Hakeem Jeffries

Mr. JEFFRIES

Mr. JEFFRIES. I thank the distinguished gentleman from New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, let me now yield to the gentleman from the great State of Nevada, Representative Steven Horsford, my good friend from the silver State, my co-anchor on the CBC Special Order Hour of Power, to close us out for the evening.

Mr. JEFFRIES. Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. We have also been joined by another distinguished Member of the freshman class, the always nattily dressed representative from the great State of New Jersey, my good friend, Congressman Donald Payne.

Mr. JEFFRIES. I thank the distinguished gentlelady from Ohio for her very eloquent remarks. Mr. Speaker, how much time is remaining on the Special Order?

Mr. JEFFRIES. I thank the distinguished gentleman from Texas for his observations and for his historical analysis, pointing out that raising the debt ceiling is something that has consistently occurred throughout the last century here in America. I want to enter into the Record a White House correspondence that reads, in part, as follows: This country now possesses the strongest credit in the world. The full consequences of a default--or even the serious prospect of default--by the United States are impossible to predict and awesome to contemplate. Denigration of the full faith and credit of the United States would have substantial effects on the domestic financial markets and on the value of the dollar in exchange markets. The Nation can ill afford to allow such a result. Mr. Speaker, this letter is dated November 16, 1983, and those words were written by then-President Ronald Reagan to Senate Majority Leader Howard Baker: The Nation can ill afford to allow such a result. Ronald Reagan raised the debt ceiling 18 times during his two terms; and yet our good friends on the other side of the aisle want to come here and lecture President Obama as if he is being irresponsible, when the paragon of conservative Presidential leadership recognized the necessity on 18 occasions--and as memorialized in this correspondence-- of raising the debt ceiling. The White House, Washington, DC, November 16, 1983. Hon. Howard H. Baker, Jr., Majority Leader, U.S. Senate, Washington, DC. Dear Howard: This letter is to ask for your help and support, and that of your colleagues, in the passage of an increase in the limit on the public debt. As Secretary Regan has told you, the Treasury's cash balances have reached a dangerously low point. Henceforth, the Treasury Department cannot guarantee that the Federal Government will have sufficient cash on any one day to meet all of its mandated expenses, and thus the United States could be forced to default on its obligations for the first time in its history. This country now possesses the strongest credit in the world. The full consequences of a default--or even the serious prospect of default--by the United States are impossible to predict and awesome to contemplate. Denigration of the full faith and credit of the United States would have substantial effects on the domestic financial markets and on the value of the dollar in exchange markets. The Nation can ill afford to allow such a result. The risks, the costs, the disruptions, and the incalculable damage lead me to but one conclusion: the Senate must pass this legislation before the Congress adjourns. I want to thank you for your immediate attention to this urgent problem and for your assistance in passing an extension of the debt ceiling. Sincerely, Ronald Reagan. We are pleased that we have been joined by the distinguished gentlelady from Columbus, Ohio, who has conducted herself with such intelligence and grace in her 10 months here in the United States Congress, and we are proud to call her a member of this freshman class. I yield now to Representative Joyce Beatty.

Mr. JEFFRIES. I thank the distinguished gentleman from Virginia for his observations and for reminding the American people that the President, the Senate majority, Democrats in the House of Representatives have always been prepared to sit down and attempt to find common ground as it relates to the challenges that we confront here in the country. We have been asking for a conference committee to be put into place so we can discuss the budget passed by the House and passed by the Senate and figure out how we can negotiate around those differences since March; but the House majority has refused to appoint Members to negotiate the budget differences. But we are not going to be put into a position where essentially you say, Give us everything we want--the right-wing Republican agenda for this country rejected by the American people on November 6, 2012. But notwithstanding that fact, give us everything we want or we are going to shut down the government or force a default that plunges this country and the world into a painful recession. We are not interested in negotiating on those terms because it is not in the best interest of the American people. I am pleased that we have been joined by the distinguished Representative from the great State of California. I yield to Representative Barbara Lee.

Mr. JEFFRIES. Congresswoman Lee, thank you for continuing to be an unyielding advocate for the downtrodden, the disaffected, and the disenfranchised in such a tremendous way. I now yield to a distinguished member of the freshman class, also joining us from the great State of Texas, my good friend, Representative Mark Veasey.

