Adam Schiff

Mr. SCHIFF

Mr. SCHIFF. Madam Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the life of Betty Marion White, renowned award-winning actress and animal welfare champion, of Los Angeles, California, who passed away on December 31, 2021, at the age of 99. Betty was born on January 17, 1922 in Oak Park, Illinois. In 1923, she and her parents moved to Alhambra, California and later to Los Angeles, where she graduated from Beverly Hills High School, and made her professional acting debut at the Bliss Hayden Little Theatre in Beverly Hills. Ms. White served in the American Women's Voluntary Services during World War II, and made her movie debut in Time to Kill, a film for servicemen about military educational programs. A dynamic radio personality, she appeared in shows such as the The Great Gildersleeve and Blondie, and had her own variety radio show, The Betty White Show. Moving into television, she co-hosted Hollywood on Television, a live television variety show, and later became co-producer and star of the show, Life With Elizabeth, which won her the first of many Emmy awards. Over her seventy-plus year career, she starred and appeared in numerous television shows--sitcoms, game shows, talk shows and soap operas, including the Betty White Show, What's My line, Password, The Love Boat, Maybe This Time, Boston Legal, Hot in Cleveland, The Bold and the Beautiful, and Saturday Night Live, in addition to films such as Lake Placid, The Proposal and the 2018 documentary about her career, First Lady of Television. Ms. White was best known for her two signature roles as the conniving Sue Ann Nivens in the popular Mary Tyler Moore Show and the naive Rose Nylund in the enormously successful The Golden Girls television series. I came to know Betty through her love of animals, and she was a tireless animal welfare advocate, author, donor, and spokeswoman. She worked with and supported many organizations such as the African Wildlife Foundation, Actors and Others for Animals and the Morris Animal Foundation, serving as president and trustee, and she produced as well as hosted the syndicated series, The Pet Set. which highlighted celebrities and their pets. It was her involvement with the Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association (GLAZA), the support group for the Los Angeles Zoo, that was near and dear to her heart, and spanned more than fifty years, beginning at the zoo's opening in 1966. One of her major projects was to produce, write and star in Backstage at the Zoo, a television special that aired in 1974, with famous friends Mary Tyler Moore, Jimmy Stewart, L.A. Mayor Tom Bradley and others making appearances. This was significant, as the special raised awareness of the zoo, brought the zoo into the homes of many Angelenos, emphasized the zoo's outstanding animal care team and showcased the behind-the- scenes work. Since 1974, Ms. White has continuously served on the Board of Trustees for GLAZA, stepping away for several years to become an inaugural member of the Board of Zoo Commissioners, where she served for eight years, before returning to GLAZA's board and serving as chair. For her lifelong work for animal welfare, Betty was honored by L.A. Mayor Yillaraigosa as the City of Los Angeles' ``Ambassador to the Animals,'' and made an honorary zoo keeper by the Los Angeles Chapter of The American Association of Zoo Keepers. I would like to convey my deepest sympathies to Betty's family, friends, and fans. as well as extend my heartfelt thanks for her decades of contributions to animal welfare, the L.A. Zoo in particular, and untold hours of entertainment she provided to the world. The entire global community will greatly miss Betty White.

Mr. SCHIFF

Mr. SCHIFF. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Patrick Healy as he prepares to conclude his long and storied career as one of Los Angeles' preeminent television reporters. For nearly four decades, Patrick has been on the front lines for just about every story that has shaped and defined the place we call home--all with unmatched integrity and dedication to public service. Before he was an award-winning broadcaster, Patrick was an engineering student at UCLA--taking up the family's journalism tradition as a reporter for the Daily Bruin. Guided by L.A. newsroom giants like Jere Witter and Pete Noyes, he got his start writing and producing for local outlets across the Southland before landing his big break at NBC-4--a station which he would call home for the next 37 years. Patrick has since become a fixture in Angelenos' living rooms, with his in-depth coverage of the most famous sagas of our generation: from Richard Ramirez and Rodney King to O.J. Simpson and Dr. Conrad Murray. Through them all, he always managed to bring us more than just the stories themselves--he also reveals the truths they tell about our communities, our people, and our country. When he wasn't rushing to the scene of breaking news, Patrick has extensively covered environmental issues affecting California, including how drought and extreme weather caused by climate change are impacting the people and places we love. It is these stories that perhaps best unveil the noble motivation behind his work: to investigate and call attention to our challenges so we can ensure the Golden State remains a wonderful place for future generations to enjoy. Patrick's love for his home state and hometown is undoubtedly what makes so many Angelenos connect instinctively with his reporting. And it is why, like his mentors before him, he will go down as one of the great L.A. broadcast journalists of our time. As Patrick likes to quote, ``News is the first draft of history''--if that is so, he has left an indelible mark. And we thank him for it. I ask all Members to join me in thanking Patrick Healy for his service to Los Angeles, to California, and to the nation, and in wishing him good health and great adventure in retirement.

