Chrissy Houlahan

Ms. HOULAHAN

Ms. HOULAHAN. Madam Speaker, last evening, an 11-year-old girl joined our telephone townhall. Her question shook me to my core. She was worried about the future of this great Nation, and I am, too. That is why I must move forward with impeachment of this President. He has endangered this Nation. He has betrayed his oath. I do this now for all of us, for our Constitution, and for this Republic. I do this to tell the world that this great democracy will stand and no one is above the law. I do this for our future generations. I urge us all to unite and to vote ``yes'' on impeachment.

Ms. HOULAHAN

Ms. HOULAHAN. Madam Speaker, first, I do want to acknowledge the devastating events of the last 12 hours and to express my deep appreciation for those who have worked to secure this building and safeguard our democracy. On behalf of my colleagues, we are all grateful for your service. I ran for this office on a platform of civility and decency, and many of my colleagues and constituents know that I am a third-generation veteran, and I grew up in a military household. Madam Speaker, what you may not know, though, is that I grew up in a divided household. Throughout my childhood, one parent voted Democrat and the other Republican. In my purple household, I learned that duty to country was far more important than party allegiance. With each election, my father would say: ``And when the election is done, we salute smartly and we carry on.'' Now I live in and I serve in a community that has a lot in common with the home that I grew up in. It, too, is a purple place that honors civility and decency. Pennsylvania's Sixth District is, in many ways, a microcosm of the Commonwealth and of our Nation. Our voter registration in Chester County is 40-40-20, R, D, and I. Voters across my district commonly split their ticket, some voting for President-elect Biden while also voting down the ballot for Republicans for our State legislature. What some of my colleagues are arguing today is that those very ballots are illegitimate. My colleagues cannot honestly believe that. In fact, just this week they joined me on the House floor to be sworn in to this hallowed body, and they trusted that the votes cast in their favor were legitimate. And they are right. If those votes counted, then so too must the votes for President-elect Biden. We have also heard today concerns about mail-in ballots. I am not a lawyer, but I am an engineer and, therefore, a student of numbers. It wasn't just Democrats who voted by mail. It was not a free-for-all, as it was described earlier. Madam Speaker, 600,000 Republicans in Pennsylvania across the State voted by mail. By questioning the election results, you are telling those Pennsylvanians that the hours they spent in line to cast their ballot or the trip they took to the post office in the middle of a pandemic just didn't matter. Alan Novak is a man who served as the chair of the Republican Party in Pennsylvania for nearly a decade. I will say that again. The Chair of the Republican Party of Pennsylvania for a decade is one of those voters I am talking about in Pennsylvania. He lives in my district, and he split his ticket. He voted for me as his Member of Congress and also for President Trump. And he eloquently said: What makes America great, exceptional, and enduring is our commitment to our government of laws, our orderly constitutional process that settles our election disputes, and our peaceful transfer of power with respect and civility. It is easy when it is pretty and the outcome is not controversial. But when it is not pretty and there is controversy, then it is even more important that we respect, honor, and abide by our revered and tested process for the orderly transfer of power. Perhaps that may be all that we can agree on, and it is the need for grace, respect, and civility. So I ask my colleagues across the aisle: Are you willing to disenfranchise people like Mr. Novak and the more than 400,000 people in Pennsylvania's Sixth District? Perhaps some of the independent and pragmatic spirit that is so prevalent among voters in my community comes from the history of the place that we call home. Many Americans have visited Philadelphia and our historic sites, but very few make it out to my community, which is the home of Valley Forge. Here, General George Washington led the Continental Army to winter quarters. The war had not been going well for our young soldiers, and that winter was harder still. It was bitterly cold, and food shortages and smallpox were abundant. Many people died. We remember what happened there because it was a test of our endurance, a demonstration of devotion to mission and to our country over ourselves. Coming out of that awful winter experience, our troops emerged better trained, united, and ultimately victorious. In those harsh, dark times, they found their common ground and their fortitude. Just like then, it is in these trying moments when we learn who our leaders truly are. They are the ones who don't just represent the people or give orders or ready us for a fight. They are those who educate and who speak truth. They inspire confidence and unity rather than sowing division and strife. There is a striking parallel between our nascent country and what they endured in Valley Forge and what we are enduring right now: A hard winter of division, illness running rampant, and an uncertain future. Today, our country's resolve is being tested, and I know that we will pass this test together and be made stronger. We now have the opportunity and the responsibility to do that tonight by upholding the will of the people, by voting to certify the results of this electoral college and by moving forward with a servant heart and a common resolve to preserve this great experiment that is the United States of America.

