Gerald Connolly

Mr. CONNOLLY

Mr. CONNOLLY. Madam Speaker, I rise to congratulate the recent graduates of the Prince William County Department of Fire and Rescue, the ``Hellfighters.'' These men and women will soon join the ranks of those who have served and continue to serve Prince William County as first responders who place themselves in harm's way to protect and preserve the lives and property of county residents. Each member of the recruit class has successfully completed a rigorous application process, followed by more than 1,200 hours of exhaustive academic and physical training over the course of 26 weeks. Upon successful completion of this program, each recruit is eligible to graduate and become a Fire and Rescue Technician with the Prince William County Department of Fire and Rescue. The training and certification required to achieve the status of a Fire and Rescue Technician cannot be accomplished without significant dedication and hard work. Today's graduates have completed more than 600 hours of the required coursework for certification in Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), Infection Control, Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM), Emergency Medical Training (EMT- Basic), Firefighter I, Firefighter II, Emergency Vehicle Operator Course I, Emergency Vehicle Operator Course 2, Emergency Vehicle Operator Course 3, Flashover Simulation, Rapid Intervention Training (RIT), Mayday, Hazmat Awareness/Operations, Swift Water Rescue Awareness, Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG) with Simulation, Rural Water Supply, Basic Life Support (BLS) Protocols, Rope Rescue Awareness, Vehicle Rescue Awareness, and Child Passenger Safety Seat Installation. It is my honor to include in the Record the following names of the Prince William County Department of Fire and Rescue recruit class graduates: Richard M. Blank, Dominic N. Carlino, James E. Close, Casey M. Coulter, Renae L. Dillon, Ryan R. Gibson, Benjamin J. Herd, Kelly A. Krebs, Grace E. Lehman, Ivanovich P. Lesefka, Tyler A. Marnell, Stephen G. Mickle, Christopher W. Paul, Alexander R. Pion, Charles R. Pistole, Theodore A. Scheatzle, Taylor A. Smith, Joseph H. Tate, Gary W. Woods II As the newest members of the Department of Fire and Rescue, the graduates join the department as integral parts of the emergency response and community safety team. Madam Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in congratulating the newest members of the Prince William County Department of Fire and Rescue. I am confident that recruit class 2019-01 will serve the residents of Prince William County with honor and distinction. In the tradition of their new firefighting family, I say: ``Stay safe.''

Mr. CONNOLLY

Mr. CONNOLLY. Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize SOS International LLC (SOSi) on the occasion of its 30th anniversary. Founded in 1989 to provide specialized analytical services to the U.S. law enforcement community, SOSi has evolved into an international solutions provider with experience in 30 countries worldwide. SOSi provides intelligence, technology and project-management solutions to large, government and private-sector organizations and is known for its innovation, flexibility and agility. SOSi is among the fastest growing companies in the Aerospace and Defense Services industry. The company has been recognized by Washington Technology magazine as one of the Top 100 Government Technology Contractors for 2019; and it was nominated by the Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce for this year's Large Business Contractor and Executive of the Year Awards. What has struck me most about SOSi is not only its impressive growth and development as a company, but its continued commitment to our Northern Virginia community. SOSi is an ardent supporter of our Nation's active duty military and veteran population. Veterans make up 25 percent of SOSi's global workforce. SOSi is a Virginia Values Veterans (V3) certified company. It is an active supporter of the local USO chapter, as well as a number of organizations like Bunker Labs, Capitol Post, and Dog Tag Inc. that empower veterans, military spouses, and caregivers to pursue their entrepreneurial aspirations. SOSi is equally committed to improving the lives of underprivileged and underserved people in our local community. They've been huge supporters of Cornerstones, a non-profit in Northern Virginia which provides critical support to those in need of food, shelter, affordable housing, quality childcare, and other human services. Earlier this year, SOSi President and CEO Julian Setian served as chairman for Cornerstones' Best of Reston Gala, which I attend almost every year. That gala raised over $500,000 for individuals and families who are in need in our community. Every year, SOSi holds drives for coats, books and school supplies, benefiting the families in Cornerstones' shelters. SOSi employees cook Thanksgiving meals, build bookshelves, pack care packages, and sponsor a ``night out at the movies'' for children living in their shelters. SOSi employees participate in South Lakes High School's annual Ethics Day event, mentoring young people in Northern Virginia about the value of ethical conduct in their daily lives. SOSi is also a strong advocate for immigrants who are victims of human trafficking and domestic violence through its support for a Washington D,C. based organization called Ayuda. SOSi provides free translation services and life coaching to this often overlooked segment of our community. Lastly, the company has become active in causes, such as Chance For Life, which raises money for pediatric cancer research, and the Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts, to which Julian and SOSi have become active contributors. Through their involvement in Wolf Trap, they provide critical support to early youth education in music and art. Madam Speaker, companies like SOSi and the employees who work there are proof of the commitment to public service that exists throughout Northern Virginia. l ask my colleagues to join me in thanking all of the employees and leadership of SOSi for their efforts to better our community and protect our country. I especially want to commend Julian for his leadership and vision. Under his guidance, SOSi has continued to grow and has become the standard bearer for progress and innovation in the government contracting industry. I thank them for their service and wish the SOSi Team continued success.

