Debbie Lesko

Mrs. LESKO

Mrs. LESKO. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Graves) for yielding. Today, I have heard a lot of amazing things. My colleague on the other side of the aisle, Mr. Johnson from Georgia, said, I believe, caravans trying to cross the border are a figment of our imagination. I don't know about you, but I think all we need to do is turn on the news. I have seen thousands of people traipsing thousands of miles to get into our country. In fact, there has been some violence. So I just don't understand that statement at all. And Speaker Pelosi and Chuck Schumer recently said the crisis at the border is manufactured. I tell you, ladies and gentlemen, that I live in the State of Arizona, a border State, and I have visited the border, and I have met with the border agents and border officials at the border. They have told me, firsthand, there is a crisis at the border. They have told me, firsthand, when I asked do we need a border fence, they said, yes, it is part of the solution. You know, I am here today to ask for reason. The Republican legislature, the majority last year, tried to pass legislation that would not only secure the border but, as a compromise, would have given legal status to the DACA recipients. Not one Democrat voted for it. Can we please get together and solve this problem? It is unfortunate that the President had to resort to this because Congress, the Democrats, would not vote for border security. And so I support the President in his declaration for emergency. I support him in protecting our Nation--his number one duty--and I oppose this resolution.

Mrs. LESKO

Mrs. LESKO. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mrs. LESKO. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mrs. LESKO

Mrs. LESKO. Madam Speaker, I thank Representative Cole for yielding me the time. Madam Speaker, if the previous question is defeated, we will amend the rule to bring an extension of the Violence Against Women Act, which I have titled the Protecting Women Act of 2019. Without action, the Violence Against Women Act will expire tomorrow at midnight. Madam Speaker, I am a survivor of domestic violence, and as a survivor of domestic violence, I am calling on all of my colleagues to reauthorize this critical bill that helps women and children who have experienced the trauma and pain of abuse and who need our support. While we may not agree on every provision of the current Violence Against Women Act, I think we can all agree on the overall importance of this law and the programs and services it provides. Since the Violence Against Women Act was first signed into law in 1994, it has played a vital role in supporting American women who have experienced domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, stalking, and trafficking, and improving our response to these crimes while we work to prevent them altogether. Progress has been made, but there is more work to do. In fact, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about one in three women and one in six men experience some form of contact sexual violence during their lifetime. I am confident that every Member of this body believes those statistics are unacceptable. I know that we agree that we must end domestic violence and care for victims left in its wake. We need to enhance awareness, work for prevention, and ensure those harmed physically and mentally have access to the resources and support they need. A clean extension of the Violence Against Women Act through the end of the fiscal year ensures that the law and the programs it supports remain in place. It ensures there isn't a lapse in services for those in need while we discuss ways that we can strengthen and improve it together. As a co-chairwoman of the bipartisan Congressional Caucus for Women's Issues, I want a bill that every woman in this Chamber can support. I know that my co-chair of the Caucus, Congresswoman Brenda Lawrence, has also told me she wants a Violence Against Women Act that every woman in this Chamber can support. That is why, if the previous question is defeated, Republicans will seek a vote on a clean extension of the last Violence Against Women Act reauthorization. This will give us time, Republicans and Democrats, to work toward a bipartisan solution that helps women and girls, protects religious liberties, and protects women and children. I hope all my colleagues will recognize the importance of acting now to prevent a lapse in authorization and defeat the previous question so that we can work to protect the vulnerable from these heinous crimes.

