Kevin McCarthy

Mr. McCARTHY

Mr. McCARTHY. I thank the gentlewoman for yielding. Madam Speaker, before I begin, I want to thank Congressman John Fleming, and I want to thank Congresswoman Diane Black. Before we come here as Members of Congress, we have occupations. John Fleming happens to be a doctor. Diane Black started out as a nurse and is still a nurse. Her decades of experience, especially on this issue, are what have driven her in her work to make it here today. Madam Speaker, I want to be explicitly clear so as to remove any confusion about what this legislation is and why we are voting on it today. This bill is not about abortion. Now, I am profoundly pro-life, and I don't hide it, but this bill isn't about that. It is about respecting people with different opinions and letting them live their lives without having the fear of punishment. I am not asking people to change their closely held beliefs today. After all, every law on the books that has governed abortion before this bill will remain exactly the same after this bill is passed. The message is more fundamental: don't force those who are deeply and morally opposed to something to fund it, support it, or perform it. We all know America is unlike any other place. In America, we have Amish farmers, modern artists, stock market analysts, teachers, oil rig workers. We have the left and the right--Republican and Democrat--and every single one is just as American as the other. It is not easy to make this crazy experiment called ``America'' work, but we do because we respect that people may live in ways by which we don't approve and have opinions that we can't stand, and they are still our neighbors. This mutual respect is the lifeblood of a free society. There are millions of people in this country--a majority, in fact-- who are pro-life. That belief is intimately tied to our love of others and to our respect for human dignity; but many pro-life Americans face a choice no person should face. Do they violate their consciences or violate the law? Do they do something they think is wrong, or do they lose their jobs? A nurse in New York was told she had to participate in an abortion even though she objected. Her supervisor told her, if she didn't, she could be fired and could even lose her nursing license. In my home State of California, a mandate forces pro-life individuals and churches to pay for insurance plans that cover the procedure even if doing so violates their deeply held beliefs. That mandate flies directly in the face of the Weldon amendment, which protects conscience rights--something of which this Congress has approved time and again for decades. This mandate was challenged at the Department of Health and Human Services. It rejected the complaint. So I met with Secretary Burwell and with many of our colleagues to ask how this could happen. How could a State force people to violate their beliefs? I will tell you that I and the Members who were there still don't have an answer to our question. But, Madam Speaker, why is this even a debate? Why would this administration want to force someone to violate his conscience? As President Obama, himself, said early on in his Presidency, ``Let's honor the conscience of those who disagree with abortion.'' I agree wholeheartedly with that statement. Voting for this bill isn't voting against abortion. It is voting against compulsion. It is voting to reaffirm that mutual respect is necessary for a free society, and only with that respect can America live in the liberty we have so long enjoyed.

Mr. McCARTHY

Mr. McCARTHY. I thank the gentleman for yielding. Mr. Speaker, the American people deal with their government in different ways almost every day; veterans trying to navigate the Federal bureaucracy, entrepreneurs dealing with regulations, citizens looking to access public information. Dealing with the government is never as clear, as easy, or as efficient as it should be. That is because, while the world has changed in so many ways, government has stayed in the past. Just think of how little government has changed. In the 1930s, we got our news from the radio and the morning paper; today we get it on our phones. In the 1930s, we would cool off by opening the window or using a fan; today we have central air. In the 1930s, the VA processed paper disability claims; today it still processes paper disability claims. Why is it that we expect more technology from our phones every month yet tolerate the exact same from our government year after year after year? Government is stuck in the past. We need to bring it into the future, and that is one of the two pillars of the Innovation Initiative. Bringing government into the 21st century demands challenging the status quo. That begins with people, making sure the American people benefit from the best talent our country has to offer. The Presidential Innovation Fellows program allows highly talented professionals--that means engineers, designers, and innovators from across the country--to build a more efficient, effective, and accountable government. They challenge old ways of thinking and introduce new approaches to make our government work the way American people believe and deserve it to work. Now, I sponsored the TALENT Act to make sure this program continues into future administrations. By codifying the Presidential Innovation Fellows program into law, we can continue bringing positive disruptors to Washington and modernize our government. The greatest resource we have in our country is the American people. We need the talent of the American people now more than ever before so we can reform government so it works well for everyone.

