John Lewis

Mr. LEWIS

Mr. LEWIS. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the measure.

Mr. LEWIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 3151, the Taxpayer First Act. Mr. Speaker, this is not a Republican or a Democratic bill. It is an American one. Let me begin by thanking Chairman Neal, Ranking Member Brady, the Oversight Subcommittee Ranking Member Kelly, and all the Members who joined us on this bill. I would also like to recognize Chairman Grassley and Ranking Member Wyden and their staff who were our Senate partners on this necessary effort. In particular, I would like to thank our staff for their hard, great, and good work. Mr. Speaker, I am proud of the process and the product. The record must be clear: Members of the House and Senate spent many years researching ideas to help taxpayers. The Oversight Subcommittee held 14 hearings and roundtables. We reached out to taxpayers and stakeholders. We have asked questions and listened to the responses. We asked Democratic and Republican Members to provide feedback. We even opened a public comment period on the draft bill. We came together. We studied, we listened, and we respected the taxpayer. Mr. Speaker, this has not been easy. We worked hard to correct misinformation that this bill would tie the hands of the IRS and hurt taxpayers' options. During a time when there is so much tension and rush to judgment, our coalition remained thoughtful and fair. After the House passed this legislation earlier this year, new information came out, and I am proud that we came together and requested an investigation and the IRS responded quickly and took action. Mr. Speaker, despite every single challenge, we remained committed to bipartisanship and to the American taxpayer. I want to share a few examples of the good this bill does. The Taxpayer First Act authorizes $30 million in matching grants for the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program which helps low- and moderate- income taxpayers complete and file their taxes. This bill also protects certain low-income taxpayers from the private debt collection program. In addition, some of the most popular parts of the bill include new initiatives to protect and serve taxpayers who are victims of identity theft. Mr. Speaker, the Taxpayer First Act serves as an example of a good and thoughtful policy that Congress can produce. We took our time. We studied, and we stayed the course. We refused to give up, and we refused to give in. Mr. Speaker, this bill should be an inspiration to us all. Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to support the Taxpayer First Act, and I reserve the balance of my time. House of Representatives, Committee on Ways and Means, Washington, DC, June 10, 2019. Hon. Nita M. Lowey, Chairwoman, Committee on Appropriations, Washington, DC. Dear Chairwoman Lowey: Thank you for consulting with the Committee on Ways and Means on provisions of H.R. 3151, the Taxpayer First Act, for which the Committee on Appropriations has a jurisdictional interest. I appreciate your agreement to not pursue a sequential referral or assert any point of order so that the legislation may proceed expeditiously to the House floor. The Committee on Ways and Means confirms our mutual understanding that your Committee does not waive any jurisdiction over the subject matter contained in this or similar legislation, and your Committee will be appropriately consulted and involved as the bill or similar legislation moves forward so that we may address any remaining issues within your Committee's jurisdiction. I will ensure that this exchange of letters is included in the Congressional Record during floor consideration of the bill. I appreciate your cooperation regarding this legislation and look forward to continuing to work with you on this measure and future legislation. Sincerely, Richard E. Neal, Chairman.

Mr. LEWIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Hill).

Mr. LEWIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. Mr. Speaker, the Taxpayer First Act is a bipartisan bill in both the House and in the Senate. This bill will improve the Internal Revenue Service and help taxpayers. This is a good and necessary bill. Again, I would like to thank the ranking member, Mr. Brady, and thank Mr. Kelly in his absence, Chairman Neal, and our staff for all of their hard and good work on this important bill. Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support the Taxpayer First Act, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. LEWIS

Mr. LEWIS. Madam Speaker, I rise in honor of National Foster Care Month, which has been observed in May for more than thirty years, and to speak about an issue that affects foster children and families across America. Too many children dream of a stable, loving, family. Many adults want to open their homes and their hearts, but they face barriers because the system says that they practice the wrong religion, love the wrong person, or are not married. My friends, this is discrimination. It is not right, not fair, and not just. I am proud to sponsor the Every Child Deserves a Family Act to change that. This bill is the right thing to do, and quite frankly, it is long overdue. It does not matter whether we are gay or straight, married or single, Christian, Jewish, or Muslim. It does not matter whether we practice all religions or no religion. It does not matter whether we are African American, Latino, Native American, Asian American, or white. We are all one people, one country. And we must each do our part to ensure that every young person and aspiring parent is able to enjoy the dream of a loving, stable family. I look forward to reintroducing the Every Child Deserves a Family Act next week.

