Betty McCollum

Ms. McCOLLUM

Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Chair, the gentleman who is offering the amendment is entitled to his opinions, but I do believe when we are talking about the President of the United States on the House floor, are we not supposed to refer to Mr. Biden as the President? I see the Parliamentarian is here discussing this. I won't ask for any more time to have you answer the question because they would give you the advice on that. There have been times, Mr. Chair, when I have been in your position when things were happening, pretense before about conversations, and it was my understanding, but I will move forward. The gentleman, as I said, is entitled to his own opinion, and his opinion is that he does not trust the President of the United States, and he does not trust the Secretary of Defense. I do. I believe that they will carry forward and uphold the law. The gentleman did point out something about these precursor drugs that I think the gentleman, the Chair, and I agree with, and that is China needs to crack down on them more. That means we need to crack down on China, but as soon as we list one of these chemical combinations, they come up with another one, so I have been urging, along with other people in the White House, to figure out how we write this in a way that we can make sure that we capture all these chemicals that are used to murder Americans. The last thing I would say on that, we just did the border security bill, the Homeland Security bill, and some of the technology provisions that would have allowed us to capture a lot of this at the border unfortunately were cut by the Republicans' bill that they put forward. There is work to do. I agree. I do trust the Secretary of Defense, and I do trust the President of the United States to uphold the law of the land. Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Chair, I claim the time in opposition to the amendment.

Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Chair, the reason why I claim the time in opposition to this amendment is because it is completely unnecessary. Of course, China does not participate in the Rim of the Pacific, or RIMPAC, as it was referred to. RIMPAC is a tool that we use to build alliances with our allies. It is an opportunity to deter China's activities. Why would the Department of Defense invite them in? They are not going to. This is another attempt by the majority to load up this bill with unnecessary provisions and will only delay us moving forward in conference negotiations with the Senate. If you have a problem with the way the authorizers wrote the bill, I suggest you go to the authorizing committee, Mr. Chair. This is the Appropriations Committee. I know full well that the Department of Defense is not going to be inviting China to join us in RIMPAC. This is unnecessary. Provisions like this just make the process take longer. It is wasting time and money. I think the gentleman is entitled to his opinions, and his opinion, once again, is he does not trust the President of the United States or the Secretary of Defense to make decisions that are not only lawful but are in the best interests of this country. I oppose the amendment, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Chair, I have the right to close, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Chair, I appreciate the gentleman's passion on this, but this is an appropriations bill. An authorizing bill is the appropriate place to do it. I would be happy to look at working with Mr. Ogles on the authorizing bill to take care of the issues that you care about, but I right now oppose it on this bill. Mr. Chair, before I close, we had a previous amendment that the gentlewoman from Georgia had in which she made statements about Secretary of Defense Austin. I follow the advice of a very wise President of the United States. I kind of trusted my memory, but I decided to verify. I will, for the record, state that Secretary Austin did not make any statement in any way, shape, or form that U.S. men and women would be fighting in Ukraine. He did say--and I did hear him say this in some of the earlier briefings--that if we don't stop the Russian aggression in Ukraine, it will spread into NATO and it could result in the United States and NATO sons and daughters fighting--``could,'' and that is if Russia spread beyond Ukraine. Mr. Chair, I want my colleagues to know how strongly I oppose this amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. McCOLLUM

Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and congratulate Dr. Yang Dao for a lifetime of achievements spanning over five decades of public service and community contributions to the multi-Lao ethnic people of Laos and the Hmong American Diaspora community in the United States and beyond. Born on September 7, 1943, to Yang Mi Nou and Her Kei in the Xieng Khouang Province during the Royal Kingdom of Laos, Dr. Yang Dao was educated in the time of the French colonial administration of Indochina, received a high school diploma in June 1964, and graduated with a bachelor's degree (baccalaureate francaise) from the University of Paris in 1968. With funding support from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), Dr. Yang Dao went on to complete a doctoral program in 1972, becoming the first Hmong in history to receive a PhD in Social Science from The Sorbonne University in France. After completing his graduate studies, Dr. Yang Dao returned to the Royal Kingdom of Laos to serve the government in many important roles, including as the Director of Human Resources in the Ministry of Planning from 1972 to 1974, and was later appointed by the King of Laos, His Majesty King Sisavang Vatthana as a member of the National Political Consultative Council (National Assembly) from 1974 to 1975 during the last unity coalition government consisting of the Royalist and Neo Lao Hat Sak (Pathet Lao) political factions. The fall of Laos to the communist Pathet Lao in May 1975 forced hundreds of thousands of Lao, Hmong, and other multi-ethnic refugees to flee to the neighboring country Thailand by crossing the mighty Mekong River, where Dr. Yang Dao and his family joined the exodus of refugees in seeking safety. In July 1976, Dr. Yang Dao's family resettled to France and later migrated to the State of Minnesota (USA) in 1983. Upon his arrival in the United States, Dr. Yang Dao joined the faculty at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities Campus as an Adjunct Professor teaching Southeast Asian Anthropology and History. He went on to teach at many local Twin Cities higher education institutions including Hamline University, and Metropolitan State University. Throughout his career, Dr. Yang Dao has authored many books, including Hmong History, Culture, and Spirituality at a Glance Through Speeches released in 2023, Hmong at the Turning Point (1993-French and English), and first Hmong-French Dictionary (1964). He has also co-authored many books and has written extensively in academic periodicals and Journals. Dr. Yang Dao is also a well-known public speaker who has participated in many national and international conferences in the United States, France, Laos, Thailand, Vietnam and China. He speaks Hmong, Lao, French, English, Thai, Vietnamese and Cantonese (Chinese). Dr. Yang Dao is also a prolific artist and composer who has created albums and popular songs from Sib Pab Ciaj Vaj (Hmong unity) to Nkauj Hnub Twj Tuaj Ci lab (Hmong face a bright new dawn) As one of the very few surviving officials of the Royal Lao government, Dr. Yang Dao is still very active in civic engagement, frequently traveling internationally to foster public diplomacy by promoting peace and encouraging educational and cultural exchanges. Mr. Speaker, please join me in this well-deserved tribute to Dr. Yang Dao, for his lifetime of service to Hmong Americans in Minnesota and across the United States of America.

Ms. McCOLLUM

Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Chair, I rise in opposition to H.R. 4763, the Financial Innovation and Technology for the 21st Century Act. While I am opposed to this bill, I am not opposed to the concept of crypto itself. But I have concerns about how crypto is currently regulated and believe that H.R. 4763 falls short of creating an effective regulatory framework. H.R. 4763 would also result in the massive deregulation of the securities market, not just for crypto but for traditional securities as well. This deregulation would remove protections provided by existing securities law to protect crypto investors and consumers and remove disclosure requirements that are designed to help investors make informed decisions. Additionally. H.R. 4763 would preempt state laws, disarming state regulators in Minnesota who are often on the frontlines against fraud. H.R. 4763 lacks necessary protections for crypto consumers and investors. As of today, the crypto asset industry does not comply with existing securities laws and regulations, allowing consumers to be defrauded. In fact, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) received more than 8,300 complaints related to crypto between 2018- 2022. Roughly forty percent of those complaints were reporting frauds and scams. This bill will only exacerbate this issue. We must reject H.R. 4763 and work to create a regulatory framework that will protect everyday investors and consumers. Crypto is the currency of choice for our foreign adversaries, terrorist groups, drug and human traffickers, child sex abusers, and ransomware attackers. These bad actors chose to use crypto because they know the industry does comply with securities laws and regulations, allowing the groups to circumvent regulatory, supervisory, and enforcement regimes. Congress should be considering legislation that will make it harder for these bad actors to access currency, not allowing loopholes to persist. We must ensure to be sure that crypto is not used as the black market for bad actors. Crypto asset platforms, where customers buy and sell crypto assets, are known to use vertical product and service integration, creating conflicts of interests for the platforms. Some crypto asset platforms blend exchange, brokerage, market making, and clearing agency functions in their platform. This vertical integration of products and services has long been prohibited in traditional markets because it leads to risks for investors. We saw this loophole exploited in 2022 when FTX's CEO, Sam Bankman-Fried, used its affiliated trading firm, Alameda Research, as a market maker, allowing FTX to transfer billions of dollars in customer accounts to Alameda. Sam Bankman-Fried is now serving a 25-year prison sentence for defrauding consumers. H.R. 4763 bakes in these existing conflicts of interest, allowing crypto asset platforms like FTX to continue to work against their customers' best interest for their own gains. Rather than putting forward a bill that would severely undermine the functioning of our capital markets, Congress should instead consider a comprehensive regulatory framework for crypto that will promote the responsible development of these digital assets while protecting American consumers and investors. I urge my colleagues to reject H.R. 4763.

