Zoe Lofgren

Ms. LOFGREN

Ms. LOFGREN. Madam Speaker, pursuant to House Resolution 179, I call up the bill (H.R. 1) to expand Americans' access to the ballot box, reduce the influence of big money in politics, strengthen ethics rules for public servants, and implement other anti-corruption measures for the purpose of fortifying our democracy, and for other purposes, and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.

Ms. LOFGREN. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and to insert extraneous material on H.R. 1 into the Record.

Ms. LOFGREN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, this amendment would strike subtitle C of title III, the election security title in H.R. 1, which requires the President to produce a national strategy for protecting U.S. democratic institutions. It also creates a national commission to protect United States democratic institutions to counter threats. In light of the evidence of foreign interference in the 2016, 2018, and 2020 Federal elections, the Federal Government needs a coordinated approach to protect and secure our democracy. While our election infrastructure officials have said that the 2020 election was the most secure in history, we know it is not because our foreign adversaries are no longer attempting to interfere in our elections. They will continue their efforts, and we must take steps to ensure our elections continue to be secure. This provision in H.R. 1 is important to that endeavor. The national strategy will provide guidance on how to protect against cyberattacks, influence operations, disinformation campaigns, and other activities that could undermine the security and integrity of United States democratic institutions. The purpose of the national commission to protect the United States democratic institutions is to counter efforts to undermine democratic institutions within the United States. The national strategy and commission will be important to protecting the integrity of our elections and preventing foreign interference in our democracy. Mr. Speaker, we must stay vigilant. Our enemies are not resting, and neither are we. This provision is an important part of the bill. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote ``no'' on the amendment from the gentleman from Illinois. I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. LOFGREN. Madam Speaker, I am happy to yield 1 minute to the gentleman from California (Mr. Levin).

Ms. LOFGREN. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. LOFGREN. I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 1, the For the People Act of 2021. Today, we can deliver this to the American people. We can deliver the gold standard of reforms to protect the right of Americans to vote. We can take a huge step to fulfill that promise in our Constitution of a more perfect Union. More voters cast a ballot in the 2020 election than in history, in an election that has been called the most secure in American history by election security experts. The last election, conducted during a once-in-a-generation pandemic, saw changes that made it easier for many Americans to vote, with reforms like absentee voting and early voting. It also put into stark focus what many of us already knew: deep inequities persist in our democratic system. Now comes the backlash to the increase in voter participation. That record turnout, with no credible instances of election irregularity, stimulated hundreds of bills in State legislatures to make it harder for Americans to vote in the future. We should protect access to the ballot, not restrict it. H.R. 1 gives voters choices for how to cast their ballot. They want and need that. The bill has a minimum of 15 days of early voting, minimum standards for the number and location of ballot drop boxes, and a national standard for no-excuse absentee voting. It improves access for voters with disabilities, addresses challenges faced by Native American voters living on Tribal lands, and improves access for uniformed and overseas voters. H.R. 1 ends the practice of disenfranchising Americans with a prior felony conviction who are no longer incarcerated. It unrigs the drawing of congressional district lines by requiring independent redistricting commissions, removing politics from the process and creating fairer maps. H.R. 1 begins to remove the advantages of dark money and secret donors and lets our neighbors and communities regain their voice to fully participate in our political system. H.R. 1 will amplify the voices of small donors with an alternative, voluntary matching system for financing campaigns by empowering small- dollar contributors, without any taxpayer funds. The bill will save money and bolster the integrity of election administration. It makes improvements to our election security and requires States to use individual, durable, voter-verified paper ballots, a simple safeguard from cybersecurity threats that ensures an auditable paper trail. H.R. 1 will also strengthen congressional and executive branch ethical standards. Democracy is resilient, but the falsehoods spread in the lead-up to and following the 2020 election, as well as the shocking events right here on January 6, showed us all that democracy requires us to defend it. I urge all my colleagues to support H.R. 1 and ensure all Americans have an equal voice in our democracy. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. LOFGREN. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from Massachusetts (Mrs. Trahan).

Ms. LOFGREN. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from Pennsylvania (Ms. Scanlon), who is a member of the House Judiciary Committee.

Ms. LOFGREN. Mr. Speaker, I will just note that I oppose this amendment. I will wait until the next amendment to go into the underlying bill. I think much of what has been said this morning and this afternoon is simply incorrect. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. LOFGREN. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. LOFGREN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Jackson Lee), my colleague in the Judiciary Committee.