Mr. SCHIFF

Mr. SCHIFF. I do not. Thank you. * * * *. Ms. Lofgren, anything?

Mr. SCHIFF. Madam Speaker, Mark Meadows was served with a subpoena for testimony and documents 3 months ago. Since that time, he has done TV interviews, published a book, and produced over 9,000 documents about January 6, which he concedes are not covered by any form of privilege. These documents include chilling text messages from the President's son, Don, Jr., urging Meadows to get his father to do something to stop the violence; from Members of Congress, urging that the Vice President simply ignore electoral votes he personally deems unconstitutional; and, even after the violence of January 6, bemoaning the fact that the effort to overturn the counting of the electors was a failure. One of the texts to Meadows, on January 3, came from an unknown caller and referred to efforts to replace the leadership of the Department of Justice and said the following: ``I heard Jeff Clark is getting put in on Monday. That's amazing. It will make a lot of patriots happy, and I'm personally so proud that you are at the tip of the spear and I can call you a friend.'' But notwithstanding his texts, his emails, his interviews, and his book, Mr. Meadows refused to appear for his deposition, claiming that to discuss the same issues, documents, and book is somehow privileged. The inconsistency, the hypocrisy, grabs you by the neck, and so does his utter contempt of Congress. Mr. Meadows is a central participant and witness to the events of January 6. He is at the tip of the spear. If he can get away with ignoring the law, if witnesses summoned before Congress can merely pick and choose when they comply, our power of oversight will be gone and along with it our cherished system of checks and balances. Take away Congress' power to compel evidence and you take away Congress' power to protect the public from a dangerous and malign executive. People died on January 6. A Congress that cannot enforce its subpoenas in such an investigation is no more effective than a court in a homicide case which cannot compel witnesses to appear. We would cease to be a Congress and become a mere plaything in the hands of a despot. Mark Meadows has demonstrated contempt for Congress and for the public. Now, he must be held in contempt. He should be prosecuted like anyone else who ignores the law because no one is above the law.

Mr. SCHIFF

Mr. SCHIFF. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of the Protecting Our Democracy Act. I am very proud to sponsor this legislation, and I am grateful for the partnership of many chairs and Members who contributed to the effort, as well as the leadership of Speaker Pelosi. Our system was founded upon a respect for the rule of law and a carefully constructed balance of power among the three branches. That system has, throughout history, been tested. Just as, after Watergate, Congress worked to pass reforms like campaign finance laws and new ethics rules, so we must now examine the cracks in the democratic foundation and address them. That is precisely what this bill does. It will prevent Presidential abuses of power, ensure the independence of our justice system, and reinforce the system of checks and balances. Specifically, among other things, it would prevent corruption or misuse of the pardon power. It would ensure that Congress may exercise its constitutionally mandated oversight responsibilities and enforce subpoenas in a timely manner. It protects whistleblowers and expands the independence of inspectors general. It reestablishes Congress' power of the purse. This bill has garnered support from groups across the political spectrum because it is not about politics; it is about the survival of our democratic system of government. Many of the reforms included in this package are sponsored and supported by Republicans as well as Democrats. I urge all of my colleagues in Congress to support the Protecting Our Democracy Act. The day that we were sworn into office, we made a sacred pledge of allegiance and loyalty to the United States. This bill places our oath to democracy and the Constitution above party politics. This is a moment and a vote when we have the opportunity to fulfill that oath.