Mr. McCARTHY

Mr. McCARTHY. Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 415, I was unavoidably detained when there was a Capitol lockdown due to a potential shooter that prevented me from getting to the floor. Had I been present, I would have voted ``no.''

Mr. McCARTHY

Mr. McCARTHY. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that when the House adjourns today, it adjourn to meet on Monday, July 11, 2016, when it shall convene at noon for morning-hour debate and 2 p.m. for legislative business.

Mr. McCARTHY

Mr. McCARTHY. I thank the gentleman for yielding, and I thank him for his words and our conversation prior. Mr. Speaker, the gentleman is correct. Too many families are mourning losses this week. I believe all Americans are praying for the families--for the innocents who have been murdered in ambush. It is a time for this Nation to heal; it is a time for this Nation to unite; and it is a time for justice to be done. I think, for that to start, this House needs to be an example. I thank the gentleman for being accepting of and for being willing to work together as we have so many times before. As we know in this House, people come from many different parts of this Nation and have expertise. I have sat and had a conversation with Dave Reichert, who has tremendous expertise; and I have had conversations with John Lewis. There is an ability within this House to help this Nation unite and heal the wounds that are out there, and I thank the gentleman for being willing to be a part of that.

Mr. McCARTHY. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding. Mr. Speaker, on Monday, the House will meet at noon for morning-hour and 2 p.m. for legislative business. Votes will be postponed until 6:30 p.m. On Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, the House will meet at 10 a.m. for morning hour and noon for legislative business. On Friday, the House will meet at 9 a.m. for legislative business. Mr. Speaker, the House will consider a number of suspensions next week, a complete list of which will be announced by close of business today. The House will also consider the fiscal year 2017 Interior appropriations bill, sponsored by Representative Calvert. Additionally, the House will consider the Separation of Powers Restoration Act, sponsored by Representative Ratcliffe, as well as three bills related to Iran, thanks to the work of Representatives Pompeo and Royce. The House will also consider the Conscience Protection Act, authored by Representative Diane Black. Mr. Speaker, it is likely that several additional items will be added to the schedule for next week, and Members will be advised of the final schedule as soon as possible.

Mr. McCARTHY

Mr. McCARTHY. I thank the gentleman for yielding. Mr. Speaker, I rise for one purpose. I rise to recognize the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Crenshaw) on his last Financial Services bill. Mr. Speaker, I know they are not rising because it is his last bill. They are rising because this man has always been a gentleman and a statesman regardless of what side of the aisle he has been on. He has represented the Fourth District of Florida for 15 years. His leadership will be shown on so many pieces of legislation, but his heart, his passion, and his persuasion was really shown on the ABLE Act. He never gave up. Because of the ABLE Act, it is now helping millions of Americans with disabilities lead more independent lives. He has changed their lives. So I think I speak for all Members in wishing him well in his retirement and his quest to become a scratch golfer.

Mr. McCARTHY

Mr. McCARTHY. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding. Mr. Speaker, it is a testament to Representative Tim Murphy's expertise, persuasion, and sheer force of will that something so many thought would be impossible is now inevitable. The House will soon vote to pass Mr. Murphy's Helping Families in Mental Health Crisis Act under suspension. Though this bill is the most significant reform to our Nation's mental health program in decades, it has such a breadth of bipartisan support that we know it will pass with far more than a majority of votes in this House. This is a work that Mr. Murphy of Pennsylvania has done not just for 1 month, not 2, not even 1 year, but I would say a lifetime of his work. You see, each year, the Federal Government has responded with money--$130 billion to be exact. But we cannot and should never conflate the amount we spend with the effectiveness of the spending. The Federal Government has 112 programs to address mental illness. But coordination is limited and gaps are common. Children with mental health disorders can't get psychiatrists. Criminal facilities are commonly used to house mental health patients. Funding isn't going to support evidence-based breakthroughs that improve people's lives. We need simplification, coordination, and effectiveness. We need reforms that help those who suffer from mental illness while also making our Nation safer. This bill is thorough and will deliver. From top to bottom it will improve our fragmented mental health systems, giving new hope to those too often forgotten and support to those truly in need. It is an honor to be on this floor with Representative Tim Murphy. He had the passion, but he had the servant's heart to never forget those that he wanted to serve. Many of those did not have a voice, and many of those felt left out, with no one there to speak for them. Mr. Murphy of Pennsylvania has never given up, and he has shown that the entire body of this House, and in essence willed it together, that it came out of the Committee on Energy and Commerce unanimously, and I hope on this floor we follow that direction.

