Karen Bass

Ms. BASS

Ms. BASS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from Michigan (Mrs. Lawrence).

Ms. BASS. Mr. Speaker, there is nothing new under the Sun. The Black people have battled police brutality since policing began in this Nation. But times have changed; our country has changed. A few years ago, we had to explain that racism still exists despite the election of Barack Obama, twice. Now, 76 percent of Americans consider racism and discrimination a big problem. That is progress. A few years ago, we had to explain why we say Black lives matter. Now, 67 percent of Americans support the Black Lives Matter movement. Just a few weeks ago, we had to explain the anger and frustration we saw unfolding in the streets. But, again, 67 percent of registered voters supported the peaceful protest in response to George Floyd's death. This is a powerful moment for our Nation, and there is a powerful movement in our Nation, a rainbow movement reflecting the wonderful diversity of the whole world. Protests have taken place in over 60 countries and on every continent. Thousands are marching in the streets screaming, ``I can't breathe.'' They are screaming for change, transformative change, change that finally ends police brutality. The movement is calling us to act. What is your answer? I will vote for passage of the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act. And today my vote will be dedicated to the parents of Tamir Rice, because today is his 18th birthday. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to oppose this motion to recommit and pass the underlying bill. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Jackson Lee), who is my esteemed colleague and friend and the most senior CBC member on the House Judiciary Committee.

Ms. BASS. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. BASS

Ms. BASS. Madam Speaker, a few days after the last bill became law, stories began to surface of an extreme disproportionate death rate among African Americans in several cities, with a 70 percent death rate, while African Americans are only 20 to 30 percent of the population. Some cite underlying health conditions as the reason for the extreme disproportionate death rate, as though this is a reason that nothing can be done, as though we have to just accept this for now. This bill begins the process of addressing the disproportionate death rate, but oversight and advocacy from Congress and the public will still be needed. The bill calls for a report to be issued in 21 days, where we should have a better picture of what is happening and, hopefully, provide a roadmap. The bill calls for reporting data on demographics including race, on the number and rates of cases, hospitalization, and deaths from COVID. When the report is made public, it will be clear that communities with large African American populations will require focused and concentrated testing with rapid results, that contact tracing and early and aggressive treatment will be required, and that hospitals should reevaluate how they make decisions regarding who has access to ventilators. Using formulas that decide based on who they believe has a better chance of survival will undoubtedly hurt African Americans and contribute to the disproportionate death rate. When we gather again to pass another bill, we must include targeted resources that support aggressive interventions. It is just not acceptable for the richest country in the history of the world to allow different populations to suffer like they don't even live in the United States but live in countries without the resources to protect its population.

Ms. BASS

Ms. BASS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to strongly support H. Res. 410. The purpose of this resolution is to encourage reunions of divided Korean-American families. Last year, I had the opportunity to meet Kyung Joo Lee, a 90-year-old Korean-American man from Virginia. Mr. Lee has not seen his three older brothers and sisters since he fled North Korea more than 70 years ago, but he prays for them daily. He has no idea if they are even still alive. Tears streamed down his face during that meeting as he held my hands and urged me to do what I can to help Korean families to be reunited. This resolution originated at a townhall meeting where a group of constituents called this issue to my attention. As I learned more about these aging Korean Americans who just want to be able to see their siblings and parents, I knew that we had to do all that we could do to raise this issue. The division of the Korean Peninsula into South Korea and North Korea separated thousands of Koreans from family members. Many Korean Americans have not seen or communicated with family members in more than 60 years. Their children have grown up here in America without knowing what their cousins, aunts, or uncles even look like. Over the years, South Korea and North Korea have arranged for selected groups to visit each other, but these reunions have been dependent on the political situation between the countries. Since 2000, there have been at least 20 rounds of family reunions, but none have included Korean Americans. Meanwhile, the situation is now growing more urgent as many who have been separated are getting older. Most are in their late eighties or nineties. That is why I introduced this resolution that calls on the United States and North Korea to begin the process of reuniting Korean- American divided family members with their immediate relatives. Today, I am proud to stand with my colleagues in getting one step closer to reunifying Mr. Lee and so many others with their families. Mr. Speaker, I urge Members to support this resolution that calls on the United States and North Korea to pursue reunions as a humanitarian priority of immediate concern. I also urge them to support H.R. 1771, the Divided Families Reunification Act, introduced by my colleague Representative Grace Meng, that takes up the same issue.

