Kay Granger

Ms. GRANGER

Ms. GRANGER. Madam Chair, I rise in opposition to the amendment.

Ms. GRANGER. Mr. Chair, I urge my colleagues to vote ``no'' on this measure, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. GRANGER. Mr. Chair, I yield 5 minutes to the gentlewoman from Puerto Rico (Miss Gonzalez-Colon).

Ms. GRANGER. Mr. Chair, I thank my colleagues for this colloquy. Tyndall Air Force Base is vital to Florida and the United States. I look forward to working with the gentleman as well as the gentlewoman of the Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Subcommittee to rebuild this base. Mr. Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. GRANGER. Mr. Chair, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Dunn) for the purpose of a colloquy.

Ms. GRANGER. Mr. Chair, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. Rice).

Ms. GRANGER. Madam Chair, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Carter).

Ms. GRANGER. Madam Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. GRANGER. Madam Chair, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Rutherford).

Ms. GRANGER. Madam Chair, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Nebraska (Mr. Fortenberry).

Ms. GRANGER. Madam Chair, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Alabama (Mr. Aderholt).

Ms. GRANGER. Madam Chair, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Chair, I rise today on H.R. 268, the Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2019. On December 20 of last year, the House considered a bill that included a continuing resolution to keep the government open, more than $5 billion to secure our southern borders, and a supplemental appropriation to help disaster-affected areas. That bill passed the House, but it was not taken up by the Senate. As it did in December, the bill before us today also includes funding for disaster relief. In fact, it includes $4.3 billion more for communities recovering from national disasters, including storms and other events that occurred in 2017 and 2018. This would help the American people get back on their feet after these devastating events. The bill also includes help for farmers and ranchers for crop and commodity losses, assistance for flood and storm damage, and allows our military and Federal agencies to repair facilities and assets. Like it did in December, the bill we are considering today also includes a continuing resolution to fund the government and ensure that our hardworking Federal employees are paid. What this bill does not include is funding for border security needs identified by the agents and officers on the front lines. Therefore, the bill before us today will not resolve the government shutdown. It will not reopen the government and ensure that our TSA screeners, our Coast Guard defenders, our Border Patrol agents, and our air traffic controllers are paid. We must stop wasting time voting on bills that have no chance of becoming law. We should, instead, work with urgency to get our government back up and running. In order to do that, we must address border security and funding for the remaining appropriations bills. I thank Chairwoman Lowey for her work, and I am hopeful that in the coming days, together, we can come to an agreement with all of our partners in the Senate, the House, and the White House to address the remaining funding issues in 2019. Madam Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. GRANGER

Ms. GRANGER. Madam Speaker, I urge a ``no'' vote on this continuing resolution, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. GRANGER. Madam Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Rutherford).

Ms. GRANGER. Madam Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Fleischmann).

Ms. GRANGER. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Washington (Mr. Newhouse).

Ms. GRANGER. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Alabama (Mr. Aderholt).

Ms. GRANGER. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, I rise today in opposition to H.J. Res. 27, a continuing resolution providing funding through February 1. I support the goal of reopening the government. There are many critical programs that are on pause which are important to my constituents and all of us, programs like TSA, Border Patrol, Coast Guard, and air traffic controllers. Unfortunately, the bill we are considering today will not restart those programs or help our districts. That is because it is not a comprehensive solution to resolve the government shutdown and fully address the security and humanitarian crisis we face on our southern border. Criminals, terrorists, and drugs are flooding our shores. Tens of thousands of children, many of them without their parents, make the dangerous trip to the United States every year. I have been to the border and to Central America, and I have heard the heartbreaking stories. This situation is unacceptable and it must be addressed. We can and we must do better. Madam Speaker, again, I share the concern that parts of the government remain closed and employees are not yet being paid, but moving this bill across the floor will not fix the problem. To put it simply, there is not a bipartisan consensus on this plan. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. GRANGER

Ms. GRANGER. Madam Speaker, due to circumstances outside of my control, I was unable to be present for this vote. Had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 28.

