Ed Perlmutter

Mr. PERLMUTTER

Mr. PERLMUTTER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to posthumously recognize and honor Mary (Mo) Lukens, a great Coloradan and wife, mother and grandmother. Mo was a lifelong resident of Colorado and a proud resident of Golden. For over 20 years she dedicated her time to the Golden community serving many different organizations including the Golden Rotary Club, Applewood, Denver, Golden and West Jefferson County Chambers of Commerce and others. Additionally, she ran a successful business, Mo's Family Portraits, which helped capture many wonderful memories for families in Jefferson County and across Colorado. Mo was also very involved with the Cancer Action Network and served as the 7th Congressional District Ambassador. She was a tireless advocate for cancer research and funding. For the last decade, she chaired and co-chaired the Relay for Life for the American Cancer Society to honor those battling cancer, including her own struggle as well as that of her mother and grandmother. I was privileged to know Mo for many years, and her vibrance and good work in our community will never be forgotten. Her passion for her community, her good nature and sense of humor was a true delight. On behalf of the people of Jefferson County and Colorado, I honor Mary (Mo) Lukens for a life well-lived and extend my deepest appreciation for her contribution to our community.

Mr. PERLMUTTER

Mr. PERLMUTTER. Madam Speaker, while the SAFE Banking Act focuses on harmonizing federal and state banking laws regarding serving legitimate cannabis businesses and their service providers, there are still several issues where the federal government could provide more clarity. The Department of Treasury and its regulatory agencies should issue guidance on behalf of all federally licensed businesses engaging in, or considering engaging in, the legal cannabis trade, or Hemp and CBD trade, with respect to their engagement in a legal business.

Mr. PERLMUTTER

Mr. PERLMUTTER. Madam Speaker, I submit the following letters of endorsement for H.R. 1595, the SAFE Banking Act. The ScottsMiracle-Gro Company, February 12, 2019. Re Challenges and Solutions: Access to Banking Services for Cannabis-Related Businesses Hearing. Hon. Gregory W. Meeks, Chair, Subcommittee on Consumer Protections & Financial Institutions, House Committee on Financial Services, Washington, DC. Dear Chairman Meeks: I am writing regarding the upcoming hearing of the Subcommittee on Consumer Protection and Financial Institutions titled ``Challenges and Solutions: Access to Banking Services for Cannabis-Related Businesses.'' The ScottsMiracle-Gro Company is the quintessential American business. Established in 1868 in Marysville, Ohio, the ScottsMiracle-Gro name is synonymous with America's love for lawns and gardens. We are also a leader in the evolution and emergence of indoor and greenhouse gardening through our subsidiary, The Hawthorne Gardening Company. With approximately 6,000 associates at more than 65 U.S. locations in 26 states, ScottsMiracle-Gro has small and large manufacturing plants that create products for American consumers. The vast majority of our business is based on a wide range of products for lawn and garden care. However, we are also the country's largest manufacturer of hydroponic growing systems, nutrients, lights, filters and components for indoor growing. These products can be used to nurture a wide variety of plants, including cannabis. Our hydroponic division is expected to generate revenue this year of approximately $600 million, or about 20 percent of company- wide revenue. While ScottsMiracle-Gro does not directly participate in the U.S. cannabis industry, this rapidly growing and critical business unit is nonetheless impacted by the existing conflict between federal and state laws. Our concern is particularly acute when it comes to our relationships with our banking partners. We know that state-law-authorized cannabis cultivators are among those who use our products to grow their crop. However, we are unable to sell equipment to them directly because of the current banking rules. In order to satisfy our banks' compliance requirements and maintain our banking relationships, we are required to use a costly two-step distribution process to serve these end customers. We share these experiences to help the committee understand the vast implications and challenges to the current system. While the committee may hear from many cannabis companies, we also want to highlight the inefficiencies ScottsMiracle-Gro faces as a provider to this industry. We applaud the Committee for taking the time to learn more about the challenges of this current arrangement and encourage you to examine the many different aspects of this banking issue during your evaluation of the topic, including the needs of ancillary companies like ScottsMiracle-Gro. We also thank Congressmen Perlmutter, Heck, Stivers, and Davidson for their leadership on this important issue through their work on the SAFE Banking Act arid look forward to additional discussion on this measure as a means to address concerns raised in this letter. As an American company with over 150 years of business experience, we have many unique insights about this emerging industry and would be happy to share those perspectives as the Committee continues to learn more and develops solutions to address this issue. Thank you for your attention to this matter. Jim King.