Mr. LEWIS

Mr. LEWIS. Mr. Speaker, I thank my friend from New York for yielding. I thank David, my friend and my brother, for his leadership. Today is May 17. On May 17, 1954, the United States Supreme Court issued a decision. I remember that decision. I was 17 years old. I thought I would be attending the segregated school. It never happened for me. Today, on this day, we have an opportunity to send a message now, to help end discrimination in our country and set all of our people free. Announcement by the Speaker Pro Tempore

Mr. LEWIS

Mr. LEWIS. Madam Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to Judge Damon Keith. He was a great American and a brilliant federal judge. Over the years, I had the honor of meeting Judge Keith a few times. He was always gracious and thoughtful. Appointed by Presidents Johnson and Carter, Judge Keith worked for more than half a century to help our nation realize the dream of a more perfect union. He spent every single day committed to helping our country respect the dignity, worth, and equality of every human being--whether it was their right to vote, education, housing, employment, or privacy. Madam Speaker, today, my thoughts are with his family, friends, and community, who were kind enough to share this amazing man with a grateful nation.

Mr. LEWIS

Mr. LEWIS. Mr. Speaker, I rise to express a sense of righteous indignation about the violence peaceful people of faith must now concern themselves with in places of worship all over America. We have come to the point in this Nation where we can no longer attend church or go to the synagogue or the mosque without fearing the worst. How many lives must we lose before we decide there is not any room in America for hate? Martin Luther King, Jr., once said: ``Hate is too heavy a burden to bear.'' We must bring an end to wanton gun violence before it robs this Nation of its very soul. The people in my district pray without ceasing for the victims of the Poway shooting. As leaders of this Nation, let's commit ourselves today to bring this violence to an end here and now.

Mr. LEWIS

Mr. LEWIS. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1957) to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to modernize and improve the Internal Revenue Service, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. LEWIS. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the measure.