Ms. GRANGER

Ms. GRANGER. Madam Speaker, I rise today in opposition to H.R. 266. Unfortunately, moving this bill across the House floor will not resolve the partial government shutdown, as the President has said he will not sign this bill into law. It is the job and responsibility of Congress to appropriate funds. We must come together to find a solution that will reopen the government and fund border security. We need a compromise that represents the will of both Chambers and the American people. By considering the Senate-passed version of the appropriations bill, we are eliminating House Members' involvement in the process. This bill in particular ignores 93 percent of all House Member requests that were included in our bill, including the 50 amendments that were adopted on the floor. This appropriations bill for the Interior Department fails to include the $12 million that House Members provided to U.S. Geological Survey programs, like the earthquake early warning system that saves lives. It also reduces the amount of funds available to clear dead and dying trees from forests, to help prevent the kind of devastating wildfires we saw this year, by $21 million. We have heard a lot about the National Park Service during this shutdown. This bill reduces funding for our national parks by $27 million. These are just a few of the priorities of the House that are not included in this bill before us today. Madam Speaker, Republicans stand ready and willing to negotiate with our friends on the other side of the aisle on legislation that includes priorities of both parties and both Chambers. That is how this legislative body and our system of government are designed to work. Madam Speaker, I thank my colleague from California, Mr. Calvert, for his efforts today and over the last several months to ensure that the House's voice is heard in this debate.

Ms. GRANGER

Ms. GRANGER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in opposition to H.R. 267. Unfortunately, moving this bill across the floor will not resolve the partial government shutdown, as the President has said he will not sign this bill into law. It is the job and responsibility of the Congress to appropriate funds. We must come together to find a solution that will reopen the government and fund border security. We need a compromise that represents the will of both Chambers and the American people. By considering the Senate-passed version of the appropriations bills, we are eliminating House Members' involvement in the process. When it comes to Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and related agencies, H.R. 267 places a lower priority on creating jobs and expanding opportunity. For example, this bill provides $1.4 billion less for highway funding to the States and territories. That is less money to address our Nation's crumbling roads and bridges. When it comes to the Federal Aviation Administration, this bill provides $250 million less to modernize our air traffic control system. The bill also reduces programs for the most vulnerable among us. It provides millions less for a voucher program that enables families with children to move to neighborhoods with greater economic opportunity and virtually eliminates funds that House Republicans provided for impoverished citizens living with disabilities. Mr. Speaker, Republicans stand ready and willing to negotiate with our friends on the other side of the aisle on legislation that includes priorities of both Houses and both Chambers. That is how the legislative body and our system of government is designed to work. I thank the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Diaz-Balart) for his efforts today and over the last several months to ensure that the House's voice is heard in this debate.

Ms. GRANGER

Ms. GRANGER. Madam Speaker, I rise today in opposition to H.R. 265. Unfortunately, moving this bill across the House floor will not resolve the partial government shutdown. As the President has said, he will not sign this bill into law. It is the job and responsibility of the Congress to appropriate funds, who must come together to find a solution that will reopen the government and fund border security. We need a compromise that represents the will of both Chambers and the American people. By considering the Senate-passed versions of the appropriations bills, we are eliminating House Members' involvement in the process. When it comes to investment in agriculture, rural development, and public health programs that are important to Americans across the country, H.R. 265 funds Senate priorities by shortchanging House priorities. For example, this bill provides less funding for food and drug safety and public health. For the average American, this means decreased access to medical products because there are less resources to bring those products to market in a safe and efficient manner. This bill also leaves behind funding to address persistent poverty in rural areas. This is a vital resource as rural communities across the country seek to break the cycle of poverty. We can and we must do better. Madam Speaker, Republicans stand ready and willing to negotiate with our friends on the other side of the aisle on legislation that includes priorities of both Houses, and both Chambers. This is how this legislative body and our system of government are designed to work. I want to thank my colleague from Alabama (Mr. Aderholt) for his efforts today and over the last several months to ensure that the House's voice is heard in this debate.

