Jim McGovern

Mr. McGOVERN

Mr. McGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, for the record, again, what we are objecting to is the fact that all the programs that are contained in this bill that are being authorized are being gutted by this administration, and my friends are saying nothing about it. That is the ultimate kind of cynical maneuver. I mean, this administration is cutting money for first responder training, cutting money for pregnant and postpartum women, cutting programs to help prevent children from going down the road to addiction, cutting programs to track opioids, and cutting comprehensive opioid care centers. They are proposing that they be totally eliminated. I mean, we are having this debate while, as we speak, they are gutting these programs, and my friends are saying nothing, like, ``No, everything is great.'' Give me a break. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Kamlager-Dove).

Mr. McGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I know the gentlewoman doesn't want me to talk about Elon or what Elon said, but we are going to talk about it anyway. Mr. Speaker, as Elon Musk said: Trump's one big, beautiful GOP tax scam is a ``disgusting abomination.'' Let me break it down for you and for the American people. Here are 10 of the most egregious abominations in this bill. One, the GOP tax scam is a massive giveaway to the wealthiest in our country. We are talking about investment and hedge fund managers paying a lower tax rate than regular income earners like schoolteachers or firefighters. It would cut taxes for the top 5 percent of taxpayers while reducing critical resources for the poorest households, setting off what would be the largest upward transfer of wealth in American history. Two, Trump's bill guts Medicaid and likely Medicare, too. If this bill is signed into law, we will expect to see widespread hospital closures, and 15 million individuals, including sick children, seniors, and the disabled could lose their healthcare coverage. Three, it raises costs for people on individual health insurance plans. Republicans' under-the-radar tweaks to the Affordable Care Act could increase health insurance premiums by hundreds of dollars and force tens of thousands of people out of the marketplace. Four, this bill attacks food stamps. Millions will lose access to their SNAP benefits, taking food off the plates of hungry families, seniors, and veterans. Five, it terminates the IRS Direct File program, a successful, free tax filing service that helped over 140,000 people file their taxes in 2024. Six, it increases fees on asylum seekers and dumps billions into Trump's mass deportation efforts. Seven, get this: The Republicans' bill is great for Big Oil and Gas. It turns over millions of acres of public lands to big corporate drillers and would allow them to pay to get their projects rubber- stamped without any input from the public. Eight, it guts green energy subsidies, including investments in renewable energy projects that are already underway. Nine, it blocks State AI regulations in a giveaway to Big Tech, completely trampling over State legislatures. Ten, it scraps nearly a century-long tax on gun silencers. Who does that? Who does that? It is truly horrendous. We have a gun violence epidemic, and the Republicans want to make it easier for dangerous people to access deadly gun attachments. Mr. Speaker, clearly this tax scam bill is no good, and this is just the tip of the iceberg. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. McGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, let's talk about people in the gentlewoman's district in Minnesota. I point this out because I am learning that a lot of Republicans didn't read what was in the bill, so let me just provide some information for her. Under this bill, 5,800 people would lose coverage under the Affordable Care Act in her district alone; 15,367 in her district alone would lose Medicaid coverage; 21,167 people in her district alone would lose their health insurance outright. I mean, really? Is that what representation is all about? Please. That is what is in this bill that most of you never read. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from New Mexico (Ms. Stansbury).

Mr. McGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. Mr. Speaker, let me just say to the gentlewoman that, according to CBO, undocumented immigrants are not receiving Federal funds for Medicaid. My colleagues should read CBO. Don't listen to your Republican talking points. Actually read the stuff that we pay people to provide to us with the information to make sure we have the facts. Mr. Speaker, these bills are not stand-alone ideas. They are part of a larger Republican playbook, one that protects the powerful and punishes the rest. It is more tax breaks for billionaires, more crumbs for working people, more favors for Wall Street, more struggles for Main Street, more cruelty towards the vulnerable, more indifference to anyone who isn't writing a campaign check. We have never seen pay-to-play as much as we have seen in this Congress and in this administration. This isn't governing. It is greed. It is corruption and cruelty masquerading as policy. The American people deserve a hell of a lot better than this dark vision. The idea that you could take healthcare away from people is unconscionable and that you will do so with a straight face is unconscionable. This big, ugly bill is a disgrace. Today, you are attacking small businesses and you are attacking programs that help combat drug abuse addiction in this country. Vote ``no.'' Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

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

Mr. McGOVERN

Mr. McGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, I demand a recorded vote.

