Mark DeSaulnier

Mr. DeSAULNIER

Mr. DeSAULNIER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the life and service of Ella Sewell. Ella was born in Houston, Texas to Walter and Octavia Lee Taylor. She was a dedicated student and was named valedictorian of her high school. She married her husband, Lowell Giddings Sewell, and the couple moved to Richmond, California when Lowell was offered a job at the Kaiser Shipyards. Throughout her life, Ella has been heavily involved in activism and has shown her passion for serving her community. In the 1940s, Ella advocated for equal voting rights for African Americans and helped to get many members of the community registered to vote. Additionally, for over 16 years Ella served on the Richmond-Shimada Friendship Commission. As a part of this program, Ella hosted ambassadors from Japan and shared African American culture and history with them. Ella also took on multiple leadership roles within the Easter Hill UM Church and helped to introduce several programs to the congregation. In her personal life, Ella enjoyed spending time with her family and expressing her creativity through dancing and cooking. Ella's love for cooking was passed along to her by her father and uncles. She also loved playing cards and enjoying barbecues with her family and friends. Sadly, Ella passed away on July 10, 2021. She is survived by her daughter, Gloria, her sons, Michael (Gladys) and David, four grandchildren, four great grandchildren, two god-sisters, and three god-granddaughters. She was a cherished member of our community and she will be remembered for her compassion, intelligence, and dedication. Please join me in honoring Ella Sewell for her many contributions to our community.

Mr. DeSAULNIER

Mr. DeSAULNIER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the life and service of Mickey Ganitch. Mickey was born in Mogadore, Ohio and moved to California in 1939. On January 21, 1941, he joined the U.S. Navy and began attending boot camp in San Diego, California. He became a quartermaster, responsible for navigation and steering the ship. When he was stationed at the USS Pennsylvania at Pearl Harbor, the Japanese attacked on December 7, 1941. Mickey described how during the attack, a 500 pound bomb missed him by about 45 feet. Later on, Mickey went to the Philippines and Okinawa. While in Okinawa, his ship was hit by a Japanese torpedo. In 1948, the ship he was working on was found to have unsafe levels of radiation and he was assigned to the USS Mt. Katmai, an ammunition ship. Mickey retired from the Navy in October 1963. When Mickey returned to Oakland, he worked in a bowling alley and as a fishing net manufacturer. He went on to work security for the Alameda Naval Station until 1996. Mickey was passionate about serving the veteran community. He was involved with a wide variety of veteran and military groups including the Fleet Reserve Association, the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Disabled American Veterans, the Pearl Harbor Survivors Association, and was a volunteer at the Oakland VA clinic. Sadly, Mickey passed away this Spring at the age of 102. He was a beloved member of the veteran community and he will be missed. Please join me in honoring his service to our community and to our Nation.

Mr. DeSAULNIER

Mr. DeSAULNIER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to tell you about a remarkable constituent, Isabel Bueso. Isabel came to the United States legally in 2003 from Guatemala as a small child to receive treatment for her rare disease, known as MPS VI. She was invited here to participate in clinical trials to help research and identify lifesaving treatments for her rare condition. Thanks in large part to her participation, the FDA approved a treatment, which the drug manufacturer says Isabel cannot receive in her home country. Before her treatment was discovered, Isabel's life expectancy was 7 years. Now, she is 26 years old, having survived far beyond that, and helped others to survive because of her participation in this treatment trial. The previous administration unexpectedly canceled the program that Isabel and her family were under, and they were told that they had to leave in 33 days or risk being deported. Thanks to the American public and their outrage at this decision and others like it, Isabel and her family were able to stay, and it was reinstated. We have a private bill that is now over in the Senate, and we hope the Senate will approve this so Isabel and her family can stay here in the United States safely.