Ms. LOFGREN. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. LOFGREN

Ms. LOFGREN. Madam Speaker, I rise to acknowledge the 90th anniversary of the National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled (``NLS''). Established by a 1931 Act of Congress, the NLS administers a free national library program that provides braille and recorded materials to people who cannot see or handle traditional print materials through a national network of cooperating libraries. Since its establishment, the NLS has remained a leading force in the national effort to increase the access of those with low vision, blindness, or other print disabilities to reading materials and a shining example for similar programs around the world. Initially established as a program to serve only blind adults, the NLS was expanded in 1952 to include children, in 1966 to include individuals with other physical disabilities that prevent reading traditional print materials, and in 2016 to permit NLS to provide refreshable braille displays. Under a special provision of the U.S. Copyright Law, and with the permission of authors and publishers of works not covered by that provision, NLS selects books and magazines for full-length publication in braille, e-braille, and digital audio format. These materials (along with free playback equipment needed to ready audiobooks and magazines) are circulated to patrons within the United States and its territories and to American citizens living abroad. The program continues to expand in both its reach and capabilities, now allowing for instantly downloadable digital audio and e-braille materials via the NLS mobile applications and allowing patrons to request accessible materials in a wide range of languages from libraries around the world. The banner atop the NLS webpage announces the service's noble mission: ``That All May Read.'' Over the past 90 years, the NLS, which updated its name from the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped in 2019, has been steadfast in its efforts to accomplish this mission, ensuring that no person be denied the joy of literature and reading because of blindness or disability. The impact of the NLS over the past 90 years has been vast and far-reaching and I look forward to witnessing what the NLS will accomplish with another 90 years. On behalf of all of us in this House, congratulations to the National Library Service and to those who work tirelessly to make the NLS's outstanding mission a reality. Many thanks for all their good work.

Ms. LOFGREN

Ms. LOFGREN. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding. Our democracy is in urgent need of repair. The American people deserve a transparent, inclusive, and healthy democracy, and H.R. 1 will get us there. It is transformational, a once-in-a-generation, pro-democracy, anticorruption reform package. It is composed of comprehensive policies for eliminating structural and legal barriers to voting, ending the dominance of big money in our campaign finance reforms, and implementing real government ethics and accountability reforms. With this landmark bill, we take a giant leap toward ensuring our Republic is an authentic and inclusive representative democracy, and ensuring the voices of everyday Americans are no longer drowned out by those of wealthy special interests. Article I, Section 4 says this: ``The times, places and manner of holding elections for Senators and Representatives, shall be prescribed in each State by the legislature thereof; but the Congress may at any time by law make or alter such regulations.'' Mr. Speaker, that is what we are doing here. As the gentleman has said, we had a huge turnout in the 2020 election, despite efforts by some to suppress turnout. Now, we see legislatures all over the country trying to put barriers in place so the American people will not be able to exercise their franchise. That is simply wrong. We should look to our constitutional obligation to make sure that every American has the capacity to vote.

Ms. LOFGREN

Ms. LOFGREN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize and honor the principles of non-violence practiced by Mahatma Gandhi in light of recent vandalism of a Gandhi statue in Davis, California. As we continue to debate and settle our differences, we must continue to embody the principles of Gandhi, who not only brought independence to his own people, but inspired generations of civil rights activists, including the Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr. Violence and vandalism are never the answer and I call on all my colleagues to join me in condemning the desecration of the Gandhi Statue of Peace.

