Mary Scanlon

Ms. SCANLON

Ms. SCANLON. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I am afraid we have to dig into the weeds a little bit with Rules Committee process right now. Earlier, the gentleman from New York said that with this rule, the new majority has tied the number of times that more minority amendments were made in order than majority amendments. While I am certainly supportive of minority amendments, that sounded wrong, so we asked our staff to check. They haven't had much time while we have been speaking, but they have already found at least two times that the Democratic majority did this in the last Congress, H.R. 302 and H.R. 963. Perhaps our colleagues need to check their facts. What I do know is that this rule contains the 18th and 19th closed rules of this new Congress. That is already over 30 percent of what we did during the first year of the Democratic majority. So it is more like a return to Republican habits, just like they ran the most-closed Congress in history last time they had control. I am also astonished to learn that it was the possibility of family separation that inspired our colleagues to introduce H.R. 185, when the issue of family separation due to our outmoded, broken immigration system has not served to inspire any urgency to reform that system. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Jackson Lee).

Ms. SCANLON. Mr. Speaker, if we defeat the previous question, I will offer an amendment to the rule to ensure that H.R. 185 does not take effect unless it is certified that it won't decrease Social Security benefits. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to insert the text of my amendment into the Record, along with any extraneous material, immediately prior to the vote on the previous question.

Ms. SCANLON. Mr. Speaker, Social Security is the bedrock of our Nation's social safety net. Since its inception, it has lifted millions of our seniors out of poverty. Protecting the benefits that Social Security provides should be a priority for this Congress, for everyone in this Congress, as my Republican colleagues demand reckless cuts in exchange for paying our Nation's bills. Democrats are going to continue to push to ensure that these vital benefits are protected and will continue to give Republicans every opportunity to ease the American people's anxiety by demonstrating with their votes, including on this measure, that they do not intend to cut Social Security. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. SCANLON. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Beyer).

Ms. SCANLON. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time for closing. Mr. Speaker, these measures today do nothing to address the important issues facing American families. These resolutions are misguided and unserious at best and deeply undemocratic at their core. House Republicans continue to waste precious time and taxpayer dollars on power struggles and political stunts. Republican leadership's acquiescence to the fringe forces in their party is a disservice to the American public. With all of the challenges this Congress should contend with, an extremist overreach to nullify democratically passed legislation and rolling back lifesaving COVID protections is a waste of precious time and resources. My Democratic colleagues and I are here to work on behalf of the American people and are ready to do the serious work of delivering for them, fighting for better jobs and safer communities. We will oppose extremist attempts to stoke division, to undermine government institutions, and to threaten fundamental American freedoms. I invite my colleagues to work across the aisle, to work together on the issues that matter to all of our constituents: lowering prices; addressing housing, healthcare, and education needs; making our communities safer; and protecting our environment. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to oppose the previous question and the rule, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. SCANLON. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Ms. SCANLON. Mr. Speaker, I demand a recorded vote.

Ms. SCANLON

Ms. SCANLON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Billy Raymond, a letter carrier in my hometown. In October, Francis Raymond, better known as Billy, will celebrate 30 years of carrying mail along the same postal route. Billy is well known to residents on his longtime Delaware County route and vice versa. Billy knows the names of the kids and dogs on his route, and he greets them on his rounds. Four years ago, Billy was honored as a member of the prestigious Million Mile Club. That club celebrates postal workers who have safely driven over 1 million miles or served the Postal Service for more than 30 years. The United States Postal Service plays a critical role for our country, connecting family, friends, businesses, and government agencies across the Nation, and Billy Raymond is a critical part of that connection in Pennsylvania's Fifth District. February 4 is Thank a Letter Carrier Day, so I want to thank Billy Raymond for his dedication and to extend a broader thank-you to all the hardworking postal workers serving at the 60 post offices across my district.

