Jason Crow

Mr. CROW

Mr. CROW. Madam Chair, this is more than one simple issue. This is about rule of law; it is about transparency; and it is about the democracy that we must become if we are to return power back to our communities. This is already the law. What my colleagues on the other side want to do is prevent the government from enforcing the law. This is about rule of law and making sure we are enforcing what is already on the books, and we are prohibiting the abuse of social welfare organizations and we are bringing to light dark money. The voters of this country deserve to know who is spending money, millions of dollars, to influence their vote. It should not be hidden. The people of our communities deserve to know who is spending that money to influence our vote, and that is why I ask folks in this Chamber, my colleagues, to oppose this amendment and let's restore our democracy and return power back to our communities. Madam Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. CROW

Mr. CROW. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to call on my colleagues to support H.R. 1. It is no coincidence that the largest freshman class since Watergate will also be the one to pass H.R. 1 this week. We are a class that is born of voters' frustrations with a broken system. Americans have seen this Chamber pass bills that hurt the middle class, raise prescription drug prices, gut consumer protections, and fail to act on climate change. Why? Because the special interests have more power than the American people. It is the exact opposite of what should happen in the people's House. In the Army, I was taught the values of servant leadership. As a captain, that meant leading by example. I jumped out of the plane first, and only then would my soldiers follow. As a Member of Congress, it means we hold ourselves to the highest standards of ethics, accountability, and transparency. Servant leaders don't hold a tight grip on power; they empower those around them. The first step to doing that is to pass H.R. 1 and return power to the people who sent us here. Let's show America that we are their Representatives, and that we are elected to serve them, not the mega-donors and not the special interests.

Mr. CROW

Mr. CROW. Madam Speaker, on February 11, 2019, I was unable to be present to cast my vote on the Social Media Use in Clearance Investigations Act (H.R. 1065) and the Creating Advanced Streamlined Electronic Services for Constituents Act (H.R. 1079). Had I been present for roll calls No. 76 and 77, I would have voted ``aye'' for both measures.

Mr. CROW

Mr. CROW. Madam Speaker, I rise in memory of the 17 students killed nearly 1 year ago today at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. They deserve more than our remembrance, though. They deserve action and the promise that we as a country will do better. I speak today as a father, as a soldier, as a sportsman, and as a resident of Aurora, Colorado. I respect the Second Amendment and our heritage of responsible gun ownership, but I learned while serving our country that citizenship comes with duties to our fellow Americans. One of those duties is to ensure that our fellow citizens can live without fear and safely pursue their dreams and ambitions. I was sent here to speak the truth, and the truth is we are not fulfilling that duty to one another. So let us be the generation who has the courage to stand up to the gun lobby and to the special interests. Let us be the generation that recognizes that citizenship comes with responsibility. I know we can be that generation. The question is: Can we be that Congress? I call on my colleagues to pass H.R. 8 and reinstitute the ban on assault weapons to keep our kids and our communities safe.

Mr. CROW

Mr. CROW. Madam Speaker, pursuant to clause 1, rule I, I demand a vote on agreeing to the Speaker's approval of the Journal.

Mr. CROW. Madam Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not present.

Mr. CROW

Mr. CROW. Mr. Speaker, I rise to speak out against the great harm this shutdown has on our Nation's veterans. I have often said, when politicians talk tough, real people get hurt. Today, over 150,000 veterans are furloughed or working without pay. In Colorado, over 20,000 veterans who rely on SNAP food assistance are left wondering if they will be able to afford to feed their families. This is more than just a delayed paycheck. It is about the denial of dignity and respect. As one furloughed veteran in Colorado told me, when he took off the uniform, he wanted to continue serving our country by working for the government. We owe it to him and all others to honor that service by getting them back to work. There is a sacred promise in America that, if you step up to serve, we will be there for you when you take off the uniform. After I returned from my third tour of duty, I was grateful that my country was there for me, and today, I stand before you to make sure we are there for them. It is time for the Senate to vote. It is time to reopen the government. And it is time to end this travesty.

Mr. CROW

Mr. CROW. Mr. Speaker, I was unavoidably detained. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall No. 29.