Zoe Lofgren

Ms. LOFGREN

Ms. LOFGREN. Mr. Speaker, I would just note that we write the laws, and we get to decide who can come and who can't come, and that is what this bill does. I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Jackson Lee), a member of the Judiciary Committee.

Ms. LOFGREN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from California (Mr. Costa), who has worked so very hard on this bill and represents an area where agriculture is king.

Ms. LOFGREN. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, this is the time to act. For many years, under the leadership of different Speakers with different majorities, we have talked about dealing with this issue, and that is all we did: we talked. You know, there is never a perfect piece of legislation, but as Mr. Panetta said, this is a darn good piece of legislation. It was the one that was crafted together, and a lot of people across America might be surprised that Republicans and Democrats sat down in a room, along with stakeholders who often don't agree with each other, and we worked things out. We came up with a plan that will work. We know it will work because we have a list of close to 300 agricultural entities, farmers all across the United States, who are asking us to please pass this bill. They know it will work. Madam Speaker, I include in the Record that list. November 18, 2019. Hon. Nancy Pelosi, Speaker, House of Representatives, Washington, DC. Hon. Kevin McCarthy, Minority Leader, House of Representatives, Washington, DC. Dear Speaker Pelosi and Minority Leader McCarthy: The undersigned groups, representing a broad cross-section of agriculture and its allies, urge you to advance the Farm Workforce Modernization Act (H.R. 5038) through the House to address the labor crisis facing American agriculture. A stable, legal workforce is needed to ensure farmers and ranchers have the ability to continue producing an abundant, safe, and affordable food supply. The effects of agriculture's critical shortage of labor reach far beyond the farm gate, negatively impacting our economic competitiveness, local economies, and jobs. Economists have found that every farm worker engaged in high- value, labor-intensive crop and livestock production sustains two to three off-farm jobs. As foreign producers take advantage of our labor shortage and gain market share, America will export not only our food production but also thousands of these farm-dependent jobs. Securing a reliable and skilled workforce is essential, not only for the agricultural industry but for the U.S. economy as a whole. The House must pass legislation that preserves agriculture's experienced workforce by allowing current farm workers to earn legal status. For future needs, legislation must include an agricultural worker visa program that provides access to a legal and reliable workforce moving forward. This visa program needs to be more accessible, predictable, and flexible to meet the needs of producers, including those with year-round labor needs, such as dairy and livestock which currently do not have meaningful access to any program. While the bill does include a few provisions that raise significant concerns for the agricultural community, we are committed to working together throughout the legislative process to fully address these issues. It is vital to move the Farm Workforce Modernization Act (H.R. 5038) through the House as a significant step in working to meet the labor needs of agriculture, both now and in the future. Sincerely, African-American Farmers of California; AgCountry Farm Credit Services; AgriBank FCB; Agribusiness Henderson County (AgHC); Agricultural Council of California Agri-Mark, Inc.; Alabama Farmers Cooperative; Alabama Nursery & Landscape Association; Almond Alliance of California; Amalgamated Sugar Company LLC; American AgCredit; American Agri-Women; American Beekeeping Federation; American Mushroom Institute; American Pistachio Growers; American Seed Trade Association AmericanHort. Arizona Cattle Feeders' Association; Arizona Landscape Contractors Association; Arizona Nursery Association; Arkansas Rice Growers Association; Associated Milk Producers Inc.; Association of Virginia Potato and Vegetable Growers; Aurora Organic Dairy; AZ Farm & Ranch Group; Battlefield Farms, Inc.; Bipartisan Policy Center Action; Bongards' Creameries; Butte County Farm