Mr. CONNOLLY

Mr. CONNOLLY. Mr. Speaker, I want to start by saluting our distinguished chairman. Thank you so much to our chairman for bringing this bill to the floor and for managing it today. He has just returned from an arduous trip. I have been on that trip. I know how tiring it can be and, frankly, even the personal danger one puts oneself in on that trip. I salute the chairman for his stamina and his commitment to American foreign policy, being here on the floor today. So I thank him and salute him and his able staff. I also, of course, want to thank my co-chair of the Georgia Caucus and coauthor of H.R. 598, the Georgia Support Act, Mr. Kinzinger, who has been a wonderful partner and always willing to look at an issue thoughtfully and put himself sometimes at political risk in showing intestinal fortitude. I salute Mr. Kinzinger, too. This legislation asserts the United States' continued support for the independence and sovereignty of Georgia. It supports Georgia's continued democratic development, including free and fair elections, and affirms U.S. opposition to Russian aggression in the region, which is not, as has been noted, theoretical. Russian troops occupy Abkhazia and South Ossetia in Georgia. Russia has fomented unrest, aided separatist movements, and committed serious human rights violations, including ongoing detentions and killings. Russian forces continue to harass civilian communities along the administrative boundary line and impede the right of the return of internally displaced persons, even moving that administrative boundary line arbitrarily. Just a few weeks ago, tensions flared over a reported buildup of military equipment and personnel near the ABL, the administrative boundary line, in Russian-occupied South Ossetia. H.R. 598 bolsters Georgia's territorial integrity by authorizing sanctions against those responsible for or complicit in human rights violations in these occupied territories. As chairman of the U.S. delegation to the NATO Parliamentary Assembly, I am very pleased that the Georgia Support Act recognizes that Georgia has been a longstanding NATO-aspirant country and a contributor to NATO's troop levels. I have traveled to Georgia three times in the last 3 years, including for the spring meeting of NATO's Parliamentary Assembly, and I believe that Georgia is a key partner for NATO's security. This act builds on previous efforts that Congress has undertaken to support Georgia's territorial integrity. In the Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act, CAATSA, P.L. 115-44, we enshrined a nonrecognition policy for Russia's illegal occupation of Georgian territory. In the 114th Congress, the House passed H.R. 660, which Judge Poe and I introduced, to express support for Georgia's full territorial integrity. The resolution was a clear and unequivocal statement in support of the sovereign territory of Georgia and reiterated the longstanding policy of the United States not to recognize territorial changes affected by force, as dictated by the Stimson Doctrine, going back to 1932, authored by then-Secretary of State Henry Stimson. Just as the House of Representatives passed the Crimea Annexation Non-recognition Act, H.R. 596, earlier this year, the Georgia Support Act is another clear and unequivocal statement by this Congress on the issue of territorial sovereignty. This act expresses Congress' support for the vital U.S.-Georgia partnership, which is a strategically important relationship in a very critical part of the world. I urge my colleagues to adopt this legislation. Again, I thank the chairman for his distinguished leadership on this issue, and my partner, Mr. Kinzinger.

Mr. CONNOLLY

Mr. CONNOLLY. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman for yielding. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 3352, the Department of State Authorization Act of 2019. This legislation helps put our diplomacy and development missions on firm footing by updating long- neglected authorities to reflect facts on the ground and strengthening the State Department's operations and workforce. Diversity is a unique source of that strength and for our economy and national security. We must ensure that our Federal workforce reflects the American people it serves. That is why I am grateful that this bill includes the bulk of my National Security Diversity and Inclusion Workforce Act, H.R. 2979, promoting diversity in Federal national security offices. That bill and the authorization bill before us today require regular reporting on demographic data related to State Department's workforce and diversity efforts and encourages State to expand recruitment and retention programs to facilitate a diverse workforce that looks like America. I want to thank the chairman, in particular, and the ranking member for including this amendment as part of the bill to incentivize senior leaders to foster an inclusive environment and offer a career advancement program for senior positions, also encouraging a diverse participation. I have collaborated with Federal employee groups to promote diversity within Federal agencies, and I welcome the opportunity to take a comprehensive approach in this bill. Mr. Speaker, I was a staff member on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee for 10 years, and I helped write the last foreign aid bill, and that was in 1985. As the ranking member noted, it has been 17 years since we have brought a State Department authorization bill to full force in the law. Credit goes to Chairman Engel and Ranking Member McCaul and their respective staffs for bringing us to this point and, frankly, without any kind of adversity. It was the smoothest markup of a State Department bill I ever recall, and my hat is off to them. Mr. Speaker, they deserve a lot of congratulations. It is a good model for this bill.

Mr. CONNOLLY

Mr. CONNOLLY. Madam Speaker, I thank my good friend, the distinguished chairman of the Oversight and Reform Committee, for yielding. Madam Speaker, what we just heard might be described as hyperanimated chutzpa to bemoan accountability, to talk about a kitchen table that is, I think, imaginary. I can tell you it doesn't characterize the kitchen tables in my district, and it probably doesn't characterize them all across America, which is maybe why the minority leader is called that instead of the ``majority leader'' in this Congress, because my Republican friends abrogated any accountability, any oversight of this administration in the 2 years they were in the majority and Mr. Trump was in the White House. Americans are focused on economic and health issues, but that doesn't mean they don't care about what is happening to their country. They do. The Census, the distinguished minority leader doesn't want you to focus on why the Census question was so important because it is in a context that is disturbing. It is in a context of voter suppression all across America: Get rid of early voting; restrict absentee voting; have stricter ID laws; make it harder for students and people of color to vote; purge voting rolls; have manufactured assertions about phony voting, as if that were the major problem in America. Asking the citizenship question on the Census is part and parcel of that scheme to discourage minority voting in America, to frighten immigrant communities.

Mr. CONNOLLY. Finally, Madam Speaker, maybe the worst of all, to bemoan the change yesterday to allow the Speaker to have her words considered and to allow her back on the floor. Why? Because we don't care about rules? No. Because we care about the impact on millions of Americans of harmful, racist words, and we felt that the duty to provide some comfort to those people that this House cared was more important than a juridical commitment to an ancient rule.

