Hakeem Jeffries

Mr. JEFFRIES

Mr. JEFFRIES. Mr. Speaker, by direction of the Democratic Caucus, I offer a privileged resolution and ask for its immediate consideration.

Mr. JEFFRIES

Mr. JEFFRIES. Madam Speaker, this is day 26 of the reckless Trump shutdown. Coast Guard officers and their families are suffering; Border Patrol agents and their families are suffering; TSA agents and their families are suffering because the President has decided to hold 800,000 Federal employees and the American people hostage. We are prepared to have a conversation about infrastructure on the border, prepared to have a conversation about personnel, and prepared to have a conversation about technology. We are prepared to have a conversation about border security in a comprehensive way; prepared to have a conversation about our broken immigration system and how we fix it in a bipartisan fashion. But, Madam Speaker, we are not prepared to have a conversation about these issues in the midst of a reckless shutdown where the President has decided to hold the American people hostage and try to force us to pay a $5 billion-plus ransom note. Madam Speaker, it is time for the adults in the room to get their act together and reopen the government so we can continue the business of the American people.

Mr. JEFFRIES

Mr. JEFFRIES. Madam Speaker, by direction of the Democratic Caucus, I offer a privileged resolution and ask for its immediate consideration.

Mr. JEFFRIES

Mr. JEFFRIES. Madam Speaker, by direction of the House Democratic Caucus, I offer a privileged resolution and ask for its immediate consideration.

Mr. JEFFRIES

Mr. JEFFRIES. Mr. Speaker, by direction of the Democratic Caucus, I offer a privileged resolution and ask for its immediate consideration.

Mr. JEFFRIES

Mr. JEFFRIES. Mr. Speaker, by direction of the Democratic Caucus, I offer a privileged resolution and ask for its immediate consideration.

Mr. JEFFRIES

Mr. JEFFRIES. Mr. Speaker, by direction of the Democratic Caucus, I offer a privileged resolution and ask for its immediate consideration.

Mr. JEFFRIES

Mr. JEFFRIES. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that when the House adjourns today, it adjourn to meet on Tuesday, January 8, 2019, when it shall convene at noon for morning-hour debate and 2 p.m. for legislative business.

Mr. JEFFRIES

Mr. JEFFRIES. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Reverend Canon George L. Bonner's 40th Orientation Anniversary at St. Albans Episcopal Church in Canarsie, New York on Sunday, December 16th. In 1973, Reverend Canon Bonner left Belize for Codrington College in Barbados to study theology. He went on to the University of the West Indies for a Bachelor in Theology and a Master of Science in Education at Brooklyn College in New York. In 1978, Reverend Canon Bonner was ordained as a Priest at the Cathedral of St. Michael and All Angels in Barbados. A decade into his spiritual journey, he was called to relocate to Brooklyn, New York and joined the All Saints Parish in East New York. Upon arriving in New York, Reverend Canon Bonner was propelled into a position at St. Albans Episcopal Church and has proudly served the congregation ever since. He has provided spiritual guidance to the Canarsie community with admirable dedication and passion. Under the leadership of Reverend Canon Bonner, St. Albans Episcopal Church has overseen multimillion dollar renovations and expansions of the church. Reverend Canon Bonner has the love and support of his wife, Ms. Marjorie Bradley-Bonner, his sons George and Kurt and six grandchildren: Marquise, Roshika, Geante, Bryanna, Owen and Matthew. Mr. Speaker, in honor of the legacy of this great leader, I ask that you and my other distinguished colleagues join me in congratulating the Reverend Canon George L. Bonner on his 40th Orientation Anniversary.

