[Pages H7734-H7737]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  1715
FOSTERING UNDERGRADUATE TALENT BY UNLOCKING RESOURCES FOR EDUCATION ACT

  Ms. ADAMS. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill 
(H.R. 2486) to reauthorize mandatory funding programs for historically 
Black colleges and universities and other minority-serving 
institutions, as amended.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                               H.R. 2486

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``Fostering Undergraduate 
     Talent by Unlocking Resources for Education Act'' or the 
     ``FUTURE Act''.

     SEC. 2. STRENGTHENING HISTORICALLY BLACK COLLEGES AND 
                   UNIVERSITIES AND OTHER MINORITY-SERVING 
                   INSTITUTIONS.

       Section 371(b)(1)(A) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 
     (20 U.S.C. 1067q(b)(1)(A)) is amended--
       (1) in the first sentence, by striking ``through 2019'' and 
     inserting ``through 2021''; and
       (2) in the second sentence, by striking ``2019'' and 
     inserting ``2021''.

     SEC. 3. ELIMINATION OF ACCOUNT MAINTENANCE FEES.

       (a) In General.--Section 458 of the Higher Education Act of 
     1965 (20 U.S.C. 1087h) is amended--
       (1) in subsection (a)--
       (A) by striking paragraphs (1), (4), and (5); and
       (B) by redesignating paragraphs (3), (6), (7), and (8) as 
     paragraphs (1), (2), (3), and (4), respectively;
       (2) by striking subsection (b); and
       (3) by redesignating subsection (c) as subsection (b).
       (b) Conforming Amendments.--Section 422B(c) of the Higher 
     Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1072b(c)) is amended--
       (1) by striking paragraph (3); and
       (2) by redesignating paragraphs (4) through (6) as 
     paragraphs (3) through (5), respectively.
       (c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section 
     shall take effect on October 1, 2019.

     SEC. 4. TRANSFER OF FEDERAL PELL GRANT FUNDS.

       Section 401(b)(7)(A)(iv) of the Higher Education Act of 
     1965 (20 U.S.C. 1070a(b)(7)(A)(iv)) is amended by striking

[[Page H7735]]

     subclauses (X) and (XI) and inserting the following:

       ``(X) $1,267,000,000 for fiscal year 2020;
       ``(XI) $1,145,000,000 for fiscal year 2021;
       ``(XII) $1,145,000,000 for fiscal year 2022;
       ``(XIII) $1,145,000,000 for fiscal year 2023;
       ``(XIV) $1,145,000,000 for fiscal year 2024;
       ``(XV) $1,394,000,000 for fiscal year 2025; and
       ``(XVI) $1,145,000,000 for fiscal year 2026 and each 
     succeeding fiscal year.''.

     SEC. 5. DETERMINATION OF BUDGETARY EFFECTS.

       The budgetary effects of this Act, for the purpose of 
     complying with the Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Act of 2010, shall 
     be determined by reference to the latest statement titled 
     ``Budgetary Effects of PAYGO Legislation'' for this Act, 
     submitted for printing in the Congressional Record by the 
     Chairman of the Committee on the Budget of the House of 
     Representatives, provided that such statement has been 
     submitted prior to the vote on passage.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from 
North Carolina (Ms. Adams) and the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. 
Walker) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from North Carolina.