Mr. DeSAULNIER

Mr. DeSAULNIER. Madam Speaker, I always, as we have these debates with my good friend from Pennsylvania, encourage that we do work together acknowledging that we have differences of opinion and reminding people who are maybe watching that we are in a global economy that has inflation globally and that what we are doing in this package is to try to provide some small instruments for oversight accountability so that we can have as much control as we can in a global economy that is impacting this inflation that is so hard for working Americans. So with all due respect to my friend from Pennsylvania, I am always willing to work with him. But this package is intended to provide more accountability, not more bureaucracy. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. DeSAULNIER. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. DeSAULNIER. Madam Speaker, by direction of the Committee on Rules, I call up House Resolution 1170 and ask for its immediate consideration.

Mr. DeSAULNIER. Madam Speaker, for the purpose of debate only, I yield the customary 30 minutes to the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Reschenthaler), pending which I yield myself such time as I may consume. During consideration of this resolution, all time yielded is for the debate only. General Leave

Mr. DeSAULNIER. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members be given 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks.

Mr. DeSAULNIER. Madam Speaker, yesterday, the Rules Committee met and reported a rule, House Resolution 1170, for three measures. First, it provides for consideration of H.R. 2543 under a structured rule. The rule self-executes a manager's amendment, provides 1 hour of general debate equally divided and controlled by the chair and ranking member of the Committee on Financial Services, makes in order 27 amendments, and provides one motion to recommit. Second, the rule provides for consideration of H.R. 2773 under a structured rule. The rule self-executes a manager's amendment, provides 1 hour of general debate equally divided and controlled by the chair and the ranking member of the Committee on Natural Resources, makes in order eight amendments, and provides one motion to recommit. Third, the rule provides for consideration of H.R. 7606 under a structured rule. The rule self-executes a manager's amendment, provides 1 hour of general debate equally divided and controlled by the chair and ranking member of the Committee on Agriculture, makes in order two amendments, and provides one motion to recommit. Finally, the rule extends recess instructions, suspension authority, and same day authority through June 22, 2022. First, I will say a few words about the Lower Food and Fuel Costs Act. Times are tough for working families across our country. Food prices are rising and gas prices are at an all-time high. At the same time, food companies and Big Oil are making record profits at the expense of these same hardworking Americans. Costs are rising up and down the supply chain. The cost of fertilizer and pesticides has risen 50 percent over the past year, in part due to the ongoing war in Ukraine. Rising energy prices, increasing trucking costs, and the worst outbreak of avian flu in 7 years are all contributing to the higher prices consumers are paying at the grocery store. Plus, combine oil companies' irresponsibility with Putin's war in Ukraine, and you have an unbearable situation for American consumers. The Lower Food and Fuel Costs Act will help us look out for working families, not just big corporations and their billionaire CEOs. This package of bipartisan legislation supports farmers and lowers prices for America's families at the grocery store and at the gas pump. This rule also allows us to consider a package of legislation aimed at addressing racial and economic inequities that limit opportunities for Americans to buy homes, access loans, and earn fair wages. Income and wealth inequality is higher in the United States than in any other developed country, and there are examples of it in almost all parts of our lives. The reforms in this package will help us better target and measure outcomes for underserved populations. Finally, the Recovering America's Wildlife Act helps protect the more than one-third of all fish and wildlife species in the United States that are at risk of extinction. This legislation funds conservation efforts for more than 12,000 species of wildlife and plants, and the recovery of 1,600 species already listed as threatened or endangered. Taken together and taken separately, these bills will all lead to real important change for Americans. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. DeSAULNIER. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, I just want to remind folks that 50 percent of inflation is caused by the war in Ukraine and actions by Vladimir Putin. In terms of energy, we believe in supporting American energy, but we also accept the reality that we are transitioning to more choices in energy like we do in California. Madam Speaker, I include in the Record a June 10, 2021, USA Today article titled: ``Fact check: Rising gas prices due to high demand and low supply, not Biden's policies.'' [From USA Today, June 10, 2021] Fact Check: Rising Gas Prices Due to High Demand and Low Supply, Not Biden's Policies (By Miriam Fauzia) The claim: Joe Biden is to blame for higher gas prices The rising cost of gasoline is being felt across the U.S., as the national average price has gone up from $2 per gallon last year to $3 per gallon as of June 9, according to data from the American Automobile Association. Many on social media claim President Joe Biden is to blame for this change. A June 1 Instagram post put the title ``Joe Biden's America'' atop a graphic showing the price jump from January to May 2021. ``Man I haven't seen gas prices this high since the last time (a) Democrat was in office!'' claims one meme shared to Facebook on May 22. ``It's called the Biden effect,'' commented one Facebook user under a similar May 18 Facebook post. Blaming Biden for this uptick isn't a new phenomenon. These claims have been in circulation since