Mr. JEFFRIES

Mr. JEFFRIES. Mr. Speaker, I thank the distinguished gentlewoman from Texas, Sheila Jackson Lee, for yielding and for her tremendous leadership on the criminal justice reform effort over the years. I also want to thank all of the members of the House Judiciary Committee, in particular, Chairman Goodlatte, as well as Jerry Nadler and, of course, Cedric Richmond and Karen Bass, who were phenomenal assets to this effort. Let me thank my good friend Doug Collins, who has been a tremendous force of nature as it relates to making sure that this Congress did something about overcriminalization in America. From beginning, middle, and end, it has been an honor to work with Mr. Collins on a wide variety of things in this great body, in particular, on this effort to break the back of the prison industrial complex. I thank Doug Collins for his tremendous leadership. In 1971, President Nixon declared drug abuse public enemy number one. It was the beginning of the failed war on drugs. At that point in time, there were less than 350,000 people incarcerated in America. Today, there are 2.2 million. We incarcerate more people in the United States of America than any other country in the world. We have 5 percent of the world's population and 25 percent of the world's incarcerated individuals. It is a scandal. It is a stain on our democratic society. It is not a Democratic problem or a Republican problem; it is an American problem. Today, the House of Representatives comes together as Americans to begin to solve it--Democrats and Republicans, the left and the right, progressives and conservatives, the National Urban League and the Koch brothers, the House and the Senate, as well as the Trump administration--proving that good things can happen under the Capitol dome when we set aside partisan bickering to solve problems on behalf of the American people. And what a problem that we are endeavoring to solve with the First Step Act, making sure that currently incarcerated individuals, the victims of mass incarceration in this country, can successfully reenter society, transform themselves, become productive citizens; dramatically reduce recidivism; and save taxpayer dollars. That is what the First Step Act is all about. It will also strike a blow against the unfair sentencing laws that were put into place as a result of the failed war on drugs and provide some retroactive relief to those individuals sentenced unjustly as a result of the disparity between crack cocaine and powder cocaine. The First Step Act is a product of work that this body has decided to do out of recognition that we cannot allow overcriminalization to continue to persist in this country. Now, the mass incarceration epidemic has been with us for over 40 years. It will not take simply the waving of a singular legislative magic wand to eradicate, but it will require sustained effort, sustained commitment, sustained intensity, and a meaningful first step. That is what we are doing today. I urge all of my colleagues to support this effort to reform our criminal justice system in a manner consistent with the notion of liberty and justice for all.

Mr. JEFFRIES

Mr. JEFFRIES. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Reverend Dr. Washington Lee Lundy's 50th Pastoral Anniversary at Glen Terrace in Brooklyn, New York on Saturday, November 17, 2018. Since the founding of Evening Star Baptist Church in 1916, Reverend Dr. Washington Lundy has served as the second senior pastor in the church's 102-year history. From an early age, Reverend Dr. Lundy was called to preach, initially at First Baptist Church in his hometown of McKinney, Virginia. After graduation from high school in 1954, he studied at Virginia Union University, in Richmond, VA. A year later, he moved to New York completing his studies at Manhattan Community College. Settling in Bedford Stuyvesant, Brooklyn, he joined the congregation of Evening Star Baptist Church where first Senior Pastor Reverend Marcellus French Logan presided. There he met ``the love of his life,'' Dorothy Fields, whom he married and raised two children with, Christopher Lee and Valerie Anita. Upon the passing of Rev. Logan, Evening Star Baptist Church recognized Reverend Dr. Washington Lee Lundy as Senior Pastor on November 5, 1968. During his dedicated service to the congregation and surrounding community, he went on to pursue a Doctorate from Baltimore School of the Bible. In his 50 years of leadership at Evening Star, Reverend Dr. Lundy helped organize the Gates Avenue Block Association and established the Evening Star Baptist Church Scholarship Fund for students entering college and those returning to school for higher education. He also solidified the longevity of the church by settling the church's mortgage and founding the Eastern Baptist Association School of Religion and Evening Star Youth Ministry. Reverend Dr. Lundy proudly represented Evening Star across the country and world. He served as Vice Moderator at Large of the Eastern Baptist Association (EBA) of New York, and then as Moderator of the EBA from 1988 to 1992. He was elected as Vice President at Large of the Empire Baptist Missionary Convention of New York, and then as its President for six years. He also served as Vice President of the National Baptist Convention USA--North East Region. More recently, in 2010 he was the host for the New York State Convention for the 20th Baptist World Congress in Hawaii. Globally, he has carried a message of hope and faith, traveling to various countries in Europe, Asia, the Middle East and Australia. Mr. Speaker, in honor of this great spiritual and community leader, I ask that you and my other distinguished colleagues join me in congratulating the Reverend Dr. Washington Lee Lundy on his 50th Pastoral Anniversary at Evening Star Baptist Church