Mr. CONNOLLY

Mr. CONNOLLY. Madam Chair, the Merit Systems Protection Board is a small but mighty independent federal agency created by Congress to protect the merit system principles and to promote an effective federal workforce free of prohibited personnel practices. Typically, the Board is led by three presidentially-appointed and Senate confirmed members. However, the term for the last remaining Board member expired on March 1, 2018. That board member already extended his term in a holdover capacity, but was limited by statute to one year extension, meaning the Board has been without even a single Board member since March 2019. The Office of Special Counsel refers cases to the Board when it suspects a federal agency has performed an unfair or adverse action against a federal employee. The Board can then temporarily table the agency action while adjudicating the employee's claim. However, the Board can only table the action or adjudicate it if it has a quorum--or two members. As the Board currently sits, there are no confirmed members, and the Board has been without a quorum since January 7, 2017. This means that the Board cannot perform any of these actions to protect federal workers from agency actions that OSC deems suspect. This Amendment would provide urgent, temporary relief to whistleblowers while the Board waits for at least one appointee. My amendment would delegate temporary authority to the Board's general counsel to stay questionable personnel actions brought by agencies against whistleblowers. Under this provision, the Board could still act on egregious cases of suspected retaliation, even without any board members. The general counsel's authority would expire when a single Board member is confirmed by the Senate. This amendment is absolutely necessary to protect federal workers. And, needing this amendment was completely avoidable. Whistleblowers shouldn't be held hostage by the failures of the political system. This amendment would at a minimum keep the lights on for the Board. The general counsel would be authorized to prevent an agency from taking a retaliatory or prohibited personnel action against those who disclose wrongdoing. I held a hearing in February of this year to examine the effects on the Board because of the vacancies of two Board members and the potential ramifications if the final member left his post in March. This hearing followed my attempt to save the Board from going without leadership when the final Board member's term expired. With Chairman Cummings, I introduced legislation to prevent the Board from having no members. H.R. 1235, the MSPB Temporary Term Extension Act, would have provided a one-time, one-year extension to the final Board member's term. This measure passed the House, but the Senate refused to take it up. As a result, in June, I introduced H.R. 2530 to amend Title 5 to give the general counsel temporary stay authority, which the Committee on Oversight and Reform voice voted out of Committee. It is imperative that we preserve the importance and integrity of this vital Board. Passing this amendment means that the Board will be able to resume its work protecting whistleblowers more quickly. There is a lot at stake. The status quo is untenable. Federal employees deserve to have their appeals heard by the Board, and employees of the Board deserve to work at a fully functioning agency. Whistleblowers help hold leaders accountable, and we owe it to them to protect them from retaliation. Addressing this problem should be a bipartisan concern. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this amendment.

Mr. CONNOLLY. Madam Chair, I rise today in support of this en bloc package of amendments to H.R. 2500, which includes my simple amendment that would require a report to Congress on those who have received security training from the United States and subsequently been sanctioned for human rights violations or terrorist activities. Security cooperation programs are a critical tool of U.S. foreign policy, especially as we increasingly rely on partner forces to protect U.S. national security interests. It is vital that we both thoroughly vet participants in our security cooperation programs, and ensure accountability after such training has been delivered. If recipients of U.S. security training go on to commit gross violations of human rights or acts of terrorism, then we need to know about it. My amendment would require the Secretaries of State and Defense to submit to Congress a report on each individual and security force unit that has received U.S. security training and been designated by the United States for human rights violations or terrorist activities at any point during the previous ten years. This reflection would yield key information helping us to ensure that U.S. security training programs are aligned with American values and that we are applying consistent standards regarding human rights. That is why I urge my colleagues to support my amendment to this bill and enhance Congress' ability to provide oversight and accountability of U.S. security cooperation programs.

Mr. CONNOLLY. Madam Chair, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Chairwoman, this amendment is simple, bipartisan, and has the support of leading domestic violence prevention advocates and veteran service organizations. First of all, I want to thank my friend and colleague from New York, a Republican, Mr. Peter King, for cosponsoring this amendment. Peter is a veteran and a respected voice in national security issues in the House, and his support is appreciated immensely. Our amendment does two things: First, it codifies existing Department of Defense policy which requires DOD to report to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System servicemembers who are prohibited from purchasing firearms pursuant to current law. Again, this provision of the amendment merely codifies existing DOD policy as outlined in the instruction 6400.06 and places no new legal restrictions on access to firearms. This provision is responsive to the DOD inspector general's report, ``Evaluation of Military Services' Law Enforcement Responses to Domestic Violence Incidents'' within the military. In that report, the IG found that the DOD has failed consistently to report domestic violence convictions within DOD that would have disqualified a servicemember from purchasing a firearm. One of the domestic abuses that DOD failed to report to the FBI was Devin Kelley, who entered a house of worship in Sutherland Springs, Texas, in November of 2017, and killed 27 people with guns he should have been prohibited from purchasing under current law. According to the IG, of the 219 domestic violence cases examined at eight military installations, 201 were found not to comply with at least one of the Defense Department's policies for reporting domestic violence. In other words, more than 90 percent of the cases were not properly reported. And in four of five cases, 86 percent were not properly reported to the FBI or the NICS. That is a problem because we know NICS works. According to the FBI, from November 30, 1998, through December 31 of 2018, 206,080 gun purchases were denied based on convictions of domestic violence or protective orders based on domestic violence. Codifying this reporting requirement gives it more teeth and helps Congress in its oversight of these important public safety measures that protect all of our military and their families. The second part of the amendment would task DOD with studying the feasibility of creating a database of military protective orders issued in response to domestic violence and reporting such MPOs to NICS or establishing a process by which military judges could issue protective orders in response to domestic violence. This provision is responsive to the inspector general's report on the investigation of the United States Air Force's failure to submit Devin Kelley's criminal history information to the FBI. Under current law, a military protective order issued in response to a domestic violence incident does not prohibit an individual from purchasing a firearm. However, a comparable civilian protective order would. The IG recommended that the Secretary of Defense consider pursuing legislation amending the Gun Control Act to specifically include military protective orders. The Senate-passed National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal year 2019 included a provision which would have mandated that DOD create a mechanism by which military judges could issue protective orders that would trigger prohibitions on firearm purchases in a Republican Senate. We are sensitive to the concerns about due process and mandates regarding this matter. That is why we have adopted a middle ground that requires DOD to study the feasibility of complying with the IG recommendations and MPOs and the Gun Control Act, as well as to study the feasibility of establishing a system that the Senate NDAA would have established. According to the Department of Veterans Affairs, 30 percent of female veterans reported having been a victim of domestic violence within their adult life, and 22 percent say the abuse occurred while on Active Duty. According to the DOD, in more than 30 percent of domestic violence cases--1,100 out of 3,000--where the victim is a member of the military, their spouse is also a member of the military. This amendment is not about protecting civilians only, but about protecting those in uniform especially. In closing, I want to thank all of the organizations that have endorsed this bipartisan amendment including: the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, Futures Without Violence, Domestic Violence Legal Empowerment and Appeals Project, Service Women's Action Network, and Protect Our Defenders. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. CONNOLLY. Madam Chairwoman, I am sad my good friend, who I know shares my concerns, feels the need to oppose an amendment that is designed to prevent a very bad thing from happening that has no rationale, has no supporting documentation, and has threatened Congress with extortion. We will RIF 150 people if you don't do what we want-- even though you don't quite know what we want--by October 1. No one in this body should tolerate that. This amendment needs to pass, as it did in the appropriations bill. I urge its passage, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. CONNOLLY. Madam Chair, I am prepared to allow my friend to close, and then I will close. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. CONNOLLY. Madam Chairwoman, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. CONNOLLY. Madam Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. CONNOLLY. Madam Chair, may I inquire of the Chair how much time is remaining on both sides.