January and particularly allege Biden's cancellation of the Keystone XL pipeline significantly impacted gasoline, ``ensur(ing) a huge increase in gas prices for millions of us.'' USA TODAY has reached out to the posters for comment. While it's true gasoline prices have risen significantly since Biden took office on Jan. 20 the upward trend predates Biden's time in office and is related to COVID-19 and market factors, not who occupies the White House. Pandemic's effect on supply and demand As with any commodity, the price of gasoline is determined by the simple balance of supply and demand: a high supply and low demand means low prices, while a low supply and high demand mean prices rise. The most important driver of this fluctuation is crude oil, from which gasoline is derived. This fossil fuel typically accounts for between 50 percent and 60 percent of the price at the pump, said Jeanette McGee, a spokesperson for AAA. In 2020, crude oil prices became extremely cheap, so much so it was being traded at negative prices, McGee told USA TODAY. Brent crude oil, for example, a blend supplying most of Europe, was being sold at $9 a barrel, its lowest price in decades, the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) reported. The primary reason for this drop in crude oil prices was the pandemic, said McGee and Mark Finley, a fellow at Rice University's Center for Energy Studies. ``The pandemic drove the world's oil market to become massively oversupplied, inventory dramatically increased and prices collapsed,'' Finley told USA TODAY. In response to the low demand due to reduced travel and lockdown restrictions, Finley said major oil-producing countries like Russia, Saudi Arabia and member countries of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, or OPEC, decided to cut down on their own oil production. But the cut meant oil producers weren't ready to meet the demand for crude oil once it renewed this year thanks to easing of COVID-19-related restrictions. ``This year, demand has so far increased more quickly than production rates, which means the United States had to draw more on its gasoline storage inventories, which has contributed to prices going up,'' EIA spokesperson Chris Higginbotham said in an email to USA TODAY. ``We expect oil producers in the United States and globally to increase their production levels through 2022, which we expect to contribute to lower crude oil prices, and lower gasoline prices.'' Gas price uptrend predates Biden While presidential actions and policies can have some impact on the crude oil market, they don't have as much influence over gasoline prices as one might think. ``Some of (a president's) decisions can impact or contribute to market changes, which can then impact (future) crude oil, but they don't dictate gas prices,'' said McGee. ``If you go back and look at historical data, whether it was Bush, Obama, Trump or Biden, (gas prices) go up and down no matter who's in office.'' During former President Donald Trump's term, the national average for gasoline had gone up to nearly $3 a gallon in May 2018 and hovered close to that price until fall 2018, according to data maintained by AAA. The cost rose yet again to nearly $3 a gallon in May 2019 before dropping slightly below $2 per gallon when state and local governments mandated lockdowns in March 2020. Gas prices slowly crept from $2.20 per gallon in September 2020 to $2.40 by the time Biden took office in January 2021. McGee said elections typically drive gasoline prices up. This upward trend was expected to continue due to pandemic recovery, reduced crude oil supply and the approach of summer--historically considered a peak travel season--but arrived sooner due to the ransomware attack on the Colonial Pipeline, the East Coast's major fuel supplier. ``We have expected gas prices to hit $3 a gallon around Memorial Day, but with the (Colonial) pipeline offline, it actually jumped the national average to $3 and more prior to Memorial Day,'' said McGee. Keystone XL, other Biden policies don't affect today's gasoline costs Many critics point to Biden's decision on the Keystone XL pipeline as fueling the gas price spike, but experts say there's no such connection. The extension of the Keystone pipeline, first proposed in 2008 by TC Energy based in Calgary, Canada, was rejected by former President Barack Obama in November 2015 but later approved by Trump in March 2017. Biden then suspended the project in January. And on June 9, TC Energy announced it was terminating the project. Even if construction wasn't halted, the Keystone XL pipeline wasn't in operation and therefore wouldn't have an impact on current gas prices, said Finley of Rice University. ``That was something that would impact down the road,'' he said. David Dismukes, economist and executive director of Lousiana State University's Center for Energy Studies, agreed, telling USA TODAY the pipeline would have had a ``longer-run impact in providing a diversity of supply for refineries in the Gulf Coast.'' Similarly, other energy policies rolled out by President Biden, such as postponing oil lease sales, have a long-term, but not short-term, effect. ``If you look at some of the actions taken by the administration with regard to offshore drilling, drilling on federal lands, the outlook for fossil fuel energies in general, those are impacting the price of crude and expectations about crude oil,'' said Diskmukes. ``(Biden's policies do) have an impact, but that's not what you're seeing at the pump right now.'' Our rating: False Based on our research, we rate FALSE the claim President Joe Biden is to blame for the current higher gas prices. The upward trend in gas costs we see now began months before Biden took office. Because of reduced demand amid the COVID- 19 pandemic, oil companies had to cut back on the amount of crude oil produced. Now with restrictions being lifted and more travel happening, the demand has increased, which, coupled with lagging supply, has led to increased gasoline prices. Canceling the Keystone XL pipeline and other energy policies enacted by Biden have a long-term effect on crude oil supply but no present impact on gasoline prices.