Mr. JEFFRIES

Mr. JEFFRIES. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to support H. Res. 1088, a resolution recognizing September 29 as National Urban Wildlife Refuge Day, authored by Representative Wittman. Earlier this year, my bill, Keep America's Refuges Operational Act, became law. That bipartisan bill reauthorized a volunteer, community partnership, and education program for our National Wildlife Refuge System. We believe in the importance of maintaining a system of wildlands throughout this great country. That is why I am proud to join my colleague, Representative Wittman, in sponsoring this resolution to recognize our Nation's 101 national urban wildlife refuges. People visit refuges to experience America's natural beauty. They help to mold the next generation of conservationists and outdoor enthusiasts by providing learning experiences and cherished memories for America's families. Refuges have a tremendous impact for communities all over America, even in my hometown of Brooklyn. We must remain vigilant in protecting the breathtaking wildlife and beautiful environment God has given America. Urban refuges are essential in achieving that goal.

Mr. JEFFRIES

Mr. JEFFRIES. Madam Speaker, once again, the do-nothing Republican Congress has outdone itself. Here in America, we have a wage stagnation problem, an underemployment problem, an infrastructure problem, a retirement insecurity problem, and a corruption problem right here in Washington, D.C. What is the House Republicans' response to these challenges facing the American people? They want to get out of town before sundown. Why don't we remain here in Washington, doing the people's business week after week, month after month until we get something done on these issues, improve the lives of working families, middle-class folks, senior citizens, the poor, the sick, and the afflicted? They want to get out of town before sundown. There are two very different visions for the American people. Republicans control the House, the Senate, and the Presidency. What has that brought to the American people? Chaos, crisis, confusion, the culture of corruption. Part two, the sequel, and the signature piece of legislation is the Republican tax scam, where 83 percent of the benefits went to the wealthiest 1 percent in this country simply to subsidize the lifestyles of the rich and shameless. That is their signature accomplishment? The Democratic vision is very different. Democrats here in the House are fighting for the people. We are fighting to lower healthcare costs, fighting to strengthen the Affordable Care Act, fighting to protect people with preexisting conditions, fighting to dramatically lower the high cost of prescription drugs, fighting to increase pay for everyday Americans so that folks can provide a comfortable living for themselves and for their families, fighting for a real infrastructure plan that invests $1 trillion in fixing our Nation's crumbling bridges, roads, and tunnels and will create 16 million good-paying jobs. Democrats here in the House of Representatives are fighting to clean up corruption in Washington to make government work for everyday Americans. We are fighting to end, once and for all, the era of Citizens United. That is the House Democratic vision: lower healthcare costs, increased pay, and cleaning up corruption here in Washington. Democrats are fighting for the people.

Mr. JEFFRIES

Mr. JEFFRIES. Mr. Speaker, wages are down; gas prices are up; and the culture of corruption here in Washington, D.C., is out of control. And all the while, the 45th President of the United States of America spends more time on the golf course than any other President in American history. Things are spiraling out of control. The stakes are incredibly high. Notwithstanding that, the 115th Congress has been one of the most unproductive Congresses in the history of the Nation. Democrats and Republicans have two competing visions for what we need to do in order to make sure that every American can continue to experience the American Dream. Democrats, we want to move the country forward. Others want to turn back the clock. We are working hard to bring people together. Others are tearing us apart. We are fighting for working families and middle-class folks. Others are fighting for the wealthy and the well off. We believe in the public interest. Others are all about the special interests. Democrats are fighting for the people. Others are fighting for the privileged few. We are fighting for working families, middle-class folks, senior citizens, the poor, the sick, the afflicted, veterans, people in rural America, urban America, suburban America. Democrats are fighting for the people. But my colleagues on the other side of the aisle, unfortunately, are fighting for millionaires, billionaires, mega corporations, lobbyists, big donors, all to subsidize the lifestyles of the rich and shameless. Exhibit A is the Republican tax scam. That is their signature piece of legislation. That is what they are talking to the American people about. You are proud of the fact that you passed a bill where 83 percent of the benefits go to the wealthiest 1 percent in America, explodes the debt by more than $1.5 trillion, then you want to come back to Congress and lecture us about cutting Social Security and Medicare? Are you kidding? Our For the People agenda will focus on lowering healthcare costs, strengthening the Affordable Care Act, protecting people with preexisting conditions, more than 100 million Americans. They want to take away that protection. We are working hard to dramatically lower the cost of lifesaving prescription drugs. That is the Democratic For the People agenda. Wage stagnation is still a problem for the American people. The productivity of the American worker over the last 40-plus years has increased by more than 285 percent. During the same period of time, wages have gone up by less than 10 percent. The productivity gains of the American worker have not gone to the American worker, they have gone to the privileged few. What do the Republicans do about it? Pass a tax bill where 83 percent of the benefits go to the wealthiest 1 percent. We have a different idea for what should take place. We are fighting for the people through increased pay anchored in a real infrastructure plan that will fix our crumbling bridges, roads, tunnels, ports, mass- transportation system; not a fake plan, it is a real plan. We will invest $1 trillion, create 16 million good-paying jobs, fight to make sure that everyday Americans can provide a comfortable living for themselves and for their families. And, lastly, we are going to fight to clean up corruption here in Washington, D.C.; not talk about it, actually get something done to make sure that Washington works for the American people. That is what you deserve. That is what Democrats are fighting hard to deliver: lower healthcare costs, increased pay, clean up corruption to make sure that Washington works for the people.