Ms. GRANGER

Ms. GRANGER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in opposition to H.R. 264. Unfortunately, as with all the appropriations bills we consider this week, moving this bill across the House floor will not resolve the partial government shutdown. It is a job and responsibility of Congress to appropriate funds. We must come together, both Republicans and Democrats, in the House and the Senate, to put together a legislation solution that will reopen the government and fund border security, one that represents the will of both Chambers and the American people. By considering only the Senate-passed versions of these appropriations bills, we are ignoring the will of this Chamber by eliminating House Members' involvement in the appropriations process. The bill before us today funds Senate priorities at the expense of House priorities. In particular, the Financial Services and General Government bill falls short in several areas: constructing border points of entry, assisting taxpayers and U.S. businesses, and following through on commonsense bipartisan financial reforms. I want to thank my colleague from Georgia (Mr. Graves) for his efforts today and over the last several months to ensure that the House's voice is heard in this debate.

Ms. GRANGER

Ms. GRANGER. Mr. Speaker, George H.W. Bush was a giant of a man, a decorated naval aviator who nearly lost his life in World War II, Ambassador to the United Nations, Director of the Central Intelligence Agency, Vice President, and, most notably, President of the United States. But more than any of that, he is someone to admire because he spent his life dedicated to serving his country and his fellow man. His dedication to his country was only rivaled by his dedication to his family, marked by his 73-year marriage to his wife, Barbara, and his loving relationships with his children, his grandchildren, and his great-grandchildren. As important as he was, he took time to greet people who came to see him. He knew the value of a written note of praise and a hug and a handshake. He laughed as well as he led, and he knew the importance of relationships. Those who didn't have the privilege of knowing President Bush personally were given a glimpse of his character through his loved ones on Wednesday during his memorial service. As his son President George W. Bush said--who has the same sense of family and dedication to the Nation--of his father: ``Your decency, sincerity, and kind soul will stay with us forever.'' So through our tears, let us know the blessings of knowing and loving you, a great and noble man. George H.W. Bush's greatness shows in the strength of his family, and he has given us all a lesson in how to be a good friend. President Bush accomplished much in his long life. He epitomized what it means to be a public servant, and I am honored to recognize this distinguished Texan today and thank him for his service to our country.

Ms. GRANGER

Ms. GRANGER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the Greater Fort Worth Association of Realtors (GFWAR) on their 100 years of service to the Fort Worth community. With more than 3,200 realtor and affiliate members, GFWAR is a strong advocate for real estate professionals and Texas property owners. The members of GFWAR are devoted to protecting private property rights and supporting homeownership, and their members have been among Fort Worth's most prominent citizens. Among the leading members of GFWAR include the late Charles McMillan, former president of GFWAR, the Texas Association of Realtors (TAR) and the National Association of Realtors. Several other GFWAR members have also served as president of TAR; these include Walter Curlee, James D'Arcy, Raymond Estes, A.L. Purvis, Lester Weatherby, and William C. Jennings. Additional prominent members of GFWAR include my friend State Representative Charlie Geren, who serves Texas House District 99, former State Representative Rob Orr, who served Texas House District 58, and Billie Heffner who was the first woman to chair the Texas Real Estate Commission. Prominent past members of GFWAR also include the Mayor of Fort Worth, Betsy Price. Members of the Greater Fort Worth Association of Realtors have provided valuable professional services to Fort Worth residents for a century. On their 100th anniversary, I would like to commend all those affiliated with this notable organization and extend best wishes for continued success. Please join me in thanking the Greater Fort Worth Association of Realtors for their proud history and centenary of service to Fort Worth, Texas.