Mr. DeSAULNIER. Madam Speaker, President Biden nor his administration have direct control of setting gas prices. The real issue is Big Oil's desire to pad their profits. The CEO of Occidental Petroleum said it herself, ``I feel now that we do need to return cash to the shareholders in the form of dividends or buybacks, especially during the better cycles.'' They are thinking in their shareholders' best interest, not the interest of the American people. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. DeSAULNIER. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. DeSAULNIER. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. DeSAULNIER. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. DeSAULNIER. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. DeSAULNIER. Madam Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. I thank my friend from Pennsylvania and the Rules Committee for his remarks. I remind folks that the economy under Joe Biden has created over 8 million jobs since he took office. The unemployment rate has dropped from 6.4 percent to 3.6 percent under President Biden. And his first year was the greatest year of job creation in American history. The Federal Reserve has found that household financial well-being reached an all-time high last year. GDP grew in the President's first year by 5.2 percent, the fastest rate since 1984. The U.S. was the first advanced economy that reached prepandemic rates of growth, and we are seeing wages increase for workers. There is no doubt that inflation and the high cost of gasoline are a challenge. That is the purpose of some of our actions today. It is to hold the private sector accountable, to be responsible to their consumers and the American people. That is why these bills are on the floor, to do something about inflation and the high cost of energy. At the same time, we are preparing for an energy transition. Michigan, California, we are aware of the realities of the current energy economy, but we are getting ready for the new one. In the area I represent, Madam Speaker--you have been out to visit me--I have five refineries. I have represented them in local, State, and Federal Government. Two of them are closed because of the pandemic. They are about to reopen using biofuels that will help everybody, and they are a better business model, according to the oil industry. So all of these things have combined for a challenge. I would agree with my colleague. This is too important, although we have our differences about the approach, that we should engage in problem-solving for Americans. I thank all of my colleagues for these bills and their ideas to deal with inflation and the challenges to American workers. Each of these bills in this rule are worthwhile and impactful, and I look forward to voting for them all soon. I urge a ``yes'' vote on the rule and the previous question. The text of the material previously referred to by Mr. Reschenthaler is as follows: Amendment to House Resolution 1170 At the end of the resolution, add the following: Sec. 12. Immediately upon adoption of this resolution, the House shall proceed to the consideration in the House of the bill (H.R. 6858) to strengthen United States energy security, encourage domestic production of crude oil, petroleum products, and natural gas, and for other purposes. All points of order against consideration of the bill are waived. The bill shall be considered as read. All points of order against provisions in the bill are waived. The previous question shall be considered as ordered on the bill and on any amendment thereto to final passage without intervening motion except: (1) one hour of debate equally divided and controlled by the chair and ranking minority member of the Committee on Energy and Commerce; and (2) one motion to recommit. Sec. 13. Clause 1(c) of rule XIX shall not apply to the consideration of H.R. 6858.