                             General Leave

  Ms. ADAMS. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 
5 legislative days to revise and extend and include extraneous 
materials on H.R. 2486.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentlewoman from North Carolina?
  There was no objection.
  Ms. ADAMS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 2486, Fostering Undergraduate 
Talent by Unlocking Resources for Education, or better known as the 
FUTURE Act.
  This bill is an absolutely crucial piece of legislation. It 
represents the number one priority of our minority-serving 
institutions, which educate nearly 30 percent of all undergraduate 
students in America.
  The FUTURE Act would reauthorize title 3, part F of the Higher 
Education Act, providing $255 million in funding for MSIs for the next 
2 years.
  This includes:
  $85 million of historically Black colleges and universities;
  $30 million for Tribal colleges and universities;
  $100 million for Hispanic-serving institutions; and
  $15 million each for predominantly Black institutions, Alaska Native 
and Native Hawaiian-serving institutions and Asian American and Native 
American Pacific Islander-serving institutions.
  First authorized in 2010, title 3, part F have helped MSIs prepare 
their students for STEM professions, fortified failing infrastructure 
on MSIs campuses, and provided fiscal stability for many of our smaller 
MSIs.
  In order for MSIs to continue this work for fiscal year 2020 and 
beyond, the House must act tonight and ensure that our low-income, 
first generation college students are not left behind. This bill is 
about their future.
  H.R. 2486 is not only integral to MSIs and the millions of students 
that they serve, it is also responsible legislation that is completely 
paid for, not adding one cent to the deficit. H.R. 2486 does this by 
repealing automatic maintenance fees, a relic of the now-defunct 
Federal Family Education Loan Program, where the government-paid 
private institutions called guaranty agencies to manage student loan 
accounts. And with the Federal Government now directly lending to 
student borrowers, these fees are no longer paid, and are increasingly 
being phased out.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask for support for H.R. 2486, and I include in the 
Record a letter from the American Council on Education and 43 other 
national organizations in support of passage of this bill tonight by 
the House.

                                American Council on Education,

                               Washington, DC, September 16, 2019.
     Representative Nancy Pelosi,
     Speaker of the House, House of Representatives,
     Washington, DC.
     Representative Kevin McCarthy,
     Minority Leader, House of Representatives,
     Washington, DC.
       Dear Speaker Pelosi and Leader McCarthy: On behalf of the 
     undersigned organizations representing Historically Black 
     Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Tribal Colleges and 
     Universities (TCUs), Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs), 
     other Minority-Serving Institutions (MSIs), and the higher 
     education community at large, we write to ask that you and 
     the members you lead vote in favor of H.R. 2486, the 
     Fostering Undergraduate Talent by Unlocking Resources for 
     Education (FUTURE) Act when it comes up for a vote tomorrow.
       This bicameral, bipartisan bill was introduced by 
     Representative Alma Adams (D-NC) and Representative Mark 
     Walker (R-NC) to extend vital mandatory funding for Science, 
     Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education, 
     student completion and infrastructure programs benefiting 
     HBCUs, TCUs, HSIs, and other MSIs in Title III, Part F of the 
     Higher Education Act of 1965 (HEA) before it expires on 
     September 30, 2019.
       Mandatory funding for STEM education and other programs at 
     these important institutions was first instituted when the 
     College Cost and Reduction Act of 2007 was signed into law. 
     This bill passed both the House and Senate on a bipartisan 
     basis and allowed for mandatory funding to flow to HBCUs, 
     TCUs, HSIs and other MSIs from 2008 to 2009. Shortly 
     thereafter, the Higher Education Opportunity Act, which 
     maintained this important stream of funding, passed both the 
     House and Senate on a bipartisan basis and was signed into 
     law in 2008.
       It was not until 2010 that these mandatory funds were 
     extended for an additional ten years because Congress 
     recognized the value in securing funding for institutions 
     that served large numbers of low-income, first-generation 
     college students of color.
       According to a recent report, there are more than ``20 
     million young people of color in the United States whose 
     representations in STEM education pathways and in the STEM 
     workforce [fall] . . . far below their proportions of the 
     general population.'' It was emphasized in this report that 
     ``the educational outcomes and STEM readiness of students of 
     color will have direct implications on America's economic 
     growth, national security, and global prosperity.''
       Furthermore, a report released by the White House's 
     National Science and Technology Council stated that the 
     ``national benefits of a strong STEM foundation cannot be 
     fully realized until all members of society have equitable 
     access to STEM education and [until] there is much broader 
     participation by those historically underserved and 
     underrepresented in STEM fields . . .'' The report goes on to 
     highlight the importance of diversity in the workplace 
     leading to more engaged, innovative, and higher-performing 
     organizations.
       It is clear that diversifying our STEM workforce should be 
     a priority for our country and would pay immediate dividends 
     to our economy. The FUTURE Act helps avoid a $2.55 billion-
     dollar cliff in funding over 10 years for HBCUs, TCUs, HSIs, 
     and other MSIs by extending mandatory funding until Fiscal 
     Year 2021. This bill is revenue neutral and allows these 
     important institutions to continue the valuable work of 
     offering quality STEM programs.
       We thank you for your consideration of this request, and 
     look forward to working with you to enact this legislation 
     before the September 30 deadline.
           Sincerely,
                                                     Ted Mitchell,
                                                        President.