Ms. McCOLLUM

Ms. McCOLLUM. Madam Speaker, I rise in opposition to Republicans using Police Week to push divisive legislation in the House that takes away local control from communities, weakens gun safety laws, and dehumanizes immigrants. Our constituents did not elect us to get involved in the local politics of our Nation's capital city. Yet, House Republicans think it's appropriate to waste Congress's time to limit Washington, D.C.'s ability to police itself. Congress does not have the authority to pass such a resolution for Minnesota or any other state--and we would not have that power over D.C. and its 700,000 residents if the District was granted statehood as the majority of its residents' support. Children at schools, daycares, and playgrounds deserve to be safe from guns and gun violence. House Republicans instead pushed legislation eroding the ability for communities across America to protect these areas from guns. Overriding a community's ability to establish zones that are gun-free fails to make our children safer, it exposes them to the danger of firearms. Three million children are already threatened by gun violence each year in America. More than 20,000 are killed or wounded. The solution to the gun violence crisis in this country is not more guns, and it clearly isn't overruling the will of a community that is taking its own action to make vulnerable children safer. Finally, House Republicans continue to dehumanize immigrants, as they have week after week in this Congress. They have presented their harmful proposals under the guise of protecting and supporting our law enforcement. Madam Speaker, I support law enforcement. I always have. These bills do nothing to support or protect the people who serve our communities. House Republicans continue to insist on undermining Constitutional civil liberties by removing the hurdle of proving guilt before deportation. As I've said before: Where will they stop? Are American citizens next? It is shameful that House Republicans are using our law enforcement as pawns for the Majority's extreme MAGA immigration rhetoric. House Republicans must stop their politics of division and distraction from addressing the real challenges facing Americans. They need to join Democrats at the table to find solutions.

Ms. McCOLLUM

Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 1213, A resolution regarding violence against law enforcement officers. Let me be clear: I am supporting this resolution because our law enforcement officers deserve better training and equipment, better data about the injuries they incur in the line of duty, and better resources to support their mental health and community engagement. Peace officers who serve their communities faithfully deserve our respect, and I resoundingly condemn the increase in violence against law enforcement officers. However, this resolution also inserts unnecessarily divisive language into what should be a unifying message of support. The claim that an increase in violence against law enforcement officers is tied to calls to defund the police is unsupported and irresponsible. Congress should never use our first responders to force a partisan, politically charged message. This is especially true during Police Week, when we reflect on those who have died in the line of duty, and honor those who put their lives on the line every day to keep our communities safe. The work law enforcement does is felt every day, and they deserve real, tangible support. Genuine support for our law enforcement officers requires Congress to address the myriad challenges they face. For example, we must work to stem the proliferation of ghost guns and assault weapons that make it especially dangerous and difficult for law enforcement to do their job. Congress must also ensure law enforcement is equipped to respond to the many calls they receive. I strongly support federal COPS grants to local law enforcement agencies, which have provided more than $16 million to Minnesota law enforcement agencies since 2016, putting more than 100 additional officers in our communities. Just as strongly, I oppose the Republican Majority's budget proposals to cut this essential funding. Additionally, support for mental health professionals to accompany officers in certain situations is needed. Being a law enforcement officer already entails so much. They should not be expected to fill dozens of specialized roles in addition to their primary responsibilities. During my service in Congress, I have been committed to ensuring that our law enforcement officers have the resources and support they need to do their jobs. In my role on the Appropriations Committee, I have secured more than $8 million in Community Project Funding to directly support Fourth District law enforcement agencies and programs. I will continue to work to support Minnesota's first responders and invest in community safety. I thank our law enforcement community for the sacrifices they make every day to keep us safe.