Mrs. LESKO

Mrs. LESKO. Mr. Chair, I am proud to come to the floor today to discuss an amendment to H.R. 840, the Veterans' Access to Child Care Act, that I have cosponsored with my colleague, Representative Susie Lee from Nevada. The Veterans' Access to Child Care Act will provide veterans who need to attend regular or intensive mental healthcare appointments with no- cost childcare during their appointments. Our amendment will make sure these childcare services are covered at our local VA clinics, such as the one in my district in Peoria, Arizona, along with the main VA facilities. No veteran seeking these types of mental health services should be left behind. It is our responsibility to ensure that, under this legislation, all our eligible veterans who need mental health services are able to go to a facility operated by the VA Department, even if it is located separately from the VA's general healthcare facility. My home State of Arizona is blessed to be home to so many of our Nation's veterans. In fact, I have 70,000 veterans in my district alone. However, it deeply troubles me that veteran suicide rates are 9 percentage points higher in Arizona than the national average. Expensive childcare should not hinder Arizona's returning veterans the ability to access needed mental healthcare or other prolonged service-connected disability care needs. We need to do everything we can do to help our Nation's greatest heroes. They risked it all for us. It is inexcusable for us, after our veterans have given so much to defend our freedoms, to permit policies that don't give them the best resources to recover and heal. We relied on them to protect us; now we must step up and help them. I thank Representatives Brownley and Roe for their work on this legislation, and Representative Lee for her effort on this much-needed amendment. I urge all of my colleagues to support this amendment to give eligible veterans choice and access.

Mrs. LESKO

Mrs. LESKO. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor and celebrate a life well-lived by Eva Margarita Bravo. At 58 years old, Eva passed away in a Mesa, Arizona hospital with her family by her side on December 7, 2018. Eva was a native Arizonan, born on July 21, 1961 and was raised with seven brothers and sisters. She lived in Mesa for over thirty years of her life, where she raised two children, Cealia Bravo and Roberto Bravo III (Bobby), with her husband of thirty years, Roberto Bravo Jr. Eva faithfully served her community as a Medical Assistant, then a Certified Nursing Assistant. She proceeded to follow her passion and had a long, successful career in baking and cake decorating. Her son, Bobby, has served on my staff both in Washington, D.C. and Arizona for five years while taking care of his mother in her last few years of life. His dedication to his mother and family while working with distinction on my staff is admirable and inspiring. Eva was a great mother to her children. She leaves behind a legacy of love for her family and committed service to her community. It is impossible to write into words the impact and value a person's life has on another, but Eva will be greatly missed by her family, friends and the Mesa community. On behalf of Arizona's Eighth Congressional District, I extend my deepest condolences to Eva's children, Cealia and Bobby, their family, and their friends who mourn this loss.

Mrs. LESKO

Mrs. LESKO. Madam Speaker, I am prepared to close as well, and I yield myself the balance of my time. Madam Speaker, in closing, this is the fourth time we have deliberated on this floor, in the last 3 weeks, on the exact same type of package. The date keeps changing--sometimes it is February 1; sometimes it is February 8; sometimes it is February 28--but it is all the same. None of them include funding for border security. It is the fourth time that the same result will ensue. The House of Representatives is in a perpetual cycle of Groundhog Day that we cannot seem to escape. Representative Scanlon and I serve, of course, on the Rules Committee together, and it is Groundhog Day. We just say the same things each and every day. Really, let's get to the negotiating table, and, really, let's get something done. The majority seems to be insistent on reviewing these same appropriations packages again and again, fully knowing that the Senate has made clear they will not take up these bills because there is no border security in them. Finally, Madam Speaker, I would be remiss if I did not mention that this bill is again coming to the floor under a closed rule. Of the eight bills the House has considered under a rule this Congress, seven have been closed, with no opportunity for Members to present new ideas and new amendments. Now, I know that Chairman McGovern has assured us he wants a more open process, and I believe he is sincere in his assurance. We saw a more open process on the disaster supplemental bill we considered earlier this week, which has so far been the outlier of this Congress, with 15 amendments made in order on a structured rule. I look forward to considering more rules that have a more open process than the one we are considering today. Madam Speaker, I urge ``no'' on the previous question, ``no'' on the underlying measure, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. LESKO. Madam Speaker, on that, I demand the yeas and nays.

Mrs. LESKO. Madam Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Perry), my good friend.

Mrs. LESKO. Madam Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Biggs), my good friend.

