Guy Reschenthaler

Mr. RESCHENTHALER

Mr. RESCHENTHALER. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, America's law enforcement officers, firefighters, and other first responders are on the front lines of the fight against the coronavirus. Over 100 public safety officers tragically lost their lives due to COVID-19, and that number will inevitably continue to rise. During this challenging time, it is critical that we ensure our officers and their loved ones can utilize the Department of Justice's Public Safety Officers' Benefits program. The PSOB program was created to aid officers killed or totally disabled on the job. The program reviews over 1,000 claims submitted every year and provides one-time payments of roughly $365,000 for officers who lost their lives or who were totally disabled in the line of duty. The program also provides monthly education benefits to the children of these officers. While nothing can ever replace a loved one, this program gives our first responders peace of mind, knowing that their families will be taken care of should the worst happen. However, to receive benefits under current law, first responders must prove they contracted COVID-19 while on duty. Both Republicans and Democrats agree: Congress must amend the PSOB program to create a presumption allowing officers and their families to receive assistance without facing this burdensome requirement. Unfortunately, the majority in the House is delaying these important benefits. The Senate passed S. 3607, the bipartisan Safeguarding America's First Responders Act of 2020, and they did this about 2 weeks ago. If House Democrats were actually serious about getting these benefits to public safety officers, we would pass the Senate bill today and send it to the President to sign into law. Instead, House Democrats are again engaging in political games, rejecting the Senate's bill and taking up the House's bill, which includes several problematic provisions that the Senate will simply not agree to. I am very disappointed that the Democrat majority would rather play partisan politics than provide immediate assistance to brave, selfless men and women who are protecting our communities. However, I agree with the primary intent of this legislation, and I strongly support our Nation's dedication to public safety officers. A few days ago, we honored those who made the ultimate sacrifice while serving our country in the armed services. It is only right that we take care of first responders, who are also making sacrifices every day for this great country. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. RESCHENTHALER. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. RESCHENTHALER. Madam Speaker, we have no further speakers at this time, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. RESCHENTHALER

Mr. RESCHENTHALER. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of S. 2746, the Law Enforcement Suicide Data Collection Act. Last year, Congress passed and the President signed into law the STOIC Act, a bill that I introduced with my good friend, Congresswoman Madeleine Dean. That bill improves mental health treatment for our Nation's law enforcement officers. Today, we are once again taking action to address the disturbingly high suicide rate among our police officers. The Law Enforcement Suicide Data Collection Act, which I am a very proud cosponsor of, would require the Federal Government to track suicides within the law enforcement community. According to Blue HELP, which is a nonprofit working to reduce stigmas attached to mental health for those in the law enforcement community, a record number of current or former police officers died by suicide last year; 228 current or former officers died by suicide in 2019, compared with 172 in 2018. Since Blue HELP began collecting data over 4 years ago, more law enforcement officers have died by suicide than all other line-of-duty deaths combined. Organizations like Blue HELP do the best they can to track these tragic instances of law enforcement suicide. However, there is no comprehensive government effort to track attempted suicides and suicides in the law enforcement community. Line-of-duty deaths are tracked through the FBI's Law Enforcement Officers Killed and Assaulted Program. This program aims to provide potentially lifesaving information to law enforcement agencies with a focus on preventing future incidents. Suicide should similarly be tracked so we can implement more effective suicide prevention programs, in turn saving more lives. S. 2746 requires the FBI Director to establish the Law Enforcement Officers Suicide Data Collection Program to collect data on law enforcement and former law enforcement suicides at the local, State, and Federal levels. Participating law enforcement agencies will report suicide information to the FBI Director. The FBI Director will then submit a report to Congress and publish the report online to share this vital information on suicides and attempted suicides in law enforcement. Madam Speaker, 2 weeks ago, we recognized National Law Enforcement Week. While we may be too late in taking up this legislation for Police Week, it is never too late to help the brave men and women who protect our communities. I thank Representatives Steube, Quigley, and Dean, as well as Senators Blunt, Hawley, Cortez Masto, and Coons, for introducing this legislation. Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting S. 2746, the Law Enforcement Suicide Data Collection Act, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. RESCHENTHALER