Ms. McCOLLUM

Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong opposition to H.R. 8369, the Israel Security Assistance Support Act. It is deeply disappointing to see the Republican majority continue to play politics with America's national security. For over a year, Republicans refused to work in good faith with Democrats on bipartisan solutions to fund the federal government, including the Department of Defense, and support our Ukrainian allies in their fight against Putin's illegal invasion of their nation. Now, Republicans are using assistance to Israel to attack President Biden, and place unprecedented restrictions on the administration's ability to implement American foreign policy. Mr. Speaker, I want to make it very clear that I believe the Hamas terrorist attacks of October 7, 2023, were a barbaric and heinous act that cannot ever be excused. I condemned the attacks when they took place, and I continue to condemn them. I also believe that Israel has the right to self-defense, and I have always supported defensive security assistance to Israel, like Iron Dome. But as a democracy, Israel, just like the United States, has a certain responsibility to its people and to the world to ensure the protection of civilian lives by defending itself in a proportionate manner. As a Member of Congress, I have been consistent in this belief my entire career, and I hold Israel to the same standard that I hold the United States to when we use military force. When I have felt that American administrations have failed to live up to this standard, I have said so publicly. That includes former President Trump's decision to use excessive force in Syria which resulted in the unnecessary deaths of civilians in American airstrikes. Unfortunately, the last seven months have shown that Prime Minister Netanyahu's government has pursued a grossly disproportionate use of force in Gaza as a response to the Hamas terrorist attacks. The United Nations now believes that the death toll in Gaza has reached over 35,000 people, many of them women and children. The Israeli government has deliberately used large ordinance to destroy critical infrastructure in Gaza like hospitals and schools. Humanitarian assistance has been repeatedly stalled, and Northern Gaza faces catastrophic levels of malnutrition. Now it appears that Prime Minister Netanyahu intends to launch a broad military offensive into the city of Rafah, where over a million Palestinian civilians are sheltering. The results would be catastrophic. The level of death and destruction that Prime Minister Netanyahu has inflicted on Gaza is shocking, has made Israel less safe, and must end immediately. That is why I have called for a regional ceasefire since October of last year. I commend President Biden and his national security team for working with partners in the region to try to secure a ceasefire. I also support President Biden's recent decision to pause shipments of certain types of offensive weaponry to Israel as a way of preventing further catastrophic loss of life in Gaza, particularly in Rafah. And let's be clear, the President's actions to withhold some security assistance are entirely consistent with U.S. law. They are also consistent with the actions of previous Republican administrations, including those led by Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush. Both these Republican administrations withheld and conditioned certain military assistance to Israel to affect a change in Israeli policy when it was misaligned with the foreign policy goals of the United States. This history speaks to why the legislation before us today is so dangerous. H.R. 8369 would eliminate all control and oversight that the administration has over the flow of taxpayer funded weapons, including highly destructive offensive weapons like 2,000- and 500-pound dumb bombs, to Israel. This legislation would force the delivery of these types of weapons to Israel within 15 days of being signed into law, and it would inextricably tie the administration, and America's foreign policy itself, to the way Prime Minister Netanyahu chooses to prosecute Israel's military campaign in Gaza. If Republicans had their way and this bill were to be enacted, the Government of Israel would set America's foreign policy instead of our own President and his administration. The precedent this would create is dangerous. The only Nation that should decide where and how the American taxpayer's dollars are utilized is the United States of America. Full stop. As if H.R. 8369 were not bad enough, the legislation contains provisions that would withhold funding for portions of the budgets for the Department of Defense, the Department of State, and the National Security Council until all assistance to Israel had been delivered. As the Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense, I find the threat to withhold funding for national security agencies charged with defending our Nation to be an appalling and shocking abdication of the Republican majority's responsibilities to govern our Nation in a safe and responsible manner. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 8369 is one of the worst pieces of legislation produced by the 118th Congress, and that is saying something. America's foreign policy decisions are ours to make, led by the administration in office at the time. Forcing taxpayer dollars to be sent to any other nation, while prohibiting the ability of the Executive Branch to provide suitable oversight and ensure that those funds are not being used in contravention of U.S. law, will make America less secure and have tremendous negative consequences. I strongly urge my colleagues to vote no.

Ms. McCOLLUM

Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, the Assistance to Fire Grants (AFG) and Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grants provide essential resources to fire departments around the country. Since their authorization in 2000, these grant programs have provided more than $15 billion in funding nationwide to community fire departments, ensuring that they are prepared for whatever challenges they might face. It is essential Congress fund these programs as local governments often lack the resources to invest in new firefighting equipment and to cover the costs of hiring and training new firefighters. I voted in support of the House Amendment to S. 870, the Fire Grants and Safety Act of 2023 because we must continue to deliver these vital funds to our communities. However, I am disappointed that House Republicans amended this legislation to add an unrelated bill, S. 1111--the Accelerating Deployment of Versatile, Advanced Nuclear for Clean Energy (ADVANCE) Act. The reauthorization of the AFG and SAFER grants should not have been packaged with a bill to accelerate nuclear energy deployment, which is a complex issue that deserves its own debate and vote. I would have preferred to vote on these two unrelated issues separately. I will continue to support our local fire departments and ensure that they have access to the federal resources they need to keep our communities safe.

Ms. McCOLLUM

Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to H.R. 7109, the Equal Representation Act. H.R. 7109 would mandate that the decennial Census include a citizenship question, and that the apportionment of U.S. Representatives be based solely on a count of American citizens. This is yet another attempt by House Republicans to advance their anti- immigrant political agenda by sabotaging the Census, which is required by the U.S. Constitution. This bill would deliberately undermine the Census's ability to reach chronically undercounted populations. The resulting impact would be to make future Censuses more costly and lead to inaccurate data that will have wide-ranging implications for Minnesota and our nation. Accurate Census data is necessary for determining the number of U.S. House of Representatives seats and Electoral College votes allocated to each state, as well as the share of trillions of dollars in federal funding each state receives. For Minnesota, an inaccurate count could result in the loss of representation in Congress and less federal funding for essential services, causing unnecessary harm to our communities. This bill threatens the accuracy of the Census and diminishes public trust. It would lead to manipulation of election maps and the hindering of the fair allocation of federal resources. I will always fight for an accurate Census that is consistent with our American values, and I will always work to ensure Minnesotans receives the federal funding, representation in Congress, and electoral votes they deserve.