Ms. BASS

Ms. BASS. Madam Speaker, I rise in opposition to the motion to recommit.

Ms. BASS. Madam Speaker, I am here to rise in support of the Protecting American Lungs and Reversing the Youth Tobacco Epidemic Act and to speak in opposition to the motion to recommit. I am concerned that some of my colleagues on the other side of the aisle are confused about what the discussion is about today, so I rise in opposition. The real issue here is about a dying industry that is in need of a new market, a new generation of smokers, because the national movement that fought to protect the health of the public from the adverse consequences of tobacco has successfully reduced smoking and driven the industry overseas to sell its product. In 1988, California was one of the first States that voted to raise taxes on cigarettes and dedicated some of the revenue to creating statewide antismoking programs and campaigns to help people break addiction to tobacco. Public health researchers correctly identified the correlation between the marketing practices of the industry, accessibility of product, and levels of addiction. Some of you might remember Joe Camel, a cartoon character that made smoking look fun and innocent. Why would an industry whose product was only for adult use use a cartoon character to market its product? After lawsuits, the industry agreed to stop using cartoon imagery. Before Joe Camel, depending on how old you are, you might remember candy cigarettes. When I was a child, I could buy candy in a package that looked like cigarettes with 20 pieces of candy shaped exactly like a cigarette that we pretended to puff. California continued to raise taxes on tobacco and passed numerous ordinances to prohibit smoking. You can't smoke in government buildings. You can't smoke even directly outside of government buildings. You can't smoke in restaurants, in parks, or on the beach. You can't even smoke in bars. Each time when taxes were raised or smoking was prohibited, the industry paid millions of dollars to frighten people. Businesses were going to close; businesses were going to leave California, and we would face a recession. But what happened? People stopped smoking. Smoking rates in California declined by 55 percent. States and communities around the Nation joined the effort to protect the public's health by taxing cigarettes and reducing where people could smoke. When smoking rates began to decline in specific populations--more affluent, more middle-class populations--the industry intensified marketing strategies and campaigns in low-income communities of color. In the 1990s, I ran a community-based program that was funded by tax dollars from cigarette sales. We fought to remove billboards and other advertisements near schools and recreation centers because we understood the industry was losing customers and they needed new smokers. The industry offered to sponsor community events, supported community organizations, even handed out free cigarettes, all in order to generate goodwill and to undermine the community organizing efforts aimed at reducing the negative health consequences. Now, there is an entire generation that never experienced a smoking section on an airplane or in a restaurant or, for that matter, ever sat in a committee hearing while Members smoked. The very idea of this seems outrageous today, but like other examples of great change in society, the change in social norms regarding smoking took an organized movement. The legislation we are voting on today is in response to that movement's success. The industry is greatly diminished and is in search of new markets. The industry is just working on getting a new generation prepared to be addicted to their product, and they found a path in modernistic e- cigarettes and tantalizing flavors like circus and twisted berry. Young people are being led to believe that smoking e-cigarettes is a safer way to smoke, just like smokers in the 1980s were led to believe that smoking light cigarettes were safer--Marlboro Lights were safer than regular Marlboros. After years of a decline in smoking, with heavy marketing the last 3 years, high school e-cigarette usage increased 135 percent, and 7 out of 10 youth e-cigarette smokers say they use them because ``they come in flavors I like.'' In fact, e-cigarettes are available in thousands of different flavors. Cigars are right behind e-cigarettes as the second most popular tobacco product among high school students. E-cigarettes come in 250 different flavors, including banana smash, strawberry kiwi, and watermelon. There is just no reason that an industry that claims to be for adults would market flavors like bubble gum and cotton candy. The marketing of cigarette flavors is the 2020 version of candy cigarettes and Joe Camel. There is nothing new about this strategy. We cannot and should not be ignorant to history. While Republicans might use this MTR, for some strange reason, to drive a wedge between our Caucus, we are trying to save lives by passing this bill. I ask my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to oppose this senseless motion to recommit. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. BASS