Mr. RESCHENTHALER. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to H. Res. 965, which is nothing more than a power grab by my Democrat colleagues that would upend over 200 years of precedent and have serious constitutional and institutional repercussions. Across our nation, millions of Americans go to work every day to help their communities and defeat the COVID-19 outbreak. They expect their elected officials to do the same. But under the proposal put forth by House Democrats, 20 members would control Congress, while the rest stay home and cede their votes. Article 1, Section 5 of the U.S. Constitution states, ``a Majority of each shall constitute a Quorum to do Business; but a smaller Number may adjourn from day to day, and may be authorized to compel the Attendance of absent Members.'' At a time when traveling took days to weeks, rather than mere hours, our Founding Fathers recognized that while inconvenient, being physically present was necessary for good governance. And despite recent legislative sessions, which prove Members of Congress can conduct regular business in a safe manner, Democrats want to recklessly alter the U.S. House of Representatives as our founders designed it. In addition to throwing out 230 years of tradition, H. Res. 965 stifles the voices of tens of millions of Americans. As long as these rules are in place, House leadership will control every step of the legislative process. Rank and file members will be cut out of lawmaking completely, in turn denying the people they represent a seat at the table. Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy, Rules Committee Ranking Member Tom Cole, and Administration Committee Ranking Member Rodney Davis put forward a detailed plan for how the House can continue operations during this crisis. House Republicans stand ready to find bipartisan solutions that ensure members can fulfill their constitutional duties. But the resolution proposed by House Democrats is not the answer. Mr. Speaker, our country has faced serious challenges since its founding, including the Spanish influenza. For the first time in our history, a single party is taking advantage of a crisis to jam through unprecedented and unconstitutional changes that will forever alter this institution. I strongly oppose H. Res. 965, which will devastate our democracy and silence the People's voice.

Mr. RESCHENTHALER

Mr. RESCHENTHALER. Madam Speaker, I commend the House Energy and Commerce Committee for including language in the Protecting American Lungs and Reversing the Youth Tobacco Epidemic Act of 2019 (H.R. 2339) to more appropriately treat premium cigars, which are marketed to and enjoyed by adult consumers. However, a $12 per cigar price requirement is arbitrary, impossible to enforce, and puts states like Pennsylvania at a significant disadvantage. Pennsylvania is home to small business premium cigar retailers, importers, distributors, and farmers who grow tobacco used in hand- made cigars. The history of cigar tobacco farming in Pennsylvania dates to the 1700s, and today, farmers in the Commonwealth produce the coveted cigar leaf. Numerous premium cigar mail order companies are based in Pennsylvania, due to the state's favorable business climate. In fact, Pennsylvania is second in the nation in premium cigar industry jobs, and my district is home to small businesses who proudly serve their adult consumers. The Commonwealth is also one of few states without an additional tax on premium cigars. When I was in the Pennsylvania State Senate, I fought against proposals to impose such a tax, which would have crippled small businesses and hurt consumers. If a price requirement like the one proposed in this bill were enacted, small businesses in my district and across Pennsylvania would be disproportionately impacted, as more products in their humidors would fall below $12 than products in other states that are subject to higher taxes. Madam Speaker, while I am grateful this bill acknowledges that premium cigars are marketed and enjoyed solely by adults, a $12 price requirement will devastate Pennsylvania's cigar industry. As Congress and the Trump Administration continue to work to address important issues related to regulation of tobacco products, I urge removal of an arbitrary price point that picks winners and losers.

Mr. RESCHENTHALER

Mr. RESCHENTHALER. Madam Speaker, I oppose this dangerous resolution. Iran has been at war with us for 40 years. They held Americans hostage in Tehran. They murdered our marines in Beirut. They killed hundreds, if not thousands, of American servicemembers in Iraq. In recent months, Iran shot down a U.S. drone, they killed an American citizen, and they organized an attack on our embassy. So let's be clear: General Soleimani was the mastermind behind these attacks. Soleimani was in Iraq claiming imminent attacks on our servicemembers, our diplomats, and our Iraqi allies. Soleimani was an enemy combatant and a lawful target. As a Navy JAG, I prosecuted terrorists in Iraq. I was actually stationed right across from our embassy in Baghdad, and I witnessed these threats on our Armed Forces. So I applaud President Trump, I applaud our warfighters, and I applaud our intelligence community for reaching an incredible outcome against Iran. Soleimani's death was a win for America, for freedom, and for peace. In supporting this resolution, Democrats are choosing to stand with their far-left radical base rather than standing up against Iran.

