. the u.s. has given up its leadership. i could not disagree in stronger terms. simply continuing to unconditionally channel funds to a deeply flawed organization, despite multiple failures and frankly an appalling even anti-semitic continuously anti-semitic actions by that institution t it ensures that nothing changes in that institution i just mentioned. actions need to have consequences. and the u.n. finally, finally will feel the consequences of their irresponsible actions.

because of how we deal with them in this bill. this bill also prohibits funds for the green climate fund and the green technology fund. we also address a frivolous expansion of state department bureaucracy. this bill eliminates funding for special envoys and special representatives that are not authorized. or have not been confirmed by the senate. look, if they are that important, then foregod's sake have them authorized by -- for god's sake have them authorized by congress or at least confirmed by the that. this bill includes all standing prolife protections which include the prohibition on taxpayer funds from being using to pay for abortions abroad. and it builds on those requirements by applying the protection -- protecting life and global health assistance policy to all global health funding. it is not surprising that after this bill was released my colleagues on the other side

immediately dished out -- released a press release condemning it. what might surprise you is what the minority party in their written press release actually chose to highlight that they are objecting to in this bill. their press release criticized that this bill prohibits funding for the wuhan institute of virology. heck, yeah, we do. or, that we eliminate funding for the ecohealth alliance. or gain of function research. and quoting from my colleagues' on the democratic side, their criticism of this bill, we reduce funding for "any lab controlled by china, russia, cuba, iran, north korea, and venezuela." i'm quothing from their press release -- quoting from their press release. quick, yeah, we are cutting

funding for institution from those countries. these countries are the official list of the united states foreign adversaries. and three, by the way, are on the state sponsor of terrorism list. does anyone, any taxpayer think that taxpayer funds should be going to labs in those places in really? for my colleagues on the other side of the aisle in writing also expressed concerns over what they call quote-unquote, partisan riders. that specifically highlighted they -- they highlighted the provisions on funds in this bill to the government of the p.r.c., chinese communist party, and also that we prevent lending from international financial institutions to the p.r.c. yeah. they put that in writing. yeah, they put that in writing. one thing is true. they got that right. they caught me.

we are eliminating funding to adversaries of the united states of america. i would argue it's about damn time we did that. soy look forward to hearing my colleagues on the other side of the aisle explain why u.s. taxpayer money should be funding those programs. and why writing a blank check to any organization is bad. i want to thank the staff from the appropriations committee for their amazing work on this bill. susan adams is here with me. frank higgins. jamie mccormick. trey hicks, trey gallagher, and owe cutler and equally from the minority side, and i always butcher her last name and i apologizing i'll probably do it

again, erin klodesky. lawyer ry -- lawyerie mrveg anon and lillian. from my personal staff, caesar, gisele, autumn, from my personal office. mr. chairman, i thank you for bringing this crucial legislation to the floor which support ours allies, protect ours national security in a smart, efficient, effective and thoughtful way. i urge my colleagues to support the bill and i reserve the balance of my time. thank you, sir. the chair: the gentleman reserves. the gentlewoman from california is recognized. ms. lee: i rise to oppose h.r. 4665 and yield as much time as i may consume. this bill would impose devastating cuts on programs meant to keep both america and the world safe and with all due respect to my friend and colleague, the chair of this committee, i am not an adversary

of the united states. democrats are patriotic. we want our country to lead in global security and peace. this bill does just the opposite. this republican bill would slash the allocation for international programs by nearly one third to a level not seen since 2009. to my republican colleague -- do my republican colleagues really think our international challenges have shrunk? i don't know what world they're living in. the bill undermines the fight against climate change and it would destroy our influence at the united nations during a time when china and russia are working to expand their voice and their role. most outrageously, the bill would gut programs intended to help the most vulnerable people in the world, undermining american global leadership and making a mockery of our human values and leaving a huge void

for adversaries to fill. i've spent much of my time in congress talking about the three d's of our national security. diplomacy, development, and defense. each of these has a role to play in keeping our country safe and secure and create -- creating a world where our kids and grandkids can prosper. this bill is supposed to fund two of those d's, diplomacy and development. instead, this republican bill throws the three d's completely out of whack. if house republicans get their way, the pentagon would receive, mind you, 20 times more. let me repeat that. 20 times more. what this -- than what this bill invests in diplomacy and development combined. epidemic our military leaders have spoken out against cuts to diplomacy and development because they know gutting these programs makes their jobs

harder. former defense secretary mattis has famously said if you don't fully fund the state department i have to find more ammunitions. colleagues the p.r.c. now has more embassies and diplomats around the world than any other nation including more than the united states does. but republicans would cut funding for our embassies and diplomats by $1.2 billion. we have watched as the p.r.c. challenges us at the united nations and other multilateral institutions. working to insert their values of authoritarianism and disrespect for human rights. but republicans are proposing to cut funding to the united nations, leaving our adversaries waiting to fill the voit that we leave behind. the republican bill asks our diplomats and development professionals to do more mono, to reporting and oversight. but then it shortchanges them of

the funding that they need for our operations and staffing. this is quite sinister. the bill inviting this -- invites the culture war into foreign policy by making diversity, drag queens and critical race theory, bookiemen and bookiewomen, distracting us from the real life or death challenges facing our world. doesn't make any sense. on this bill. the bill also takes a really dishonest approach though threat posed by climate change. right now, people all around the world are confronting the impacts of human-caused climate change, life-threatening temperatures, crop failure, floods and severe weather. they need help confronting the problem we largely created. yet the majority pretends that our climate finance investments are about controlling the planet's temperature like some

sort of global thermostat. that's not how it works. we have countries that might literally not exist in a generation because of the changes that are already happening. we are spending billions each and every year, both here and at home, both here at home and overseas, dealing with humanitarian emergencies and responding to ever stronger storms, raging fires and devastating droughts. failing to invest in adapting to the new reality means continued and escalating conflict and crisis which puts americans and people everywhere at risk. around the world, 218 million women, 218 million women still do not have access to the tools needed to decide when and how to have a baby. while hundreds of thousands of them die in childbirth, we are going to make it harder for women to access care through both policies and reduced funding in this bill.

and i'm very upset about how this bill attacks efforts to strengthen diversity in our foreign policy work force. the rich diversity of the united states is one of our greatest strengths. people around the world, religious and ethnic minority, people with disability, lgbtq+ people. they look first to the united states for support and inspiration as they seek to claim their human rights. it's unimaginable to me that my republican colleagues, well, no, it's not really given what's taking place in our own country but once again you all see a threat in efforts to make sure that our diplomats and development experts reflect and respect that same diversity. the world is watching us. the world is full of threats. that don't respect borders from climate change to pandemics to assertive dictators. most countries would prefer to partner with the united states

to confront these challenges. but by bringing this bill to the floor with these cuts, to the house floor, mind you, the republican jerrett broad kas a clear message to the world, take a hike. trust me, the p.r.c. is ready to take advantage of our absence. i think everyone has seen this around the world. colleagues, this is september 28. the government shuts down, unfortunately, even though we're fighting as democrats to prevent this from happening, but today we're considering a bill that has in chance of becoming law. we should be working today to make sure we keep our government open. house dems will not support a bill if it means turning our backs to the world's most vulnerable women or the looming threat of loo climate change. in the end, final appropriations bills will need bicameral and bipartisan support and today we will likely get further away from that goal, not closer.

this really is wasting everyone's time. i urge my colleagues to oppose this destructive bill. we are not adversaries. we're patriotic. we want our country to succeed in its mission and its role as global leaders, leading peace and security efforts throughout the planet. i reserve the balance of my time. the chair: the gentleman from california reserves. the gentleman from florida is recognized. mr. diaz-balart: i am now really honored to yield five minutes to this champion of human rights from the great state of new jersey, mr. smith. the chair: the gentleman is recognized. mr. smith: i thank my good friend for yielding. mr. speaker, the state foreigns on bill under conversation today continues and -- foreign ops bill under conversation today continues pepfar, ensuring that critically needed medicines including anti-retroviral and other life-saving interventions

are available to those who need them in africa and elsewhere. special thanks to chairman mario diaz-balart and the committee on appropriations for insisting that the noble purpose of pepfar not to be compromised or undercut by integrating and merging other agendas including and especially the promotion of abortion by massively funding pro-abortion foreign nongovernmental groups and instructing them to repeal pro-life laws. to that end the new state department bill reinstates the protecting life and global health assistance policy. also known as the mexico city policy. sadly upon assuming office, president biden repealed president reagan's old mexico city policy. it ensures pepfar's gran money would not subsidize n.g.o.'s that perform or pay for

abortions. some people say they're not doing it. it says they'll promote protecting sexual reproductive health and rights including the ongoing rescission of the mexico city policy. the executive director of u.n. aids a prime pepfar partner composed of the w.h.: o. and others welcomed buyen's renestle pro-life policy saying it showed his commitment to abortion rights. mr. speaker, a june 6 letter signed by 131 african lawmakers and religious leaders including the speaker of the parliament of ghana, implored congress not, i say again, not to exploit pepfar to promote abortion, stating and i quote in pertinent part, we want to express our concerns and suspicions that this funding is supporting abortion, that violates our core beliefs concerning life, family and religion. most of the african countries are solidly pro life and they

are under siege by the n.g.o.'s that we are supporting mexico city helps to ensure that that doesn't happen. they went on to say, we asked that pepfar remain true to its original mission and respect our norms, traditions and our values. we ask that partner organizations with whom the united states partners are cognizant and respectful of our beliefs. and not cross over into promoting divisive ideas and practices that are not consistent with those of africa. last year, i remind my colleagues, show nothing doubt of the pro-abortion goals of this administration, they announced a sweeping new radical policy known as reimagining pepfar's strategic decision. they used the world -- the word it integrates sexual reproductive rights, that means abortion. mr. speaker, in a recent op-ed, former speaker newt gingrich wrote and i quote him in part,

it is incredibly disappoint bug not surprising that the biden administration has hijacked one of president george w. bush's greatest accomplishments. the president's emergency plan for aids relief to provide abortionen demand in the developing world. he conned, president biden's insincere and demonstrably false claim that pepfar isn't pushing abortion on demand in africa and elsewhere collapses under scrutiny of its partner. they say they are not doing it, they're empowering the n.g.o.'s to do it. just like in this chamber, house and senate, all over the states of this country, we know it is the n.g.o.'s, planned parenthood and oarks that promote very aggressive for abortion right up until the miami of birth. mr. speaker, i strongly supported pepfar when it was created in 2003. and i was a sponsor of the re-authorization of pepfar in 2018. regrettably it has been reimagined, hijacked by the

biden administration to empower pro abortion international n.g.o.'s, deve eaterring from its life-affirming work. it's time to got back to the original noble idea for which there's a strong, bipartisan, bicameral consensus and that noble goal is to prevent this devastating disease, robustly treat and assist those who have been infected an end hiv-aids around the world. not supporting abortion, the killing of unborn children by dismemberment, chemical poisoning and what does the abortion pill do? it starves the bay by i to death. that's its operation. they are trying to disseminate all over africa. i yield back. the chair: the gentleman from florida reserves. the gentlewoman from california is recognized. ms. lee: i yield five minutes to the gentlewoman from connecticut, the ranking member of the appropriations committee, ms. delauro. the chair: the gentlewoman is recognized. ms. delauro: mr. speaker, i rise

in opposition to the 2024 state foreign operations and related programs funding bill. i want to begin with comments from president trump's former secretary of defense mark esper. he had this to say in response to this very bill's cut of the state and foreign operations allocation. and i quote, when we don't leave we create a vacuum that will be filled by china. he continued, america's leadership means more than military capability. diplomacy and foreign assistance are part of it, too. his proposed -- this proposed budget would upend that relationship by gutting our civilian tool kit and depriving america of the diplomatic leadership whose benefits i have seen last a lifetime. end his quote. also, the global health council together with 70 other

organizations, catholic relief service, united states global leadership coalition, the american jewish committee, interaction, the one campaign, the christian connection for international health, and care u.s.a. have expressed serious national security concerns with the house republicans' funding plan. mr. chair, i plan to submit a compilation of these concerns for the record. we are told that this 2024 state and foreign operations funding bill is tough on our adversaries. the opposite is true. this bill seeds america's position as the leader of the global community. it weakens our national security, shortchanges foreign assistance, hinders our ability to address the climate crisis, and harms women around the world. this is a reversal of the united states' historic position on the world stage and promotes isolationism. we are supposed to be leaders of the free world. the majority is diminishing the

united states, what we stand forks and what our values are. for our own people and for people around the world who look to us for inspiration and for hope. damage has already been done as partners and allies wonder whether the united states will be with them or whether they'll be forced to turn to china or russia to get investment and support in international institutions. with china surpassing the united states as the largest trading partner in many countries in latin america and in africa, china has more embassies, consulates, and diplomats that any other country in the world. they are contesting our model of democracy and capitalism around the world, and they are going virtually unchallenged. this bill is an unfathomable reduction of our nation's ability to engage in diplomacy and project soft power by over 1/3. but knowing such a cut would be irresponsible and lead to negative repercussions around

this world, this bill claws back billions of dollars, $11 billion, which comes from the e.p.a.'s greenhouse gas reduction fund, part of the inflation reduction act. yesterday, this body debated hot to add dress the challenges related to thousands of desperate people reaching our southern border. and however with these cuts the department of state and usaid will be forced to reduce programs that engage countries like colombia and guatemala to address the conditions causing people to flee to the united states. we cannot await -- wait to address the issue. we all know what we should be doing right now and this is not it. this is an exercise in futility because this bill is going nowhere. the urgent issue is to deep our government -- keep our government opened. everybody in this body knows keeping the u.s. government running, passing full-year bills will require bipartisanship. we have a bipartisan agreement in the senate. a compromise to keep our

government opened and address the nation's concerns. let us move in that direction. democrats and republicans already compromised when they passed the debt limit bill. but because house republicans immediately reneged, they have moved us to the brink of a shutdown. a republican shutdown that will have consequences on every senior, veteran, and child in america. and on our diplomats and service members around the world. let us move to keep our government opened and support the senate compromise, bipartisan compromise. thank you. i yield back. the chair: the gentlewoman yields. the gentlewoman from california reserves. the gentleman from florida is recognized. mr. diaz-balart: recognize myself for 30 seconds. i want to be made very clear i have heard now that somehow this bill damages the reputation of the united states. no. you know what damaged the reputation of the united states, mr. chairman? that irresponsible withdrawal from afghanistan.

that showed the entire world what bad leadership is all about. this bill confronts our adversaries. $1 billion more to confront china than the president can do while we spend less money. it stands by our friends. confronts our adversaries. yes, the problem about credibility is not with this bill. it's with the president of the united states. and it gets worse, much worse. i reserve. the chair: the gentleman's time has expired. the gentlewoman from california is recognized. ms. lee: i yield now, mr. chairman, to the gentlewoman from new york, three minutes, ms. meng, a member of the state foreign operations subcommittee. the chair: the gentlewoman from new york is recognized. ms. meng: mr. speaker, i rise today in strong opposition to the fiscal year 2024 state and foreign operations appropriations bill. as a member of the state and foreign operations subcommittee, i am appalled by the dangerous cuts and policy riders the

majority has attached to this bill. yesterday, we heard from our friends across the aisle that the purpose of our military is to deter a war if diplomacy fails. cutting funding for our state department to levels not seen since 2009, and proposing eliminating funding for usaid not only cedes america's position as a leader on the world stage but also eliminates funding for the very programs that seek to prevent violence and advance stability in areas vulnerable to conflict. this bill weakens our national security not enhances it. this bill also harms women all around the world from eliminating our contributions to critical multilateral agencies, including u.n. women and unfpa to cutting lateral and

multilateral reproductive health funding by nearly a third. we are sending the message that the u.s. is willing to cede its role in helping the international community achieving global health targets, address unacceptably high global maternal -rates and gender-based violence. or promote gender equity. this is all at the behest of the majority's culture war. i do not accept premise we are willing to risk 8.2 million women and couples losing access to contraceptive services, resulting in 2.7 million more unintended pregnancies, leading to 1.1 million additional unplanned births, and an anation diggsal 4,700 maternal deaths. women and girls deserve better. i urge my colleagues to oppose this harmful legislation. thank you. i yield back. the chair: the gentlewoman yields.

the gentlewoman from california reserves. the gentleman from florida is recognized. mr. diaz-balart: i reserve. the chair: the gentleman reserves. the gentlewoman from california is recognized. ms. lee: i yield three minutes to the gentlewoman from florida, a member of the state and foreign operations subcommittee, ms. frankel. the chair: the gentlewoman is recognized. ms. frankel: thank you, madam chair. mr. speaker, i rise in strong opposition to the 2024 state foreign operations appropriations act. because it cedes our leadership in the global community, it undermines human rights, it diminishes access to health care, education, food, and economic security for millions around the world. so why should we care? it comes down to this. when people lack access to the basics in life, it means a greater risk for hopelessness and instability. and gutting climate change

activities only escalates the consequences. and for americans at home, that means less trading partners, more danger from haven't extremists -- from violent extremists, global pandemics, and even war. we live in a very complicated world, and this bill undermines diplomacy and commitments to our allies, our partners, and make the world a better place in which to live. our commitments to the united nations turning our back on decades of relationship building. leaving a vacuum for unfriendly countries to fill. if it's not enough, it hurts the most vulnerable women and girls in the world, slashing funding for women's health care, family planning, and blocking access to reproductive care. let me make it clear to the politicians in this room, women, not the folks in this hall,

should decide whether and when a woman should start or continue a family. tragically this bill will leave our country and the world less healthy, less safe, and even more divided. so i must sadly urge my colleagues to vote against it. i yield back. the chair: the gentlewoman yields. the gentlewoman reserves. mr. diaz-balart: reserve. the chair: the gentlewoman from california. ms. lee: i yield three minutes to the the gentlewoman from florida, the ranking member of the military construction and veterans' affairs subcommittee, ms. wasserman schultz. the chair: the gentlewoman is recognized. ms. wasserman schultz: i thank the gentlelady for yielding. thank you, mr. chairman. i rise in opposition to the state and foreign operations bill, all while having tremendous respect for my colleague from florida with whom i share many points of view, but certainly not his on the state foreign operations appropriations bill before us.

here we are for the fourth time this week bringing forward a bill that has no chance of becoming law. this bill is supposed to invest in programs and people that ensure the national security of the united states. protects her interests abroad, and promotes our democratic values around the world. this bill is supposed to show that the united states stands up for our allies and democratic values, while countering adversaries on the global stage. this bill is supposed to fund the programs that improve the lives of women and girls around the world by investing in education, health, and economic development. it is supposed to ensure the united states can effectively wield our soft power. instead, this bill packages devastating cuts with petty partisan riders. it needlessly harms our premiere service members and diplomats. it sends a message that the united states is willing to abdicate our role as a moral superpower, a role china and russia are eager to fill. this bill says we will abandon our allies, our interests, and our democratic agenda all to

cater to the whims of an extreme fringe. the world is at an inflexion point. more complex, more rife with threats than ever before. if there is any doubt, just look around. russia has committed war crimes in ukraine. china has ratcheted up its aggression in indo-pacific and ruthlessly cracked down on dissent at home. authoritarians and dictators prop each other up from latin america to the middle east. they all bait us. they all bait the united states. challenging us to step up or stand down. in the face of that, this bill abdicates our responsibility to offer a viable alternative to protect allies and our vital interests here and around the globe. we all know that when we gut programs, when we cast aside sureship -- entrepreneurship, and institutions vital work, we undermine our ability and credibility to protect and defend. to truly make sure we can keep the world safe with our allies.

we lose our seat at the global table ruthless thugs, dictators, and fascists when we try to pass harmful policy like this bill proposes. we do that at our own peril and imperil everything that americans hold dear. which is why i urge my colleagues to oppose this cruel and dangerous bill. i yield back the balance of my time. the chair: the gentlewoman yields. the gentlewoman reserves. the gentleman is recognized. mr. diaz-balart: i reserve. the chair: the gentleman reserves. the gentlewoman from california is recognized. ms. lee: thank you, mr. chairman. i yield myself such time as i may consume. let me take a minute on the many, many partisan riders included in the bill being considered today to raise a couple points. the number of prohibitions seems to be really enormous. they proliferated. often with little concern to what the actual ramifications might be. it appears to be the approach of

if an organization has ever done something that you have not liked, or a wild theory has circulated about, we will just prohibit it. we'll pick up our ball and take it home. this is not just ineffective, it really is immature. the bill prohibits funds for the chinese communist party. this sounds tough. but i was the previous chairwoman of the subcommittee, and this bill has not provided funding to the chinese communist party. it's a red herring. . they don't stop to consider while there may be or not be active collaboration currently. there may come a time when it is the united states' may come a time when it's in the united states' best interest to partner not with the government but with people. with scientist, pursue common goals. indeed we carried on scientific

cooperation with the soviet union during the cold war. not because we agreed with their government but it was in our own interest. the bill prohibits gain of function research. that sounds good. but my colleagues, consider that this same prohibited research is producing new therapies for cancer and cystic fibrosis. this research also helps us produce insulin for people with diabetes. has the majority considered the cost would be -- what the cost will be of cutting this off? the bill prohibits funding for the world health organization because they won't admit taiwan. it is the member countries of the w.h.o. that are making this decision, not the organization. with this bill the p.r.c. will continue to work against taiwan's inclusion, but the united states won't be there to help. we are told that this bill is strong against our adversaries.

i would argue just the opposite. this bill takes the easy route and leaves the field open for those who would challenge us. it makes dialogue and engagement parter. and it leave offers potential partners and allies who are deciding who kay they can turn to for help tie and dry and of course that won't be the united states. a couple of points on the united nations. the u.n. is a forum for every country in the world. the united states, my knowledge, does not get to pick who gets to be a sovereign country. leadership of the united nations committees, the general assembly, they all rotate among members. which the chairman knows. this makes it even more important that the united states fully participates. this bill endangers that. i reserve the balance of my time. the chair: the gentlewoman reserves. the gentleman is recognized.

mr. diaz-balart: i yield myself two minutes. the chair: the gentleman is recognized. mr. diaz-balart: i have great respect for the gentlewoman, she's consistent and her and i have a good relationship but you heard it right now. this bill prohibits funding for the wuhan institute of virology, gain of function research and prohibits funding for any lab controlled by china, russia, cue bark iran, north korea and venezuela. we have a difference of opinion. i believe that taxpayer money going to labs controlled by these countries is just not something we should be doing. there is a absolute difference of opinion on that. if you believe, if anybody believes that u.s. taxpayer money should be going for those things, then you're going to have a problem with that part of this bill. if you, however, believe that u.s. taxpayer money should not

go to fund those labs controlled by those countries, i would then ask you to support this bill. i reserve. the chair: the gentleman reserves. the gentlewoman from california. ms. lee: i reserve the balance of my time. the chair: the gentlewoman reserves. the gentleman from florida is recognized. mr. diaz-balart: i reserve, mr. chairman. the chair: the gentleman from florida has the right to close. and the gentlewoman from california is recognized. ms. lee: thank you, mr. chairman. i am prepared to close. the chair: the gentlewoman is reniches -- recognized. ms. lee: mr. chairman, yes, the chairman and myself respect each other. we have different points of view. i consider ourselves friends also. and i know, and i think the chairman know that many of our republican colleagues do support

robust investments in the bill because i've seen the thousands of requests that members have submitted this year and in prior years. there's a long legacy of enlightened republican support for foreign assistance. congressional republicans worked with harry truman to create the marshall plan which rebuilt europe after a devastating war. i myself worked with president bush to create pepfar which has saved 25 million lives from h.i.v. and aids. yet the jerrett has chosen to force this bill to the floor because these sin -- because they cynically -- they cynically believe that their members will be happy to sacrifice the world's poorest people to make a political point. to my republican colleagues, you know, i see you here on the throor today. i'm asking you to stand up and yes, oppose this terrible bill. please vote no.

let's get back together and write a bill together that helps build the better and safer world that we want for our children and our grandchildren. i yield back the balance of my time. the chair: the gentlewoman yields. the gentleman from florida is recognized. mr. diaz-balart: i think we have discussed some of the issues in this bill. it's a positive bill. i supports our allies. it confronts our adversaries. it also controls wasteful spending. wasteful spending is one of the reasons that we have inflation at the highest level we've had in decades. with that, mr. chairman, i also -- since the ranking member has yielded her time i also at this time would yield the remaining part of my time. the chair: the gentleman yields. all time for debate has expired. the bill shall be considered under amendment -- for amendment under the five-minute rule. the amendment shall be considered as adopted and the bill as amended shall be considered read. all points of order against

provisions in the bill as amended are waive nosmed further amendment to the bill as amended shall be in order except dhows printed in par d of house report 118-26. amendments en bloc described in section 9 of house resolution 723, and pro forma amendments described in section 13 of that resolution. each further amendment shall be considered only in the order printed in the report, may be offered only by a member designated in the report, shall be considered as read, shall be debated for the time specified in the report equally divide and controlled by the proponent and an opponent, and shall not be subject to demand for division of the question. it shall be in order at any time for the chair of the committee on appropriations or her designee to offer amendments en bloc consisting of amendments printed in the report not earlier disposed of.