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

Mr. JEFFRIES. Mr. Speaker, it is my honor and my privilege today to stand in the House of Representatives, along with my distinguished colleague from the Silver State, Representative Steven Horsford, to coanchor the CBC Special Order, the hour of power, where, for the next 60 minutes, members of the Congressional Black Caucus have an opportunity to talk directly to the American people about the situation that we face in this country right now related to both the government shutdown and the impending debt ceiling crisis that we confront. Mr. Speaker, this is day 14 of a government shutdown brought to us by reckless, irresponsible, and unreasonable behavior by our friends on the other side of the aisle. It is a government shutdown that is hurting the American people. It is hurting children, placing their Head Start programming at risk. It is hurting seniors who rely on the Meals on Wheels program. It is hurting expectant mothers who may be unable to receive the nutritional assistance that they are otherwise qualified for. It is hurting the more than 800,000 hardworking civil servants who have been unceremoniously cast out of their jobs, uncertain as to when they may be able to return. It is hurting America. But as bad as this government shutdown has been, we are also faced with a crisis that might be even worse if we are unable in this House to raise the debt ceiling within the next several days. The Treasury Secretary has indicated that the United States effectively will run out of the capacity to pay all of its bills and its creditors if we do not raise the debt ceiling by Thursday, October 17, just a few days from now. Now, the debt ceiling has been a vehicle that all too often has been mischaracterized, perhaps intentionally, perhaps out of ignorance. I am not certain. But let's just clear the record as to what the debt ceiling actually represents. It is a backward-looking vehicle, not a forward-looking vehicle designed to give the President the ability to spend more. That is a gross mischaracterization. The debt ceiling is a backward-looking vehicle designed to give the President and this administration the capacity to pay bills that this Congress has already incurred. We just want the Congress to undertake its constitutional responsibility pursuant to the 14th Amendment, where, in section 4, it makes clear the validity of the public debt authorized by law shall not be questioned. And it is Congress, in section 5 of the 14th Amendment, that has the responsibility to adhere to that constitutional requirement. We are going to explore this theme and the consequences of a debt ceiling default during this Special Order. And I am very pleased that we have been joined by the dynamic leader of the Congressional Black Caucus, the distinguished chairperson from the great State of Ohio, Representative Marcia Fudge.

Mr. JEFFRIES. I thank the distinguished chairwoman for her insightful, thorough remarks. I now yield to the distinguished gentlewoman from the great State of Texas, Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, who has joined us today to share her remarks and observations as to this debt ceiling crisis that we are confronting right now.

Mr. JEFFRIES. I thank the distinguished gentlelady from the great State of Texas for her observations and certainly hope that all people of decency on both sides of the aisle will denounce the hateful words that we saw on display here in the Nation's Capital this weekend. We are pleased to have been joined by the distinguished Representative from the great State of Virginia, Representative Bobby Scott.

Mr. JEFFRIES

Mr. JEFFRIES. Mr. Speaker, I move that the House do now adjourn.

Mr. JEFFRIES

Mr. JEFFRIES. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of the achievements of Reverend Lawrence E. Aker III. During his years of service, Rev. Aker has ministered to thousands and worked tirelessly to improve the lives of all those he encountered. In honor of his tenth anniversary as pastor of Cornerstone Baptist Church, Rev. Aker was honored at a celebratory banquet on April 27, 2013 at Steiner Studios in Brooklyn, New York. In 1917, Cornerstone Baptist Church was founded in Brooklyn, NY by a small group of forward minded individuals. Today, it is a thriving church of over 1,500 members with active boards, clubs, Sunday school programs, and choirs. In the last decade, Cornerstone Baptist Church has continued to thrive under the outstanding leadership of Rev. Aker. In order to meet the needs of his ever-growing parishioners, an additional Sunday service was added. By embracing technology, Rev. Aker has made his church more accessible to all who are called to worship. During his tenure, the church underwent extensive renovation to the exterior of the edifice. This beautification of the church was greatly celebrated by the community, lifting not just the congregation but all those in its vicinity. As a visionary, Rev. Aker plans to continue the church's enhancement through the renovation of the church's gym and community center. His strong commitment to nurturing the next generation led to the creation of ``Friday Nite Fire,'' a weekly bible study for youth and young adults. He also created the Women of the World (WOW) ministry, which offers spiritual guidance to women. Rev. Aker's reach extends outside the parish: I experienced this first hand as a member of the Assembly when we worked together to organize a community career fair at Cornerstone Baptist Church. This past winter, I was privileged to accept the Martin Luther King, Jr. Award with the Reverend, given to us from the State of Israel and presented by Ambassador Ido Aharoni, Consul General of Israel in New York, for ``spreading compassion and uniting communities of all backgrounds.'' As a life-long parishioner of Cornerstone, I could think of no higher honor than to be counted among his company. Rev. Aker holds a Bachelor's degree in Communications from Howard University, a Master in Theology from Dallas Theological Seminary, a Master of Sacred Theology from Yale University, and is currently a Doctor of Philosophy candidate at Drew University. Rev. Aker is an inspirational leader whose work would not have been possible without the love and support of his wife Cynthia Aker and their devoted children. We thank his family for sharing him with us all. Mr. Speaker, I ask that you and my other distinguished colleagues join me in congratulating Rev. Aker on his 10th pastoral anniversary. For his commitment to the people of Brooklyn, he is worthy of the highest praise.