Mrs. LESKO. Madam Speaker, I thank Representative Scanlon from Pennsylvania for yielding me the customary 30 minutes, and I yield myself as much time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, I agree with Representative Scanlon. I want to open the government. Republicans want to open the government. Democrats want to open the government. So I respectfully ask House and Senate Democrats to stop holding our Federal workers hostage. You know, on December 20, I voted for and Republicans voted for in the House a bill right here, standing right here on December 20, that would have kept the government open, and then we would not have had any of these discussions or need for these bills, because the government would still be open. Unfortunately, not one Democrat Member of the House voted for it. I, too, have Federal workers in my district who are hurting, these great men and women who work hard each and every day of their life, single mothers who are waiting for their paycheck. So I call on my colleagues across the aisle to please come to the negotiating table. I believe the number one rule in Negotiations 101 is you have to show up. Repeatedly, we have seen the Republicans and the President request the Democrat leadership to come and negotiate, give a counteroffer. They refuse to show up. I say, if the House Republicans already passed a bill that would have kept the government open and now we are at this impasse, but the Democrat leadership refuses to come to even a negotiating table or a counteroffer, I just don't know what to say. Well, Madam Speaker, once again, we have returned to the House floor to consider yet another short-term spending bill that once again is most likely going nowhere. For what is now the fourth time in 3 weeks, we have returned to the House floor on a rule to consider an appropriations bill as part of the majority's efforts to fund the government without working with President Trump. Unfortunately, we think this effort is just as shortsighted as the previous bills over the last couple of weeks, and today's rule is again destined to ignore the fundamental realities at issue. But first, as I said before, let's take a quick look at how we got to this point. On December 20, the House of Representatives passed a bill that would have funded the government and prevented the shutdown. It included a continuing resolution through February 8. It included disaster relief and funding for border security that the Democrats say they want, but are not listening to our own law enforcement on the border on their recommendations. That was a bill the majority of the Senate supported and the President said he would sign. Unfortunately, as we all know, the Senate refused to take up the House measure, mostly because of their 60-vote rule, where they need Democrats to get on board, and parts of the government shut down when appropriations lapsed. Again, not one single Democrat in the House voted for this bill, which would have avoided this whole, entire partial government shutdown. On January 3, when the new Congress was sworn in, the House took up a continuing resolution through February 8, only this time swept clean of essential disaster relief funding or funding for border security. To date, the Senate, as we know, has refused to take up this measure, and the President has said he would not sign it because it doesn't have additional money for border security. Last week, then again, the House took up four more spending bills, that covered four of the outstanding seven appropriations titles. Unfortunately, like the week prior, these bills also did not include funding for border security. Even more unfortunately, these bills were ones that were produced by the Senate alone during the last Congress, and that did not even reflect any work by, or input from, the House of Representatives. Just as publicly stated the Senate has not taken up any of these bills during this Congress and has no plans to take this one up either. On Tuesday, the majority put up yet another continuing resolution. This one a suspension bill, to fund the government through February 1, but, yet again, omitting any funding for border security, which is the key ingredient to get negotiations done. That bill failed to reach the two- thirds threshold to pass under suspension of the rules. And then, yes, yesterday, the House took up a supplemental disaster appropriations bill that was intended only to provide just over $12 billion in necessary disaster relief for affected communities. This was a bipartisan bill. We could have passed it out of here. But instead of bringing up this bipartisan disaster relief bill to the floor, the majority chose to play politics once again and decided at the last minute to attach yet another continuing resolution to this bill, again, without any border security funding, and, again, to fund the government through February 8. That bill passed the House yesterday, yet there is no sign that the Senate ever has any intention of taking that bill up. In any event, the President has made it clear, and I believe the American public has made it clear, that we want border security. And that brings us to today. I have to tell you, I am running out of ways to describe what the majority is doing, but I imagine the Speaker knows where I am going with this. Once again, the majority is bringing up yet another continuing resolution--this one goes to February 28-- and, again, with no funding for border security. And yet again, it is clear that if we pass this bill, the Senate will not consider it and the President will not sign it because it does not include funding for border security. We now see the common thread in all the majority is doing: bringing up bills again and again and again, to fund the government, without dealing with the fundamental problem. All of these repeated continuing resolutions are the same. Only the date has changed. All of them fail to fund border security, which Americans have told us again and again they want and need. And all of them are continued avoidance of what needs to happen in order to end this shutdown: real, sincere negotiations with the Senate and the President over border security. I feel that this is an exercise in futility. The majority is failing to acknowledge the crisis happening at our southern border. As you know, I am a Member from Arizona, a border State. When will the Democrats get serious about ending this government shutdown and come to the negotiating table to work out a deal that has a real chance of being signed into law? Listen, I know that border security is a crisis. The other night on TV, when Speaker Pelosi and Chuck Schumer said it is a manufactured crisis, I can tell you firsthand, that is not accurate. We do have a crisis on the border, and we need to fix it. I have been to the border. I have been to the border several times. I recently visited the United States-Mexico border in Nogales, Arizona, where I met with Customs and Border Protection agents. The crisis we are dealing with at the border is not just illegal immigration, they said. There is illicit drugs flowing through our borders, which are killing our children and adults, human trafficking, and they told us that dangerous cartels are using our loose immigration laws to exploit the women and children, having them travel thousands of miles. Do you know that Doctors Without Borders say that, I believe one in three of these women have been sexually abused? This is unconscionable. We need border security. And it is the law enforcement, the Customs and Border Protection, that have said repeatedly, have told me personally, yes; part of the solution is a border fence. In 2006, Democrats supported a border fence. Chuck Schumer and then- Senators Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton funded $52 billion for 700 miles of fencing. Now the President is asking for $5.7 billion. That is only 1/10th of 1 percent of the Federal budget. And, unfortunately, because of their refusal to add this to any bills, it has shut down the government. This rule before us today is just another ploy. Democrats are refusing to negotiate and refusing to deal with this national security issue. Please, let's stop these games and pass a real bill that funds border security, that opens the government, that funds disaster relief, send it to the Senate, and have it signed into law. Madam Speaker, I urge opposition to the rule, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. LESKO