Mr. JEFFRIES

Mr. JEFFRIES. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that I may hereafter be considered to be the first sponsor of H.R. 134, the Home Foreclosure Reduction Act, a bill originally introduced by Representative Conyers of Michigan, for the purposes of adding cosponsors and requesting reprintings pursuant to clause 7 of rule XII.

Mr. JEFFRIES

Mr. JEFFRIES. Mr. Speaker, our so-called Commander in Chief is over in Europe where he criticized some of our closest allies as being delinquent. What is wrong with him? Hypocrisy is clearly not a constraint to behavior. TrumpCare, the Republican healthcare plan that would strip away protections for preexisting conditions and will cause premiums, copays, and deductibles to go up, is delinquent. The Republican tax scam, where 83 percent of the benefits go to the wealthiest 1 percent in America to subsidize the lifestyles of the rich and shameless is delinquent. The fake Republican infrastructure plan that will do nothing to fix our Nation's crumbling bridges, roads, and tunnels is delinquent. Republicans have a raw deal. Democrats have A Better Deal. We are going to do everything possible to make life better for the people.

Mr. JEFFRIES

Mr. JEFFRIES. Mr. Speaker, I regret that I was not present for votes on June 21, 2018, due to my son Joshua Jeffries' graduation. Had I been present, I would have voted: ``nay'' on rollcall No. 279, ``nay'' on rollcall No. 280, ``yea'' on rollcall No. 281, ``nay'' on rollcall No. 282, ``nay'' on rollcall No. 283, ``nay'' on rollcall No. 284, ``nay'' on rollcall No. 285, and ``nay'' on rollcall No. 286.

Mr. JEFFRIES

Mr. JEFFRIES. Mr. Speaker, I thank the distinguished gentleman, the ranking member, Mr. Pallone, for yielding and for his leadership on this issue. I also want to thank Congressman Latta, as well as Chairman Greg Walden and my colleagues: Chris Collins, Trey Gowdy, and G. K. Butterfield, who all were sponsors of this legislation. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 449, the Synthetic Drug Awareness Act. H.R. 449 addresses a critical and sometimes overlooked threat: the use of synthetic drugs by teenagers. It requires the Surgeon General to prepare a report on the public health effects of synthetic drug use by individuals aged 12 to 18 throughout America. With the information this study will provide, Congress can work to prevent substance abuse by younger Americans through an enhanced and enlightened lens. The opioid crisis has ravaged families across the country, without regard to ZIP Code, income, race, religion, or gender. Unfortunately, this public health emergency is now taking hold, in insidious ways, of our Nation's young people. Throughout the country, the drug overdose death rate has more than doubled during the past decade amongst younger Americans. This troubling phenomenon, in part, results from the rise and availability of potent and dangerous substances like illicit fentanyl, and synthetic marijuana, drugs that fall within the category covered by this legislation. Fentanyl, for instance, can be 50 to 100 times stronger than opioids, heroin, or morphine. Teenage fentanyl use, for instance, is a vicious cycle. Adolescents have a still-developing prefrontal cortex, which can facilitate drug-seeking behavior. The drug then alters the development of this area of the brain, making that behavior permanent. The majority of adults who develop a substance abuse disorder or addiction begin using before they are 18 years old. In order to address the multifaceted public health crisis that the opioid epidemic represents, we must consider both the cause and the effect. Advancing this legislation has been a collaborative process, and I greatly appreciate the hard work of all of my colleagues on both sides of the aisle. Mr. Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to support H.R. 449.

