Jan Schakowsky

Ms. SCHAKOWSKY

Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I want to acknowledge the work of Congressman Kinzinger and Congressman Cardenas in bringing this resolution to the floor today. In the last year or so, fintech, financial technology, has become the new buzzword on Capitol Hill. Finance and technology have long had a close relationship. For decades, banks have been able to send money between themselves nearly instantaneously. Consumers have easy access to online and mobile banking services. Now, more technology is coming into consumers' hands. Person-to- person payment apps have made check-splitting at restaurants much less of an ordeal. Blockchain is being used to send remittances around the world. The challenge for Federal regulators is to understand and adapt to this new technology. Fintech does not always involve traditional financial institutions. It has increased the amount of potentially sensitive consumer information being stored and transmitted. If we want innovation to continue and for consumers to trust this technology, we must ensure that data security is baked in. We also need to consider how new technology works with existing rules to prevent money laundering and terrorist financing. These are not easy issues, but they are critical to furthering innovation, which I hope will lead to lower costs and better services for consumers. This resolution recognizes that Congress and Federal agencies need to be working on policies that promote the responsible development of fintech. I look forward to working with my colleagues to do just that. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. SCHAKOWSKY

Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Vermont (Mr. Welch), a cosponsor and coauthor of this legislation, as well as my good friend.

Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. Mr. Speaker, I will close with this. The language of this resolution is very clear. It is the sense of the House of Representatives: ``the United States should develop a national strategy to encourage the development of the Internet of things in a way that maximizes the promise connected technologies hold to empower consumers, foster future economic growth, and improve the Nation's collective social well- being.'' So, with passing this resolution, we are setting the table for future work to make sure that we encourage these developments. I want to thank so much all the sponsors and our chairmen of the subcommittee and full committee. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Let me congratulate Mr. Lance, Mr. Welch, Mr. Latta, and Congresswoman Clarke for their work on this important legislation. The Internet of things is an area of great innovation that deserves attention from Congress. And fortunately, in our subcommittee, we have done just that. Today, people track their physical activity with wearable devices. We have thermostats in our home that you can control from your phone from anywhere in the world. And that is, of course, only scratching the surface of consumer products that are right now available. We have been examining some of the issues related to the Internet of things in the Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade Subcommittee. One thing is clear to me: technology is moving at a rapid pace, and our laws need to keep pace. I support developing a Federal strategy for how we approach this exciting area of technology. I would like to underscore a few key principles that must be a part of this approach: one, data security must be protected; two, Americans should understand and consent to the information that consumer devices are collecting; three, these products should be developed with safety in mind. Agencies like the Federal Trade Commission and Consumer Product Safety Commission already work to promote data security, consumer privacy, and safety. But Congress needs to make sure we provide these agencies the resources and authorities necessary to address today's issues. I look forward to working with my colleagues to promote innovation in this space and to ensure that the Internet of things further develops in a manner that works for business as well as consumers. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. SCHAKOWSKY

Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I want to thank Mr. Lance and Mr. Kennedy for cosponsoring this bill, and I am pleased to join my colleague in support of H.R. 5111, the Consumer Review Fairness Act. This bill protects consumers' ability to provide honest reviews of products and services. Chairman Burgess is right in saying that if you get a notice that you now owe $5 million probably just about for anything, you would be surprised; but if it was because you said something truthful based on your experience about a business, that would be particularly egregious. Lots of mothers have told their children, ``If you don't have something nice to say, say nothing at all,'' but the current practice now takes that way too far. Businesses have snuck so-called nondisparagement clauses in terms of service agreements, and consumers don't really have a choice when it comes to those form contracts. In fact, they often don't realize they have just given up their right to speak openly about a bad experience. Imagine hiding language in form contracts to stop a bad Yelp review, for example. For instance, a hotel in New York included a line in its guest policy that customers could be fined $500 for leaving a bad review online. It seems ridiculous to me that a company would punish a consumer who wants to air complaints, particularly since hotel prices in New York are high enough already, and now you could be slapped with a fine for saying the service wasn't up to par. This bill would put a stop to that anticonsumer practice. It would stop nondisparagement clauses from being placed in form contracts. Consumers should be able to voice their criticisms, and allowing reviews can help other consumers make informed choices. I look at those. The Consumer Review Fairness Act protects consumer speech, and I look forward to passing this legislation. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. SCHAKOWSKY

Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Dr. Juan Quintana, DNP, MHS, CRNA. Dr. Quintana will soon complete his year as national president of the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists (AANA) whose headquarters are located in my district. I am proud that Dr. Quintana was elected as 2015-2016 president, and I want to congratulate him on his year of leadership of this prestigious national organization. Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) are advanced practice registered nurses who administer approximately 43 million anesthetics to patients each year. They work in every setting where anesthesia is delivered, including the Veteran Health Administration, Department of Defense, hospital surgical suites, obstetrical delivery rooms, ambulatory surgical centers, and the offices of dentists, podiatrists, and specialty surgeons. They also provide acute and chronic pain management services to patients in need of such care. CRNAs provide anesthesia for all types of surgical cases and are the sole anesthesia providers in many rural hospitals. The president of Sleepy Anesthesia, an anesthesia practice founded in 1999, Dr. Quintana has been practicing anesthesia since 1997. Graduating with a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree from Texas Christian University in 2009, Dr. Quintana is a leader in the area of education and evaluation of cost-effectiveness and efficiency. A highly sought-after lecturer, he has been invited to speak at hospitals and numerous anesthesia meetings on the state and national levels about the business of anesthesia, cost effectiveness of best anesthesia practice models, cost effectiveness of anesthesia professionals, and anesthesia billing and compliance. In 2010, Dr. Quintana became the first CRNA to serve on the Medicare Evidence Development and Coverage Advisory Council (MEDCAC), an independent body that provides the Medicare agency guidance and expert advice on the science and technology affecting healthcare delivery. Dr. Quintana, is also an educator, ex-officio faculty to the Texas Christian University (TCU) Doctor of Nursing Practice program, and adjunct faculty to TCU's Nurse Anesthesia Program, both in Fort Worth, Texas. Dr. Quintana resides in Winnsboro, Texas. During his AANA Presidency, Dr. Quintana has been a prominent advocate before federal agencies and with members of Congress for nurse anesthetists and the patients they serve so well. He has worked tirelessly to improve veterans' access to care through recognition of CRNAs and other advanced practice registered nurses as Full Practice Authority Providers in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA), promote anesthesia patient safety and the value of CRNAs to our healthcare system, ensure proper implementation of the provider non- discrimination provision of the Affordable Care Act, and obtain appropriate recognition of the full scope of CRNA practice including pain management and related services in the Medicare system. I extend my sincere congratulations to Dr. Quintana today on a job well done. His service to the AANA, our veterans, and patients is deeply appreciated, and his commitment to guaranteeing access to high quality health care nationwide is commendable. I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing his notable career and outstanding achievements.

Ms. SCHAKOWSKY

Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Mr. Speaker, on July 14, House Republicans streamed out of the Capitol as I stood on this floor with my Democratic colleagues calling for action on the public health crises facing our country: gun violence, Zika, and Flint, Michigan's, poisoned water. It is now nearly 8 weeks later. Congress has returned from the longest summer recess in more than 60 years, but we still have seen no action from the Republican majority on our Nation's most urgent crises. Meanwhile, we are in the midst of a Zika outbreak. Puerto Rico is on track to see 25 of its population infected. Florida has locally transmitted Zika cases, and it is only a matter of time until we see cases in other States. Actually, we have seen some in other States. Parents who should be looking forward to the birth of a child are terrified that the baby may be born with devastating lifelong health problems. Yet, Republicans refuse to provide the funding we need to combat this outbreak. Instead of passing a bill with sufficient funding, Republicans insist on making sure, believe it or not, that the Confederate flag can fly at VA cemeteries and on preventing family planning clinics from helping patients with Zika. That is right. Even though Zika has the greatest impact on women who are, or could become, pregnant, Republicans want to add a rider to stop the family planning clinics that serve women from responding to Zika. Today, family planning clinics, like Planned Parenthood, are already on the front lines in fighting against Zika. In addition to providing family planning services, Planned Parenthood volunteers are visiting 25,000 households in Florida to find people of reproductive age, especially young women, who have likely not been reached by State or Federal Zika education efforts. They are providing Zika kits for pregnant women, containing items like insect repellent and standing water treatment. Family planning clinics are an important part of our response to Zika. But instead of recognizing that fact, Republicans have doubled down on their extreme views on women's health. Dr. Anthony Fauci, the head of the Infectious Disease Institute at the National Institutes of Health, has said in no uncertain terms that if we do not pass additional Zika funding, we will have to stop our efforts to develop a vaccine. Already, Federal agencies have had to borrow money from other critical health priorities to address the Zika problem. We have allowed money to be taken--or the Republicans have-- from Ebola, cancer, heart disease, and diabetes. We can't keep fighting back by cutting back our fight against these other diseases. Republican's refusal to pass Zika funding will have serious, deadly consequences for years to come. Americans can't wait any longer. At the same time, the people of Flint are still waiting for congressional assistance after the tragic lead poisoning crisis in that city. I joined 25 of my Democratic colleagues in Flint earlier this year. We heard from nearly 200 community members, including parents, worried about their children's future. After that trip, we said we wouldn't forget these families, and Democrats haven't. Again and again, I have joined with my colleagues to call on Republican leadership to bring the Families of Flint Act--that is a bill--to the floor. Flint's Congressman Kildee's bill would provide supplemental funding to repair and support this community's needs. Lead has often devastating brain development effects, but families can meet that challenge if we provide the health, education, and the wraparound services that they need. But months later, we have come up dry. No bill to fund Flint aid. No funding for Zika. No gun safety legislation. Nothing. What is on the floor this week? Well, we have bills that will help Wall Street make even more money. And we have a bill to impeach the head of the IRS, mentioned by exactly no one--zero constituents in my district--over the 7-week recess. We have wasted critical weeks during the summer recess, and Republicans are now wasting our first week back in session. We have only 15 legislative days before we are scheduled to leave town again. Let's get to work and pass the critical funding for Flint and Zika and do something about gun violence.