Ms. HOULAHAN. Madam Speaker, I rise in opposition to the objection.

Ms. HOULAHAN

Ms. HOULAHAN. Madam Speaker, Pennsylvania, like the rest of the country, is in the midst of both a public health and an economic crisis. This clearly isn't news to anyone. We have been here for months now. My community--the people whom I represent--are looking to us--the people whom they just cast ballots for--to comprehensively address this crisis. No matter which side of the aisle that you are on, Madam Speaker, we have a collective responsibility to address the COVID pandemic from both the public health and economic perspective. I have been in my community talking to small business owners. Hardworking Pennsylvanians need Federal support to weather this crisis. An economic recovery cannot ignore the needs of our small businesses. That is not recovery at all. We need to pass my Paycheck Protection Small Business Forgiveness Act to expedite forgiveness for Paycheck Protection Program loans for less than $150,000, which accounts for more than 90 percent of PPP borrowers across the country. This pandemic has taken lives and livelihoods from so many Pennsylvanians. We have the opportunity here to contain this virus and reverse this economic fallout. I urge the passage of the Paycheck Protection Small Business Forgiveness Act.

Ms. HOULAHAN

Ms. HOULAHAN. Madam Speaker, I want to thank the chairman for bringing this bill to the House. Madam Speaker, I rise as well to speak in favor of S. 785. This comprehensive package of legislation complements the other VA bills we considered yesterday and today. I want to highlight two pieces of this bill, in particular. This bill aims to improve the mental health medical workforce at the VA. The vast majority of veterans who get their care at the VA love their experience, and that is because of the dedicated VA workforce. However, we do need to address head-on the issue of staffing shortages. According to the most recent VA report, there are roughly 50,000 vacant positions at the VA at any given time, many of which are slots for healthcare providers. This bill would require the VA to create a plan to address the staffing of mental healthcare providers at its facilities, and ensure that each medical center, like the one in Coatesville in my district, is staffed with a suicide prevention coordinator. This bill also includes the Staff Sergeant Parker Gordon Fox Suicide Prevention Grant Program, which would push funding for suicide prevention services out to vetted community organizations. This is a similar one that was proposed in the Improve Act, which I was proud to help lead with my colleague across the aisle, General Bergman. This will really help us reach the millions of veterans who do not use the VA for healthcare, or who are more comfortable talking about their mental health concerns in a nongovernmental setting. It will also ensure that these organizations can refer veterans to the VA when needed, ensuring that there is a warm hand-off, which is so critical when someone is in crisis. Madam Speaker, I do want to take this opportunity to thank Chairman Takano for his leadership on this critically important issue. The fact that the House is poised to pass not only S. 785, but also the chairman's Veterans COMPACT Act, and a variety of other related bills, is truly a testament to his laser-like focus on this issue. Representative Brownley, who leads the Women Veterans Task Force, also has been especially attentive to the barriers that women veterans face as well. VA research recently found that the share of women veterans using the VA has grown nearly 15 percent in 10 years, and we need to ensure that this VA is adapting and continuing to be the veterans' first choice for quality mental healthcare regardless of gender. Madam Speaker, it has been a pleasure to work with General Bergman on the Improve Act, given our common background in service. General Bergman and I quickly connected last year over the importance of ensuring that we use all of the tools in our toolkit, the VA, community organizations, peer support groups, and more, to reach veterans in mental health crisis where they are and where they feel comfortable. Madam Speaker, I thank General Bergman and Ranking Member Dr. Roe for their leadership in getting to this moment as well. I would like to end by saying, it is okay to not be okay. If you are experiencing a crisis or know someone who is, please dial 1-800-273- 8255, and press 1. Again, 1-800-273-8255, and press 1.