Mrs. LESKO. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor and celebrate the incredible work Barbara Plante has done for the United States Air Force and Luke Air Force Base in my home district. Barbara is retiring this month after an incredibly distinguished career serving our country. She has served the Air Force for 35 years, including 26 of those years at Luke Air Force Base. Currently, Barbara serves as the Deputy Director of the Community Initiatives Team at Luke Air Force Base. She was on the public affairs team for Luke Air Force Base from 1995 until 2013, except for when she was deployed to Afghanistan in 2011 and 2012. During those years, she welcomed local officials to the base, educated the public, and helped Luke Air Force Base with recruitment. In 2013, she transitioned from public affairs to help lead the Community Initiatives Team, where she learned and concentrated on state laws and zoning. Luke Air Force Base is home to one of the largest fighter wings in the world, the 56th Fighter Wing, in the middle of a growing metropolitan area. The Air Force strives for safe and supportive environments around its bases, leading to Luke Air Force Base's creation of the Community Initiatives Team in 2003. While not every base has one, Barbara's leadership has demonstrated how successful they can be. She has been essential to the base and the 56th Fighter Wing's success. Barbara has built tremendous support for the base in West Valley. Her commitment to educating city officials, real estate professionals, politicians and residents about the state laws restricting development around the base and why they are important has helped secure Luke Air Force Base's future for years to come. As of 2017, the base supports approximately 15,070 jobs, $923 million in wages, and $2.4 billion in direct and indirect economic impact to Arizona. Barbara's warm personality and desire to build and maintain strong relationships has helped her successfully manage the growth at Luke Air Force Base and the surrounding community. Her team works with 11 cities, Arizona state government and the federal government. Her efforts have seen direct results, including how our surrounding cities work together for the greater good of the community and the base. Barbara's work has created a fantastic and trusting relationship between our communities and Luke Air Force Base. Barbara's great achievements reflect her selfless dedication to serving our community in Arizona. Her passion for Luke Air Force Base and her devotion to her work for the Air Force has opened many doors for the base. It is an honor to be among the many in congratulating her on this most worthy accomplishment. I wish her my sincerest congratulations and hope her well-earned retirement is filled with good health and much happiness.