Ms. SCHAKOWSKY

Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Mr. Speaker, guns, gun safety; Zika; Flint, Michigan--just three of the critical issues House Republicans are leaving town without addressing. Despite overwhelming public support, House Republicans have refused to bring any commonsense gun safety legislation to the floor. As they fail to act, many Americans unnecessarily die every day. On average, 91 Americans die from gun violence every day, and that means that we can expect more than 4,700 Americans to be killed over the 7-week recess. Seven babies have now been born in the United States with Zika- related birth defects, including one yesterday in Texas. Not only is there insufficient funding, but Republicans have used the Zika legislation to continue their attack on women's access to reproductive health services. Republicans have continued to ignore Flint, Michigan, where the children are still drinking poisoned water and people are fleeing the city. We have too much to do. We need to get back to work.

Ms. SCHAKOWSKY

Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Madam Speaker, let's talk about conscience and whose conscience should prevail in a decision about what a woman does with her body and who makes that decision. Is it the conscience of an insurance company? That is already in the law. Is it the conscience of her boss who makes the decision? Clearly, it is not the consciences of American women in this piece of legislation. The bottom line is it sounds to me like it is the conscience of Republican politicians who want to tell the women of America what they can do with their bodies. Let's be very clear. Right now, current law says that hospitals, insurers, and doctors may refuse to perform an abortion or to provide coverage for abortion, which already greatly limits women's access to legal procedures. This bill would further extend the dangerous law by allowing health plan sponsors--that means employers--to deny female employees access to legal medical services because the boss has a moral objection to it, not the woman who is making the most personal of decisions here. Women and their doctors, not their bosses, should be making medical decisions, and no outsider should be able to decide something as important as the size or the timing of having a family; and a woman's access to reproductive health should not be dependent on where she works or on where she goes to school. Even more importantly, when a woman's health is in danger, providers would not be required to act to protect the health of that mother. This bill would allow them--and this is in the new language--to refuse to facilitate or to make arrangements for an abortion if they have a moral objection to it. For example, a Catholic hospital could force a doctor to withhold information about a patient's medical condition or options if that information might facilitate a woman's obtaining an abortion. It could also refuse to provide transportation to another hospital for a woman who is in distress if that hospital provides abortions. This takes away a woman's right of conscience, and we should be voting ``no.''

Ms. SCHAKOWSKY

Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Mr. Speaker, our Nation is grieving. We are tired. We are tired of the violence that too often unsettles our communities. What a week we had last week. We were horrified by the deaths of Lorne Ahrens, Michael Smith, Michael Krol, Patrick Zamarripa, and Brent Thompson--five officers murdered by a sniper in Dallas while they were on duty. We saw very troubling videos of Philando Castile and Alton Sterling being shot. Today we also mark the 1-month anniversary of the shooting at the Pulse nightclub in Orlando, a hateful act on the LGBT community that took the lives of 49 people. This shooting shook the country, as have the many mass shootings that have preceded it. As we still process these deaths, daily violence continues in communities around the country. Over the weekend, the total number of shootings in Chicago, where I come from, this year exceeded 2,100. Over 300 people in Chicago have now died from gun violence in 2016. I have received hundreds and hundreds of letters from constituents of all ages concerned about the effect of gun violence in our communities and in their communities. Yesterday I received a letter from a young constituent, an 8-year-old named Kaline. She wrote: ``I read the Sun-Times every day like my dad. I read and still think about the story of Tyshawn Lee. It's just hitting my mind all the time because it's not fair. It makes me cry.'' Tyshawn Lee was a 9-year-old boy in Chicago deliberately assassinated, shot multiple times in the head. Kaline continues: ``I hope people can make better decisions about what to do with guns. I hope people stop fighting about whether we should do gun control because I worry more people and kids like Tyshawn will be killed.'' We can't accept violence as normal. This is not the country Kaline should have to grow up in. And how do you explain to an 8-year old that in America, with 91 people dying from gun violence every single day, we have taken no meaningful action? We take action all the time to protect our kids from threats to their safety. We have regulations in place on teddy bears and pacifiers, to protect children's health and safety, but nothing for guns. Guns are specifically exempted from regulation by the Consumer Product Safety Commission, the agency charged with protecting consumers from unreasonable risk or injury or death. Gun manufacturers are protected from liability for damage caused by their weapons. The Centers for Disease Control is actually prohibited, in law, from studying the public health risk of guns. Robert, a 91-year-old and a veteran of World War II from my district wrote: ``You know better than I do the vast array of efforts to protect the American people from the recklessness and avarice in the marketplace, yet Congress has failed the people in the matter of gun control . . . Today the American public is crying for laws,'' he says. Robert is right. I can think of no other product or industry that has so few measures in place to protect our safety, and we need to rethink our approach to guns. We can't put the interests of gun manufacturers and the gun lobby ahead of the safety of our communities. Those of us in Congress have the power to do something, and it is long past time for us to act. We can start with measures that have broad support among the American people. Ninety percent of Americans support comprehensive background checks. Background checks would help reduce the flood of weapons that come into Chicago from gun shows and online sales. Would it stop every shooting? Of course it wouldn't. But would it save some lives? Absolutely. My heart goes out to the families in Dallas and Orlando and Chicago and so many other places that have had the lives of their loved ones stolen away by gun violence, and we need to grieve. But after that moment of silence, we must direct our sadness and our anger into action. The problem of violence in communities may seem insurmountable, and no single policy will stop every death. But we should start by passing commonsense gun legislation supported by the vast majority of the American people. We need a vote on legislation to keep guns out of the wrong hands. Republicans and Democrats and gun owners and NRA members agree that background checks for every gun purchase and closing the gun show loopholes and all the other loopholes will help. So give us a vote, Mr. Speaker. My constituents are crying for action. Let's act, not ignore their cries any longer. Give us a vote.