Ms. HOULAHAN

Ms. HOULAHAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today before the House of Representatives to commend Walter Puddifer, Tom Garner, Hugh Lofting II, Dan DiGregorio, David MacDonald, and Burnett H. Wilson III for their heroism. On Tuesday, August 4, in our community of Chester County, amidst fast-moving floodwaters, these six men risked their own lives and saved a father and children from sinking in a vehicle. It is so important in these trying times to try to recognize the brave, heroic acts that everyday Americans are committing. This story is not an isolated incident. There are countless stories across the country of people stepping up to save lives: healthcare workers, essential workers, and, indeed, the average person who sees somebody in need and drops everything to help. Mr. Speaker, I thank these brave Pennsylvanians, and I enter their names into the Congressional Record for their selfless and courageous acts of service.

Ms. HOULAHAN

Ms. HOULAHAN. Mr. Speaker, I have an amendment at the desk.

Ms. HOULAHAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Mitchell).

Ms. HOULAHAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 45 seconds to the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Mitchell).

Ms. HOULAHAN. Mr. Speaker, it is clear that we need to take action on the appropriate deployment of unmarked and unidentified law enforcement personnel. While this amendment is narrowly scoped to focus on a specific scenario, the invocation of the Insurrection Act, I hope it helps to drive a conversation about these questions more broadly. I urge my colleagues to support this amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. HOULAHAN. Mr. Speaker, I would inquire how much time is remaining.

Ms. HOULAHAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 30 seconds to the gentleman from Washington (Mr. Smith).

Ms. HOULAHAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Several weeks ago, we learned that the President was considering, and the Secretary of Defense was preparing for, the possibility of deploying Active-Duty Forces under the authorities of the Insurrection Act. The Insurrection Act was not invoked in this case, but for many Americans, it was the first time hearing of a law that was originally drafted more than 200 years ago. For many of our men and women in uniform, it was the first time since taking the sacred oath to protect and defend that they imagined that they might be deployed against their own fellow citizens, not against a foreign adversary. Many of us were troubled to watch as members of our National Guard were deployed in the Washington, D.C., area as part of our response to the recent protests. In the Armed Services Committee markup and earlier today, we heard a robust debate about this centuries-old authority, and that is healthy for our democracy. Personally, I believe these authorities have done some good in our Nation's history. The Insurrection Act authorities were instrumental in enforcement of civil rights laws when some States were resistant. This amendment, my amendment, is very narrow in scope. Currently, title X, section 253 of the U.S. Code reads: ``The President, by using the militia or the Armed Forces, or both, or by any other means, shall take such measures as he considers necessary to suppress, in a State, any insurrection, domestic violence, unlawful combination, or conspiracy. . . . `' And then it goes on, but it never says what is meant by ``any other means.'' My amendment would say that ``any other means'' is limited to Federal law enforcement officers who are clearly identifiable by name and agency. In the difficult scenario in which the Insurrection Act truly must be invoked, we cannot afford uncertainty. Our military members are clearly identifiable, and so must our law enforcement officers be as well. Blurry lines and uncertainty harm everyone and put everyone at risk. Mr. Speaker, I am grateful for the engagement and support of my colleague from Michigan (Mr. Mitchell). He is the proud father of a son who is a police officer, and he has joined me in this effort after a discussion of our mutual objectives during the Armed Services Committee debate on this amendment. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. HOULAHAN. Mr. Speaker, I would inquire how much time I have remaining.