Mr. McCARTHY

Mr. McCARTHY. Mr. Speaker, for nearly 2 weeks now, a wildfire has raged throughout my district. High heat, dry winds, and a long drought conspired together, enabling a fire that has burned tens of thousands of acres, hundreds of homes, and taken the lives of two people. I did not know Byron and Gladys McKaig personally, but I have heard about them and learned a small part of their story. They were good and loving people. They met in a church. He was an Episcopal priest and she played the organ. Byron would preach; Gladys would play. They helped their friends and each other grow closer to God. They died, it seems, from smoke. A neighbor said he spotted them, after the fire, lying out in front of their house near their fence. The trees were still burning. Byron looked as if he were shielding his wife from the coming flames. It was one last act of sacrifice for the woman he spent his life loving. Such people are a gift to everyone they meet. As our community struggles now to return to a sense of normalcy, faced with the immense task of rebuilding after so much loss, we have our firefighters, police officers, and first responders to thank that this disaster was not worse. For days, with little sleep and near exhaustion, they kept the flames at bay. They remind us how willingly some face danger to protect others. We are forever thankful to them. We continue to pray for those suffering from the loss of their businesses, their homes, their families, and their friends. Our community always has and always will stand strong in the face of disaster as we rebuild.

Mr. McCARTHY

Mr. McCARTHY. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding. I want to take this moment to not only thank the subcommittee chair, but thank the ranking member and Congressman McHenry for their bipartisan work on this bill and bringing it to the floor. Mr. Speaker, it is clear that many--too many--communities are still trying to pull themselves up after the past 8 years of economic stagnation. Some have succeeded, but the current system has left millions of people behind with a long road of recovery left to go. Now, the House is not blind to it, and we recognize, like so many others, that an anticompetitive state is depriving us of our ability to prosper. That is why we started the Innovation Initiative and why this bill is so important. Four years ago, Congress came together to pass the JOBS Act, a bill that provided small businesses and entrepreneurs more ways to raise capital investment. Now, this wasn't a banker's bill. It was a bill that opened the door for members of our communities to invest in ideas that could create good-paying jobs, provide goods and services, and increase the quality of life for the American people in their community. After all, it is small businesses that have created two-thirds of all net new jobs since the 1970s. But while small businesses remain the cornerstone of our economy, the Federal Government has made it harder and harder to start one. The entry of new businesses in the United States has declined by nearly 44 percent since the late 1970s. Starting a business has been especially hard in recent years. The policies today, after 7\1/2\ years under President Obama, are not a roadmap for those looking for a better way. The JOBS Act was a good start to creating a more dynamic economy. But it was never followed through after the bill's initial success. These bills today are targeted fixes to restore the original spirit of the JOBS Act: to harness innovation and bring together millions of Americans with potential new businesses through crowdfunding. These new businesses could become the next Apple or Under Armour. They could revitalize the most downtrodden communities who were hardest hit by the recession and faced the slowest recovery. Now, a couple of weeks ago, I was in Baltimore visiting a cybersecurity startup. The work they do to protect cyber networks is growing more important by the day. By engaging with the changing world--using the power of innovation to improve our security--this startup also lifted up a community and helped it to thrive. Today, ZeroFOX has ushered in a new era for their southern Baltimore community. That community is part of the future helping our country become a better place. This is the power of the innovation economy. This is what we are voting to support. This is how America has a better and brighter future.

Mr. McCARTHY

Mr. McCARTHY. I thank the gentleman for yielding. Mr. Speaker, the Tule River Indian Tribe are constituents of mine, and I believe that they have a right to self-governance and local control. This bill is about putting some unused Federal land in trust for the tribe. More fundamentally, this is about giving the people who actually live in a place more control over that land. This is a good, practical rule of thumb when it comes to governance. People at the local level govern themselves best. That is definitely the case when it comes to Native American tribes. My principle is that Indian tribes will use their land better than a distant Federal Government, and we should let them. Today's legislation transfers a relatively small piece of land, only about 34 acres, but it will allow the Tule River Tribe to unify their property, giving them the freedom to live as they choose. And that freedom has more value than any amount of acreage.