Ms. BASS. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 35. Today, the House will pass the Emmett Till Antilynching Act and designate lynching as a hate crime under Federal law. But we must admit, it is a travesty that it has taken 120 years for the U.S. Government to address this crime. In fact, the first bill to outlaw lynching was introduced in 1900. Make no mistake, lynching is terrorism. It is terrorism directed at African Americans. Lynching was commonly used for 256 years during the period of enslavement and for almost 100 years after slavery, well into the 1950s. And, frankly, even today, periodically you will hear news stories of nooses being left on college campuses, in work locker rooms to threaten and terrorize African Americans, a vicious reminder that the past is never that far away. In fact, the last known victim of lynching was just 25 years ago, and for the first time in history, the perpetrator was actually convicted and executed. We often like to only talk about the glorious parts of our history, and it is difficult for us to hear some of the ugly parts, but it is important that we do hear and understand our history in full. This form of terrorism was used to kill Black people and terrorize and terrify those who were not murdered into understanding they were not considered as humans. Today, in Montgomery, Alabama, there is the National Memorial for Peace and Justice, and I hope that everyone has an opportunity to see that because it is the only place in our country that actually documents in every State where known lynchings were taken place and in every county. Lynchings were advertised in newspapers as recreational events that families would attend. They would have picnics while they watched brutal murders take place.

Ms. BASS. Madam Speaker, I want to leave with a 1930 editorial in the Raleigh News and Observer that noted the elation of the audience witnessing a lynching as follows: ``Men joked loudly at the sight of the bleeding body. . . . Girls giggled as the flies fed on the blood that dripped from the Negro's nose.'' Lynchings were brutal, violent, and savage public spectacles. As I said, they were advertised in newspapers, and postcards were sold. Souvenirs were made from victims' remains.

Ms. BASS. Madam Speaker, I do not need additional time.

Ms. BASS

Ms. BASS. Madam Speaker, on May 25, 2019, Saint Elmo Village celebrated 50 years as an artist colony that has worked to bring art into the everyday lives of young and old in the heart of Los Angeles. I congratulate all of the past and present residents, teachers, neighbors and supporters. I also commend its community of citizens for using their powers of creativity and artistic expression to create an oasis of beauty in Mid-City. Saint Elmo Village was founded in 1969 by painter Rozzell Sykes, once featured in Life magazine, and his artist nephew Roderick Sykes, who hoped to use a small group of bungalows in the 4800 block of St. Elmo Drive to enhance the neighborhood and to further their artistic visions. Their goals: to capitalize on a thriving art scene in Southern California; construct a space to nurture urban and African American artists; and to prove that everyone has creative talents. The Village continued to gain prestige, with the Sykes receiving numerous public art commissions and international recognition for their work, specifically in painting and photography. Soon enough, Saint Elmo welcomed resident artists to expand the diversity and types of pieces created at the Village. With creativity at its core, Saint Elmo Village consistently emphasizes the inclusive aspects of art-making. Now under the leadership of executive director Jacqueline Sykes, the organization holds workshops and art showings tailored to the idea that all people can be creative. Community engagement stands as a cornerstone of the Village's mission. St. Elmo offers a creative space for locals and hosts art classes, festivals, and numerous educational enrichment programs to spread love for art in the Mid-City neighborhood. Guided by a singular phrase, ``Do What You Love--Love What You Do'' Saint Elmo Village has spent a half-century enriching Los Angeles. I congratulate Saint Elmo Village on its host of accolades, and I look forward to another half century of memorable milestones.