Ms. SCANLON

Ms. SCANLON. Mr. Speaker, as chair of the Congressional Youth Mentoring Caucus, I rise to recognize National Mentoring Month to celebrate the impact of youth mentoring and ask caring adults across the country to consider becoming mentors as our youth face the overwhelming challenges of our time. One-third of young people in the United States don't have a meaningful connection with a responsible adult outside their homes, but such connections can have a powerful, positive impact on their economic mobility, mental health, violence prevention, and identity development. I have been a youth mentor since college, and it is incredibly rewarding. I have been honored to participate in and celebrate the personal and professional growth of scores of young people. This week, we welcome mentors from across the country to Capitol Hill, including visitors from the Philadelphia region who work with MENTOR and Big Brothers and Big Sisters, and we heard about the work they do to support young people in our communities every day. Mr. Speaker, I urge all adults to consider how they can serve their communities and the next generation by becoming mentors through sports, career exploration, school, or faith-based programs.

Ms. SCANLON

Ms. SCANLON. Mr. Speaker, pro bono work is a professional responsibility and an ethical commitment expected and often required of all lawyers. Every October since 2009, legal organizations nationwide have participated in the American Bar Association (ABA) Standing Committee on Pro Bono and Public Service's National Celebration of Pro Bono to recognize the increasing need for pro bono services during harsh economic times and the unprecedented voluntary response of attorneys to meet this demand. Legal services and pro bono programs across the country have held over 12,000 events in the 13 years since the National Celebration began. A justice gap has long existed in this country between those who can afford to hire a lawyer to help them with their civil legal needs and those who cannot. To help reduce this gap, in 2016, the Committee launched ABA FreeLegalAnswers.org--the first and only online national pro bono legal advice portal--providing modest-means individuals with access to quality legal advice from pro bono attorneys licensed in their state. This access is often the only resource available to those unable to use traditional legal aid due to income, geographic or physical limitations have. Typically offering brief advice and information online in areas such as family law, housing, and consumer rights, Free Legal Answers' pro bono attorneys are able to respond quickly to questions and prevent larger legal crises from developing. ABA Free Legal Answers providers also respond to questions arising from disasters, including hurricanes, wildfires and the COVID pandemic, and help eligible individuals with an internet connection or mobile phone, including disaster survivors, veterans, and other vulnerable populations. Since its launch, over 11,000 pro bono attorneys have registered to respond to the nearly 250,000 civil legal questions that have been posted on ABA Free Legal Answers from over 40 states. While this milestone is a sobering testament of the overwhelming need for pro bono legal services, I hereby applaud the tremendous impact made by ABA Free Legal Answers' pro bono attorneys and ask all licensed attorneys to register as volunteers with ABA FreeLegalAnswers.org during our ongoing celebration of critical pro bono services.

Ms. SCANLON

Ms. SCANLON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak to the importance of promoting inclusion and equity in sports by promoting women and girls' sports, and to commend the efforts of our neighbors to the North in promoting such inclusion and equity with the addition of an all-female division at this year's Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament, one of the largest pee wee hockey tournaments in the world. The United States and Canada enjoy both a vibrant rivalry and partnership in the sport of ice hockey. Each year, that rivalry and partnership is on display at the Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament. From February 8 through 19, 2023 the 2023 Quebec International Pee- Wee Hockey Tournament will feature 120 teams, including an all-female division for the first time in its 62 year history. We applaud this significant development. The United States and Canada are the closest of friends, partners, and allies, sharing common values and goals, such as promoting representative democracy where all may develop their skills and talents to the benefit of society as a whole, including in women and girls' sports. In 2022, the United States celebrated the 50th anniversary of the passage of Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 that prohibited sex discrimination in education and opened new athletic opportunities for girls and women. Similarly, Canada's Physical Activity and Sport Act states that the Government of Canada's policy regarding sport includes the principle to ensure the full and fair participation of all persons in sport. Accordingly, my Congressional colleagues and I congratulate the 2023 Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament on the ilusion of an all-female team division this year for the first time in the tournament's history. We express our appreciation to the people and Government of Canada for their long history of friendship and cooperation with the people and Government of the United States.