Mr. CONNOLLY. Madam Chair, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Chair, the Trump administration has proposed to abolish the Office of Personnel Management altogether and give the White House control of governmentwide Federal employee policies. My simple amendment would prohibit that proposed reorganization from being implemented because, as my subcommittee has uncovered, this proposal lacks merit, justification, or even a coherent rationale. That is the opinion of the Government Accountability Office, not just me. The GAO has testified that OPM's leaders ``have not established outcome-oriented goals, developed a cost-benefit analysis or implementation plans, and have not fully involved or communicated their efforts with the Congress, employees, and other key stakeholders.'' Both Republicans and Democrats on our subcommittee expressed deep skepticism about the so-called plan. My Republican counterpart in the Senate, Senator James Lankford, said, ``It's hard to get to a determination of how this makes things better.'' I couldn't agree more. OPM's 5,500 employees run programs that serve our Federal Government's 2.7 million active employees. OPM administers, for example, the largest employer-sponsored health insurance program in the world and processes the world's largest retirement program for 2.5 million Federal retirees and their survivors. It provides human services consulting and regulates the implementation of laws essential to our Nation's merit-based civil service, including the Hatch Act, which prohibits Federal employees from using Federal resources for political and campaign purposes. It also provides dental, vision, and medical insurance to 8 million Federal employees and their families. In short, OPM is the agency that serves the people who serve the American people. On May 21, our subcommittee held a hearing that eviscerated the administration's plan to eliminate OPM. I told Acting Director Weichert at that time that the plan was dead on arrival as submitted and that she needed to start over to find a way to work together on a bipartisan basis to rebuild OPM the right way. She said she would, and I took her at her word. Despite these clear messages and continued oversight, Ms. Weichert failed to live up to her end of the agreement. Recently, OPM officials announced their intention to lay off or possibly furlough 150 employees because they could not afford to keep them on the payroll, they claimed. That threat was made in spite of the proposed appropriations levels, which are above what would be needed to fill any budget gap. The administration's inadequate plan to dismantle OPM has been a disaster. After realizing that it cannot prevail on the merits, the administration is now resorting to blackmail. On June 27, our subcommittee held another hearing to question OPM officials on the lack of documents provided to Congress about the plan to eliminate OPM. At that hearing, OPM admitted they have failed to determine whether actions they are already taking to eliminate OPM are even legal. They could not provide the underlying legal guidance justifying their action. The language in this simple amendment largely mirrors language already included in the Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Act for fiscal year 2020 already passed by the House last month. We have not seen anything, unfortunately, from the administration to convince us that any part of this plan is a good idea and would make our Federal Government more effective and efficient. In fact, GAO has said that the administration's proposal could further hinder the Federal retirement backlog by creating additional uncertainty. That could make it difficult for OPM to plan large-scale changes in its operations. The Acting Director of OPM and the Deputy Director for Management of OMB was reported as saying that the administration plans ``to play chicken with Congress'' to effectuate its proposal to eliminate OPM. We must pass this amendment, as we did on the appropriations bill, to send a clear message that threatening Congress is not the way to do business, whether it is with a Republican administration or a Democratic administration. I urge my colleagues to work with us to ensure that Federal employees are treated with respect and are protected through the OPM process. Madam Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. CONNOLLY