Mr. SCHIFF. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of Representative Ocasio- Cortez's amendment. The GAO's expertise and technical capacity are critical to Congress' oversight. This amendment by the gentlewoman from New York (Ms. Ocasio- Cortez) gives GAO access to important information in the IC's possession that is necessary for the conduct of GAO's responsibilities while also ensuring the protection of sensitive sources and methods. It strikes the right balance between security, transparency, and needed oversight. It also imposes confidentiality restrictions; clarifies that GAO officers and employees, like their IC colleagues, are subject to penalties for unauthorized disclosure; and requires the Comptroller General to consult with the Director of National Intelligence to establish protections against such unauthorized disclosures. In sum, the amendment will enhance congressional oversight of the IC in a manner that protects our national security. I want to thank my colleague for offering it. I urge a ``yes'' vote.

Mr. SCHIFF. Will the gentleman yield?

Mr. SCHIFF. Let me ask the gentleman, are you aware, just by way of illustration, that the President's campaign chairman, Paul Manafort, secretly met with an agent of Russian intelligence and provided Russian intelligence with internal campaign polling data as well as strategic insights about their strategy in key battleground States? Are you aware of that?

Mr. SCHIFF. Let me ask you, are you aware, while the Trump campaign chairman was providing internal polling data, that Kremlin intelligence was leading a clandestine social media campaign to elect Donald Trump? Are you aware of that?

Mr. SCHIFF. Would you like me to go on?

Mr. SCHIFF. Well, I am asking you. You asked me to present you with some of the information.

Mr. SCHIFF. If you would like me to continue.

Mr. SCHIFF. To get to the gentleman's question, I am aware of President Trump's son meeting secretly in Trump Tower in New York with the Russian delegation with the purpose of receiving dirt on Hillary Clinton, which the Russian delegation represented was part of the Russian Government's effort to help elect Donald Trump in 2016. I am aware that Donald Trump, Jr., said in response to that Russian offer of dirt on Donald Trump's opponent that he would ``love it,'' suggested the best time would be in late summer, and had a secret meeting in Trump Tower. When asked about that secret meeting, both the President and his son lied about it. Are you aware of those facts?

Mr. SCHIFF. I am happy to continue to outline the contacts between the Trump campaign and Russia, their solicitation of Russian help in the election, the former President's effort to coerce Ukraine into helping him cheat in the election. I would be happy to go chapter and verse if you would like me to use your time that way. Right now, though, the subject of this amendment is to allow the General Accountability Office, the GAO, to help Congress oversee aspects of the intelligence community, but if you are more interested--

Mr. SCHIFF

Mr. SCHIFF. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Tuna Canyon Detention Station Coalition as it commemorates the 80th anniversary of the opening of the detention station located in Tujunga, California. I commend the organization's tireless efforts to preserve and document the historical site and the stories of the lives that were forever changed while they were detailed at the Tuna Canyon Detention Station (TCDS) during World War II. At the onset of World War II, Presidential Proclamations 2525, 2526, and 2527 authorized the arrest and imprisonment of people deemed a threat to U.S. national security. The proclamations served as justification to arrest individuals of Japanese, German, and Italian ancestry along with extradited Japanese Peruvians and detain them without due process. The U.S. Department of Justice subsequently appropriated a Civilian Conservation Corps camp a week after the bombing of Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941 which they would then transform into the detention station that we know today as TCDS. From December 16, 1941 to October 30, 1943, the Tuna Canyon Detention Station imprisoned over 2,000 individuals. These individuals included prominent businessmen, martial arts teachers, civic and religious leaders. Today, the TCDS Coalition serves to educate the public about the site's historical significance, preserve the site and historic artifacts, and seek out the names and stories of detainees. I applaud the diligence of the TCDS Board of Directors and volunteers who have worked tirelessly to document biographies of TCDS detainees. Additionally, TCDS Coalition was the driving force behind the Los Angeles City Council recognizing the Tuna Canyon Detention Station as a Historic Cultural Monument on June 25, 2013. With only the oak trees left standing, it's vital for present and future generations to be informed of these wartime atrocities to ensure that the same actions never take place again. It is my pleasure to congratulate the Tuna Canyon Detention Station Coalition on all they have accomplished, and I ask all members to join me in commending their efforts.