Ms. SCHAKOWSKY

Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to remember the life and legacy of Abner Mikva and to send my deepest condolences to his family and loved ones. Abner Mikva was one of the most treasured friends I've had in all my life. He was an indispensable mentor, a consistent role model and a great guy to be around. It is somehow fitting, that a man so completely devoted to public service--a true American patriot--would take his last breath on the 4th of July. Ab is revered in the district I now represent, which first elected him to Congress in 1974. I was one of the countless volunteers who passed his flyers out and knocked on doors. He inspired a whole generation to believe that politics is a noble calling. His grassroots election campaigns that engaged literally thousands of young people wearing his trademark Mikva! T-shirts are legendary. He was a brilliant strategist, able to work across the aisle, but never compromising his core progressive beliefs. One of the few Americans to serve in all three branches of government as a Congressman, Federal Judge and White House Counsel, Abner was committed to advocating government that was the most helpful it could be to the most people possible. His legacy lives on in the Abner and Zoe (his beloved wife and partner) Mikva Challenge, a program that places high school student interns in both Republican and Democratic offices and campaigns. Thousands of young people for generations to come will experience hands-on involvement in politics because of Ab and Zoe. In November of 2014, I was proud to witness President Obama, someone Ab Mikva supported and promoted from the day he met him, award Ab with the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Supreme Court Justice Elena Kagan came to an intimate celebration afterward and spoke fondly about the days she served as Abner's law clerk. His 90th birthday party last February showcased Abner Mikva's enduring wit, intelligence and humanity. He will be deeply, deeply missed by all those who knew, admired, and loved him. I am proud to be one of them. To Abner Mikva's wife Zoe and family, to whom he was completely devoted, I send my gratitude and heartfelt condolences.

Ms. SCHAKOWSKY

Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to bring up H.R. 1217, the bipartisan expanded background checks legislation, to honor the memory of Justin Michael Murray, from my district--a victim of gun violence who never received a moment of silence on the House floor.

Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. I ask unanimous consent to bring up H.R. 1217, the bipartisan expanded background checks legislation to honor the memory of Dajae Coleman from my district, a victim of gun violence who never received a moment of silence on the House floor.

Ms. SCHAKOWSKY

Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Mr. Speaker, 2 weeks ago today, I sat down right there on this floor next to John Lewis. Gathered around were House Democrats demanding a simple demand: that we have a vote on two bills that would make our streets safer from gun violence. Last week when I went home, I stood with hundreds of people on Federal Plaza in Chicago demanding the very same thing. We sat down as we stood up for gun safety. Right now, hundreds of people are outside, some standing on the steps, 91 of them wearing orange T-shirts, representing the average of 91 Americans killed by guns every day in the United States of America. I am from Chicago, and just last night, NBC News ran a story on gun violence in Chicago, titled, ``City Under Siege.'' Over the Fourth of July weekend, 50 people were shot in Chicago. Three of the victims were children, including two young cousins, 8 and 5 years old, who were shot while celebrating with their family. On one street, someone put a handmade sign that read, ``Don't shoot kids at play.'' The stories of children caught in the middle of the ongoing gun violence epidemic are seemingly endless. Just last week, D'Antignay Brashear was walking down the street in Chicago with her 4-year-old son, Kavan, when he was shot in the face. Speaking about the shooting the next day, D'Antignay said: ``He was with me. He was holding my hand.'' She thought he was safe. We cannot accept the status quo when children are unsafe walking down the street holding their mother's hand. Kavan survived. But his mother said: ``How am I going to explain to him when he looks in the mirror and sees his face?'' I wonder, how do we explain to Kavan and his mother that this House refused to take action to prevent this from happening to him or to any other child? Inaction in the face of these daily tragedies is simply not acceptable anymore. Chicago and Illinois are trying to respond to this crisis, but we need Federal action. Chicago has increased its police presence. Law enforcement takes an illegal gun off the streets of Chicago every 75 minutes. Illinois has enacted reasonable gun violence prevention measures. There is no way for Chicago or Illinois to keep up with the influx of guns that are coming from across State lines. Sixty percent of the firearms used in Chicago gun crimes come from out of State. Most come from just one State: Indiana. The bloodshed in Chicago doesn't start with the pull of a trigger; it starts when the gun is purchased without necessary precautions. In Indiana, no license or permit is required to purchase a gun. There is no registration of weapons. There is no waiting period to purchase a gun. There are no restrictions on assault weapons. Any individual can take advantage of the lack of gun violence prevention laws in Indiana, and they do. Individuals purchase firearms at gun shows with no background checks at all and drive them back to Chicago, across the State line, where they wind up on our city streets. No State can address the gun violence epidemic alone. We need Federal action to require background checks on all gun purchases. Universal comprehensive background checks will keep guns out of the hands of criminals, domestic abusers, and the severely mentally ill. Universal background checks will not stop every gun death, no--no single piece of legislation, not all the legislation in the world--but they will certainly help. They will save lives. We simply can't stay silent any longer. Each day, eight people are shot in Chicago, the American people are demanding action, and it is time that the House listened to them. Speaker Ryan, call the bills. Maybe they will pass and maybe they won't. The American people want to see what we are doing here on the floor of the House to make sure that no more children holding their mom's hand crossing the street are shot again. Give us a vote.