amendments en bloc shall be considered as read, shall be debatable for 20 minutes equally divided and controlled by the chair and ranking member of the committee on appropriations or their designee, shall not be summit to amendment except as provided by 13 of rule 23. during consideration of the bill the amendment -- for the amendment the chair and ranking minority member of the committee on appropriations or their respective designees may offer up to 10 pro forma amendments each at any point for the purpose of debate. for what purpose does the gentleman from florida seek recognition? mr. diaz-balart: pursuant to house resolution 723, i offer amendments. the chair: the clerk will designate the amendments en bloc. the clerk: en bloc con senting of amendments 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 12, 19, 32, 33, 34, 35, 37, and 52 printed in part d of house report 118-216 offered by

mr. diaz-balart of florida. the chair: pursuant to house resolution 723, the gentleman from florida, mr. diaz-balart and the gentlewoman from california, ms. lee, each will control 10 minutes. the chair recognizes the gentleman from fray. mr. diaz-balart: i rise in support of this bipartisan en bloc amendment which represents amendments with support from both sides of the aisle. the amendment includes 15 noncontroversial amendments that advance the priorities of both sides including support for taiwan and addressing the passport processing backlog which is everywhere in the country. so i would respectfully under my colleagues to support this amendment and i reserve the balance of my time. the chair: the gentleman reserves. the gentlewoman is recognized. ms. lee: i rise in support of this en bloc. there's a list of bipartisan amendments in this to address various members' priorities and i appreciate the collaborative way in which we have agreed on this package. i urge my colleagues to support

this and yield back. the chair: the gentlewoman yields. the gentleman is recognized. mr. diaz-balart: mr. chairman -- i yield back the remainder of my time. the chair: the gentleman yields. the question is on the amendment en bloc offered by the gentleman from florida. those in favor say aye. those opposed, no. in the opinion of the chair the ayes have it. the en bloc amendments are agreed to. the chair understands that amendment number 7 will not be offered. it is now in order to consider amendment number 8 printed in

part d of house report 118-216. for what purpose does the gentleman seek recognition? >> mr. chairman, i rise to offer amendment number 8 as designee of mr. biggs of arizona. the chair: the clerk will designate the amendment. the clerk: amendment number 8 printed in part d of house report 118-216 offered by mr. crain of oklahoma. -- mr. crane of oklahoma. of arizona. the chair: pursuant to house resolution 723, the gentleman from arizona, mr. crane, and a member opposed each will control five minutes. mr. crane: i rise to speak in support of this amendment which eliminates nearly $39 million in funding for the united states institute of peace. this institute funds programs located in several adversarial nations including china, pakistan and russia.

their mission is to combat violence and promote peace through education. however, the institute covers issues, areas such as gender equality, lgbtq+ rights, climate policy. hardly topics relate t.d. peace between nations. the united states institute of peace claims to prioritize u.s. national security while using u.s. funds to counsel and mitigate feuds with known enemies of the united states. the expenses of this institute whose mission one better accomplished by nonprofits, charities, and religious groups, is an undue burden on the american taxpayer. i urge the passage of this amendment to prevent this unnecessary funding and work toward getting our fiscal house in order. i yield back. the chair: the gentleman reserves. the gentleman yields back. for what purpose does the

gentlewoman seek recognition? ms. lee: i rise in strong opposition to this amendment. the chair: the gentlewoman is recognized. ms. lee: it's hard to believe that you all want to eliminate funding for the department of peace. p-e-a-c-e. the institute of peace is one of the best tools the united states has to bring people together to prevent wars. government official, civil society, practitioners and defense experts to really creatively solve our world's thorn gijs -- thorniest issues. congress created the institute for peace for this purpose in 1984. u.s. i.p. applies practical solutions in conflict zones and provides analysis, education and resources to those working for peace. peace is patriotic, my republican friends. u.s.i.p. has specialized teams of mediators, trainers and

others in some of the world's most dangerous places. and works to equip communities with the skills necessary to prevent or resolve their own violent conflicts before they threaten the united states. i hope you understand that peace is the only option that we have to war. usip works on the ground with local partners on the root causes of conflict that all too frequently result in america's military gains or diplomatic and development investments going to waste. in a world that becomes more dangerous and complex every day, we need the services and the creative thinking of the united states institute for peace. once again, it's hard to believe that republicans oppose peace. i guess that says that war is the option. for settling conflicts. and i think the american people

are war-weary and support our efforts for peace and it's really a shame and disgrace that you're, you know, uncovering this issue with you all in terms of your really opposition to peace. i reserve the balance of my time. the chair: the gentlewoman has the only time. ms. lee: i yield back. the chair: the gentlewoman yields. members are reminded to direct their comments at the chair. with time expired the question is on the amendment offered by the gentleman from arizona. those in favor say aye. those opposed, no. in the opinion of the chair the ayes have it. the amendment say tbreed to. -- is agreed to. does the gentlewoman seek recognition? ms. lee: i request a recorded vote. the chair: the gentlewoman is recognized. pursuant to clause 6 of rule 18, further proceedings on the amendment offered by the the gentleman from arizona will be postponed.

chair understands that amendment number 9 will not be offered. it is now in order to consider amendment number 10 printed in part d of house report 118-216. for what purpose does the gentleman from arizona seek recognition? mr. kean: i rise to offer amendment number 10 as the designee of mr. biggs of ari arizona. the chair: the clerk will designate the amendment. the clerk: amendment number 10, printed in part d of house report number 118-216. offered by mr. kean of arizona. the chair: pursuant to house resolution 723, the gentleman from arizona, mr. kean, and a member opposed, each will control five minutes. the chair recognizes the gentleman from arizona. mr. kean: thank you, mr. chairman. i rise -- mr. crane: i rise this morning of this amendment which eliminates three million in funding of the commission on security and cooperation in europe, salaries and expenses.

this funding goes towards fudgeses such as gender equality. there has even been a gender action plan, a gender unit in the secretariat appointed a special representative to the chairperson in office on gender issues. the work of this commission would probably be better done by an independent think tank than by a congressionally funded commission. with the current debt of the u.s. being $33 trillion, we must look for ways to cut unnecessary spending. the work of this commission is not unique to it. and similar consolation, if necessary, could be found in third party sources that do not affect the already distressed national debt. i urge passage of my amendment to prevent this unnecessary funding and work towards getting our fiscal house in order. i yield back. the chair: the gentleman yields. for what purpose does the gentlewoman from california seek recognition? ms. lee: i rise in opposition to

this amendment. the chair: the gentlewoman is recognized. ms. lee: mr. chairman, the osce is the world's largest regional security organization and has been critical in addressing the violent aggression of russia. the osce is actively engaged in conflict prevention, conventional arms control, peacekeeping, promoting good governance, and human rights. the rule of law programming also border security measures, counter narcotics. efforts to combat organized crime. anti-corruption and anti-money laundering activities and election support. the osce is currently leading a special monitoring mission in ukraine. this mission is an unarmed civilian mission tasked to observe and to report on the situation resulting from ongoing russian aggression to facilitate dialogue among all parties to

restore peace. p-e-a-c-e. and support the implementation of the sea fires and other tenants -- cease-fire and other tenants of the peace agreement. it is the only body that maintains a continuous presence at the line of contact between the ukrainian armed forces and russian-led forces in eastern ukraine. peace in ukraine will be through organizations like the osce. i'm pleatly perplexed -- completely perplexed by my colleagues and can't figure out why they would not find this a good investment of taxpayer dollars. i urge my colleagues to oppose this amendment. i reserve the balance of my time. the chair: the gentlewoman has the only time. ms. lee: i yield 2 1/2 minutes to the gentleman from south carolina, mr. wilson. the chair: the gentleman is recognized. mr. wilson: thank you,

mr. chairman. as we are here today we appreciate so much the leadership of chairman mario diaz-balart. he is so correct earlier to identify the appeasement of afghanistan has endangered all american families in the continuing global war on terrorism with afghanistan sadly now becoming a safe haven for terrorists. as the chairman of the helsinki commission, i strongly support the continuation of its very meaningful work. for nearly 50 years the osce commission uniquely made up of senators and members of congress with rotating chairmanship of house and senate members has worked to promote american values in europe and the former soviet union. it is a small professional staff supported bicameral, bipartisan commissioners to advance american national security and national interest of human rights, military security, and economic cooperation in 57 countries. it is a fulfillment of the dream of barry goldwater and ronald

reagan why not victory? the commission has worked with fellow legislative members from each country to ensure respect for freedom of religion to defend those persecuted from criticizing dictatorships to fight against corruption and to prevent human trafficking. it is a vital forum in the ongoing worldwide conflict between dictators with rule of gun who are opposing democracies with rule of law. we are must stand and meet the challenge of power coming from the barrel of a gun. commissioners have worked with countries to update their religious laws to allow smaller christian and other groups to practice freely. commissioners have put together numerous legislative proposals to counter corruption, including by highlighting the priority of anti-corruption in u.s. foreign policy, providing further authorities to end the impunity enjoyed by cleptocrats and highlighting the work of the u.s. law enforcement to recover stolen money hidden in america.

commissioners have authored much of the anti-human trafficking legislation here. and with the leadership of chairman chris smith and set standards for preventing human trafficking internationally. most recently the commission is focused on supporting ukrainian children who have been force fully relocated by kidnapping or been extreatment trauma of war. with only a small staff the commission has had a large impact. it's crucial this work continues and be funded for the future. i yield back the balance of my time. the chair: the gentleman yields. the gentlewoman from is recognized -- the gentlewoman is recognized. ms. lee: i yield 30 seconds to mr. smith. the chair: the gentleman is recognized. mr. smith: i rise in opposition to this amendment. i associate myself with the remarks of my distinguished

chairman. i have been on the helsinki commission, served on it since 1982. it is a remarkable commission. we get political prisoners out of prison. we did it during the soviet times. worked with steny hoyer, he was chair. i was ranking -- i was chair, he was ranking. it's truly a bipartisan commission that promotes democratcy, human rights. as my good friend mention add moment ago, we also combat horrible things like human trafficking. the chair: the gentleman's time has expired. mr. smith: vote no. the chair: the gentleman's time has expired. the gentlewoman from california is recognized. ms. lee: yield the back. the chair: the question is on the amendment offered by the gentleman from arizona, so many as are in favor say aye. those opposed, no. in the opinion of the chair, the ayes have it. the amendment is agreed to. does the gentlewoman -- ms. lee: i request a roll call

vote, please. the chair: the gentlewoman is recognized. she's called for roll has been acknowledged. pursuant to clause 6 of rule 18, further proceedings on the amendment offered by the gentleman from arizona mlb postponed -- by the gentleman from arizona will be postponed. it is in order to consider amendment in 11 printed in part b of house 118-216. for what purpose does the gentleman from -- the chair understands that amendment 11 is not to be offered. it is now in order to consider amendment number 13 printed in part d of house report 118-216. for what purpose does the gentleman from arizona seek recognition?

mr. crane: thank you, mr. speaker. i have an amendment at the desk. the chair: the clerk will designate the amendment. the clerk: amendment number 13, printed in part d of house report number 118-216. offered by mr. crane6 arizona -- of arizona. the chair: pursuant to house resolution 723, the gentleman from arizona, mr. crane, and a member opposed each will control five minutes. the chair recognizes the gentleman from arizona. mr. crane: thank you, mr. speaker. i rise this morning to offer my amendment to state and foreign operations and related programs appropriation act which would reduce funding for usaid by 50%. usaid was established over 60 years ago with the noble intention of fostering the advancement of developing world. a goal that could benefit the u. by creating new trade partners and stable neighbors. under fortunately -- unfortunately, currently budget allocation at usaid indicate a shift towards social and cultural agenda that caters to the radical priorities of woke

global elites. usaid has become a front for unelected bureaucrats to impose woke nonsense and harmful agendas across the globe. all on the u.s. taxpayers' dime. we shouldn't continue to fund this organization that aims to undercut american values and objectives. cutting usaid's funding by 50% would dramatically conserve taxpayer resources. otherwise wasted abroad on programs that do little or nothing to advance american interests. in fact, our core interests are, instead, undermined by these programs that include climate change, alarmism, and wasting money on ridiculous studies and programs that promote distorted gender ideology. i urge my colleagues to vote in favor of this amendment to prevent american tax dollars from being wasted on an agency bent on sabotaging our best efforts around the globe. thank you, mr. speaker.

i reserve my time. the chair: the gentleman reserves. the -- for what purpose does the gentlewoman from seek recognition? ms. lee: i rise in strong opposition to this amendment. the chair: the gentlewoman is recognized for five minutes. ms. lee: mr. chairman, the united states agency for international development's global operations are essential to defending the united states national security, asserting united states leadership and foreign policy influence, and advancing stability, security, and for prosperity worldwide. this account supports a direct hire workforce focused on advancing the most critical and effective foreign assistance programs and ensuring strong relationships and stewardship and guilt of u.s. taxpayer dollars. -a 50% reduction to the operating expenses account would devastate usaid operations, including its workforce. and its ability to implement

critical foreign assistance and humanitarian assistance programs. at this level the agency would be forced to reduce permanent u.s. direct hire levels by about 1,845 positions. usaid would cut approximately 965 foreign service and 880 civil service positions. this 50% workforce reduction would require a reduction in force since eliminating the back filling of positions lost through attrition would achieve only about an 8% cut. usaid would significantly reduce its presence overseas, including closing some missions, once again, leaving this void for our adversaries. this would leave these missions without american personnel to deliver aid from the american people and ensure our national security through development and

humanitarian assistance. this drastic staff cut would leave programs extremely vulnerable to waste, fraud, and abuse and impair the agency's ability to responsibility to ongoing and future natural and human crisis. pandemics, and development challenges. it also will result in the termination of programs overseas. once again creating a void for our adversaries to fill. this amendment is really counterproductive. we can't find short fund -- we can't for the shouldn't staff charged with managing our foreign assistance programs and expect them to be effective. if we reduce our development efforts, we are not countering russia and the p.r.c.'s influence. we are opening the door for their expanded global influence. i urge my colleagues to oppose this amendment. i reserve the balance of my t

time. the chair: the gentlewoman reserves. the gentleman is recognized. mr. crane: i would like to yield two minutes to my colleague from florida. the chair: the gentleman from florida is recognized for two minutes. mr. diaz-balart: i rise in strong support -- >> i rise strong support of my colleague from arizona to cut funding for usaid. mr. gaetz: for the american taxpayer watching usaid is essentially a venture capital fund that americans pay for that invests in businesses and economic development in other countries overseas. so at a time when we are $33 trillion in debt pace facing $2 trillion annual deficits in this country, it would seem to me to be an easy decision to reduce the investments that we are borrowing money from china to go make in albania or the developing world. that seems like an easy thing to do, yet our colleagues call it that seems like an easy thing to do. i would take usaid fund down to

zero. they'd fund it to the teufns billions of dollars. maybe a compromise position is that we would be willing to send usaid everything that was found in senator menendez's jacket. maybe that's something that can bring us all together that if there's going to be international bribe money paid, and we're going to be involved in it, rather than sourcing it from the american taxpayer, we could source it from corrupt democrat politicians. i'm here to bring us together. i yield back. the chair: the gentleman yields. mr. crane: i yield back the remainder of my time. the chair: the gentleman yields. members are reminded to refrain from engaging in personalities. the gentlewoman from california is recognized. ms. lee: thank you, mr. chairman. i yield one minute to the gentleman from florida, mr. diaz-balart. the chair: the gentleman is recognized. mr. diaz-balart: i respectfully rise in opposition.

look the gentleman from arizona brings up, i think, really legitimate reasons for his concern on the out of control spending and frarngly what this administration has done. now however, because of that the operating account of the usaid in this bill has been significantly reduced. below the f.y.2019 enacted level. now as the gentleman is aware, we get to the point if we do further reductions that this account frankly stop ours ability to actually do some serious oversight. so while i -- while i agree with his concerns, i just don't think this is the right way to do that. further reductions to this account would mean less oversight, less efficiency and frankly i think fewer positiveout comes and by the way in the manager's amendment we reduce it even further. so i totally understand and i look forward to working with the gentleman about his concern. i think we are addressing it in this bill. so again it's one of those issues that i understand what

he's going for but i don't think this is the right way to do it. i respectfully oppose the amendment. the chair: the gentleman's time has expired. the gentlewoman from california is recognized. ms. lee: i yield back. the chair: the gentlewoman yields. the question is on the amendment offered by the gentleman from arizona. those in favor say aye. those opposed, no. in the opinion of the chair the ayes have it. the amendment is agreed to. for what purpose does the gentleman seek recognition? >> request a roll call vote. the chair: pursuant to clause 6 of rule 18, further proceedings on the amendment offered by the gentleman from arizona will be postponed. the chair understands that amendment number 14 will not be offered. it is now in order to consider amendment number 15 printed in part d of house report 118-216. for what purpose does the gentleman from arizona seek recognition? -- from pennsylvania seek recognition? >> i know pennsylvania and

arizona are pretty close culturally, geographically. i rise to offer amendment number 15 as the designee of the gentleman from arizona, mr. biggs. the chair: the chair apologizes and the clerk will designate the amendment. the clerk: amendment number 15 printed in part d of house report 118-216, offered by mr. perry of pennsylvania. the chair: pursuant to house resolution 723, the gentleman from pennsylvania, mr. perry and a member opposed each will control five minutes. the chair recognizes the gentleman from pennsylvania. mr. perry: thank you, mr. chairman. i rise in support of this amendment which eliminates $230,599,000. that's a lot of money, whether you're in arizona, pennsylvania or washington, d.c. that amount of money in funding to the u.s. agency for international development funds appropriated to the president capital investment fund. i once again bring up the amendment to address the mass spending that is appropriated to

usaid. the capital investment fund is for expenses for overseaing construction and related costs and for the procurement enhancement of information technology and related capital investments. we all want a new office. we all want a new computer. we all want a new phone. but we have got massive debt right now. massive debt. we'll run $2.2 trillion behind this year alone. i don't know who at home, when they can't pay their bill, when they're literal libor roing money from their enemy, goes out and spends more. and we're not even talking about spending more in our own home or our own phone or our own computer. we're talking about spending more on somebody else's. quite honestly in many cases in places they don't even like america. ladies and gentlemen, mr. chairman, our country is now $33 trillion in debt. how in good conscience can we

continue with this spending. this is the time to invest in the united states of america, in our constituents, that are struggling to pay their groceries. pay for their groceries. pay for gasoline. to pay for their ever-rising electricity bill. it's going to keep on rising. your gas prices will keep going up. so are your food prices. because the policies of this administration. mr. chairman, we don't have any more money to spend on things that might be great to have, might be nice to have, might make us feel good. we don't have the money. we don't have the money -- if you don't have the money you don't spend it. with that, i reserve. the chair: the gentleman reserves. for what purpose does the gentlewoman from california seek recognition? ms. lee: i rise in opposition to the amendment. the chair: the gentlewoman is recognized. ms. lee: the united states agency for international development's capital investment fund supports facility construction, information

technology, and real property maintenance. these include efforts to accelerate the construction of new, secure, safe and functional office facilities for usaid personnel overseas. without this funding these diplomats would be vulnerable and at greater risk for harm or less -- on les secured compounds. this fund also supports information technology security including efforts critical to cyber security and real property maintenance and repairs. i don't hear the gentleman talking about the fact that the policy of countering chinese influence costs a little bit of money also. i think this is -- provides us a bigger bang for our buck. without this funding, the agency would be unable to upgrade and secure the i.t. environment against external and internal

threats that could damage our national security and expose personally identifiable information of not only americans but the participants we assist in times of crisis. this amendment is shortsighted and i urge my colleagues to oppose it. i yield back. the chair: the gentlewoman yields. the gentleman is recognized. mr. perry: i thank the chair. i agree with the gentlelady from the other side of the aisle. we should be countering china. and if we're going to use usaid to do that, that's all well and good too. but let's e enumerate how we're actually going to use this money to counter china. what we're expected to believe is that, well they immediate this money and we're going to counter china somewhere in eastern europe. maybe we are. but let's make the case. but what you're asking is, the american people borrow money from china, borrow money from china, then somehow counter

china and just give all these folks that are smarter than the rest of us all the money and i'm sure they'll figure it out. i don't know if you're keeping up with current events but china is eating our lunch right now. while we're spending all this money. that we're borrowing from china. i think the case makes itself. with that, mr. chairman, i yield the balance. the chair: the gentleman yields. the question is on the amendment offered by the gentleman from pennsylvania. those in favor say aye. those opposed, no. in the opinion of the chair the ayes have it. the amendment disbried to -- is agreed to. does the gentleman seek recognition? mr. diaz-balart: i ask for a roll call vote. the chair: pursuant to clause 6 of rule 18, further proceedings on the amendment offered by the gentleman from pennsylvania will be postponed. it is now in order to air kept arm 16 printed in part d of house report 118-216. for what purpose does the

gentlelady seek recognition? ms. jackson lee: i have an amendment at the desk, number 16, number 43. the chair: the clerk will designate the amendment. the clerk: amendment number 16 printed in part d of house report 118-216, offered by ms. jackson lee of texas. the chair: pursuant to us are lees us -- resolution 723, the gentlelady from texas, ms. jackson lee, and a member opposed each will control five minutes. ms. jackson lee: i thank the chairman and ranking member of the committee. state foreign operations and related programs are the face of america, the most powerful nation in the world, the nation that the world looks to for guidance and direction and interactions of this world. i'm sad tond say that this faith has been altered and threatened desperately by some of the shortchanges in the funding. so the threat to national

security by abdicating u.s. leadership and the underfund og they have u.n. development program and u.n., the underfunding of this the state department and the threatening to womens health equality globally around the world. that's why my amendment is so very important and i ask my colleagues to support it. i thank the rules committee and i thank this subcommittee. for my amendment is an important and potentially life-saving amendment in an unfortunate and distracting approach to state and foreign relations. my amendment increases funds by $1 million and decreases funding by $1 million for the global health program's account to highlight and support the fight against the practice of female genital mutilation. i've been a dedicated champion of this and introduced legislation in years past supporting the elimination of this very difficult and ludicrous practice of mutilating young women around the world. female genital mutilation, cutting, fgmc, comprises all

procedure this is involve partial or total removal of the external female genitalia or other injury to the female genital organs for nonmedical reasons. you may be shocked to learn this occurs in the united states. it's often linked to other elements of gender-based violence and discrimination such as child marriage and is recognized internationally as a violation of the human rights of women and girls. that's why it's so important that we fund women's global health. unfortunately this means an estimated 200 million girls and women are alive today who have been victims of fgmc with girls 14 and younger representing 44 million of those who have been cut. for example, consider that around the world at least five girls are mutilated, cut, every hour, more than three million girls are estimated to be at risk right now with fgmc annually. the impacts of fgmc on the physical health of women and girls can include bleeding,

infection, on settic fistula, complications in childbirth, and death. i am going to reserve as i ask my colleagues to support the jackson-lee amendment. i reserve. the chair: the gentlewoman reserves. the gentleman -- for what purpose does the gentleman seek recognition? the gentlewoman seek recognition? ms. lee: i claim time in opposition though i'm not opposed to the amendment. the chair: without objection. ms. lee: wile this amendment does not have a budgetary effect i would like to thank my colleague for raising such an important issue for millions of women around the world. for more than 200 women, female genital mutilation can mean health problems that haunt them for the rest of their lives. the quest for gender equality will not be complete until women no longer are subjected to these practices. and i thank my colleague for raising this important issue and i reserve the balance of my time. the chair: the gentlewoman

reserves. does the gentlewoman seek recognition? the gentlewoman is recognized. ms. lee: let me first of all thank the ranking member, congresswoman barbara lee for her consistent, steady, and unrelenting commitment to world affairs and as well to the peace and harmony of women around the world and humanitarian practices. that is why this amendment and this emphasis on fgmc is so important. because other significant barriers to combating the practice of fgmc include the high concentration in pacific regions associated with several cultural traditions that's not tide any one religion. so it spreads all over. i want to emphasize to this body, girls as young as 14 that can make no determination but are put upon by this process. according to unicef, fgmc is reported to occur in all pars of the world but is most prevalent in parts of africa, middle east and asia. due to the commonality of the

practice, many migrants to the united states bring the practice of fgmc with them, showing the importance of combating fgmc abroad. my amendment prioritizes funding for foreign scenes to combat female genital mute case cutting and internationally -- an internationally recognized violation of the human rights of girls and women is it can finally come to the end with the negatives of this defense appropriation let's do something positive. i urge of this state department appropriations, i urge my colleagues to vote in favor of the jackson lee amendment. notwithstanding the vast extensive work that is going on that is without restraint of dealing with fgmc around the world. i ask my colleagues to support the jackson lee amendment. i reserve. the chair: the gentlewoman reserves. the chair: the gentlewoman from california is recognized. ms. lee: i yield two minutes to the gentleman from florida,

mr. diaz-balart. the chair: the gentleman from florida is recognized. mr. diaz-balart: thank you, mr. chairman. i strongly support this amendment. look, this is a horrifying practice of literally just mutilating, mutilating women around the world. an estimate 200 million women, and girls, have undergone this form of female genital mutilation. including, by the way, ones who are 15 or younger. i don't have to tell you about the extreme psychological and physical harm this does to these young girls and the women. i want to thank my colleague, representative jackson lee, for condemning this practice wherever, wherever it is occurring. anywhere in the world we should object to minors, young girls, young women having genital

mutilation performed for whatever reason. i would urge my colleagues to strongly support this amendment. i yield back. the chair: the gentlewoman from texas is recognized for 15 seconds. ms. jackson lee: let me indicate my appreciation to the chairman and ranking member for support of this amendment. i ask my colleagues to support the jackson lee amendment. let's end fgmc against women and girls around the world forever. i yield back. the chair: the gentlewoman yields. the the gentlewoman from california is recognized. ms. lee: i yield two minutes to the gentlewoman from oregon, ms. salinas. the chair: the gentlewoman is recognized. ms. salinas: thank you. mr. chairman, i rise in opposition to this bill for reasons beyond what i can list in the allotted time. primarily because it would force america to abdicate its leadership role on the global stage. this bill contains too many harmful provisions to count. but for the benefit of the american people, i'll do my best to summarize a few. this bill would severely reduce

our ability to combat the climate crisis. it would make massive cuts to global health programming through usaid and the w.h.o. it would shortchange economic and humanitarian assistance and global peacekeeping funding. and as if those self impose the restrictions on our international leadership weren't bad enough, my republican colleagues are using this bill as a trojan horse for more poison pill riders just as they have done with other appropriations bills. the majority's obsession with anti-choice, anti-lgbtq, anti-diversity politics preclude them from putting forth a bill that has any chance of becoming law. specifically their bill would reinstate the global gag rule and prohibit contributions to the unpfa, restricting women and girls around the world from receiving the reproductive and maternal health care they need. they are not just content to undermine reproductive freedom at home. no. they need to take their

draconian quest abroad to the tremendous shame of the majority of americans who value reproductive freedom. for this reason at the appropriate time i will offer a motion to recommit this bill back to committee. if the house rules permitted i would have offered the motion with an important amendment to this bill. my amendment would strike the global gag rule and allow contributions to unpfa. i strongly support reproductive rights and believe we should be a global leader guaranteeing it to all women and girls regardless of where they may have been born. at the end of the debate i will insert into the record the text of this amendment. i hope my colleagues -- the chair: the gentlelady's time has expired. the gentlewoman california is recognized. ms. lee: mr. chairman, i yield back. the chair: the gentlewoman yields. the question is on the amendment offered by the gentlewoman from texas. so many as are in favor say aye. those opposed, no.