Mr. CONNOLLY. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. CONNOLLY. Mr. Chair, the Trump administration is currently threatening Congress with the furlough of 150 employees at the Office of Personnel Management unless we, the Congress, acquiesce to the administration's so-called plan to abolish OPM altogether and give the Trump White House control of governmentwide Federal employee policies. My amendment would put an end to the administration's plan to use the careers of 150 loyal civil servants as bargaining chips for the proposal to abolish OPM altogether. This proposal lacks merit, justification, or even a coherent rationale. And you don't have to take my word for it. The Government Accountability Office has testified that OPM's leaders ``have not established outcome-oriented goals, developed a cost-benefit analysis or implementation plans, and have not fully involved or communicated their efforts with the Congress, employees, and other key stakeholders.'' Both Republicans and Democrats have expressed similar skepticism about this plan here in the House and in the other body. My Republican counterpart in the Senate, Chairman James Lankford, has said: It is hard to get to the determination of how this makes anything better, meaning the proposal. The Federal Government's most essential resource is its 2.6 million employees, who comprise the most professional, nonpartisan civil service in the world. Developing and enforcing the policies to protect them from political interference has been the task of the independent agency OPM. OPM administers the largest employer-sponsored health insurance program and processes retirement benefits for 2.5 million Federal retirees and survivors. It vets and trains candidates for some of our Nation's most important civil service positions. It also provides dental, vision, and medical insurance to 8 million Federal employees and their families. In short, Mr. Chairman, OPM is the agency that serves the people who serve the American people. We have watched as this administration has attempted to curtail the independence of the civil service itself and reverse more than a century of protected reforms implemented by professionals in the civil service and to insulate them from political influence. Now the administration is holding the careers of 150 civil servants hostage in an attempt to force Congress' hand to this terrible idea. Much is at stake, and we cannot allow civil servants to serve as bargaining chips. On May 21, my subcommittee held a hearing that eviscerated the administration's half-baked plan to eliminate OPM, and criticism was bipartisan. I told Acting Director Weichert then that the plan was dead on arrival and that she needed to start over to find a way that we could work together on a bipartisan basis to improve this essential agency. She said she would, and I took her at her word. Despite clear messages and continued oversight, Ms. Weichert has moved forward with plans that further weaken an agency in need and failed to live up to her end of the agreement. Just last week, OPM officials announced their intention to lay off or possibly furlough 150 employees because they could not afford to keep them on the payroll, they said. This threat was made in spite of proposed appropriations levels above what would be needed to fill any anticipated budget gap. The administration's inadequate plan, if one can call it a plan, to dismantle OPM has been a disaster. Now, after realizing they can't prevail on the merits of their proposal, unfortunately, the administration is resorting to blackmail. They are willing to risk the livelihoods of 150 members of our civil service--men and women who have dedicated their careers to serving the Federal workforce that serves the American public--and on a plan that fails the sniff test. I have worked with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to put language in appropriations bills that prohibit the administration from using Federal funding to implement any part of this reorganization plan. I now seek to add an amendment that would prohibit OPM's threatened furloughs or a reduction in force. I have also filed an amendment for the Fiscal Year 2020 National Defense Authorization Act that would require OPM to halt its reorganization effort and consult with Congress. On Thursday, my subcommittee will hold OPM officials accountable for the lack of documents provided to Congress about the plan to eliminate OPM; and, at that hearing, I intend to tell OPM that they will not dismantle a critical Federal agency on my watch. Mr. Chairman, I urge adoption of this amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. CONNOLLY

Mr. CONNOLLY. Madam Speaker, I rise to commend the Haymarket Police Department and its outstanding member who has demonstrated superior dedication to ensuring the safety of his colleagues and members of the community and his designation as a 2019 Prince William Chamber of Commerce Valor Award recipient. The annual Valor Awards ceremony recognizes the remarkable heroism and bravery above and beyond the line of duty exemplified by our public safety and law enforcement professionals. For the past 33 years, the Prince William Chamber of Commerce has paid tribute to police officers, firefighters, and emergency personnel for their extraordinary service. Our public safety and law enforcement workforces put their lives at risk on a daily basis to keep our families and neighborhoods safe. In recognition of acts of valor, we award the following honoree for demonstrating extraordinary dedication and outstanding performance under unusually difficult or dangerous circumstances. It is my honor to include in the Record the following name of the Haymarket Police Department law enforcement professional: Merit Award for Valor: Officer John Gregory. Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the 2019 Prince William Chamber of Commerce Valor Award recipient from the Haymarket Police Department. The selfless acts of heroism by this distinguished individual merit our highest praise. I thank the honoree, as well as all the Haymarket Police Department law enforcement professionals, for their dedication and commitment to the protection of our communities.

Mr. CONNOLLY

Mr. CONNOLLY. Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize Stonewall Jackson Volunteer Fire & Rescue and its outstanding members who have demonstrated superior dedication to public safety and are the 2019 recipients of the prestigious Prince William Chamber of Commerce Merit Award and Valorous Unit Award for their service. The annual Prince William Chamber of Commerce Valor Awards recognize remarkable heroism and bravery above and beyond the line of duty exemplified by our public safety and law enforcement professionals. For the past 33 years, the Prince William Chamber of Commerce has paid tribute to our firefighters, police officers, and emergency personnel for their extraordinary service. These brave men and women put their lives at risk on a daily basis to keep our families and neighborhoods safe. These dedicated service members of a combination career and volunteer system fight fires, provide emergency medical services, perform rescues, and work in our community to promote fire safety and prevention. In recognition of their acts of valor, it is my honor to include in the Record the following names of the Stonewall Jackson Volunteer Fire & Rescue public safety personnel: Merit Award for Valor: Firefighter/EMT Carlos Ambrosini. Silver Medal for Valor: Firefighter Ian Lauderdale. Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the 2019 Prince William Chamber of Commerce Valor Award recipients of the Stonewall Jackson Volunteer Fire & Rescue. The selfless acts of heroism by this distinguished group of men and women truly merits our highest praise. I thank each honoree, as well as all Stonewall Jackson Volunteer Fire & Rescue public safety professionals for their dedication and commitment to the protection of our communities.