Mr. SCHIFF

Mr. SCHIFF. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of the Equal Healthcare for All Act. Federal law protects against discrimination in housing, schooling, and employment. But equitable access to healthcare remains broadly unprotected, the consequences of which are deadly: for Black women who are more likely to die during childbirth, for Hispanic individuals who suffer from higher rates of chronic diseases, for LGBTQ individuals who postpone medical treatment for fear of discrimination. For the first time in our Nation's history, my bill would make equitable healthcare a protected civil right. And it will be another important step towards breaking down the barriers of discrimination in our country. Madam Speaker, I want to thank Dwayne Hall, a community leader and good friend, for his efforts to conceptualize and advance this bill. The importance of those efforts cannot be understated.

Mr. SCHIFF

Mr. SCHIFF. Madam Speaker, we are here this afternoon to test a proposition as old as the country's founding: Are we a nation of laws? We are here because one man has decided that we are now only a nation of men and that rich and powerful men need not follow the law. And the question we must confront is nothing less than this: Is he right? Are some people now truly above the law, beholden to nothing and no one, free to ignore the law and without consequence? Congress is investigating the worst attack on our Capitol in over a century, made worse still by the fact that it was carried out by our own people, people who had been misled to believe that their election had been stolen and that violence was now justified, people who are still being misled by a dangerous lie that may lead to even more bloodshed. This is not some theoretical matter. We were here. We heard the doors breaking, the glass shattering, the cries from outside the Chamber. And we saw the bloody results, the officers injured, and those who died. And in the wake of the horrors of that day, a day in which the Capitol Police put their lives on the line to defend our democracy, it falls on us to defend that same democracy, albeit at far less risk to ourselves. The Founders intended that ambition should be made to check ambition. If we fail to uphold Congress' power to compel information, then we cease to be a coequal branch of government, unable to perform our oversight or check any abuses of executive power. Take away a court's power to subpoena witnesses, and it fails to be a court. Take away the Congress' ability to do the same, and it fails to be a Congress, becoming instead a mere plaything for a corrupt executive. Do not believe for one moment that if we fail to hold Steve Bannon accountable that he will be the exception. He will become the rule--not a rule of law, but the misrule of men. Either we are all equal before the law or none of us is. This is the essence of our democracy. As Lincoln said, ``Whatever differs from this, to the extent of the difference, is no democracy.''

Mr. SCHIFF

Mr. SCHIFF. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a true public servant. We use that term frequently and often too casually, but the individual I am speaking about unquestionably defines the term and sets an example we should all strive to achieve. Elizabeth Jean Beck Vuna has served as my district office casework manager for 20 years. She has served the Congress and the American people for over 33 years. Prior to serving my constituents, she worked for Congressman Glenn Anderson and Congressman Stephen Horn from Long Beach, California. It is worth noting that the bitter partisan politics of today have never touched Elizabeth's commitment to service. She has worked for Democrats and Republicans without concern for political philosophy. It is that dedication, that determination to help people, and that diligence that truly makes her irreplaceable. Elizabeth will be retiring on September 30. When she does, we will be losing one of the most effective and compassionate caseworkers in the history of the Congress. Yes, I know that sounds boastful, but it is quite simply the truth. Little did I know when I hired Elizabeth in 2002 what a profound impact she would have on the lives of so many of my constituents and on me. Elizabeth began her career in public service because, when her brother returned home from the Vietnam war, he could find no assistance for his PTSD and Agent Orange-related illnesses. She decided it would be her mission to ensure that other veterans would not face a similar fate and often focused her efforts in helping veterans obtain the benefits they so richly deserved. She also felt an affinity for immigrants since she and her husband adopted five orphaned children from Tonga. That experience led her to become a local expert in international adoption. Her compassion for all immigrants also led her to become a recognized expert in the field, and she diligently advocated for all immigrants to be afforded all the benefits legally available to them. The number of constituents Elizabeth has helped in a substantive manner are in the tens of thousands, and I am probably undercounting. She has mentored other congressional staff and given guidance and direction to everyone who was lucky enough to ask her to do so. Not a week goes by that I do not hear from some of my constituents about this miracle or feat that she accomplished on their behalf, whether it is large or small. As her retirement became known, my office received dozens of emails thanking her for her service and asking if she couldn't stay just a little longer. She has assisted the many studios in my district as well as the Jet Propulsion Laboratory and the California Institute of Technology, but perhaps more importantly, she has helped individual constituents, who needed a fierce champion for their cause, help navigate a bureaucracy that can seem arcane and senseless at times. Elizabeth is a native Californian, the daughter of Wilbert and Ellen Beck. Her large family is comprised of her husband, Steve; sons, Jesse and Sean, who tragically prematurely passed away; adopted Tongan children, Malia, Angela, Michelle, Joshua, and Jacob; and over a dozen grandchildren. She will be missed in our office and by our constituents beyond measure, and I cannot thank her enough for her service. I ask all Members to join me in thanking Elizabeth Jean Beck Vuna for her unwavering dedication to public service and wish her good health and prosperity in retirement.