Mr. JEFFRIES

Mr. JEFFRIES. Mr. Speaker, this is day 11 of the reckless Republican shutdown of the United States Government, and you have still failed to provide a way out of the mess that you have created. The communities that I represent in Brooklyn and Queens are still struggling from the devastation of Superstorm Sandy; yet this bill fails to fund the Army Corps of Engineers. This was a wholesale government shutdown, and all that is offered is a piecemeal reopening. You have burned down the entire house, but offer only to rebuild the kitchen. That is a shameful dereliction of duty and a woefully inadequate remedy. This shutdown is hurting the American people. It is undemocratic, unconscionable, unnecessary, unreasonable, and unjust. It is time to get back to doing the business of the American people. Let's reopen the entire government. Vote ``no'' on this piecemeal approach.

Mr. JEFFRIES

Mr. JEFFRIES. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of the 35th anniversary of the founding of Full Gospel Assembly Church in Brooklyn, NY. Pastor Michael Bacchus and members of the congregation commemorated this milestone at a banquet on October 4, 2013 at the Grand Prospect Hall in Brooklyn, NY. Full Gospel Assembly was founded on October 1, 1978 by Pastor Michael Bacchus, Assistant Pastor Jesse Persuad and Brother Colin Wronge. The people of New York are grateful for the exemplary service and leadership of Pastor Bacchus, whose vision led the church from meeting in a classroom at Long Island University to building its own sanctuary on Sullivan Place in the Crown Heights neighborhood of Brooklyn. Under the direction of Pastor Bacchus, the Queens Campus of Full Gospel Assembly opened in 2011. The Full Gospel Christian Academy, which was founded in 1985, continues to offer pre-K and kindergarten classes. The leaders and parishioners of Full Gospel Assembly have touched the lives of countless individuals through their compassionate service. In 1986, the church sponsored its first missionary trip, where 45 parishioners traveled to Guyana to minister to the residents of Georgetown and Linden. The Berean Bible Study Center, which opened in 1989, has trained hundreds to be leaders in the church's ministries. To meet the needs of its diverse congregation, the church has a wide range of active ministries including those for children, youth, and families. Mr. Speaker, I ask that you and my other distinguished colleagues join me in congratulating Full Gospel Assembly on its 35th anniversary. The church leaders and parishioners have dedicated themselves to serving the people of New York, and for that they are worthy of the highest praise.

Mr. JEFFRIES

Mr. JEFFRIES. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of the achievements of Reverend Dr. Clarence Norman, Sr. During his 60 years of service, Rev. Norman has ministered to tens of thousands and worked tirelessly to improve the lives of all those he encountered. In honor of his six decades of service to our community, Rev. Norman was honored at a celebratory banquet on Saturday, April 6, 2013 at Russo's on the Bay in Howard Beach, New York. In 1953, he helped found the First Baptist Church of Williamsburg located in Brooklyn, New York, which later relocated to the Crown Heights neighborhood. Shortly after the church's founding, he was ordained as pastor. Today, the First Baptist Church of Crown Heights has a congregation of over 2,000 people. In addition to his ministry at the First Baptist Church of Crown Heights, Rev. Norman has been dedicated to improving housing and education in the community. Rev. Norman's commitment to education is evidenced by his own academic achievements: he received a Bachelor of Arts from Bloomfield College, and a Master of Divinity and Doctorate in Religion from Howard University. The importance of education was imparted to the youth he mentored and taught. He served as the Director of the John Edward Bruce Day Care Center and Dean and Assistant Principal of the Whitelaw Reid Junior High School. Additionally, he taught social studies at the Nathaniel Macon Junior High School. In 1987, Rev. Norman founded the Local Development Corporation of Crown Heights, which has developed over 800 housing units for senior citizens and low-income families. He has received numerous honors and awards including the 1969-1970 Parish Ministry Fellowship by the Fund for Theological Education and the First Annual Ecumenical Award from the National Conference of Christians and Jews. In 2002, he was honored by Ebony Magazine as a ``great black father.'' Rev. Norman is an inspirational leader whose work would not have been possible without the love and support of his wife Ellen Norman and their devoted five children. We thank his family for sharing him with us all. Mr. Speaker, I ask that you and my other distinguished colleagues join me in congratulating Reverend Norman on his 60th pastoral anniversary. For his commitment to the people of Brooklyn and to his service of those less fortunate, he is worthy of the highest praise.