in the opinion of the chair, the ayes have it. the amendment is agreed to. it is now in order to consider amendment number 17 printed in part d of house report 118-216. for what purpose does the gentleman from florida seek recognition? mr. gaetz: mr. speaker, i have an amendment at the desk. the chair: the clerk will designate the amendment. the clerk: amendment number 17, printed in part d of house report number 118-216. offered by mr. gaetz of florida. the chair: pursuant to house resolution 723, the gentleman from florida, mr. gaetz, and a member opposed each will control five minutes. the chair recognizes the gentleman from florida. mr. gaetz: thank you, mr. speaker. this amendment reduces the amendment of funding allocated to usaid by $4.5 billion. as mentioned earlier usaid is a vehicle through which the american taxpayer pays for economic development in other countries. i think instead we should spend more money on economic development of our own country

and actually if we spent less money overall, we probably would see less inflation, more prosperity, and the type of economic growth that we saw during president trump's time in office. usaid may have started with laudable goals, but today they are promoting abortion, globally, with american tax dollars. they are pushing president biden's national gender strategy. i never thought we need add national gender strategy, if we do, can we at least not spend so much money promoting it abroad? silly. the d.e.i. programs that are in the 1691619 project have been embraced by the united nations ambassador and we see that continue to manifest through usaid. american taxpayers should focus their resources and their efforts on the american people and the american economy. this is a thoughtful reduction. it should be easily agreed to. i reserve the balance of my t time. the chair: the gentleman reserves. the gentlewoman from -- for what

purpose does gentlewoman seek recognition? mistles: i rye -- ms. lee: i rise in strong opposition to this amendment. once again i have no idea what my colleagues are trying to achieve. all this amendment would do is double down on the harm russia's aggression has already wreaked on the poorest countries of the world through higher food, fertilizer, and fuel costs. this amendment would cut $750 million each from global health programs and the international disaster assistance accounts. these cuts would impose tremendous harm and suffering to the most vulnerable. including four million children with malaria will go untreated. 350,000 deaths attributable to tuberculosis. 13 million viewer -- fewer children vaccinated resulting a

possible 115,000 additional deaths. a reduction of over 45% of humanitarian assistance to sudan compared to f.y. 2023 levels. this doesn't sound much like pro-life to me, mr. chairman. it would also eliminate entire development assistance accounts affecting agriculture and food security programs, education and clean water for millions of the most vulnerable people in the world. development assistance is also used for counter p.r.c. influence programs. which represents one of our more effective tools to counter and compete with the p.r.c. globally. it's really ridiculous, it's cruel, and it is not pro-life. these are not funds that would

target to ukraine in any significant way. it has no impact on the ukraine debate and would inflict harm on millions of people. i would be happy to discuss with colleagues about how we support ukraine's pursuit of freedom, but this amendment would only alienate the rest of the world and forsake many of our allies, reliant assistance on the united states. i urge my colleagues to oppose this amendment. i reserve the balance of my t time. the chair: the gentlewoman reserves. the the gentleman is recognized. mr. gaetz: my amendment makes it $4.5 billion cut. $3.5 billion of that stops us from retiring global debt for ukraine. i don't think it's an unrealistic position to say that the united states of america should not deficit spend to retire the debt of other countries. think about that.

we are borrowing money from china to go settle the debts of ukraine that they accrued far before this war with russia. my colleague says this exists to counter the p.r.c. we are never going to out bribe the p.r.c. on the global scene. we are going to need another strategy. if you listen to the debate of those opposing my amendment, hear the substance. oh, my goodness. people around the world are having problems buying food and buying fuel. if the u.s. taxpayer will just sacrifice a little more it might be easier to buy food and fuel in other countries. i have a message for my democratic colleagues, people are having a hard time buying food and fuel in this country as a consequence of the very inflationary spending i'm trying to reduce with this amendment. we should retire our debt before we retire ukraine's debt. that is such an obvious statement i am shocked i have to say it on the floor of the u.s. house of representatives where i'm just glad we are still

hanging our flag. i reserve. the chair: the gentleman reserves. the gentlewoman from is recognized. ms. lee: thank you. mr. chairman, let me just suggest this. it really is an unrealistic position for the united states to allow children with malaria to go untreated. to allow 350,000 deaths attributable to tuberculosis. to allow 13 million fewer children vaccinated resulting in a possible 115,000 additional deaths. and a reduction of over 45% of humanitarian assistance to sudan compared to 2023 levels. very unrealistic, cruel, and unusual. i yield back. the chair: the gentlewoman yields back. the gentleman is recognized. mr. gaetz: mr. speaker, it's hard to believe what i am hearing. the gentlelady is saying, but there is malaria and tuberculosis and sickness and ailment around the world. the gentlelady need look no further than her home state of

california. where the human condition continues to decline. she wouldn't even look no further than the major cities throughout our country under democrat control. maybe before we go solve all the world's problems, maybe before we function as the world's policeman and world's piggy bank and world's debt payor, we ought to focus on the issues we have in this country. they are real. and frankly too often they ma it's at that size from the gentlelady's -- metastasize from the ladies' home state. i yield. the chair: the question is on the amendment offered by the gentleman from florida. so many as are in favor say aye. those opposed, no. in the opinion of the chair, the ayes have it. ms. lee: i request a recorded vote. the chair: does the gentlewoman seek recognition? ms. lee: i request a record the vote -- recorded vote. the chair: pursuant to clause 6 of rule 18, further proceedings on the amendment offered by the gentleman from florida will be postponed.

it is now in order to consider amendment number 18 printed in part d of house report 118-216. for what purpose does the gentleman from pennsylvania seek recognition? mr. perry: i have an amendment at the desk. the chair: the clerk will designate the amendment. the clerk: amendment number 18, printed in part d of house report number 118-216, offered by mr. perry of pennsylvania. the chair: pursuant to house resolution 723, the gentleman from pennsylvania, mr. perry, and a member opposed, each will control five minutes. the chair now recognizes the gentleman from pennsylvania, mr. mr. perry: i thank the chairman. when everyday americans like the folks i have the honor to represent in pennsylvania's 10th congressional district have too many expenses, they are simply forced to cut back. they don't have any choice. that's what they had to do in this high inflation, high cost of living, biden economy where gas, food, seemingly everything. i don't know that anything's

gone down. but for sure food, gas, electricity prices. just going up. and up. what do folks do at home? they don't go out to eat as oven. they don't have a meal with their family out. they might have to cancel a few subscriptions. put on off repairs around the house. put off buying a new pair of shoes. you name t the point is they pare back their spending sometimes to the bare-bones because they need a roof over their head and food in their bellies. the pairing back -- paring back i just discussed is something this body, this institution, has been unwilling, unable, refused to do for decades. decades. $33 trillion worth of that. many of my colleagues on this side of the aisle have highlighted the amendment, the wasteful bloated spending that this place has perpetuated, especially during the pandemic.

unbelievable amounts during the pandemic. and i appreciate the work of the chairman. he has worked diligently to bring this thing back closer to in line with some reality. but there are still places we can cut. this amendment reduces the amendment of international disaster assistance from $3.9 billion to zero. everybody will take a gasp, zero? international disaster ass assistance. ladies and gentlemen, in our country the disaster assistance account is zero. it's dried up. the good the gentleman from florida, his state just suffered a hurricane. there's no money for them. what about the folks in what ab. we are helping those folks at the expense of the people in america. i'm not trying and no one is

trying to be punitive or cruel here, the fact is that this process is broken and the results of it are broken and the american people are tired of being broke from what we do here in washington. this is a nearly $4 billion line item that we simply can't afford. we want to be helpful. every single one of us wants to help, but using the money that other people earned to help people overseas while people who earned the money. ms. lee: i rise in strong opposition to this amendment. international disaster account is a critical tool which supports our country's foreign policy objectives and serves as a lifeline of millions of people.

i.d.a. account provides lifesaving report including food, water, shelter, emergency health care, sanitation and hygiene and critical knew trishon services to the most vulnerable and hardest to reach people. after 20 years of decline, there are more people facing hunger than in 2019, almost 30% of the global population. regardless of whether you have faith or not, i think that our values compel us to really address those in most need, not only in our country but yes, throughout the world. it is important to provide this humanitarian assistance because it is moralely the right thing to do. those of people of faith say do

not do this because it does solid file our commitment to humankind and our leadership and influence throughout the world. it is unthinkable that the united states would stop providing p support to everything those who lost everything due to a natural disaster or conflict. i am ashamed that the republicans want to do this. it's a disgrace. i urge my colleagues to oppose this amendment and i reserve. the chair: the gentlewoman reserves and gentleman is recognized. mr. perry: people of faith and their care for people not only in their community but around the globe. and the church i attend, that's exactly what we do and should do, be our brother's keeper. be our brother's and sister's keep but the good lord don't

force someone else to be someone else keeper. and that's what we are doing is forcing people that can ill afford their own bill and own tragedies that they are suffering in the united states to pay for tragedies in other places. and that's immoral. with that, i yield the balance. the chair: the gentleman yields. the gentlewoman is recognized. ms. lee: i reserve. i yield back. the chair: the question is on the amendment offered by the gentleman from pennsylvania. those in favor, say aye. those opposed, no. in the opinion of the chair, the ayes have it, the amendment is agreed to. ms. lee: i request a recorded vote. the chair: pursuant to clause 6 of rule 18, further proceedings on the amendment offered by the gentleman from pennsylvania will be postponed.

it is now in order to consider amendment number 20 printed in part d of house report 118-216. for what purpose does the gentleman from pennsylvania seek recognition? mr. perry: i have an amendment at the desk. the clerk: amendment number 20 printed in part d of house report 118-216 offered by mr. perry of pennsylvania. the chair: pursuant to house resolution 723, the gentleman from pennsylvania, mr. perry and a member opposed, each will control five minutes. the chair recognizes mr. perry. per mere this reduces economic support funding. a few of my colleagues on this side of the aisle have said this is a necessary hair cut to a program that has ballooned massively just since two presidents. from 2018 to 2023, this went to

$4.3 billion. how did we get $33 trillion. let's look at the use of the funds. cooperative projects, sustainability challenges relating to water resources, agriculture and energy storage. that's interesting. you ever hear of flint, michigan. they are concerned with water resources. our farmers can't afford fertilizer based on the policies and energy storage and paying for batteries overseas. not enough that we force our own constituents to use unreliable power and force the rest of the world to do it and pay for it. scientific research collaboration in the middle east. that's awesome, because other than our one ally over there,

there isn't much scientific collaboration that i want to participate in. the state department says supports government and citizens to share stability objectives. how much money are we going to throw in this money pit year after year after year. and the administration's budget request they say they use funds to foster economic resilience in greenland. are they in peril in greenland? promote civil society and independent media in south asian provide rapid flexible support and assistance to government and civil society in africa. these are laudible things. the question is can you afford them? and we cannot. we are borrowing from china to pay for these things, all of these things. reasonable people can disagree whether the american taxpayer dollars need to promote

scientific collaboration abrd. the fact remains we must find places to save and this reverts a highly inflated item. $1.8 billion to $4.3 billion in five years. what is the metric to determine if this is successful to support the american people. i urge support and i reserve the balance. the chair: the gentleman reserves. for what purpose does the gentlelady rise? ms. lee: i rise in opposition to this amendment. this amendment is shortsighted and cut programs to strengthen democracy and human rights and protect religious freedom and protect economic reforms. many of these programs counter maligned influences. and financing -- these programs also offer and demonstrate

another narrative from the author tarnism promoted by the pmple r.c. the economic support fund advances critical security programs such as counter terrorists, radical lization and improving governance and accountability. these are bigger challenges. the fiscal year level that is sought by this amendment, totally unrealistic to accomplish our goals. i urge my colleagues to vote no. and i reserve. the chair: the gentlewoman reserves. mr. perry: we want to do what we can and shouldn't be borrowing money from china. and oh, by the way while borrowing from them, we are allowing them to operate in our financial markets without the same controls and restrictions that we place on american

companies. that's ridiculous. so ridiculous that it probably counters more. we are going to allow that and take taxpayers' money and spend it to do this. it would cost so much less to do this if we do the right thing in the first place. the chair: the gentleman yields. the gentlewoman is recognized. ms. lee: this budget is less than one half of 1% of the united states g.d.p. let me yield to the gentlelady from california, ms. kim one 1/2 minutes. mrs. kim: this aiment would consequences, including elimination of religious freedom

programming gutting the china influence fund and hamstringing international cybersecurity building at a time when those foreign policies are under great pressure. the funds are available to protect human rights and freedom of the press, combat human trafficking and corruption and increase public accountability. this account goes to countries of strategic significance to the united states and promotes the economic stability of our u.s. allies. mr. speaker, the fiscal year 2024 -- this bill already marks a $2.4 billion reduction from the president's request and $1.3 billion reduction from fiscal year 2023 level. a dramatic shift proposed in this amendment would be an

absolute whip lash for partners overseas and detrimental to the g.o.p. and priorities funded through this account. i would go about the priorities that would be lost if this amendment were adopted like training for taiwan, cuba democracy program. but this amendment is a disservice. i encourage my -- the chair: the gentlewoman's time has expired. the gentlewoman from california. ms. lee: i yield back. the question is on the amendment offered by the gentleman from pennsylvania. those in favor, say aye. those opposed, no. in the opinion of the chair, the ayes have it. the amendment is agreed to. mr. perry: i ask for a recorded vote. the chair: pursuant to clause 6, rule 18, further proceedings on the amendment offered by the gentleman from pennsylvania will

be postponed. it is now in order to consider amendment number 22 printed in part d of house report 118-216. mr. perry: i have an amendment at the desk. the clerk: amendment number 22 printed in part d of house report 118-216 offered by mr. perry of pennsylvania. the chair: pursuant to house resolution 723, the gentleman from pennsylvania plrks perry and a member opposed, each will control five minutes. mr. perry: this amendment cuts migration and refugee funding to zero dollars. this money, the $2.5 billion goes towards refugee programs including health care and sanitation. we want to help. nobody is trying to be cruel or punitive here but we don't have enough money to deal with the refugee crisis in our country,

which is self-imposed. our constituents can't afford their own shelter, can't afford their own health care, their own food because of the policies of this administration yet we are forcing them to pay it around the globe after companies have encouraged people to migrate to their countries. during the debate on the homeland security bill, many of my colleagues on this side of the aisle pointed out the disaster occurring at our southern border, to the tune of thousands of people every single day coming in and by the way, what other countries are helping with our refugee crisis and migration assistance? our taxpayers are paying for the one we are allowing in our country and being forced under penalty of law in their taxes to pay for the ones in other

countries, too. all of our districts have been affected by the influx of drugs including fentanyl. in my district, last week, half a dozen people died that came across the border. one of the refrains of the biden administration, seem to think the only way to solve this is address the root causes rather than enforcing our own border. we aren't going to solve any of this under the current policies that we are seeing and not solve it around the globe by forcing our taxpayers to pay for it and encouraging pit all around the globe. . . . ms. lee: i rise in strong opposition to this amendment. the chair: the gentlewoman is recognized. ms. lee: the migration and

refugee assistance accounts provides assistance to ease the suffering of those that had to leave everything behind and become a refugee. the funding also contributes to broader u.s.g. and international efforts to resolve conflicts that cause displacement. this humanitarian aid saves lives and upholds the dignity of tens of millions of forcibly displaced and crisis affected people. including refugees, victims of conflict, stateless persons, and vulnerable migrants. there are more than 108 million forcibly displaced people globally at the end of 2022. this is the largest ever annual increase and represents the largest number of forcibly displaced in history. without assistance, nations will not accept growing refugee populations in their countries. potentially destabilizing regions and threatening global peace and security and

stability. we should be doing more not less to support these individuals. i urge my colleagues to oppose this amendment. the c i reserve the balance of my time. the chair: the gentlewoman reserves. the gentleman is recognized. mr. perry: i thank the chair. like i said, every single one of us wants to help. every single one of our hearts breaks for people that are forcibly displaced. i would say this as well, i question the numbers. forcibly displaced. there are people in this country saying that all the people coming illegally to this country are being forcibly displaced when it's obviously not true. and oh, by the way, maybe we would be more amenable to taking the taxpayers' hard-earned money and spending it overseas on these migrations if we would solve our problem here in the united states of america. but how can we force them to do -- how can we force them? how can we ask them to spend their hard-earned tax dollars

overseas when we refuse to solve the problem right here at home and force them to pay for that as well? it is insult upon injury. mr. chairman, i reserve. the chair: the gentleman reserves. the gentlewoman is recognized. ms. lee: mr. chairman, i yield back. the chair: the gentlewoman yields. the gentleman is recognized. mr. perry: i yield. the chair: the gentleman yields. the question is on the amendment offered by the gentleman from pennsylvania, so many as are in favor say aye. those opposed, no. in the opinion of the chair, the ayes have it. the amendment is agreed to. for what purpose does gentlewoman seek recognition? ms. lee: i ask for a recorded vote. the chair: pursuant to clause 6 of rule 18, further proceedings on the amendment offered by the gentleman from pennsylvania will be postponed. it is now in order to consider amendment number 23 printed in part d of house report 118-216. for what purpose does the gentleman from tennessee seek recognition?

mr. ogles: mr. chairman, i have an amendment at the desk. the chair: the clerk will designate the amendment. the clerk: amendment number 23, printed in part d of house report number 118-216, offered by mr. ogles of tennessee. the chair: pursuant to house resolution 723, the gentleman from tennessee, mr. ogles, and a member opposed, each will control five minutes. the chair now recognizes the gentleman from tennessee for five minutes. mr. ogles: thank you, mr. chairman. when we fund specific programs, we should ask ourselves when questioned, what is the real return on investment? in the case of the peace corps we are spending a little over $410 million. is the investment worth it given the rising cost of food and gas? is it appropriate for congress to prioritize the peace corps over our veterans? prioritize the peace corps over securing our border? keep in mind my proposed cut is

a modest cut. how is the peace corps justifying its budget alongside the hardships borne by millions of americans. in separate testimonies before the house committee on firsthand affairs, the peace corps director pointed out the agency's work on the following. helping illegals at the southern border. promoting d.e.i. among its volunteers. promoting covid-19 vaccinations in low-income areas. climate change adaptation to name a few. the latter case the peace corps is working to promote climate smart approaches in agriculture. and to focus on gender equity issues. it's clear the peace corps has become more of an activist organization than an organization determined to help people. mr. chairman, i reserve. the chair: the gentleman reserves. for what purpose does gentlewoman seek recognition?

miss lee: i rise in -- ms. lee: i rise in opposition to this amendment. the chair: the gentlewoman is recognized for five minutes. ms. lee: mr. chairman, the peace corps is one of the best investments in public diplomacy that we make. and there is no way that democrats have prioritized peace corps over veterans. we support our veterans. we support the peace corps. what better ambassadors do we have than young american people willing to spend two years overseas and building good will with people around the world. i know many of us have met these young people when traveling overseas or have discussed with our own constituents after they have participated in this life changing experience. the peace corps account in this bill is already 20 million below its current level. endangering the return of volunteers in the field after covid. and the reopening of new sites, particularly in the pacific

islands, where strong american diplomacy is sorely needed. cuts are already threatening the ability to support the 5,000 volunteers across 51 countries that peace corps has responsibility for. once again, democrats support the peace corps. democrats support and thank our veterans for their service. i reserve the balance of my time. the chair: the gentlewoman reserves. the gentleman is recognized. mmr. ogles: best investments? this is the best we can do? how about we invest in our veterans? how about we invest in our border? how about we take care of america? look, i want to help those around the world, but not at the expense of americans. it should be noted that the peace corps has a long and sordid history of covering up sexual abuse of its

participants. think about that. are we going to aid and abet an agency, an organization that has this sordid past while our veterans suffer? while our border is open? while we have migrants being abused on the border? i should think not. this is a modest cut. it simply returns the funding back to pre-covid levels. merely $14 million cut. we can do this. and at a time when americans are suffering, at a time when interest rates are high, gas has gone up, food is more expensive surely we put americans, hardworking americans first. mr. chairman, i reserve. the chair: the gentleman reserves. the gentlewoman is recognized. ms. lee: mr. chairman, i'm not so sure that our veterans would appreciate being used as a pawn in this game to try to defund

and cut funding for young people. i have talked to many veterans who appreciate the peace corps and appreciate the work that they are doing to help ensure that americans have the best ambassadors in the world. our veterans would not want to hear this pawn game being played against them in support. excuse me, in opposition to the peace corps. i yield back. the chair: the gentlewoman yields. the gentleman is recognized. mr. ogles: mr. chairman, i would argue that the gold star families would like for us to invest in our veterans. i would argue the veterans that are homeless would like for us to invest in our veterans. when we look at this suicide rates among our service men and women, we should be investing in our veterans. so to say they are putting our veterans first is using them as

a pawn is offensive. mr. chairman, i thank you. i ask my colleagues to support this. i ask that we put our veterans and our americans first. thank you. i yield back. the chair: the gentleman yields. the question is on the amendment offered by the gentleman from tennessee. so many as are in favor say aye. those opposed, no. in the opinion of the chair, the ayes it. for what purpose does the gentlewoman from seek recognition? ms. lee: i ask for a recorded vote. the chair: pursuant to clause 6 of rule 18, further proceedings on the amendment offered by the gentleman from tennessee will be postponed. the chair understands that amendment numbers 25 through 26 will not be offered. it is now in order to consider amendment number 27 printed in part d of house report 118-216. for what purpose does the gentleman from mississippi seek recognition? mr. kelly: mr. chairman, i have an amendment at the desk. the chair: the clerk will designate the amendment. the clerk: amendment number 27, printed in part d of house

report number 118-216. offered by mr. kelly of mississippi. the chair: pursuant to house resolution 723, the gentleman from mississippi, mr. kelly, and a member opposed, each will control five minutes. the chair now recognizes the gentleman from mississippi for five minutes. mr. kelly: thank you, mr. chairman. i rise in support of my amendment to reduce funding to the global environment facility fund from $139 million to $129 million. or about $10 million. we do well what we measure. that's what my father always told me growing up. we do well what we measure. unfortunately, many of the organizations and many of the money spent by america are not measured well. we need to force people to prioritize and account for the funds that they spend. this is a small little cut. americans are struggling every day as they face high gas prices, inflation due to the reckless spending of this administration, and the radical climate change agenda of the biden administration.

my amendment claws back just a little bit of those hard-earned tax dollars going to fund climate change initiatives outside of our borders. i encourage my colleagues to vote in support of my amendment. remember, we do well what we measure. i reserve the balance of my time. the chair: the gentleman reserves the balance of his time. for what purpose does gentlewoman seek recognition? ms. lee: i rise in opposition to this amendment. the chair: the gentlewoman is recognized for five minutes. ms. lee: mr. chairman, this amendment would reduce the contribution of the united states to the global environmental facility by $10 million. the global environmental facility is a multilateral trust fund that provides grant-based funding to developing countries to address the real global environmental challenges. last month was the hottest august according to the national oceanic and spheric administration's -- atmospheric administration's 174 year record. in that one month hawaii had a devastating wildfire. the southeast suffered from a

category three hurricane in, and southern california had its first ever tropical storm watch with many areas receiving more rain in 48 hours than they typically get all year. these disasters come with huge costs in the communities they directly affect and impact our entire planet. the global environmental facility fund benefits the united states' economy and environment by addressing problems that affect our domestic health, safety, and prosperity. such as by protecting tropical forest, reducing global levels of transboundary pollutants, and combating illegal wildlife trafficking which i know is of concern on -- on both sides of the aisle. i urge my colleagues to oppose this amendment. i reserve the balance of my t time. the chair: the gentlewoman reserves. the gentleman is recognized. mr. kelly: i would just point out that we spend a lot of money overseas to preserve our environment. none of it is measured. there are no metrics of success.

we spend billions and billions of dollars outside of the united states for climate preservation which countries like china just refuse to acknowledge or other areas in south america that do not do those. i just ask for a yes. i reserve the balance of my t time. the chair: the gentlewoman is recognized. ms. lee: i yield back. the chair: the gentleman is recognized. mr. kelly: i ask people to remember, we are asking for a small cut. we do well what we measure and what we account for. with that i yield back. ask for a yes vote. the chair: the question is on the amendment offered by the the gentleman from mississippi, so many as are in favor say aye. those opposed, no. in the opinion of the chair, the ayes have it. the amendment is agreed to. for what purpose does gentleman seek recognition? mr. diaz-balart: i respectfully ask for a recorded vote. the chair: pursuant to clause 6 of rule 18, further proceedings on the amendment offered by the gentleman from mississippi will be postponed. the chair understands that

amendments number 28 through 31 will not be offered. it is now in order to consider amendment number 36 in part d of house report 118-216. for what purpose does gentlewoman the virgin islands seek recognition? ms. plaskett: mr. chair, i have an amendment at the desk. the chair: the clerk will designate the amendment. the clerk: amendment number 36, printed in part d of house report number 118-216. offered by ms. plaskett of the virgin the chair: the gentlewoman from virgin islands and a member opposed each will control five minutes. the chair recognizes the gentlewoman. ms. plaskett: this amendment would strike section 70-d from the bill banning the state

department and other agencies classifying or facilitating the classification of any communication by a united states person as misinformation, disinformation or malinformation and banning the federal government from partnering with nonpartisan nonprofit outside experts to identify these threats. on january 7, 2021, a day after the january 6 insurrection, the national intelligence council department ofhomeland security, f.b.i., n.s.a. and the state department disseminated a then classified report entitled foreign threats to the 2020 u.s. federal elections. that report was declassified two months later. in it, the best minds of our intelligence communities wrote, russian president putin authorized a range of government

organizations influence operations aimed at denigrating president biden and the democratic party undermining public confidence in the electoral process and exacerbating socio political divisions in the u.s. it said, unlike in 2016, a key element of moscow's strategy this election cycle of 2020 was use of proxies linked to russian intelligence to push influence narratives including misleading or unsubstantiated allegations. in the wake of the chaos and destruction caused by the former president and his followers on january 6, i fear these facts are being forgotten. we are here today with multiple appropriation bills that prevent the federal government of the united states from even acknowledging misinformation,

disinformation, malinformation and getting that information to the american public no matter who it is spouted by whether domestic or foreign threats. my colleagues across the aisle want to use first amendment rights as a blanket for those kinds of words that are going to destroy the american people. we are not saying people cannot say these things. what the federal government needs to be able to do is inform the american people where that information comes from, if it is in fact not facts and conspiracy theories. i fear this is being allowed because some empowered foreigners of american caucus know an election is coming and given a cookbook how to keep chaos in our society. number one-page one of that book

that first recipe is russian propaganda and penetration of the american people. it's not only the kremlin that is on this game, this meal they are trying to cook for the american people, iran and china want to get into the kitchen, too. foreign influencers are coming. let's make sure our federal government has the expertise, the research to be able to stop it. i yield -- at this time, i reserve my time. i urge my colleagues to approve my amendment. and i reserve. the chair: the gentlewoman reserves. for what purpose does the gentleman from texas seek recognition? >> i claim time in opposition. the chair: the gentleman is recognized. >> you know, when george orwell wrote the book "1984" most people took it as a cautionary

tale. and we have seen this administration try to stand up the ministry of truth and seen accurate information where a lab leak come from and medical experts with information be labeled as spreaders of misinformation having their careers ruined and tragically costing the lives of thousands if not millions of people. let's talk about russian information, the hunter laptop was labeled as russian information. dossier paid for by the d.n.c. all of this has been on the backs of the u.s. taxpayer having to fund the demise of their own country but having first amendment rights squelched by the u.s. government. that is not enough apparently for our friends on the left, they want to export that on the backs of the u.s. taxpayer to people around the world.