Mr. PERLMUTTER

Mr. PERLMUTTER. Madam Speaker, I include in the Record the following letters of endorsement for H.R. 1595, the SAFE Banking Act. September 24, 2019. Dear Congressman Perlmutter: We, the undersigned U.S. trade associations, write to express support for the passage of H.R. 1595, the SAFE Banking Act of 2019, as amended, on the House Floor. Collectively, we represent a majority of the companies, agents, and brokers offering property-casualty, title, and reinsurance (collectively, ``insurers'') in the U.S. We appreciate your leadership in seeking needed clarity for insurance transactions related to cannabis that are otherwise permissible under state law. The insurance industry is potentially exposed to liability arising from the differences of the legal treatment of cannabis and cannabis products under federal and state law and regulation at the state level. However, with the addition of key language from H.R. 4074, Clarifying Law Around Insurance Marijuana Act, sponsored by Representative Nydia Velazquez and Representative Steve Stivers, H.R. 1595's safe harbor provisions would prevent federal criminal prosecution of and civil liability for agents, brokers, and insurers, their officers, directors or employees when engaging in the business of insurance in states that have legalized cannabis in some form. By resolving the legal uncertainty presented by the dueling state and federal treatment of cannabis, the insurance industry can serve both cannabis-related legitimate businesses (CRLBs) and other commercial and personal lines consumers who may have a direct or indirect relationship to state-legalized cannabis, and still be in compliance with the law. Insurers must also continue to satisfy all applicable state statutory or regulatory requirements, such as those pertaining to consumer protections and claims payments. While the industry still needs additional clarifications to fully resolve the challenges presented by conflicting state and federal cannabis laws, H.R. 1595 is a significant and important step toward legal certainty for our industry. Again, we greatly appreciate your leadership, and we look forward to continuing to work with you and Congress to ensure our industry is not caught between additional conflicting obligations under federal and state law. Sincerely, American Land Title Association (ALTA), American Property Casualty Insurance Association (APCIA), Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (IIABA), National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies (NAMIC), National Association of Professional Insurance Agents (PIA), Reinsurance Association of America (RAA), Wholesale & Specialty Insurance Association (WSIA).