Ms. McCOLLUM

Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, I rise to address my intended vote against H.J. Res. 98, a joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval of a rule submitted by the National Labor Relations Board relating to a ``Standard for Determining Joint Employer Status.'' In January, House Republicans brought forward a resolution to block a rule issued by the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) to clarify the definition of who is considered a joint employer under federal law. I voted against the resolution in January because, not only would it have blocked the NLRB's rule, it would have prohibited the Biden administration and any future administrations from issuing similar rulemaking to clarify the definition of who is considered a joint employer. The resolution passed the House in January in a vote of 206- 177 and passed the Senate in April in a vote of 50-48. When the resolution was sent to President Biden's desk he vetoed the resolution. When the resolution to override the President's veto comes to the floor, I intend to vote no because I still believe we should not tie the hands of the National Labor Relations Board from ever taking up a similar attempt to clarify essential protections against labor rights violations in situations where multiple companies have control of a worker's conditions. Let's also be clear about why House Republicans are bringing up this resolution and attempting to override the President's veto. They didn't do it because they're the party of workers' rights. They brought forth H.J. Res. 98 simply as another way to attack the Biden Administration and try to stop the federal government's regulatory and rulemaking authority. Tuesday afternoon, shortly before the House floor vote on H.J. Res. 98, I met with a group of St. Paul area realtors to discuss several issues including the importance of protecting independent contractor status for real estate agents. Eighty-seven percent of realtors are classified as independent contractors. When the National Labor Relations Board and the Department of Labor are issuing rules relating to joint employers and independent contractors, the agencies must keep in mind the unique classification of realtors as independent contractors. That is why I am a cosponsor of H.R. 5419 which would amend the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 (29 U.S.C. 203(e)) to ensure that the status of realtors as independent contractors is protected. The NLRB should work to issue regulations that address the concerns of independent contractors like realtors and protect the rights of working-class Americans whose working conditions are impacted by multiple employers. But it would be prohibited from ever doing that essential work if this veto override was passed, and so I will oppose this legislation.

Ms. McCOLLUM

Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the distinguished career of President ReBecca (Becky) Koenig Roloff on the occasion of her retirement from St. Catherine University in Saint Paul, Minnesota. Since 2016, President Roloff has served as the 11th president of the university, which is affectionately known as St. Kate's by students and alumni, which includes both her and me. During her eight years of distinguished leadership at St. Kate's, one of the nation's largest private women's universities, President Roloff has made a lasting impact by reaffirming the university's accreditation through the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. She combined the Minneapolis and Saint Paul campuses into one unified campus in Saint Paul and completed numerous infrastructure improvements across campus. In 2022, it was a privilege to partner with her and the university to provide critical federal funding for technology and equipment upgrades for Mendel Hall to enhance student learning and research opportunities for women undergraduate students in STEM fields. She also successfully recruited a diverse senior leadership team and led the development of a new 10- year strategic plan that has grown enrollment and strengthened its financial position. Prior to returning to her alma mater as president, Roloff distinguished herself in the business world as a senior vice president at American Express Financial Advisors, held leadership positions at Pillsbury Company, and was a grain merchant for Cargill. She has served on the boards of C.H. Robinson Worldwide, Inc., the Minneapolis Downtown Council Executive Committee, and Allina Health. The commitment to social justice and community service that was instilled in Becky as a student at St. Kate's led her to serve in leadership of an organization with a social mission, becoming Chief Executive Officer of the Minneapolis YWCA from 2005 to 2016. During this time, the organization became the largest non-profit provider of high-quality, nationally accredited early childhood education in Minnesota. Upon the conclusion of her tenure, the board chair wrote: ''YWCA Minneapolis is tremendously grateful to Becky for her leadership over the last 11 years. She leaves a legacy of community impact, and a resilient, strong organization.'' In addition to earning her bachelor's degree from St. Kate's, where she graduated cum laude in 1976, Becky went on to earn a Master of Business Administration from Harvard Business School in 1982. Throughout her academic life and career, Becky has exemplified the St. Kate's values of liberal arts education and its emphasis on intellectual curiosity and social justice. while working to empower women and make a difference in the world. As an alumna and as a Member of Congress, I celebrate her impressive career and wish to express my gratitude to Becky for her immeasurable contributions to St. Kate's. Mr. Speaker, please join me in this well-deserved tribute to Ms. ReBecca Koenig Roloff, the 11th President of St. Catherine University in Saint Paul, Minnesota.