Bureau; California Ag Irrigation Association; California Alfalfa and Forage Association; California Apple Commission. California Avocado Commission; California Bean Shippers Association; California Blueberry Commission; California Canning Peach Association; California Cherry Growers and Industry Association; California Citrus Mutual California Dairies, Inc.; California Farm Bureau Federation; California Fig Advisory Board; California Fresh Fruit Association; California Grain and Feed Association; California League of Food Producers; California Pear Growers; California Prune Board; California Seed Association; California State Beekeepers Association. California State Floral Association; California Sweet Potato Council; California Tomato Growers Association; California Walnut Commission; California Warehouse Association; California Wheat Growers Association; California Women for Agriculture; Cayuga Milk Ingredients; Central Valley Ag; Cherry Marketing Institute; Chobani; Clif Bar & Company; CoBank; Colorado Dairy Farmers; Colorado Nursery & Greenhouse Association. Colorado Potato Legislative Association; Compeer Financial; Cooperative Milk Producers Association; Cooperative Network Dairy Farmers of America, Inc.; Dairy Producers of New Mexico; Dairy Producers of Utah; Del Mar Food Products, Corp.; Driscoll's; Edge Dairy Farmer Cooperative; Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery; Empire State Potato Growers; Far West Agribusiness Association; Farm Credit East; Farm Credit Illinois; Farm Credit Services of America; Farm Credit West. FarmFirst Dairy Cooperative; First District Association; Florida Agri-Women; Florida Blueberry Growers Association; Florida Citrus Mutual; Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association; Florida Nursery, Growers, and Landscape Association; Florida Strawberry Growers Association; Florida Tomato Exchange; Food Northwest; Food Producers of Idaho; Foremost Farms USA; Fresno County Farm Bureau; Frontier Farm Credit; Fruit Growers Marketing Association. Fruit Growers Supply; Georgia Green Industry Association; Glanbia Nutritionals; Grapeman Farms; GreenStone Farm Credit Services; Grower-Shipper Association of Central California; GROWMARK; Gulf Citrus Growers Association; Hop Growers of Washington; Idaho Alfalfa & Clover Seed Commission; Idaho Alfalfa & Clover Seed Growers Association; Idaho Apple Commission; Idaho Association of Commerce and Industry; Idaho Association of Highway Districts; Idaho Association of Soil Conservation Districts. Idaho Bankers Association; Idaho Cattleman's Association; Idaho Chamber Alliance; Idaho Dairymen's Association; Idaho Eastern Oregon Seed Association; Idaho Grain Producers Association; Idaho Grower Shipper Association; Idaho Hop Growers; Idaho Milk Products; Idaho Mint Growers Association; Idaho Noxious Weed Control Association; Idaho Nursery & Landscape Association; Idaho Onion Growers Association; Idaho Potato Commission; Idaho State Grange; Idaho Sugarbeet Growers Association; Idaho Water Users Association; Idaho Wool Growers. Idahoan Foods LLC; Idaho-Oregon Fruit and Vegetable Association; Illinois Green Industry Association; International Dairy Food Association; Iowa Institute for Cooperatives; Iowa State Dairy Association; J.R. Simplot Company; Kansas Cooperative Council; Kansas Dairy Association; Kanza Cooperative Associaton; Kings County Farm Bureau; Land O'Lakes, Inc.; Lone Star Milk Producers; Madera County Farm Bureau; Maine Landscape and Nursery Association. Maine Potato Board; Maryland & Virginia Milk Producers Cooperative Association; Maryland Nursery, Landscape, & Greenhouse Association; Massachusetts Nursery and Landscape Association, Inc.; MBG Marketing; Mendocino County Farm Bureau; Merced County Farm Bureau; Michigan Agri-Business Association; Michigan Apple Association; Michigan Asparagus Advisory Board; Michigan Bean Shippers; Michigan Cider Association; Michigan Greenhouse Grower Council; Michigan Milk Producers Association; Michigan Nursery & Landscape Association. Michigan State Horticultural Society; Midwest Dairy Coalition; Mid-West Dairymen's Company; Milk Producers Council; Milk Producers of Idaho; Minnesota Area II Potato Council; Minnesota Milk Producers Association; Minnesota Nursery & Landscape Association; Missouri Rice Research and Merchandising Council; Montana Nursery & Landscape