Mr. McCARTHY

Mr. McCARTHY. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding. Mr. Speaker, the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Ratcliffe) has put two bills before this House, two bills that are part of our broader Innovation Initiative that take the power of human discovery and apply it to national security. We know that what protected us in the past isn't sufficient for today or the future. Oceans were our greatest defense for much of our history, but distance became less important in the age of jets and rockets. Radar was a revolutionary discovery that helped us see threats before they arrived, but radar can't help us find a potential terrorist being radicalized in our very own neighborhoods. We can't rely today on what worked in the past. We need new weapons, new tools, and new defenses. We need more, and the government can't do it alone. The dangers are too pressing for Washington to find the best ways to protect the American people all by itself. Across this country, there are innovators who are finding the answers, and we need to listen to them. The House knows this, and one of our bills directs the Secretary of Homeland Security to engage with private citizens who can join in the task of making our great country safe. The second bill of the Innovation Initiative today focuses explicitly on cybersecurity: to update and improve detection of intrusions, improve recovery, and reduce vulnerabilities in the industrial systems we rely on. We have seen, repeatedly, from the Office of Personnel Management to the IRS to businesses in the private sector that our cyber defenses are simply not up to the task. But we can do better. We always can and we always will. Mr. Speaker, I am proud of the ideas being put forward for the Innovation Initiative so far. America has unprecedented potential, and through the focus of this initiative, we will discover new and better ways to keep America safe.

Mr. McCARTHY

Mr. McCARTHY. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that when the House adjourns today, it adjourn to meet at 2 p.m. on Monday next and that the order of the House of January 5, 2016, regarding morning-hour debate not apply on that day.

Mr. McCARTHY

Mr. McCARTHY. It was your birthday this week, and I just want to wish you a happy birthday.

Mr. McCARTHY. Will the gentleman yield for one point?

Mr. McCARTHY. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding. As the gentleman knows--and I thank you for buying the book; I thought only my mother did--an open process also means going through committee. I can't will something just to come to the floor. We like things to go through committees. I know at times like this we want to make sure that fear does not get the better of our judgment. It is absolutely appropriate for us to discuss options that could hopefully prevent the next attack. I am proud of the fact that the last bill we just passed dealt with the radicalization of Americans. But we cannot lose sight of our basic rights protected in the Constitution, including the right to due process. In the weeks and months to come, I would expect that the House will take additional action in response to the threat posed by ISIL and others. I look forward to working with the gentleman in a constructive way to ensure the safety and security of all Americans.

Mr. McCARTHY. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for the effort in which he puts forth his argument. Every amendment before the Rules Committee will be considered, and that will be brought forth next week. I will keep the Members posted on what the Rules Committee comes forth with. The one thing I do want to remind the gentleman of, the numbers show this may be a structured rule, but there were more amendments offered on the floor under a structured rule than an open rule. This is probably one of the most open, structured rules we have ever had. The numbers show that the amendments here are almost twice as many were offered in the 111th this time by May, and even more importantly, these bills have gone through committee--subcommittee and full committee--where all amendments are offered without going through the Rules Committee. So, yes, it is my desire to have the voice of individuals heard, to be able to have amendments on this floor. That is why we created a structure that has this process to be able to work.

Mr. McCARTHY. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman, and I understand the gentleman's concern. I want to make it a point to make sure that we do have voices heard and Members have amendments. I went back and looked at the numbers. Now, I know there are hundreds of amendments because these bills go through subcommittee, then they go through full committee, and at all times, Members from both sides of the aisle can offer amendments. When I looked at last year's bill, under an open process, open rule, we considered 65 amendments on DOD. Well, we just considered 75. So it is a very open, structured rule. I went back and thought, let me look at overall. Is there history within Congress that we could measure ourselves to? Well, if I take as of May, the 114th Congress has considered 1,269 amendments overall on bills on the floor that have already gone through committee with the amendment process. In the 113th Congress, we were at 1,545. Now, how do we measure up with other Congresses? As you spoke, during the majority of the 111th Congress, they were at 778. I understand the concerns that you have, but I feel very comfortable in the fact that voices are being heard, and it is a very open, structured rule for amendments that could be offered. Another point to make is we just passed an appropriations bill dealing with defense in a large, bipartisan manner. So I believe it is working. It is a process that we continue to work through, and I applaud the gentlemen on both sides of the aisle who worked to help us get a bill that just got finished in a bipartisan manner. I do want to thank the gentleman for his work on our last bill. There have been nine bills on this floor that have dealt with terrorism, the radical Islam that is attacking this country and other countries, from the task force that we put together after the attacks in Paris, three of them dealing directly with the radicalization of Americans--persons born in America and radicalized--and the damage they cause. I mourn the loss of those Americans and pray for those families, for what they are going through today. Now, those bills have sat in the Senate, but the House had taken the action. Today, we put those bills back together to make it easier on the Senate to be able to move those to the President's desk and signed into law. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for his help and work with that.