Mr. JEFFRIES

Mr. JEFFRIES. I thank the distinguished gentleman from the Silver State, my good friend, Representative Horsford, for his tremendous leadership for anchoring this CBC Special Order. And it's my honor and my privilege to join him today, during this Congressional Black Caucus Hour of Power, where, for 60 minutes we have the opportunity to speak directly to the American people. It's always an honor and a privilege to do so, but it's tragic and sad that we're here today under such circumstances. This is a manufactured crisis, a government shutdown engineered as a result of mean-spirited, reckless, and unreasonable behavior by our friends from the other side of the aisle. And in order to mask the obstructionism and the behavior that has resulted in more than 800,000 hardworking civil servants being kicked out of their jobs temporarily--we hope--there's been a series of myths, of factual misrepresentations that have been brought to the American people from our good friends on the other side of the aisle. I just want to spend a minute or two exploring some of the most significant ones courtesy of the House GOP. The first thing that led us down this road is this idea that the Affordable Care Act is a train wreck, repeated over and over and over again. The Affordable Care Act is a train wreck. It's not a train wreck. The train hasn't even left the station. Enrollment just began a few days ago on October 1. The coverage period for the American people doesn't even begin until January 1 of 2014. How can it be a train wreck when the train hasn't even left the station? This is behavior that is designed to create an accident because of some obsession that folks have on the other side of the aisle with providing tens of millions of Americans who are otherwise uninsured with health care coverage. It's an obsession that, quite frankly, I can't understand. What are you so angry about? Are you upset about the fact that the Affordable Care Act prohibits preexisting conditions from denying health care coverage to Americans, including children? Do you dislike the fact that young people going out into a very difficult job market can now stay on the insurance of their parents until the age of 26? Does it really bother you that small businesses will be eligible for a tax credit up to 35 percent to help provide health insurance coverage for their employees in a manner that will allow these small businesses to grow and prosper? Enough with this myth the Affordable Care Act is a train wreck. But that was the basis of the shutdown and the ransom notes that were sent over to the Senate majority that courageously stamped each one: Rejected; return to sender. Defund, delay, destroy the Affordable Care Act, that was the genesis of this conflict. And then we shifted, once it was clear that that strategy was not going to work, into the second great myth of this debacle that we find ourselves in. The second myth: Democrats refuse to negotiate. Negotiate over what? Negotiate over a law that my colleagues have clearly indicated is the law of the land, passed by a duly-elected Congress in 2010, signed by the President, declared constitutional by the Supreme Court of the United States of America in a decision issued by Chief Justice John Roberts, a Bush appointee, and then affirmed by the reelection of President Barack Obama in the electoral college landslide? Why do you want us to negotiate over settled law? There are three ways in the American democratic system for you to change law, Mr. Speaker: The first is through the legislative process. In 2010, you lost. Forty-three or 44 additional times subsequent to that, you've lost, unable to do it legislatively. You can try and change the law in America through our democratic system jurisprudentially, through the court system. In 2012, the Supreme Court rejected that. You lost. Then you can try and change things as a result of an election, and you lost with the reelection of the President by more than 5 million votes in 2012. Those are the three legitimate ways--legislative, jurisprudential, electoral--that you change laws in American democracy. You do not extort concessions and threaten to shut down the government. So this notion that we've refused to compromise is a great myth, particularly when, as my good friend from Nevada pointed out, the fact is that we've already compromised as it relates to the underlying number connected to funding the government. The Democrats believe the appropriate number is $1.058 trillion. That number is right here. The Republicans believe the appropriate number is $986 billion. That number is right here. We've agreed to drop our number all the way down to $986 billion, representing a $70 billion compromise, yet you continue to put forth this myth, as if we're the ones behaving unreasonably. The American people see through this factual misrepresentation. Lastly, let me just say, we had another great myth put forth this weekend by none other than the Speaker of the House of Representatives. No, not the junior Senator from Texas; the other one from Ohio. He said there are not the votes in the House to pass a clean CR. Not the votes? I'm no mathematician, Mr. Speaker, but it's clear, 198 Democrats have indicated they're willing to reopen the government if you put the bill on the floor. And if you add that to the 23 Republicans who have gone on record back at home in their districts, that gets us to 221, the magic number being 217 to reopen the government. Stop peddling factual misrepresentations to the American people to cover your legislative malpractice. Let's get back to doing the business of the American people.

Mr. JEFFRIES

Mr. JEFFRIES. Since March or April of this year. And, Congressman, you raise an interesting point. I think this is important to clarify for the American people. Our friends on the other side of the aisle have said, Well, we want a changed set of law. We want to defund, destroy, or delay the Affordable Care Act. Inherently outrageous. Well, let's just put that aside for the moment. The Senate majority and those on our side of the aisle in the House of Representatives as well as the President, have already compromised, as you pointed out. The number that we feel is appropriate to fund the government and do what's right for the American people is $1.058 trillion. That's the number that we feel is appropriate. The number that our friends on the other side of the aisle would like to see the government funded at is $986 billion. That's a significant difference. However, in order to move the country forward, the Senate majority, the Democrats in the House of Representatives, and the President of the United States have all agreed to move forward with a continuing resolution, not at our number, $1.058 trillion, but at the House majority number, which is substantially less, $986 billion. Our good friends on the other side of the aisle don't know when to take ``yes'' for an answer. As the Democratic whip pointed out earlier this week, we've already compromised and accepted the sequestration cuts for the purpose of keeping the government open and negotiating over the next 6 weeks as to what the appropriate number is. So that is political spin that you hear, those who sent over the ransom notes, accusing others of an unwillingness to compromise when we've already compromised on the number in the continuing resolution.