       On behalf of:
       Achieving the Dream, Inc.; ACPA-College Student Educators 
     International; ACT, Inc.; American Association of Colleges of 
     Nursing; American Association of Collegiate Registrars and 
     Admissions Officers; American Association of Community 
     Colleges; American Association of State Colleges and 
     Universities; American Association of University Professors; 
     American Council on Education; American Dental Education 
     Association; American Indian Higher Education Consortium; 
     APPA, Leadership in Educational Facilities; Association of 
     American Colleges and Universities; Association of American 
     Universities; Association of Catholic Colleges and 
     Universities.
       Association of Community College Trustees; Association of 
     Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges; Association of 
     Jesuit Colleges and Universities; Association of Public and 
     Land-grant Universities; Coalition of Urban and Metropolitan 
     Universities; College and University Professional Association 
     for Human Resources; Common App; Consortium of Universities 
     of the Washington Metropolitan Area; Council for Advancement 
     and Support of Education; Council for Christian Colleges & 
     Universities; Council for Higher Education Accreditation; 
     Council for Opportunity in Education; Council of Graduate 
     Schools; Council of Independent Colleges; Council on Social 
     Work Education.
       EDUCAUSE; ETS; Hispanic Association of Colleges and 
     Universities; NAFSA: Association of International Educators; 
     NASPA--Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education; 
     National Association for College Admission Counseling; 
     National Association of College and University Business 
     Officers; National Association of Independent Colleges and 
     Universities; National Association of System Heads; National 
     Council for Community and Education Partnerships; Thurgood 
     Marshall College Fund; UNCF; UPCEA.

  Ms. ADAMS. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. WALKER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, today I am proud to rise in support of H.R. 2486, the 
Fostering Undergraduate Talent by Unlocking Resources for Education 
Act, also known as the FUTURE Act.
  First, I would like to thank the gentlewoman from North Carolina (Ms.

[[Page H7736]]