this is how this works, right now the state department is funding the global disinformation index and labeled some news outlets like the american spectator, news max, one america news, the real clear politics and the "new york post" as potential spreaders of misinformation and created this list to potential sponsors and the word is don't put any advertisement on these sites because they are spreaders of miss information. they are trying to drain any sort of financees sponsored by the u.s. taxpayer. this is unconscionable and if you are a business, you may be sponsoring one of these things and lean heavily on you when it comes to government grants and regulatory burdens. this isn't how things are

supposed to work in a free society. we need to stop this nonsense and shouldn't be exporting it around the world on the backs of the u.s. taxpayer and i reserve. the chair: the gentleman reserves. the gentlewoman is recognized. ms. plaskett: private media companies acting in their own business interests and public health in the middle of pandemics are going to do what they think is best for their bottom line. that's what drives them. as for orwellian cries by my colleagues on the right, that is absolutely ludicrous that you would be concerned with that. you are concerned with free spheech now because it is impeding conspiracy theories you want to put forward. free speech is not an absolute protection. that is one of the things you learn in law school. it is not an absolute.

it is not an absolute when it is going against the american people and our democracy when it is malicious speech. we are not saying the people cannot say these words but the information and how it is used, our federal government should be able to track that. the chair: the scwom gentlewoman's time has expired. >> i remind my colleagues to direct her chepts to the chair and those rights are a gift from god and i yield to the gentleman from georgia, mr. clyde. the chair: the chair acknowledges that members should direct their remarks to the chair. mr. clyde: thank you to my friend in texas. i rise in strong opposition. protecting free speech is a founding preliminary. our founders embedded this

protection in the first amendment, the bedrock of our republic. forces inside our government seek to trample this freedom through censorsship. the governance board was a distopian scheme to silence dissent. recently hocking evidence emerged that federal agencies pressuring social media platforms to suppress lawful speech. any attempt by the government to stifle debate and chill free speech is unconstitutional. the founders rebelled against tyranny and wrote those protections into law. and amendment number 36 would remove vital protections against abuses of power and open the door of big tech and harvesting of data without warrants and violations of the first and fourth amendments.

search your conscience, will you bow to liberal. uphold freedom. oppose this amendment and affirm the government has no place policing protected speech or compromising privacy rights. we reject control. our constitution voices beliefs however controversial. vote down amendment number 36 and any attempt silencing of dissent. our republic hangs in the balance. amendment number 36 attacks. i urge my colleagues to vote against it. and i yield back. the chair: the gentleman yields back the balance of his time the gentleman from texas. >> how much time is remaining? the chair: 15 seconds remaining? >> i yield back. the chair: the question is on

the amendment offered by the gentlelady from virgin islands. those in favor, say aye. those opposed, no. in the opinion of the chair, the noes have it. for what purpose does the gentlewoman from seek recognition? ms. plaskett: i ask for a recorded vote. the chair: pursuant to clause 6 of of rule 18, further proceedings on the amendment offered by the gentlewoman from virgin islands will be postponed. now in order to consider amendment number 38 printed in part d of house report 118-216. for what purpose does the gentleman from wisconsin seek recognition? mr. tiffany: i have an amendment at the desk. the clerk: amendment number 38 printed in part d of house report 118-216 offered by mr. tiffany of wisconsin. the chair: pursuant to house resolution 723, the gentleman from wisconsin plrks tiffany and a member opposed each will control five minutes. mr. tiffany: my amendment would

prevent the enforcement of several arbitrary, self-imposed state department restrictions that limit communication and cooperation between u.s. officials and counterparts in taiwan. this amendment is similar to one that was adopted earlier to the department of defense appropriations bill. as i discussed then, these restrictions are not required by any provision in law and put in place at the request of china. make it difficult for u.s. officials to travel to taiwan. in essence, these guidelines are designed to prevent and limit high level, bilateral cooperation. not only does this make little sense, it is indirect conflict with existing laws for expanding cooperation such as the taiwan travel act. mr. speaker, a state department memorandum should never trump the laws we pass in this body or

outsource american foreign policy to the c.c.p. my amendment will make sure neither of those things happen by scrapping these restrictive guidelines. i ask for a yes vote on this amendment. and i reserve. the chair: the gentleman reserves the balance of his time. for what purpose does the gentlewoman from seek recognition? ms. lee: i rise in opposition to this amendment. mr. chairman, first, executive branch has the ability to determine how the united states engages and manages our relationship with taiwan. it had that ability during the last administration. that's because congress left it to the executive branch to conduct diplomacy and recognition or nonrecognition of foreign states or governments in this case. if you wish to legislate how the executive branch should engage with taiwan, then mark up a separate bill in foreign affairs

committee that just deals with that. in the absence of that, the executive branch needs to determine how to handle diplomatic engagements abroad. the last administration did just that. it's their job to weigh multiple equities and balance delicate factors that are simply not considered by this amendment today. the gentleman knows that taiwan is a sensitive geo political subject with respect to our relations with the peoples republic of china. that's why we have a select committee in the house. i think this is something they could advance, but there is too much at stake to have this amendment decide what the guidelines for engagement will be. i urge my colleagues to oppose this amendment. i reserve. the chair: the gentlewoman reserves. mr. tiffany: why do we allow a state department to impose

unnecessary and counterproductive limits in cooperation with taiwan? we don't have rules in place tore the totalitarian rulers of cuba and russia and operate embassies from where we are standing right now. we don't have rules with interaction with iran. john kerry has met on several occasions with iranian officials and the white house just paid a $6 billion hostage ran some to the government. we don't have rules like this for interaction with china. they continue to sit down at the table with the same c.c.p. officials our own secretary of state has accused of committing genocide. we continue to enforce these degrading conditions on taiwan, a long time friend. as the old sesame street goes

"one of these things is not like the other. time to stop treating our friends like enemies and our enemies like friends. ms. lee: i yield here's part of the memo, i read this last night from the state department, you should not refer to taiwan as a country or the authorities of taiwan was a government. instead refer to taiwan authorities or taiwan counterparts. that's the kind of thing that's happening in our state department. and it projects weakness to countries across the world in particular our adversaries when we need a foreign policy that is strong, we are not receiving it now. that is why this amendment should be passed. i yield back. the chair: the gentleman yield. the question is on the amendment offered by the gentleman from mississippi. so many as are in favor say aye. those opposed, no.

in the opinion of the chair, the ayes have it. the amendment is agreed to. it is now in order to consider amendment number 39 printed in part d of house report 118-216. for what purpose does the gentleman from tennessee seek recognition? mr. ogles: mr. chairman, i have an amendment at the desk. the chair: the clerk will designate the amendment. the clerk: amendment number 39, printed in part d of house report number 118-216. offered by mr. ogles of tennessee. the chair: pursuant to house resolution 723, the gentleman from tennessee, mr. ogles, and a member opposed, each will control five minutes of the the chair now recognizes the gentleman from tennessee for five minutes. mr. ogles: thank you, mr. chairman. if you want to come up with the right policy position on an issue related to foreign affairs, talk to anthony blinken first and then do the opposite. we have seen the secretary's inability to be correct about any major foreign policy concern for the last 20 years. whether that be iraq, libya,

yemen giving the iranians $6 billion to deploy, as their president says, wherever they need it. or afghanistan. he is undoubtedly one of the most professionally ineffective and incompetent individuals to hold the title of secretary of state. would it be have been grounds to remove him, the president would have very few advisors left. in the case of secretary blinken, it's about incompetence and perhaps outright corruption. for instance, secretary blinken received more than $5,000 in payment from the former prime minister of pakistan who notably praised the taliban. received more than $5,000 for speaking at a bank opening in china. offering advisory services to a japanese company who invested heavily in a c.c.p. company that

was blacklisted by trump. take one more. mr. blinken's consulting firm, west exec advisors, advertises its ability to help american colleges secure c.c.p. donations without compromising their pentagon research grants. think about that. usurping america's rules for engagement with the c.c.p. that advertisement, by the way, was removed just two weeks prior to joe biden's acceptance of the democratic party's presidential nomination. we have since learned that from former acting c.i.a. director mike morel, the infamous spies who lie letter, a letter that impacted a presidential race, was led by no one other than antoney blinken. seen by 51 intelligent experts. intended by morel to give joe biden a way to refute the hunter

biden laptop story. ahead of a presidential debate. you think this would be worthy of investigation. if not outright impeachment. but certainly defunding. mr. chairman, i reserve. the chair: the gentleman -- members are reminded to refrain from engaging in permanents toward the president. for what purpose does the gentlewoman from california seek recognition? ms. lee: mr. chairman, i rise in opposition to this amendment. the chair: the gentlewoman is recognized. ms. lee: mr. chairman, this is really despicable to target dedicated public servants and threaten their livelihoods. public servants doing their jobs and carrying out the policy of the administration regardless of which administration it is. they serve and they should be commended not demonized. our government is dependent on being able to attract the best

talent to bring their skills to public service. especially when in most cases they could earn much more in the private sector. who is going to be willing to do that if their names can be dragged through the political mud? secretary blinken is a dedicated public servant who has proudly represented the united states while serving in multiple high-level positions. this is not how we solve policy differences. we should not make it personal and about people doing their jobs. i urge my colleagues to oppose this amendment. and i reserve. the chair: the gentlewoman reserves. the gentleman is recognized. mr. ogles: mr. chairman, serving the country or serving hunter biden. we know through the work of senators johnson and grassley, that hunter biden kept his colleagues apprised of meetings and emails he held with mr. blinken.

mr. blinken had previously said to senate staffers he wasn't aware of any communication with hunter biden aside from one in-person meeting, which is a materially false statement and should subject him to criminal penalties under 18u.s.c.1001. of course u.s. congress never holds anyone accountable for misleading congress. so why tell the truth? mr. chairman, blinken has lied to congress. he worked to prevent critical information, including the july 2021 dissent cable from being reviewed by this chamber until confronted by the gentleman from texas. he clearly has a closer relationship with hunter biden than he led on. further engaged in questionable activities prior to serving as secretary of state. very little of which has been investigated or vetted. these questions deserve to be asked. i urge adoption of this amendment and defunding of mr. blinken. i reserve. the chair: the gentleman

reserves. the gentlewoman is recognized. ms. lee: mr. chairman, this, quite frankly, is unconstitutional first of all. doesn't make any sense. secondly, it really sends the worst signal in the world. for those young people who want to go into public service serving our country and serving our country i'm really shocked and urge a no vote on this amendment. i yield back. the chair: the gentlewoman yields. the gentleman is recognized. mr. ogles: mr. chairman, william holman with the holman rule did come up a way to defund someone like the secretary. but back to the secretary. there should be accountability for our bobbed afghanistan withdrawal, for helping establish the islamist theocracy thered to. the insult. memory to those who lost their

lives at abbey gate. this man is responsible and complicit. i urge adoption of this amendment and should be def defunded. quite frankly i would say be impeached. thank you, mr. chairman. i yield back. the chair: the question is on the amendment offered by the gentleman from tennessee, so many as are in favor say aye. those opposed, no. in the opinion of the chair, the ayes have it. the amendment is agreed to. it's now in order to consider amendment number 40 printed in part d118-216. drops the gentleman from tennessee seek recognition? mr. owingle: i have an amendment at the desk. the chair: the clerk will designate the amendment. the clerk: amendment number 40 printed in part d of house report 118-216. offered by mr. ogles of tennessee. the chair: pursuant to house resolution 723, the gentleman from tennessee, mr. ogles, and a member opposed, each will control five minutes. the chair now recognizes the gentleman from tennessee for five minutes. mr. ogles: mr. chairman, i thank you. i'm a big proponent of israel.

our closest alley in that regio. this administration has stopped at nothing to marginalize that relationship. that relationship with the state of israel. when president trump shuttered the u.s. consulate in jerusalem, it was a shot heard around the world. president trump's action clarified our diplomatic mission to israel, the u.s. consulate was inappropriately treated as something close to a de facto embassy to a nonexistent palestinian state. by getting rid of the consulate, president trump made it clear our own diplomatic outreach to that area is and should be the state of israel. in place of that consulate, the trump administration established the p.a.u. and housed its operations within the u.s. embassy. the p.a.u. reported directly to the u.s. ambassador, to israel and could not act independently of that ambassador. these actions created transparency in our foreign

policy. where there was previously confusion. you think that that would be appreciated by both sides here. unfortunately, you would be wrong. since taking office, the biden administration has worked to roll back progress initiated under petroleump by announcing the administration's intent to reopen the consulate general -- president trump by announcing the administration's intent to reopen the consulate general. a step towards re-establishing their consulate. if you need further proof of the administration's intent to take note that the office of palestinian affairs, the o.p.a., doesn't report to our ambassador in jerusalem. it receives its instruction from the bureau of near eastern affairs at the department of state ear in washington. our commitment should be to israel and israel alone. not to the p.l.o. mr. chairman, i reserve. the chair: the gentleman

reserves. for what purpose does the gentlewoman from california seek recognition? ms. lee: mr. chairman, i rise in opposition to this amendment. the chair: the gentlewoman is recognized. ms. lee: mr. chairman, this amendment is a clear attempt to return to the punitive and shortsighted policies of the previous administration with regard to the palestinians. let's get one thing straight. american diplomacy and engagement are not rewards to our friends and things to hold over the heads of those we are trying to pressure to bring about change. diplomacy and engagement serve our own interests. the united states policy to support a two-state solution in the middle east, that's the united states policy, only path to peace and avoid any steps by any party that makes that goal harder to reach. by keeping a channeled communications open, the palestinian unit is an important

part of that strategy. i have an will continue to urge the biden administration to reset u.s. relations with the palestinian people and to resume the united states' role of credible and constructive leader in the region. i urge my colleagues to oppose this amendment and i reserve the balance of my time. the chair: the gentlewoman reserves. the gentleman from tennessee is recognized. mr. owingle: thank you, mr. cheryl -- mr. ogles: thank you, mr. chairman. to my colleague, i thank her for the idea of communication. mr. chairman, we need communication with folks from around the world. but as far as diplomatic missions, mr. chairman, we should be focused on israel. the creation of the office of palestinian affairs is an affront to both our most important ally in the world and to u.s. law. which clearly states that jerusalem should be the undivided capital of israel. the jerusalem embassy act of 1995. the o.b.a. is unfortunately the latest in a legacy of foreign

policy driven by animus toward the state of israel. this should be a bipartisan bill. israel is our greatest ally in that region. arguably -- arguably one of the greatest ally in the world. to diminish that is unjust. i reserve. the chair: the gentlewoman california is recognized. ms. lee: mr. chairman, just to clarify and to tell the truth. this is a unit. it's not a mission. it's a unit, mind you, within the embassy. i reserve -- yield back. the chair: the gentlewoman yields back. the gentleman from tennessee is recognized. mr. ogles: mr. chairman, it's often the case in foreign relations somewhat symbolism is capitol -- symbolism is policy. it symbolizes a destructive policy that serves to embolden the enemies of washington in jerusalem. our friends in israel round

attack daily. around bombs lofted in the air to attacks on the streets. to do anything but have unwavering diplomatic support really jeopardizes lives. it threatens their sovereignty. and we must stand with our important ally, the state of israel. mr. chairman, i urge the adoption of this bill. i would urge my colleagues for this to be unanimous. thank you, mr. chairman. i yield back. the chair: the question is on the amendment offered by the gentleman from tennessee. those in favor, say aye. those opposed, no. in the pip of the chair, the ayes have it and the amendment is agreed to.

the chair: it is now in order to consider amendment number 41 printed in house report 118-216. mr. green: i have an amendment at the desk. the clerk: amendment number 41 printed in part d of house report 118-216 offered by mrs. greene of georgia. mr. green: i ask unanimous consent to withdraw amendment number 41. the chair: without objection. it is now in order to consider amendment number 41 printed in part d of house report 118-216.

mr. green: i have an amendment at the desk. the clerk: amendment number 42 printed in part dmp of house report 118-216 offered by mrs. greene of georgia. the chair: the gentlewoman from georgia, mrs. greene, each will control five minutes. ms. greene: my amendment would prohibit funds from being provided to assist ukraine. over a year and a half ago russia invaded ukraine and united states has taken over ukraine and fighting a proxy war in ukraine that we never voted for. we are funding their government. we are paying for their small businesses. we are paying their farmers and handing military equipment and weapons to ukraine and paying for their war. according to the congressional research service in 2022, the

united states provided $113 billion to ukraine. every single year the united states spends billions of dollars on foreign aid, much more than any other country. ukraine has now taken the top spot. the $50 billion state and foreign operations bill includes an unspecified funding amount for ukraine. section 7046b-2 would support the government of ukraine to on defend their sovereignty and withstand the impacts of russia's invasion and promote transparency and democracy. this is nothing more than a blank check for ukraine but joe biden's state department will get to write and even more dangerously they waive oversight claiming national security. this will fuel a never-ending

war. and after korea, vietnam, iraq, afghanistan wars, haven't we had enough? they tell us we have to fight them over here so we don't have to fight them over here. but paying for wars in foreign countries will have consequences on our country and we will bring the war to america and fighting them here when countries have had enough of the united states. after a year and a half of being engaged in this conflict the american people no longer support the additional assistance to ukraine. my amendment will help stop this brutal war and push for peace in ukraine, which should be our ultimate goal-p mr. chair, i reserve. the chair: the the gentlewoman from gay -- georgia reserves.

the chair recognizes the gentlewoman from california. ms. lee: mr. chairman, russia's brutal and unprovoked attack on ukraine is not just a threat to ukraine and its neighbors but to the world. if russia succeeds, other unprovoked attacks are inevitable. as my colleague, representative hoyer said last week on the house floor, we are locked in a struggle between freedom and facism and democracy and depp theism, the war in ukraine is that struggle. ukraine's democracy is being undermined every single day. women and girls are being sexually abused by russian soldiers. hospitals and schools, which should be safe havens are being intentionally attacked. thousands of innocent children and their families have been brutally murdered. millions of ukranians have been

forced to flee their country. colleagues we must continue to ensure that ukraine has the funding and support it needs to defend itself and vulnerable people continue to receive assistance and i urge my colleagues to oppose this amendment and i reserve. the chair: the gentlewoman from california reserves. the gentleman from georgia. ms. greene: i yield one minute to congresswoman miller. >> joe biden has forced americans to foot the bill for hundreds of billions of dollars to ukraine while our southern border is being invaded by terrorists, drug cartels, gangs and human traffickers. i oppose sending any additional money to ukraine in a proxy war that we are being dragged into because ukraine was paying the

biden family $1 million a year in cash. americans deserve a spending bill that puts a.m. america first by securing our border and putting us back on the path to energy independence, which was achieved by the trump administration. i want to thank congresswomangreene for offering this amendment and i yield become. the chair: the gentlewoman yields back. gam reserves. ms. lee: i yield 1 1/2 minutes to the gentleman from south carolina, mr.~wilson. mr. wilson: the world is in a conflict we did not choose between dictators opposing democracies. putin innovated ukraine. the brave ukranian people is an inspiration as putin falsely

claims that ukraine does not exist as he is trying to reassemble the evil empire. dictators see the conflict as north korean dictate joins putin. chinese communist party is doing a buildup and iran builds drones for putin. and we must stop the dictators today or there will be a direct threat to american families tomorrow. we must remember pearl harbor, we must remember 9/11. for these reasons i oppose amendment and i reserve the balance of my time. the chair: the gentleman yields back. ms. lee: i reserve. the chair: the gentlewoman from california reserves. the gentlewoman from georgia is recognized. ms. greene: we represent the american people and the polling

shows clearly that the american people do not support funding a war in a foreign country when our country is being waged on us. 55% say the u.s. congress should not authorize additional funding to ukraine. 51% say the u.s. has already done enough to help ukraine. americans demand their hard-earned tax dollars being used to secure our own southern border and stop the mexican cartels' war on america killing 300 americans every single day, human trafficking, sex trafficking. we should care about the women and children that are being trafficked, not paying another foreign country and worry about another country which isn't the 51st state. we only have 50 states and our

tax dollars should defend our states here. i urge adption of my amendment and i yield. the chair: the gentlemanfrom georgia yields. ms. lee: i yield the remaining time to the gentleman from ohio, mr. turner. the chair: the gentleman from ohio is recognized. mr. turner: when ronald reagan stood in front of the berlin wall and said mr. gorbachev, take down this wall, he did so not because we were in opposition to soviet union and russians but because we were in opposition to author tarnism and communism. that wall fell not because the soviet union took it down but they merely didn't shoot the people doing so. as a result of reagan's words and the line between awe this thor tarnism and democracy marched to the border of

russia. putin wants to move that line back and reclaim that land not just ukraine, poland, eastern europe and the battlics. we must support democracy and freedom. if we don't, ours is at risk. ronald reagan's words are meaningless if we allow russian to restore and move that line of democracy back to where the soviet union had claimed eastern europe and imposed among peoples' lives. the world is with us. democracies is with us. this is a chart that shows the amount of contribution of the aggregate of all aid. this is on my website. you will see these along with the report that verifies these information. united states is not the may junior contributor of total aid. what is more important when you

get to military aid, the united states is less than half of all military aid. the world's democracies are standing against russia for democracy and the united states, the light of the world for democracy needs to be there and support the ukranian people against these atrocities. go to my website and see the documentation. $42 billion, the rest of our allies are over $50 billion and we need to stay in the fight by supplying the ukranians the weapons they need to stay in the fight, the fight for democracy. i yield back. mr. diaz-balart: i move to strike the last word. the chair: jarvegd for five minutes. mr. diaz-balart: mr. chairman, first, something that has to be recognized on this floor is my colleague from georgia has been

transparent, open and clear from day one and that is something that is not always seen in this body and need to recognize and has to be respected regardless if one agrees or degrees with her. that has to be recognized. i clearly recognize my colleague her frustration of the administration's lack of transportation, lack of articulation, lack of a strategy how the funds have been used and the communication from a to z. i get that. and while there are no funds directed for the ukraine in this bill, there are a lot of directives in this bill for accountability for any assistance going to ukraine. and let me take a moment to read the list of requirements that must be completed before one

single penny would be used to go to ukraine from this bill. a strategy -- a strategy within 90 days. have not gotten that from the administration. in-person of all programs. cost-matching requirements and blakeing sure other donors must do more than the united states. a certification of comprehensive oversight are in place, a notification to congress to assess how the funds may be used, obligation report every 90 days accounting for all monies provided, oversight report every 90 days detailing any waste, fraud and abuse and how those will be addressed and finally and this is key, all reports must be clearly posted on the internet so that every american

can look where their taxpayer money is going. so the reason that i am so optimistic and gun ho about this bill, we need to pass this bill in order to have requirements, in order to not have a blank check. i am looking at the short-term and long-term. we need to have accountability and conditions and oversight and may need to take away such flexibility away from the administration and that is what we are attempting to do in this bill. and i yield back. . . . the chair: the gentleman from florida yields back. the gentleman from california yields back. the question is on the amendment offered by the gentlewoman from georgia. those in favor say aye. those opposed, no.

in the opinion of the chair, the noes have it. the amendment is not agreed to. for what purpose does the gentlewoman from georgia seek recognition? m ms. greene: mr. chair, ski for a recorded vote -- i ask for a recorded vote. the chair: further proceedings on the amendment offered by the gentlewoman from georgia will be postponed. it is now in order to consider amendment 43 printed in part d of house report 118-216. for what purpose does the gentlewoman from georgia seek recognition? ms. greene: i have an amendment at the desk. the chair: the clerk will designate the amendment. the clerk: amendment number 43 printed in part d of house report 118-216 offered by ms. greene of georgia. the chair: the gentlewoman from georgia and a member opposed will each control five minutes. ms. greene: thank you, mr. chair. my amendment would prohibit the secretary of state from using

funds to initiate a drawdown and delivery of defense articles and services from the department of defense stocks to ukraine. those stockpiles of our equipment and weapons are for the united states of america and should not be sent to ukraine. i will reiterate and remind everyone, ukraine is not the 51st state. just this past weekend, when we were sent home, i had an emergency town hall in my district and many of my constituents showed up. most of them were veterans. and they made it very clear to me that they would rather fight a war at our southern border against the mexican cartels that are leading an invasion into our country, thousands and thousands every single day, smuggling deadly fentanyl across our border, many other drugs, and killing 300 americans every single day than they ever support a single penny of their hard-earned dollars to go fight

a war in ukraine. our veterans are fed up and there's 22 million of them in this country. they want our border defended. the secretary of state plays a central role in the initiation and coordination of these drawdowns. and they put ukraine first. since august, 2021, the secretary has exercised authority, delegated by the president, to direct 44 drawdowns of defense articles and services from the united states department of defense to ukraine, which, by the way, is not the 51st state. as our intorn border -- southern border is being innovated every day, joe biden and anthony blinken are shipping our weapons and equipment to ukraine. nearly a week ago president biden announced that the department of defense is sending an additional security assistance package valued up to $325 million more american,

hard-earned tax dollars, which would include a.i.m. missiles for air defense, additional ammunition for high mobility artillery rocket systems, avenger air defense systems, 50-caliber machine guns to counter aerial systems. artillery rounds, 105 millimeter artillery rounds. two optically tracked wire-guided missiles. javelin and at-4 anti-armor systems, over three million rounds of small arms ammunitions, 59 light tactical vehicles, demolitions munitions for obstacle clearing and spare parts, maintenance and other field equipment. by the way, that also goes with our money paying farmers in ukraine while our farmers are going broke, paying small businesses in ukraine, while our small businesses are going out of business under biden's ridiculous inflation.