Mr. JEFFRIES. I thank the distinguished gentleman from Wisconsin, the badger State, for yielding me some time, for your tremendous leadership in anchoring this Progressive Caucus Special Order week after week after week, carrying forward in such a powerful and compelling way the Progressive message to the Americans out there who we represent. It's such a powerful vehicle to use the House floor, to speak in such eloquent, genuine ways about the challenges that we confront here in the United States Congress. Over the last few weeks, what we've witnessed, I think, can be characterized as both the theater of the absurd and a Shakespearean tragedy. Let me deal with the Shakespearean tragedy aspect of this. We are in the midst of a government shutdown right now that is unnecessarily forcing pain on the American people. It's a shutdown that was manufactured by the House GOP that has resulted in a situation where Americans all across this country have now been put in jeopardy. That's a tragedy of epic proportions. Children have been put in jeopardy. Tens of thousands of them have been shut out from the Head Start program. Families have been put in jeopardy. More than 800,000 individuals were kicked out of work unnecessarily. As time marches on, faced with the uncertainty as it relates to how they pay their bills, put food on their table, clothing on their backs, pay off the mortgage, more than 800,000 hardworking Americans are collateral damage as a result of a reckless, irresponsible, mean-spirited behavior. Veterans have been unnecessarily put into harm's way. Children looking for hope and dealing with the cancer that has afflicted them are unable to participate in clinical trials at the National Institutes of Health. Seniors, who otherwise would benefit from the Meals on Wheels program--it's insult to injury. It's bad enough you're trying to cut $39 billion from the SNAP program, but then you've got to inflict additional pain, as a result of the government shutdown, on seniors who rely on the Meals on Wheels program to eat and deal with their nutritional needs. The other problem that's amazing to me is that you've put in jeopardy expectant mothers who are now unable to receive the nutritional assistance that would be available to them in the absence of a government shutdown. This is a Shakespearean tragedy inflicted upon us by an out-of-control House majority. Let me deal for a moment or so with the theater-of-the-absurd aspect of this. I asked on the floor of the House of Representatives today, Who's in charge? My distinguished freshman colleague from California just referenced this point. Who is in charge of the House of Representatives? Is it the Speaker who's in charge at this moment? Is it the Heritage Foundation? Is it Tea Party extremists? Is it the junior Senator from Texas, who for the last week, before he disappeared, was barking out orders over on the other side of the Capitol and then Members in the House of Representatives were following those orders in lockstep, executing this extreme agenda that has led us to a shutdown of the United States Government? The other side of the aisle, my good friends, they're going to say, Well, what are you talking about an extreme agenda? We just have a disagreement as it relates to the Affordable Care Act, and you guys on the other side of the aisle, the President at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, he doesn't want to compromise. Compromise on what? The Affordable Care Act is the law of the land. It was passed by a duly elected Congress in 2010. The Supreme Court of the United States of America declared it constitutional in 2012 in an opinion written by Chief Justice John Roberts, someone who was nominated to the bench by George W. Bush. And then a few months later, in November, the President of the United States was reelected in an electoral college landslide with a difference of more than 5 million votes, reaffirming the Affordable Care Act, which was his signature legislative achievement. What exactly do you want us to compromise on when October 1 was the day that enrollment first began? You claim it to be a train wreck. The train hasn't even left the station yet. But in advance of this government shutdown, you sent a series of ransom notes over to this side of the aisle. I mean, this really is shocking behavior. It was a series of ransom notes. If you don't do what we want to you do, we're going to shut down the government. Let's go through the ransom notes that were sent over. First you said, Defund the Affordable Care Act; and then that didn't work. And then you said, We want to delay the Affordable Care Act for a year; and that didn't work. And then you said, We are going to deny the ability for contraception coverage; and that didn't work. And then you said, We're going to repeal the medical device tax; and that didn't work. And then you said, Well, let's delay the individual mandate for a year; and that didn't work. And then finally, out of desperation, you said, Well, we're going to jam up our own congressional employees in what effectively amounts to a misrepresentation, because you weren't trying to take away a subsidy. You were trying to take away an employer contribution that is available to the overwhelming majority of Americans whose employers provide health care. A series of ransom notes that were summarily rejected by a courageous Senate majority. And when you finally realized the futility of those demands included in each of those legislative ransom notes that you sent over to the other side, at the 11th hour, in the height of hypocrisy, you said, Let's go to conference. Go to conference? As my good friend, the distinguished Congressman from Wisconsin (Mr. Pocan) pointed out, we've been asking for regular order since the spring of this year. Now, regular order involves the following process: The House passes a budget, the Senate passes a budget, both of which occurred earlier this year. And then at that point, the two sides appoint conferees to sit down at the negotiating table and try to work out the differences. That's the regular order that you've been screaming about for the last 4 years. And earlier this spring, you finally had an opportunity to bring it about. Senator Harry Reid was prepared to move forward. Even Mitch McConnell seemed like he was ready to move forward. And individual Republican Senators said that it was absurdity for the House Republicans to have been demanding conference committees over the last several years, and finally they get an opportunity to do it, and nothing's forthcoming from the other side of the aisle here in the United States House. Why is that the case? Well, I think we've now figured it out. Because you knew that the demands that you would make--because you are following the script from the junior Senator from Texas and others-- would have been so extreme at a conference committee that it would have just been a futile legislative exercise, and you did not want that to be exposed to the American people. I think that's one of the only conclusions that we can draw at this moment, with the benefit of hindsight, as to why in the world a conference committee was never appointed, even though that's something that you had been demanding, my good friends on the other side of the aisle, for the previous few years. So the American people aren't going to be fooled by these 11th- hour gimmicks--conference committee. What we need to do at this point is just pass a clean continuing resolution that, if it were to come to the floor of the United States House of Representatives, would have bipartisan support from Democrats and from Republicans, many of whom were mentioned earlier today by the distinguished Congressman from the Badger State (Mr. Pocan), and we could get beyond this shutdown, this Shakespearean tragedy, which is very painful for hardworking Americans, and go off and do the business of the American people. That's what needs to happen. I hope reasonable minds can come together. You can stop following the marching orders of outside agitators--who've got no interest in governing and are only concerned about 2016 and other ambitions that these individuals may harbor--and do the responsible thing so we can move this country forward.