Ms. HOULAHAN. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. HOULAHAN

Ms. HOULAHAN. Madam Speaker, Americans have a proud history of global leadership, of coalition building, and of pushing the boundaries of technological advancement. These values are now being put to the test as we face the novel coronavirus, an invisible threat that will not be overcome quickly. There is no successful way through this crisis without a global effort, one in which we build a coalition of our allies, share information, work in tandem with the World Health Organization, and contribute to and benefit from international organizations who are on the frontlines of fighting this deadly disease. It goes without saying that cutting funding to the WHO at this time is not only naive but also presents a threat to the American people down the road as we determine how to safely return to normalcy and avoid a second or third spike. This is not to suggest we blindly trust other nations--it's been made clear the Chinese Government has misled the world about its cases and, early on, spread misinformation about the virus' transmission. China must be held accountable for its actions but taking a harsh isolationist stance at this current moment, when tens of thousands of Americans are dying, is irresponsible. A global pandemic requires a global solution, and we must act deliberately in convening our international allies and partners to develop a coherent testing strategy and mitigation plan as quickly as possible. We have talked at length about the economic impact of this crisis. It's important to remember that our economy is a global one, and if we refuse to cooperate with the larger global community, our economy will continue to suffer. Put plainly, I am urging the Administration and Congress to reach across oceans and re-enter the international conversation about the COVID-19 epidemic. As a Member of the Foreign Affairs Committee, I will be seeking the advice of medical, scientific, and development experts from around the world so that we can create a plan of action that stops the spread of this deadly virus. We're in this together whether we like it or not. So, we may as well start acting like it

Ms. HOULAHAN

Ms. HOULAHAN. Madam Speaker, when I rise for women and girls around the world, I do so with the awareness that the barriers that we face do not exist in a vacuum, that a woman's right to education, to bodily autonomy, and to self-determination are all connected. To combat these barriers, we must enact comprehensive legislation that relies on years of data, studies, and advocacy efforts to establish a truly equal world across gender lines. According to UN Women, every additional year of primary school increases girls' eventual wages by 10 to 20 percent. It also encourages them to marry later, to have fewer children, and leaves them less vulnerable to violence. In our effort to achieve gender parity, it is crucial that we work with international partners and global organizations that are making great progress on this issue. Initiatives like the U.N. Joint Program to End Child Marriage are looking at this issue holistically, with the understanding that social protection, health, education, and social and behavioral change must all be addressed in order to spark sustainable changes for women and girls around the world. That is why I cosponsored the Keeping Girls in School Act, which would empower girls by increasing their educational opportunities and economic security. Girls and women deserve to be educated, to be economically independent, and to be the deciders of their own fate, and that is what we believe in the United States, and that is what we need to fight for in all corners of this world. I encourage all of my colleagues on both sides of this aisle to join me and to take a stand for women and girls across the globe. The first step on the path to a more peaceful world starts with the empowerment of women and girls. A vote for the Keeping Girls in School Act is a vote for equality, for empowerment, and for a safer and more prosperous world for us all.