Mr. CONNOLLY

Mr. CONNOLLY. Madam Speaker, from May 30 to June 3, 2019, the NATO Parliamentary Assembly (NATO PA) held its Spring Session in Bratislava, Slovakia. I led a bipartisan delegation to the Session, which included Representatives Michael Turner, John Shimkus, Susan Davis, Linda Sanchez, Jim Costa, Brett Guthrie, Paul Cook, Filemon Vela, Brendan Boyle, Neal Dunn, James Sensenbrenner, and staff. The NATO PA was founded in 1955 to serve as an inter-parliamentary organization for NATO. The NATO PA brings together the legislators of the NATO Member States to promote awareness and understanding of challenges facing NATO and strengthen the transatlantic relationship. In February in Brussels, Belgium, we were honored to have the Speaker of the House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi address the gathered delegates of the NATO PA and attend a meeting of the North Atlantic Council. The Speaker conveyed Congress' unshakable commitment to the Alliance and was received with great warmth. In early April, NATO celebrated its 70th Anniversary with a meeting of foreign ministers in Washington, DC--the site of the signing of the Washington Treaty in April 1949. On April 3, 2019, in observance of the 70th Anniversary, Mr. Turner and I introduced H. Res. 286, expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the United States remains committed to NATO. On April 4, 2019, at the invitation of Speaker Nancy Pelosi, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg addressed a Joint Meeting of the two houses of Congress, the first head of a multilateral organization to deliver such an address. On April 25, 2019, NATO's 100th Rose-Roth Seminar was held in Brussels, Belgium. To recognize this milestone, Ripley Rand, former United States Attorney for the Middle District of North Carolina, spoke to commemorate and reflect on the work of his godfather and co-founder of the seminars, Congressman Charlie Rose of North Carolina. On May 30, 2019, in Bratislava, NATO PA convened its Spring Session to conduct the committee work of the NATO PA. The Defense and Security Committee heard three reports. Joseph Day of Canada gave a report on modernization of arms control and Allied nuclear forces, which mentioned NATO's new nuclear deterrence policy and how this has paved the way for a potential new era of rearmament and potentially destabilizing arms race. Another report was given by Mr. Nicholas Soames of the United Kingdom on NATO's `Evolving Security in the North Atlantic,' which discussed five recommendations to help secure Allied interests and activities in the North Atlantic. Lara Martinho of Portugal delivered a report on NATO exercises and investments, which among other things identified opportunities for investment Member States can take to improve mobility of the military. The Economics and Security Committee heard a report from Ausrine Armonait of Lithuania on North Macedonia, NATO's soon to be 30th member. The head of Norway's delegation, Christian Tybring-Gjedde, gave a report on how economic sanctions can be used as a tool for foreign policy and considers the conditions under which these tools can be effective. The committee also received a report from Jean-Marie Bockel of France on the impact of digital technology on the global economy and international trade in North America and Europe. The Science and Technology Committee heard from three reports. One from Congresswoman Susan Davis on ``NATO in the Cyber Age: Strengthening Security & Defence, Stabilising Deterrence,'' which described the growing importance of cyber security to NATO's defense capabilities. Matej Tonin, the head of Slovenia's delegation, delivered a report on artificial intelligence, which discussed the challenges and opportunities presented by military uses for artificial intelligence and global artificial intelligence research and development. Finally, the report ``NATO Anti-Submarine Warfare: Rebuilding Capability, Preparing for the Future,'' was presented by Leona Alleslev of Canada. The Political Committee heard three reports. I presented my report, ``NATO at 70: Why the Alliance Remains Indispensable,'' which stressed that NATO's success over the past 70 years is not only due to its military capabilities, but also the fact that it is an alliance underpinned by common values. This emphasis on shared values has been pivotal in maintaining Alliance cohesion for seven decades, and it will be decisive for continued success. The Alliance must continue to insist that Allies uphold the founding democratic principles of the Alliance and consider support for democratic institutions as a condition for continued and future membership in the Alliance. Julio Calha of Portugal delivered the report ``Security and Stability in Africa-- Challenges and Opportunities for NATO.'' Also, Raynell Andreychuk of Canada presented a report on NATO's relations with Russia, addressing Russia's likely confrontational attitude toward NATO, as well as areas where NATO and Russia have common areas of interest that could be developed. Finally, the Civil Dimension of Security Committee heard a report from Ulla Schmidt of Germany, which reaffirmed the Alliance's values. The report explored NATO's historical commitment to democratic institutions and outlines recent challenges to these values. The committee also heard a report from Jane Cordy of Canada, examining Ukraine five years after the Revolution of Dignity. Finally, Lord Jopling of the United Kingdom, presented a report that emphasized that border security has become a top priority for many NATO Allies and examined border management strategies on both sides of the Atlantic. During the Spring Session, the United States Delegation also met with the Speaker of the Slovakian Parliament Andrej Danko and was hosted by the German delegation for a bilateral working lunch. I want to thank the members of the U.S. Delegation who work hard to support the NATO Parliamentary Assembly and in doing so demonstrate a steadfast commitment to transatlantic security and maintaining a Europe that is whole, free, and at peace. I also want to recognize the incredible support the NATO PA and our delegation receive from the Speaker of the House. It is noticed and appreciated on both sides of the Atlantic. Our delegation will continue its work in London in October at the 2019 Annual Session of the NATO PA.