Ms. SCHAKOWSKY

Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Mr. Speaker, between the time that 20 little children and 6 teachers were shot at Sandy Hook Elementary School and the 49 people that were slaughtered in Orlando, we have stood on this floor 27 times for a moment of silence. We send our condolences and our thoughts and prayers, and then the gavel sounds and we go back to business as usual. Well, 2 weeks ago, the Democrats in this House said no more silence. The silence has become deafening. In the city of Chicago, we lost 70 people in the month of June to gun deaths. There is no moment of silence for them. They are women, children, men, sons, husbands. We have the ability in the House of Representatives to save lives-- not every life, but a lot of lives--and the moments of silence, of doing nothing, have run out. It is time for us to act. We have two bills on our agenda that would begin to address the problem. Republicans have to join with us to act now. The silence is too deafening.

Ms. SCHAKOWSKY

Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Mr. Speaker, over last Father's Day weekend, 13 people were killed with guns in Chicago, my hometown. Another 46 were injured. One of those critically injured was 3-year-old Devon Quinn. Devon and his father were sitting in their green van when someone pulled up and started firing shots into a crowd of people. Devon was hit in the right shoulder by a bullet as he sat in his car. He was not the target, and he was another innocent victim in a terrible year of gun violence. A 17-year-old boy was walking down 46th Street, and he was mowed down by an assault weapon. According to the Chicago Tribune, about 1,800 people have been shot in Chicago this year. Over 200 of them have died from guns. When shootings becomes so commonplace, we risk forgetting how traumatic each one is for the people involved. I recently received a letter from Kiara, a high school senior in my district, and she wrote: Talking on the phone with a good friend a few nights ago, I heard the disturbing noise of gunshots. Feelings of fear overwhelmed me as my friend was talking as he was walking home from the train station after a long day at work. Almost immediately, communication broke. I called back over and over again with no response. I was on the verge of a meltdown, thinking of what could have happened to him. After what seemed like the longest 10 minutes of my life, I received a text letting me know that he was okay but needed to call 911, as someone had been shot by a drive-by shooting. I sat there, frozen. What could I do? Then, thoughts of hopelessness and sadness took hold over me, and I thought about the family of this poor, innocent person who was just shot and how terrible that phone call must have been from the hospital. I understand the need for guns and the role they play in protection in times of war and so on. But what I don't understand is the internal debate and menace within the United States over the use and misuse of weapons. Too often, we forget the names of victims and the pain of their loved ones, as Congress continues to do nothing to stop the violence. Most don't even get that empty gesture of a moment of silence, and, even so, we have done 27 moments of silence since Sandy Hook. How numb have we become to everyday violence that we only stop for that lone minute to recognize the most horrific shootings? Forty-nine victims in Orlando, schoolchildren in Newtown, churchgoers murdered in Charleston. Just during the Senate filibuster on gun violence last week, 48 people were shot. As the mass shootings get worse and worse, we can't let these daily shootings fade into the background of America. I know that my constituents feel frustrated and ignored when Congress responds to each of these tragedies with inaction. Angela wrote to me from the Rogers Park neighborhood of Chicago, where I grew up: I am writing to you as a frustrated and saddened constituent who is tired of watching innocent people die because the NRA holds our Congresspeople hostage. I am begging you, on behalf of our students, teachers, police, LGBT, and every innocent person who has been affected by senseless gun violence, to please use this moment to enact meaningful gun control in our country. We have had decades of complacency from our government on this issue. It is no longer excusable, particularly for someone representing Chicago. You know where these legally purchased guns end up and that hundreds of our children and families pay the price for what selfish maniacs claim is their personal freedom. And I have many more letters like those calling on those of us in Congress to do our job and reduce gun violence in our country. Neighbors ask me for action at the grocery store and at the gym and as I boarded the plane yesterday. We can start by enacting two gun safety proposals that are overwhelmingly supported among our constituents, all of our constituents. Close the terrorist loophole. If you are too dangerous to fly on an airplane, you should not be able to buy a gun. People can't even believe that that isn't the law already. We need universal background checks. Forty percent of those guns used in violence in Chicago are bought legally at Indiana gun shows, where there are no background checks. These proposals won't stop every single gun death, but we know that they will stop some. And, yes, there are a lot of other things we could do too. I call on Speaker Ryan, along with my colleagues, to bring these bills to the floor before we break. Americans are calling for action on gun violence. They are tired of being ignored. No bill, no break.