Mr. RESCHENTHALER

Mr. RESCHENTHALER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the legacy, veterans, and service members of the USS Pittsburgh (SSN-720), a fast-attack Los Angeles Class Submarine. Next month, the USS Pittsburgh (SSN-720) will be decommissioned in Bremerton, Washington after 35 years of service in the United States Navy. The USS Pittsburgh (SSN-720) was laid down in April 1983 and commissioned in November 1985. In April 1991, the USS Pittsburgh (SSN- 720) and USS Louisville (SSN-724) launched Tomahawk missiles against Iraq during Operation Desert Storm. Years later, in 2002, the ship departed for the Mediterranean Sea and participated in Operation Iraqi Freedom. Retired Captain Mark Breor, then Commander of Submarine Squadron 2, stated of the submarine and crew, ``USS Pittsburgh (SSN-720) provided persistent intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance to the joint commanders. The products of these very successful and difficult missions were converted into a full array of sea-strike options, which included a 16 Tomahawk strike by USS Pittsburgh.'' In November 2017, USS Pittsburgh completed its 1,000th dive, a milestone few submarines reach in service. Earlier this year, the USS Pittsburgh (SSN-720) returned to its homeport, Naval Submarine Base New London, after its final deployment. The USS Pittsburgh (SSN-720) is the fourth ship to bear the name of a great city that helped build America. Pittsburgh leads the nation in health care, technology innovation, and energy industries and dominates athletics with numerous professional championships. I am proud to represent southwestern Pennsylvania in Congress, and I am thankful for the service of these great sailors aboard the USS Pittsburgh (SSN-720).

Mr. RESCHENTHALER

Mr. RESCHENTHALER. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) negotiated by President Trump which will generate new economic opportunities for Pennsylvania workers and families. Thanks to President Trump's economic policies, earlier this year, Pennsylvania's unemployment hit an all-time low of 3.8 percent. In his first two years in office, the president fostered job and wage growth by enacting the largest tax reform in 31 years and cutting burdensome regulations that handcuffed Pennsylvania employers. But it's the USMCA, his rewrite of the North American Free Trade Agreement, that promises to be an even greater boon for my state's economy and the nation. Pennsylvania is uniquely positioned to benefit from the USMCA given our strong ties with Canada and Mexico. In 2017 alone, Pennsylvania exported over $10 billion worth of goods to Canada and over $4 billion worth of goods to Mexico. Nearly 500,000 jobs across the state are supported by U.S. trade with our North American neighbors. By removing the red tape required to trade, we can empower job creators to grow their businesses and hire even more workers. Importantly, the USMCA improves access to international markets for many of the industries that drive our state's economy. Pennsylvania farmers currently export over $1 billion in goods each year to Canada and Mexico. This agreement creates even more export opportunities by eliminating Canada's protectionist dairy program and opening access for chicken and egg exports. U.S. manufacturing is another key sector that will enjoy new protections under the USMCA. The deal includes stronger rules of origin, meaning more goods and materials, including Pennsylvania steel, will be manufactured in the U.S. Further, the agreement puts in place new enforceable labor standards to level the playing field for American workers and includes new commitments to address non-tariff barriers that currently hinder trade. The USMCA also includes, for the first time ever, a chapter dedicated to digital trade. I applaud the administration's work to promote digital trade and protect the intellectual property of American innovators. In my district alone, nearly 1,000 people are employed by the movie and television industry and rely on this work to pay their bills and feed their families. It is critical that we build upon the strengths and accomplishments of the USMCA and ensure future trade deals leave adequate space for Congress to work together with the president and American creators to reform and update current copyright laws, including Section 512 of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act, which was written in 1998 and has not kept up with the times. Future trade deals should exclude this provision so that Congress can work in a bipartisan manner to ensure U.S. law better protects the creative professionals living in my district and across the nation. Mr. Speaker, President Trump has already fostered an economic resurgence through his pro-growth policies, and the USMCA will further that progress. I am proud to support USMCA today.