Mr. PERLMUTTER

Mr. PERLMUTTER. Madam Speaker, I include in the Record the following letters of endorsement for H.R. 1595, the SAFE Banking Act. Law Enforcement Action Partnership. To: Chairwoman Maxine Waters and Members of the Subcommittee on Consumer Protection and Financial Institutions From: Major Neill Franklin, Ret., on behalf of the Law Enforcement Action Partnership (LEAP) Re: Challenges and Solutions: Access to Banking Services for Cannabis-Related Businesses Hearing: Wednesday, February 13, 2019, 2:00 p.m. Position: Support Distinguished members of the Committee, thank you very much for the opportunity to present the views of the Law Enforcement Action Partnership (LEAP) in support of this legislation. LEAP's mission is to unite and mobilize the voice of law enforcement in support of drug policy and criminal justice reforms that will make communities safer by focusing law enforcement resources on the greatest threats to public safety, promoting alternatives to arrest and incarceration, addressing the root causes of crime, and working toward healing police-community relations. ``LEAP envisions a world in which criminal justice and drug policies keep our communities safer.'' This is a quote directly from our website and that quote is exactly what this hearing is about. It is about enacting policy that will dramatically enhance public safety in our communities. This hearing is not, nor should it be, a hearing about whether we should legalize, regulate, and control marijuana for adult use. It should be clear to everyone here that Americans have already decided this issue. In October, Gallup said 66% of American residents supported legalizing marijuana. More than half of states already allow marijuana for medical and/or adult-use purposes. A vast majority of Americans live in a state where marijuana can be purchased legally. This is not a niche business market; it's a significant part of our economy. If Congress respects the rights of the states and the will of the people, as protected in the Tenth Amendment, then we don't need to debate the legalization of marijuana or medical marijuana here today. We need to decide how best to protect those states, given the choices they've democratically enacted. However, I know some opponents will try to cloud the banking issue with attacks on legalization, so I will quickly address some of these concerns. Let's talk about what's happened in Colorado, the first state to legalize marijuana for adult use. A federal study by the National Survey on Drug Use and Health showed that teen marijuana use decreased after legalization. The American Public Health Association determined that ``motor vehicle crash fatality rates . . . were not statistically different from those in similar states without recreational marijuana legalization.'' Furthermore, legalization has resulted in a significant decrease in traffic stops, leading to fewer negative interactions between police and drivers, potentially limiting dangerous clashes and tensions with people of color. And because police didn't have to waste their time on these stops and could concentrate on real crime, researchers studying Uniform Crime Reports data (another federal publication) concluded legalization had resulted in greater police clearance rates. So don't listen to Chicken Little. The sky over Colorado did not fall. Licensed marijuana businesses are legitimate contributors to our economy. It follows that regulated banking, vendor relations, payroll, and tax payments should be permitted as part of that legitimacy--a condition that will further serve to dismantle the illicit market's influence in this growing industry and help local economies. Current conditions, which require all-cash transactions in every aspect of the business encourage tax fraud, add expensive monitoring and bookkeeping expenses, and--most importantly--leave legitimate businesses vulnerable to theft, robbery, and the violence that accompany those crimes. The SAFE Banking Act presents us with an opportunity to greatly assist in stabilizing the industry and enhancing public safety. As more legitimate businesses are established, opportunities for cash robberies will increase as more grow- facilities and dispensaries come on line. Securing cash onsite, transporting cash to secure locations, and managing cash payroll are necessities for these businesses. And criminal entities are quite adept at conducting high-level reconnaissance of businesses and their security protocols when they know those businesses will have tens of thousands-- or even hundreds of thousands--of dollars on hand. Although extremely important for business owners and the people they employ, my greatest fear is not the loss of profits due to theft. It is the potential for serious assaults and death to the people attempting to protect that cash, or who are merely responsible for it. I fear dispensary employees being at great risk. I fear for the safety of those transporting the cash, and I fear for the well-being of employees on payday. Two weeks of pay for one employee can easily exceed a few thousand dollars. That one employee trying to get home safely from work is an attractive ``score'' for any criminal, and a very easy target for those who know what to look for. Beyond any concern for protecting profit, we have a duty to protect the lives of community members working to earn a living. In 2012, Melinda Haag, the U.S. Attorney for Northern California, said, ``Marijuana dispensaries are full of cash, they are at risk of being robbed, and many of them are.'' One example of what can happen: In October 2012, three people kidnapped the owner of a lucrative dispensary in Orange County. According to court documents, the assailants zip-tied the victim, tortured him, and drove him to a patch of desert where they believed he had buried large sums of money. When the kidnappers couldn't find it, they burned him with a blowtorch, cut off his penis, and doused him with bleach before dumping him along the side of a road. Four of my policing years were spent investigating crimes within Maryland's Division of Corrections. I've interviewed hundreds of incarcerated civilians convicted of serious crimes, many of whom were proud to boast of their criminal activities and strategies. Their strategic thought process is minimal. The easier the target the better. The bigger the ``score'' the better. Casing the next target is about finding the softest target, and the current conditions in this industry have created many soft targets. We, the police, teach target hardening when we conduct security assessments for business owners. Our advice to them is not to have large amounts of cash on hand, to make use of credit and debit card services, avoid routine trips to the bank, and to make use of armored car services. This valuable ``crime prevention 101'' advice is literally useless to marijuana business owners, making them very attractive soft targets. I'm not one for fear mongering--what I testify to here today is rooted in experience and research. Any police officer who has worked the street, or investigated enough robberies, will testify to the same regarding any business forced to handle large amounts of cash. Members of the committee, it is up to you and other members of Congress to act upon this legislation, establishing access to banking for legitimate marijuana businesses. The safety of thousands of employees, business owners, security personnel, police officers, and community members is in your hands. On behalf of myself and the Law Enforcement Action Partnership, I ask that you act swiftly on the SAFE Banking Act because we know it will enhance public safety within our communities. Thank you for your time. Sincerely, Major Neill Franklin, Ret., Executive Director.