Ms. SCHAKOWSKY

Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Mr. Speaker, I missed Roll Call vote numbers 306 through 333 because I was speaking at my grandson's graduation. Had I been present, I would have voted as follows: ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Rollcall No. H.R./H. Res. Vote ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 306.......................... H.R. 5293 Shuster Amendment No. 2 No 307.......................... H.R. 5293 Ellison Amendment No. 9 Yes 308.......................... H.R. 5293 Rogers Amendment No. 12 No 309.......................... H.R. 5293 Quigley Amendment No. Yes 13. 310.......................... H.R. 5293 O'Rourke Amendment No. Yes 16. 311.......................... H.R. 5293 Huffman Amendment No. Yes 17. 312.......................... H.R. 5293 Poe Amendment No. 19... No 313.......................... H.R. 5293 Sanford Amendment No. No 21. 314.......................... H.R. 5293 Buck Amendment No. 22.. No 315.......................... H.R. 5293 Byrne Amendment No. 24. No 316.......................... H.R. 5293 King Amendment No. 25.. No 317.......................... H.R. 5293 Gosar Amendment No. 26. No 318.......................... H.R. 5293 King Amendment No. 27.. No 319.......................... H.R. 5293 Lamborn Amendment No. No 29. 320.......................... H.R. 5293 Massie Amendment No. 30 No 321.......................... H.R. 5293 Massie Amendment No. 31 Yes 322.......................... H.R. 5293 McClintock Amendment No No. 32. 323.......................... H.R. 5293 Mulvaney Amendment No. Yes 33. 324.......................... H.R. 5293 DeSantis Amendment No. No 34. 325.......................... H.R. 5293 Rohrabacher Amendment No No. 36. 326.......................... H.R. 5293 Walberg Amendment No. No 37. 327.......................... H.R. 5293 Conyers Amendment No. Yes 40. 328.......................... H.R. 5293 Gabbard Amendment No. No 42. 329.......................... H.R. 5293 McGovern Amendment No. Yes 44. 330.......................... H.R. 5293 Lee Amendment No. 45... Yes 331.......................... H.R. 5293 Polis Amendment No. 46. Yes 332.......................... H.R. 5293........................ No 333.......................... H.R. 5471........................ Yes ------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ms. SCHAKOWSKY

Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Mr. Speaker, on Monday, the House stood to bow our heads in a moment of silence for gun violence on the House floor for the 27th time since the horrific shooting of children at Sandy Hook Elementary; this time, for the unspeakable murders that took place in Orlando. A moment of silence for gun violence; that is what we do. We have stood, and we have prayed. One time, I stood up and said: Now, let's do something. We are not short of solutions. The American people cannot believe that the Republicans have voted against a bill that says that people on the suspected terrorist watch list should not be able to buy guns. That is right. They would not support that law. They won't support a ban on assault weapons that have no other purpose than to kill people. Enough is enough. That silence is a deafening silence. We cannot stand to do that anymore without taking real action.

Ms. SCHAKOWSKY

Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize Rabbi Michael Zedek, who has retired after being the spiritual leader since 2004 at Emanuel Congregation in the 9th Congressional District of Illinois. He will be missed. Rabbi Zedek is a true community leader and has brought neighbors together, fostered open-mindedness and embraced the incredible diversity of our community. Ordained in June 1974, Rabbi Zedek was chosen to be alumnus-in- residence at the Cincinnati and Los Angeles campuses of Hebrew Union College. Rabbi Zedek is the youngest man to receive this honor. He served as CEO of the Jewish Federation of Cincinnati and as the spiritual leader of Congregation B'nai Jehudah in Kansas City, Missouri for 26 years, where he holds the title of Rabbi Emeritus. During his tenure, the Jewish Federation of Cincinnati received national awards for innovative fundraising and programming. Prior to his service at the Jewish Federation of Cincinnati, Rabbi Zedek was the senior rabbi of Temple B'nai Jehudah in Kansas City, Missouri where he served for many years. Rabbi Zedek is a truly dedicated community activist, scholar, and teacher. He is deeply involved in civic affairs having served on a number of national and international boards. He has also had numerous teaching and speaking appointments around the world on a wide range of topics, especially focusing on spirituality and folklore. He has taught and lectured in South Africa, Russia, China, the former Yugoslavia, and Israel and in many other countries. He received a Danforth Graduate Fellowship for outstanding teaching, a Fulbright-Hays Grant for advanced study in the United Kingdom, and is a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Hamilton College, Clinton, New York. He will still speak internationally on spirituality and folklore and remain a regular presenter at Rancho La Puerta, a spirituality and retreat center, in Tecate, Mexico. He also serves as the host of a radio show, ``Religion on the Line,'' which has been on the air for more than 20 years. I thank Rabbi Zedek for his leadership and service. I invite my colleagues to join me in honoring Rabbi Zedek for the work he has done for his congregation, the community, the 9th Congressional District and beyond. We thank him for his invaluable service, and wish him well in all future endeavors.

Ms. SCHAKOWSKY

Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. All I really need is the time to say this: We should now be ending this dangerous and unjustifiable witch hunt. It is time to say ``no'' to this panel, and it is time to say ``no'' to the previous question so that we can finally have a really strong debate on this House floor and finally defund this panel.

Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. I thank the gentleman for yielding. Mr. Speaker, I rise to urge my colleagues to defeat the previous question so that Mr. Hastings can offer H.R. 769, a resolution to shut down the select panel that we call the select panel to attack women's health. House Republicans created this panel based on a lie and fraudulent videotapes that have been discredited by three House committees, 12 States, and a Texas grand jury that actually indicted the video maker. They have used this fraud as a pretext to conduct a lethally dangerous witch hunt aimed at women's health clinics and scientists conducting promising research on diseases like Alzheimer's, MS, and the Zika virus. Panel Republicans are bullying witnesses and abusing congressional authority in a manner not seen since the days of Senator Joe McCarthy. But this time, people's lives, not just their livelihoods, are at stake. Republicans have issued dozens of unilateral subpoenas without first seeking voluntary cooperation. They are demanding the names of researchers, students, clinical personnel, doctors, and medical students, amassing a database that could be released publicly at any time. Republicans refuse to put rules in place to protect these names and have reneged on public promises to do so. Instead, they have publicly released names and confidential documents. They issued a press release naming a doctor who has already faced decades of harassment and violence; disclosed the time, place, and location of his appearance before the panel; and fueled the flames by comparing him to a convicted murderer. They have repeatedly used inflammatory rhetoric, comparing researchers to Nazi war criminals and echoing words of antiabortion activists that were also used by the gunman who shot 12 people, killing 3, at a Planned Parenthood clinic in Colorado Springs. Republicans have demanded and obtained information that they have no right or need to know, including records of victims of rape and personal financial information. The Republicans are abusing power and putting people's lives in danger in pursuit of their agenda to limit legal abortion and a woman's right to choose and to shut down fetal tissue research. Fetal tissue research has historically had broad bipartisan support. It is the basis for key vaccines that have saved millions of lives, including the polio vaccine. The so-called investigative panel has already had a chilling effect on research, drying up the supply of needed tissue for research on multiple sclerosis and threatening other diseases, including Alzheimer's and diabetes.

Ms. SCHAKOWSKY

Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Mr. Speaker, I would like to submit the following article, written by Heather Block. I encourage all of my colleagues to read this short and powerful piece, which provides us with yet another personal testimony highlighting the need to lower the price of prescription drugs and support the Medicare Part B Demonstration Project proposed by CMS. In this article, Ms. Block describes ``what it is like to have stage 4 cancer, and to fear bankruptcy as much as cancer due to our health system and the lack of drug pricing regulation''. Sadly, her story is not unique. Across this country, millions of people who are already facing devastating health issues suddenly find themselves in dire financial straits due to the cost of prescription drugs. Let us not forsake the wellbeing of the many for the financial gain of the very few. I ask you to join me in taking the side of people like Heather by supporting CMS's proposal. Pharma Can Buy Time. I Can't. HEATHER BLOCK may 23, 2016 I testified before the House Energy and Commerce Committee's Subcommittee on Health last week. It was a big deal for me. As I told my brother, I want my niece to know that we can speak to the powers that be--even individuals like me, without any group or organization to back me up. I want her to know that our voices can still be heard in America. I testified about what it is like to have stage 4 cancer, and to fear bankruptcy as much as cancer due to our health system and the lack of drug pricing regulation. I also said that I support a Medicare proposal to evaluate ways to lower drug costs. It would reduce financial incentives that could encourage doctors to use more expensive drugs, while trying several different approaches that would improve quality of care and potentially cut drug costs for taxpayers and patients. I felt like most of the Representatives had already made up their minds. Probably not due to the actual proposal, but to the pressures placed by groups that would lose money if the so-called Medicare Part B Demo is launched. I joked before I testified that I might ask, ``Could anyone that doesn't receive any money from the pharmaceutical industry, raise their hands,'' and that I would probably be the only one with a hand raised in the room. Turns out my joke wasn't that far off-base. Imagine my surprise when Representative Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.) pointed out that two of the five witnesses had several pages of identical testimony--identical down to the highlights. What that says to me is that the pharmaceutical industry lobbyists are so confident of their power that they can be sloppy. I do not have that luxury. I have limited time; no one knows how much with stage 4 cancer and certainly limited means. My friends jokingly call me ``Dona Quixote.'' But I feel urgency around the issue, and I do appreciate Representative Peter Welch for pointing out this urgency. I know I cannot be alone. Other patients are slowly being bled dry by the cost of our life saving drugs While the Medicare Part B Demo will not solve the problem of high prescription drug spending, it's at least a thoughtful step in the right direction. I hope to keep pushing and reminding everyone of the urgency of this issue. Americans recognize that the cost of drugs is not sustainable but no one knows what to do. And so far, no one knows how to overcome the money and power being mobilized by the drug companies to keep their profits high, even as patients go bankrupt While the Medicare Part B demo may not be perfect, it's at least a step in the right direction when everyone else seems to be more interested in standing still. Let's proceed. Heather Block served as a witness for the Energy and Commerce's Health committee hearing on the proposed Medicare Part B Payment Demonstration Project on May 17, 2016.