Mr. McGOVERN

Mr. McGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the incredible work of a lifelong leader in the Worcester community, Kathleen ``Kathy'' M. Gagne, as she ends her tenure as the Executive Director of Mechanics Hall. Kathleen first arrived at Mechanics Hall in 1994 as the marketing communications and fundraising manager, eventually becoming Executive Director of the Hall in 2018. She has led Mechanics Hall's creative programming with recent initiatives including Many Voices: Mechanics Hall Youth Singers as well as a free choral program for 4th through 7th graders in Worcester, Massachusetts. She brought world-class performances to a wide range of audiences, fostering a love of the arts, and serving the rich diversity of cultures and communities in the region. During her tenure, the Hall commissioned three portraits of influential 19th century Black Americans and oversaw the installation of state-of-the-art lighting and sound upgrades in both performance halls. Not only has Kathleen been a fabulous Executive Director at Mechanics Hall, but she has also been an important part of our vibrant Worcester community. Kathleen is a board member of the Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce, the WCIN radio community advisory board, and the American Antiquarian society. She is also a part of the Worcester Regional Research Bureau's Public Service Awards Committee and served as the board president for the Literacy Volunteers of Greater Worcester. Beyond Worcester, Kathleen has been involved with so many initiatives to make not just her community, but the world a better place. She has been a freelance editor for clients that included the U.S. Geological Survey and the National Science Foundation. Kathleen has also served as the Director of the Vermont Institute for Teaching the Arts, doing writing workshops for middle schoolers and substitute teaching for secondary school students. Mr. Speaker, Kathleen is an extraordinary leader and member of our community. And on behalf of both the United States Congress and the people of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, I am proud to honor her incredible achievements and extend to her our best wishes for her continued success.

Mr. McGOVERN

Mr. McGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, pursuant to clause 9 of rule XXI, I make a point of order against consideration of the rule, House Resolution 436. Clause 9(c) of rule XXI of the Rules of the House specifically state that the Rules Committee may not waive the earmark disclosure rule prescribed by paragraphs (a) or (b) of clause 9 of rule XXI. House Resolution 436 states: ``All points of order against consideration of the bill are waived.'' Therefore, I make a point of order pursuant to clause 9(c) of rule XXI that this rule may not be considered.

Mr. McGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, House Democrats are making a series of procedural motions today to stop the consideration of this lousy, awful, disastrous bill. Mr. Speaker, we will not stand by and watch Trump and his billionaire friends destroy this country without putting up one hell of a fight, and because this resolution waives the earmark rule, it is not in order for it to be considered on the floor. As I just said, Democrats are not going to sit here and let Republicans jam this bill down the throats of the American people. We are going to fight back, and we are going to fight like hell because, Mr. Speaker, this point of order is not just about the fact that this bill has earmarks. Look at who the earmarks are for. Look at who Republicans help and who they hurt. Follow the money. From day one, Trump has demanded that this entire process be about one thing: giveaways to the rich and to the powerful. This bill is a scam; a tax scam designed to steal from the American people and give to Trump's millionaire and billionaire friends. These are the same millionaires and billionaires who write big, fat checks to Members of Congress, and guess what? They expect a return on their investment, and this bill, this Republican tax scam, is exhibit A. This is all about corruption, greed, and theft--theft from the American people, theft of their hard-earned tax dollars to give to Elon and his rich friends. It is 1,000 pages of giveaways to billionaires. There are so many, I don't even know where to begin. Let's start with the big, fat earmarks Republicans have in here for polluters. There is lots of pork for polluters in this bill. We have corrupt pay-to-play schemes that let polluters buy immunity from lawsuits, cut corners on environmental reviews, and skip the legal permitting process. Did ExxonMobil come up with that one, or was it BP? There is a nice little giveaway to them tucked into this bill. That is on page 247 and page 600. Mr. Speaker, what about the earmarks in here that will allow certain companies to exploit and pollute pristine public lands, including for a coal mine owner with criminal convictions for environmental and safety violations? Did he just text Republicans the language of that earmark, or did my colleagues on the other side of the aisle draft it themselves? That is on page 559 for those following along at home. This bill even has a hit man handout. An earmark here gets rid of an excise tax on gun silencers. Who does that? That is on page 1,024. This has been in place for nearly 100 years, and it is a vital public safety measure. Over 400 silencers were found on or traced to violent crime scenes in 2023 alone. At least on that earmark, we know who asked for it. It was the NRA. We know why Republicans complied. It is because they want to keep getting big, fat checks from the gun lobbyists. I could go on and on, but this bill is loaded to the gills with giveaways to lobbyists, earmarks for special interests, and loopholes for the rich so they can get away with dodging their taxes. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. McGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, I can't believe the Republican argument is just: Trust us. Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Frost).