Ms. McCOLLUM

Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, I rise to address my intended vote on H.R. 6090, the Antisemitism Awareness Act. This bill would require the Department of Education to utilize the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of antisemitism when interpreting whether an action or practice violates the Civil Rights Act of 1964. To be clear: I condemn antisemitism in all its forms and stand with the Jewish community as they mourn the losses sustained in the October 7 terrorist attack by Hamas and the subsequent increase in antisemitic incidents in the U.S. and around the world. But requiring the Department of Education to use the IHRA definition would stifle free speech and curtail legitimate criticisms of the Israeli government's actions. I concur with J Street, which noted: ``On its own, the IHRA Working Definition, coupled with its contemporary examples, is broad and can label legitimate political speech and critique of Israel as inherently antisemitic. We are concerned that this concerted campaign to require the use of the IHRA definition and its examples by law and regulation creates significant opportunities for abuse and politicization, including by future MAGA-aligned administrations.'' This bill violates First Amendment rights to share and debate ideas and express peaceful dissent. It is too broad and could lead to colleges and universities banning student groups that aim to provide safe refuge, community, and space to discuss issues that are important to them based on the opinion or statement of one student.

Ms. McCOLLUM

Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, you probably don't know this, but Minnesota stands and represents the land of sky blue waters, so I rise to oppose this unnecessary and harmful piece of legislation. Before I talk about the legislation directly, I want to take a minute to loop back to the discussion that is taking place on the floor about national security. Mr. Speaker, I am the ranking member and former chair of the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, and I take a back seat to no one in making sure that our industrial base and this Nation have the minerals and capability to reshore and to make things happen here at home so that we have an efficient supply chain. This piece of legislation doesn't do that. One of the things that I want to clear up is this misnomer about how mining this copper through Antofagasta, which is a foreign-owned Chilean company, means somehow this copper magically all stays right here in the United States. It doesn't, Mr. Speaker. In fact, when this ore is mined, Antofagasta has most of its contracts shipping their mined copper to China for smelting, and then it is sold on the open market. This is not circular where these particular minerals are going to be mined in Minnesota, let alone smelted in Minnesota or here in the United States. They will be sold on the open market. The other thing this bill does is it talks about restoring the Superior National Forest. I served with Congressman Oberstar. I knew him well. I would say to you, Mr. Speaker, that at the time Congressman Oberstar was talking about mining and forestry, we were talking about iron ore mining. I support iron ore mining in Minnesota. In fact, when I have introduced pieces of legislation to protect the Boundary Waters, in my legislation, I made sure that we do nothing to harm iron ore mining because that is the backbone, that is something that is mined and the steel is produced here in the United States and does go, if we want to talk about defense, back to our industrial base here. Mr. Oberstar is not here to discuss copper sulfide-ore mining or these particular leases and what we know now about Antofagasta's mining record. This piece of legislation would revoke key protections for a watershed that contains some of the purest and freshest water in the Nation and, in fact, in the world. This is water that when you are in a canoe, Mr. Speaker, you can dip your hand into it and drink from it and not worry about anything happening to you. It is that pure. In fact, the Superior National Forest contains 20 percent of all the freshwater in the entire region in the U.S. National Forest System. Being from Minnesota and having served on the committee that has the bill before us today, the Natural Resources Committee, I often hear colleagues joke that they want our water. Why? Wars will be fought over water. Water is a precious resource. What this bill does is reinstates two mineral leases for which the Forest Service denied their consent because these mines pose an unacceptable risk to this precious preserve of clean water that we enjoy as a wilderness for not only today but will be there for future generations. This bill would also rescind a mineral withdrawal that the Biden administration finalized last year, which prohibited mining for 20 years in the watershed of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. It is not permanent. It is 20 years. Maybe technology does change, but right now, these mines fail. They will fail to protect the waters. The Federal action that was supported by a robust environmental assessment had 19 accompanying resource reports. When the Trump administration undid what the Obama administration had done in protecting this water, I was chair of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Subcommittee. Mr. Speaker, they said they were going to do and promised they would do a study. I asked for the study repeatedly. When I finally did get the study, which was never completed, Mr. Speaker, every single page was redacted. Every single page was blank. I have enough of a security clearance, being on the Defense Subcommittee, that they could have shown me. I could have gone in the SCIF to read it. It was blank because it was a bogus study. This bill ignores documented scientific consensus that is proven now. This bill to support a mineral withdrawal would overturn all the public input, the overwhelming public input, in protecting this unique watershed. To make matters worse, it also strips away the judicial review, as Representative Porter mentioned, in favor of pro-mining policies, further silencing the voices of those who want this watershed protected by stripping away their rights to challenge these actions in court. For these reasons alone, we should not support this bill. I want to make sure that instead of undermining a 20-year mineral withdrawal, this amendment that I will offer later in the form of an MTR would protect the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. It would ensure that public lands and waters, not only the BWCA, but the Voyageurs National Park, will never be polluted by toxic drainage from sulfide-ore mining. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to include in the Record the text of the amendment that I will be offering.

Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, I hope my colleagues will support and join me in my amendment that was not allowed in committee, but as an MTR, I will offer it to substitute the language of the Boundary Waters Wilderness Protection and Pollution Prevention Act. Mr. Speaker, I thank the Representative for yielding me the time.

Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, Mr. Speaker, I have a motion to recommit at the desk.

Mr. McCOLLUM

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

Ms. McCOLLUM

Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Chair, it has been 6 months since President Biden sent his security supplemental to the Congress and 2 months since the Senate passed it, but today, the House will finally act. It is not a moment too soon, for the situation in Ukraine is dire. Vladimir Putin has failed to release thousands of Ukrainian children who have been kidnapped and continues to murder Ukrainian citizens on a daily basis. The Ukrainian military faces a severe shortage of ammunition, ammunition to protect their citizens and their sovereignty. Why? Because for months this House has remained silent, but today that changes. Today, we will pass this legislation. We will provide security and economic assistance to Ukraine. We will replenish depleted stocks of U.S. equipment here at home. We will join and show the Baltic nations, Romania, and Poland, that we stand with them, along with our European and NATO allies. Together, we will support the Ukrainian people and their fight for freedom. We will make it clear to authoritarian nations that America will always stand up for democracy here at home and around the world. Mr. Chair, I urge my colleagues to support these bills.

Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Chair, I thank the ranking member for yielding. Mr. Chair, I rise in very strong opposition to this amendment. Cutting the funding in this bill would be devastating. To zero out our support for Ukraine will only embolden Putin more. As I said earlier, murdering civilians on a daily basis is what the Russian Government is up to, as well as holding thousands of Ukrainian children as captives. As ranking member of the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, I know the funds included in this bill will provide Ukraine with the vital support they need to defend themselves. If this amendment were to pass, we would send a signal that the United States does not stand against Putin's campaign of death and destruction in Ukraine. We absolutely must stand against Putin's aggression. If Putin is allowed to succeed in snuffing out Ukraine's democracy, it will put our allies in the Baltic States, Poland, Romania, and other NATO partners, at great risk. The funds in this bill also strengthens America's national security by supporting our operations in New York, backfilling our own military stocks so that we are prepared. Mr. Chair, I strongly urge a ``no'' vote on this amendment.

Ms. McCOLLUM

Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Chair, I rise in opposition to H.R. 4639, the Fourth Amendment Is Not For Sale Act. As Ranking Member of the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, my priority is our national security and to protect Americans from foreign threats. Our Intelligence Community agencies at times purchase what is known as ``commercially available information'' from data brokerage companies to gather information on foreign spies and bad actors, and to protect America from malign foreign influence. When they purchase this data, they cannot be certain that it is entirely free of any U.S. citizen's information. In order to protect citizens, agencies are already required to take steps to ensure that this incidentally obtained data is removed. However, these data brokerage companies collect the personal information of Americans through their social media profiles, public records, and other commercial sources. They then sell this information to companies, organizations, or any entity with an interest in collecting data on American citizens--including foreign adversaries like China, Russia, or even cartels. H.R. 4639 would do nothing to keep any of these other entities from exploiting and sharing American's data. Instead of prohibiting our own intelligence agencies from accessing commercially available information to obtain foreign intelligence, we must take steps to address the broader vulnerability of Americans' data. Congress needs to take steps to protect Americans, not undermine our Intelligence agencies and put the United States at a deep disadvantage against our adversaries.

Ms. McCOLLUM

Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and legacy of Representative William Delahunt who recently passed peacefully at his home in Quincy, Massachusetts. Representative Delahunt, born in that very same town, spent his life dedicated to its people. Representative Delahunt was a lifelong public servant. He began his career as a Radioman for the Coast Guard, an honor he brought all the way to the House as co-chair of the Coast Guard Caucus. Representative Delahunt progressed through a life of Public Service. He served as a Quincy Town Councilor, State Representative, District Attorney, and finally House Representative, before his retirement in 2011. Representative Delahunt always put the needs of his constituents first. When low-income residents in his home state struggled to pay their heating bills during the winter of 2006, he got little assistance from the Bush administration. Instead of doing nothing, he famously brokered an international fuel sale for approximately 50,000 Massachusetts residents in dire need. His direct negotiation of this sale ensured even his most vulnerable constituents could keep the heat on that winter. Well-respected for his lasting commitment to human rights, Representative Delahunt served as the chair of the Subcommittee on International Organizations, Human Rights, and Oversight in the 110th Congress. I had the distinct pleasure of serving with Representative Delahunt, and I still carry a deep respect for Representative Delahunt's strong principles and consistent defense of human rights. Our thoughts and prayers are with his fiance, Julia Pagana, daughters Kirsten and Kara, and two grandchildren. Mr. Speaker, please join me in honoring the life of a great man of this chamber.