Mr. PERLMUTTER

Mr. PERLMUTTER. Madam Speaker, I include in the Record the following letters of endorsement for H.R. 1595, the SAFE Banking Act. National Association of Attorneys General, Washington, DC, May 8, 2019. Hon. Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the House, Washington, DC. Hon. Mitch McConnell, Majority Leader, Washington, DC. Hon. Steny Hoyer, Majority Leader, Washington, DC. Hon. James E. Clyburn, Majority Whip, Washington, DC. Hon. Mike Crapo, Chair, Senate Committee on Banking, Housing & Urban Affairs, Washington, DC. Hon. Kevin McCarthy, Minority Leader, Washington, DC. Hon. Charles E. Schumer, Minority Leader, Washington, DC. Hon. Steve Scalise, Minority Whip, Washington, DC. Hon. Richard J. Durbin, Minority Whip, Washington, DC. Hon. Sherrod Brown, Ranking Member, Senate Committee on Banking, Housing & Urban Affairs, Washington, DC. Dear Congressional Leaders: We are a bipartisan group of state and territorial attorneys general who recognize that the states, territories and federal government share a strong interest in protecting public safety and bringing grey market financial activities into the regulated banking sector. To address these goals, we urge Congress to advance legislation that would allow states and territories that have legalized certain use of marijuana to bring that commerce into the banking system. This issue is of broad relevance: for example, thirty-three states and several U.S. territories have legalized the medical use of marijuana. However, because the federal government classifies marijuana as an illegal substance, banks providing services to state-licensed cannabis businesses and even to other companies which sell services and products to those businesses could find themselves subject to criminal and civil liability under the federal Controlled Substances Act and certain federal banking statutes. This risk has significantly inhibited the ability of financial institutions to provide services to these businesses and companies. Despite the contradictions between federal and state law, the marijuana industry continues to grow rapidly. Industry analysts estimate 2017 sales at $8.3 billion and expect those totals to exceed $25 billion by 2025. Yet those revenues are handled outside of the regulated banking system. Businesses are forced to operate on a cash basis. The resulting grey market makes it more difficult to track revenues for taxation and regulatory compliance purposes, contributes to a public safety threat as cash-intensive businesses are often targets for criminal activity, and prevents proper tracking of billions in finances across the nation. Importantly, this measure in no way constitutes an endorsement of any state or territory's specific approach to the legalization of marijuana-related transactions, and the Act is in no way an endorsement for the legalization of medical or retail marijuana in those jurisdictions that choose not to pursue such an approach. But regardless of how individual policymakers feel about states permitting the use of medical or recreational marijuana, the reality of the situation requires federal rules that permit a sensible banking regime for legal businesses. To address these challenges, we request that Congress advance the SAFE Banking Act or similar legislation that would provide a safe harbor for depository institutions that provide a financial product or service to a covered business in a state that has implemented laws and regulations that ensure accountability in the marijuana industry. An effective safe harbor would bring billions of dollars into the banking sector, enabling law enforcement; federal, state and local tax agencies; and cannabis regulators in 33 states and several territories to more effectively monitor cannabis businesses and their transactions. Compliance with tax laws and requirements would be simpler and easier to enforce with the regulated tracking of funds in the banking system, resulting in higher tax revenues. Our banking system must be flexible enough to address the needs of businesses in the various states and territories, with state and territorial input, while protecting the interests of the federal government. This includes a banking system for marijuana-related businesses that is both responsive and effective in meeting the demands of our economy. We look forward to working with you as Congress moves forward in this process and to lending our voice and expertise as you develop legislation. Respectfully, Phil Weiser, Colorado Attorney General; Karl A. Racine, District of Columbia Attorney General; Aaron D. Ford, Nevada Attorney General; Wayne Stenehjem, North Dakota Attorney General. Kevin G. Clarkson, Alaska Attorney General; Mark Brnovich, Arizona Attorney General; Leslie Rutledge, Arkansas Attorney General; Xavier Becerra, California Attorney General; William Tong, Connecticut Attorney General; Kathleen Jennings, Delaware Attorney General; Leevin Taitano Camacho, Guam Attorney General; Clare E. Connors, Hawaii Attorney General; Kwame Raoul, Illinois Attorney General; Tom Miller, Iowa Attorney General; Andy Beshear, Kentucky Attorney General; Aaron M. Frey, Maine Attorney General; Brian Frosh, Maryland Attorney General; Maura Healey, Massachusetts Attorney General; Dana Nessel, Michigan Attorney General; Keith Ellison, Minnesota Attorney General; Jim Hood, Mississippi Attorney General; Gurbir S. Grewal, New Jersey Attorney General. Hector Balderas, New Mexico Attorney General; Letitia James, New York Attorney General; Edward Manibusan, Northern Mariana Islands Attorney General; Dave Yost, Ohio Attorney General; Mike Hunter, Oklahoma Attorney General; Ellen F. Rosenblum, Oregon Attorney General; Josh Shapiro, Pennsylvania Attorney General; Wanda Vazquez Garced, Puerto Rico Attorney General; Peter Neronha, Rhode Island Attorney General; Sean Reyes, Utah Attorney General; T.J. Donovan, Vermont Attorney General; Denise N. George, U.S. Virgin Islands Attorney General; Mark R. Herring, Virginia Attorney General; Robert W. Ferguson, Washington Attorney General; Patrick Morrisey, West Virginia Attorney General; Joshua L. Kaul, Wisconsin Attorney General.