Ms. HOULAHAN

Ms. HOULAHAN. Madam Speaker, I thank the majority leader for bringing us together this evening to talk about the economy. January was Jobs Month for me in my district and my team. I spent time home in my community in Pennsylvania and here in Washington focused on three things: one, making sure that our economy is working for everyone and that Pennsylvanians can afford to live where they work and pay their bills while receiving fair pay; two, supporting our small businesses, which are the backbone of our economy; and three, ensuring our workforce is adapting to new technologies and to the future of their work. Earlier this month, we got the jobs report from December, and there was a lot to be optimistic about. Unemployment rates remain low, and we added more than 300,000 nonfarm jobs. The administration also likes to point to the record-high stock market as an indication of the impact of its economic policies. To be sure, there are good signs, and this steady economic improvement began well before the President and his administration took office and, thankfully, it continues. With this in mind, I would like to share, though, what I saw and heard during Jobs Month in my community. My community is in the enviable position of having a very low unemployment rate. I hear more from employers who are struggling to fill empty positions than from long-term unemployed people who are looking for work. But that doesn't tell the whole story. The rosy jobs report from January doesn't tell the story of people who work in my community, or who would like to, but can't afford to even live there. Last week, I was in Phoenixville, Pennsylvania, meeting with affordable housing advocates and proponents for more mass transit options near those affordable housing options. During that visit, I learned that in our area, about a quarter of the people are renters. Working an average wage for renters, a 9-5 job is not nearly enough for a modest, two-bedroom home in my community. People are working extra hours, holding down two jobs or more to be able to afford to live where they work; or they are living elsewhere, where the cost of living is lower, and they are commuting ridiculous amounts of time, using inadequate road and rail infrastructure to get to their work. And they are losing precious time with their families in the process. A booming stock market is good for some, but it doesn't change the daily math and daily experience of so many people in my community. The House has passed legislation to raise the minimum wage and to help workers save for retirement, and we need to see action in the Senate to ensure that our economy is working for all Americans, not just for those who have enough money to invest in the stock market. Earlier this month, many in my community also celebrated progress on the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement, a trade deal that was important for many small businesses in my community, including our agricultural producers. I was very proud to support that agreement. But this administration's trade policies have also harmed my community. The trade war in China has hurt small businesses as well as larger manufacturers whose business models are built around global trade in my community. Although we now have a ``Phase 1'' deal with China, businesses in my community are eager for a real and lasting agreement that doesn't harm the American businesses in an effort to punish China. Madam Speaker, I also want to highlight just one other aspect of the January jobs report that stuck out to me. Just like here in Congress, women are entering the workforce at historic rates. Like so many women, and men, frankly, I have faced the real struggles of how to balance both raising a family and excelling at work. Our policies need to be adopted to support and encourage our changing workforce. We have shown that we can work on a bipartisan basis to enact paid parental leave, as an example, for Federal workers, setting the example for other employers. We need to examine how we provide for childcare for working parents. We need how to examine how to ensure that pregnant workers have protections if they need an accommodation in the job during their pregnancy. And we need to ensure that we are paying equal pay for equal work. All of these policies can help move our economy forward, and all deserve the attention of our Senate and our counterparts in the White House. Over the last few weeks, I have learned a lot by visiting manufacturing facilities in my community, like OmegaFlex in Exton, Pennsylvania, or laying tile at the Chester County Intermediate Unit, or working alongside the IBEW workers training newly-separated veterans for work. I have come away deeply optimistic about where we are headed, but also armed with motivation to move forward with the bold policies that we need to make sure our economy is working for everyone, for all of us, to support our small businesses, and to prepare our workforce for the future ahead. There certainly is work to be done.

Ms. HOULAHAN

Ms. HOULAHAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the resolution before us today. Article I, Section 8 of the Constitution states: ``Congress shall have the power to declare war.'' The Founders were unequivocal. Only Congress has the power to authorize acts of war. Today, we bring forth this resolution to honor our Founding Fathers' vision for our country, for our government, one whose very survival hinges on the separation of powers and each branch's respect for the others' authority. At this moment we, as a Congress, have an opportunity to pursue de- escalatory actions that protect the lives of our Armed Forces, diplomats, and civilians. I implore the President and this administration to work with this Congress in this effort. Today marks this first step. We must aggressively pursue diplomacy so that no lives are lost. I encourage all of my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to join in that pursuit. I urge my colleagues to support this resolution. I urge a ``yes'' vote.

Ms. HOULAHAN

Ms. HOULAHAN. Mr. Chairman, as the designee of Ms. Scanlon, I have an amendment at the desk.