Mr. RESCHENTHALER

Mr. RESCHENTHALER. Madam Speaker, I thank Ranking Member Collins for yielding. You know, in the Navy, we had a saying: BLUF, bottom line up front. Well, I will give you the bottom line. Democrats are terrified that President Trump is going to win reelection. They can't beat him on the merits, so Democrats are caving to their far left radical base and they are using the thoughts and feelings and the assumptions of some unnamed bureaucrats rather than relying on facts and law to impeach a duly elected President. Let me be clear: This is nothing more than a political hit job. You know, I have been on all sides of the courtroom. I was a prosecutor in the Navy, I was a defense attorney in the Navy, I was a district judge in my hometown. And let me tell you, as a lawyer, I would defend this case every day of the week. As a judge, I would dismiss this on day one for lack of merit. There is no prima facie case here. I will tell you who I would prosecute, though. I would prosecute Adam Schiff for abuse of power. Why? How about the fact that he used his position as chairman to leak phone records of Ranking Member Devin Nunes? How about the fact that he dumped over 8,000 pages of documents on Republicans less than 48 hours before a hearing? That is the abuse of power. And obstruction? I would prosecute the Democrats for obstruction. How about the fact that the Judiciary Committee Democrats voted down my request to subpoena the whistleblower? How about the fact that Chairman Nadler refused every single Republican request for a fact witness? That is obstruction of Congress. So, again, let me be clear: Today is nothing more than a political hit job.

Mr. RESCHENTHALER

Mr. RESCHENTHALER. Madam Speaker, it is a great honor to congratulate my constituent, Jerry MacCleary, upon his retirement after a distinguished forty-year career with Covestro LLC. Mr. MacCleary truly embodies the values that make southwestern Pennsylvania a great place to live and work, and I am proud to represent him in Congress. In 1979, Mr. MacCleary began his career as an accountant with the company. Mr. MacCleary's talent and work ethic were immediately recognized, and he quickly rose through the ranks, taking on positions in sales, marketing, general management, and strategic leadership. In 2004, Mr. MacCleary was named head of the company's North American polyurethanes business. He retained this significant responsibility even after becoming president in 2012. In 2015, Mr. MacCleary led the North American material science organization through its separation from Bayer and establishment as an independent company, called Covestro. In 2018, he was named Chairman and CEO. Mr. MacCleary's dedication to the chemical industry does not stop with his work at Covestro. He serves on the Board of Directors for the National Association of Manufacturers, on the Executive Committee for the Society of Chemical Manufacturers, and as Chairman of the American Chemistry Council's Board of Directors. Mr. MacCleary is well known in the industry for his commitment to advancing sustainability efforts. He serves as Chair for the Board Sustainability Committee under the American Chemistry Council, as well as the Sustainability Committee for the Allegheny Conference on Community Development. He also co-chairs ``CEOs for Sustainability''--a local program sharing sustainable business practices with companies of all sizes. Born and raised in Pittsburgh, Mr. MacCleary is actively engaged in the southwestern Pennsylvania community. He serves on the Board of Directors for the Allegheny Conference on Community Development, the United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania, and the Imani Christian Academy. He is also a member of the Board of Trustees for the Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh and co-chairs The Advanced Leadership Initiative, which aims to promote corporate diversity and build a continuous pipeline of African American leaders in Pittsburgh. Madam Speaker, throughout his career, Jerry MacCleary has demonstrated a remarkable commitment to Covestro, the chemical industry, sustainability efforts, and the southwestern Pennsylvania community as a whole. Please join me in congratulating him on his well-earned retirement after a distinguished career. I know that he will remain active in the next chapter of his life and continue to serve as an exemplary citizen for our community and the entire region.