Mrs. LESKO

Mrs. LESKO. Thank you very much, Representative Hartzler; it was really eye-opening when we went down to the Arizona border. I have been there a number of times, but I learned directly from not only the high- ranking officials, but from rank-and-file agents. When I asked if a border fence was necessary to protect our Nation, they said, absolutely, yes. That is part of the solution. We have a major problem. Today, I would like to focus on some people from Arizona, Representative Hartzler, who were killed. They were killed by illegal immigrants who came into our country illegally. So I rise today because our open borders have caused a humanitarian and security crisis. When the Democrats say that this is a manufactured crisis, that is absolutely false. I have seen firsthand and have talked to people firsthand. We have a crisis on our southern border. Arizonans know the challenges of an unsecured border all too well. Just ask Mary Ann Mendoza whose son, Brandon, a Mesa, Arizona, police officer, was killed in a head-on collision caused by an illegal immigrant. The illegal immigrant who killed Brandon was arrested in the nineties for burglary and assaulting a police officer. He never showed up for court and was reapprehended at the border in 2002 attempting to come back into our country. Unfortunately, a lenient judge let him stay. Because of that, this law enforcement officer was killed. Arizona Border Agent Brian Terry's life was taken by a group of traffickers hoping to smuggle drugs into our country. When Agent Terry and three other border agents tried to stop their illegal activity, they shot him. Perhaps had our border not been so porous, Agent Brian Terry would still be with us today. A rancher from Cochise County, Arizona, Robert Krentz, was killed by an illegal immigrant at home on his ranch. Unfortunately, there are way too many stories just like these of innocent people getting killed by illegal immigrants. I live in a border State. I have been to the border a number of times. Most recently, I visited the United States-Mexico border in Nogales with the gentlewoman, where I met with Customs and Border Protection agents. I asked the agents if they thought the border fence would help. As I said before, they said absolutely, yes, that a fence will help in our efforts to combat illegal immigration and other illegal activity across the border. The crisis we are dealing with at the border is not just illegal immigration. There are illicit and illegal drugs flowing through our borders; human trafficking; and, as we learned from the agents, dangerous cartels at the border that are exploiting vulnerable children and mothers. In fact, according to Doctors Without Borders, more than 30 percent of the women who come to the southern border have been sexually assaulted on their journey. This is something that is up to Congress to fix. We need border security. The fence is just part of the solution. We need technology like sensors and drones, so we have eyes where we can't have our agents. We need more boots on the ground. We have funded more agents on the ground. Let's hire more agents, so our resources aren't spread too thin. What we are asking for is a multifaceted approach to border security. Democrats know this. In 2006, Democrats supported a border fence. Chuck Schumer and then-Senators Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton voted to fund $52 billion for 700 miles of fencing. Now we are asking for $5.7 billion. To me and you, that is a lot of money, but it really represents only one-tenth of 1 percent of our spending. On December 20, the Republicans in the House voted to keep the government open and secure the border. Unfortunately, not one Democrat voted for the bill. Now we are in a situation where the government is shut down. They won't come to the table. They won't negotiate. They don't have a counteroffer. I am willing to sit down and listen to their suggestions, but they haven't brought forward any suggestions. They are refusing to negotiate and refusing to deal with this national security crisis. While Democrats refuse to come to the negotiating table, our brave Border Patrol and ICE agents continue their mission of protecting our borders, even without a paycheck. We should be supporting them by giving them the tools and resources they need to do their jobs and keep our Nation safe. Instead, unfortunately, my Democrat colleagues are ignoring the public calls for border security. In fact, when Democrats repeatedly say, ``We are for border security,'' I think their talk is talk. They need to walk the walk and listen to our law enforcement that tells them what we need. Part of that is a border fence. President Trump addressed the Nation this week. Now it is up to Congress to address and solve the issue with legislation. Let's stop these political ploys and fund comprehensive border security.