Ms. BASS

Ms. BASS. Madam Speaker, this is a sad day in U.S. history when we have to vote on Articles of Impeachment because Donald Trump has abused the power of the Office of the Presidency in his attempt to cheat his way to reelection. The facts are uncontested. Fact one: The President abused the power of his office by attempting to shake down the president of a country that has been our ally. Trump wanted President Zelensky of Ukraine to dig up and to make up dirt on Vice President Biden because he sees him as the biggest threat to his reelection. Fact two: Trump wanted Zelensky to go before the press and announce an investigation of Biden hoping the mere announcement would create doubt about Biden and strengthen Trump's hand in the 2020 election. Fact three: Trump obstructed Congress by engaging in a coverup. Trump has refused to comply with congressional subpoenas and has blocked current and past employees from testifying before congressional committees. Congress is a coequal branch of government, and one of our central responsibilities is to provide oversight and investigation of the administration--the very checks and balances the Framers built into the Constitution so no one branch would have unchecked power. The House of Representatives has no choice but to vote and pass Articles of Impeachment because President Trump has abused his power and obstructed the ability of Congress from performing our constitutional duty. The urgency to move forward with Articles of Impeachment is because there is no reason to believe President Trump won't continue to abuse the power of his office, no reason to believe he won't continue to put his foot on the scale of his reelection, and, in fact, his attorney just returned from Ukraine, and in an article just released in The New Yorker magazine confesses to continuing the effort to interfere in the election. In many of our congressional districts we worry about voter suppression and schemes that purge legitimate voters from participating in the election, or we worry about Russian interference in our election. It is a sad day in America when we have to worry about the Commander in Chief interfering in the election in order to be reelected. Elections should be decided by the American people. I will vote for both Articles of Impeachment. It is my constitutional duty to fulfill my oath of office. No one is above the law.

Ms. BASS

Ms. BASS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 326, a resolution I drafted with Congressman Alan Lowenthal and Congressman Gerry Connolly to express the support of Congress regarding efforts to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict through a negotiated two-state solution. For more than 20 years, U.S. Presidents from both political parties and Israeli Prime Ministers have supported reaching a two-state solution that establishes a Palestinian state living side by side with Israel in peace and security. I am proud to have assisted in drafting this important resolution, which affirms that commitment. Our government's established decades-worth of commitment to a two- state solution in order to enhance stability and security in the Middle East and to ensure the state of Israel's survival while addressing the legitimate desires of the Palestinian people for a state of their own reflects our fundamental dedication to promote peace. This resolution builds on our ongoing commitment and our historic alliance with Israel. I strongly support it.

Ms. BASS

Ms. BASS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to support H.R. 4, the Voting Rights Advancement Act of 2019. This bill restores the full power of the Voting Rights Act, after the 2013 Supreme Court decision in Shelby County v. Holder eviscerated it. It will also restore critical voting protections to ensure that discriminatory voter suppression laws do not block Americans from participating in the electoral process. The right to vote is fundamental to our democracy. During the civil rights movement, courageous Americans fought in the courts, marched, agitated, and gave the ``last full measure of devotion'' for all Americans to be able to exercise their precious right to vote. The bill includes provisions that promote transparency by mandating reasonable public notice for voting changes. It also grants the Attorney General the authority to request the presence of federal observers anywhere in the country to prevent voter suppression efforts and to address discrimination based on race in the voting process. In addition, this bill authorizes a federal court to order States or jurisdictions to be covered under the Act when there are results-based violations, where the effect of a voting measure is racial discrimination in voting and blocking citizens from utilizing their right to vote. For all these reasons and more, today, I am so proud to stand with my colleagues and members of the Congressional Black Caucus in support of the passage of H.R. 4, and want to send a special thank you to my colleagues Congresswoman Terri Sewell and Congresswoman Marcia Fudge who have fearlessly and brilliantly led this fight in the House of Representatives.