Mr. RESCHENTHALER

Mr. RESCHENTHALER. Madam Speaker, it is a great honor to congratulate Father Paul Taylor upon his inauguration as the 18th President of St. Vincent College in Latrobe, Pennsylvania. Father Taylor graduated from St. Vincent College in 1987 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in mathematics. He went on to earn a Master of Divinity degree from Saint Vincent Seminary in 1993 and a Master of Arts degree in Mathematics from Duke University in 1993. Father Taylor attended Boston College for his Ph.D. in Higher Education Administration, graduating in 1998 after presenting his dissertation ``Boniface Wimmer and the Beginning of American Benedictine Education.'' Father Taylor returned to St. Vincent College in 1987 in order to dedicate his life to Benedictine education. He made his simple profession of monastic vows in 1988 and his solemn profession of vows in 1991. Father Taylor was ordained as a priest on June 6, 1992 in Saint Vincent's Archabbey Basilica. In 1996, Father Paul entered the Office of Admission and Financial Aid, eventually rising to the position of dean. It was in this role that he developed a strong commitment to helping students obtain financial aid. Under Father Taylor's leadership as Executive Vice President, St. Vincent College launched the Forward, Always Forward campaign. This $100 million-dollar campaign seeks to strengthen the endowment, as well as expand financial aid opportunities and enrich academic programs. On July 1, 2019, Father Taylor became President of St. Vincent, and I know that under his leadership, the college will continue to excel in providing American students with an education that sets them up for future success. Madam Speaker, throughout his career, Father Taylor has demonstrated a remarkable commitment to education, his Catholic faith, and St. Vincent College. Please join me in recognizing and congratulating the 18th President of Saint Vincent College, Father Paul Taylor.

Mr. RESCHENTHALER

Mr. RESCHENTHALER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 724, the bipartisan Preventing Animal Cruelty and Torture Act, or the PACT Act, introduced by Representative Ted Deutch and Vern Buchanan. In 2017, Pennsylvania passed Libre's Law, which increased penalties for animal abuse. I was honored to help push that legislation over the finish line in the Pennsylvania State Senate. I am proud to once again help pass legislation that will better protect our Nation's animals. In 2010, Congress passed the Animal Crush Video Prohibition Act to address the trade in obscene videos of live animals being crushed, burned, or subjected to other forms of heinous cruelty. While this was an important first step, the law only bans the trade in video depictions of cruelty, not the underlying act of cruelty itself. The PACT Act addresses this gap by prohibiting the underlying acts of animal cruelty that occur on Federal property or affect interstate commerce, regardless of whether a video is produced. As a former district judge, I served on the frontlines of our judicial system. I witnessed firsthand the connection between animal cruelty and violence toward people. In fact, the FBI recently recognized that addressing animal cruelty is critical to protecting our communities. The PACT Act would give Federal law enforcement and prosecutors the tools they need to combat extreme animal cruelty. This bill would give the FBI the authority to act against animal cruelty that is discovered while investigating another interstate crime, such as drug smuggling or human trafficking. The PACT Act would not interfere with enforcement of State laws related to felony animal cruelty provisions. The legislation focuses solely on extreme acts of animal cruelty and exempts normal agriculture and hunting practices. The PACT Act is endorsed by the National Sheriffs' Association, the Fraternal Order of Police, and the Association of Prosecuting Attorneys, as well as more than 100 law enforcement agencies. And in the Senate, the PACT Act is sponsored by my good friend, Pennsylvania Senator Pat Toomey, and it passed in both the 114th and the 115th Congresses by unanimous consent. In the House, it currently has more than 300 bipartisan cosponsors. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the PACT Act so we can better protect our Nation's animals from abuse and torture. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. RESCHENTHALER. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on H.R. 724, the PACT Act, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. RESCHENTHALER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Fitzpatrick), my good friend.

Mr. RESCHENTHALER

Mr. RESCHENTHALER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Arkansas (Mr. Crawford), my good friend and the sponsor of this measure.