Mr. JEFFRIES

Mr. JEFFRIES. Mr. Speaker, I rise in this institution after spending 6 years in the New York State Legislature. It was a very meaningful experience for me, notwithstanding the fact that the legislature in New York is sometimes derided as one of the more dysfunctional bodies in the country; but after witnessing the last few days here in the House of Representatives, it is clear to me that there is no more dysfunctional place in this country than the House of Representatives under the current majority control. This is a manufactured crisis that has unnecessarily plunged us into a painful government shutdown, a shutdown that will harm the American people. The House majority has placed children in jeopardy--tens of thousands shut out of the Head Start program. The House majority has placed seniors in jeopardy--unable to benefit from the Meals on Wheels program, partially funded by the Federal Government. The House majority with this government shutdown has placed expectant mothers in jeopardy and individuals who are now unable to get the nutritional assistance that might otherwise be available. You have placed veterans in jeopardy, Mr. Speaker. The House majority has placed families in jeopardy--more than 800,000 hardworking civil servants cast out onto the streets, with the uncertainty to determine when they may be able to pay their bills. The House majority with this government shutdown has placed the economy of the American people in jeopardy. Enough is enough. I am trying to figure out who actually is in charge, Mr. Speaker. Are you in control of your conference on the other side of the aisle? Is it the Tea Party that is in control of the House of Representatives agenda? Is it outside agitators or the junior Senator from Texas who barks out orders on the other side of the aisle, and then they're executed in lockstep by the extremists here in the House of Representatives? Mr. Speaker, who is in charge? Who is responsible on your side of the aisle for marching us down this dangerous path? I have also been struggling in trying to figure out why are you so angry about the Affordable Care Act. What is it that you are so upset about? Are you angry about the fact that tens of millions of previously uninsured Americans will have access to health care? Are you upset about the fact that the law will prevent discrimination against individuals, including children with preexisting conditions? Are you angry about the fact that the Medicare part D doughnut hole will be closed and that seniors all across America will have access to more robust prescription drug coverage? Are you angry about the fact that young people in a difficult economy can stay on their parents' health insurance plans until they are the age of 26? What exactly are you upset about? Are you angry about the fact that small businesses will have access to tax credits--as much as 35 percent--in order to insure their employees in a manner that will help these small businesses grow and prosper? Enough already. The Affordable Care Act is the law of the land. It was passed by a duly elected Congress in 2010 with the great leadership of Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid. You have lost legislatively, Mr. Speaker. The Affordable Care Act was determined to be constitutional by the Supreme Court of the United States of America in an opinion written by Chief Justice John Roberts, an individual nominated by George W. Bush. You've lost legally. Then the President of the United States of America was reelected last November in an electoral college landslide. You have lost politically, Mr. Speaker. Enough already. Why are we in this situation? I would simply ask that we pass a clean CR and get back to doing the business of the American people.