Ms. SCANLON

Ms. SCANLON. Mr. Speaker, the American people expect Congress to address the issues they care about, kitchen table issues like being able to afford prescription drugs or get a good-paying job and addressing the gun violence that is plaguing our neighborhoods. But instead of getting to work for the American people, House Republicans, held hostage by MAGA extremists, spent their first week engaging in power struggles and brawls and political stunts. Instead of lowering costs for American families, they voted to help wealthy tax cheats and greedy corporations avoid paying their fair share of taxes, a move that would raise the Federal deficit by over $100 billion. Instead of creating better-paying jobs, they launched a new committee to chase down conspiracy theories and settle scores for the disgraced, twice-impeached former President. Instead of working to make our communities safer, they doubled down on their crusade to criminalize women's healthcare and end reproductive rights across this country. The party that once claimed to stand for family values has no interest in solving the most pressing issues facing American families. I am disappointed but never discouraged. No matter what political stunts House Republicans pull, my colleagues and I will remain focused on delivering for the people we represent. We will keep working to create better-paying jobs and opportunities for our children, to lower costs for families, and to make our communities safer. Political Violence is Never the Answer

Ms. SCANLON. Mr. Speaker, as political violence rises in our country and abroad, our Nation's leaders should be united in condemning political violence in all forms, as well as the vile rhetoric that fuels it. From Charlottesville to Pittsburgh to El Paso, we have seen the tragic results when lies spill blood and words echo as gunshots. These attacks ripple through communities stealing innocent lives, traumatizing survivors, and inflicting pain on those left behind. The underlying drivers of domestic violent extremism, antigovernment sentiment, racism, misogyny, and anti-Semitism are constant as threats and attacks move from one community to the next. We all have a moral responsibility to combat this scourge of hateful rhetoric, to ensure that every American can live free from bigoted speech and hate-fueled violence. But the resolution presented by Republicans today continues that pattern of stoking grievances and chaos in our communities rather than helping our communities work together to ensure domestic tranquility. Their resolution is far from a clean condemnation of political violence. By condemning only vandalism and violence against anti- abortion facilities, it gives tacit approval to the far more frequent attacks against abortion clinics and other medical centers disfavored by the radical right. Political violence is never the answer. I look forward to working with our colleagues across the aisle when they are ready to take seriously the very real threat of political violence, condemning such violence in all forms, rather than using this issue to stir up more division, chaos, and ultimately more violence.

Ms. SCANLON

Ms. SCANLON. Madam Speaker, I rise today to oppose this grotesque attempt to politicize abortion care and criminalize doctors. Politicians should not be in the business of mandating that women carry dangerous or unwanted pregnancies to term. They should stay out of the doctor's office when Americans are exercising their fundamental right to decide when or if to have children. But rightwing extremists have made it their first order of business in this new Congress to attack abortion rights and spread disinformation. This bill is deliberately misleading. It is harmful to both people facing pregnancy complications and to the doctors who provide their care. If passed, it would cause more maternal deaths in this country, which are already a national shame. Congress has a responsibility to legislate honestly, and this bill is not honest. The American people deserve better than having Congress waste time on political stunts, pretending to fix problems that do not exist. Americans don't want MAGA extremists to criminalize women's healthcare, and they don't want politicians in their doctor's offices.