Association; Monterey County (CA) Farm Bureau; Mount Joy Farmers Cooperative Association; Napa County Farm Bureau; National All-Jersey; National Association of Produce Market Managers. National Council of Agricultural Employers; National Council of Farmer Cooperatives; National Farmers Union; National Grange; National Immigration Forum; National Milk Producers Federation; National Onion Association; National Potato Council; National Watermelon Association; Nebraska State Dairy Association; New American Economy; New England Apple Council; New England Farmers Union; New York Apple Association; New York Farm Bureau Federation. New York State Berry Growers Association; New York State Flower Industries; New York State Vegetable Growers Association; Nezperce Prairie Grass Growers Association; Nisei Farmers League; North American Blueberry Council; North Carolina Nursery & Landscape Association; North Carolina Potato Association; Northeast Dairy Farmers Cooperatives; Northeast Dairy Foods Association, Inc.; Northeast Dairy Producers Association; Northern Plains Potato Growers Association; Northern Virginia Nursery & Landscape Association; Northwest Ag Co-op Council; Northwest Dairy Association/Darigold. Northwest Farm Credit Services; Northwest Horticultural Council; Ohio Apple Marketing Program; Ohio Dairy Producers Association; Ohio Nursery & Landscape Association; Olive Growers Council of California; Oneida-Madison Milk Producers Cooperative Association; Orange County Farm Bureau; Oregon Association of Nurseries; Oregon Dairy Farmers Association; Oregon Potato Commission; Pacific Coast Producers; Pacific Egg and Poultry Association; Pacific Seed Association; Pennsylvania Co-operative Potato Growers. Pennsylvania Landscape & Nursery Association; Plant California Alliance; POM Wonderful; Porterville Citrus; Potato Growers of America; Potato Growers of Idaho; Potato Growers of Michigan; Prairie Farms Dairy, Inc.; Premier Milk Inc.; Produce Marketing Association; Professional Dairy Managers of Pennsylvania; RBI Packing LLC; Reiter Affiliated Companies; Richard Bagdasarian, Inc.; Riverside County Farm Bureau. Rocky Mountain Farmers Union; San Diego County Farm Bureau; San Mateo County Farm Bureau; Santa Clara County Farm Bureau; Santa Cruz County Farm Bureau; Scioto Cooperative Milk Producers' Association; Select Milk Producers, Inc.; Seneca Foods Corporation; Sierra Citrus Association; Snake River Sugar Company; Solano County Farm Bureau; Sonoma County Farm Bureau; South Dakota Association of Cooperatives; South Dakota Dairy Producers; South East Dairy Farmers Association. Southeast Milk Inc.; Southern States Cooperative; St. Albans Cooperative Creamery, Inc.; Stanislaus County Farm Bureau; State Horticultural Association of Pennsylvania; Summer Prize Frozen Foods; Sunkist Growers; Sun-Maid Growers of California; Sunsweet Growers, Inc.; Tennessee Nursery & Landscape Association; Texas Agricultural Cooperative Council; Texas Association of Dairymen; Texas Citrus Mutual; Texas International Produce Association; Texas Nursery & Landscape Association. The National Association of State Departments of Agriculture; The SF Market and San Francisco Produce Association; Tillamook County Creamery Association; Tree Top Inc.; Tulare County Farm Bureau; U.S. Apple Association; U.S. Rice Producers Association; United Ag; United Dairymen of Arizona; United Egg Producers; United Fresh Produce Association; United Onions, USA; United Potato Growers of America; Upstate Niagara Cooperative, Inc., Utah Farmers Union. Utah Horticulture Society; Valley Fig Growers; Ventura County Agricultural Association; Ventura Pacific; Vermont Dairy Producers Alliance; Virginia Apple Growers Association; Virginia Nursery & Landscape Association; Virginia State Dairymen's Association; Visalia Citrus Packing Group, Inc.; WA Wine Institute; Washington Growers League; Washington State Dairy Federation; Washington State Nursery & Landscape Association; Washington State Potato Commission; Washington State Tree Fruit Association. Wawona Frozen Foods; West Virginia Nursery & Landscape Association; Western Growers Association; Western States Dairy Producers Association; Western United Dairies; Wine Institute; WineAmerica; Wisconsin Dairy Business Association; Wisconsin Potato & Vegetable Growers Association; Wonderful Citrus; Wonderful Orchards; Yuma Fresh Vegetable Association.