Mrs. LESKO

Mrs. LESKO. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor and celebrate the wonderful life of Mrs. Clela Virginia Wanamaker. At 97 years old, Clela passed away peacefully at her home in Sun City West, Arizona on December 9, 2018, with her husband of 72 years by her side. Clela was born on January 9, 1921, in Iowa. Clela had a long and distinguished career as a registered nurse. She worked at Holy Family Hospital in Estherville, Iowa, before she and her husband moved to Wayzata, Minnesota in 1949. There, she worked as an industrial nurse for 27 years at Honeywell and retired in 1979. She married Bohn E. Wanamaker, her ``Mr. Wonderful'', on October 17, 1946, in Estherville, Iowa. They lived most of their married life in Wayzata, Minnesota, retiring in Sun City West, Arizona in 1980. Clela was an accomplished archery champion. Her husband, Bohn, was her coach and was one of four qualified archery coaches in Minnesota in 1966. Her first award came in 1966 when she finished 10th in the 82nd National Archery Tournament where she zeroed in 492 arrows and was the first to record a ``Six Gold'' by shooting six arrows in succession into the gold center of the target at 40 yards. Remarkably, Clela accomplished that feat after beginning serious practice less than a year earlier. Almost as incredible was that she was 45 years old at the time. The following year she added two silver and two bronze medals in the nationals. In 1969, she qualified for the world championships. Also, in 1969, she won the first of seven Minnesota state championships. In 1971, Clela was the first woman in the United States to shoot 1,200 scores back-to-back. Only three other women at that time had ever shot a 1,200 in the United States. Clela later became involved in pistol shooting and won many awards in that sport as well. Clela was also an active member of the community. More than 30 years ago, Clela made a decision to do something about obesity in the Sun City West community and started a diet group, Win and Lose. Clela was nominated for the ``Salute to Senior Service Contest'' for recognition of her 31 years of volunteer services, helping hundreds of men and women lose their excess weight and get healthy. As a result of this contest, in early summer of 2013 she was named Arizona Outstanding Senior Volunteer. She continued this club until about six months ago. She was also an active member of Arrowhead Republican Women. Clela was a valuable member of her community and she will be greatly missed by her family, friends, and the Sun City West community. On behalf of Arizona's Eighth Congressional District, I extend my deepest condolences to Clela's husband, Bohn Wanamaker, their family, and their friends who mourn this loss.

Mrs. LESKO

Mrs. LESKO. Mr. Speaker, I ask for the members of the Arizona delegation to join me. Mr. Speaker, I and the rest of the Arizona delegation want to take a minute to honor the life of Staff Sergeant Maximo Flores. On December 6, Staff Sergeant Maximo Flores was killed during a midair collision involving a marine refueling aircraft and a fighter jet off the coast of Japan. Staff Sergeant Flores always wanted to be a marine, and he did not waste a moment. After his 2009 graduation from Valley Vista High School in Surprise, Arizona, in my district, he enlisted in the Marines and pursued the aviation field. His military service made his family proud, even as he lived in distant locations such as Japan, where he most recently served with Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 152 at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni. As Americans, we are unconditionally bound together by the value of freedom. Staff Sergeant Maximo Flores enlisted in the Marines and gave his life to keep our country safe. His service symbolizes the values America stands for. It represents the freedom he fought for, and for that I am eternally grateful. We can never repay the debt our Nation owes Staff Sergeant Flores or his family, but we will always remember him and how he led his life in the service of others. His family and loved ones are in our prayers as they grieve during this trying time, and Arizona is forever grateful for Staff Sergeant Flores' service and dedication to our country.

Mrs. LESKO

Mrs. LESKO. Mr. Speaker, first, I want to applaud the American Legislative Exchange Council members who are joining us tonight and their CEO, Lisa Nelson, and her staff. I thank them for attending. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 5509, the Innovations in Mentoring, Training, and Apprenticeships Act. Presently, the American economy faces a shortage of 6 million skilled workers, a number expected to reach 11 million by 2022. This workforce shortage will only continue to grow unless we focus on training the next generation of skilled workers. In Arizona, we are seeing rapid growth in the science, technology, and engineering fields. Our aerospace industry is being strengthened by the creation of university partnerships like the ASU Research Enterprise and Aerospace Arizona. In order to support these growing industries, we must take action. This legislation is a step in that direction by providing grants for innovative approaches to STEM education and related workforce development. The bill expands the workforce pipeline in STEM fields through experiments with apprenticeships and other applied learning opportunities for college students and places a focus on the enhancement of 2-year degree programs and technical skill certificates in order to meet the shortage of qualified candidates at all levels. I want to thank the majority leader for bringing this legislation forward, and I urge my colleagues to support this bill.

Mrs. LESKO

Mrs. LESKO. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 6229, the National Institute of Standards and Technology Reauthorization Act of 2018. As a cosponsor of this legislation, I understand the importance of positioning the United States as a strong leader in scientific research and development. This bill supports basic quantum information science research and standards development, and provides funds to address fundamental research gaps, create a stronger workforce pipeline, and allow the United States to take the lead in developing global quantum standards and measures. This bill also supports developments in our national security. As cybersecurity threats from across the globe increase, it is important the Federal Government have the guidelines in place to defend against potential cyber attacks and protect our sensitive information against foreign adversaries. The bill also provides for the Institute to expand its fundamental and applied cybersecurity research to address key questions relating to measurement of privacy, security, and vulnerability of software tools and communications networks. I want to thank Representative Comstock for introducing this legislation to push the United States forward, and for Chairman Smith's leadership in advancing the scientific position of the United States.