Mr. JEFFRIES

Mr. JEFFRIES. Mr. Speaker, while Democrats continue to focus on better jobs, better wages, and a better future for hardworking Americans, Republican indifference to the chaos, crisis, and corruption in this town, for example, at the EPA, is at an all-time high. Why in the world, in the context of the fact that we have 17 different intelligence agencies who concluded that Russia interfered with the election and an ongoing investigation into whether the Trump campaign was involved in selling out our democracy, do some folks continue to try to undermine this investigation? The ongoing criminal inquiry is a legitimate undertaking. It is not a witch hunt. In fact, everyone leading that investigation is a Republican: Bob Mueller, Republican; Rod Rosenstein, Republican; James Comey, Republican; Christopher Wray, Republican. What exactly are you all complaining about? It is time for the cover- up caucus in this institution to stop hiding the truth from the American people.

Mr. JEFFRIES

Mr. JEFFRIES. Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairman Goodlatte as well as several distinguished members of the Judiciary Committee--in particular, Cedric Richmond and Karen Bass--for their leadership on this issue and, of course, my good friend Doug Collins for being a phenomenal champion of improving the lives of currently incarcerated individuals, folks who have no time for political games. These are individuals who are in the system right now without hope, without opportunity, without a meaningful chance at transforming themselves. And the FIRST STEP Act will provide that. It will give them an opportunity to get educated now, give them an opportunity to get vocational training now, a GED now, a college education now, give them the opportunity to deal with their substance abuse problem now, mental health counseling now. Why would we possibly refuse that? These individuals are amongst the least, the lost, and the left behind. And we have an opportunity, in a bipartisan way, to make a difference in their lives in so many areas. Any objective reading of this bill is that it will improve their quality of life. And what is so wonderful about this is that you have the right and the left, conservatives and progressives, united in this effort. Nothing meaningful is ever easy, but the mass incarceration epidemic has been with us for almost 50 years. You will not just take one legislative magic wand and wipe it away in one shot. It will require sustained effort, sustained intensity, sustained commitment, and a meaningful first step. That is what this bill represents. Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to support this effort to transform lives, save taxpayer dollars, and dramatically reduce recidivism now.

Mr. JEFFRIES

Mr. JEFFRIES. Mr. Speaker, the American people face a clear choice about the way forward: the Republican raw deal or the Democratic better deal. House Republicans want to take away healthcare from more than 23 million Americans--raw deal; Democrats want to strengthen the Affordable Care Act and dramatically lower the cost of prescription drugs--better deal. House Republicans have a fake infrastructure plan that will do nothing to repair our Nation's crumbling bridges, roads, and tunnels-- raw deal; Democrats have a real infrastructure plan that would invest $1 trillion and create 16 million good-paying jobs--better deal. House Republicans passed a tax scam where 83 percent of the benefits went to the wealthiest 1 percent in America simply to subsidize the lifestyles of the rich and shameless--raw deal; Democrats want a permanent tax cut for working families so we can put more money into the pockets of everyday Americans--better deal. House Republicans want to cut more than $2 trillion from Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid--raw deal; Democrats want to strengthen Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid so that senior citizens from throughout the land can live out their golden years with grace and dignity. That is A Better Deal. House Republicans are all about chaos, crisis, and confusion; Democrats are working to deliver better jobs, better wages, and a better future. The American people deserve A Better Deal.

Mr. JEFFRIES

Mr. JEFFRIES. Mr. Speaker, it is my honor to welcome our guest chaplain, Rabbi Shlomo Segal of Kehilat Moshe synagogue from Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn. Rabbi Segal and his wife, Adina, founded the synagogue 5 years ago, and they have since created a vibrant community not only for the diverse group of Jews who attend their services, but for people of all faiths throughout Brooklyn. Rabbi Segal is a leader in our community who works hard to build bridges of understanding and tolerance. He serves on the board of governors of the New York Board of Rabbis and is a rabbinical consultant to the Kings Bay Y, a Jewish community center in the Eighth Congressional District that I proudly represent. Through his work, he celebrates the diversity of Brooklyn, bringing together different religious and ethnic groups to emphasize what we all have in common--as New Yorkers and as Americans and, most importantly, as human beings. Rabbi Segal has brought together Jews, Christians, and Muslims to break fast for Ramadan and worked hard to bring together and strengthen ties between the Black and Jewish communities of central Brooklyn. Rabbi Segal's efforts are geared toward making religion the greatest possible force that it can be in our community and in our Nation. He is here today with his wonderful wife, Adina, and two tremendous children, Shira and Rayna. It is my honor to welcome them to the people's House and to our Nation's Capital.