Ms. LOFGREN

Ms. LOFGREN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge and thank Ms. Lisbeth (Liz) McBride-Chambers for thirty years of dedicated and compassionate service as a member of the Office of Employee Assistance (OEA) at the United States House of Representatives. In an institution where Members are Constitutionally bound to serve terms in two-year increments, it is remarkable to note that Liz is only the second individual to serve as the OEA Director in the organization's thirty-year history. Liz joined the OEA team in May 1991 when the office was in the early stages of development. She was one of the first OEA employees hired by the beloved first Director, Bern Seidel. Through love, passion, and commitment to their profession, Bern and Liz skillfully developed the OEA into a preeminent employee assistance program. After Bern's passing in February 2017, Liz was promoted to serve as the Director of our OEA team. Through her skillful guidance and direction, Liz's office delivers comprehensive confidential services covering an array of personal and work-related issues to positively impact employee performance, productivity, and well-being. The OEA team also facilitates staff retreats for Member offices and conducts seminars on a variety of topics, including employee well- being, understanding stress and trauma, enhancing communication skills, and managing career transitions. In 2018, the OEA's scope expanded when Liz was entrusted to launch the House Wellness Center. Through her tireless efforts and close partnership with key stakeholders, the House community now has a comprehensive wellness program that provides assistance, information, and training on all aspects of well-being. While each of the OEA's program areas are important to the office's overall success, none can surpass the impact that Liz and her team have had in response to critical incidents involving the House community. Whether it was the aftermath of September 11, 2001, the tragic Congressional baseball shooting on June 14, 2017, the horrific siege on the Capitol on January 6, 2021, or any other critical incident, Liz's commitment and care provided comfort to those experiencing profound grief and distress. In addition to her outstanding contributions to the House community, Liz's impact has inspired countless waves of professionals in the field of employee assistance, As a member of the Employee Assistance Professionals Association (EAPA) for well over thirty years, Liz regularly attends and contributes to the organization's world conference, which includes serving as a chair and member of the annual conference program planning committee. Liz also served as Commissioner and Chair of the Employee Assistance Certification Commission. In this role, she established, maintained, and oversaw the development and stewardship of the Certified Employee Assistance Professional (CEAP) examination and credentialing processes. After completing her tenure in these vital roles, Liz continued serving as a volunteer trainer for EAPA's CEAP Exam Preparation Course. While it would be impossible to count all the lives Liz influenced and touched during this process, it goes without saying that her impact stretches beyond the counselors she helped through these endeavors. Every counselor who passed the rigorous credentialing and examination process with Liz's guidance and tutelage was granted the greatest gift of all; her knowledge and insights, which they in turn could pass along to the employees, organizations, and communities they serve across the globe. Based on these outstanding contributions, it should come as no surprise that Liz has been recognized by her peers both inside and outside of the House community. In 2007, Liz was the recipient of the CAO's Achieving Excellence Award. She was recognized as the EAPA Member of the Year in 2015. One year later, Liz received the Employee Excellence Award from the House Officers and Inspector General. Finally, in 2020, Liz had the high honor of receiving a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Congressional Management Foundation. Madam Speaker, I am honored to join those who have recognized Liz for her outstanding contributions and overall impact to the House of Representatives and to the greater employee assistance community. I also want to acknowledge Liz's entire team: Tiara Anderson, Breanna Becker, Daniel Coleman, Briana Cragwell, Georgeanna Goldstein, Margot Hawkins-Green, Rhonda Kaalund, Malia Klee, Jon Murphy, Paul Tewksbury, Emily Swartz, and Brian Weiss. This is a very special group of employees and they are all commended for their commitment, dedication, and professionalism. Madam Speaker, it is my distinct pleasure to recognize and thank Liz McBride for her unparalleled service to this great institution.

Ms. LOFGREN

Ms. LOFGREN. Madam Speaker, over the last few months, we have all come to appreciate the quiet competence of our dedicated public servants, without whom none of our democratic institutions would work. One such public servant, Lyle Green, will be retiring at the end of January from his position as the managing director of the Official Journals of Government (OJG) at the Government Publishing Office (GPO). In that role, Lyle has been responsible for publication of the Federal Register, along with every publication from Congress, including the Congressional Record, the House and Senate calendars, bills, hearings, reports, and even the phone directory. Lyle began his career at GPO in 1991 as a proofreader, where his colleagues soon recognized his talent and work ethic. Throughout his career, he was at the center of GPO's transition from a print-centric institution to one that leads on the digitization of public information, a transformation that has dramatically expanded the accessibility of key public documents to the American people. When GPO talks about its mission of ``Keeping America Informed,'' they are talking about many of the products produced by Lyle's team. Lyle has served as Managing Director since January of 2012 and prior to that he headed OJG's Congressional Publishing Services for five years. In those capacities, he spearheaded the production of the official materials for presidential inaugurations in 2009, 2013, and 2017, and led GPO's team through several blizzards, an earthquake, a pandemic, and now, regrettably, an attack by insurrectionists. Throughout it all, Lyle and his team got it done. Ensuring the timely production of the Federal Register and the Congressional Record is like having to produce two big-city newspapers every day. In addition, Lyle led his team through the production of thousand-page bills for immediate floor consideration, or the production of last-minute credentials for important, historic public events. In each case, Congress got what it needed--on time and accurate. There are generations of staff who always knew that if they ran into a problem, they could call Lyle at the Congressional Desk at GPO and he'd get it straightened out. And he always did it with grace and humility. As Lyle wraps up work on his fourth presidential inauguration, he deserves to be proud of his 30 years of service to GPO, Congress, and American democracy. As chairperson of GPO's oversight committee, the Joint Committee on Printing, I want to express Congress' gratitude for Lyle's tireless work on behalf of our constituents, most of whom will never know Lyle's continuing contributions. I wish Lyle lots of time with his family and his beloved Washington Nationals secure in the knowledge that he made a great and lasting contribution to his country. With his retirement at the end of this month, he will leave the agency he loves stronger than when he found it.