Mr. DeSAULNIER. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time, and I move the previous question on the resolution.

Mr. DeSAULNIER

Mr. DeSAULNIER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize my friend, Betty Reid Soskin, as she finally enters retirement from the National Park Service at age 100. Betty has had too many jobs and too many accomplishments and too many compliments for just 1 minute, so I will share a few of the highlights of this remarkable woman's life. During World War II, Betty was a file clerk for the Boilermakers Union A-36 in Richmond, California, an all-Black union auxiliary. In 2004, she became a park ranger with the National Park Service assigned to the Rosie the Riveter Park in Richmond, California. In this role, Betty shared her story as a young Black woman working during the war and long held the honorable distinction of being the Nation's oldest National Park Ranger. Americans came from all over the country to listen to Betty's voice. Betty has been recognized over the years for her advocacy and her commitment to social justice, including by President Obama as Glamour magazine's Woman of the Year, and recently, had a local middle school named after her. Betty is an important part of our community and our country, and I am proud to call her a friend and a constituent. Her leadership and passionate spirit are an inspiration to all of us, all who have been fortunate enough to know her and for all Americans who know of her. Congratulations, Betty, and thank you for a wonderful life of service to our community and to our country.

Mr. DeSAULNIER

Mr. DeSAULNIER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the life of Joe Barratt. Throughout his life, Joe's compassion, kindness, and creativity were evident to all who knew him. He had a passion for music and was a talented musician. Joe played cello for Concord High School's orchestra, taught himself how to play guitar, and was a talented songwriter and producer. His other interests included astrology and spending time with his friends in Todos Santos Plaza and Civic Park. An animal lover, Joe also enjoyed helping his mother, Leslie, walk dogs on the weekends. One of their favorite traditions was to stop at IHOP afterwards and Joe would indulge in the red velvet pancakes. Joe had an extraordinary ability to help others feel accepted and cared for. He was welcoming and warm to kids that needed extra love and kindness. He has been described as a ``shepherd amongst the misfit kids at school''. Tragically, Joe was killed in a hit-and-run accident and passed away on February 11, 2020. He is survived by his mother and father, Leslie and Joe Barratt II. He will be remembered for his gentle spirit and outstanding character. Please join me in honoring the life of Joe Barratt.

Mr. DeSAULNIER

Mr. DeSAULNIER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the service of esteemed activist and public servant, Betty Reid Soskin, upon her retirement from the National Park Service. Throughout her life and career, Betty has demonstrated steadfast dedication to advocacy and service. During World War II, she was a file clerk for the Boilermakers Union A-36, an all-Black union auxiliary. Betty continued her community involvement as an active voice in protesting the Vietnam War and writing music about the experiences of the Civil Rights Movement. She also held other esteemed positions like serving as a delegate to the 1972 Democratic National Convention, legislative aide for a Berkley City Councilmember, and field representative for two California State Assemblymembers. In 2000 when the Rosie the Riveter World War II Home Front National Historic Park was established in Richmond, California, Betty became actively involved in preserving the East Bay's rich history. In 2004, Betty became a ranger with the National Park Service assigned to the Rosie the Riveter Park. In this role, Betty educated thousands of park visitors by sharing her story as a young Black woman working during the war. Betty has worked tirelessly to continue honoring the past and to teach future generations about the wartime efforts. Her voice has been critical in highlighting the experiences of women and African Americans who had participated in the war so that these stories are not forgotten. At 100 years old, Betty was the oldest National Park Ranger in the country. Betty has been rightfully recognized over the years for her advocacy and commitment to social justice. Betty was named ``Woman of the Year'' in 1995 by the California State Legislature and was recognized by the National Women's History Project as one of the country's ten outstanding women in 2006. She was formally recognized by President Obama in 2015, even having the honor of lighting the National Christmas Tree that year. Additionally, she was Glamour Magazine's ``Woman of the Year'' in 2018 and recently had a middle school in El Sobrante named after her. Betty is a pillar of our community and I am proud to call her a friend. Her leadership and passionate spirit are an inspiration to all who know her. Please join me in congratulating Betty on her retirement and honoring her for her years of dedicated service.

