Frank Pallone

Mr. PALLONE

Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from Massachusetts (Ms. Clark), the Assistant Speaker.

Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, I yield 30 seconds to the gentlewoman from Connecticut (Ms. DeLauro), the chairwoman of the Appropriations Committee.

Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Jeffries), the chairman of the Democratic Caucus.

Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Pelosi), the Speaker of the House of Representatives.

Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, I yield 30 seconds to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Nadler), the chairman of the Judiciary Committee.

Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Chu), the prime sponsor of this legislation.

Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from Colorado (Ms. DeGette), the chairwoman of our Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee.

Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Hoyer), our Democratic majority leader.

Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from Illinois (Ms. Schakowsky), who chairs our Consumer Protection and Commerce Subcommittee.

Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from New York (Miss Rice).

Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from Washington (Ms. Schrier).

Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, I yield 30 seconds to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Doggett).

Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from Massachusetts (Mrs. Trahan).

Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, I yield 30 seconds to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Speier).

Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, may I inquire how much time remains.

Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from Texas (Mrs. Fletcher).

Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, I yield 30 seconds to the gentlewoman from New York (Mrs. Carolyn B. Maloney), chair of the House Committee on Oversight and Reform.

Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, I yield 30 seconds to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Lee).

Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, I yield 30 seconds to the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Wasserman Schultz).

Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, I yield 30 seconds to the gentleman from Rhode Island (Mr. Cicilline).

Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, I yield 30 seconds to the gentlewoman from Washington (Ms. DelBene).

Mr. PALLONE

Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, I thank Chairman Smith and his team for including several important amendments to this year's National Defense Authorization Act, and that includes my amendment that requires a report from the Department of Defense addressing instances where U.S. security assistance is given to foreign military units known to have committed gross human rights violations. This amendment specifically focuses on the section 333 Building Partner Capacity Program, which has sent enormous sums of American taxpayer dollars to authoritarian and human rights-abusing regimes. A prime example of the program's problematic nature is the $100 million given to Azerbaijani President Aliyev's regime in fiscal years 2018 and 2019. As Azerbaijan was still receiving equipment and training from the U.S. military, they began a deadly attack against Nagorno- Karabakh, or Artsakh, on September 27, that led to the death of thousands and the displacement of so many more. Passage of this amendment sends a clear signal that the United States takes seriously its democratic norms and commitment to peace by ensuring oversight of our security assistance. I hope it leads to future restraint from aiding and tolerating similar regimes in the future, especially when their actions are aimed at destabilizing a fellow democracy.

Mr. PALLONE

Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, this budget resolution allows us to implement President Biden's Build Back Better agenda to revitalize our economy by creating millions of good-paying jobs, and it allows us to aggressively combat the climate crisis. The goal of the Energy and Commerce Committee with this budget resolution is to make healthcare more affordable and accessible for all Americans. We can help accomplish that by closing the Medicaid coverage gap to provide quality comprehensive coverage to an estimated 4 million Americans who qualify for Medicaid but who have been denied access to care in their State. It will also continue subsidies under the Affordable Care Act to reduce health insurance costs. The Energy and Commerce Committee plans to lower the price of out-of-control and skyrocketing prescription drug prices by giving the Federal Government the ability to negotiate lower prices and will use the savings to expand Medicare benefits. Our plan is to provide investments in our public health infrastructure to help us respond to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and better respond to future public health emergencies. The Build Back Better agenda will allow us to create millions of new, homegrown jobs and combat the climate crisis by aggressively investing in clean energy and clean technology. The moment is here to invest in a more advanced and resilient economy and toward a 100 percent clean economy. Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this budget resolution that allows us to carry out President Biden's bold vision and deliver on the Build Back Better agenda for the people.

Mr. PALLONE

Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I have a motion at the desk.

Mr. PALLONE

Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, I thank Chairwoman Barbara Lee and her team for putting together such a robust State-Foreign Operations bill. I think this was a major achievement. I come here as the co-chair of the Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues, and I am extremely pleased to see $50 million in assistance to help bolster Armenia's ongoing democratic and economic transformations. This unprecedented commitment in funding will go a long way in helping continue economic governance and rule of law reforms while further strengthening America's strategic partnership with this young democracy. The language included in this bill also helps address the humanitarian needs in Artsakh as a result of the 44-day war perpetrated by Azerbaijan and Turkey last fall and directs an additional $2 million for demining programs. I also thank Chairman McGovern for his steadfast commitment to the Armenian people and share my appreciation for the cosponsors of my amendment, which will pass as part of this package. This amendment prevents U.S. security funding to Azerbaijan through the International Military Education and Training, IMET, and Foreign Military Financing, FMF, programs, which is sorely needed to combat Azerbaijan's aggression in the region. Let me be clear, Madam Speaker, this bill sends a clear signal that we will not aid or tolerate authoritarian regimes that threaten peace and security, especially when those actions are aimed at a fellow democracy. Again, I thank Chairwoman Lee. I know she has been a supporter of the Armenian people for many years. I have been to her district to see some of the Armenian Americans who really love her.