Ms. McCOLLUM

Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the distinguished career of Monica Silbas on the occasion of her retirement as Chief of Staff for the International President of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM). During her more than 20 years of union leadership, Monica has made a lasting impact throughout her career on behalf of working people and the Labor Movement. Additionally, Monica helped found the Latino Labor Lobbyists group, the IAM's Spanish Leadership Program, and served as Co-Chair of the Women of Labor organization, in which capacity I had the great fortune of working alongside her. Monica started her career with IAM in 1986 as a Customer Service Agent at Northwest Airlines in Los Angeles, where she was initiated into IAM Local 2785. She quickly rose as a leader in organizing with her Labor brothers and sisters, and in 1999 became the IAM Transportation Department's Education Representative. In this role, she initiated and won several organizing campaigns representing airline and railroad workers. She then joined as IAM Assistant Political and Legislative Director before becoming the Chief of Staff to the International President. Monica has dedicated decades of her work to expanding the reach and inclusion of the Labor Movement. Fluent in Spanish, Monica was among the founding members of the IAM's Spanish Leadership Working Group, and was crucial in developing materials and resources for IAM in Spanish. As Co-Chair of the Women of Labor organization, she helped lift and encourage women in the Labor Movement. Finally, she was a member of the Executive Committee of IndustriALL Global Union, representing over 50 million workers in 140 countries. Throughout it all, Monica has been an unwavering voice for working families. It has been my great pleasure to work closely with her on many projects and priorities over the years, and I know I speak for many when I say that she has been a tremendous asset to the Labor Movement. Mr. Speaker, please join me in this well-deserved tribute to Monica. I wish her and her family all the best.

Ms. McCOLLUM

Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to H.R. 1121-- Protecting American Energy Production Act; H.R. 6009--Restoring American Energy Dominance Act; H. Con. Res. 86--Expressing the sense of Congress that a carbon tax would be detrimental to the United States economy; H.R. 7023--Creating Confidence in Clean Water Permitting Act; H. Res. 987--Denouncing the harmful anti-American energy policies of the Biden administration and for other purposes; and H.R. 1023--To repeal section 134 of the Clean Air Act, relating to the greenhouse gas reduction fund. Republicans have dubbed this their Energy Week. And the American people would be better off if Congress really was undertaking a broadly focused energy week where we came together to discuss innovative strategies to diversify our energy supply and ensure our energy sources and grid are resilient for decades to come. Instead of having those meaningful policy debates, however, the House is wasting this week considering bills that undermine bedrock environmental laws, jeopardize our clean energy future, and prioritize big oil and gas corporate profits. Republicans are once again putting polluters over people. Let's be clear about what these bills do: H.R. 1121 would prohibit any president from banning hydraulic fracturing for oil and gas--or fracking. Neither President Biden nor the Secretary of the Interior have proposed a ban on fracking, but Congress should not take away any of the tools that the executive branch has at their disposal to combat the climate crisis, including fracking bans if necessary. H.R. 6009 would reverse long overdue fiscal reforms passed in the Inflation Reduction Act to ensure taxpayers don't pick up the bill for big oil and gas production on public lands. This is a Republican gift to big oil and gas corporations, who could walk away from public lands that need to be cleaned up and reclaimed after drilling and leave taxpayers on the hook. H. Con. Res. 86 is frankly a waste of our time. With this resolution, it's clear that Republicans have no plan to address the climate crisis or issues that matter to working families. They're too busy shutting down even the possibility of considering solutions if they might reduce the corporate profits of carbon polluters. With H.R. 7023, Republicans are attempting to roll back over fifty years of clean water protections. Thanks to the years of attacks from Republicans and an anti-regulatory majority on the Supreme Court, clean water protections have already been weakened. Congress should be considering legislation that restores Americans access to clean water, not further undermining the clean water protections that are still in place. H. Res. 987 denounces efforts taken by the Biden administration to address the climate crisis, protect our natural resources, and invest in our clean energy future. Thanks to Biden administration polices, Xcel Energy is building Minnesota's largest-ever solar project in Becker, transitioning the site from coal generation. Thanks to Biden administration policies, Canadian solar panel maker Heliene Inc. has invested $145 million to open a plant in the Twin Cities. But Republicans falsely claim the policies that created these investments are ``anti-American energy'', because they reduce our dependence on fossil fuels. H.R. 1023 would repeal two critical Inflation Reduction Act programs, the Methane Emissions Reduction Program and the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund. These programs cut climate pollution and promote clean air for our communities. Repealing these two provisions will only help big oil and gas corporations and take away resources from local communities. Mr. Speaker. I urge my colleagues to reject this slew of Republican bills that put polluters over people.