Mr. LEWIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 1957, as amended, the Taxpayer First Act of 2019. I would like to begin by thanking my good friend, the gentlewoman from New York (Mrs. Lowey), who is the chair of the Appropriations Committee for her support and helping move this important bill. Mr. Speaker, this is not a Republican or a Democratic bill. It is an American one. I am proud of the process and the product. I also want to thank Chairman Neal and Ranking Member Brady; the Oversight Subcommittee Ranking Member Kelly, my good friend; and all members of the Subcommittee on Oversight for joining me on this bill. I also would like to thank our former subcommittee chairs, the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Buchanan) and our former colleague from Kansas, Ms. Jenkins, for their great work. In addition, I am pleased that Chairman Grassley, and Ranking Member Wyden introduced a companion bill in the Senate. Mr. Speaker, I would also like to congratulate all of the House Members and Senators who have bills and ideas that are included in this bill. Mr. Speaker, as you well know, and as I know, and as other members of the committee know, this is a good bill. It is a necessary bill to do what is right and what is fair. In particular, I would like to thank our staff, Karen, Rachel, Susan, Isabella, Zach, Lindsay, Jason, Lori, Michael, and Jamila. They worked so hard on this important bill, and I have faith that this time we will cross the finish line. We have been trying for years. Three times this bill passed the House. These individuals worked so hard on this important bill, and I have faith that this time we will do more than just cross the finish line. For many years, the Oversight Subcommittee worked in a bipartisan manner to improve the IRS. This bill is the result of many hearings, thoughtful oversight, and help from stakeholders. Mr. Speaker, we took our time and we did it right. We asked Democrat and Republican Members to provide feedback. We reached out to taxpayers and advocates. We asked questions and listened to the response. We listened to the answers. We learned that we all share the common goal of finding ways to help American taxpayers, and there is no time like the present. Mr. Speaker, this is the season when millions of Americans are working around the clock to file their taxes by April 15. I am proud that this Congress will respond to their concerns with this bill to improve taxpayer services, protect taxpayers during enforcement, and strengthen the appeals process. Mr. Speaker, the Taxpayer First Act contains many commonsense policies to achieve these goals. For example, the bill provides for matching grants for the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program which help low-income and moderate-income taxpayers complete and file their taxes. This bill also protects low-income taxpayers and people who receive Social Security disability insurance, benefits from the private debt collection program. Above all, the Taxpayer First Act serves as an example of the good and thoughtful policy that Congress can produce when both the process and the product are bipartisan. Mr. Speaker, with this bill, we show taxpayers and IRS public servants that their frustration does not fall on deaf ears, blind eyes, and hard hearts. With this bill, Congress heard their concerns and responded to their calls, to their cries for action, and we did act. Mr. Speaker, this bill should be an inspiration to us all. I urge all of my colleagues to support this bill, and I reserve the balance of my time. House of Representatives, Committee on Financial Services, Washington, DC, April 8, 2019. Hon. Richard E. Neal, Chairman, Committee on Ways and Means, Washington, DC. Dear Mr. Chairman: I am writing concerning H.R. 1957, the ``Taxpayers First Act of 2019.'' Because you have been working with the Committee on Financial Services concerning provisions in the bill that fall within our Rule X jurisdiction, I agree to forgo formal consideration of the bill so that it may proceed expeditiously to the House Floor. I do so based on my understanding that the Committee on Ways and Means will work to ensure that the text of H.R. 1957 that will be considered by House of Representatives will include changes that have been discussed between the two Committees. The Committee on Financial Services takes this action to forego formal consideration of H.R. 1957 with our mutual understanding that, by foregoing formal consideration of H.R. 1957 at this time, we do not waive any jurisdiction over the subject matter contained in this or similar legislation, and that our Committee will be appropriately consulted and involved as this or similar legislation moves forward. Our Committee also reserves the right to seek appointment of an appropriate number of conferees to any House-Senate conference involving this or similar legislation and request your support for any such request. Finally, I would appreciate your response to this letter confirming this understanding, and I would ask that a copy of our exchange of letters on this matter be included in the Congressional Record during Floor consideration of H.R. 1957. Sincerely, Maxine Waters, Chairwoman.

Mr. LEWIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Danny K. Davis).

Mr. LEWIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from the great State of Alabama (Ms. Sewell).

Mr. LEWIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Judy Chu).

Mr. LEWIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Wisconsin (Ms. Moore).

Mr. LEWIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Hill).

Mr. LEWIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from New York (Ms. Ocasio-Cortez).

Mr. LEWIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I want to thank Mr. Kelly--my friend, my brother--for all of his help, all of his support. Working together, Democrats and Republicans, we can get some things done. It has been a pleasure to work with the gentleman on this bill. Mr. Speaker, the Taxpayer First Act is a bipartisan bill in both the House and the Senate. The bill will improve the Internal Revenue Service and help our taxpayers. Again, I want to thank my friend, the gentleman from Pennsylvania, for working with me on this bill. And he is a good friend. We have traveled together from Washington, D.C., to the heart of the Deep South with his grandson and several Members of Congress. Again, I want to thank him and ask him to tell his grandson I said hi. Mr. Speaker, this bill is a product of more than 14 hearings and a number of roundtables over the past 3 years in the Subcommittee on Oversight. It is a good and thoughtful policy. I urge all of my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support the Taxpayer First Act. I want to thank all of the staff, each and every one of them, on both sides of the aisle, for helping us. Without their help and without their support, we would not be here. Again, I say thank you. Mr. Speaker, again, I say thank you to my friend and my brother, Mr. Kelly, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. LEWIS

Mr. LEWIS. Madam Speaker, I first met Louise Slaughter 32 years ago during our freshman orientation. From the first day, she stood out. Louise was an unbelievable, kind, beautiful person. She was a born leader who was thoughtful, mindful, and she didn't take any stuff. I loved Louise. She called me Brother John, and I called her Sister Louise. We miss Louise. I can see her standing up on this floor now speaking truth to power. She never gave up; she never gave in; she kept her faith; and she kept her eyes on the prize. Madam Speaker, I thank Louise for her service, and I know she is with her beloved Bob.