Mr. McCARTHY. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding. I know they are working very hard. They had met yesterday as well. I am hopeful that, in my conversations with the conferees, they are close to finishing, and I have been explaining to them, as soon as they are finished, we would like to bring it to the floor as soon as possible for passage. I do want to thank the gentleman for his work on this effort as well.

Mr. McCARTHY. I thank the gentleman for yielding. Mr. Speaker, on Monday, no votes are expected in the House. On Tuesday, the House will meet at noon for morning hour and 2 p.m. for legislative business. Votes will be postponed until 6:30. On Wednesday and Thursday, the House will meet at 10 a.m. for morning hour and noon for legislative business. On Friday, the House will meet at 9 a.m. for legislative business. Mr. Speaker, the House will consider a number of suspensions next week, a complete list of which will be announced by close of business tomorrow. The House will also consider the fiscal year 2017 Financial Services and General Government Appropriations bill sponsored by Representative Ander Crenshaw. The House will also consider the veto message of H.J. Res. 88, disapproving the rule submitted by the Department of Labor relating to the definition of the term ``Fiduciary.'' Additionally, the House will consider a package of bills, authored by Representatives Lynn Jenkins and Erik Paulsen, that would make it easier for individuals to contribute to their health savings accounts and allow people to use their accounts to purchase over-the-counter drugs. Mr. Speaker, the House will also consider H.R. 4768, the Separation of Powers Restoration Act, sponsored by Representative John Ratcliffe, which will ensure that the laws Congress passes are adhered to rather than the interpretations of unelected agency bureaucrats. Finally, Mr. Speaker, the House may consider the conference report that includes additional resources to combat the Zika virus, if that measure is ready.

Mr. McCARTHY

Mr. McCARTHY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the California State University, Bakersfield (CSUB) softball team. The Roadrunners advanced to the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Regionals after valiantly defeating top-seeded New Mexico State, clinching the Western Athletic Conference championship. This is the first time in the history of the Roadrunner softball program that a team has reached the regional tournament level, which is a testament to the commitment, spirit, and competitiveness of this year's team. I applaud the strong leadership of Head Coach Crissy Buck-Ziegler and Assistant Coach Shelly Prochaska, who have helped pave the way for the team's ongoing success. Accolades like these make me, and thousands of alumni, even more proud to be a Roadrunner. Ever since the Roadrunners ascended to NCAA Division I status in 2010, they continue to represent our community well, while competing against the top collegiate sports teams in the nation. This year is another shining example of the progress the Roadrunner athletic program has made. The dedication and hard work reflected by the Roadrunner softball team is contagious and spreads throughout the community. I would like to recognize the efforts of Nadia Amezcua, Kaylynn Burt, Michelle Cannata, Adrianna Cardoza, Julea Cavazos, Maddi Clark, Nicole Curry, Josie Flores, Selena Gonzalez, Chris Hipa, Lyndsay Klimenko, Jo Larios, Amber Mills, Briana Pontecorvo, Sydney Raeber, Alex Simmons, Alyssa Stockton, and Makenzie Zinger. In the WAC tournament, the Roadrunners gave up just four runs in their three game championship streak. All three wins against the University of Missouri- Kansas City, and New Mexico State University (twice) avenged earlier losses to these two teams during the regular season. I know the Bakersfield community joins me in applauding the CSUB softball team's unprecedented and historic accomplishments this season. I hope the program's demeanor of confidence, success, and ambition continues in the seasons to come and I look forward to more Roadrunner victories.