Mrs. LESKO

Mrs. LESKO. Mr. Speaker, I am not recorded because I was absent due to an unexpected appointment. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall No. 397 and ``yea'' on rollcall No. 398.

Mrs. LESKO

Mrs. LESKO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize TriYoung, a woman- owned business in Peoria, Arizona, on American Business Women's Day on September 22. In August, I visited businesses across Arizona's Eighth District to discuss how reduced Federal regulations, pro-growth policies, and Republican-led tax reform have impacted business owners and employees. For Julie Young, president of TriYoung, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act has produced a sizeable savings that she plans to reinvest back into her employees. TriYoung is a perfect example of how the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act is making a difference in the lives of business owners and hardworking Americans. I am honored to represent this woman-owned business in Congress, and I will continue to support legislation that allows small businesses like TriYoung to thrive. Thank you, Julie, for sharing your story.

Mrs. LESKO

Mrs. LESKO. Madam Chair, while in the district, I met with the Puerto Rican Center of Arizona, including Gretchen Patterson, the founder and president, Leticia Jimenez, Jose Moro, Claudio Medina, and Maria Romero. They are advocates for Puerto Rico and have family members still on the island. They work in Arizona communities to share the culture of Puerto Rico and educate people about the island. They described devastation on the island caused by Hurricane Maria. They also talked about the problems with the electrical grid, even before Hurricane Maria. This legislation, H.R. 4606, will help Puerto Rico and other Caribbean islands by expediting the approval of projects to export small shipments of LNG to Caribbean island nations, which are in desperate need of natural gas to modernize their electric grids and supply more affordable fuel and feedstocks for manufacturing. H.R. 4606 will also help our U.S. citizens living in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands who are still recovering from Hurricane Maria. While the territories don't need a special permit to receive U.S. natural gas shipments, they would certainly benefit if we allow more U.S. small- scale LNG exports to other destinations in the Caribbean. H.R. 4606 will jump-start investments and jobs, which will create economies of scale. With more competition, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands will have more supply options and lower costs. The Caribbean islands have some of the highest fuel and electricity prices. We shouldn't deny them the opportunity to share in some of our surplus natural gas. H.R. 4606 isn't a silver bullet, but it will help deliver cleaner and more affordable fuel to those remote locations.