Ms. LOFGREN

Ms. LOFGREN. Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank my colleagues, Mr. Newhouse, Mr. Simpson, Mr. LaMalfa, Mr. Diaz-Balart, Mr. Panetta, Mr. Costa, Mr. Correa, Ms. Escobar, Mr. Peterson--I am going to get in trouble because there are more people than I can mention in the 15 seconds, but this has been a very large bipartisan effort. It should be a model on how we can legislate and get something done for the American people.

Ms. LOFGREN. Mr. Speaker, I want to make a few additional comments on the Farm Workforce Modernization Act since the gentlewoman from Florida had a little bit of time to provide. There have been some who have criticized, I think incorrectly, the bill, that it does not actually stabilize wages in the H-2A program. That is incorrect. The bargain that was made by the United Farm Workers union and the various employer groups was to: first, freeze wages for 1 year; second, to limit how fast wages could rise to 3.25 percent or how low to 1.5 percent; and also, to preclude changes in the middle of a contract, so there would be stability. I just wanted to get that issue on the table. People who misunderstand it will be relieved to know that that is not correct. I want to address another issue, which has to do with the legalization provision. We have several million farmworkers in the United States today. Half of them don't have their proper papers. They are living in a state of fear. I was out in the Central Valley recently. These are hardworking people who have been here for decades in some cases. There is no line for them to get into to get legal. They are so afraid that they are afraid to go to mass. This bill allows them to apply for a temporary visa, an agricultural worker visa that is renewable. It allows them to go back and forth if they need to go to a funeral in their country of birth. It allows them to work legally. After an extended period of time, if they want, they can apply to become legal permanent residents of the United States, or they can just stay on their temporary visas. Their families are included because we should not be in the position of breaking up hardworking families.

Ms. LOFGREN

Ms. LOFGREN. Mr. Speaker, I have a motion at the desk.

Ms. LOFGREN

Ms. LOFGREN. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on the Judiciary be discharged from further consideration of the bill (H.R. 5277) to amend section 442 of title 18, United States Code, to exempt certain interests in mutual funds, unit investment trusts, employee benefit plans, and retirement plans from conflict of interest limitations for the Government Publishing Office, and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.

Ms. LOFGREN

Ms. LOFGREN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the life of Gordon Scott Brace and his service to the House. Many dedicated public servants work behind the scenes to support the vital work of this body and our work as Members. That is true for what may be the most significant charge we have: casting our vote here on the floor on behalf of our constituents. Mr. Brace helped make that possible. During his 17 years with the Office of the Clerk as a senior systems engineer, Mr. Brace was primarily responsible for maintaining all aspects of the Electronic Voting System (EVS). Whenever the House was in session, Mr. Brace made certain that the EVS was in full working order, manually checking all 54 voting stations, the tally clerk station, electronic display board, and the EVS equipment in the cloakrooms. To put this in perspective, during Mr. Brace's tenure the House completed more than 12,300 roll call votes. Considering the individual vote of each Member of the House on each of those roll call votes, Mr. Brace played a central role on a team with the responsibility to track more than 5,350,500 individual votes. Every single one of those votes had to be tracked swiftly, accurately, and without doubt. Moreover, every one of those votes represents a small, but important, part of our nation's history. Mr. Brace is remembered fondly by his coworkers and friends here in the House not just for his technical skills, but for his kindness and generosity. I know I speak on behalf of his coworkers and my colleagues in honoring his memory and his important contributions to the operations of the House. Our thoughts are with his wife, Kristin, sons Wyatt and Dillon, and all of his loved ones.

Ms. LOFGREN

Ms. LOFGREN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the service of Kristin A. Shapiro, who is leaving the House to join the Office of Legal Counsel at the United States Department of Justice. Ms. Shapiro has served in the Office of General Counsel for nearly three years as an Assistant General Counsel and has provided frequent and invaluable legal advice and representation to the House community, particularly in connection with federal court litigation involving issues of great institutional importance. Ms. Shapiro provided extensive advice and litigation expertise to several Committees, including the Committees on Armed Services, Appropriations, and Budget, in connection with the House's litigation regarding the funding for wall construction on the Southern border. In addition, Ms. Shapiro provided litigation assistance to both the Committee on Ways and Means and the Joint Committee on Taxation regarding the application of the Freedom of Information Act to Congressional records. As the Chairperson of the Committee on House Administration, I know firsthand that our Members and House staff also came to rely on Ms. Shapiro's expertise and guidance, particularly in connection with how the use of social media platforms by Members intersects with the First Amendment. Ms. Shapiro has played a very significant role in safeguarding the legal and institutional interests of the House of Representatives. She has served the House with great distinction, and we know she will continue to serve our Nation with that same level of distinction at the Department of Justice. I know that I speak for all of my colleagues on the Committee on House Administration, and the entire House community, in thanking Ms. Shapiro for her devoted service, and extend to her our very best wishes for continued success.