Mr. PERLMUTTER

Mr. PERLMUTTER. Madam Speaker, may I inquire how much time each side has remaining.

Mr. PERLMUTTER. Madam Speaker, I include in the Record a list of supporters for the SAFE Banking Act from a broad coalition, including the National Association of Attorneys General, including 38 State attorneys general, 20 State Governors, and 18 State banking supervisors, the United Food and Commercial Workers, the Credit Union National Association, the Independent Community Bankers Association, the American Bankers Association, the Mid-size Bank Coalition of America, the National Bankers Association, Law Enforcement Action Partnership, the Minority Cannabis Business Association, the Mayors Coalition for Marijuana Reform, eight insurance trade associations, the International Council of Shopping Centers, the National Cannabis Industry Association, the National Cannabis Roundtable, the Cannabis Trade Federation, the California Cannabis Industry, the Florida Agriculture Commissioner, the Safe and Responsible Banking Alliance, the Electronic Transaction Association, the Real Estate Roundtable, the National Association of Realtors, Brinks, Inc., the National Armored Car Association, the American Financial Services Association, and ScottsMiracle-Gro. H.R. 1595, the SAFE Banking Act, is supported by a wide range of national organizations and state officials, including: National Association of Attorneys General (NAAG), United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW), Credit Union National Association (CUNA), Independent Community Bankers Association (ICBA), America Bankers Association (ABA), Mid-size Bank Coalition of America (MBCA), National Bankers Association (NBA), 50 State Banking Associations, Electronic Transaction Association (ETA), Third Party Payment Processors Association (TPPPA), Law Enforcement Action Partnership (LEAP), The Real Estate Roundtable (RER), National Association of REALTORS, Safe and Responsible Banking Alliance (SARBA), American Land Title Association (ALTA). American Property Casualty Insurance Association (APCIA), The Council of Insurance Agents and Brokers (CIAB), Reinsurance Association of America (RAA), Independent Insurance Agents and Brokers of America (Big ``I''), Wholesale Specialty Insurance Association (WSIA), National Association of Professional Insurance Agents (PIA), National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies (NAMIC), Rural County Representatives of California (RCRC), Brinks, Inc., International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC), National Association of Professional Employer Associations (NAPEA), National Cannabis Industry Association (NCIA), Minority Cannabis Business Association (MCBA), National Cannabis Roundtable (NCR), Cannabis Trade Federation (CTF), ScottsMiracle-Gro, National Armored Car Association (NACA). Additionally, the Mayors Coalition to Push for Marijuana Reform, 38 State Attorneys General, 20 Governors, 18 State Banking Supervisors, and the Florida Agriculture Commissioner have endorsed the legislation.