Ms. LOFGREN

Ms. LOFGREN. Madam Speaker, I am the only Member of Congress who has been involved in all three of the last Presidential impeachments. Those were long proceedings. Today, we don't need a long investigation to know the President incited right-wing terrorists to attack the Congress to try to overturn constitutional government. The actions were in public, plain as day. His actions are the most serious offense against our Constitution and our country. They are impeachable acts. The Founders devised the Impeachment Clause to protect against a President who would threaten constitutional order. If we don't act now, the Impeachment Clause would essentially be meaningless. Faced with these facts, if we don't impeach to protect our country, we will fail our own oath to protect and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and, yes, domestic. We have no choice. We must impeach. God bless America.

Ms. LOFGREN

Ms. LOFGREN. Mr. Speaker, last week, as we counted electoral college votes, I said this day marks a crossroads for our American democracy. We didn't know then what an ominous statement that was. We do now. Congress was attacked by a violent mob, incited by the President, to stop us from doing our constitutional job. The President not only encouraged the mob; he said he loved them and made no serious effort to stop them. Lives were lost and put in danger. Constitutional government was urgently threatened. The President's actions were not only wrong; they were dangerous. He lives in an alternate reality. He is a continuing threat to America. Vice President Pence should invoke the 25th Amendment, assume Presidential duties until the inauguration next week, and save us from a President who is unable to function, unable to protect our country. I urge all, including my Republican colleagues, to put politics aside. Act to secure the safety of our country. We truly are at a crossroads for our American democracy.

Ms. LOFGREN

Ms. LOFGREN. Madam Speaker, our duty today is significant but straightforward. We must count the votes of the electors as cast in the electoral college and announce the results. As discussed, our roles and responsibilities are established by the Constitution and Federal law, and they are clear. The facts before us are also clear. Pennsylvania submitted one slate of electors, as chosen by the voters of the State. The slate was certified according to State law. Now those lawful results must be counted and announced. Despite disinformation and any number of false claims that you may have heard, including here today, as former Attorney General Barr said: ``We have not seen fraud on a scale that could have effected a different outcome in the election.'' This is not simply a conclusory statement. The results of the election have been litigated. The record is clear: The lawsuits challenging the election results failed. They failed because there is simply no evidence to support these baseless claims. Now, it is one thing to tweet a belief, quite another to provide actual evidence. These cases failed because there is no evidence. Judges ruled in the lawsuits that the 2020 election was sound. It should come as no surprise that Republican officeholders have recognized the election results as legitimate and accurately determined in an election that was conducted safely, securely, and with integrity. We all take an oath to support and defend the Constitution. As we near the end of the task before us, let's remember the beginning of the Constitution. Before Article II and the 12th Amendment, which spell out the electoral college, and before Article I, which creates Congress, the Constitution begins with the preamble. The preamble is short and bold: ``We the people.'' The people spoke in historic numbers. Their votes have been counted. Their choice is clear. It is time, as the law requires, to announce the state of the people's vote. The violence and disorder inflicted on our democracy by seditious rioters today is an indication of why adherence to our Constitution is so vital. I urge all of us to stand up for law, for democracy, for our Constitution, and to stand up for America and reject this objection.

Ms. LOFGREN. Madam Speaker, I rise to strike the last word.

Ms. LOFGREN. Mr. President, the certificate of the electoral vote of the State of Montana seems to be regular in form and authentic, and it appears therefrom that Donald J. Trump from the State of Florida received 3 votes for President and Michael R. Pence from the State of Indiana received 3 votes for Vice President.

Ms. LOFGREN. Mr. President, the certificate of the electoral vote of the State of Iowa seems to be regular in form and authentic, and it appears therefrom that Donald J. Trump of the State of Florida received 6 votes for President and Michael R. Pence of the State of Indiana received 6 votes for Vice President.

Ms. LOFGREN. Mr. President, the certificate of the electoral vote of the Commonwealth of Kentucky seems to be regular in form and authentic, and it appears therefrom that Donald J. Trump of the State of Florida received 8 votes for President and Michael R. Pence of the State of Indiana received 8 votes for Vice President.

Ms. LOFGREN. Mr. President, the certificate of the electoral vote of the Commonwealth of Virginia seems to be in regular in form and authentic, and it appears therefrom that Joseph R. Biden, Jr., of the State of Delaware received 13 votes for President and Kamala D. Harris of the State of California received 13 votes for Vice President.