Ms. SCHAKOWSKY

Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Mr. Speaker, yesterday 181 Democrats wrote to Speaker Ryan to ask the Republican Select Panel to Attack Women's Health--that is what we call it--to be shut down. From the outset, this investigation has been a political weapon to punish women, doctors, and scientific researchers, not an objective, fair-minded, or fact-based search for the truth. Here are the top 10 reasons to shut down this partisan panel immediately: One: The select panel is a waste of taxpayer money. Republicans are wasting taxpayer dollars in their chasing of inflammatory allegations of anti-abortion extremists. Three Republican-led House committees, 12 States, and one grand jury have already investigated charges that Planned Parenthood was selling fetal tissue for a profit. None found any evidence of wrongdoing. Two: The select panel is an attack on women's rights. Republicans are using the panel as part of their campaign to deny women access to legal reproductive health services, including abortions--the panel comes at a time when Republicans have voted repeatedly to defund Planned Parenthood, which provides health services to over 3 million American women and men each year--to eliminate family planning services, and to restrict access to abortion. Three: The select panel is harming scientific research. Republicans are using the panel to intimidate scientists into stopping legal fetal tissue research on treatment for cures for diseases and conditions that afflict millions of Americans, including multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer's, diabetes, and spinal cord injuries. Some medical research outfits have already been canceled. Four: The select panel is just partisan politics. Republicans are conducting an unfair, one-sided, and partisan campaign. They refuse to put indicted video maker David Daleiden under oath, who made those highly edited tapes against Planned Parenthood, while issuing subpoenas and demanding sworn testimony from law-abiding researchers and doctors. Republicans have suppressed facts that contradict their preferred partisan narratives. For example, they refused to hear directly from tissue procurement companies while they publicly accused them of misconduct based on misleading and inaccurate staff-created exhibits that lacked any sourcing or foundational information. Five: The select panel is a McCarthy-like witch hunt: Mirroring the bullying behavior of Senator Joe McCarthy, Republicans are demanding that universities and clinics name names of their researchers, graduate students, lab technicians, clinic personnel, and doctors. When Democrat Jerry Nadler asked Chair Blackburn to explain why she needs to amass this database of names, she responded: No, sir. I am not going to do that. Six: The select panel threatens innocent lives. Republicans are putting researchers and doctors at risk by publicly naming them as targets of their investigation and creating a database of names. On May 11, Republicans issued a press release that publicly named a physician who had already been the target and the subject of violence by anti-abortion extremists. That physician was never contacted to voluntarily provide information before he received a subpoena. Seven: The select panel is dangerous. Republicans are refusing to protect confidentiality despite known risks and tragedies, such as the murders of three people at the Colorado Springs Planned Parenthood women's health clinic. That murderer echoed the words of our Republican chairman of the select committee. The killer used words like ``no more baby body parts.'' Even after they promised to protect confidentiality, the committee said: We will not assure that witnesses' names or any of the other names used in the deposition will remain private. Eight: The select panel is an abuse of power. Republicans are abusing congressional subpoena power. The overwhelming majority of their unilateral subpoenas--30 of 36--have been sent without any effort to obtain voluntary compliance. We should provide physicians, medical researchers, and others with an opportunity for them to provide information voluntarily. A subpoena should not be the first contact they have with Congress. Nine: The select panel excludes Democrats. Republicans have consistently refused to work with Democratic panel members. They have refused to discuss or to even give Democrats copies of their unilateral subpoenas until after they have been served, which is in violation of the House. Ten: The select panel bullies witnesses they don't like. It is time, Mr. Speaker, to end this panel right now.

Ms. SCHAKOWSKY

Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Polish Constitution Day on May 3, 2016 and the Polish Constitution Day Parade in my hometown of Chicago on May 7, 2016. On May 3, 1791, Poland ratified the first democratic constitution of its kind in Europe. The document laid the groundwork for a constitutional monarchy and, eventually, the spread of democracy in the region. The Polish Constitution Day Parade is a longstanding Chicago tradition. The Parade brings together nearly 100,000 people for festivities that include floats, folk dancing, and polka bands. This year marks the 125th anniversary of the Parade, which recognizes Chicago's vibrant Polish American community. Polish Americans make up over 7 percent of Chicago's population and have made notable contributions to the arts, academics and even politics. In fact, Chicagoland has the largest Polish community outside of Poland and is home to many organizations that celebrate Polish culture and heritage, including the Polish Women's Alliance of America based in my district. Ada Ezlakowska will serve as this year's Queen of the Parade, and Jan Krawiec will be Grand Marshal. Mr. Krawiec is a 96-year-old Holocaust survivor who fought in the Polish Resistance during World War II and helped run the underground press. He moved to Chicago after being tortured by the Gestapo and detained at Auschwitz-Birkenau and Buchenwald. He attended Loyola University in my district and travelled to the U.S.S.R. with President Nixon. I am proud that he will be honored on Saturday. The United States and Poland share a deep bond. We need to strengthen that relationship by increasing opportunities for travel and cultural exchange. I am proud to support Poland's proposed inclusion in the Visa Waiver Program. This would promote short-term travel between our countries, encouraging cultural and political ties as well as easing travel for families with members in both countries. Polish Constitution Day is a time to celebrate our Polish American community. I congratulate Chicago on 125 years of marking this special occasion.

Ms. SCHAKOWSKY

Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to congratulate and thank Carlos for his 17 years of outstanding service to the U.S. Capitol Building and the CVC. As Superintendent, he oversees the care and maintenance of 1.5 million gross square feet of space and manages a talented staff of 250 employees. It is a tremendous responsibility and his meticulous attention to detail and love of this institution is obvious to all who encounter him. I was grateful for his leadership in 2004 when he led a small group of Members, including me, as we took on the project of redecorating/ redesigning the Democratic Cloakroom. His multitasking skills and good humor were much appreciated and made the project seamless and enjoyable from start to finish. Carlos has been a great supporter of my efforts to learn Spanish. I take a class each week and Carlos always greets me in Spanish. Many Thanks (Muchas gracias). I'd also like to thank his wife, Ana, and their two sons for sharing Carlos with us. His job was not a 9 to 5 one so I'm certain there were many times when his family sacrificed so he could execute and oversee projects--large and small--including four Presidential Inaugurations. I wish Carlos all the best as he begins a new chapter as Vice President of Facilities at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and extend my thanks and gratitude for a job extraordinarily well done. Congratulations (Felicidades), Carlos.