Mr. LEWIS

Mr. LEWIS. Madam Chair, I rise in strong support on H.R. 1, and I urge each and every one of our colleagues to support this bill. Madam Chair, you have heard me say on occasion that the right to vote is precious--almost sacred. In a democratic society, it the most powerful nonviolent instrument or tool that we have. In my heart of hearts, I believe we have a moral responsibility to restore access for all of our citizens who desire to participate in the democratic process. Many people marched and protested for the right to vote. Some gave a little blood. Others gave their very lives. This weekend, many of our colleagues traveled with us to Alabama--to Birmingham, to Montgomery, and to Selma. They saw the signs in the museums that said, ``White only.'' ``Colored only.'' They visited the First Baptist Church in downtown Montgomery where we feared for our lives as a mob waited outside to attack and kill us. They stood on the Edmund Pettus Bridge--crossing the Alabama River-- where we were beaten, trampled, and tear-gassed for attempting to march from Selma to Montgomery to dramatize the need for voting rights. Madam Chair, you have heard me tell this story before, and you know our work is not finished. It makes me sad. It makes me feel like crying when people are denied the right to vote. We all know that this is not a Democratic or a Republican issue. It is an American one. For the past few days, I listened to the debate on this bill. I spent some time having what I call an executive session with myself. The words of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., came to mind. He would often say that the ``arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice.'' This vote is an opportunity to be on the right side of history. It is a chance to cast a vote by the people, of the people, and for the people. So I ask you: If not us, then who? If not now, then when? The time has arrived to tear down the barriers to the ballot box. Today, we are able to do our part in this long fight for the very soul of our Nation. Let's save our Nation and redeem the soul of America.

Mr. LEWIS. Madam Speaker, I believe in the way of peace, in the way of love. I believe in the philosophy and the discipline of nonviolence. Can we come together and support a simple piece of legislation to open up the political process and let all of our people come in? I ask you to remember what I said a few moments ago. With this vote, we have an opportunity to be a headlight and not a taillight. Some of our colleagues are complaining that we didn't have enough time. We have the time. This piece of legislation was introduced more than 7 years ago, and the other party didn't do anything. We are prepared to act. We are prepared to open up the political process and let all of the people come in. It is the right thing to do. It is a good thing to do, to set our country on a path, a path that can be a model for the rest of the world.

Mr. LEWIS

Mr. LEWIS. Mr. Chair, I thank my friend, the chairman, for yielding. Mr. Chair, I rise in strong support of this bipartisan bill. Atlanta, Chicago, Pittsburgh, Parkland, Charleston, Oak Creek, Newtown, Orlando, Las Vegas, and many other places: How many more must suffer? How many more must die? For years, the people spoke up. Mothers called. Fathers cried. Students marched. But Congress offered a blind eye or a deaf ear to their cries. Today, we say to those who begged and pleaded for us to act that we see you. We feel your pain. We heard your cries, and we are going to answer today, now. We sat in on this floor. I want to thank the chair of our task force, Mike Thompson, for never giving up, for never giving in, for keeping the faith, for keeping your eyes on the prize. We are doing the right thing today. We have a mission. We have an obligation and a mandate to pass this bipartisan bill that must become public law. Today, I urge all my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to vote ``yes.'' It is good. It is the right thing to do to save lives and to stop this madness.

Mr. LEWIS

Mr. LEWIS. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of this resolution. Some of you may be old enough to remember when Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., traveled to Berlin in 1964. He reminded those gathered that a man-made barrier could not change the fact that the people on both sides of the wall were God's children. Mr. Speaker, I ask you today: What does it profit our Nation to gain a wall and lose our soul? North and south of the border, we are one people. We are bound together by our common humanity. Mr. Speaker, this executive action betrays our values, our democracy, and the very soul of our Nation. As Members of Congress in a nation of immigrants, we have a constitutional mission and a mandate to preserve the balance of powers and to oppose this monument to hate. Today, each and every one of us has a moral obligation to do what is right, what is just, and what is fair by passing this resolution. Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to vote ``yes.''