Mr. RESCHENTHALER. Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers, and I am prepared to close. I would just like to say that, again, I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on H.R. 1123, the Divisional Realignment for the Eastern District of Arkansas Act of 2019. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. RESCHENTHALER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 1123, the Divisional Realignment for the Eastern District of Arkansas Act of 2019, introduced by my Republican colleague from Arkansas, Representative Rick Crawford. H.R. 1123 reduces the existing divisions in the Eastern District of Arkansas from five to three, limiting the burden caused by two courthouse closures. It allows the Eastern District of Arkansas to better balance its caseload, account for geographical differences, and align with the judicial work generated by correctional facilities. H.R. 1123 is supported by the Judicial Conference, the Judicial Council of the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit, the chief judge of the Eastern District of Arkansas, and all the members of the Arkansas delegation. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this measure, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. RESCHENTHALER

Mr. RESCHENTHALER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Karrie Schindler who has been selected as the Pennsylvania Advocacy and Resources for Autism and Intellectual Disability's Western Region Direct Support Professional of the Year. Ms. Schindler has dedicated her life to lifting-up and improving the lives of individuals in our community with autism. She is a beacon of compassion and dedicates her time to providing in-home care to those with disabilities so they can lead self-directed lives in their communities. Since 2013, Ms. Schindler has provided Home and Community Habilitation care to a special woman named Maryann. Throughout the years, Ms. Schindler has helped Maryann live a full and active life and engage with her community. Sadly, in December 2018, Maryann's mother unexpectedly passed away. Following this tragedy, Maryann was forced to move to Florida, away from the community she loved and the support system she had fostered throughout her years with Ms. Schindler. Late one January night, Ms. Schindler received a call from Maryann that she was at the airport and didn't know what to do. Without hesitation, Ms. Schindler sprang into action. She drove straight to the Pittsburgh airport to pick Maryann up. It wasn't long before Ms. Schindler and her family made the decision to become Life Sharing providers and welcome Maryann into their home permanently. Madam Speaker, Karrie Schindler has demonstrated extraordinary selflessness and compassion in her work with Maryann. Please join me in congratulating Ms. Schindler on her selection as the Pennsylvania Advocacy and Resources for Autism and Intellectual Disability's Western Region Direct Support Professional of the Year.

Mr. RESCHENTHALER

Mr. RESCHENTHALER. Mr. Speaker, before I came to Congress, I served as a magisterial district judge. I was on the front line of the criminal justice system, and I handled preliminary hearings for sexual assault and rape cases. Let me tell you, these crimes are incredibly heinous, and stories from the victims are absolutely heartbreaking. Many of these victims went through a grueling evidence collection process in the hopes they would help catch their rapist. Unfortunately, this evidence often sits untested on shelves for months to years while sexual assault victims wait for justice and their rapists roam the streets. This is especially dangerous because those who commit sexual assault are likely to do it again. They are typically habitual offenders. So when we delay the testing of these kits, we do so at the expense and the risk of others being sexually assaulted. So that is where the Debbie Smith Act comes in. The Debbie Smith Act provides funding for DNA testing and training to eliminate the backlog of untested DNA and rape kit evidence. Since 2004 nearly 200,000 DNA matches have been made thanks to the Debbie Smith DNA Backlog Grant Program. Again, that is over 200,000 DNA matches since 2004. But without congressional action, this legislation is set to expire on Monday. The Senate recognized the critical need to reauthorize this bill. They passed this bill back in May and sent it to the House for consideration, but, unfortunately, my Democratic colleagues refuse to bring this bill to the floor. They would rather play politics than put criminals in jail. This is absolutely despicable. Sexual assault victims have been through enough. We should not hold this up for funding so that Democrats can score cheap political points with their radical, far-left base. So I ask my colleagues on the other side of the aisle to reexamine their priorities and help us get justice for these crime victims. This issue is too important for partisan games.

Mr. RESCHENTHALER

Mr. RESCHENTHALER. I am in its present form.