this is america-last across the board. this security assistance package will utilize assistance previously authorized under presidential drawdown authority for ukraine. this is utterly disgraceful. this administration will continue to deplete our military readiness and strength and favor of fueling another forever war in ukraine that the american people no longer support. while our own country is weakened and destabilized by the invasion, the daily invasion of our border at the southern border and the northern border, and while we go even further in debt, fighting russia in ukraine. not even defending our own border. china is getting stronger. they are beating us economically. they are growing their military. growing their equipment. and they're not wasting it in some other country, defending their border. they're saving it up to fight us. i am sick and tired of hearing we have to fight ukraine in

order to stop china from invading taiwan. that is the biggest lie that is being told to the american people. mr. chair, i reserve. the chair: the gentlewoman from georgia reserves. for what purpose does the gentlewoman from california seek recognition? >> i rise in strong opposition to this amendment. the chair: the gentlewoman is recognized. >> mr. chairman, russia's brutad most efficient way to get defensive weapons, mind you, defensive weapons to ukraine. ms. lee: we must continue to ensure ukraine has the military equipment and material it needs to defend itself. these materials are determined by the department of defense to be needed -- not to be needed,

excuse me, domestically, and supplying them to ukraine will not endanger u.s. readiness. the stakes could not be higher. russia will not stop with ukraine if the resolve of the world is not clear. and remember, this is the most efficient way to get defensive weapons to ukraine. i urge my colleagues to oppose this amendment and i reserve the balance of my time. the chair: the gentlewoman from california reserves. the gentlewoman from georgia is recognized. ms. greene: yes, mr. chair, i'd like to give one minute to congressman matt gaetz from florida. the chair: the gentlelady only has 45 seconds remaining. ms. greene: 45 seconds. the chair: the gentleman is recognized. mr. gaetz: thank you, mr. speaker. the reason we are here debating these issues is because my colleague from georgia, congresswoman greene, has found where there are distributions that could possibly be used to go to ukraine and she is fighting admirably, often alone, and she is the reason that we are actually making some progress in this congress to comport the will of this body to

the will of the american people who think we have sent too much to ukraine. $115 billion, it is inflationary, it is escalatory and it could likely lead to an accident that could sleepwalk us into world war iii. i'm in strong support of the taylor tb greene amendment and l of her amendments to stop the united states from funding the war in ukraine. i yield back. the chair: the gentleman yields back. the gentleman's time has expired. the gentlewoman from california is recognized. ms. lee: mr. chairman, i'd like to yield 1 1/2 minutes of my time to the gentleman from south carolina, mr. wilson. the chair: the gentleman is recognized. mr. wilson: thank you, mr. chairman. as a 31-year army veteran myself and the grateful father of four sons who have served overseas, i want america to maintain peace through strength. as a senior member of the armed services committee, i ■know firsthand we have the capability of drawdown, not reducing our

capabilities. when concerns were expressed at providing 31 tanks to ukraine, reduced our defense, i quickly researched that we have 8,000 tanks available and actually the 31 were in excess. i support the proven republican policies of barry goldwater and ronald reagan of, why not victory over dictateers? peace through strength has led to the largest numbers of nations living in democracy in world history. as fascist was defeated and communism crushed. ukraine should receive the weapons it needs to achieve victory of restoring ukrainian territorial integrity. the alliance of war criminal putin, the chinese communist party and the teheran regime must be stopped before they achieve death to israel, death to america. i urge as quickly as possible that we provide the equipment that can bring peace to the region by bringing the equipment to the people of ukraine who are so bravely fighting back against

the war criminal, putin. therefore i oppose this amendment and i reserve the balance of my time. the chair: the gentleman yields back. the gentlewoman from california is recognized. ms. lee: i yield back. the chair: the gentlewoman yields back. all time for debate having expired, the question is now on the amendment offered by the gentlewoman from georgia. those in favor say aye. those opposed, no. in the opinion of the chair, the noes have it. the amendment is not agreed to. for what purpose does the gentlewoman from georgia seek recognition? ms. greene: mr. chair, i ask for the recorded vote. the chair: a recorded vote has been requested. pursuant to clause 6 of rule 18, further proceedings on the amendment offered by the gentlewoman from georgia will be postponed. it is now in order to consider amendment 44 printed in part d of house report 118-216. for what purpose does the gentleman from florida seek recognition? mr. steube: thank you, mr. speaker. i have an amendment at the desk. the chair: the clerk will designate the amendment. the clerk: amendment number 44

printed in part d of house report 118-216 offered by mr. steube of florida. the chair: pursuant to house resolution 723, the gentleman from florida, mr. steube, and a member opposed each will control five minutes. the chair recognizes the gentleman from florida. mr. steube: thank you, mr. speaker. i encourage my colleagues to answer the question. how can we justify appropriating america's hard-earned taxpayer dollars to a foreign military that emboldens hezbollah and their reign of terror and hate for america? hezbollah's influence runs rampant throughout the lebanese government. even advocates of aid to the lebanese military concede that hezbollah's influence runs rampant throughout the lebanese government. what matters is not the addressee, it is the address, hezbollah's house. money is fungible and we are pumping cash and hard currency into a terror haven infested with terror finance and corruption. even those advocating to aid the

lebanese military say this is an entity unwilling and unable to counter hezbollah. then why are we wasting our money? my amendment ensures that none of america's taxpayer dollars may be made available for the lebanese armed forces. funding to the lebanese armed forces is a policy that has been in place since 2006. essentially on auto pilot. since then the u.s. has provided more than $3 billion to the lebanese military. supposedly to build up state institutions as a counterweight to hezbollah. but with little to show in return. in fact, lebanon has come more under the sway of hezbollah and iran today than when the u.s. began funding lebanon's military. hezbollah's chief christian ally, the free patriot movement, is the political party literally in control of lebanon's defense ministry. this is a policy on auto pilot that gets renewed every year without congress really having a chance to review this funding and ask whether this is a good place to spend taxpayer dollars and in our national interest. we are funding an army who just

yesterday shot smoke bombs at israeli troops which it called enemy troops. this should not be a partisan issue. anyone who takes a look at this issue objectively i think will have serious questions about why we continue to fund the lebanese armed forces, one of the most corrupt and bloated armies in the world. most of lebanon's military expenditures go to personnel salaries and benefits. a whropping 93% compared to it the% in the united states. these -- 29% in the united states. these benefits include health care, ma alternativity leave, compensation -- maternity leave, compensation in death. the lebanese military, which consists of 80,000 soldiers, has 400 generals. which are extremely highly paid, while the u.s. army has a force of half a million, but just 295 generals. this did not stop the biden administration from notifying congress last year that it was repurposing $67 million in aid to the lebanese military in order to provide them with livelihood support, which just

funds their salaries even more. rather than funding armed mercedes and other luxury goods for lebanese generals, we should be funding our southern border. they're soaked in hezbollah money laundering and financial crimes and the terrorist group touches almost every facet of life in that country. it is impossible that any administration could vet all the recipients of this taxpayer dollars and their families because there are no controls, there's no way to know how these individuals use this money. some of it could flow through hezbollah, he can change houses, -- exchange houses, or possibly be spent in hezbollah-run businesses. by safeguarding the actions of hezbollah and other terror groups, the lebanese armed forces fuels iran's mission to kill american troops and wipe israel off the map. i can't justify funding such horrific activity. i encourage my colleagues to recognize the dangers of funding the lebanese armed forces by voting for my amendment. i reserve the balance of my time. the chair: the gentleman from florida reserves. for what purpose does the gentlewoman from california seek recognition? ms. lee: i rise in opposition to this amendment. the chair: the gentlewoman claims the time in opposition.

the gentlewoman is recognized. ms. lee: mr. chairman, there's no doubt that lebanon is in full-blown crisis. it has lacked an elected leader for almost a year, its economy is crippled, and the presence of hezbollah has both -- has been and is an armed actor and a political party, remains a challenge to national unity. at the same time it hosts 1.5 million refugees from syria. however, the lebanese armed forces are considered by many to be the only functioning institution in lebanon transcending sectarian divides. this is this is largely thanks to the successful united states program to train and equip it. the lebanese armed forces are respected and traditionally played an important role in promoting national unity with neutrality and moderation.

they have been instrumental in maintaining domestic security and in counterterrorism by tackling threats by groups like isis and al qaeda. united states needs to have a democratic and sovereign lebanon and the key resources are a key part of it. i reserve. the chair: the gentlewoman reserves. the gentleman from florida is recognized. mr. steube: i reserve. the chair: the gentleman reserves the balance of his time. the gentlewoman from california. ms. lee: i yield 1 1/2 minutes to the gentleman from california, mr. issa. mr. issa: the gentleman from florida is mistaken. his amendment assumes the lebanese niece armed forces is in disarray. it is not. it is the most respected institution in lebanon.

our administration -- utility am administrations have certified that not a single piece of capital equipment has been lost. it assumes that somehow it is in the pocket of hezbollah. i was in lebanon and israel in 2006 as israel tried to defeat hezbollah and did not. since that time, we have continued to bolster the lebanese armed forces to fight forces and maintain a situation in which american oversight is possible, both military and civilian because of the lebanese armed forces. lebanon is in economic free-fall and there is direct aid, but that aid is not highly paid generals. if not for our aid, it would be most likely most members of the lebanese armed forces wouldn't report to barracks or enough money for gasoline.

this was necessitated based on their economic downfall and we who visit lebanon and worked with our state department stand behind the necessity and accuracy of this support aid and oppose the amendment. the chair: the gentleman's time has expired. the gentleman from florida is recognized. mr. steube: reserve. the chair: the gentlewoman from california is recognized. ms. lee: i yield 1 1/2 minutes to the gentleman from illinois, mr. lahood. mr. lamalfa: i am -- mr. lahood: i represent 8,000 lebanese families. the longstanding military investment and the independent lebanese armed forces has worked to support u.s. security interests in the greater middle east for over 15 years.

we work closely with the brave men and women in the u.s. military to have oversight of the u.s. investment in the l.a.f. and other foreign military funding abroad. the stability of the l.a.f. is important not only to the security of lib none and the neighboring countries. the l.a.f. prevents the furtherance of terrorist and extremist groups like hezbollah and isis and fights against weapons, drugs and human smuggling and maintains stability in a country that is ripe for terrorists and maligned actors. we must be stewards of taxpayer money and reduce wasteful government spending. we miss support successful policies that continue to return investment to protect long-term security interests here at home. that investment in the l.a.f. has helped to promote interests

in the middle east and in lebanon and i oppose this amendment. the chair: the gentleman from florida is recognized. the gentleman reserves. the gentlewoman from california. ms. lee: i yield back. the chair: the gentlewoman yields back. the gentlemanfrom florida. mr. steube: it was described on the other side a full-blown crisis in lebanon, why in the world would we send money to a country that is recognized by the opposition to be in a full-blown crisis and they say this money goes to pay the salaries of lebanon soldiers and if they don't receive this money they won't be able to pay for goods. since when is it the taxpayers' responsibility to pay lebanese soldiers. i have watched the debate on this floor and giving money to

the palestinians and lebanon and $500 million to jordan. the american people are sick and tired of giving foreign governments money and not putting america first. we have a $33 trillion deficit and more concerned to give money to lebanon, jordan, iraq, ukraine. it is time to put america first. that's why american people you put us in charge of the house. i yield back. the chair: the question is on the amount offered by the gentleman from florida. those opposed, no. -- those in favor, say aye. those opposed, no. it is the opinion of the chair, the amendment is not agreed to. the gentleman from florida. mr. steube: i ask for a recorded vote. the chair: pursuant to clause 6, rule 18, further proceedings on the amendment offered by the gentleman from florida will be postponed. it is now in order to consider

amendment number 45 printed in part d of house report 118-216. for what purpose does the gentleman from florida seek recognition? mr. steube: i have an an amendment at the desk. the clerk: amendment number 45 printed in part d of house report 118-216 offered by mr. steube of florida. the chair: pursuant to house resolution 723, the gentleman from florida, mr. steube and a member opposed each will control five minutes. mr. steube: as stewards of america's hard-earned taxpayer doll on arizona funds should advance american interests. we have provided billions of dollars to iraq and lost thousands of lives in that country. in 2023 we provide a blank check to iraq despite this country going more and more against american interests and turned into a proxy for iran.

my amendment ensures that no dollars may be used to provide assistance in iraq. i served in iraq. we cannot justify sending our taxpayer dollars to a nation while unable to safeguard those dollars by iran, isis and other terrorist groups. iraq essentially serves as a proxy state and haven for iranian terrorist activity. they have an arrest warrant out for killing sewell mony. large portion of security forces are run by iranian militants. the same ones who continue to target american troops and same ones who attacked the u.s. embassy in 2019. this money is not countering terrorism. on the contrary, throwing millions of dollars at a country which uses terrorists on the payroll and terrorists attacked

u.s. forces and u.s. embeesy is insane. it is unacceptable to appropriate american dollars for these purposes with the likelihood that some of the money could fall into the hands of terrorists. this should support our diplomats and not threaten them. recognize these dangers by voting for my amendment and i reserve. the chair: the gentleman reserves. for what purpose does the gentlewoman from california seek to be recognized? ms. lee: i rise in strong opposition to this amendment. there is no mistake with regard to the error the united states made in going to the war with iraq in 2003. a decision which i opposed. it was based on lies that there were weapons of mass destruction in iraq and we knew there were

none. while two decades have passed since then there is trauma experienced by the country that is still felt to do this day. they fell to conflict and instability and experienced a number of deaths and displacement and erosion of health and education, entire generation of children grew up in a chaos-filled environment with war and emergence of terrorist groups and militias as a result of the united states' invasion of iraq, which i believe as i remember it, very few if any republicans opposed -- there were 133 democrats opposing this. we cannot walk away from our responsibility to help iraq, now a key partner in the middle east. as secretary blinken has said, america's greatest strategic

asset lies with the alliances and partnerships that we have with other nations. in partnership with iraq, we have worked to ensure a stable, prosperous and democratic country which quite frankly we in many ways destroyed. our assistance to iraq mitigates extremism through programming that promotes mutual respect, tolerance and understanding, provides support to the recovery of religious and ethnic minorities liberated from isis including christians and supports private sector development and women and youth. stabilization programs and have enabled the return of nearly five million intermly displaced persons to return to their communities of origin. nearly 1.2 million people remain

displaced including 200,000 who survived genocide at the hands of isis. usaid is critical to restore services and increase instability among these vulnerable populations. our continued assistance in iraq is vital to ensure the defeat of isis by supporting the reintegration of iraqis repatriot ated from northeast syria which meets the priority u.s. government action i pledge allegiance to the flag of the united states of america. in the security interest of the united states to continue supporting iraq and our moral responsibility not to abandon our partnership especially with the unnecessary invasion and war in iraq, which many of us opposed. i urge my colleagues to oppose this amendment.

and i reserve. the chair: the gentlewoman reserves. the gentleman from florida. mr. steube: i reserve. the chair: the gentleman reserves. the gentlewoman from california. ms. lee: i yield one minute to the gentleman from alabama, mr. aderholt. mr. aderholt: thank you for the time to speak on this and i do rise in opposition to the amendment. i would like to thank my colleague, mr. diaz-balart, for his leadership on this bill and while certainly i don't think any of us want to send american dollars for terrorists, i do think this amendment would prohibit financial assistance that is key to protecting religious minorities in iraq. the united states has been committed to the preliminary of promoting religious freedom around the world and our support to iraq for this purpose is no exception. as drafted, the amendment before us would eliminate critical

assistance to religious minorities, the syrians who have been victims of the isis extremism and genocide. these people have suffered unspeakable horror and they need our assistance. and i would encourage my colleagues to oppose this amendment. and i yield back. the chair: the gentleman from florida. mr. steube: reserve. the chair: the gentlewoman from california. ms. lee: i yield one minute to the gentleman from california plrks issa. the chair: the gentlewoman has 30 seconds remaining. mr. issa: i guess i get 30 seconds. mr. issa: in short, this is overly broad, i repeat, this is overly broad. as an american of arab ancestry and christian, it would in fact

be devastating to the cal dean community in iraq, representing one of the largest cal dean community, i mean with these family christians. i oppose the amendment. the chair: the gentlelady's time has expired. the gentleman from florida. gentleman has three minutes remaining. . . . mr. steube: i had the opportunity to work with the iraqi army and the iraqi police and it all sounds well and good if we're going to send money and it's going to go to these christian organizations, it's going to go to these different individuals that we want to help. however, that's not the reality of what's happening, based on the things i originally said in my opening. you don't have control over that. and having had the experience of actually serving there and

working with these individuals and the chance that are there and -- clans that are there and the groups that are there, the must isn't distributed the way we want it to be distributed and you're seeing that in lebanon, you're seeing that in all these foreign entities and it's very interesting to me to stand up here and listen to my colleagues who talk about cutting spending and that we have a deficit and that we have a spending problem in washington and they would rather prioritize moneys to iraq, to lebanon, to palestine, to ukraine over the needs that we have in this country. it's just -- the people in my district don't understand it. when i talk to people in my district, they don't get it. they don't understand why we would prioritize sending our hard-earned tax dollars to countries that are completely corrupt and hate us, with no assurances that it's going in the places that it's going. why would we do that? i just don't understand why we

would stand here in the current economic situation that we have in this country and send money to foreign governments that hate us and try to kill us. i yield back. the chair: the gentleman yields. the question is on the amendment offered by the gentleman from florida. those in favor say aye. those opposed, no. in the opinion of the chair, the noes have it. the amendment is not agreed to. the gentleman from florida. mr. steube: i ask for a recorded vote. the chair: pursuant to clause 6 of rule 18, further proceedings on this amendment offered by the gentleman from florida will be postponed. it is now in order to consider amendment number 46 printed in part d of house report 118-216. for what purpose does the gentleman from florida seek recognition? mr. gaetz: mr. speaker, i have an amendment at the desk. the clerk: amendment number 46 printed in part d of house report 118-216 offered by mr.

gaetz of florida. the chair: pursuant to house resolution 723, the gentleman from florida, mr. gaetz, and a member opposed each will control five minutes. the chair recognizes the gentleman from florida. mr. gaetz: thank you, mr. speaker. this amendment ensures that none of the funds appropriated in this act will be used to administer the paris climate accord. the paris climate accord is the unilateral surrender of the american economy, not for the sake of any sort of environmental improvement. it merely uses the veneer of climate change to execute a permission structure for some of the dirtiest countries in the world, for some of the greatest polluters to be able to benefit at the expense of the united states. the paris climate accord represents a circumstance where we were dead money at the table, putting up cash in exchange for economic development in far-away lands that would not benefit our people. this was a globalist enterprise,

it was america-last and u.s. taxpayers should not be funding the paris climate accord. that's the amendment and i reserve. the chair: the gentleman reserves. for what purpose does the gentlewoman from california seek recognition? ms. lee: i rise in strong opposition to this amendment. the chair: the gentlewoman is recognized. ms. lee: mr. chairman, it is very clear from the science that most -- the most stift strengths crisis the -- existential crisis the world faces is from the growing climate crisis. without intervention, our warming planet will have irreversible negative impacts on the united states and throughout the world. climate change has resulted in lives upended in texas and florida, has led to extreme flooding in california and vermont and throughout the country. and climate is not an issue that can be addressed by countries on their own. air, water, pollution, they do not respect boundaries or sovereignty. the paris agreement in recognition of this brought all

countries together around joint goals achieved by individual country plans. as proposed, this amendment would significantly damage -- excuse me, the efforts of the united states to support developing countries as they pursue efforts to implement their commitments under the paris agreement. in addition, a wide range of u.s. climate and development programs would be impacted by this amendment. and it would seriously impede our ability to implement our obligations under the paris agreement. it would also prohibit the department of state from participating in critical international climate negotiations. the climate crisis poses threats to the stability of countries, heightens social and political tensions, and adversely effects food prices and availability. and this is according to our own military. the need for foreign assistance will only increase if we do not

address the significant driver of this crisis around the world. i urge my colleagues to oppose this amendment. i reserve the balance of my time. the chair: the gentlewoman reserves. the gentleman from florida is recognized. mr. gaetz: i'd yield such time as he may consume to chairman diaz-balart. the chair: the gentleman is recognized. mr. diaz-balart: thank you. i want to thank the gentleman from florida because he raises some, i think, very important issues regarding the paris agreement. look, even if it were true that global emissions will result in this global apocalypse in the distant future, the truth is that most developing countries are irrelevant in any climate model used to speculate about temperatures 100 years down the road. these countries have emissions that are nearly undetectable when compared to the real culprits which are china and other countries in asia, which by the way are exempt by the most part from this climate accord. so while our bill already prohibits funds for the green climate fund, the clean technology fund and other vehicles that can be used to

carry out this paris agreement, i agree and i thank the gentleman that we should ensure that no parts of this wasteful spending, this really virtue signaling, is allowed to continue. so i thank the gentleman and i strongly support his amendment. i yield back. thank you, sir. mr. gaetz: i'll reserve. the chair: the gentleman reserves. the gentlewoman from california is recognized. ms. lee: yes, mr. chairman, many of our developing country allies have made it very clear that strengthening their ability to address climate change and the threat that it poses is an overriding national priority and they are looking to the united states for support. i was in egypt a couple of years ago and this is exactly the message that was sent. the f.y.2024 bill will -- f.y. 2024 bill willfully ignores the climate, this bill is supposed to address floabl

health, the -- global health, the protection of tropical forests and other vital natural resources and social and political stability in strategically important regions. according to the world bank, climate change could put 132 million people back into extreme poverty by 2030, and could drive the internal migration of an additional 216 people by 2050. every one of our districts have been challenged by severe droughts, rainfall storms and heat. we are continuing to spend more and more on humanitarian needs caused by these disasters, both domestically and abroad. we need to get ahead of these crises. helping communities cope, especially those with the least, means to do so -- it's both moral and smart. why are we demonizing these programs and cutting ourselves off from valuable tools? these are not problems anyone

can solve alone. we must work with others which make cooperation and our multilateral tools work. that's what we need. such as the clean technology fund, the green climate fund, the global environmental facility, all of these and more are so important. i reserve the balance of my time. the chair: the gentlewoman reserves. the gentleman from florida is recognized. mr. gaetz: it is neither moral nor smart to drive our nation deeper into debt, to jeopardize the future of this country so that we can engage in a globalist virtue signal. if this global agreement were real and benefiting our country, i think you'd find more people that were open-minded about a desire to ensure that we have an environment that is good for all of the inhabitants of the planet earth. but unfortunately that's not what the paris accord did. the paris accord required the united states to put up the cash and then it gave the exemptions

to china and india and the worst polluters on the planet earth. so this isn't a question about whether or not we support the environment, this is a question about whether or not under the very near -- veneer of environmentalism we are going to kill american jobs, kill american manufacturing, make our country less competitive, drive down our g.d.p., while china and india play us like fools. we are better than that. the underlying bill does great work to ensure that our resources are directed to america's interests, not to these interests of these global institutions. i would encourage adoption of the amendment and i yield back the balance of my time. the chair: the gentleman yields back. the gentlewoman from california is recognized. ms. lee: yes, mr. chairman, just one point i'd like to mention with regard to the climate emergency, which it is. you know, our young people deserve a future, they deserve a planet that is here for them and i think we need to understand

that the work we do in this house or that we are not doing really effects their future and their lives and their livelihoods. i yield back. the chair: the gentlewoman yields back. the question is on the amendment offered by the gentleman from florida. those in favor say aye. those opposed, no. it is the opinion of the chair that the ayes have it. the amendment is agreed to. ms. lee: mr. chairman. the chair: the gentlewoman from california is recognized. ms. lee: i request a recorded vote. the chair: pursuant to clause 6 of rule 18, further proceedings on the amendment offered by the gentleman from florida will be postponed. it is now in order to consider amendment number 47 printed in part d of house report 118-216. for what purpose does the gentlewoman from colorado seek recognition? mrs. boebert: mr. chair, i have an amendment at the desk. the chair: the clerk will designate the amendment. the clerk: amendment number 47

printed in part d of house report 118-216 offered by mrs. boebert of colorado. the chair: pursuant to house resolution 723, the gentlewoman from colorado, mrs. boebert, and a member opposed each will control five minutes. the chair recognizes the gentlewoman from colorado. mrs. boebert: thank you, mr. chair. i rise today to offer my amendment that utilizes the rule to reduce the salary of u.n. ambassador to $1. ms. thomas greenfield has been entrusted with representing the united states on the world stage and has done a terrible job. she made the decision to allow the u.s. to rejoin the anti-semitic united nations human rights council, which routinely ignores some of the world's most -- worst atrocities and grants membership to countries with egregious human rights violations. giving countries like china, russia, cuba, venezuela, pakistan and somalia an

international platform to speak on human rights. rather than focusing on china's systemic oppression of millions of uyghur muslims, or the inhumane treatment of women and ethnic religious minorities across the middle east, this council disproportionately targets the state of israel. she was also involved in the decision to resume funding the u.n. population fund account, which supports abortion and involuntary sterilization. during her senate confirmation, ms. thomas greenfield expressed support for taxpayer-funded abortions in foreign countries. in 2021 noms greenfield was -- ms. thomas greenfield was quoted saying, quote, white supremacy is woven into america's founding documents and principles, end quote. in the same speech, she went on

to say, quote, we have to acknowledge that we are an imperfect union and have been since the beginning, end quote. let's give this very important job to someone who loves america and doesn't hate the values that our founders engrained into the strongest country in the world. i urge my colleagues to support my amendment and hold ms. thomas greenfield accountable for her poor representation of america on the world stage. mr. dhair, i reserve -- mr. chair, i reserve. the chair: the gentlewoman reserves. the gentlewoman from california. ms. lee: i rise in strong opposition to this amendment. the chair: the gentlewoman is recognized. ms. lee: mr. chairman, really, it's quite despicable to target dedicated public servants and threaten their livelihoods. public servants doing their jobs and carrying out the policies of this administration or any administration, they deserve to be commended, not demonized. our government is dependent on being able to attract the best

talent to bring their skills to public service. especially when, in most cases, they could earn much more in the private sector. who is going to be willing to do that if their names can be dragged through the political mud? ambassador thomas greenfield retired as one of our most distinguished foreign service officers after 35 years of service to this country. she returned from retirement in order to take on her current role as united nations ambassador and she represents the united states admirably each and every single day. this is how we solve our policy differences, we should not make it personal and about peopling to their job. i have worked with and have known ambassador thomas greenfield and all of the unbelievable bashing of who she is and her credentials and what

she has provided for this country is unacceptable and it's disgusting. i urge my colleagues to oppose this amendment. i reserve the balance of my time. the chair: the gentlewoman reserves. the gentlewoman from colorado is recognized. mrs. boebert: i reserve. the chair: the gentlewoman reserves. the gentlewoman from california is recognized. ms. lee: once again i hope that the gentlelady and others really understand that public service is public service. this is not a private corporation. this is our federal government. this is who we are as a country. and bringing forth our efforts to achieve global peace and security in the world. and to continue to try to demonize our public servants is something that hopefully our young people are totally ignoring. we want them to come onboard as

foreign service ambassadors on behalf of this country. i yield back. the chair: the gentlelady yields back. the gentlewoman from colorado is recognized. mrs. boebert: thank you, mr. chair. i once again urge my colleagues to support this amendment to hold ms. thomas-greenfield accountable. this is an unelected rogue bureaucrat not a public servant. this is someone who has not taken her role seriously. being involved in the decisions to resume funding the u.n. population fund account which supports these abortion and involuntary sterilization. this is absolutely grotesque to me. there are many other reasons i have listed here we should be utilizing this holman rule to hold this unelected rogue bureaucrat accountable. i urge adoption of my amendment. mr. chair, i yield. the chair: the gentlelady yields. the question is on the amendment

offered by the gentlelady from colorado. so many as are in favor say aye. those opposed, no. in the opinion of the chair, the ayes have t the amendment is agreed -- ayes have it. the amendment is agreed to. for what purpose does gentlelady from california seek recog recognition? ms. lee: i request a recorded vote. the chair: pursuant to clause 6 of rule 18, further proceedings on the amendment offered by the gentlelady from california -- colorado will be postponed. it is now in order to consider amendment number 48 printed in part d of house report 118-216. for what purpose does the gentlewoman from colorado seek recognition? mrs. boebert: mr. chair, i have an amendment at the desk. the chair: the clerk will designate the amendment. the clerk: amendment number 48, printed in part d of house report number 118-216. offered by mrs. boebert of colorado. the chair: pursuant to house resolution 723, the gentlewoman from colorado, mrs. boebert, and a member of the opposed each will control five minutes. the chair recognizes the

gentlewoman from colorado. mrs. boebert: thank you, mr. chair. i rise today to offered my amendment that utilizing the holman rule to reduce the salary of the director of secretary of state's policy planning staff, solomon ahmed to $1. this extreme leftist was a partisan hack for the obama administration for eight years, and prior to that spent 15 years pushing globalist and anti-america first policies for the united nations. in his role with the state department, he has pushed for squandering tens of millions of dollars on misguided policy pursuits like the green new deal and climate change which he wrongfully believes is an existential threat. ahmed is a pro-china sympathizer who consistently criticized president trump for taking a tough stance on chinese adversaries. as director of the secretary of state's policy planning staff,

he also played an instrumental role in the disastrous withdrawal from afghanistan. this poor planning and not w wel thought out withdrawal resulted in the death of 13 american heroes. a shameful surrender to the taliban that left our own lifeless. ahmed is a principalled player and one of the main reasons america has become an embarrassment on the global stage. our brave men and women in uniform and department public servants overseas deserve better than mr. ahmed. i urge my colleagues to support my amendment and hold him accountable for his terrible performance and reduce his salary to $1. mr. chair, i reserve. the chair: the gentlelady reserves. for what purpose does gentlelady from california seek recognition?