Mr. PERLMUTTER. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1595) to create protections for depository institutions that provide financial services to cannabis-related legitimate businesses and service providers for such businesses, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. PERLMUTTER. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and to include extraneous materials on H.R. 1595.

Mr. PERLMUTTER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I am proud we are here today to pass this bill about public safety, accountability, and respecting States' rights. Forty- seven States, four U.S. territories, and the District of Columbia have spoken and legalized some form of recreational or medical marijuana, including cannabidiol. 318.2 million people live in those 47 States. That is 97.7 percent of the population. However, because marijuana remains illegal under Federal law, businesses in these States are forced to deal in cash. These businesses, their employees, and ancillary businesses cannot access the banking system. The fact is, the people in States and localities across the country are voting to approve some level of marijuana use, and we need these marijuana businesses and employees to have access to checking accounts, lines of credit, payroll accounts, and more. This will improve transparency and accountability and help law enforcement root out illegal transactions to prevent tax evasion, money laundering, and other white-collar crime. Most importantly, Mr. Speaker, this will also reduce the risk of violent crime in our communities. These businesses and their employees become targets for murder, robbery, assault, and more by dealing in all cash, and this puts the employees and store owners at risk. Congressman Heck will speak directly to this point. The SAFE Banking Act will create a safe harbor for financial institutions and their employees who choose to do business with a marijuana company. Section 3 of the bill is particularly important to not only marijuana businesses but everyone who might do business with a marijuana-related company. This section would protect ancillary businesses like real estate owners, accountants, electricians, and vendors by clarifying that the proceeds from legitimate cannabis businesses are not illegal under Federal laws. This proceeds section is the key provision, allowing all cannabis-related businesses and their service providers to access the banking system without fear of reprisal. We have worked with our Republican colleagues on a few changes to improve the bill since it was marked up in March. As Mr. Barr will discuss, the bill now includes protections for financial institutions to provide financial services to hemp and CBD businesses since we have learned the provisions from the farm bill last year did not provide sufficient clarity for banks and credit unions to provide these services. At Mr. Stivers' urging, we expanded the protections in the bill for various insurance products, such as workers compensation. Additionally, we have added language from Mr. Luetkemeyer's Financial Institution Customer Protection Act, which passed the House 395-2 last Congress. This language would prohibit bank regulators from directing a bank to close an account for reputational reasons. In summary, if someone wants to oppose the legalization of marijuana, that is their prerogative. But American voters have spoken and continue to speak. The fact is that you can't put the genie back in the bottle. Prohibition is over. Our bill is focused solely on taking cash off the streets and making our communities safer. Only Congress can take these steps to provide this certainty for businesses, employees, and financial institutions across the country. Mr. Speaker, I thank Representative Heck for his partnership through the years on this bill. I also thank Representative Stivers and Representative Davidson for their support and cosponsorship of the SAFE Banking Act. Subcommittee Chairman Greg Meeks and Representative Katie Porter have been very helpful in the process. Finally, I thank Chairwoman Maxine Waters for shepherding this bill through the Financial Services Committee and making this a priority. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in voting ``yes,'' and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. PERLMUTTER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I say thank you to my friend for the kind words about working across the aisle. This has been a partnership in many respects, lots of interchange. I would also say to my friend, the Financial Services Committee has certain jurisdiction. We couldn't take up all of the different things that the gentleman has suggested, Mr. Speaker, but we were able to take up this marijuana bill. It is the first time this Congress has done it, certainly in my terms here, and the reason we did that was because the chairwoman was a driving force to get this matter in front of the Congress. Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Waters), chairwoman of the full committee.