Adams), my colleague, and Senators Tim Scott and Doug Jones for working 
with me on this critical piece of legislation.
  The FUTURE Act supports STEM programs for Historically Black Colleges 
and Universities and other minority-serving institutions, ensuring the 
students in our communities receive the best science, tech, 
engineering, and math education in the country by providing and 
extending these grants.
  Representing the largest HBCU in the country, North Carolina A&T 
State University, I have seen firsthand the significant impact these 
STEM grants have on our HBCU students. On a personal note, as 
Representative Adams knows, and I have mentioned before, my wife is a 
family nurse practitioner at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center and a 
two-time graduate from an HBCU.
  Thanks to the FUTURE Act, 300,000 students across more than 100 HBCUs 
will have the opportunities that come with a STEM education. From the 
engineers that will build our roads and bridges, to the mathematicians 
who will solve complex questions of physics, to the computer scientists 
coding for smart electric grids, our future lies in the hands of STEM 
graduates.
  In the rapidly changing environment of higher education, our schools 
and students--especially those at minority-serving institutions--need 
the stability and assuredness that comes with knowing that they have 
our full support. The House needs to pass the FUTURE Act for HBCUs and 
the students they serve.
  Again, I thank the gentlewoman from North Carolina (Ms. Adams), my 
colleague, and Senators Doug Jones and Tim Scott for working together 
to get this important piece of legislation across the finish line.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bipartisan, 
bicameral bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.
  Ms. ADAMS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from 
Virginia (Mr. Scott), the chair of the Committee on Education and 
Labor, of which I am privileged to serve under.
  Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the gentlewoman 
from North Carolina (Ms. Adams) and the gentleman from North Carolina 
(Mr. Walker) for their continued leadership of this bill, specifically, 
and with the HBCU Caucus, generally.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this legislation to preserve 
funding for historically Black colleges and universities and other 
minority-serving institutions. These institutions play a critical role 
in expanding access to higher education for low-income students and 
students of color.
  Collectively, they educate more than one-quarter of all graduates, 
nearly 6 million students, including many in our Nation's underserved 
the communities. Typically, these under-resourced schools educate 
first-time college attendees, many of whom hail from impoverished 
communities.
  The funding that supports minority-serving institutions is the only 
program authorized in the Higher Education Act that expires if not 
reauthorized this year. Accordingly, if Congress fails to pass this 
bill by September 30, these historic institutions will suffer a $255 
million shortfall, causing lost jobs, lost opportunities, and 
diminished financial support for students across the country.
  Members of this body often speak glowingly about the role of HBCUs 
and other minority-serving institutions. And today, we have an 
opportunity to back those words with action. The FUTURE Act, which is 
fully paid for, preserves vital investments in minority-serving 
institutions, as well as the students and communities they serve.
  Mr. Speaker, I encourage all of my colleagues to support this 
legislation.
  Mr. WALKER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from 
North Carolina (Ms. Foxx), former chair and ranking member, and a lady 
who has given her life to the education arena.
  Ms. FOXX of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I thank both of my 
colleagues from North Carolina for their leadership on doing their best 
to help HBCUs.
  However, Mr. Speaker, I rise today in opposition to H.R. 2486, the 
FUTURE Act. Under the guise of a manufactured deadline, House Democrats 
are rushing through a bill that will negatively impact student 
borrowers across the country.