Mrs. LESKO

Mrs. LESKO. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 6400) to require the Secretary of Homeland Security to conduct a threat and operational analysis of ports of entry, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mrs. LESKO. Mr. Speaker, I once again urge my colleagues to support H.R. 6400, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. LESKO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, the United States has over 300 official ports of entry, ranging from land border ports along our southern and northern borders to international airports in major metropolitan cities, to seaports ranging from the Great Lakes to coastal cities. While each port facilitates trade and travel that keeps our economy humming, each has their own unique security challenges to prevent illicit activity. That is why it is imperative that we know the vulnerabilities and operational needs at each and every port in order to properly protect our homeland from threats and exploitation. I introduced this bill because our country's ports are long overdue for a comprehensive review. My bill requires the Department of Homeland Security to do a full threat and operational analysis of these vulnerabilities and create a strategy and implementation plan to prevent human trafficking, illicit drugs, illegal contraband, and transnational criminal activity at our air, land, and sea ports of entry. The bill also works to improve the flow of commerce that is vital to our economy. We need to not only think about the security of our ports, but also the infrastructure and operational needs as well. Ports of entry continue to be a preferred location for transnational criminal organizations and drug smugglers to transport illicit drugs and contraband into the United States. In fact, between October 1, 2010, and March 31, 2018, Customs and Border Protection conducted more than 84 million nonintrusive inspection examinations, resulting in more than 19,000 narcotics seizures and $79 million in currency seizures. Many U.S. ports of entry were built 40 to 50 years ago. Therefore, they were never designed for post-9/11 security measures, technology, or increased volume of traffic. These infrastructure constraints magnify the threats at our ports of entry and manifest themselves as long lines and bottlenecks that strain Customs and Border Protection's ability to properly vet all incoming traffic. In addition, long lines and wait times delay trade and cost the U.S. economy millions of dollars every year in lost productivity. This is why my bill's required analysis will look over current and potential threats, methods, and pathways used to exploit security vulnerabilities and improvements needed to improve illicit drugs and other contraband from crossing our border. Following the analysis, my bill directs the Department of Homeland Security to create a strategy and implementation plan to address the threats and operational inefficiencies identified. We need to fix these problems. We need to take action. Our ports must be brought into the 21st century. I am pleased by the support I have received on this legislation, and I specifically want to thank Chairman Brady of the House Ways and Means Committee and Chairman McCaul of the House Homeland Security Committee for working with me to bring this bill to the floor. Modernizing our ports of entry is just one step in securing our border. Mr. Speaker, I urge all Members to join me in supporting H.R. 6400, and I reserve the balance of my time. Committee on Ways and Means, House of Representatives, Washington, DC, August 31, 2018. Hon. Michael T. McCaul, Chairman, Committee on Homeland Security, Washington, DC. Dear Chairman McCaul: I write to you regarding H.R. 6400, the ``United States Ports of Entry Threat and Operational Review Act.'' The Committee on Ways and Means has jurisdiction over this bill and an additional referral was granted to the Committee on Homeland Security. The Committee on Homeland Security ordered this bill favorably reported. Because of the extensive communication regarding the policies contained in the bill, the Committee on Ways and Means is willing to waive formal consideration of the bill so that it may proceed expeditiously to the House Floor. Please note that by waiving formal consideration of the bill, the Committee on Ways and Means is in no way waiving its jurisdiction over the subject matter contained in those provisions of the bills that fall within your Rule X jurisdiction. I will include a copy of our letters in the Congressional Record during consideration of this legislation on the House floor and would support your effort to seek appointment of an appropriate number of conferees on any House-Senate conference involving this legislation. Sincerely, Kevin Brady, Chairman.

Mrs. LESKO. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and include any extraneous material on the bill under consideration.

Mrs. LESKO

Mrs. LESKO. Mr. Speaker, I agree with the gentleman from Virginia. Continuing resolutions are a growing threat to our national security. Yet, for the past 17 years, Congress has forced the Department of Defense to begin the fiscal year under a continuing resolution 13 times. Continuing resolutions are designed to temporarily fund the Federal Government if more time is needed to debate and finish remaining appropriations bills; however, they inhibit the Defense Department planning for the future. Not only do they harm us and our ability to deter and defend against emerging threats, but they also put our national security in a gridlock. Supporting defense programs through prior year funding levels is wasteful and inefficient. Think about it. Are our family's or business' needs the exact same as they were last year? the year before that? Of course not, because as we grow and develop, our needs change. The short-term fixes of continuing resolutions ultimately obstruct and hinder the military and its responsibility to secure our Nation. The consequences of shutdown politics will ultimately compromise the Department of Defense by inhibiting our military's ability to pursue long-term projects and reforms. The Department of Defense relies upon multiyear contracts for fighter jets like the F-35, missile defense systems, and other advanced weapons. This is because contracts are usually the most cost-effective means to pay for military equipment. At Luke Air Force Base, which is in my district, I have heard repeatedly how uncertainty in the defense budget and the restrictions that come from continuing resolutions have stalled the Air Force's F-35 fighter jet program. This is not acceptable. We must change how we do business and fund our single most important responsibility in Congress: our national defense. We all agree that we must provide a common defense for our country, and we need to stop letting political grandstanding get in the way of that. We have worked too hard to begin rebuilding our military in a meaningful way to let shutdown politics put our Nation at risk. While I am pleased and proud at what the House has done, that we have done our job and voted to approve both the National Defense Authorization Act and the Department of Defense Appropriations bill for fiscal year 2019, our work is not done. We must work with our counterparts in the Senate to ensure these bills are signed into law. We cannot stop falling back on continuing resolutions to determine our military's defense budget. We must keep working for the men and women who put their lives at risk every day to defend our freedom. Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague from Virginia, Representative Wittman, for his commitment to our military.