Mr. PERLMUTTER. Mr. Speaker, to my friend from Michigan, I guess I have more confidence in the Federal employees that they can get something done in the next 180 days. Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from Washington (Mr. Heck) who has been working on this subject with me for the last 6 years.

Mr. PERLMUTTER. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Oregon (Mr. Blumenauer), who has been the quarterback of a lot of this cannabis legislation.

Mr. PERLMUTTER. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Lee), who is a co-chair of the Congressional Cannabis Caucus and a sponsor of the Marijuana Justice Act which we hope to see marked up and brought to the floor.

Mr. PERLMUTTER. Madam Speaker, I yield 45 seconds to the gentlewoman from New York (Mrs. Carolyn B. Maloney).

Mr. PERLMUTTER. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Meeks), the chair of the Subcommittee on Consumer Protections and Financial Institutions.

Mr. PERLMUTTER. Madam Speaker, I yield 45 seconds to the gentleman from California (Mr. Correa).

Mr. PERLMUTTER. Madam Speaker, I yield 45 seconds to the gentlewoman from the Virgin Islands (Ms. Plaskett).

Mr. PERLMUTTER. Madam Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. McHenry). As I said at the top of this debate, this bill is about public safety, accountability, and respecting States' rights. Our bill is narrowly tailored to get cash off the streets and improve public safety in communities across the country. I thank my cosponsors. They have heard from me. They have been working with me for years, and I really appreciate that. Especially, I thank the staff of the Committee on Financial Services, the staff of my cosponsors, and my own staff for the work they have done to put this bill and coalition together. There are many marijuana issues that remain, but this one gets the cash off the streets. This is about public safety. Madam Speaker, I urge all my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on the SAFE Banking Act, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. PERLMUTTER

Mr. PERLMUTTER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize and applaud Dave Thomas for receiving the Award of Merit from the First Judicial District Bar Association. An active community member of Jefferson County and within the local law community for decades, Dave serves the First Judicial District and is well-deserving on the Association's highest recognition. For the first ten years of his career, Dave worked in the Denver District Attorney's Office as a Deputy and Chief Deputy District Attorney where he tried homicide cases, white collar crime, and complex drug cases as well as spending three years in the Complex Prosecution Unit. He then spent two and a half years as Assistant United States Attorney while also serving on the Mountain States Drug Task Force and coordinated the regional drug enforcement effort. Once his term ended, he went on to serve as the elected District Attorney for Jefferson County for twelve years and as the Executive Director of the Colorado Department of Public Safety for six years. During that time, Dave also served as the Executive Director of the Colorado District Attorneys' Council. He is currently is a private defense attorney in Jefferson County. Throughout his career, Dave has been a dedicated public servant and active member of the Jefferson County community. He has served on numerous boards and local organizations including the Children's Alliance Board of Directors (1993-2005), Jeffco Action Center (1995- 2005) and the Victim Outreach Information organization (1993-2005). He also helped bring positive changes to the second largest school district in Colorado as the President of the Jefferson County Board of Education from 2007 to 2011. Dave's contributions and ongoing dedication to his community is tremendous. I extend my deepest thanks and appreciation to Dave Thomas for his service to our community and to the people he represents. Congratulations on this well-deserved recognition from the First Judicial District Bar Association.

Mr. PERLMUTTER

Mr. PERLMUTTER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank Mr. Cole for his comments, particularly about the Venezuelan TPS legislation, as well as the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2019. Truly, these are two bills that are supported by both sides of the aisle. Neither one is exactly perfect, but they are both good, and that is the kind of legislation we need to get through this body to the Senate and to the White House. Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Shalala), my good friend.