Ms. BASS

Ms. BASS. Madam Speaker, the Congressional Black Caucus is leading a Special Order Hour discussing support for Historically Black Colleges and Universities, and Minority-Serving Institutions. Congress must provide mandatory funding for these institutions. Fighting for historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) is one of the Congressional Black Caucus's highest priorities because HBCUs are critical contributors to the strength of the Black community and our country. Many Members in our caucus have attended great HBCUs such as American Baptist College, Central State University, Clark Atlanta University, Fisk University, Florida A&M, Howard University, Jackson State University, Morehouse College, North Carolina A&T State University, North Carolina Central University, Prairie View A&M University, South Carolina State University, Texas Southern University, Tougaloo College, Tuskegee University, Virginia State University, Virginia Union University, and Wiley College among others. In the 115th Congress, the CBC launched a tour of HBCUs called #CBCOnTheYard. The goal of the tour was to listen, involve, and mobilize students to effect change in their communities and to get their thoughts on the direction of the country and issues that affect their lives. The CBC hosted events at Morehouse College, Xavier University, Bowie State University, and Howard University. According to the Thurgood Marshall College Fund, HBCUs account for 22 percent of current bachelor's degrees granted to African Americans. Moreover, among African Americans, 13 percent of CEOs, 40 percent of engineers, 40 percent of health care professionals, 50 percent of teachers, 50 percent of non-HBCU professors, 50 percent of lawyers, 80 percent of judges, and 90 percent with bachelor's degrees in STEM subjects graduated from an HBCU. The economic impact of HBCUs is equally impressive. A report by the UNCF called HBCUs Make America Strong: The Positive Economic Impact of Historically Black Colleges and Universities shows that HBCUs generate $14.8 billion in economic impact annually. HBCUs are vital to the students who attend them and the entire country, which makes use of the valuable skills these graduates bring to the private and public sectors. Our nation must continue to invest in HBCUs and Minority-Serving Institutions.

Ms. BASS

Ms. BASS. Madam Speaker, I would like to recognize Mr. E. Dotson Wilson, retiring after a 40-year career with the California State Assembly, the longest-serving Chief Clerk in the history of that body. Over his long career, Mr. Wilson has proven his passion for service and for improving governance. We all know that the smooth functioning of the people's elected representatives depends on a well-trained staff operating at a leadership level within the Capitol. Mr. Wilson made it his mission to assure that, whatever the political discussion, legislators had what they needed to do their jobs. The fact that he has been unanimously affirmed as Chief Clerk for every Assembly session since his selection for the post in 1992 is a testament to the esteem in which he has been held by the 482 different legislators who have served during his 27-year tenure. The Chief Clerk serves as the chief parliamentarian of the 80-member California Assembly and is responsible for publishing the official documents of the House; and keeping all the bills, papers, and records of the proceedings of the Assembly. Mr. Wilson not only produced legislative materials to assist Members and legislative staff, but he created training videos, annotated guides and a book on California's Legislature. These materials are invaluable both to new legislators and to everyone wishing to understand how their government works. Prior to serving as the Chief Clerk, Mr. Wilson served under Assembly Speaker Willie L. Brown Jr., first as an Assembly Fellow from October 1979 to 1980, then as his Special Assistant. Speaker Brown nominated Mr. Wilson to be Chief Clerk of the Assembly in 1992, and he was reelected 14 times. Mr. Wilson saw first-hand the impact of housing discrimination and other injustices growing up in the Bay Area city of Albany, California. The trials he saw his family endure propelled him to seek change, and resulted in a lifetime of public service. Mr. Wilson has worked on a wide range of legislative issues over his long career, including housing, public employees, retirement and labor. He took special interest in supporting academic success for California's youth, including student athletes. Mr. Wilson exemplifies what it means to be a public servant. I congratulate him on his long service and his well-deserved retirement. It was an honor to serve alongside Mr. Wilson during my time in the Assembly.

