Nita Lowey

Mrs. LOWEY

Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Visclosky), who is the ranking member of the Defense Subcommittee on the Appropriations Committee.

Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to enter into a colloquy with Chairman Rogers. Mr. Speaker, section 170(b) of the continuing resolution creates a contingency fund which could make available an additional $200 million after March 1. Can you clarify if the additional funds in section 170(b) will be available for obligation for three fiscal years, the same period of time as other fiscal year 2017 funds appropriated to carry out the same purpose?

Mrs. LOWEY. I yield to the gentleman from Kentucky.

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

Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Speaker, how much time do I have remaining?

Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Ohio (Ms. Kaptur), the ranking member of the Energy and Water Subcommittee on Appropriations.

Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Serrano), the ranking member of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government. (Mr. SERRANO asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Price), the ranking member on the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations Subcommittee.

Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. Farr), the ranking member of the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Subcommittee on Appropriations.

Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Kildee), a member of the Committee on Financial Services.

Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Jackson Lee), from the Committee on the Judiciary and the Committee on Homeland Security.

Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from the State of California (Ms. Pelosi), the distinguished Democratic leader.

Mrs. LOWEY. I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, as we conclude debate on the CR, I want to take a moment to acknowledge the service of Chairman Rogers. This may be the last bill Mr. Rogers will manage as full committee chairman. I have appreciated his partnership and his friendship. I support his ultimate goal as chairman, to pass individual spending bills, allowing Members to exercise their constitutional duty of providing funding for government programs. It may be an understatement to say he has faced political headwinds each year that made regular order out of reach, but I know he will remain as a senior member of the committee, and he will continue to work to pass full-year bills. I thank him for your partnership. Finally, I would be remiss if I didn't take a moment to recognize my departing colleagues on the committee. For 23 years, Sam Farr has worked tirelessly to support agriculture, ensure the safety of our food and medicine, and protect the vitality and cleanliness of our oceans. He has also been a tireless defender of our military veterans, the Peace Corps, and the institution of Congress itself. We are also losing the ranking member of the Commerce, Justice, Science Subcommittee, Mike Honda. Mike's life experiences, including his early years with his family in a Japanese American internment camp, helped shape his efforts addressing income inequality, LGBTQ equity, and technology issues that are vital to his Silicon Valley district. New York and all of America's middle class are losing one of their strongest advocates with Steve Israel, who has been a champion of our Armed Forces, clean air and water, and the U.S.-Israel relationship. On the Republican side, we will miss Scott Rigell, David Jolly, and especially my good friend, chairman of the Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government, Ander Crenshaw. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. LOWEY

Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise in full support of H.R. 6297--the Iran Sanctions Extension Act. This critically-needed legislation will extend for 10 years U.S. sanctions against Iran's energy sector, which will expire at the end of this year if Congress doesn't act. These crippling sanctions, in addition to other measures passed by Congress during the last two decades, were the driving force that brought Iran to the negotiating table and ultimately curtailed their nuclear program under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action reached last year between our P5+1 partners and Iran. While there has been much debate over the JCPOA, there should be no question in any one's mind that it must now be rigorously enforced so that Iran is held accountable for its actions. The measure before us today is fundamental to this effort. In order to `snap-back' the sanctions temporarily waived by the Administration under the deal, we must keep in place our sanctions infrastructure. Otherwise it would be much harder to quickly re-impose harsh economic penalties on Iran if they cheat or renege on their commitments. Enforcing the Iran deal, stopping Iran's destabilizing activities in the region, including ballistic missile testing and funding of terrorist groups, and securing the unconditional release of Americans imprisoned by the Iranian regime, must remain our top priorities going forward. That is why I am grateful to Congressman Royce and Congressman Engel for working together on a bipartisan basis on today's measure and for their leadership on these issues. For all of us, this is now a critical and challenging moment. We must come together as lawmakers, put aside partisan differences, and abide by our long-standing bipartisan approach to foreign policy. Our national security and security of our allies in the region depend on it. Thank you and I urge immediate passage of the Iran Sanctions Extension Act.

Mrs. LOWEY

Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize my constituent, Ms. Grace Vanderwaal, an inspiring young woman and this year's winner of America's Got Talent. Grace is a 12-year-old singer-songwriter from Suffern, New York, who started writing music at the age of three when she would make up songs with her wireless microphone. She was introduced to ukulele music by a family friend, and then decided to use her birthday money from her 11th birthday to buy her own ukulele. A true musical prodigy, Grace mastered the ukulele within a year, now owning five ukuleles, as well as a piano and a saxophone. Grace began performing at local establishments for small audiences, but had never played before a large crowd until this past summer. She shared her amazing talents with the world when she auditioned for Season 11 of America's Got Talent and played her original song, ``I Don't Know My Name,'' a song about finding who you are and where you fit in, while playing the ukulele. Grace impressed the judges so much she was sent straight to the ``Live Shows.'' Grace continued astonishing audiences, performing original pieces as she advanced in each round of the show, and on September 14, was crowned the first prize winner, taking home a $1 million prize, a Las Vegas show date, and a record contract. Before the Las Vegas show, Grace will return home to Suffern for a Saturday, October 1 parade and celebration with her family, neighbors, and schoolmates. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to recognize my extremely talented constituent, Ms. Grace Vanderwaal, and I urge my colleagues to join me in congratulating her on this achievement.