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

Mr. RESCHENTHALER. Mr. Speaker, the motion to recommit I am offering today is a very simple one. The motion to recommit inserts language into this bill that blames Venezuela's economic, humanitarian, security, and refugee crisis squarely where it belongs, on socialism. This crisis is a direct result of years of socialist policies implemented by the authoritative regimes of Hugo Chavez and Nicolas Maduro. Venezuela should be the wealthiest country in South America. Indeed, it once was. However, like all socialist regimes, Chavez and Maduro ripped power from the hands of their people, depriving Venezuelans of their personal liberties and relegating them to poverty, death, and despair. In socialist countries, the government no longer serves the people; the people serve the government. Venezuela is currently experiencing, according to The New York Times, the worst economic collapse outside of war in the last half-century. The country's economy has shrunk twice as much as the Soviet bloc's economy did during their collapse. Venezuelans continue to suffer from shortages of food, medicine, and simple commodities. Inflation is set to reach 10 million percent this year. Ten million percent inflation? Mr. Speaker, that is unthinkable. Venezuela's economy is so bad and its inflation is so out of control that, according to Bloomberg, a haircut costs five bananas and two eggs. It is absolutely ridiculous. This is what it has come to in Venezuela. One-tenth of the population has fled the country due to economic collapse and government repression. As Margaret Thatcher once said, the problem with socialism is that eventually you run out of other people's money. Mr. Speaker, earlier this year, I was fortunate enough to get to the border of Colombia and Venezuela. In fact, I was with a bipartisan, bicameral delegation to the border. I talked to refugees about the conditions from which they fled. I heard stories of physicians who were performing surgeries with smartphone lights because the lights in the operating room went off and on. I heard stories from family members who said that their other family members were dying because they couldn't get penicillin for simple wounds and infections. I saw a woman crossing a river in a wheelchair because she was desperately seeking medical attention. It was truly heartbreaking. To this day, over 3 million Venezuelans have fled for Colombia while the ruthless Maduro regime blocks humanitarian aid into Venezuela. Yet, Mr. Speaker, sadly, Members of this very body continue to stand with Maduro. Mr. Speaker, while Members of this very body stand with Maduro, they simultaneously refuse to recognize Guaido as the legitimate President of Venezuela. They continue to blame the United States for Venezuela's collapse. They align themselves with the disastrous, inhumane policies of socialism. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to call the crisis in Venezuela for what it is: the result of unfettered socialism. I ask that they support this motion to recommit, which won't kill the bill and which won't delay its adoption. We must send a strong message; we must send a united message; and we must send a message to the world that the United States is a beacon of freedom and hope, that the United States will always fight oppression, and that the United States will always empower the people. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

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

Mr. RESCHENTHALER

Mr. RESCHENTHALER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 1837, the United States-Israel Cooperation Enhancement and Regional Security Act, of which I am a cosponsor. The United States-Israel partnership is a two-way street. We work together to further our shared values and interests. We already collaborate on a wide range of civil issues, such as energy and agriculture; and our security cooperation helps keep both of our countries safe as we counter threats from a wide range of terrorist groups, as well as from Iran. But still there is much more that we can do together. I want to thank Mr. Deutch and Mr. Wilson for this comprehensive, bipartisan update to the United States-Israel partnership to confront the challenges both countries face in 2019 and beyond. H.R. 1837 expands our mutually-beneficial cooperation, identifying several new or growing areas of cooperation where we can exchange innovations and help improve the lives and livelihoods of our people as well as our respective national interests. Through this bill, the United States and Israel will be better- positioned to cooperate on critical fields like research and development, directed energy, cybersecurity, international development and foreign assistance, treating post-traumatic stress disorder, and developing health technologies. In terms of our security partnership with Israel, the bill authorizes U.S. foreign military financing to Israel at $3.3 billion per year through 2024, the same levels agreed to in the 2016 U.S.-Israel memorandum. It reauthorizes United States loan guarantees and extends War Reserves Stockpile Authority for Israel. H.R. 1837 also codifies policies to ensure that the United States can transfer precision-guided munitions and other defense articles to Israel quickly in the event of an emergency. We all know that Israel faces threats on multiple fronts, from Iran, from Hezbollah, Hamas, and others. These adversaries aren't going to call ahead in the event of an escalation. We need to be prepared with the appropriate authorities to ensure that if Israel is facing a protracted or multifront conflict, that the United States can help. Mr. Speaker, I yield the remainder of my time to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Smith), my good friend, and I would ask unanimous consent that he be allowed to control that time.