Ms. BASS

Ms. BASS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay a special tribute to Congressman John Conyers. He was one of the 13 founding members of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC). He served for 53 years in the U.S. House of Representatives--making him one of the longest-serving House members in U.S. history and the first African American to hold the title of dean. Congressman John Conyers, Jr., was born in Detroit, Michigan, on May 16, 1929, the eldest of four sons of John and Lucille (Simpson) Conyers. Congressman Conyers attended Detroit public schools and graduated from Northwestern High School in 1947. After graduating from high school, Mr. Conyers served in the National Guard from (1948 to 1950) and then joined the U.S. Army for four years. Congressman Conyers later attended officer candidate school and was commissioned as a second lieutenant. During his time in the Army, he served in Korea for a year. He was honorably discharged in 1954 and served three more years in the Army Reserves. He was inspired by his friend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., to run for office and was elected to the House of Representatives in 1964. His first hire was civil rights hero Rosa Parks. She served as an aide to Mr. Conyers for 22 years from 1964 until she retired in 1988. During his time in Congress, Representative Conyers chaired the Government Oversight and Reform Committee (formerly the Government Operations Committee) and was the first African American to serve on the House Judiciary Committee and to become its chair. As a human rights and civil rights champion, Mr. Conyers opposed the death penalty and fought for police brutality oversight. He was a lead co-sponsor of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Mr. Conyers also assisted in passing the Help America Vote Act (2002), the Violence Against Women Act (1994), the Motor Voter Bill (1993), the Jazz Preservation Act (1987), and the Martin Luther King, Jr., Holiday Act (1983). His legislative record extends to introducing the Medicare For All Act, legislation to establish a government-sponsored, single-payer healthcare option to control costs. Additionally, Representative Conyers also championed the issue of reparations by introducing a bill to establish a commission to study the effect of slavery and race relations in America, which he fought for consideration every year. His fight for justice also extended to international issues, as well. Mr. Conyers was an early leader in the anti-Vietnam War movement, in addition to the anti-Iraq War movement. He was also a vocal opponent of South Africa's apartheid policies. Congressman Conyers joined Congressman Ron Dellums and other CBC Members in confronting President Nixon about imposing sanctions against South Africa. When it became clear he would not act, Congressman Conyers joined Congressman Dellums in introducing legislation to that end and was even arrested at a protest in front of the South African embassy. He impacted so many people in his district and throughout the country. America is a better country today because of the legislative and advocacy work of Representative John Conyers, Jr.

Ms. BASS

Ms. BASS. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 886) to direct the Attorney General to establish and carry out a Veteran Treatment Court Program, as amended.

Ms. BASS. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the bill under consideration.

Ms. BASS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise to support H.R. 886, the Veteran Treatment Court Coordination Act. This bill stands as a testament to the commitment Congress has to veterans, those who have service-connected mental health disabilities and become involved in the criminal justice system. By establishing a grant program office called the Veteran Treatment Court Program Office in the Department of Justice, the bill makes permanent our support for the hundreds of local veteran treatment court programs around the country that successfully rehabilitate veterans. The Veterans Treatment Court Program Office would build upon the success of the hundreds of veterans courts programs in the United States by standardizing data reporting methods, serving as a repository for resources, providing training to veterans court administrators, and distributing information nationwide on best practices on how to improve the administration of veterans courts. Despite efforts to welcome veterans home and ease their transition to civilian life, many veterans continue to face hardships after completing their military service. One study reports that approximately 9 percent of veterans who served in Iraq and Afghanistan have been arrested since returning home. The Bureau of Justice Statistics estimates that approximately 180,000 veterans were incarcerated in State and Federal prisons between 2011 and 2012. Of those incarcerated veterans surveyed, 48 percent of veterans in prison and 55 percent of veterans in jail reported that they had been told by a mental health professional that they had a mental health disorder. Veterans treatment courts can provide an effective means by which communities can rehabilitate veterans who commit crimes and support victims by ensuring veteran-defendants pay restitution before they may receive a dismissal or expungement. Empirical studies show that veterans courts provide more effective means of rehabilitating justice-involved veterans. Although 20 percent of veterans court participants received jail sanctions during their participation in the veterans court program, only 14 percent experienced a new incarceration during an average of nearly 1 year in the program. This rate of recidivism is substantially less than the 23 to 46 percent 1-year recidivism rate found among nonveteran prisoners. Most programs report less than five dropouts in the 2017 calendar year. There are over 500 veteran treatment courts operated by State, local, and Tribal governments. This bill ensures existing programs will continue their mission to serve our veterans and make it easier for jurisdictions to start new veterans court programs and adopt best practices. I thank our colleague, Representative Charlie Crist, for his leadership in authoring this bill and for his continuing dedication to supporting our veterans. This is a thoughtful and important bill that will help veterans who need our assistance. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. BASS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Crist).