Mr. LEWIS

Mr. LEWIS. Madam Speaker, I am saddened to share that my friend passed away last week. I rise today with a heavy heart to recognize Senior Bishop McKinley Young, who served as the 109th Bishop from Big Bethel AME Church in Atlanta since 1992. One of the beloved sons of Atlanta, he was a man of the people and for the people. After completing his studies in Atlanta's public schools, Bishop Young continued his education by earning degrees from Morris Brown College, Andover Newton Theological School, and the University of Chicago Divinity School. An additional six institutions of higher education recognized him with honorary doctorate degrees. Over the years, the Bishop pastored in Providence, Rhode Island, Chicago and Evanston, Illinois, but Atlanta was always home. In our community, he was committed to the souls of his congregants and service to our society. Throughout Metro Atlanta, Bishop Young initiated voter registration, education, mobilization, which led to a day of action at the Georgia State Capitol. He was an active supporter of the African Methodist Episcopal Church Service and Development Agency (AME-SADA) for over 20 years and most recently served as chair of the board. Bishop Young also served as the president of the Council of Bishops and the General Board and chaired the Commissions on Women in Ministry, Global Witness and Ministry, Annuity Investments and Insurance, and the Commission on Church Growth and Development. This great man spoke up and spoke out on behalf of those who had no one to speak for them. Bishop Young worked tirelessly to give hope and opportunity to those, who were left out and left behind. He ministered to those who were lost in the wilderness of despair. In my heart of hearts I know that the impact of his prophetic leadership will be felt by generations yet unborn. Madam Speaker, today, I offer my deepest condolences to his loving wife, Dorothy Jackson Young; children, Karyn (Ron) Young-Lowe, Deana (Julius) McAllister, Andrea (Roderick) Jones and Stephanie Lynn Young; grandchildren, Jennifer Renee and Jessica Christina Lowe, Julius III, Colin and Dylan McAllister, Peyton, Noah and Miles Jones. I thank them for sharing this ``faithful giant'' with us.

Mr. LEWIS

Mr. LEWIS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to join my constituents and the African American Fire Fighters Historical Society in recognizing the tenth anniversary of Ms. Toni Washington's appointment as the fire chief of Decatur, Georgia. On January 6, 2009, Chief Washington became the first African- American and the first woman to serve as the City of Decatur's fire chief and emergency manager. As the fourth of six African-American women appointed as fire chief in the United States, Chief Washington is the only African-American woman who is actively leading a fire department. Chief Washington began her public safety career at the Georgia State Fire Marshal's Office and continued her career at a Metro Atlanta fire department where she was promoted up to the rank of Deputy Fire Chief. Prior to her career in public safety, Ms. Washington worked on Turner Home Entertainment's marketing and public relations team, on actress Jane Fonda's staff, and with the Cobb Microenterprise Council. Chief Washington earned an undergraduate degree in business administration with an emphasis on marketing and management from Savannah State University and continued her studies at National Louis University, where she earned a master's of science degree in managerial leadership. She maintains a commitment to professional development exemplified by her attendance of the Dr. Carl Holmes Executive Development Institute at Dillard University and the National Fire Academy, and her Chief Fire Officer designation from the Center for Public Safety Excellence. In her limited spare time, Chief Washington is also active in numerous professional associations and community organizationi She is a proud member of the Metro Atlanta Fire Chiefs Association, International Association of Black Professional Fire Fighters, the Black Chief Officers Committee, the International Association of Fire Chiefs, the Georgia State Firefighters Association, and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Ms. Washington also chairs the Georgia Firefighters Bum Foundation's board of directors, is a trustee of the iWomen board, and volunteers with the Decatur Career Academy Advisory's council and various mentoring programs. In closing, Madam Speaker, I would also like to extend my warmest greetings and congratulations to Chief Washington's loving family--her husband Gregory; daughters--Tahj, Lark, and Lauryn; son-in-laws--Lyndon and Mark; and her grandsons--Little Lyndon and Logan. I commend Chief Washington on her 10th anniversary and thank her for serving the City of Decatur and contributing to the safety and well-being of our region and nation.