  I want to make one thing clear: In no way does my criticism of the 
underlying bill diminish my support for America's HBCUs and MSIs and 
the important role these institutions of higher learning play in our 
country.
  My issue is with this bill and the process by which it is before us. 
We have a responsibility to diligently and responsibly allocate 
taxpayer dollars. Too many in this body find it way too easy to spend 
hard-earned taxpayer dollars without promising accountability. That is 
an insult to every citizen who has entrusted us with their 
representation. Yet, the Democrats' bill before us uses budget gimmicks 
to skirt House protocols.
  This flawed bill also eliminates account maintenance fees, programs 
that serve low-income minority students through financial aid awareness 
and borrower assistance services. In addition to funding and policy 
issues, the bill has serious process issues. Our colleagues have 
skipped the markup process and brought it straight to the floor.
  This unnecessary move to push forward a bill without the deliberation 
of the committee is a disservice to America's students. We have the 
time to deliberate this legislation with all parties at the table, but 
my colleagues aren't interested in sound policy, they are interested in 
sound bites.
  Simply put, there are better ways to accomplish the policy goals of 
this bill and really work toward improving the future of American 
students.
  Ms. ADAMS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  AMFs are a maintenance fee given to guaranty agencies for a program 
that no longer originates new loans. And while some guaranty agencies 
may be using AMFs for financial literacy, it is important to know that 
these are auxiliary activities not required by HEA, and guaranty 
agencies do not report any information on these activities.
  There is no data across agencies that show how much of the AMF, if 
any, is actually being used for this type of outreach or what the 
actual impact will be on students in your district.
  If this were true when Republicans had control of the House, they 
would have moved a bill to permanently authorize funds to these 
institutions. Instead, the Republicans allowed for the expiration to 
happen in hopes that it would be eliminated through no action.
  The MSI mandatory funding is a unique program, and it expires in less 
than 15 days. And this justifies immediate action. I also mentioned 
that these schools will lose a tremendous amount of money that they 
need, and I just want to remind the gentlewoman from North Carolina 
(Ms. Foxx) that we are talking about $1.1 million in fiscal years 2017 
and 2018 to Winston-Salem State University; that is in the Fifth 
District.
  As we look at all of the schools that will benefit from this funding, 
I think we have some responsibility to help these young people--who, we 
said to them, You need an education--and help them move through this 
process that will make it easier for them to not only stay in school, 
but for these colleges and universities to stay open.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. WALKER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from 
North Carolina (Mr. Budd), a champion for HBCU causes since arriving in 
Congress 2\1/2\ years ago.
  Mr. BUDD. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. 
Walker), my friend, for yielding, and I thank him for his leadership on 
this very important piece of legislation. And I also thank the 
gentlewoman from North Carolina (Ms. Adams), my colleague, for her 
leadership on this bill.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of the FUTURE Act. This 
bipartisan bill would extend mandatory funding under title 3 of the 
Higher Education Act to HBCUs around the country.
  HBCUs play a vital role in expanding opportunity to students in North 
Carolina, especially in my district, where I am fortunate to represent 
three of them: Bennett College, North Carolina A&T, and Livingstone 
College.
  Now, a recent report I came across found that HBCUs generate $1.7 
billion in Federal economic impact in North Carolina. This figure 
includes direct spending on faculty, academic programs, and by the 
students directly attending these institutions.