Mr. McGOVERN. We are talking about an earmark for the gun lobby, my friend.

Mr. McGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, I yield an additional 1 minute to the gentleman from Florida.

Mr. McGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. Mr. Speaker, this is everything that people hate about Washington. This bill is a tax scam that steals from the American people, and it is filled with earmarks. It has earmarks to the gun lobby, earmarks to polluters to be able to exploit land, and earmarks to every big donor that gives to the National Republican Congressional Committee. This is really about corruption. This bill that we are trying to bring to the floor steals from regular people, takes away people's food benefits, throws people off healthcare, and gives a big, fat tax break to millionaires and billionaires. That is what their priorities are all about. Mr. Speaker, I urge Democrats and Republicans who care about the integrity of this institution to vote ``no'' on considering the rule and to block this terrible tax scam from coming to the floor today. We can do a hell of a lot better. This is a disgrace. Mr. Speaker, I urge a ``no'' vote, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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

Mr. McGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, pursuant to section 426 of the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974, I make a point of order against consideration of the rule, House Resolution 436. Section 426 of the Budget Act specifically states that the Rules Committee may not waive the point of order prescribed by section 425 of that same act. House Resolution 436 states that all points of order against consideration of the bill are waived. Therefore, I make a point of order pursuant to section 426 that this rule may not be considered.

Mr. McGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, let me say this once again. Democrats will not stand by and watch Trump and his billionaire friends destroy this country without putting up one hell of a fight. Because this rule waives the point of order against unfunded mandates, it is not in order to consider it on the floor. The bill Republicans are attempting to jam through the House this week cuts food assistance for moms and dads, kids and people with disabilities, veterans, and seniors. It goes after the most important people in our lives, our families, all to fund a massive tax break for the richest people in this country. What the hell is wrong with these people, Mr. Speaker? It is more than just a massive betrayal of the American people. This bill is also a massive, new, unfunded mandate on States. Mr. Speaker, don't just take my word for it. The nonpartisan experts at the Congressional Budget Office said that title I of the bill, the Agriculture Committee's portion of this awful bill, would impose intergovernmental mandates by requiring States, for the first time ever, to provide State funding for food assistance benefits, increasing the share of food assistance administrative costs paid by States and requiring State agencies to perform additional administrative duties. This massive, new, unfunded mandate would cost States a whopping $19 billion each year. Mr. Speaker, where the hell are States going to come up with this kind of money? They can't. So what will happen is that people will get kicked off of food assistance. They will get less benefits, and they will go hungry. This will increase hunger. State after State and Governor after Governor has written to Congress begging us not to pass this awful bill. They have made it very clear that if this bill goes through, then States will be forced to cut benefits, kick eligible people off of food assistance entirely, or raise taxes to pay for this massive, new, bureaucracy that Republicans are creating in every State. The chairman of the Agriculture Committee's home State of Pennsylvania would have to come up with over $1 billion to cover the State's share of benefit costs. There is no State in the country that is able to take on this kind of massive, unfunded mandate. We are talking about basic needs for people, a food assistance benefit of $2 per meal so that people don't go hungry. By the way, that money not only lifts people out of poverty, it improves health and uplifts local economies too. Hunger costs this country, and food assistance programs save us money. Workers who are hungry are less productive at work. Kids who go to school hungry don't learn. Seniors who take their medication on an empty stomach end up in emergency rooms. We live in the richest country on Earth. For God's sake, not a single kid in this country should go to bed hungry, not a single damn one, especially not when Republicans are giving millionaires and billionaires a big, fat tax break. Mr. Speaker, I think Republicans know exactly what they are doing here. They know that this bill will kick millions and millions of people off of their modest food assistance. They know that their cuts will hurt kids, moms and dads, working families, seniors, veterans, and people with disabilities. This is an unbelievably cruel and rotten thing to do. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. McGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, enough with the BS about States having skin in the game. This is about throwing families off of food assistance, and it is an awful thing to do. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2\1/2\ minutes to the gentlewoman from Connecticut (Mrs. Hayes), who is the ranking member of the Nutrition Subcommittee.