Mr. DeSAULNIER

Mr. DeSAULNIER. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my friend and colleague for yielding. And I also want to thank my distinguished colleagues on both sides for the conversation at the Rules Committee. I want to speak for a few moments, Mr. Speaker, as somebody who has spent 35 years in the restaurant business, owning and managing restaurants in California, small businesses that were vital to the communities where they were; and how important they are to restart Main Street America in every district; the multipliers of having restaurants open, and the difficulty and the cash flow of a small business like this, and why this initiative is so important. The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that in 2019, there were 12.1 million people employed in the restaurant and food service industry. So many of those people immediately lost their jobs and their incomes with no warning when the pandemic hit. In April of 2020 alone, the restaurant industry lost 5\1/2\ million jobs. Through the American Rescue Plan, we established the Restaurant Revitalization Fund, which provided $28.6 billion in emergency assistance to eligible restaurants, bars, and qualifying businesses impacted by the pandemic. Although this program helped more than 100,000 restaurants and food and beverage businesses across the country, in every district, the program received applications of nearly three times the amount of money that it had to give out. We cannot overlook the obvious need. The Relief for Restaurants and Other Hard Hit Small Businesses Act, H.R. 3807, would inject $42 billion to allow the Small Business Administration to process the applications of over 150,000 eligible entities that previously applied for relief. I met and talked to many of my former colleagues in the business who have applied for these funds and they speak very positively about their experience and how helpful it was to get them through the pandemic. It helps these small businesses. Through the pandemic, at least 40 percent of pandemic-related revenue loss was suffered by businesses with fewer than 200 employees. Again, as a former restaurant owner myself, I have seen how restaurants can bring communities together. We owe it to these local business entrepreneurs, these owners, and millions of workers who depend on this help, to pass this important bill.

Mr. DeSAULNIER

Mr. DeSAULNIER. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleperson from Virginia (Ms. Spanberger).

Mr. DeSAULNIER. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Today, I rise in support of the Affordable Insulin Now Act. On top of weathering the economic fallout of the global pandemic, Americans are still paying far too much for insulin. This is particularly frustrating, given that these are not the prices that consumers in the rest of the world pay. The most commonly used form of insulin costs 10 times more in the United States than in any other developed country. Tragically, there have been recent reports of deaths of patients with diabetes because they cannot afford the insulin they need to stay alive. The Affordable Insulin Now Act would take a historic step to lower the cost of insulin and cap out-of-pocket costs at $35 per month. This means individuals with private insurance could save up to $500 per year. This bill ensures affordable access to lifesaving medication for the more than 37 million people in the United States who have diabetes and the over 7 million Americans who rely on insulin to maintain their health and well-being. Madam Speaker, it is past time, but today it is time to finally deliver on our promise to ensure that all Americans can get the medication they need and they deserve to stay healthy and thrive. The Affordable Insulin Now Act brings us one step closer to that promise. There is certainly more work to be done. I look forward to working with my colleagues to get the cost of prescription drugs under control and to build upon this important first step. Madam Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to please support this bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. DeSAULNIER. Madam Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from Georgia (Mrs. McBath), a lead sponsor of this legislation and a member of the Education and Labor Committee.

Mr. DeSAULNIER. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.