ms. lee: mr. chairman, let me just say very briefly -- i'm in opposition. sorry, in opposition. the chair: the gentlelady is recognized. ms. lee: just to repeat once more. these amendments really are disgusting. they are a mockery of our serious foreign policy debates. they are harassing in many ways our public servants. and they become really about vengeance. i reserve the balance of my t time. the chair: the gentlelady reserves. the gentlelady from colorado is recognized. mrs. boebert: mr. chair, i see nothing wrong with taking a stand as an elected official to hold unelected rogue bureaucrats accountable. and the one way we can effectively do that is through our house rules, utilizing the holman rule, to effect the salary of these bureaucrats who

are abusing their position, not taking it seriously. or should not have been appointed there in the first place. mr. chair, i reserve. the chair: the gentlelady reserves. the gentlelady from california is recognized. ms. lee: mr. chairman, these are not rogue bureaucrats. these are public servants who are implementing the foreign policies of the united states of america. if, in fact, one does not agree with our foreign policies, then it's up to members of congress to change those foreign policies, not denigrate and demean our public servants. i reserve the balance of my t time. the chair: the gentlelady reserves. the gentlelady from colorado is recognized. mrs. boebert: i yield. the chair: the gentlelady yields. the gentlelady from california is recognized. ms. lee: i yield back. the chair: the gentlelady yields. the question is on the amendment offered by the gentlelady from colorado. so many as are in favor say aye. those opposed, no. in the opinion of the chair, the ayes have it.

the amendment is agreed to. for what purpose does gentlelad- ms. lee: i request a recorded vote. the chair: pursuant to clause 6 of rule 18, further proceedings on the amendment offered by the gentlelady from colorado will be postponed. it is now in order to consider amendment number 49 printed in part d of house report 118-216. for what purpose does the gentlewoman from colorado seek recognition? mrs. boebert: i have an amendment at the desk. the chair: the clerk will designate the amendment. the clerk: amendment number 49, printed in part d of house report number 118-216. offered by mrs. boebert of colorado. the chair: pursuant to house resolution 723, the gentlewoman from colorado, mrs. boebert, and a member owe -- opposed each will control five minutes. the chair recognizes the gentlewoman from colorado. mrs. boebert: i rise to offer my amendment that utilizing the holman rule to reduce the salary of the department's acting chief diversity and inresolution

officer, constance mcnair to $1. simply put, ms. mayer is working in an office that should not exist doing a job that should not exist. in addition to hundreds of ambassadors, the department already boasts a whopping 55 special envoys, representatives, and coordinators with overlapping responsibilities. special positions like ms. mayer's often create both resentment within the department's existing bureaucracy, and confusion among foreign governments as to who is actually setting policy. at the direction of joe biden's d.e.i. executive order, the state department produced and published a 19-page equity action plan, the first sentence of which proclaims, quote, addressing systematic racism is a core tenet of biden's foreign policy. end quote.

the core problem with this plan is that it does not identify a clear set of problems. and it does not prescribe specific measurable solutions. it simply cuts the american social justice template and pastes it into a plan that is supposed to inform u.s. foreign policy across the world. this office is also functionally redundant. to the extent that it has a mission, the responsibilities of the chief diversity and inclusion officer overlap with the office of civil rights. which is charged with propagating, quote, fairness, equity, and inclusion at the department of state. end quote. this job is yet another unaccountable, ideologically motivated, politically charged senior office with vague goals and no yardsticks for measuring

success. the federal government's obsession with diversity, equity, and inclusion needs to come to an end. i urge my colleagues to support my amendment to remove this unnecessary position that is proven to undercut our core american values and waste more taxpayer dollars. mr. chair, i yield. the chair: the gentlelady yields. for what purpose does gentlelady from california seek recog recognition? ms. lee: i rise in strong opposition to this amendment. the chair: the gentlelady is recognized. ms. lee: mr. chairman, this amendment would decrease the salary of a career public servant to $1. why? because this individual is the acting chief of the office of diversity and inclusion. the mission of the office is to build a supportive workforce they state department that reflects the people of our nation. the state department ask an essential component of our national security. the gentlelady talked about no

clear set problems that exist. well, you know what, the clear set of problems is systemic racism. it's discrimination. it's the lack of equal opportunity within our foreign service. that's all. conducting diplomacy that serves the interests and honors the values of the american people requires the department of state that reflects the rich diversity of our nation. otherwise if it doesn't then that's a very unfortunate and very backward perspective given the fact that discrimination is still alive in america. it's alive and well. our diversity once again is our national strength. it's a comparative advantage that we have for our engagement and leadership in a diverse world. this individual has over 30 years of state department experience. she should not be personally

demonized and targeted for her work on behalf of our nation. what she is doing is trying to ensure that we honor our pledge to live up to liberty and justice for all. it's going to take some intentional work of the state department to yellow jacket -- correct hundreds of years of racism. i reserve the balance of my t time. the chair: the gentlelady has the only remaining time. the gentlelady from california has the only remaining time. ms. lee: i yield two minutes to the gentleman from texas -- the gentlewoman from from texas, ms. jackson lee. the chair: the gentlewoman from texas is recognized. ms. jackson lee: mr. speaker, i am so proud to be an american. and i am proud to be an american because the world watches as this experiment of so many different communities, racial, and ethic and religious groups have come together. by and large we have been successful. by united states military, by our educational system, by our

neighborhoods. and so proud to be a houston -- proud to be a houstonian. an eclectic city with so many different, wonderful, diverse communities, including the lgbtq+ community. so i rise today with shock and dismay because my good friend from colorado has followed a train wreck of amendments against those of color and diversity, as well as the lgbtq+ community. day after day, after all of these appropriations, these poison pill riders, getting rid of the civil rights office, getting rid of the diverse, inclusion office is absurd. and why? because i lived exclusion in this nation. but it didn't make me bitter. we worked, we struggled. we marched. we died. those in the civil rights movement died. dr. king was killed because he

insisted on a place that the character of your integrity would not discriminate because of the color of your skin. some have turned that around. but what he was saying is that race exists. and it still does in discriminating against people that are different and diverse. why did i have honors classes and yet no college recruitment came, or i was not invited to any college recruitment in my high school. . why did i not have any acceptance at any college, because of not being drawn to any college recruitment? because of the difference -- the chair: for what purpose does the gentlelady from colorado seek recognition? mrs. boebert: i request unanimous consent to reclaim the balance of my time. the chair: is there objection? without objection, so ordered. mrs. boebert: thank you, mr. chair. i just want to clarify once

again, this office, this office of the diversity, inclusion officer should not exist. this office is functionally redundant, to the extent that it has a mission, the responsibilities of the chief diversity and inclusion officer overlap with the office of civil rights. which i charged with propagating fairness, equity and inclusion at the department of state. this is yet another unacc unacceptable, ideologically motivated, politically charged senior office with vague goals and no yard stick for measuring success. that is why i'm offering this amendment to reduce the salary of the department's acting chief diversity and inclusion officer, con stance mayor, to $1 -- constance mayor, to $1. mr. chair, i yield back the balance of my time.

the chair: the gentlelady yields back. the gentlelady from california is recognized. ms. lee: mr. chairman, how much time do i have left? the chair: one minute. ms. lee: one minute? i'll yield one minute to the gentlelady from texas to close. ms. jackson lee: i thank so very much. the chair: the gentlelady from texas is recognized. ms. jackson lee: thank you. it is not an ideological office. the gentlelady didn't hear. there's been racism and discrimination and we have not accepted the fullness of the wonderment of america. we now insult a full-time, dedicated employee. before the charlie rangel fellow, we could find little individuals who were diverse in foreign service. we now have many. because we reached out and made a difference. this train wreck of attacking inclusion, diversity and equity is disgraceful and my friends should stop it. because our cities are better, our states are better, the nation is better because of it and this fine public servant, i want to lift her up and say

thank you and you should cease and desist eliminating civil right, diversity and inclusion because it hurts people and harms people whose very heritage is tied up to a history of racism and people who died fighting for justice and equality for all of america. so that houston and new york and california and all the states can be a level of justice. the chair: the gentlelady's time has expired. the question is on the amendment offered by the gentlelady from colorado. those in favor say aye. those opposed, no. in the opinion of the chair, the ayes have it. the amendment is agreed to. ms. lee: mr. chairman. the chair: the gentlelady from california. ms. lee: i request a recorded vote. the chair: pursuant to clause 6, rule 18, further proceedings oned amendment -- on the amendment offered by the gentlelady from colorado will be postponed. it is now in order to consider amendment number 50 printed in part d of house report 118-216. for what purpose does the gentlewoman from colorado seek

recognition? mrs. boebert: mr. chair, i have an amendment at the desk. the chair: the clerk will designate the amendment. the clerk: amendment number 50 printed in part d of house report 118-216 offered by mrs. boebert of colorado. the chair: pursuant to house resolution 723, the gentlewoman from colorado and a member opposed each will control five minutes. the chair now recognizes the gentlewoman from colorado. mrs. boebert: thank you, mr. chair. i rise today to offer my amendment that utilizes the holman rule to reduce the salary of palestinian affairs officer george noll to $1. on march 13, the office of palestinian affairs in the u.s. embassy in jerusalem posted on twitter photos of its director, george noll, visiting the tomb north of jerusalem. it referred to the tomb as, quote, an important religious site maintained by the palestinian authority's ministry of tourism, end quote.

mr. noll praised the palestinian authority's, quote, work preserving beautiful, historical and religious sites like this throughout the west bank, end quote. we all know the truth. instead of preserving beautiful historical and religious sites throughout judea and samaria, the palestinian authority is deliberately destroying them. shortly after this exchange, the state department published its country report on human rights practices. the section on israel was incredibly hostile. this report attacks israel for denying prison furloughs to palestinian terrorists, fighting terrorism and preventing unrestricted, illegal immigration. from noll's praise for the palestinian authority, which is committed to erasing jewish history, to the state department's denunciation of

israel's right to defend itself and enforce its laws, the biden administration's abusive treatment of israel needs to end. as we all know, the palestinian authority is also known to pay the families of terrorists lavish monthly pensions for attacks against americans and israelis as a part of their so-called martyrs fund. the taxpayers here in this country should not be footing the bill to pay a government employee to praise a terrorist organization. i urge my colleagues to support my amendment, mr. chair. i reserve. the chair: the gentlelady reserves. for what purpose does the gentlelady from california seek recognition? ms. lee: yes, mr. chairman. i rise in strong opposition to this amendment. the chair: the gentlelady is recognized. ms. lee: once again, the target of this amendment has been a career member of the foreign service for 26 years and served

all around the world. now, the majority already passed an amendment to defund the palestinian affairs unit at the united states embassy. it's very clear to me that what the majority has attempted to do is to decimate our foreign service and its public servants. and i hope the country understands what this means in terms of the lack of a presence throughout the world in our efforts to achieve global peace and security. once again, it's a shame and disgrace, but the pattern is here. we understand the motives. and the motives are to decimate the state department. thank you and i reserve the balance of my time. the chair: the gentlelady reserves. the gentlelady from colorado is recognized. mrs. boebert: i reserve. the chair: the gentlelady from colorado reserves. the gentlelady from california is recognized. lea lee i reserve -- ms. lee: i reserve. the chair: the gentlelady from california has the right to close. the gentlelady from colorado is recognized.

mrs. boebert: mr. chair, i yield. the chair: the gentlelady yields. ms. lee: i urge my colleagues to oppose this amendment. i yield back. the chair: the gentlelady yields back the balance of her time. the question is on the amendment offered by the gentlelady from colorado. those in favor say aye. those opposed, no. in the opinion of the chair, the ayes have it and the amendment is agreed to. the gentlelady from california is recognized. ms. lee: mr. chairman, i request a recorded vote. the chair: pursuant to clause 6 of rule 18, further proceedings on the amendment offered by the gentlelady from colorado will be postponed.

it is now in order to consider amendment number 51 printed in part d of house report 118-216. for what purpose does the gentleman from tennessee seek recognition? mr. ogles: i have an amendment at the desk. the clerk: amendment number 51 printed in part d of house report 118-216 offered by mr. ogles of tennessee. the chair: pursuant to house resolution 723, the gentleman from tennessee, mr. ogles, and a member opposed each will control five minutes. the chair recognizes the gentleman from tennessee. mr. ogles: thank you, mr. chairman. just a point of personal privilege, my colleagues and i, my colleagues across the aisle and here with me in the room, we just want to thank staff for you being here. these are long days and long nights and i thank you. thank you, mr. chairman. in august, 2021, as america looked in horror at the beginning of what would soon

become the greatest foreign policy disaster of the 21st century, then-pakistani prime minister khan praised the takeover of kabul. joyfully proclaiming that the taliban had thrown off the shackles of slavery. some americans may have been puzzled that the pakistan -- that pakistan designatessed major -- designated major non-nato ally of the united states would have been so bold as to support america's enemies back in 2021. however, a cursory look at pakistan's history would clarify that this country, a country whose many islamist groups support attacks against innocent civilians, has always supported terrorism and groups -- and terrorist groups. a depends flaited foreign -- designated foreign terrorist organization whose members play a role of king maker in afghanistan is a proxy of pakistan's inner services intelligence or i.s.i. and has been for decades. along with many elements of the

taliban, the network was regularly given safe haven in pakistan to operate and evade apprehension. the coordination between the network and pakistan was so strong that in 2011, then-chairman of the joint chiefs of staff, admiral mullin, described the network as a veritable arm of the pakistani intelligence. the haqqani network is guilty of horrific terrorist attacks against u.s. service members, perhaps not coincidentally it was the haqqani network who was put in charge by the taliban of security of kabul one week before the tragedy at abbey g gate. it claimedded lives of 13 service members and wounded many more. mr. chairman, i urge adoption and i reserve. the chair: the gentleman reserves. the gentlelady from texas, for what purpose does the gentlelady from texas seek recognition? ms. jackson lee: mr. speaker, i claim the type in opposition. the chair: the gentlelady is recognized. ms. jackson lee: mr. speaker, we all mourn for the loss of our

brave soldiers, not only at the time of evacuation, but also in the wars in afghanistan and iraq and throughout america's history. but the state department is a face of our international policies that will create the opportunities for engagement and collaboration and change. i chaired the pakistan caucus, it is the one of the largest caucus members of the united states congress who understand the relationship that the united states and pakistan has enjoyed for 76 years. what my colleague speaks of is not the pakistan government or people. over the decades, both countries have built a multifaceted and diverse relationship driven by cooperation in areas such as defense, counterterrorism, trade, investment, agriculture, i.t., energy, climate, health and education. in doing the rage -- and during the raging aspects of the afghan war, many pakistan soldiers lost their lives fighting terrorism. the cooperation is rooted in our shared democratic values that

they're still working to improve and human rights as well. today the bilateral relationship is moving in the right direction. this past year both countries have recently held dialogues on security and nonsecurity areas. these include trade, investment, renewable energy, climate change, health, education, as well as security cooperation, counter terrorism and defense -- counterterrorism and defense. the pakistan diaspora has doctors and lawyers and business persons in our communities. in the u.s. withdrawal from afghanistan, pakistan assisted the united states' evacuation of its citizens. i know some who went through pakistan. so i believe this is a wrong-headed and wrong decision. this will have a negative impact. and in the midst of a horrific flood that has caused the loss of life of so many and one of the most catastrophic floods that happened in years, 30 million people impacted, i was the first american to be in that

area this past year. so i ask my colleagues to oppose the amendment. with that, i reserve. the chair: the gentlelady reserves the balance of her time. the gentleman from tennessee is recognized. mr. ogles: thank you, mr. chairman. like my colleague, i too believe in relationships and dialogues. but when you're in a relationship with a country that consistently undermines and attacks you, then maybe that's not a relationship that's worth being in. because billions upon billions of assistance to pakistan, we learned a few things. in so far as pakistan goes after terrorists, it does so selectively. it often targets those who are allied with our friend in india. second, despite the enormous financial leverage we've historically had with islam bad, we cannot -- islamabad, we cannot secure the release of a doctor, a man who assisted in the capture of osama bin laden. instead, pakistan has conditioned the release of him on his releasing a -- we have to

release a known terrorist. little wonder that president trump canceled $300 million in security aid to pakistan back in 2018 due to its horrific record of going after militants in the border region between pakistan and afghanistan. they are an adversary in the region and i'm not talking about the people, but the government in control undermines the united states, our interests and even our partner, india. i reserve. the chair: the gentleman reserves the balance of his time. the gentlelady from texas is recognized. ms. jackson lee: mr. speaker, how much time do i have? the the chair: the gentlelady from texas is recognized. ms. jackson lee: how much time do i have? the chair: two minutes. the chair: i'm pleased to yield 1:30 to the gentlelady from california. the chair: the gentlelady from california is recognized. ms. lee: i thank the gentlelady for yielding. just let me make a couple points. first of all 2023 marks the 76th anniversary of our partnership with pakistan. the fifth -- pakistan, the fifth

largest country in the world by population. delivering humanitarian assistance such as the support we provided for the devastating floods they faced in 2023, i remember the gentlelady from texas, we were in africa, and she left africa and went over to pakistan to help with the response to the devastating humanitarian tragedy that occurred in pakistan. i wasn't able to go with her. i want to thank her for her leadership in representing the united states. but we must maintain the stability of the country and the region and help spread the extremism that we see surfacing. it's up to us, i think, to proprovide u.s. aide and a-- usd and assistance to pakistan that promote security. this is important just based on our humanitarian concern for people who have had the impact

and have to live through the impact much such devastation. i oppose this amendment and i thank the gentlelady for yielding. the chair: the gentleman from tennessee is recognized. mr. ogles: all this amendment means to do is maintain u.s. policy in the state bill. the country report on pakistan highlighted ones again pakistan's continued listing as a jurisdiction with strategic deficits in its a.m.l., c.f.t. system. it doesn't support terrorists in the border region. a gallup poll the pakistanis reflected 72% see us as an enemy. we spend billions and billions of dollars. they attack us and see us as an enemy. there are many needs this country has that our veterans have, that our border have. it's money that can be spent better elsewhere.

there is no reason for us to continue to subsidize pakistan or any function of its government until it changes its posture. i reserve. the chair: the gentleman reserves. the gentlelady from texas is recognized. ms. jackson lee: who has the right to close? the chair: the gentleman from tennessee has the right to close. the gentleman has 45 seconds. mr. ogles: thank you, mr. chairman. bleeding hearts can argue all they want about wanting to support pakistan despite the overwhelming support for -- their overwhelming support for terrorism in and without its borders. i would say our money is better spent elsewhere. for what it's worth according to a classified pakistani document publicly released last month, the biden administration apparently encouraged the overthrow of the former prime minister of pakistan because he didn't want that country to abandon its neutral stance on eu crane. it's important -- on ukraine. it's important we take a stand

on terrorists and terrorist states. if they are going to be our alley. if they are going -- ally, receive hard-earned american dollars. they should act like our ally. i thank you and yield back. the chair: the gentlelady from texas is recognized. ms. jackson lee: how much time? the chair: the gentlelady has 1 1/2 minutes. ms. jackson lee: many of our allies and friends live in tough neighborhoods. i'm very glad that pakistan lives in a neighborhood with friends that is india, bangladesh, and they are engaged. they live in the neighborhood of afghanistan where the taliban has risen again. pakistan soldiers have fought against the taliban. you don't turn your back on a nation where 650 thousand pakistani americans are living here in the united states. they are contributing, patriots, they serve in the united states military. now we have been able fool sill tate -- facilitate -- pakistan

is providing humanitarian assistance to ukraine following our lead. our bilateral ties are further strengthened by the 650,000 pakistani americans. pakistan is a democratic state working against challenges. yes, it is. it's perilment has completed its third consecutive five-year cycle without disruption. they are planning democratic elections. what we need to do is ensure that pakistan has access to migration refugee assistance. economic support. international disaster assistance, global health, humanitarian assistance, economic development, and these are important taxpayer dollars that helps pakistan become even stronger as a democratic nation and ally, for the issues my good friend is talking about, diplomacy works these issues out. i can assure you that the pakistani government continues to work these issues out. the chair: the question is on the amendment offered by the gentleman from tennessee. so many as are in favor say aye. those opposed, no. in the opinion of the chair, the

ayes have it. the amendment is agreed to. the gentlelady is recognized. ms. jackson lee: i'd like the yeas and nays. the chair: the gentlelady asks for a recorded vote. pursuant to clause 6 of rule 18, further proceedings on the amendment offered by the gentleman from tennessee will be postponed. it is now in order to consider amendment number 53 printed in part d of house report 118-216. for what purpose does the gentleman from texas seek recognition? mr. gooden: i have an amendment at the desk. the chair: the clerk will designate the amendment. the clerk: amendment number 53, printed in part d of house report number 118-216. offered by mr. gooden of texas. the chair: pursuant to house resolution 723, the gentleman from texas, mr. gooden, member opposed, each will control five minutes. the chair recognizes the gentleman from texas. mr. gooden: thank you, mr. chairman. i rise to urge my colleagues to support amendment 53 to h.r. 4665 that puts an end to international organizations from

circumventing our immigration laws. the global compact for safe, orderly, and regular migration is an anchor that ties down our nation's right to determine our own immigration policies and handcuffs our government from acting in its own best interest. the united nations should not be making immigration law for our country. president trump rightfully pulled us out of this compact. president biden i believe wrongfully put us back in. what this amendment does is restrict any funding that will go to compliance with this. the chair: the gentleman reserves. for what purpose does gentlelady from california seek recognition? ms. lee: i rise in strong opposition to this amendment. the chair: the gentlelady is recognized. ms. lee: mr. chairman, the global impact for safe, orderly, and regular migration supports humane migration around the world. it is the first intergovernmental agreement to cover all dimensions of international migration at a time when we are facing a

migration crisis, as my colleagues would like to remind us of. the global guiding principles encompass a range of humanitarian, development, and other migration management activities. most of which the united states government supported long before the global compact migration existed. these activities include the provision of life raving humanitarian assistance. countering trafficking in persons. border management access to counselor services. and also dignified return on immigration. 2022 saw a 21% increase in displaced people around the world. the largest ever single year increase, and largest number of people forcibly placed in written history. it's only common sense to work with others on this challenge. i urge my colleagues to oppose this amendment. i reserve the balance of my t

time. the chair: the gentlelady reserves. the gentleman from texas is recognized. mr. gooden: thank you. i also quote ambassador nikki haley who said while we'll continue to engage on a number of fronts at the united nations, in this case we simply cannot in good faith support a process that can undermine the sovereign right of the united states to enforce our immigration laws. we don't need to outsource our lawmaking to the united nations. one of the compact issues that i have is that it strongly encourages migrants who do not have permission to stay in the country of destination, they are able to return to their country preferably on a voluntary basis. the united nations should not be making immigration law for the united states. if we are admitting, which i'm happy to hear my colleague admit, we do have a crisis, the last thing we are going to admit on either side is that it is, in fact, orderly. which is what this compact seeks to achieve in an international body. i support this amendment. i reserve.