Ms. SCANLON

Ms. SCANLON. Madam Speaker, I include in the Record the following House Communications Standards Commission Summary for the 117th Congress, Second Session. House Communications Standards Commission--Commission Poll 117-2 Based on the Complaint submitted to the Commission on February 1, 2022, by the Americans for Public Trust against Representative Val Demings (Respondent); and considering Representative Demings's February 11, 2022 Answer to the Complaint; Ranking Member Cammack's February 22, 2022 Letter to Chairwoman Scanlon, requesting additional information from the Respondent; and Chairwoman Scanlon's February 23, 2022 response letter to Ranking Member Cammack; the Commission was asked to request from the Respondent the additional information noted in Ranking Member Cammack's letter. The vote was conducted by written submission from February 23 to February 25, 2022 and ended in a 3-3 tie as follows: Ms. Scanlon, ``No.'' Ms. Cammack, ``Yes.'' Mr. Sherman, ``No.'' Mr. Latta, ``Yes.'' Mr. Jones, ``No.'' Mr. Steil, ``Yes.'' As the question failed to receive majority support from the members of the Commission, the Ranking Member's request for additional information would not be requested from the Respondent. House Communications Standards Commission--Commission Poll 1177-3 Based on the Complaint submitted to the Commission on February 1, 2022, by the Americans for Public Trust against Representative Val Demings (Respondent); and considering Representative Demings's February 11, 2022 Answer to the Complaint; Ranking Member Cammack's February 22, 2022 Letter to Chairwoman Scanlon, requesting additional information from the Respondent; Chairwoman Scanlon's February 23, 2022 Response Letter to Ranking Member Cammack; and Ranking Member Cammack's February 28, 2022 Letter to Chairwoman Scanlon, requesting a hearing; the Commission was asked if the Commission should conduct a hearing on this matter? The vote was conducted by written submission from February 28, 2022 to March 1, 2022 and ended in a 3-3 tie as follows: Ms. Scanlon, ``No.'' Ms. Cammack, ``Yes.'' Mr. Sherman, ``No.'' Mr. Latta, ``Yes.'' Mr. Jones, ``No.'' Mr. Steil, ``Yes.'' As the question failed to receive majority support from the members of the Commission, the Commission did not conduct a hearing on this matter. House Communications Standards Commission--Commission Poll 117-4 Based on the Complaint submitted to the Commission on February 1, 2022, by the Americans for Public Trust against Representative Val Demings (Respondent), where the Commission was asked to decide if a violation of the House of Representatives Communications Standards Manual occurred. The vote was conducted by written submission from March 1, 2022 to March 3, 2022, and ended in a 3-3 tie. Ms. Scanlon, ``No.'' Ms. Cammack, ``Yes.'' Mr. Sherman, ``No.'' Mr. Latta, ``Yes.'' Mr. Jones, ``No.'' Mr. Steil, ``Yes.'' Pursuant to Rule 14 of the Rules of Practice and Procedures of the House Communications Standards Commission, the Commission determined that no violation has been found on this matter. House Communications Standards Commission--Resolution 117-1 On July 19, 2022, the Commission held their second Business Meeting of the 117th Congress. By voice vote they unanimously voted to adopt Commission Resolution 117-1, which addressed several conforming and technical changes to the Commission Handbook, as well as updates related to sourcing, hashtags, and disclaimers. Additionally, by voice vote, the Commission also unanimously voted to implement templates from the Democratic Caucus and Republican Conference which would be available for each corresponding delegation, and to develop an online complaint form.

Ms. SCANLON

Ms. SCANLON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to share the story of an admirable family in my district who has provided decades of service to their friends and neighbors through the U.S. Postal Service. John Keller worked at the U.S. Postal Service for 34 years, including 15 years as postmaster of the Ridley Park Post Office. Now retired, his twin sons, Joe and Mike Keller, have worked for the U.S. Postal Service for 23 years each and are now both postmasters in Pennsylvania's Fifth Congressional District. Our Postal Service is an essential part of our Nation's infrastructure. The Postal Service delivers medicine to veterans, birthday presents from grandma, and, even in this day and age, holiday greetings from friends across the world. The Postal Service keeps us connected with our communities, families and friends, businesses, nonprofits, and public agencies all over the country, and provides jobs to over 500,000 Americans; 3,000 in Pennsylvania's Fifth District alone. We are so grateful to the Keller family and to all of our Postal Service workers for everything they do for us every day.

Ms. SCANLON

Ms. SCANLON. Mr. Speaker, by direction of the Committee on Rules, I call up House Resolution 1510 and ask for its immediate consideration.

Ms. SCANLON. Mr. Speaker, for the purpose of debate only, I yield the customary 30 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Burgess), pending which I yield myself such time as I may consume. During consideration of this resolution, all time yielded is for the purpose of debate only. General Leave

Ms. SCANLON. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks.