Mr. CONNOLLY

Mr. CONNOLLY. Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize the recipients of the 2019 Dumfries Mayor's Living Legend Award. This award is presented to those who have had a profound impact on the Dumfries community through public service, civic engagement, and mentorship. The Town of Dumfries honors the recipients of this award at the Dumfries Mayor's Ball for their extraordinary contributions to our community. It is my honor to include in the Record the following individuals: Clyde Washington: Clyde is a graduate of Norfolk State University, with a degree in Education. He also has a Master of Education degree from Virginia State University. Clyde has used his passion for education and put it back into the community, serving as an educator for 31 years in Prince William County. During his tenure, he was a coach and mentor for many young men. Clyde was also an active member of the Prince William County Education Association, both the Virginia and National Education Association, and he was the Prince William County Representative on the Virginia Education Board of Directors. He also served as a Prince William County delegate to numerous State and National Conventions. In recognition of his dedication and civic engagement, he received several honors including a certificate of outstanding achievement from former Neabsco District Supervisor, John Jenkins. While Clyde was teaching, coaching, mentoring, and being an active civic leader, he also held a seat on the Town of Dumfries Council. In 1980, he ran for the Dumfries Town Council and was elected. He went on to serve the town of Dumfries as a Councilman for twenty- eight years; several of those years serving as the Vice Mayor. He always strived to work cooperatively with each citizen and with other town officials. He is and has always been committed to the citizens and promised them dedicated service, and representation with integrity; promises that he fulfilled. Clyde is the husband of Gwen Porter Washington, who is also being honored tonight. He is also a dedicated member and Deacon at the Little Union Baptist Church, a member of the NAACP, and a Lifetime Member of the Virginia Education and the National Education Association. Gwen Washington: Gwen was educated in the segregated Prince William County school system. She graduated from Jennie Dean High School in Manassas, Virginia. Gwen is a graduate of Virginia State University, with a degree in Education. She also has a Master of Education degree from George Mason University. Gwen is a third-generation educator which fueled her passion to teach. She invested her passion for education back into the community, serving as an educator for 33 years. Gwen's 33-year teaching career allowed her to have many rewarding experiences. She had a very successful coaching career, winning numerous championships in gymnastics, track & field, and volleyball; she served as department chair for seventeen years; she served as a workshop presenter at numerous county and state teacher workshops, and she also participated in teacher-mentoring where she was able to share effective motivational and behavior modification skills with other teachers. While working part time at Dumfries Elementary School, in November 2015, Gwen was appointed to serve on the Dumfries Town Council. This allowed her to serve out the term of a council member who was moving to the Mayors position. She was highly honored to be asked to serve in this leadership role. At the end of her designated appointment, she went on to be elected to two more terms before retiring. Gwen is the wife of Clyde Washington who is also being honored tonight. She is also a dedicated member of Little Union Baptist Church in Dumfries where she is on numerous chairs and ministries. She is past president and current vice-president of the Deaconess Board, president of the Drama Ministry, and a member of two choirs. She is also a member of the Retired Virginia and National Education Associations, the NAACP, and a very active member of Women in Community Action. Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in thanking these two incredible individuals and congratulating them on their awards. The contributions and leadership of these two honorees have greatly benefitted our community and truly merit our highest praise. They have made the Town of Dumfries and the entire county extremely proud and I commend them each for their service and dedication.

Mr. CONNOLLY

Mr. CONNOLLY. Madam Speaker, I want to thank my good friend from Massachusetts (Mr. McGovern), the distinguished chairman of the committee, who has done, I think, an extraordinary job. I was listening to my friend from Georgia, and--I don't know--maybe he forgot what it was like the previous 8 years. In the last Congress in which my friend from Georgia sat on the Rules Committee, we had the most closed-rule bills coming to the floor in the history of the Congress. Mr. McGovern has aptly pointed out how many amendments are in this bill. One of the reasons we are here night after night voting on dozens and dozens of amendments is because the Rules Committee got opened up under Mr. McGovern's leadership and his able staff. I congratulate them, and I salute them for opening up the process that my friends on the other side closed down. Madam Speaker, I also wanted to rise in support of this rule and the underlying bill, which would make critical domestic investments in law enforcement, infrastructure, and our Nation's veterans. I particularly want to commend the Appropriations Committee Chairwoman Lowey and Chairman Price for including in this bill a $150 million matching program in capital investment for the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, the Nation's capital. This funding is part of a successful Federal-State partnership and has been used for major investments to upgrade Metro. The three Metro jurisdictions--Virginia, Maryland, and Washington, D.C.--collectively match this $150 million annual payment with an equal amount of $150 million, for a total of $350 million a year over a 10-year period. Without that continued Federal participation, this funding partnership would, in fact, cease, leaving a massive shortfall in WMATA's capital budget. I look forward to working with the chairwoman of Transportation and Infrastructure, Eleanor Holmes Norton, of Washington, D.C., and my colleagues to advance a long-term and enhanced reauthorization of dedicated funding for WMATA. I have introduced a bill, the METRO Accountability and Investment Act, would do just that and has the full support of every single member of the National Capital Delegation: Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, D.C. This bill uses a carrot-and-stick approach to both invest in the essential transit system as well as to hold the system accountable in providing a more safe, more reliable service. I believe, with those incentives, we can make Metro great again. Madam Speaker, I urge a ``yes'' on this rule and support the underlying bill as well. And I salute my colleagues for understanding how investments have positive returns on them.

Mr. CONNOLLY

Mr. CONNOLLY. Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize City of Manassas Park Fire and Rescue Department and its outstanding members who have demonstrated superior dedication to public safety and are the 2019 recipients of the prestigious Prince William Chamber of Commerce Merit Award and Valorous Unit Award for their service. The annual Prince William Chamber of Commerce Valor Awards recognize remarkable heroism and bravery above and beyond the line of duty exemplified by our public safety and law enforcement professionals. For the past 33 years, the Prince William Chamber of Commerce has paid tribute to our firefighters, police officers, and emergency personnel for their extraordinary service. These brave men and women put their lives at risk on a daily basis to keep our families and neighborhoods safe. For fire and rescue personnel, no two days are alike. Always on the front lines, the City of Manassas Park Fire and Rescue Department is comprised of three sections: community safety, operations, and support systems. These dedicated service members of a combination career and volunteer system fight fires, provide emergency medical services, perform rescues, and work in our community to promote fire safety and prevention. In recognition of their acts of valor, it is my honor to include in the Record the following names of the City of Manassas Park Fire and Rescue Department public safety personnel: Valorous Unit: Battalion Chief Adam Jones--Battalion 589, Captain Josh Brandon--Medic 509, Fire Medic Randy Leach--Engine 509, Fire Medic John Pearre--Medic 509, Master Firefighter David Sullivan--Medic 509, Firefighter/EMT Kentry Snow--Engine 509. Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the 2019 Prince William Chamber of Commerce Valor Award recipients of the City of Manassas Park Fire and Rescue Department. The selfless acts of heroism by this distinguished group of men and women truly merits our highest praise. I thank each honoree, as well as all City of Manassas Park Fire and Rescue Department public safety professionals for their dedication and commitment to the protection of our communities.