Ms. BASS. Mr. Speaker, I thank the ranking member for his brevity. Mr. Speaker, this bill would help provide support to more than 1 million veterans diagnosed with service-connected disabilities, as well as the thousands who are undiagnosed who have been and will be exposed to the criminal justice system. Supporting rehabilitative veterans courts programs is the least we can do to acknowledge their sacrifice and treat our veterans involved with the criminal justice system with compassion and care. Mr. Speaker, for these reasons, I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. BASS

Ms. BASS. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3942) to apply requirements relating to delivery sales of cigarettes to delivery sales of electronic nicotine delivery systems, and for other purposes, as amended.

Ms. BASS. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the bill under consideration.

Ms. BASS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 3942, the Preventing Online Sales of E-Cigarettes to Children Act, is an important bill to protect our young people. I applaud the gentlewoman from Connecticut (Ms. DeLauro) for taking the lead on this issue and introducing this bipartisan legislation. This bill addresses a very serious public health crisis in our country, one which is tragically affecting our children. Since last summer, a mysterious and severe pulmonary disease associated with the use of e-cigarettes and the practice of vaping has sickened over 1,000 mostly young and otherwise healthy people, 18 of whom have died. Public health advocates place the blame for this crisis on the aggressive marketing of vaping products that appeal to kids, including e-liquids with fruit, bubble gum, or even cotton candy flavors in packaging that features superhero or cartoon characters. Advocates also cite the mushrooming popularity of USB flash drive-like e-cigarettes, which have a high nicotine content, appealing flavors, and can easily be concealed. Evidence of the attractiveness of these products to young people is reflected in some staggering statistics. According to the 2018 National Youth Tobacco Survey, between 2017 and 2018 there was a 78 percent increase in e-cigarette use among high school students and a 48 percent increase among middle school students. H.R. 3942 will play an important role in addressing this crisis. Congress regulates the sales of tobacco products via interstate shipment through the 1949 Jenkins Act. In 2010, Congress extended the Jenkins Act to regulate delivery sales of tobacco products over the internet through the Prevent All Cigarette Trafficking Act, or PACT Act. Among other things, the PACT Act curbed internet sales of cigarettes to underage people by encouraging and requiring that delivery agents check identification in person when the product is delivered. H.R. 3942 amends current law to curb online sales of e-cigarettes to minors. It amends the definition of ``cigarette'' to extend to any electronic nicotine delivery system, which includes e-cigarettes, vape pens, and other electronic devices. A violation of the provisions of the Jenkins Act is a Federal felony, punishable by up to 3 years in prison. Amending current law to extend these protections to e-cigarettes is the right thing to do. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this important bill, and I reserve the balance of my time. House of Representatives, Committee on Oversight and Reform, Washington, DC, October 28, 2019. Hon. Jerrold Nadler, Chairman, Committee on the Judiciary, House of Representatives, Washington, DC. Dear Mr. Chairman: I am writing to you concerning H.R. 3942, the Preventing Online Sales of E-Cigarettes to Children Act. There are certain provisions in the legislation which fall within the Rule X jurisdiction of the Committee on Oversight and Reform. In the interest of permitting your Committee to proceed expeditiously on this bill, I am willing to waive this Committee's right to sequential referral. I do so with the understanding that by waiving consideration of the bill, the Committee on Oversight and Reform does not waive any future jurisdictional claim over the subject matters contained in the bill which fall within its Rule X jurisdiction. I request that you urge the Speaker to name Members of this Committee to any conference committee which is named to consider such provisions. Please place this letter into the Congressional Record during consideration of the measure on the House floor. Thank you for the cooperative spirit in which you have worked regarding this matter and others between our respective Committees. Sincerely, Carolyn B. Maloney, Acting Chairwoman.