Ms. SCANLON. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Today, the Committee on Rules met and reported a rule, House Resolution 1510, providing for consideration of the Senate amendment to H.R. 8404, the Respect for Marriage Act. The rule makes in order a motion offered by the chair of the Committee on the Judiciary that the House concur in the Senate amendment to H.R. 8404 and provides 1 hour of debate equally divided and controlled by the chair and ranking minority member of Committee on the Judiciary. Mr. Speaker, tonight's rule provides for the consideration of the Respect for Marriage Act, and I am proud to support this rule to move that bill to the floor. The Respect for Marriage Act will repeal the discriminatory Defense of Marriage Act once and for all and ensure that all across America, families in same-sex and interracial marriage are afforded the respect and legal rights and protections they deserve. Passage of this bill is a critical step to protect the rights and freedoms of all Americans, regardless of their sexual orientation or race, following the Supreme Court's recent decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization. That decision and recent statements by the Supreme Court's new rightwing majority have left families across the country and in my district worried about the future of marriage equality. The Respect for Marriage Act will ensure long-term stability and important statutory protection for all marriages. The Respect for Marriage Act will safeguard the protections laid out in Obergefell v. Hodges, as well as prior case law, that protect important fundamental privacy and liberty rights, all of which were improperly called into question in the Dobbs decision and related dicta. This is a matter of respecting the fundamental rights, freedoms, and liberties of our neighbors, family members, and fellow citizens. Everyone should have the right to marry the person they love and live free from discrimination, regardless of where in this great land they live or travel. In addition to securing the respect for those marriages, this bill will also secure respect for families across America and in all of our communities and families. The issues addressed by this bill have been thoroughly debated in this body, in the Senate, and by the American public. The Respect for Marriage Act will ensure long-term stability and important statutory protections for all. I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support this commonsense legislation and to reaffirm the fundamental right to marriage equality. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. SCANLON. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, families in my community are justly skeptical of process arguments which have been regularly weaponized to roll back the rights, the freedoms, the liberties that they so richly deserve to exercise. So I think at this point, there has been plenty of process. There has been amendment process in both Chambers, and it is time to pass this legislation. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. SCANLON. Mr. Speaker, with all due respect, we believe that the gentleman's amendment is both duplicative and unnecessary. The Senate spent months crafting a bipartisan compromise to amend H.R. 8404 to address the religious liberty concerns that were raised by Republicans in the House and Senate. Sections 6 and 7 of this legislation ensure no impact on religious liberty. Adopting this new and unnecessary amendment would unsettle the Senate's carefully crafted compromise and delay the enactment of this necessary, historic, and bipartisan legislation. If the House passes this legislation, it will be sent straight to the President's desk to become law. This Congress is coming to a close, and we don't have the time to make changes to this legislation. This bill has gone through both the House and Senate and through the American public, and I believe it needs to be signed into law as soon as possible. Mr. Speaker, I include in the Record letters in support of this legislation from the Interfaith Alliance, from U.S. Jewish organizations, and from eight leaders of faith-based organizations representing tens of millions of Americans and hundreds of religious institutions. November 28, 2022. Hon. Tammy Baldwin, Hart Senate Office Building, Washington, DC. Hon. Susan Collins, Dirksen Senate Office Building, Washington, DC. Dear Senators Baldwin and Collins: The Respect for Marriage Act is a simple way to provide legal stability for all married couples and their families. Within our communities, we approach matters of marriage, family, and identity differently. This bill recognizes this diversity of belief while ensuring that same-sex and interracial couples are treated with equal respect by federal and state governments. As faith-based organizations, we recognize that the First Amendment right to religious freedom is a cornerstone of our democracy. The bipartisan substitute amendment provides important clarification around the interaction between the Respect for Marriage Act and the robust religious freedom protections guaranteed under federal law. Crafted in the spirit of collaboration, the amendment protects the right to believe as we choose while leaving intact the core mission of the legislation to respect marriages. The freedom to marry who one loves is a matter of human dignity and supported by a majority of almost every major religious tradition in the United States. We urge the Senate to adopt the bipartisan amendment in full, without further amendment needed to protect religious freedom. Respectfully, Interfaith Alliance, ADL (The Anti-Defamation League), Bend the Arc: Jewish Action, Center for Faith, Justice, and Reconciliation, The Episcopal Church, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Faithful America, Hindu American Foundation, Hindus for Human Rights, Jewish Women International, Keshet. Muslims for Progressive Values, National Council of Jewish Women, NETWORK Catholic Social Justice Lobby, Presbyterian Church (USA) Office of Public Witness, Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association, The Sikh Coalition, Sojourners, Union for Reform Judaism, Unitarian Universalist Association, United Church of Christ.

Ms. SCANLON. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. SCANLON. Mr. Speaker, I have one additional speaker.

Ms. SCANLON. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from New York (Mrs. Carolyn B. Maloney), the distinguished chairwoman of the Committee on Oversight and Reform.