Mr. JEFFRIES

Mr. JEFFRIES. Mr. Speaker, I thank my good friend, the distinguished ranking member, for yielding, for his leadership, and, of course, to the chairman of the committee and to so many other Members: Representative Issa, Representative Rooney, and Representative Crowley and many, many others who have worked hard on this particular piece of legislation. Of course, above all else, I want to thank my good friend and colleague, Congressman Doug Collins, who has been a phenomenal leader in bringing stakeholders together from across the music ecosystem, bringing folks together from the digital industry, bringing the National Association of Broadcasters together to help us reach this moment where we have a consensus product that can ensure that the people of America and the Nation can continue to enjoy the music we have come to know and love. Article 1, section 8, clause 8 of the United States Constitution gives Congress the power to promote and create a robust intellectual property system in order to, in the words of the Founding Fathers, promote the progress of science and useful arts. The Founding Fathers of this great Nation understood that we should incentivize creative brilliance and incentivize innovation and, in that context, that the creator should be able to benefit from the fruits of their labor and, in doing so, will continue to share their creative brilliance with the world. In the context of music, we know that the manner in which we have consumed music has changed over time: from vinyl to 8-track, from 8- track to cassette, from cassette to CD, from CD to downloads, from downloading to streaming. The manner in which we consume music has changed, but the underlying brilliance and beauty and creativity of that music remains the same. Consistent with what the Founding Fathers have suggested, we need a modern-day music licensing system, and that is what the MMA will accomplish. I am thankful that it has brought together not just stakeholders and industry, but it has brought together a Jerry Nadler and a Chairman Goodlatte, a Darrell Issa and a Joe Crowley. It has brought together a conservative Republican from Georgia and a progressive Democrat from the people's republic of Brooklyn. Music is a unifying force. It has the power to bring us together. We should have the power to modernize our system on behalf of these brilliant creators.

Mr. JEFFRIES

Mr. JEFFRIES. Mr. Speaker, it is my honor that, on Tuesday, May 1, the communities of south Brooklyn, on the corner of Brighton Beach and Coney Island Avenues, will be co-named for Valeriy ``Larry'' Savinkin, a dedicated and well-respected community leader, who passed away last year. Larry was my congressional field representative who served the residents of the Eighth Congressional District with great distinction. His success and impact on the neighborhoods of southern Brooklyn and Queens were not limited to his work in the Eighth Congressional District office. For over 20 years, he was involved in several prominent organizations, including the September 11 Family Group, the Holocaust Memorial Committee, and the Odessa Community of New York. Larry had a magnetic personality and cared about his community immensely. I had the privilege of knowing and working with him for several years. I look forward to standing on Valeriy ``Larry'' Savinkin Street with New York City Council Members Mark Treyger and Chaim Deutsch next Tuesday to commemorate and acknowledge this outstanding individual.

Mr. JEFFRIES

Mr. JEFFRIES. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to address another egregious misrepresentation coming from you know who. How dare anyone refer to an overpriced luxury golf course as the Southern White House. Let's be clear about something: The Civil War is over. Jefferson Davis failed. The Confederacy lost. There is no such thing as the Southern White House. Thousands of Americans died on the battlefield and shed blood, sweat, and tears to make certain that, in this country, only one institution connected to the executive branch stood in the land of the free and the home of the brave. That institution is located right here in our Nation's Capital. The address is 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. It was built by slaves. The White House does not belong to the ghosts of the Confederacy. The White House does not belong to Vladimir Putin or his indigenous collaborators. The White House does not belong to a privately owned real estate cartel to be used and abused as a prop for an infomercial. We are a government of the people, by the people, and for the people. The White House belongs to the American people.