Mr. JEFFRIES

Mr. JEFFRIES. I thank the distinguished gentlelady from New York. Mr. Speaker, the House GOP has once again exposed its extremism for all of the American people to see. The resolution that underlies this rule is dead on arrival in the Senate and will not be signed into law by the President. And so what we have embarked on is a futile legislative joyride that will only end in a government shutdown, that will hurt children, hurt families, hurt the military, hurt senior citizens, and hurt our economy. This is an unnecessary Shakespearean tragedy. Why are we continuing to fight a battle that you have already lost? You lost it in 2010 legislatively when this Congress passed the Affordable Care Act. You lost it jurisprudentially in a court of law when the Supreme Court in 2012 declared the Affordable Care Act constitutional, and then you lost it politically last November when the President was reelected to a second term. Why are we continuing to litigate an issue that has already been resolved? It's time to confront reality. The Affordable Care Act is the law of the land. Let's move on and get back to doing the business of the American people.

Mr. JEFFRIES

Mr. JEFFRIES. It is an honor and a privilege, Mr. Speaker, to once again have this opportunity to stand here on the floor of the House of Representatives and to anchor the CBC Special Order where, for the next 60 minutes, members of the Congressional Black Caucus have an opportunity to speak directly to the American people on an issue of great significance to us, which is the future of the organized labor movement and how that relates to the economic viability of the African American community and to America as a whole. Now, today, we've all just returned from the August recess. We are here back at the Capitol, and of course we're in the midst of a very robust period of deliberation as it relates to the administration's request for us to grant authorization for this country to strike militarily against Syria for what appears to be the use of chemical weapons, which is in violation of international law, against the Syrian people. That debate will play itself out over the next few days and, perhaps, even the next few weeks; but while we undertake that solemn obligation to make the best decision for this country and for our constituents as it relates to such a critical issue of war and peace and possible military engagement, we also have a similar responsibility to deal with the domestic issues that continue to impact our constituents as well as the American people. We know that we are still in the midst of a very sluggish economic recovery and that the American worker has fallen behind relative to the position that that worker was in coming out of World War II and through the sixties and the seventies, into the eighties and the nineties. This is a matter of urgent concern to the members of the Congressional Black Caucus, and it should be a matter of urgent concern to everyone who is a Member of this august body. Part of the deterioration of the American worker, I believe, empirically can be shown to be directly related to the deterioration of unionized membership here in this great country. So we will explore those topics. We are a week removed from the Labor Day celebration, and we are also a few weeks removed from the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington, a march that was projected as one both for jobs and for freedom. We often focus on the civil rights aspect of the march--and it produced some tremendous pieces of legislation--but the March on Washington was also about jobs and economic opportunity, and it was put together with the significant assistance of the organized labor movement here in America. I've been joined by several distinguished colleagues, Members of the House of Representatives, but also of members of the class of 2012-- this wonderful freshman class. I believe the first speaker will be the distinguished gentleman--my good friend from the other side of the Hudson River, the always nattily dressed--Representative Donald Payne, Jr.

Mr. JEFFRIES. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members be given 5 days to revise and extend their remarks.

Mr. JEFFRIES

Mr. JEFFRIES. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in celebration of the 114th birthday of Ms. Susannah Mushatt Jones, who is affectionately called Miss Susie. Considered the oldest resident in New York State by the Gerontology Research Group, she is a beloved member of the Brooklyn community I am proud to represent in Congress. In honor of her birthday, Miss Susie was honored on July 12, 2013, at the Vandalia Senior Center in Brooklyn, NY. We revel not just the years since her birth, but the history she has witnessed in three separate centuries. From experiencing segregation in the South to being a first-hand witness of the Civil Rights movement in New York, we commemorate her birthday with awe and inspiration. Miss Susie was born into a large, loving family on July 6, 1899, in Lowndes County, Alabama as the third of eleven children. In 1923 she moved to New York as part of the Great Migration of African Americans from the rural South to cities in the North, Midwest, and West. Miss Susie dedicated her professional pursuits to children, first as a schoolteacher and then as a childcare provider. At one point, she moved to Hollywood to work for a family in the film industry. During her time on the west coast, she enjoyed socializing with movie stars and attending movie premieres. She fondly remembers meeting Ronald Reagan, Clark Gable, and Cary Grant. Family has always surrounded Miss Susie: she takes great delight in being an aunt to over 100 nieces and nephews. Throughout her life, she has brightened many lives with her positive attitude and infectious laugh. She resides in Vandalia Houses and was an active member of the Vandalia Houses Senior Center tenant patrol through her 100th birthday. Miss Susie credits her healthy lifestyle free of smoking and drinking for her longevity. Mr. Speaker, I ask that you and my other distinguished colleagues join me in celebrating Ms. Susannah Mushatt Jones on her 114th birthday.