the chair: the gentleman reserves. the gentlelady from california. ms. lee: i yield back. the chair: the gentleman from texas is recognized. mr. gooden: i urge adoption. the chair: the question is on the amendment offered by the gentleman from texas. so many as are in favor say aye. those opposed, no. in the opinion of the chair, the ayes have it. the amendment is agreed to. the gentlelady from calif california -- it's now in order to consider amendment number 54 printed in part d of house report 118-216. for what purpose does the gentleman from texas seek recognition? mr. gooden: i have an amendment at the desk. the chair: the clerk will designate t amendment. the clerk: amendment number 54 printed in part report d, 117-216. the chair: the gentleman from texas, mr. gooden, and a member opposed each will control five minutes. the chair recognizes the gentleman from texas. mr. gooden: thank you, mr. chairman. this amendment ends the united

nations international organization for migration taxpayer funded slush funds, commonly referred to as the refugee travel loan program. while this may be a noble idea, a lot of americans don't realize that what this money does is it first flows through the nongovernmental organizations who then cheerfully take a cut of that. 12%, i believe, is the number. 25%, excuse me. 25% of all of these moneys go through n.g.o.'s and they keep 25%. it's turned into a loan that's never paid back. and these numbers of refugees are continuing to be encouraged and the caps continue to be encouraged to be raised by these nongovernmental organizations that are making money off of this program. i would say to anyone who is for this, i hope they will join me in reforming this program. until then, i don't think it's wise to spend american taxpayer dollars on something that is

just enriching these n.g.o.'s on the backs of american taxpayers. i reserve. the chair: the gentleman reserves. for what purpose does gentlelady from california seek recognition? ms. legal: i rise in strong opposition. the chair: the gentlelady is recognized. ms. lee: mr. chairman, the department of state through the bureau of population refugees and migration funds the transportation of refugees admitted into the united states revenue gee admissions program for resettlement to the united states through i.o.m. refugees admitted into the program and ready for travel to the united states receive interest-free loans from i.o.m. to pay for their transportation from their overseas location to their domestic resettlement sites. upon accepting the travel loan, refugees sign a promissory note to repay the loan over time. the transportation is provided in the form of a loan. not a grant. because the core belief of the program is that refugees'

financial participation in making repayments against their debt will strengthen their determination to make a success of their migration. in a melting pot like the united states, which some have probably forgotten, i shouldn't have to remind anyone of the valuable contributions of refugees to our nation. maybe i do need to remind the other side of this. refugees from afghanistan, burma, or yemen are seeking a new, more stable home. and they deserve our support. i urge my colleagues to oppose this amendment. i reserve. the chair: the gentlelady reserves. the gentleman from texas is recognized. mr. gooden: it is true that this is issued as a loan. less than 1% of these have been paid back. these aren't real loans. these are giveaways. taxpayer dollars to refugees. i don't have a problem supporting refugees, legitimate refugees, what bothers me is

that these nongovernment organizations are taking a 25% cut. so the refugee is not getting all of the amount of this loan. but the enriched nongovernment organizations are. that's why you hear from groups like lutheran family services, jewish family service, catholic charities who say we are happy to help with this refugee problem. we are happy to go down to the border. we are happy to help facilitate this loan program because we know that we are not going to be on the hook for any of this money. it's the american taxpayer. we are going to get a 25% cut of whatever fake loan we give out. i think it's really un-american to force the american taxpayer to fund this ridiculous program. and the fact that we have charitable organizations profiting off of it and encouraging more and more of it is offensive to me as well. i reserve. the chair: the gentleman reserves. the gentlelady from california is recognized. ms. lee: thank you, mr. chairman. once again i guess i need to

either clarify or tell the truth about the loan repayment percentage. approximately my colleague indicated less than 1% of these loans are paid back. i have to tell you approximately 81% of all i.o.m. travel loan amounts are repaid within 10 years. and as the end of fiscal year 2022, 84% of i.o.m. travel amounts were repaid within 15 years. that is the truth. . i reserve the balance of my time. the chair: the gentlelady reserves the balance of her time. the gentleman from texas is recognized. mr. gooden: i urge passage and i yield. the chair: the gentleman yields back. the gentlewoman from california is recognized. the gentlelady yields. request the he is on the amendment offer -- the question is on the amendment offered by jacht texas. those in favor say aye. those opposed, no. in the opinion of the chair, the ayes have it and the amendment is agreed to.

ms. lee: mr. chairman. the chair: the gentlelady is recognized. ms. lee: i request a recorded vote. the chair: a recorded vote is requested. pursuant to clause 6 of rule 18, further proceedings on the amendment offered by the gentleman from texas will be postponed. it is now in order to consider amendment number 55 printed in part d of house report 118-216. for what purpose does the gentlewoman from colorado seek recognition? mrs. boebert: mr. chair, i have an amendment at the desk. the clerk: amendment number 55 printed in part d of house report 118-216 offered by mrs. boebert of colorado. the chair: pursuant to house resolution 723, the gentlewoman from colorado, mrs. boebert, and a member opposed each will control five minutes. the chair recognizes the gentlewoman from colorado. mrs. boebert: thank you, mr. chair. i rise today to offer my amendment that ensures no funds to enforce or implement a covid-19 vaccine mandate for international travelers. this simple, straightforward amendment will ensure that joe

biden's bureaucrats can never, ever again implement or enforce another ludicrous and unscientific vaccine mandate for international travel. when this rule was in place from 2021 to earlier this year, it made everyday life so much harder for so many people. from tearing apart family reunifications to punishing companies overseas for doing business with america, just a few stories my congressional office has come across include the mother of a dutch tourist who died on the appalachian trail, was unable to come to the united states to collect her son's body. a woman's fiance who lives in canada has been unable to visit her on american soil for the past three years. a man working for a company in

the united kingdom who sun able to travel to -- who is unable to travel to the united states for business meetings. and a family in new hampshire with canadian in-laws has been unable to have canadian family members visit for christmas in the united states since covid started. my colleagues on the other side of the aisle have already started ramping up the new round of covid hysteria. last month it was reported that t.s.a. team members were told that they will receive new guidelines on how the restrictions will evolve and that by mid october, pilots, flight staff, passengers and airport patrons will be required to once again wear masks. allegedly administration officials were told that it was not a matter of if, but when covid numbers rise. the biden administration plans to roll out a new round of covid

restrictions. moreover, numerous federal agencies have reported purchasing more covid-19 equipment and have awarded contracts to private companies to help enforce covid-19 pandemic-era safety protocols. joe biden's unilateral vaccine mandates posed an existential threat to our system of government. it is long past time congress takes our article 1 authority outlined in the constitution to rein in biden's overreaching mandates that are trampling on our liberties. the biden administration fumbled the bag on handling covid last time around. we should all be concerned that hysteria regarding the new covid-19 variant will be used as justification to return to shutdowns, mandates, restrictions and so much more. despite the fact that the

evidence shows that these measures did nothing to combat this virus. covid is over. let's ensure biden's bureaucrats don't have the power to impose unpopular and unconstitutional liberty-stripping vaccine mandates again. i urge my colleagues to support my amendment and put an end to this covid hysteria, led by the branch covidians, joe biden. with that, i reserve. the chair: for what purpose does the gentlelady from california seek recognition? ms. lee: i rise in strong opposition to this amendment. the chair: the gentlelady is recognized. ms. lee: thank you, mr. chairman. first of all, let me just state a fact. president biden, vice president harris saved many, many, many lives.

secondly, this amendment would prohibit the use of funds to enforce or implement a covid-19 vaccine mandate for individuals traveling outside of the united states. but guess what. let me just point out that there is not and has not been a covid vaccine requirement for travelers outside of the united states. i don't know why we would mandate people leaving the united states be vaccinated. and the gentlelady knows that. those requires usually and -- well, usually and most of the time for countries that have those requirements, they're set by those countries for people entering their borders. once again, this is disingenuous and i'm determined to tell the truth about what the majority is trying to do and what message they're trying to send. you know, setting a health requirement for travelers coming into the united states may be an important health response, but that would not be a decision by the state department. so i'm not sure what this

amendment really is trying to achieve. as the covid pandemic continues to remind us, and, yes, covid is still alive and well, infectious diseases do not abide by national boundaries. and while some would like to act like covid is over, it is not. in the united states, more than 500 people die from covid each week. that's a fact. that's a fact. it is clear to those families that covid is not over. new variants are an expected part of the evolution of viruses and can be more aggressive, transmittible or cause more severe disease than the original strain. that's a fact. our nation's public health officials need to have options available to them to protect our communities as we continue to live with covid, as well as other infectious diseases. that is a fact. i urge my colleagues to oppose

this amendment. i reserve the balance of my time. the chair: the gentlelady reserves the balance of her time. the gentlewoman from colorado is recognized. mrs. boebert: mr. chair, i appreciate the gentlewoman's concern for lives lost in america and i would hope that the gentlewoman would join our efforts in securing our southern border. this administration has stripped title 42 away, that prevented illegal aliens from coming into our country who may pose some sort of threat with an illness or a virus. if they were serious about covid-19, this should never be something that they would want to eliminate. instead, it is american citizens and those who are trying to travel to our country and from our country who are restricted by these unconstitutional vaccine mandates. if the gentlewoman is concerned about the number of lives that are being lost, maybe she should join us in supporting our efforts to secure the southern

border where there is a flow of fentanyl coming into our country, killing 300 americans a day. making every state a border state. it's hard to take any of the paper masks seriously when we know that they don't work, that we've been proven time and time again, while they're on their seventh booster shot and still supposedly getting covid. mr. chair, i yield. the chair: the gentlelady from california is recognized. ms. lee: mr. chairman, this amendment has nothing to do with securing our southern border or fentanyl or anything else. what this amendment actually does is misrepresent the actual reality of our policy. there is not and has not been a covid vaccine requirement for travelers outside of the united states. this amendment would prohibit the use of funds to enforce or implement a covid vaccine mandate for individuals traveling outside of the united

states, which does not exist. this amendment has nothing to do with the southern border or fentanyl. i reserve the balance of my time. the chair: the gentlelady has the only remaining time. ms. lee: ok, i yield back. the chair: the gentlelady yields back the balance of her time. the question is on the amendment offered by the gentlelady from colorado. those in favor say aye. those opposed, no. in the opinion of the chair, the ayes have it and the amendment is agreed to. it is now in order to consider amendment number 56 printed in part d of house report 118-216. for what purpose does the gentleman from west virginia seek recognition? moon moon i rise -- mr. mooney: i rise in support of the amendment. the chair: amendment number 56 printed in part d of house report 118-216 offered by mr. mooney of west virginia. the chair: pursuant to house resolution 723, the gentleman from west virginia, mr. mooney, and a member opposed each will control five minutes. the chair recognizes the

gentleman from west virginia. mr. mooney: thank you, mr. chairman. i rise in support of my amendment, to prevent tax dollars from hardworking americans from being sent to mexico, allegedly in support of economic development, until the president of the united states informs congress that mexico has decided to stop the free flow of fentanyl across our southern border. my plan is a simple and strong response to the mexican government's refusal to take action to address the crisis of fentanyl pouring across our border. the mexican president continues to falsely state that fentanyl is not manufactured or consumed in his country. in march of -- march 17 of this year, 2023, mexican president obrador said in a news conference in mexico city, quote, here we do not produce fentanyl and we do not have

consumption of fentanyl. why doesn't the united states take care of its own issues? closed quote. but the numbers do not lie. the drug enforcement agency said in december that, quote, most of the fentanyl trafficked by the cartels is being mass produced at secret factories in mexico with chemicals sourced largely from china, closed quote. there were 14,000 pounds of fentanyl seized last year at the southern border and more than 11,000 pounds this year so far. fentanyl is pouring across our border because of the disastrous open-border policies of president biden and his democrat allies in congress. meanwhile, mexico refuses to act against the cartels. todd robinson, who is president biden's assistant secretary of state for international narcotics, testified before the senate foreign relations committee in february, 2023, quote, to be honest, the

challenge that we have with mexico is their unwillingness to put sufficient resources into the fight against fentanyl. and we're pushing them to do that, closed quote. multiple administrations have pushed mexico to do more, yet they refuse to act. now is the time for congress to step up and use the power of the purse to hold mexico accountable until they change their behavior. i want to be very clear this amendment is focused solely on economic aid, this amendment does not impact narcotics interdiction and border security assistance that we also provide to mexico. mexico should not be rewarded with economic support funding when they refuse to stop the production of fentanyl that has killed hundreds of thousands of americans. west virginia in particular has been hit hard by the drug epidemic and a lot of the poison on our streets can be traced directly back to mexican drug cartels. we need to secure our border, but we also need mexico to partner with us. our practice of giving them more

united states taxpayer dollars as an inducement to fight against drug trafficking has failed. it is time to cut off economic funding until the president of the united states can report to congress that mexico is working with us to address the flow of fentanyl across the border. i call on all my colleagues to join me in supporting this amendment and, mr. chairman, i yield back the balance of my time. the chair: does the gentleman reserve? mr. mooney: i yield back the balance of my time. the chair: the gentleman yields back the balance of his time. for what purpose does the gentlewoman from california seek recognition? ms. lee: i rise in strong opposition to this amendment. the chair: the gentlewoman from california is recognized for five minutes. ms. lee: mr. chairman, united states' relationships with mexico are strong and vital. our two countries share a 2,000-mile border with 55 active ports of entry and our bilateral relations with mexico have a direct impact on the lives and livelihoods of millions of americans. i was born and raised in a border town of el paso, texas,

and i know the importance of the exchanges and the support between mexico and the united states. our significant cooperation on issues including trade and economic reform, entrepreneurship and innovation, and energy cooperation are as critical today as they have ever been. cutting e.s.f. assistance to mexico would have severe detrimental impacts, crippling the work we do to reduce violence, build a better business environment and address the root causes of migration. without our continued support, our assistance to keep youth released from prison from recommitting criminal offenses and being recruited by cartels and other criminal organizations would the work we do to level the playing field for investors which includes bringing greater transparency to corrupt business practices and promoting growth in key sectors central to the united states businesses and

such as semiconductors, for example, all this would be negatively impacted. and cutting e.s.f. would undermine our work to create economic opportunities in high out migration areas in mexico least developed areas. and states. a prosperous and safe mexico should not only and will not only benefit the mexican people but us as well. i urge my colleagues to oppose this amendment. i yield back. the chair: the gentlewoman from california yields. the question is on the amendment offered by the gentleman from west virginia. so many as are in favor say aye. those opposed, no. in the opinion of the chair, the ayes have it. the amendment is agreed to. it is now in order to consider amendment number 57 printed in part d of house report 118-216. for what purpose does the gentlewoman from indiana seek

recognition? mrs. spartz: i have an amendment at the desk. the chair: the clerk will designate the amendment. the clerk: amendment number 57, printed in part d of house report number 118-216. offered by mrs. spartz of indiana. the chair: the chair recognizes -- sorry. pursuant to house resolution 723, the gentlewoman from indiana, mrs. spartz, and a member opposed, each will have control five minutes. the share recognizes the -- chair recognizes the gentlewoman from indiana. mrs. spartz: i yield myself such time as i may consume. i have a very simple but very important amendment. all this amendment says that the secretary of state can acues any funds in -- can't use any funds in this appropriation not exlicit bye shall -- explicitly authorized to give to the united nations. i think it's very important, i have been in the trenches quite a bit with a lot of conflicts and where people are dying in many countries, and american people are very generous and

help a lot of people around the world, but who want to make sure this money don't go to very fancy executives that pay themselves big salaries and drive fancy cars, eating steak dinners. and fancy hotels while people next door are dying. but go to the people that the american people are willing to help. i think it's very important to unauthorized funds by congress wouldn't be frivolous given by the secretary of state. i think it's intent of congress and i think this is a very good amendment. i urge my colleagues to support it. i reserve. the chair: does the gentlewoman reserves. mrs. spartz: i reserve. the chair: the gentlewoman from indiana reserves. for what purpose does gentlewoman from california seek recognition? ms. lee: i rise in strong opposition. the chair: the gentlewoman is recognized for five minutes. ms. lee: i recently returned from representing the united states at the united nations general assembly and i would be happy to talk to any of my colleagues about the value of

our partnership with the united nations system. it is not perfect. no large bureaucracy is. but our ability to improve its operations, make sure its stances reflect our values, and have the united nations serve its mission for peace hinges on the united states being an active participating member of the organization. organizations like unicef deliver last-mile education and health services in over 120 countries. if you have ever seen kids in south sudan, and i have, many times, walking with their blue unicef backpacks to school or visited with one of the 365 million kids under the age of 5 who receive malnutrition services last year, you would know that their presence is real and felt by millions of kids and their families around the world. this amendment would cut off contributions to unicef.

what will these young people think about the united states, quite frankly, when they grow up? i don't think they would be very happy to know that we actually cut off the humanitarian assistance, especially in what unicef delivers on behalf of the united states. the united nations development program worked with 26 countries in 2021 to implement national action plans to tackle radicalization, registered 38 million new voters, 80% of these 38 million, they were women. and helped 82 countries adopt digital platforms for commerce and governance cutting down on corruption. this amendment would cut off contributions to undp and many others. i fully support the authorization of these entities. but we all know that will not happen overnight. while we work towards that goal, we can't cut off participation

and support. once again we are retreating from our responsibilities as a global leader throughout the world. i urge my colleagues to oppose this amendment. i reserve the balance of my t time. the chair: the gentlewoman from california reserves. the gentlewoman from indiana is recognized. mrs. spartz: mr. chairman, i think the gentlelady is misrepresenting this amendment. this amendment says if congress doesn't authorize this funds, they shouldn't be spent by the other branch and given to u.n. not preclude from congress doing the job. it authorizes the fund. this organization failed, many people around the globe, millions of people are dying in africa and when i talk to these people they haven't seen the money the u.n. is doing. ukraine, i haven't seen them -- we have a major issue around the world. i saw what's happening in countries in south america. don't tell me says we are not

giving money. i just went there. this corrupt organization -- don't tell me that this organization didn't sell the american people, people around the world. if our congress is going to continue this, we need to look seriously why they cater to russia and china with the american taxpayer with their hard earned money. i think congress needs to do the job. and before any money is given to this organization, they have to decide they are accountable to the american people. if congress authorizes money and give to secretary of state to provide to united nations, you still can do that. you have to start doing our job because a lot of people are suffering around the world and if america doesn't stand up for anyone, no one else will. american people expect accountability from our hard-earned money. i hope that it could be on a bipartisan basis. a lot of people make a loft money around the world over there. they have a very high paying jobs. a lot of poor people, including

africa, dying. and i think we have to give accountable responsible for that it shouldn't be a partisan issue. we went to could he dell by -- co-dell -- codel. we have real people. not exactly -- they have this job to protect their salaries and lead a good life. but real people that are suffering. and we are willing to help people suffering but we need to put pressure. i hope and urge my colleagues to stand up with the people not with special interest groups lobbying a lot of things here and destroying our republic and destroying peace around the world. this organization was created for some purposes and they failed. maybe it's time to rethink what kind of structure we should have that would benefit peace around the world. i reserve. the chair: the gentlewoman from indiana reserves. the gentlewoman from california is recognized. ms. lee: thank you very much, mr. chairman. i guess i'm totally confused. i don't know why we wouldn't want to cut off the funds for

children through unicef, undp and other agencies when the gentlelady should go on and take this to the foreign affairs committee. that's where this -- her initiative belongs. in terms of the authorizing process. 245 belongs -- that belongs in the foreign affairs committee. it doesn't belong on an appropriations bill to defund programs that are providing badly needed services, badly needed malnutrition services of children. we can't just cut off this. these are appropriated funds. the authorization committee authorizes. that's where this belongs. the chair: does the gentlewoman reserve. ms. lee: i yield back. the chair: the gentlewoman from california yields. the gentlewoman from indiana is recognized. mrs. spartz: i just want to tell one more time, congress supposed to authorize this funding. if we are not doing the job we should obey the rules. congress either do the job or not.

if congress believe pace based on the consideration that this money should be provided, they decide to make the case, we can authorize the funds. but they have to be accountable that the funds are used wisely. so all it says unauthorized spending is not going to be -- we need to stop negligenting our job. maybe we should start doing our job. actually authorizing funds and appropriating funds. if not, then we have to be accountable. i truly believe this is very important for congress to look at expanding and start providing proper oversight. i believe this is an issue that i hope will be supported on a bipartisan basis. i yield back. the chair: the gentlewoman yields. the question is on the amendment offered by the gentlewoman from indiana. so many as are in favor say aye. those opposed, no. in the opinion of the chair, the aye vs. it. the amendment is a-- ayes have t the amendment is agreed to.

ms. lee: i ask for a recorded vote. the chair: pursuant to clause 6 of rule 18, further proceedings on this amendment offered by the gentlewoman from indiana will be postponed. it is now in order to consider amendment number 58 printed in part d of 117-216. for what purpose does the gentlewoman from wyoming seek recognition in mrs. hageman: i have an amendment at the desk. the clerk: amendment number 58. offered by mrs. hageman of wyoming. the chair: the gentlewoman from wyoming, ms. hageman, and a member posed each will control five minutes. ms. hageman: i rise in favor of my amendment number 58, h.r. 4665. this amendment would prohibit funding for the state department's quote, office of global change. mr. chairman, the underlying bill rightfully targets the u.s.

taxpayer dollars from being sent to globalists who foment climate change hysteria and provides no benefits to the american assistance. while the underlying bill provides temporary relief from these bad policies, we must target the actual source of this nonsense. that's why my amendment is needed. the office of global change is responsible for implementing and managing the u.s. international policy on climate change. it is, in other words, the executive office that was created with the mission statement of funding our enemies and destroying our own prosperity. this is the office that oversees all of mr. biden's misguided policies. we must therefore cut off the source of those funding -- that funding by targeting the money not just play whack a mole whenever a new issue arises. any american concerned about the globalist agenda infiltrating our sovereign decisionmaking process should be concerned about the office whose mission

statement is quote, global change, especially when this global change is all about disrupting and destroying our reliable clean and affordable domestic energy resources. so that they can force a green distopiathat will cause energy poverty on a massive scale. the office of global change seeks to force c.c.p.-inspired policies on the u.s. so we become more and more energy insecure while the c.c.p., the chinese communist party, becomes more and more energy independent and secure. if this majority is to deliver on the promises that we made to the american people, which means substituting radical climate politics for actual real gov governance, we must identify and eradicate the source of the problems. that means defunding the office for global change. my amendment would do just that. i urge all of my colleagues to support this amendment. and i reserve the balance of my

time. the chair: the gentlewoman reserves. for what purpose does the gentleman from california seek recognition? ms. lee: i rise in strong opposition to this amendment. the chair: the gentlewoman from california is recognized for five minutes. miss lee: -- ms. lee: it is clear from the science that the most existential crisis the world faces is the -- from the growing climate crisis. it is an emergency. without intervention, our warming planet will have negative impacts on the united states and throughout the world. this bill already ignores the changing climate and its implications for so many other global challenges, including promoting food and water security, global health, the protection of tropical forests, and other vital natural resources and social and political stability and strategically important regions. according to the world bank changes in the environment could put 132 million people back into

extreme poverty. that's by 20 306789 only a few more years. it also could drive the internal migration of an it could also drive the internal migration of another two million people by 2050. the state department must be able to work with other countries and use every tool available to us prevent the worse of increasingly ferocious natural disasters, failing crops, loss of biodiversity and the rise of new diseases. the climate crisis poses threats to the stability of countries, heightens social and political tensions, and adversely affects food prices and availability. and this again as i said earlier is according to our own military. the need for foreign assistance will only increase if we do not address the significant driver of crisis around the world.

at cop 27 this is what we heard over and over and over again. so it's critical that we continue to fund the work of this office and i urge my colleagues to oppose this amendment. i reserve the balance of my time. the chair: the gentlewoman reserves. the gentlewoman from wyoming is recognized. ms. hageman: again, i think that folks need to understand that the office of global change is responsible for implementing and managing the u.s. international policy on climate change, the very purpose of which is to destroy the prosperity of the united states of america. as i listen to my colleagues on the other side talk about the, quote, existential crisis we face because of climate change or the other rote talking points they use, what you find is that none of those talking points, none of that hysteria is actually rooted in science. other than political science. every decision that has been made by the biden administration

in relation to energy poverty -- in relation to energy policy has resulted in real, immediate energy poverty for thousands, if not millions, of people across the united states of america. the failed policies of this administration have been visited upon us from the very moment that joe biden took office when he started canceling pipelines to be able to deliver affordable, clean, accessible, reliable energy. i find it to be absolutely astounding to listen to the other side talk about issues of poverty and things around the world when we have an administration who right now, with their policies is creating that very policy here. we watch the border crisis as we see millions of people pouring across the border. we see what is happening in our inner cities. we see what is happening with people who have to make a decision about buying food or buying gasoline. and yet they want to talk about funding an agency that the very

purpose of which is to visit energy poverty around the world upon millions and millions of people. i urge my colleagues to vote in favor of amendment 58, we do not need an office of global change, we need to defund it. that's pup of my amendment. and i reserve the balance of my time. the chair: the gentlewoman reserves. the gentlewoman from california is recognized. ms. lee: well the gentlelady says that this office is going to destroy the prosperity of america but i would suggest that this amendment will continue to destroy our planet. our young people deserve better. i reserve my time. the chair: the gentlewoman from california reserves. the gentlewoman from wyoming is recognized. ms. hageman: i yield back. the chair: the gentlewoman from wyoming yields back. ms. lee: i yield back. the chair: the gentlewoman from california yields back. the question is on the amendment offered by the gentlewoman from wyoming. those in favor say aye. those opposed, no.

in the opinion of the chair, the ayes have it. the amendment is agreed to. for what purpose does the gentlewoman from california seek recognition? ms. lee: i ask for a recorded vote. the chair: pursuant to clause 6 of rule 18, further proceedings on the amendment offered by the gentlewoman from wyoming will be postponed. the gentlewoman will suspend. it is now in order to consider amendment number 59 printed in part d of house report 118-216. for what purpose does the gentlewoman from wyoming seek recognition? miz hageman: i have an amendment at the desk. the chair: the clerk will report the amendment. the clerk: amendment number 59 offered by ms. hageman of wyoming. the chair: the gentlewoman from wyoming, ms. hageman and a member opposed each will control five minutes. ms. hageman: i rise in favor of my amendment, number 59, to h.r.