Ms. HOULAHAN. Mr. Chair, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Chairman, I rise to offer this amendment sponsored today by my friend and neighbor, Ms. Scanlon from Pennsylvania. This commonsense amendment has two parts. First, it would require pharmacy benefit managers, or PBMs, to pass discounts on drugs through to State Medicaid programs. PBMs are an important part of our drug pricing system, but Republicans and Democrats alike agree on the need for PBM reform. This provision is a feature of the Senate's bipartisan drug pricing bill. According to the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services, Pennsylvania taxpayers paid $2.86 billion to PBMs for Medicaid enrollees in 2017. That is a 100 percent increase over 4 years. Under current law, PBMs can bill Medicaid one price for a drug, reimburse the pharmacy at a lower price, and profit, as a result, millions from the difference. This amendment would stop that practice from Medicaid plans and simply require PBMs to pass along any discounts they get from pharmaceutical companies to the State's Medicaid program. The amendment also requires pharmacies to participate in the CMS survey of acquisition costs for drugs so that States, consumers, and lawmakers alike all can have greater transparency into what these prescription drugs should cost. Again, this is a feature of the Republican drug pricing proposals included in Mr. Walden's proposal, and it is all about increasing transparency into costs, especially PBM pricing. Lastly, this amendment invests in NIH research for new cures and treatments, especially for high-need conditions. I am a proud cosponsor of my friend Ms. Sherrill's Biomedical Innovation Expansion Act, which would invest $10 billion over 10 years in the NIH. As an engineer and former chemistry teacher, I know how important both basic and applied research is to advancing science and medicine. I am very pleased that this bill builds off Ms. Sherrill's legislation and establishes a pilot program at NIH that provides additional funding for clinical trials. This stage of development is often costly and complicated, and this amendment would provide $900 million to this important program. With this investment, we are boosting support for an initiative that will assist the development of new cures and treatments. Mr. Chairman, for our Medicaid beneficiaries, for the patient out there right now with a condition that has no cure, I ask that my colleagues on both sides of the aisle support this amendment. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. HOULAHAN. Mr. Chairman, I stand here in strong support of Ms. Scanlon's amendment to H.R. 3 and in strong support of H.R. 3, as well. I can say, as a freshman Member of this delegation and this Congress, the number one thing that all of our constituents ask of us each and every day is to address this issue of prescription drug pricing and transparency into that process. This bill and the underlying amendment therein support and affirm both those things. I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support this bill and its underlying amendment. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. HOULAHAN

Ms. HOULAHAN. Madam Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.

Ms. HOULAHAN. Madam Chairwoman, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I thank Chairwoman Lofgren today for having supported such an amazing body of work and for also supporting this amendment. I rise today in support of my amendment to H.R. 4617, which helps secure our elections by holding Americans who help foreigners funnel money into our elections more accountable. Throughout our history, people have fought for the right to vote, and our men and women in uniform have died to protect that right. Being an American is a privilege, and the right for every American to cast their ballot is sacred. It is part of our duty, and it is part of our duty in Congress, to protect that right. That is why I am encouraging my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support my amendment. Foreign money in our elections is an assault on the American electorate and on the democracy that our forefathers built. Americans who help foreign actors meddle in our elections must be held accountable under the law. To vote against my amendment is, therefore, to condone the actions of Americans who act against the interests of our country and who help foreigners undermine our elections. I believe I speak for my colleagues on both sides of the aisle when I say this body is committed to defending our country's democratic processes. This need not be partisan because there is nothing more fundamentally American than protecting our most sacred right, the right to vote, from all foreign interference. Madam Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. HOULAHAN. Madam Chair, I will take it as the deepest compliment from my colleague, Mr. Davis, that he says that my amendment is wonky since I believe that is our responsibility here in Congress, to legislate and to develop good policy. I will also take that back to the working group that was a bipartisan working group that developed this amendment with me, the bipartisan Task Force Sentry, which really worked very hard to find a way to make sure that we would codify what was already being practiced by the FEC. This doesn't give the FEC any more power. It simply gives the power to us to be able to actually criminalize people by defining what it means to support foreign interference. I believe that this amendment does speak for itself, and I am very, very grateful for the compliments of how this is a policy wonk's dream. I will go ahead and interpret the gentleman's words. I very much would encourage Americans to understand why we need to prevent funneling foreign money into our elections. Madam Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.