Ms. LOFGREN

Ms. LOFGREN. Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize Justice Eugene Premo and commend him on his 50th anniversary on the bench. Gene started his judicial career in 1969 in San Jose, beginning 50 years of service, when he was appointed to the Municipal Court in Santa Clara Judicial District. He served in that court for five years. In December of 1974 he was elevated to the Superior Court of Santa Clara County where he served until October 1988. Elevated to the 6th appellate district in September of 1988, he has served his community through his dedicated service on the Court of Appeal. I have known Gene for many years as a fellow alum from the University of Santa Clara School of Law and from my years on the Board of Supervisors of Santa Clara County. Gene is someone who cares deeply about his community, his family and the law. Unfailingly fair, he is a person of the highest integrity. I have fond memories of our many professional and personal interactions while he served in the Superior Court. His exemplary life makes his family, his community and Santa Clara Law School very proud. Madam Speaker, the Congress joins Gene in celebrating 50 years of service to justice, the rule of law and the people of California. The Santa Clara Bar Association will be having their annual judges' night on November 21st and plan to honor Gene for his achievements

Ms. LOFGREN

Ms. LOFGREN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, one thing that we neglected to point out is that, in addition to a childcare option, if a candidate, and it is generally a female candidate, is caring for elderly parents, this could also be used for eldercare while going to a campaign event. That is also both son's and daughter's care for aging parents, but, oftentimes, it is the daughters who end up providing the eldercare. If someone is running for Congress and is providing for that eldercare, they obviously can't go to the campaign event with someone who is bedridden or in need of constant attention. This would allow for that very important possibility, just as childcare is. Unless the author wishes a further comment, I would urge adoption of this amendment with bipartisan support, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. LOFGREN. Mr. Speaker, reclaiming my time, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I think the gentlewoman has made a very good point that this is discretionary on the part of the candidate, but it is a point that we also need to make: This has nothing to do with taxpayers funds. This is no money from the government, no money from the taxpayers. This is a candidate, where a candidate has raised funds and how they spend their campaign funds. I know that there had been some confusion among some earlier in the day that was unfortunate and has now been corrected. This is only a matter of a campaign expenditure. Really, childcare has to be as important as pizza, to me, at least more important, but that is up for a candidate to decide. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. LOFGREN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Listening to my colleague, the ranking member, reminded me of when I ran for Congress the very first time. My children were in elementary school. Really, the high point of every day was going to the elementary school, Horace Mann Elementary in downtown San Jose, and standing with the other mothers while we said the Pledge of Allegiance, the flag outside. I think, for parents, being a parent gives you a viewpoint that is helpful when you come to the Congress of the United States. You don't forget what regular people are going through at home when you are a parent. I also remember my first day in Congress. My mother had passed away several years before, but my dad was still alive, a retired beer truck driver. He had never been on an airplane in his life. We got him on a plane, and we had a friend sit next to him. He was sitting in that gallery, watching his daughter become a Member of the United States Congress. I think for those of us who came from humble roots, we never forget where we came from, and it informs our perspective on where the country should go. I yield such time as she may consume to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Porter), the author of the bill.

Ms. LOFGREN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Porter), the author of this bill.

Ms. LOFGREN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1623) to amend the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to provide for the treatment of payments for child care and other personal use services as an authorized campaign expenditure, and for other purposes, as amended.

Ms. LOFGREN. 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 under consideration.