Mr. PERLMUTTER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I just want to continue to focus on what is before us today, and what is before us today is dealing with the humanitarian crisis in Venezuela and dealing with the budget of the United States of America, two accomplishments, both bipartisan, that I think will really assist and protect so many people who fled Venezuela to America, and particularly to Florida, but also provides for funding caps that help us with veterans, with infrastructure, with foreign affairs across the board, with our military. The President tweeted the other day that the Bipartisan Budget Act was a real accomplishment for veterans and our military, and I agree. I am sorry that Mr. Zeldin and Mr. Cole would like to bring up something else. In fact, I was fortunate enough to be in the chair when the BDS bill and the resolution, H. Res. 246, I think it was, was being debated and passed by an overwhelming majority and it really was a huge accomplishment, which I am afraid the arguments that the gentleman is making now minimize what was accomplished just 2 days ago. I think we need to remain focused on these major pieces of legislation that will guide America for the next 2 years and will protect Venezuelans who fled their country for at least 18 months. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. PERLMUTTER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I would just say to my friend, Mr. Kustoff, he and I served together on Financial Services, and there is agreement here. In fact, this resolution that he described as a great stepping stone, we just took and passed the resolution 2 days ago with 398 ``aye'' votes in favor of that. Today, though, we are here to focus on two other things, both of which are substantial measures in and of themselves, and we can look forward to other measures involving the anti-BDS movement or whatever we may be, but to deal with anti-Semitism. But today we are here, really, to applaud a deal that was cut among all of our leaders, Democrats and Republicans, that eliminates drastic cuts, approves funding, or funding levels, for the next year to 2 years, and allows America to move forward without the real potential of shutdown like we had for 35 days when the White House, earlier in this year, refused to deal on certain subjects and appropriations. Thankfully, we got through that. I think, at this point, cooler heads have prevailed, and we are moving forward on the Bipartisan Budget Act; and then, as Ms. Shalala said, we are dealing with, really, a humanitarian crisis that exists in Venezuela, at this point, to provide temporary protected status to those who fled their country, who are in America, many of whom are in Florida, to provide them some protection while they are here and to make sure that they can comfortably, if you will, remain here and not fear that they are going to have to be deported back to Venezuela, where we know there is a lot of strife and danger. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. PERLMUTTER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Oklahoma (Mr. Cole) for his comments. I almost thought he was going to support the rule. I just felt it was moving in that direction, but not quite, but I do want to thank him. And, particularly, I think, during the 35 days that we were in shutdown mode at the beginning of this year, there were a lot of hard lessons learned by a lot of people, and there were a lot of people who suffered, starting with the people that needed assistance in one way or another by Federal employees who were, in effect, sitting at home waiting for us to open the government again. So, Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased. Mr. Speaker, I would say to the gentleman, I think that hard lesson-- and we met pretty much every night in the Rules Committee, the Appropriations Committee, the gentleman is an appropriator--that was something that weighed heavily on all of us. Mr. Speaker, I do want to applaud the Republicans and Democrats, our leadership, and the White House in coming up with a compromise. I know there will be some on my side that will not support this for a variety of reasons, and I know there will be some on Mr. Cole's side as well, but, hopefully, we can garner enough support--and I think it will be strong support--today for both of these pieces of legislation that are brought up under the rule. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my colleagues for joining me to speak on the rule and these pieces of legislation. The rule provides for consideration of H.R. 549, the Venezuelan TPS Act, which we already know is supported by a bipartisan majority in this House. We also need and must pass H.R. 3877, the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2019. This legislation will raise the debt ceiling for 2 years and increases discretionary spending caps for fiscal year 2020 and fiscal year 2021. The deal achieves parity between increases in defense and nondefense spending and lets the House and the Senate get back to negotiation on all of the appropriations bills so that Congress can fulfill its constitutional duty of funding the government. As we look ahead to the next several weeks, which we will spend in our districts visiting with constituents and touring local businesses, I look forward to sharing with my constituents that despite our disagreements and everything that they may see on TV, we can still come together and get things done on behalf of America. Mr. Speaker, I encourage a ``yes'' vote on the rule and the previous question.