Mr. JEFFRIES

Mr. JEFFRIES. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in celebration of the 100th birthday of Mrs. Lucy T. Davis. Mrs. Davis is a beloved member of the community; throughout her life, she has brightened the lives of all she encountered. In celebration of her centennial birthday, Mrs. Davis was honored on May 11, 2013 at the Bishop Hucles Nursing Home in Brooklyn, NY. Mrs. Davis was born in Macon, Georgia on May 12, 1913, and in 1931 her family moved to Brooklyn, NY as part of the Great Migration of African Americans from the rural South to cities in the North, Midwest, and West. While doing domestic work during the day, Mrs. Davis took night courses to learn office skills. During World War II she moved to Washington, DC to work for the United States Department of Defense as a typist. After World War II, Mrs. Davis returned to Brooklyn, NY where she became a supervisor at the Department of Motor Vehicles. She has been an active member of Cornerstone Baptist Church since 1950. In 1984, Dr. Harry S. Wright appointed Mrs. Davis as the third chairperson of the Board of Christian Education at Cornerstone Baptist Church. During her tenure as chairperson, the board sponsored a Youth Speak Out; a Cinema Club; and a series of family activities including an annual family church outing, family night, and a family Sunday where the board honored three families from the congregation--a young family, a middle-aged family, and a senior family. She greatly contributed to the vitality of the Church through the numerous roles that she held. From 1985 to 1993 she led the Tuesday afternoon Bible Study. She also led the Circle South in the Missionary Society. Mrs. Davis was an outstanding Sunday School teacher, who my brother, Hasan, and I were very fortunate to have learned from. Throughout her life, Mrs. Davis has been an avid student. She took many courses in adult education from the City of New York. She received her first, second, and third certificates of progress from the National Baptist Congress of Christian Education. Mrs. Davis also greatly enjoys reading and painting. We thank her beloved goddaughter, Rose Davis Utendahl, for traveling from Alabama for this celebration. Mr. Speaker, I ask that you and my other distinguished colleagues join me in congratulating Mrs. Davis on her 100th birthday. For her dedication to the community, she is worthy of the highest praise.

Mr. JEFFRIES

Mr. JEFFRIES. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of the achievements of Councilman Albert Vann. During his years of service, Councilman Vann has helped thousands and worked tirelessly to improve the lives of all those he encountered. In celebration of his 30 years of outstanding service, Councilman Vann was honored on May 9, 2013, at Boys and Girls High School in Brooklyn, NY, where the library was renamed in his honor. As both a teacher and elected official, Councilman Vann has served the people of Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn, the community in which he was born and raised. Councilman Vann graduated from Franklin K. Lane High School and went on to earn his B.B.A. from Toledo University, his Master's Degree in Education from Yeshiva University, and his Master's Degree in Guidance and Counseling from Long Island University. He served as a sergeant in the United States Marine Corps. Prior to being elected to public office, Councilman Vann taught at PS 256, JHS 35, and JHS 271 in Brooklyn, NY. Councilman Vann served in the New York State Assembly from 1974-2001. Throughout these years, he continually and fervently represented the needs of his constituents. As Chairman of the New York State Black & Puerto Rican Caucus, he worked to prevent racial gerrymandering of the New York City Council. In 1982 he filed a lawsuit that increased the representation of communities of color--this landmark victory led to the creation of two additional Congressional Districts, three additional State Senate Districts, and six additional State Assembly Districts that represented communities of color in New York State. In 2001, Mr. Vann was elected to the New York City Council. He has done a tremendous job as Chair of the Council's Committee on Community Development, where he has addressed poverty, foreclosures, and predatory equity. While in the New York City Council, Councilman Vann founded the 36th Council District Katrina Relief Effort, the Black Brooklyn Empowerment Convention, and New York City Works, which strives to reduce the disproportionately high unemployment rate in Black and Latino communities. Recognizing the importance of empowering residents to improve their communities, he created several taskforces including: Education Taskforce; Senior Taskforce; Community Safety Taskforce; Youth Taskforce; and the Coalition for the Improvement of Bedford-Stuyvesant. Through his leadership with the Council's HIV/AIDS Faith-Based Initiative, Councilman Vann has improved HIV/AIDS prevention outreach throughout New York City. Councilman Vann's vision led to the co-naming of Fulton Street as Harriet Ross Tubman Avenue and New York State's recognition of Harriet Tubman Day. Councilman Vann has truly been a trailblazer, whose positive influence will have an everlasting effect on the community. His record of achievement would not have been possible without the love and support of his wife, Mildred Vann, their four children and eight grandchildren. We thank his family for sharing him with us all. Mr. Speaker, I ask that you and my other distinguished colleagues join me in congratulating Councilman Vann on his 30 years of outstanding service. For his commitment to the people of Brooklyn, he is worthy of the highest praise.