Mr. SCHIFF

Mr. SCHIFF. Mr. Speaker, on June 3, 1969, 74 sailors were killed off the coast of Vietnam. These sailors--the ``Lost 74''--perished when the USS Frank E Evans sank after colliding with an aircraft carrier participating in a training exercise. Each of these service members were deployed to a combat zone. Each of these service members died in the service of our nation. And yet, their names have been left off the Vietnam Memorial wall. These sailors deserve to be recognized alongside the individuals who lost their lives in service of our nation in the Vietnam War. This commemoration of their service is long overdue. The Lost 74 are heroes who left their home and families to fight for their country--our country--and gave the last full measure of devotion in the service of peace and security. Their names deserve to be honored and remembered alongside the 60,000 Americans who lost their lives in Vietnam.

Mr. SCHIFF

Mr. SCHIFF. Mr. Speaker, a free press is the cornerstone of a free society. Without it, democracy cannot thrive. But freedom of the press is under assault around the world. Journalists face persecution, detainment, torture, and even death for simply doing their jobs. My amendment will empower the U.S. to hold accountable those who perpetrate crimes against journalists by prohibiting assistance to culpable governments. Named for Jamal Khashoggi--whose brutal murder still goes unpunished--this will ensure America stands with journalists against those who would seek to harm them. We must pass it. In doing so, we will honor Mr. Khashoggi's legacy and protect the cornerstone of our own democracy by sending a clear message: the U.S. will not turn a blind eye to the abuse of journalists.

Mr. SCHIFF

Mr. SCHIFF. Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of the Khanna amendment. I am very grateful to Representative Khanna for his leadership. Yemen and its people are suffering through a catastrophic tragedy. Sixteen million in Yemen are at risk of famine. This year alone, 400,000 children may die from severe malnutrition made so much worse by the conflict raging there. Today, we have a powerful opportunity to help bring an end to this suffering by terminating the U.S. decision to provide military assistance to the Saudi Arabian coalition fueling Yemen's civil war. Our participation in this suffering simply cannot continue. We cannot be a party to the death of children and innocent civilians. This is why I urge an emphatic ``yes'' in support of this amendment, to bring an end to the U.S. funding of the Saudi-led military campaign in Yemen.

Mr. SCHIFF

Mr. SCHIFF. Madam Speaker, I urge a ``yes'' vote on this amendment to increase transparency into the proceedings in Guantanamo and allow the victims of 9/11 to observe the proceedings, as many of them would like to, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. SCHIFF. Madam Speaker, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. SCHIFF. Madam Speaker, I believe I have the right to close on this amendment, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SCHIFF

Mr. SCHIFF. Madam Speaker, Richard Trumka dedicated his life to elevating workers in America. During his tenure as President of AFL- CIO, he proudly represented the interests of more than 12 million union members, fighting with unbridled passion and persistence to achieve fair hours, living wages, and better working conditions for all. Every American, union member or not, owes him a debt of gratitude for his tireless advocacy and commitment to building a more equitable, more just workforce and economy. Richard was a remarkable leader. This is evident from the enormous legacy of accomplishment he leaves behind and by the respect he garnered from the people he worked with and on behalf of. I had the immense privilege of knowing Richard on a personal level. And as exceptional of a leader as he was, he was an equally exemplary person-- one who was deeply committed to his family, his community, and his country. That kind of selflessness defined Richard's life and career-- that same spirit will define his legacy, too. Richard was taken from us entirely too soon. And there are no words to ease the pain of this tragic loss, especially for his family and loved ones. But Richard will never truly leave us. His legacy will live on for generations to come, as a shining example of leadership and true public service. May his memory be a blessing.