Mr. McGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, by the way, it is not just people in Connecticut who are threatened by this budget. I would say to the gentlewoman from Indiana that there are 54,000 people in her district who are going to be threatened, losing their SNAP benefits because of what Republicans are voting for today on the Republican budget. I don't know how you deal with that. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Ohio (Ms. Brown), the vice ranking member of the Agriculture Committee.

Mr. McGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, may I inquire how many more speakers the gentlewoman has.

Mr. McGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, may I inquire as to how much time I have remaining.

Mr. McGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. Mr. Speaker, let me just say to my Republican friends that hunger is a political position. We have the money. We have the infrastructure. We know what to do to end it. We have everything but the political will. You bring to the floor a bill that robs from poor people and takes money away from the most incredible food assistance program in the world. You take that and use it not to end hunger but to pay for tax cuts for millionaires and billionaires. That is shameful. That is shameful. You put a big unfunded mandate on States. Stand with us on the right side of history. Stand with people who need help. For once in your life, do something to help people who really need help and not just reward those at the top who are well-off and well-connected. Stand with us in stopping this rule and vote ``no'' on this. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

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

Mr. McGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, over 100 Democrats just spent hours and hours debating hundreds of amendments in the Rules Committee for over 19 hours, and the reason why is simple: We are fighting back because this bill is a moral disgrace. It rips healthcare from millions of Americans. It guts Medicaid and Medicare, lifelines for seniors, children, working families, and people with disabilities. It takes food out of the mouths of hungry kids and veterans. For what? To shovel tax breaks into the overflowing pockets of billionaires and giant corporations. Let's call this what it is: theft. It is stealing from those with the least to give to those with the most. It is not just bad policy. It is a betrayal. It is a betrayal of the American people. Republicans know that this bill is toxic, and that is why they started their rules hearing at 1 o'clock, by the way, yesterday morning. They are terrified that the American people might actually see what is in this GOP tax scam and be outraged by what they are doing. Republicans don't want to talk about it. They want us to just shut up and pass this bill. They want it rubberstamped. Trump said to them: Close your eyes and vote for it. Guess what? No, no, no. We are not going to do that. We will not stay silent. We will not close our eyes and do what Trump says. Our eyes are open, Mr. Speaker, and our voices are loud. We are here to fight, and this bill is about whose side you are on. Democrats choose to stand with our communities, our neighbors, our families, and our people, and not the ultrarich Republican mega-donors and billionaires that write big, fat campaign contributions to buy votes. This is a rotten, ugly, bad bill that will hurt the people I represent. It will hurt millions of people in this country, but the sad reality is, Mr. Speaker, Republicans just don't care. Democrats are united, and with strength in our mission, with unity in our purpose, we are here to vote ``hell, no'' on this monstrosity of a bill. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. McGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, let me just say to the distinguished chairwoman of the Rules Committee: Do you know what gives people fiscal certainty? It is food in their refrigerators. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from Colorado (Ms. DeGette).

Mr. McGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, some people may be wondering why we are debating this bill at 1:20 in the morning, which is prime time in Guam. It is because they are ashamed of what they are bringing to this House floor, and they should be ashamed. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from California (Mr. Tran).