Mr. McCARTHY

Mr. McCARTHY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the California State University, Bakersfield (CSUB) men's basketball team and its unprecedented success in the 2015-2016 season. I commend the hard work of the Roadrunners and strong leadership of Head Coach Rod Barnes, Assistant Coaches Jeff Conarroe, James Alford, and Mark Hsu, and Director of Basketball Operations JD Pollock. The Roadrunner men's basketball team has represented our community well, and brought national attention to Bakersfield through dedication that was always reflected in their games. I am honored--as an alumnus myself--to be able to add my voice to the chorus of praise, and to congratulate their season of accomplishment. On March 18, 2016, the Roadrunners clashed against the number two seed in Oklahoma, on day one of the 2016 National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Basketball Tournament. I witnessed firsthand the perseverance and grit they became famous for throughout the season. The Roadrunners fiercely fought to match basket-for-basket against their heavily-favored opponents, even snatching the lead midway through the second half, but were ultimately outscored in the final few minutes. As the Roadrunners celebrate their historic 24 victories in the Western Athletic Conference, and their first appearance in the NCAA Division I Tournament, I want to acknowledge the remarkable determination and incredible teamwork of Aly Ahmed, Jaylin Airington, Bray Barnes, Dedrick Basile, Damiyne Durham, Kyle Ferreira, Darryl Geyen, Justin Hollins, Kevin Mays, PJ Posey, Justin Pride, Matt Smith, and Brent Wrapp. A remarkable winning percentage of .727 reflects upon the immense amount of hard work they demonstrated throughout the entirety of the season. The CSUB men's basketball team exemplifies our community's commitment to hard work, perseverance, and teamwork. The Roadrunners should be proud of their achievements this season, and I know that the community of Bakersfield joins me in congratulating them on their athletic accomplishments. My fellow Roadrunner alumni and our community look forward to watching their continued success in the seasons to follow.

Mr. McCARTHY

Mr. McCARTHY. Mr. Speaker, the Innovation Initiative is about two things: enabling innovation in the private sector, and bringing innovation into government. It has now been 3 months since we started the Innovation Initiative. In that time, we have met with innovators at the forefront of both our missions. Today in the House, we are focused on harnessing innovation for the public good. Just moments ago, we passed Representative Darin LaHood's bill to advance networking and information technology research and development; and now we are considering Barry Loudermilk's reform of the National Science Foundation. Basic research and development investment is important as we strive to remain at the cutting edge of technologies that will offer Americans a happier and healthier life. But when the integrity of such efforts at public institutions is compromised, as happened with the major NSF facility that experienced massive cost overruns last year, it calls into question the entire model. So this bill makes changes to our research facilities to make them operate with transparency and accountability. When you look across our government, you can see inefficiencies, a lack of accountability, and practices and policies that just don't make sense. That is bad for the workers, it is bad for business, and, most importantly, it is bad for America. Here in the House, we aren't accepting the status quo. If it doesn't make sense, we are getting rid of it. If it is holding back innovation, we are changing it. Mr. Speaker, we will surely consider more pieces of innovation initiative in the weeks and months to come. Unleashing the power of innovation, we will ensure American leadership now and into the future.

Mr. McCARTHY

Mr. McCARTHY. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that when the House adjourns today, it adjourn to meet on Monday, June 13, 2016, when it shall convene at noon for morning-hour debate and 2 p.m. for legislative business.

Mr. McCARTHY

Mr. McCARTHY. I thank the gentleman for yielding. Mr. Speaker, on Monday, the House will meet at noon for morning hour and 2 p.m. for legislative business. Votes will be postponed until 6:30. On Tuesday and Wednesday, the House will meet at 10 a.m. for morning hour and noon for legislative business. On Thursday, the House will meet at 9 a.m. for legislative business. Members are advised that later votes than normal are possible on Thursday and to keep their travel plans flexible. No votes are expected in the House on Friday. Madam Speaker, the House will consider a number of suspensions next week, a complete list of which will be announced by close of business today. The House will consider H.R. 5053, the Preventing the IRS Abuse and Protecting Free Speech Act, sponsored by Representative Roskam. This commonsense bill prohibits the IRS from collecting donor information, which has been used by the IRS to improperly target tax-exempt organizations. Finally, Madam Speaker, the House will consider H.R. 5293, the FY17 Defense appropriations bill, sponsored by Representative Rodney Frelinghuysen. We expect a large number of amendments to be considered on this bill. So, again, Members are reminded to keep their travel schedules flexible at the end of next week.