Mr. CONNOLLY

Mr. CONNOLLY. Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize the Prince William County Department of Fire and Rescue and its outstanding members who have demonstrated superior dedication to public safety and are the 2019 recipients of the prestigious Prince William Chamber of Commerce Merit Award and Valorous Unit Award for their service. The annual Prince William Chamber of Commerce Valor Awards recognize remarkable heroism and bravery above and beyond the line of duty exemplified by our public safety and law enforcement professionals. For the past 33 years, the Prince William Chamber of Commerce has paid tribute to our firefighters, police officers, and emergency personnel for their extraordinary service. These brave men and women put their lives at risk on a daily basis to keep our families and neighborhoods. safe. For fire and rescue personnel, no two days are alike. Always on the front lines, the Prince William County Department of Fire and Rescue is comprised of three sections: community safety, operations, and support systems. Dedicated service members of a combination career and volunteer system fight fires, provide emergency medical services, perform rescues, and work in our community to promote fire safety and prevention. The Department of Fire and Rescue was founded in 1966, when just about 50,000 people lived in Prince William County. Through the years, the Department has had to continuously adapt as the population rapidly expanded to over 430,000 people. Yet, our Fire and Rescue department continues to provide high quality and efficient firefighting and emergency medical services to our community. They provide around the clock services from 22 fire stations in a county spanning 348 square miles. In recognition of their acts of valor, it is my honor to include in the Record the following names of the Prince William County Department of Fire and Rescue public safety personnel: Merit Award for Valor: Technician I Cody Durham, Lieutenant Nick Feliciano, Technician II Chris Gott, Lieutenant Kenneth Zack. Valorous Unit: Technician II Christopher Clark, Technician II Daniel Jackson, Technician I Kevin Ganssle, Technician I Michael Baker, Captain Brian Ferguson, Technician I Victor Vega, Technician I Aldo Bonilla, Technician I Michael Chergosky. Madam Speaker, I ask my colleague to join me in recognizing the 2019 Prince William Chamber of Commerce Valor Award recipients of the Prince William County Department of Fire and Rescue. The selfless acts of heroism by this distinguished group of men and women truly merits our highest praise. I thank each honoree, as well as all Prince William County Department of Fire and Rescue public safety professionals for their dedication and commitment to the protection of our communities.

Mr. CONNOLLY

Mr. CONNOLLY. Madam Speaker, I rise to commend the Prince William County Police Department and its outstanding members who have demonstrated superior dedication to ensuring the safety of their colleagues and members of the community and their designation as 2019 Prince William Chamber of Commerce Valor Award recipients. The annual Valor Awards ceremony recognizes the remarkable heroism and bravery above and beyond the line of duty exemplified by our public safety and law enforcement professionals. For the past 33 years, the Prince William Chamber of Commerce has paid tribute to police officers, firefighters, and emergency personnel for their extraordinary service. Our public safety and law enforcement workforces put their lives at risk on a daily basis to keep our families and neighborhoods safe. In recognition of acts of valor, we award the following honorees for their demonstrated extraordinary dedication and outstanding performance under unusually difficult or dangerous circumstances. It is my honor to include in the Record the following names of the Prince William County Police Department law enforcement professionals: Investigative Merit Award: Officer Ronald Carpio, Detective Lourdes Cainas, Crime Scene Analyst Rebekah Kushner, Crime Scene Specialist Shreya Kamath, Rose Hellmann, Detective Katherine Zaimis, Detective Jonathan Kennedy, Detective Donald DeShazo. Gold Medal for Valor: Officer John Yenchak, Officer Franco Martinez, Officer Rachel Mynier, Officer Matthew Takats, Officer Evan Jurgensen, Officer Taylor Calton, Officer Benjamin Infanti, Officer Wade Dickinson, Officer Travis Hardman, First Sergeant Daniel Crawford, Officer Kevin Vasquez, Sergeant David Bliss. Silver Medal for Valor: Officer Joshua Myers, Officer Christopher Hume, Officer Jonathan Seals, Investigator Robert Drumm, Officer Brian Kimble. Gold Medal for Valor and a Silver Medal for Valor: Officer Nicholas Kelly, Officer Jordanis Lozier. Investigative Merit Award: Detective Nathan Thomas, Detective Robyn Hyatt, Detective Victor Cordero, Detective Josh Lane, Crime Analyst Jacquelin Graham, Crime Analyst Dawn Locke-Trillhaase. Merit Award for Valor: Officer Sean A. Richards. Hillary Robinette Award: Officer Darrick Dillon, Detective Joshua Lane, Detective Jeremy Booth, Detective Simon Chu, Detective Alicia Larkins, Detective Kevin Morin, Detective Matthew Newton, Detective Walter O'Neal, Detective Daniel Sekely, Detective Wayne Smith, Detective Nicholas Waymire, Detective Robert White, Sergeant Ryan Pavol, First Sergeant Kenneth Hulsey, Special Victims Bureau--Detective Helga Thorsdottir. Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the 2019 Prince William Chamber of Commerce Valor Award recipients of the Prince William County Police Department. The selfless acts of heroism by this distinguished group of men and women merits our highest praise. I thank each honoree, as well as all Prince William County Police Department law enforcement professionals, for their dedication and commitment to the protection of our communities.