[[Page H7737]]

  HBCUs are an engine of economic growth in our communities because 
they expand the economic playing field to students from every 
background. Our economy works best when everyone has a shot at success.
  As current funding to HBCUs is set to expire on September 30, it is 
critical that this legislation makes it across the finish line and onto 
the President's desk.

                              {time}  1730

  The FUTURE Act would provide funding to more than 100 HBCUs across 19 
different States. It will allow universities and their students to 
continue down the pathway to success. In my view, having healthy HBCUs 
is critical for our State's economic future.
  Mr. Speaker, I thank my friends again for their leadership on this 
bill.
  Ms. ADAMS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers, but before I close, I do 
want to, first of all, thank both gentlemen from North Carolina, 
Representative Walker and Representative Budd, for their support of 
HBCUs.
  Congressman Walker is correct. He represents the largest public HBCU 
in the Nation, of which I had the privilege of studying at and 
graduating from twice, North Carolina A&T, and served that school for 
more than 40 years in the district.
  I am watching Congressman Walker, and I appreciate him and 
Representative Budd and all the support they are giving to our HBCUs.
  I taught 40 years at Bennett College in Greensboro, so HBCUs are 
really running through my veins.
  Mr. Speaker, I will include in the Record letters of support 
submitted by 36 individual schools--IHEs, HBCUs--for the passage of 
this bill, and I have some other documents that I also will include in 
the Record from NAFEO, UNCF, and TMCF, and also from Harry Williams 
from TMCF.
  Mr. Speaker, let me just say before I close, Mr. Budd mentioned a 
couple of those statistics about our schools.
  Our schools, HBCUs, confer 40 percent of all STEM degrees, 60 percent 
of all engineering degrees. We educate 50 percent of African American 
teachers and 40 percent of African American health professionals. We 
produce 70 percent of African American dentists and physicians. I could 
go on and on.
  Yes, there is a serious economic impact of about $15 billion--$14.8 
billion, to be specific. We are not slouching. HBCUs are doing a lot 
with a little. We still don't receive equitable funding, but this, 
certainly, will help not only the colleges and universities, the MSIs, 
but it is also going to help our students--first-generation students, 
as I was--who have the privilege of going on and getting a good 
education from one of our Nation's best HBCUs.
  Let me say before I close, I, again, thank both gentlemen, and I ask 
the House to approve H.R. 2486.
  Mr. Speaker, I want to rebut a couple of things.
  First, as has been explained, account maintenance fees are a 
dwindling source of funds. They have been made obsolete now, and they 
are being replaced by the Direct Loan Program. The funds now represent 
3.5 percent of the average guaranty agency's total revenue, which last 
year totaled about $4 billion. When the opposition talks about AMFs and 
how important they are, we have to note that they are referring to just 
3.5 percent of $4 billion.
  I would also like to say that because funds from AMFs can be used for 
whatever purpose they desire, on the contrary, title III, part F only 
can be used for specific purposes that improve institutional stability 
and academic programs.
  We don't want to be on record saying that $140 million that may be 
used to help low-income students is more important than $255 million 
that must help low-income students, which comprises about 60 percent of 
the population at our HBCUs, TCUs, and MSIs.
  The other side says that the mandatory funds should not go to 
institutions, but account maintenance fees are exactly that. They are 
funds that must be paid by the government to private institutions.
  Our HBCUs account for 3 percent of all colleges and universities. We 
graduate 10 percent of all Black college graduates, a third of Black 
STEM professionals.
  Our TCUs serve geographically remote areas that help close gaps in 
healthcare services and formal education attainment in Tribal 
communities. Since 1965, the Federal Government has tried to atone for 
this neglect by providing institutional aid to these students.
  To turn our backs on these schools by letting these important 
mandatory funds expire, which it has already been noted will expire in 
about 2 weeks, is unconscionable. It is a slap in the face to many who 
look to these schools as their ticket to the middle class.
  Mr. Speaker, I have already submitted those documents for the Record, 
but I do want to urge all of my colleagues to pass this FUTURE Act. It 
is about the future of our schools, the future of our students, those 
who need that opportunity, the opportunity that W.E.B. Du Bois spoke 
about when he said, ``Of all the civil rights for which the world has 
struggled and fought for 500 years, the right to learn is undoubtedly 
the most fundamental.''
  I thank my colleagues for continuing to believe in that fundamental 
right for these young people to have that opportunity.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask the Chamber again to support and champion our low-
income, our first-generation college students by approving H.R. 2486, 
and I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. WALKER. Mr. Speaker, I know Congresswoman Adams is yielding back 
only because I am the Member who represents North Carolina A&T at this 
point.
  Mr. Speaker, I have no more speakers, and with great big Aggie pride, 
I yield back the balance of my time as well.
  Mr. SABLAN. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 2486, the 
Fostering Undergraduate Talent by Unlocking Resources for Education 
(FUTURE) Act, which ensures federal funding for Minority-Serving 
Institutions (MSIs) across our nation, including Northern Marianas 
College, continues after September 30, 2019.
  Enrolling two out of every three students of color, MSIs play an 
important role in providing access to a quality higher education and 
career opportunities. However, many of these schools, which serve over 
25 percent of all undergraduates, have historically been underfunded 
which affects their ability to serve their students who primarily come 
from disadvantaged backgrounds. This is why Congress authorized funding 
for MSIs under the Higher Education Act to help students of color 
succeed through better access to degree programs that prepare them for 
in-demand jobs, academic counseling and other support services. Through 
this funding, Northern Marianas College established Project PROA which 
offers high school juniors, seniors and first-year college students 
free academic tutoring, college mentoring, counseling, and a center 
with access to computers while incorporating the indigenous Chamorro 
and Refaluwasch cultures. 86 percent of participants passed more than 
half of their classes after receiving Project PROA tutoring services.
  Mandatory funding for these institutions will expire on September 30, 
2019. The FUTURE Act, which I cosponsored, ensures this will not 
happen. Under H.R. 2486, Historically Black Colleges and Universities, 
Hispanic-Serving Institutions, Tribally Controlled Colleges and 
Universities, and Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-
Serving Institutions like Northern Marianas College will continue to 
receive $255 million for the next two years. Should funding lapse, the 
impact would fall on students the most if schools have to make cuts to 
the very academic programs and services that were established to help 
them succeed.
  I thank the gentlelady from North Carolina, Ms. Adams, for her 
leadership on this legislation and urge my colleagues to support H.R. 
2486.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentlewoman from North Carolina (Ms. Adams) that the House suspend the 
rules and pass the bill, H.R. 2486, as amended.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

                          ____________________