4665. this amendment would prohibit the state department remote work agreements which allow a domestically assigned employee alternative work scythe to be located outside of the locality pay area of the regular work scythe. now that's a lot of words that may seem a little confusing but let me explain what i mean. what it is at bottom is, it is time for the federal work force to return to work. this has been the policy of the republicans in the 118th congress majority in my -- and my amendment would bring the state department in line with this stance. several concerns with federal telework and remote work arose during covid. one concern rightfully echoed by countless americans struggling to make ends meet was whether federal workers were receiving increased locality pay based off the cost of living in larger city, while they were actually working remotely from a different location where they cost of live wogs much less. so mr. chairman, you can imagine

my concern when i found that the state department's foreign affairs manual defines its remote work agreements as full-time telework arrangements when the telework site is located outside of the local by ty pay area for the employee's position of record. remote and telework should be used sparingly. it should be used to accommodate health issues. it should be used during a crisis. in other words, during select situations. it should not be used as a hidden benefit for federal workers and so that they can pocket extra cost of living cash. our republican house majority should be committed to reforming federal remote work so it is fair and reasonable and used only when needed. i urge my colleagues to support my amendment and i reserve the balance of my time p. the chair: the gentlewoman reserves. for what purpose does the gentlewoman from california seek

recognition? ms. lee: i rise in opposition to the amendment. the chair: the gentlewoman is recognized for five minutes. ms. lee: i understand the underlying wish for all of us to get back to the way things were prior to the onset of the covid pandemic. however, a total ban seems a bit excessive. the government as a whole is in competition with the private sector for workers. the priority of where they live has changed for some workers, and without being offered this flexibility, the state department may find it more difficult to recruit or retain exceptional employees which seems to be the goal of some on the other side. technology now exists that was never contemplated only a few years ago. and it opens new possibilities for how to be effective, productive participants in any office, whether physically present or not. we need to ensure that our

national security and effective diplomacy is conducted by the most capable employees. options should be available to the department. i urge my colleagues to oppose this amendment. i yield back. the chair: the gentlewoman yields. the gentlewoman from wyoming is recognized. ms. hageman: i think there's a misunderstanding on the other side of the aisle as to the purpose of my bill. the purpose of this bill is very simple. if you're being paid to live in denver and work in denver, and your cost of living is associated with living in denver, you should not be table live in a little tiny town of 300 people, 200 miles away that has a substantially less cost of live bug continue to receive your benefits based on the more expensive cost of living that is in denver, colorado. that's just the pup of this. if you're going to live in a lower cost of living area and telework you shouldn't be paid as though you're live nag large city. that's the point of. this it's simple.

it's nothing more than about fairness. i think the american people expect our federal employees to be honest about where they're working and the cost of living they have. i do not believe it's fair, they don't believe it's fair that we're paying people to live in more expensive areas while they're living in less expensive areas. that's a benefit we didn't agree to as congress. i don't believe it's appropriate. i urge my fellow members to support amendment number 59. with that, i yield back. the chair: the gentlewoman from wyoming yields. the question is on the amendment offered by the gentlewoman from wyoming. those in favor say aye. those opposed, no. in the opinion of the chair the ayes have it. the amendment is agreed to. the chair understands that amendment number 60 will not be offered. it is now in order to consider amendment number 61 printed in part d of house report 118-216.

for what purpose does the gentlewoman from north carolina seek recognition? ms. foxx: mr. chairman, i have an amendment at the desk. the chair: the clerk will designate the amendment. clip amendment number 6, printed in parse d of house report 118-216, offered by ms. foxx of north carolina. the chair: pursuant to house resolution 723, the gentlewoman from north carolina, ms. foxx, and a member opposed each will control five minutes. the chair recognizes the gentlewoman from north carolina. ms. foxx: thank you, mr. chairman. i rise in support of my amendment. my amendment is simple. it would prevent taxpayer funds from paying for state department employees to travel to or attend events hosted by the clinton global initiative. the rationale is quite simple. the clinton gloacial initiative has engaged in blatant corruption and influence peddling that would make even hunter biden blush. in perhaps its most famous episode, in 2014, hillary

clinton approached the moroccan government about hosting a clinton global initiative conference in morocco. the moroccans fronted the money for the event by funneling it through a state-owned enterprise that was extracting and exploiting phosphates if a nonself-governing territory, certain sahara. this slight of hand amounted to condoning morocco's sovereignty over this disputed land. you heard that right. it was cash for sovereignty deal formulated just as former secretary of state clinton began her run for president. of the free world. this deal was so rotten that even the huffington post deemed fox news' investigation into this matter a, quote, brutal, clean hit on hillary clinton's campaign. end quote. indeed the clinton global initiative scandals are myriad and include an episode uncovered

by "the new york times" revealing undisclosed donations linked to the sail of -- sale of u.s. uranium production to a ukrainian agency. the clinton gloacial initiative was not able to withstand the scrawtny and was shuttered. until late last year when it reconstituted itself. us operations are no longer dark. this is the first state and foreign operations appropriations bill considered since its resurrection. it has since morphed into a factory of radical elitist woke schemes. just last week the clinton global initiative convened in new york to discuss how to reshape our economy to tackle the left's pet projects that will make life for ordinary americans more expensive and worse. given the state department's enmeshment with the lintons and the nshtive, we need to send a

clear message. no more coordination with the u.s. government. no more conferences with corruption governments at the expense of the oppressed people of the global. no more representation and participation by the state department. and an end to its co-mingling with official policy. hopefully the beginning of the end of this corrupt organization's influence on u.s. policymaking. americans simply can't afford more radical policies purr vaid by an organization that allow thinks global elite to buy and influence american foreign policy. join me in condemning the clinton global initiative's misconduct. i urge my colleagues to support my amendment and i reserve the balance of my time. the chair: the gentlewoman from north carolina reserves. for what purpose does the gentlewoman from california seek recognition? ms. lee: i rise in opposition to this amendment. the chair: the gentlewoman from california is recognized for five minutes. ms. lee: mr. chairman, boy, is this the level we've gotten to,

to tell the state department what meetings they cannot attend? when we start saying what meetings they have to attend? the clinton global initiative is a platform for government, philanthropy, business, media and academia to discuss, identify problems and brainstorm solutions. we should be encouraging such collaboration. the problems facing the world are daunting and solutions will not come from one place. let's take good ideas from wherever we can and not micromanage who goes to what meetings. i oppose -- i urge my colleagues to oppose this amendment and i reserve the balance of my time. the chair: the gentlewoman from california reserves. the gentleman from -- the gentlewoman from north carolina is recognized. ms. foxx: thank you, mr. chairman. i see my colleague has not refuted any of the things i have said about the clinton global initiative. why in the world, again, would we ask american taxpayers to pay

for people from the state department to attend these conferences when they're likely not to gain anything positive from them and support a corrupt organization? i reserve. the chair: the gentlewoman from north carolina reserves. the gentlewoman from california is recognized. ms. lee: yes, mr. chairman, i understand what this amendment does. and i don't accept the fact that it's a corrupt organization. i do know the importance of these meetings and conferences in terms of us coming together for solutions to lead us to global peace and security. i reserve the balance of my time. the chair: the gentlewoman from california reserves. the gentlewoman from north carolina is recognized. ms. foxx: mr. chairman, may i ms. foxx: may i inquire how much time i have left? the chair: 1 1/2 minutes. ms. foxx: mr. chairman, we have a terrific debt on our hands in this country. we don't need to be spending any

money that is not absolutely necessary to spend. curbing attendance at meetings such as the clinton global initiative is a good way for us to chip away at that debt and to save the american taxpayers some money. i think this is an excellent amendment. i believe that my colleagues will see that it's an excellent amendment. and i will continue to advocate for its passage. i reserve. the chair: the gentlewoman from north carolina reserves. the gentlewoman from california is recognized. ms. lee: finally, i'll just say what this does is another attempt to chip away at our diplomacy. i yield. the chair: the gentlewoman from california yields. the gentlewoman from north carolina is recognized. ms. foxx: thank you. i appreciate the opportunity to offer this amendment.

i believe, again, that it is good for us to highlight this organization and the fact that we do not need people from the state department attending its meetings. with that i yield the balance of my time. the chair: the gentlewoman from north carolina yields. the question is on the amendment offered by the gentlewoman from north carolina. so many as are in favor say aye. those opposed, no. in the opinion of the chair, the ayes have t the amendment is agreed -- have it. the amendment is agreed to. ms. foxx: i request a recorded vote. the chair: pursuant to clause 6 of rule 18, proceedings on the amendment offered by the gentlewoman from north carolina will be postponed. it is now in order to consider amendment number of 2 printed in part b of house report 118-216. for what purpose does the gentlewoman from california seek recognition? mr. issa: mr. chairman, i have an amendment at the desk.

the chair: the clerk will designate the amendment. the clerk: amendment number 62, printed in part d of house report number 118-216. offered by mr. issa of california. the chair: pursuant to house resolution 723, the gentleman from california, mr. issa, and a member opposed each will control five minutes. the chair recognizes the gentleman from california. mr. issa: i yield myself such time as i may consume. the chair: the gentleman is recognized. mr. issa: thank you. we are in a competition right now. it's undeniable. with a chinese communist party-led country. we have been in that race for more than 40 years. decades ago we made a decision that engagement would change the trajectory of china. it was a fair and reasonable attempt. but throughout those years as china has gained power, they have only gained a ruthless disregard for the norms of our

planet. including those they fit into. they claim to be a fair trader. they are not. they claimed that they would not steal technology. they did. as a matter of fact they have ruthlessly become the largest organization, not just on our military and defense structures, but in fact, on our industries. it is legendary the level that they have one sided done. it's time for us to shift. under the last administration we began shifting. under this administration we continue to recognize china as a threat. in those years since we opened up our relationship, we did a number of things as a planet, world, as countries. hong kong and mccaw with a voluntarily given back each based on a promise to their host nations they would continue to operate in a way that was consistent with the democracies that had led them.

in both cases through a slow but steady change that has been completely eroded. a number of years ago, the probably the greatest choice of the communist party -- it is an old communist statement that i think bears repeating. and that is that when the -- when we will be hung when capitalism will be hung, they will be hung with a rope we sold to the communist. it is time, time to stop killing selling rope to china. with that i reserve the balance of my time. the chair: the gentleman from california reserves. for what purpose does the gentlewoman from california seek recognition? ms. lee: i rise in strong opposition to this amendment. the chair: the gentlewoman from

california is recognized for five minutes. mistles: mr. chairman -- ms. lee: this science and technology agreement was extended for six months this past august and does not commit us to a longer term extension. the extension will allow the administration time to amend and strengthen the terms of the s.t.a. without the s.t.a., the united states would lose valuable insight into china's technical advances. additionally, many s.t.a. outcomes have been deeply beneficial to the united states. and the rest of the world. this includes determining determining the folic asit supplementation in preventing birth defects and decreasing china's air pollution which blows across the pacific, contributing to our west coast air pollution. opponents of this agreement site concerns that the p.r.c. would exploit civilian research partnerships for military purposes. however, all legitimate concerns about information sharing can be

addressed through modifications to the s.t.a. rather than eliminating entirely. i urge my colleagues to oppose this amendment. i reserve the balance of my t time. the chair: the gentlewoman from california reserves. the gentleman from california is recognized. mr. issa: earlier i attempted to have the quote of vladimir lenin the capitalist will sell the rope with which we hang them. this is exactly what we have been doing. but there is another truism that came from einstein. insanity is doing the same thing over and over again expecting a different outcome. if the administration wants to negotiate something new and bring it to us in a way in which we believe the outcome will be different, let them do it. but to simply continue doing the same thing -- same thing with decades and currently tens of thousands of actual hits on our country to steal our technology by the chinese communist party

daily, something that our administrations have said. it's no longer one of those in which they are stealing ancient technology or they are trying to catch up. when one of our cabinet officers recently visited china, she was -- she arrived only to find them demonstrating 5-g technology and 7 nanometer chip technology in order to show us that they had stolen the technology necessary to be cutting edge in the cellular world and in the chip production. with that i reserve. the chair: the gentleman from california reserves. the gentlewoman from california is recognized. ms. lee: this amendment would not allow only renegotiation, that's why i oppose it. i reserve the balance of my time. the chair: the gentlewoman from california reserves. the gentleman from california is recognized. mr. issa: i reserve. the chair: the gentleman reserves. the gentlewoman from california has the right to close. ms. lee: i yield back.

the chair: the gentlewoman yields back. mr. issa: in closing, every day this administration tells us the nature of the kind of technology theft that's going on, the conclusion of this amendment is simply the result of the very statements made not by the previous administration, but by the current administration. and this supports the recognition that it's time to make real change. the amount does it. with that i yield back and urge -- the chair: the gentlewoman from california yields. the question is on the amendment offered by the gentleman from california. so many as are in favor say aye. those opposed, no. in the opinion of the chair, the ayes have it. the amendment is agreed to. it is now in order to considered amendment number 63 printed in part d of house report 118-216. for what purpose does the gentleman from tennessee seek recognition? mr. burchett: i rise to speak on my amendment which would reduce the salary of the special assistant -- the chair: the gentleman will

suspend. does the gentleman have a -- an amendment at the desk? the clerk: amendment number 63, print the in house report offered by mr. burchett of tennessee. the chair: the gentleman from tennessee, mr. burchett, and the member opposed each will control five minutes of the the chair recognizes the gentleman from tennessee. mr. burchett: thank you, mr. speaker. this amendment would do one thing. will reduce the salary of the special assistant to the director of programming at voice of america to $1. this amendment follows an in internal investigation which concluded the special assistant to the director of program at voice of america had misused federal tax dollars, taxpayer dollars and lied on the resume. she was fired under the previous administration and rehired at the beginning of this administration. mr. speaker, i submit to you that people who misuse taxpayer dollars have no business being paid by taxpayers. and they should be fired. we need to get rid of corruption

in our government. my amendment would do just that. i'm requesting to reduce her salary to $1. i reserve. the chair: the gentleman from tennessee reserves. for what purpose does the gentlewoman from california seek recognition? ms. lee: mr. chairman, i rise in strong opposition to this amendment. the chair: the gentlewoman from california is recognized for five minutes. ms. lee: mr. chairman, once again the subject of this amendment has been a public servant. this public servant has worked at u.s. speaking truth to iranians and promoting democratic values of american society. once again if we have policy issues, let's discuss it. but please, we have to stop demeaning our public servants. i yield. the chair: the gentlewoman from california yields. the gentleman from tennessee is recognized. mr. burchett: i submit to you that the duty of the folks that work for the american taxpayers

not to lie and not to take taxpayer money illegally. i reserve. the chair: the gentleman has the only time remaining. mr. burchett: i yield. the chair: the question is on the amendment offered by the gentleman from tennessee. so many as are in favor say aye. those opposed, no. in the opinion of the chair, the aye vs. t the amendment is agreed to. for what purpose does the gentlewoman from california seek recognition? ms. lee: i request a recorded vote. the chair: pursuant to clause 6 of rule 18, further proceedings on the amendment offered by the gentleman from tennessee will be postponed. it is now in order to consider amendment number 64 printed in part d of house report 118-216. for what purpose does the gentleman from tennessee seek recognition? mr. burchett: i rise to speak on the amendment. amendment on the desk, mr. speaker. the chair: the clerk will designate the amendment. the clerk: amendment number 64,

printed in part d of house report number 118-216. offered by mr. burchett of tennessee. the chair: pursuant to house resolution 723, the gentleman from tennessee, mr. burchett, and a member opposed, each will control five minutes. the chair recognizes the gentleman from tennessee. mr. burchett: thank you, mr. speaker. i rise to speak on this amendment which will reduce the salary of the chief management officer for the u.s. agency for global media to $1. the chief management officer of the u.s. agency for global media is responsible for rehiring satara who knowingly misused taxpayer dollars and lied on the resume. whistleblowers have come forward to shed light on the rampant misuse of taxpayer dollars and the chief management officer of u.s. agency for global media is responsible for rehiring the individual that did so. there should be no place for this conduct if public service, mr. speaker. i'm requesting the salary of the chief management officer at the u.s. agency for global media be refuse deuced to $1.

i reserve. the chair: the gentleman from tennessee reserves. for what purpose does the gentlewoman from california seek recognition? ms. lee: i rise in strong opposition to this amendment. the subject of this amendment, again, served in the government for 15 years -- the chair: the gentlewoman from is recognized for five minutes. ms. lee: two inspector general offices. once again the other side continues to try to really destroy our dedicated public servants. i don't quite understand it. i reserve the balance of my t time. the chair: the gentlewoman from california reserves. the gentleman from tennessee is recognized. mr. burchett: thank you, mr. speaker. we cannot continue to keep rewarding bad behavior. this isn't some soccer game where nobody keeps score and everybody gets a trophy. this is the american government. we are responsible to the taxpayers for this money. i submit to you, mr. speaker,

that this type of activity, if we turn the other cheek, it will be continued -- continue to be rampant. in our society and government. and we got to start somewhere, mr. speaker. we are $33 trillion in debt. and paying people that are doing things that are illegal should not be the make up of this government. i yield. the chair: the gentleman from tennessee yields. the gentlewoman from california is recognized. ms. lee: bad behavior, mr. chairman, is not being rewarded. public servants. they are doing their job and carrying out the policies of the united states of america. this is a personnel decision. all of these would be personnel decisions. but unfortunately they are being politicized. it's really it's a shame and disgrace that our public servants who represent us so well are the subject of these despicable attacks. i yield back. the chair: the gentlewoman from

california yields. the question is on the amendment offered by the gentleman from tennessee. those in favor say aye. those opposed, no. in the opinion of the chair the ayes have it. the amendment is agreed to. for what purpose does the gentlewoman from california seek recognition? ms. lee: i ask for a recorded vote. the chair: pursuant to clause 6 of rule 18, further proceedings on the amendment offered by the gentleman from tennessee will be postponed. for what purpose does the gentleman from florida seek recognition? mr. diaz-balart: while i commend the great job the chairman has done, i move that the committee do now rise. the chair: the question is on the motion that the committee rise. those in favor say aye. those opposed, no. the ayes have it. the motion is adopted. accordingly the committee rises.

the speaker pro tempore: mr. chairman. the chair: mr. speaker, the committee of the whole house on the state of the union having had under consideration h.r. 4665 directs me to report that it has come to no resolution thereon. the chair: the chair of the committee of the whole house on the state of the union reports that the committee has had under consideration h.r. 4665 and has come -- the speaker pro tempore: the chair of the committee of the whole house on the state of the union reports that the committee has had under considering h.r. 4665 and has come to no resolution thereon.

for what purpose does the gentleman from oklahoma seek recognition? >> by direction of the committee on rules i call up house resolution 730 and ask for its immediate consideration. the clerk: house calendar number 39, house resolution 730. resolved that upon adoption of

this resolution it shall be in order to consider in the house the bill h.r. 5692, making supplemental appropriations for the fiscal year ending september 30, 2024, and for other purposes. all points of order against consideration of the bill are waived. the bill shall be considered as read. all points of order against provisions in the bill are waived. the previous question shall be considered as ordered on the bill and on any amendment thereto to final passage without intervening motion except, one, 30 minutes of debate equally divided and controlled by the chair and ranking minority member of the committee on appropriations or their respective designees, and two, one motion to recommit. section 2. during further consideration of the bill h.r. 4365, making appropriations for the department of defense for fiscal year ending september 30, 2024, and for other purposes, pursuant to house resolution 723, the further amendment specified in section 3 shall be considered as

adopted. section 3. the amendments referred to in section 2 is as follows. one. on page 10, line 19, after the dollar amount, insert reduced by $300 million and two, strike section 8104. section 4. during further consideration of the bill h.r. 4367, making appropriations for the department of homeland security for the fiscal year ending september 30, 2024, and for other purposes, pursuant to house resolution 723, the further amendment specified in section 5 shall be considered as adopted. section 5. the amendment referred to in section 4 is as follows. strike section 406 and strike section 407 and insert section not withstanding the numerical limitations set forth in section 214-g-1-b of the immigration and

nationality act, 8u.s.c. 1184 g 1 b, upon determining -- determining that the needs of american businesses cannot be satisfied in fiscal year 2024 with united states workers who are willing, qualified and able to perform temporary nonagricultural labor may increase the total number of aliens who may receive a visa under section 101-a-15-h-ii-b of such act 8 u.s.c. 1101-h-ii-b in such fiscal year above such limitation by not more than the highest number of h 2-6rbgs b nonimmigrants who participated in the h2b nonimmigration program in any fiscal year in which returning workers were exempt from such numerical

limitation. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from oklahoma is recognized for one hour. mr. cole: .500s of the -- for the purposes of debate only i yield the customary 30 minutes to my very good friend, mr. mcgovern, ranking member of the full committee, pending -- pending which i yield myself such time as i may consume. all time yielded is for the purpose of debate only. i ask unanimous consent that all members have five legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks on house resolution 730. the speaker pro tempore: without objection. mr. cole: thank you, mr. speaker. last night the rules committee met and reported out a rule providing for the hrtion of h.r. 569, ukraine security assistance and oversight supplemental appropriations act of 2024 under a closed rule. it provides 30 minutes of general debate equally divided and controlled by the chair and ranking member of the committee on appropriations or their

respective dez iic knees and provides for one motion to recommit. i rise today, mr. speaker, in order to support that rule and the underlying legislation. mr. speaker, although i know my friends in the minority will express some consternation about today's rule, it sets up a discussion that i think is important to have. the rule takes $300 million in funds intended to support ukraine out of the current defense appropriations process. it then makes in order a separate vote on those funds through h.r. 5692. the bill also creates a special inspector general for ukraine assistance ensuring that american dollars going to ukraine receive appropriate oversight and supervision. now as my friends across the aisle are well aware, there's no mystery about how i will vote on this question. ukraine has been and remains the victim of vladimir putin's unprovoked, unjust, and illegal invasion of his neighbor to the

west. i firmly support continuing to provide funding for ukraine so that they can continue to resist that invasion. it's not only in america's national interest to do, but it's also the right thing to do. but for other members of the house, and for their constituents, a vote on funding for ukraine is a matter of conscience. shifting these funds out of the defense appropriations process and into a separate bill allows those members for whom there is a question of conscience to vote to support our troops through an otherwise robust defense appropriations bill, while also allowing all members to vote separately on providing funding to ukraine. mr. speaker, it was never a bad thing -- it is never a bad thing to have all members of the house take a vote on a question. it is especially helpful in this instance to give all members the chance to be heard. some of my republican colleagues

are supportive of the overall defense appropriations bill but want to vote separately on ukraine. conversely, the vast majority of my friends across the aisle support funding ukraine but are opposed to the defense appropriations bill. voting on this issue separately through h.r. 5692 gives everyone a chance to be recorded on this important topic. but this resolution does something else that i think is very important. it sets up a debate about american policy toward ukraine. this is a very valuable discussion to have, mr. speaker. and one that the american people would assuredly benefit from. a debate on american policy toward ukraine is important. it would help answer certain key questions that americans are asking. such as what is america's overall strategy. how are funds being used in ukraine? what oversight policies are in place? president biden has never given

a formal address to the american people outlining america's overall strategy with respect to ukraine. but that does not mean the house cannot have such a discussion. in fact, the opposite is true. the biden administration's failure to adequately explain to the american people what our overall strategy is means that it's imperative for the house to discuss the topic on the house floor. today's rule will give the house and more importantly the american people just that opportunity. we can have an open and honest discussion about american policy toward ukraine and about american dollars supporting ukraine in its fight against russian aggression. when the debate is over, all members of the house will have the opportunity to vote on this important question. i'm confident that at the end of the day the house will pass this measure to appropriate these funds to support ukraine. the only difference will be that we have a full, open, and honest

debate about it on the house floor. with that, mr. speaker, i urge members to support both the rule and the underlying legislation. or underlying measure. and i reserve the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman reserves. the gentleman from massachusetts is recognized. mr. mcgovern: thank you, mr. speaker. i want to thank the gentleman from oklahoma, my good friend, the chairman of the rules committee, for yielding me the customary 30 minutes. i yield myself such time as i may consume. the speaker pro tempore: without objection. mr. mcgovern: mr. speaker, in 57 hours, 57 hours, this government will shut down. federal workers will be sent home. members of the armed forces will defend our country without pay. programs that feed hungry moms and newborns will stop. travelers will face airport delays. critical research on diseases like cancer and alzheimer's will grind to a halt. so you would think last night, when the rules committee held an

emergency meeting, that it would be on stopping the shutdown. that's the actual emergency, mr. speaker, that's facing our country. but you'd be wrong. because instead of a bipartisan c.r. that can pass, we're back at the 11th hour to amend a rule, the first rule this majority passed in weeks, because once again speaker mccarthy is letting extreme maga republicans blackmail him. what are we doing -- what we are doing here is absurd. this assistance for ukraine has been in the defense bill for years. well before the latest invasion by russia. this isn't even the ukraine funding that president zelenskyy asked for. or the funding the administration requested. this shouldn't be controversial. first it was in the bill. then it wasn't. then it was. then yesterday, we had a standalone vote on ukraine

funding and the house voted overwhelmingly 339-93. a majority of the majority. an overwhelming vote against stripping the ukraine assistance in this bill. and instead of accepting that loss, extreme maga republicans are blackmailing kevin mccarthy. and here we are rigging the rules to undo that vote. they want to overturn the will of this house. they refuse to accept the fact that they lost. what is it with republicans refusing to accept when they lose? why can't you accept the loss? why cant you respect the vote? i guess there's a pattern here. we see that when they didn't want to accept the presidential election. and here we see on the house floor when the extreme maga right wing republicans don't get their way, when they lose overwhelmingly, they can't accept the loss. they go to the rules committee and they say rig the process.

did trump call them and tell them to do this? i mean this is so, so unbelievably wrong. the gentleman from oklahoma has said some members have very strong moral objections to assisting ukraine. ok. i have strong moral objections to the billions and billions of dollars in blank checks given to the pentagon. i have strong moral objections to the fact that we refuse to ban the transfer of cluster munitions to other countries around the world. but guess what? it's our job as members of congress to weigh the pros and cons and vote yes or no. if people do not want to make those tough decisions, don't run for congress. i appreciate the gentleman from oklahoma supports giving ukraine the tools they need to defend themselves but what the gentleman is doing here is making it exponentially more likely this ukraine funding w