Ms. LOFGREN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I rise in support of H.R. 1623. This measure is important. The Help America Run Act will amend the Federal Election Campaign Act with commonsense reforms to help everyday Americans run for office. Current law does not directly address whether people who choose to run for office can use their campaign funds to cover the cost of childcare. This has led several individuals to have to appeal to the Federal Election Commission for evaluations on a case-by-case basis and creates a burden for candidates with school-aged children. This bill addresses that barrier and other family-related barriers for candidates who have experiences like most everyday Americans. The Help American Run Act makes running for office easier for working mothers and fathers who need sitters for their small kids. It would support established professionals caring for an aging parent and help cover children's health insurance on the campaign trail. I know it would help moms like Katie Porter, the sponsor of this bill. She is championing this cause today as the very first single mother of young children ever to serve in the U.S. Congress. These Americans caring for their kids and their parents intimately know the dread of opening those envelopes full of prescription drug bills. They know what it is like to weigh the risk of running for office to serve the Nation against the risk of losing their children's health insurance coverage. It is precisely those everyday Americans that I want to see join us at the decisionmaking table. Those who have firsthand knowledge of what it means to have stable childcare, good schools, and secure healthcare are exactly the people I want making decisions on both sides of this aisle. It makes our country profoundly richer to have those with the diversity of economic experiences in these Chambers. I know that firsthand. As the daughter of a truck driver and a cafeteria cook, I worked on the night shift at the Eastman Kodak plant in Palo Alto to get ready for college. Those experiences shaped me into the person and Member I am today, and I believe coming from a family like mine shouldn't disqualify you. In fact, it makes you a better policy maker who understands what our constituents are really facing. The fact is that diversity of experience leads to better policy. In 2019, the New York Times reported that fewer than 5 percent of Representatives cite blue-collar or service jobs in their biographies. A 2015 survey by the Center for Responsive Politics showed that the median net worth for lawmakers was just over $1 million in 2013, or 18 times the wealth of the typical American household. One could see how Americans feel Congress might be out of touch. This bill is a step to building trust in Congress as by and for the people. The bill would help advance economic diversity and other types of diversity, too. Even with the record number of women serving in the 116th Congress, only 1 in 4 Congresspeople are women. This isn't because women don't want to run. The Center for American Women and Politics found that one-third of women legislators surveyed had been actively discouraged from running for office, often by political professionals. This type of discouragement, combined with the existing prohibitions on using campaign funds for domestic needs like childcare, burdens that still fall disproportionately on American women, particularly disadvantages working parents. Running for office should not be limited to the wealthy or those who have no familial responsibilities. That is anathema to the democratic experiment, and it makes for bad policy. This bill is a simple, cost-free, commonsense measure to make America's representatives look more like the everyday Americans we are here to represent. For that reason, I am proud to support it. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. LOFGREN

Ms. LOFGREN. 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 under consideration.

Ms. LOFGREN. Mr. Speaker, I continue to reserve the balance of my time.

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

Ms. LOFGREN. Mr. Speaker, I think this has been an excellent debate highlighting the bipartisan support for this fellowship, a bipartisan gratitude to those who served and those who gave their lives for this country and for the families they left behind. There is no honor big enough that we could possibly give to them, but this fellowship is a token. It is a token that is important, and it is something that we have done in a bipartisan way. Mr. Speaker, I hope that every Member of this body will be supportive of it, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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

Ms. LOFGREN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I am glad that the ranking member has mentioned the Wounded Warrior Program that, I believe, has been enormously successful. Practically every week, I am signing little termination letters. And why? Because these wounded warriors have gotten jobs, promotions, permanent positions, exactly what we wanted. So not only will this help the families, Gold Star families, gain insight into the workings of the United States Congress, but it will also be a platform for them to, if they wish, expand their employment opportunities, just as our Wounded Warrior Program has done so. Mr. Speaker, I thank the author of the bill. I thank the ranking member for moving this forward. I am glad that this is bipartisan, as well the prior bill. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. LOFGREN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, like Mr. Davis, I do believe that this fellowship will provide a rewarding experience for the families who decide to participate, whether it is in Washington, to participate and observe in the making of legislation, or whether it is in our district offices, going to bat for veterans, standing up for people who need help from a congressional office. It is very rewarding, but also very educational. And I know that it will be a rewarding experience for those families who participate. I thank the author of the bill, Mr. Kelly, for his persistence in getting this done and making adjustments as input came in so that we can have consensus and proceed on this. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. LOFGREN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 107) establishing the Congressional Gold Star Family Fellowship Program for the placement in offices of Members of the House of Representatives of children, spouses, and siblings of members of the Armed Forces who are hostile casualties or who have died from a training-related injury, as amended.