Nita Lowey

Mrs. LOWEY

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

Mrs. LOWEY

Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Speaker, the Trump shutdown is now in its 34th day. Yesterday, the House passed six bills to reopen most of the government, and with this bill today, we can reopen the entire government while providing time to negotiate a full-year bill for the Department of Homeland Security. This continuing resolution would ensure that the Department of Homeland Security is open, and its public servants, including Secret Service agents, Transportation Security officers, Border Patrol, Customs officers, and the brave men and women of the Coast Guard are paid for their work. According to The New York Times, as many as 1 of every 10 Transportation Security officers are not coming to work. Frankly, they simply can't afford to. As a result, some of our busiest airports are deploying backup and reserve workers. Other airports have closed checkpoints and entire terminals. Notwithstanding the long lines for travelers, this reduction in staffing puts our Transportation Security workforce on the brink and could risk national security. Additionally, 41,000--41,000--Active-Duty servicemembers and 2,100 civilians in the Coast Guard are working without pay. No one should have to face the uncertainty of not knowing when they will get paid, especially the men and women of our Armed Forces. Each week of the Trump shutdown costs the United States economy $1.2 billion. Instead of continuing down this wasteful road, I urge my friends on the other side of the aisle, reopen the government, pay our Federal workers, and then we can work together in a bipartisan way to determine the most effective border security. But we must open the government. Make no mistake--I want to make it very clear--Democrats support smart investments in our homeland security, including increased infrastructure investments at our ports of entry, advanced technology to scan for contraband, new technology for detecting unauthorized crossings. We can work together to meet these needs--there is no question in my mind--because we have worked together in a bipartisan way for many years. If we sit down together, we can work out answers to these questions that could be supported by both sides of the aisle. But, frankly, Mr. Speaker, until the government is open, the President's actions are hurting hardworking families and putting our security and economy at risk. We are appropriators. We know how to work together in a bipartisan way. Frankly, it is not that difficult. The facts are there. We have all gotten many, many briefings on the best way to secure our borders. And, by the way, drugs have been mentioned. The facts are that 90 percent of the drugs are coming through at the ports of entry. We can work this out. But to keep the government closed and to see thousands of people suffering, not being able to support their families, is just unconscionable. So let's open the government. Let's sit down. Let's get to work. Let's resolve this now.

Mrs. LOWEY

Mrs. LOWEY. Madam Speaker, Federal workers should not have to struggle to pay their bills just because my colleagues across the aisle and the President refuse to end the Trump shutdown. They should not be in a position of having to apply for unemployment while continuing to work without pay, which is exactly what one of my constituents from Westchester County, New York, has been forced to do. Others in my district, nonprofit employees, working reduced hours because of the shutdown, have been forced to rely on food donations to feed their families. It is inexcusable that Republicans have rejected 11 opportunities to end the Trump shutdown, pay workers, and reopen government. I urge them to come to their senses and reopen government without further delay.

Mrs. LOWEY

Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Speaker, pursuant to House Resolution 61, I call up the bill (H.R. 648) making appropriations for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2019, and for other purposes, and ask for its immediate consideration.

Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and insert extraneous material on H.R. 648, currently under consideration.

Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, the Trump shutdown, now in its 33rd day, must end. It must end without delay so the Federal Government can get back to fully working on behalf of the American people. Just this morning, President Trump's chief economic adviser warned that the shutdown could lead to zero economic growth this quarter. Let me repeat: zero economic growth. The solution is simple. Reopen the government, pay our Federal employees, and then negotiate border security and immigration policy proposals that can command bipartisan support. It is simple. The bill before us is yet another step in that direction. Today, Democrats put forward six conference reports negotiated last December when Republicans controlled the House, the Senate, and the White House. In fact, Republicans have even urged us to bring them to the floor. If Republicans are serious about governing with us for the betterment of all Americans, then they should vote for these six conference reports and reopen the agencies covered by those bills. In addition, Chairwoman Roybal-Allard is bringing forward a continuing resolution for the Department of Homeland Security through February 28. This legislation will open the Department of Homeland Security and pay its employees while President Trump and Congress negotiate border and immigration policy beyond the $1.6 billion in border security-related measures in the bill we consider today. This bill provides $563.4 million for immigration judges to reduce the backlog of immigration cases and $524.2 million for construction at ports of entry to facilitate lawful entries and trade. There is $527 million to assist Central American countries as they work to improve security and economic stability in the State and Foreign Operations portion of the bill, which Ranking Member and former full committee Chairman Rogers negotiated with me and Senators Graham and Leahy. The State and Foreign Operations division also no longer includes poison pills, such as the expansion of the global gag rule, which would have tied up $8.8 billion in funding for lifesaving nutrition programs and efforts to prevent malaria, TB, and HIV. It no longer bans funding for the United Nations Population Fund, protecting maternal and child health and access to family planning services. A strong international affairs budget of $54.2 billion will help stabilize the world's economy, meet unprecedented humanitarian needs, and continue our fight against radical extremism and terrorism. These bills were written by the Republican-led House and Senate, together with Democrats. I will repeat that. These bills were written by the Republican-led House and Senate, together with Democrats. Neither Democrats nor Republicans got everything they wanted, but we compromised for the betterment of the United States. These bills should be enacted to end the Trump shutdown for all Americans, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Before I yield to our next speaker, I just want to make our position very clear. The solution to the Trump shutdown is simple: Reopen the government; pay our Federal employees; and then we can negotiate, Democrats and Republicans. Our proposal will form the basis for these eventual negotiations. Let's open the government and then get to work. Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Serrano), my good friend and the chair of the Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Subcommittee.

Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Speaker, before I introduce our next speaker, I want to thank the distinguished gentleman, Mr. Rogers, for alluding to the good bipartisan work we did, the $800 million for education and healthcare. It was a good bill. Frankly, that is why we need to pass these bills and, I agree with the gentleman, take the time to negotiate border security where there may be some differences. So let's open the government, pass those good bills that we worked on together, and then take some time to talk about border security. Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Price), who is the chair of the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Subcommittee and is my good friend.

Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Bishop), who is the chair of the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Subcommittee.

Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentlewoman from Minnesota (Ms. McCollum), my good friend, the chair of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Subcommittee.

Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Quigley), my good friend and the chair of the Financial Services and General Government Subcommittee.

Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Hoyer), my good friend and the majority leader.

Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Speaker, Democrats have been clear throughout the Trump shutdown. We support investing in strong, smart, and effective border security, and we are prepared to negotiate once the government is reopened. The solution to the Trump shutdown is simple: Reopen the government; pay off Federal employees; then negotiate on border security. Our proposal will form the basis for these eventual negotiations. It is time to end the Trump shutdown. Vote for this package of six bills that reflects conference agreements where we worked together from last year. Reopen most of the government. Let workers get paid. Vote ``yes.'' Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Speaker, I claim the time in opposition to the motion.

Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Speaker, I want to make it very clear to my colleagues: This motion to recommit will ensure the government remains closed. It will be irresponsible to adopt this motion. This means all those people who are not getting paid will continue not to get a paycheck to support their families. They will not be able to go to the supermarket and act like normal families. This is totally irresponsible. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to strongly reject this motion, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. LOWEY

Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Speaker, pursuant to House Resolution 52, I call up the joint resolution (H.J. Res. 28) making further continuing appropriations for fiscal year 2019, and for other purposes, and ask for its immediate consideration.

Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the measure under consideration.

Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Today is the 27th day of the Trump shutdown, the longest government shutdown in American history. Hardworking public servants are seeing their financial security jeopardized. Small businesses are being frozen out of critical contracting and loan programs. Businesses of all sizes are being hurt by delayed regulatory approvals and a lack of government data. Farmers are unable to access vital Federal services. Our national parks are being vandalized and filling up with garbage. Critical environmental inspections to protect families and communities have stopped. Lines at airports are swelling, as many TSA workers can't afford to work without pay. Mr. Speaker, this is unacceptable. But, unfortunately, we heard yesterday in this very House that Republicans think reopening the government is a poison pill. Reopening the government is a poison pill? Frankly, that, my friends, is unbelievable. We can and we must do better, which is why House Democrats are bringing up our ninth piece of legislation to reopen the government and end the Trump shutdown. The continuing resolution would provide an additional option for President Trump and Senate Republicans to take ``yes'' for an answer and end the shutdown. It would reopen the government through February 28, providing time for Congress to come to a full-year agreement without further jeopardizing vital services or the pay of Federal employees. The order of business, Mr. Speaker, should be simple: Reopen the government, pay Federal employees, and then negotiate on border security and immigration policy. It is long past time for my colleagues across the aisle and across the Capitol to come to their senses and end this shutdown. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this legislation and reopen the government through February 28. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Lee), an outstanding senior member of the Appropriations Committee.

Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Hoyer), the distinguished majority leader.

Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Jackson Lee).

Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield an additional 30 seconds to the gentlewoman from Texas.

Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Speaker, my friends, end this Trump shutdown, vote ``yes,'' and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to the motion to recommit.