Mrs. LOWEY

Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the efforts of several hundred ``Chasseurs Volontaires,'' or volunteer soldiers from Haiti who courageously fought for our independence during the Battle of Savannah in 1779. The ``Corps de Chasseurs-Volontaires de Saint-Domingue'' was organized in the French colony of Saint-Domingue, now Haiti, to support French troops on their way to fight in the American Revolution. They later joined forces with American colonists and French troops to take part in the campaign to drive the British out of Savannah, Georgia. During the siege that lasted for more than two weeks and ultimately ended in defeat, the Chasseurs Volontaires fought alongside their American and French counterparts and many bravely laid down their lives. As the siege ended and American forces retreated, it was the Chasseurs Volontaires who fought off British counterattacks, thus ensuring the safe evacuation of our troops from the area. The Chasseurs Volontaires were the largest individual unit to serve during the Siege of Savannah, making up almost a third of the French force that fought in the battle. Their valiant efforts saved many American lives and contributed to our overall victory and independence. Upon their return to Haiti, the Chasseurs Volontaires played an important role in their own war for independence. Mr. Speaker, we owe the Chasseurs Volontaires a great deal of respect. I join the many Haitian-Americans in my Congressional district in thanking the Chasseurs Volontaires for their courage and sacrifice, and I urge my colleagues to join me in recognizing these unsung heroes.

Mrs. LOWEY

Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Town of Clarkstown in Rockland County, New York, as it celebrates its 225th anniversary year. I am honored to represent this community with its richly diverse population, beautiful and thriving business districts, lovely homes and lush parks. Clarkstown was created by an act of the New York State Legislature on March 18, 1791, during George Washington's first term as President. It was part of Orange County and then of Rockland County, which was created seven years later. At Clarkstown's founding, the population had less than 2,000 residents. As New York built its early parkways and the Tappan Zee Bridge, the population grew rapidly and continues to grow. According to the United States Census, the town population now stands at more than 87,000. Its 41 square miles encompass the hamlets of Bardonia, Central Nyack, Congers, New City, Valley Cottage, West Nyack, Upper Nyack and portions of the Villages of Nyack and Spring Valley. The town, like the county, was settled by farmers, and grew as businesses opened to serve the community. During the 19th century, ice was harvested from the pristine waters of Rockland Lake, now a park, and floated down the Hudson River to barges that would supply New York City. At the same time, local quarries provided material for new construction in the city. Today, more than half of working residents are employed within the county. Most of Clarkstown's commercially zoned land exists along the town's state roadways, and within the town's hamlet centers. Residents also work at nearby pharmaceutical and tech companies that are moving into the area. Clarkstown's residents included Jacob Vanderbilt, whose property is now the site of Germonds Park, a recreational facility owned by the town. Other resident families whose holdings remain important to the town include the Cropseys, whose farm dates back to 1893. The family retired and sold the land to Clarkstown in 2006 through Rockland County's Open Space Program. Rockland Farm Alliance then signed a lease to maintain the land, thus establishing the thriving Cropsey Community Farm. The county and the town have long been a refuge for artists. Adolph Zukor, who was key to the burgeoning motion picture industry, bought property in New City on what is now called Zukor Road. The painter and muralist Henry Varnum Poor, the playwright Maxwell Anderson, and the composer Kurt Weill and his wife, the actor Lotte Lenya, lived on South Mountain Road in New City. While the attraction was the bucolic nature of the county and its considerable distance from New York City, actors and other artists are now attracted not only because the county and its homesteads are beautiful, but because of its proximity to New York City, now a short ride on roadways, trains and bridges. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in saluting the Town of Clarkstown on this special anniversary as its residents celebrate its distinguished past and look ahead to a strong future.

Mrs. LOWEY

Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I rise in support of the 2017 continuing resolution. Seven months after President Obama requested emergency assistance to respond to the Zika virus, it is long past time for Congress to act. The $1.1 billion provided equals the total funding the Senate passed by a vote of 89-8 in May. The continuing resolution includes the full-year 2017 appropriations bill for Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, providing $82.7 billion to address the needs of those who have served our Nation in uniform, as well as construction costs necessary to supportive and reserve components of the military and their families. It extends current Federal spending rates through December 9, which is sufficient time for Congress to negotiate and enact an omnibus consisting of each of the remaining 11 appropriations bills. I object to the inclusion of $400 million in rescissions in this CR, which could lead some to believe, incorrectly, that emergency spending should be offset or will be in the future. I also object to the continuation of a rider shielding corporate political spending from public disclosure. During the lameduck session, Congress must enact a Water Resources Development Act conference report that includes robust funding to respond to the manmade disaster in Flint, as well as emergency funding to respond to the natural disaster in Louisiana. I intend to vote for this continuing resolution. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. Honda), the ranking member of the Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Subcommittee.

Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Connecticut (Ms. DeLauro), the ranking member of the Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Subcommittee.

Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Bishop), the ranking member of the Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Subcommittee. I am so pleased that Mr. Bishop and Chairman Dent were able to craft such an outstanding bill to really support our veterans who have served us with such distinction.

Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Wasserman Schultz), the ranking member of the Legislative Branch Appropriations Subcommittee.

Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Pelosi), the distinguished Democratic leader.

Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Jackson Lee), a member of the Homeland Security Committee and the Judiciary Committee.

Mrs. LOWEY. I yield the gentlewoman an additional 1 minute.