February 7, 2020 - Issue: Vol. 166, No. 26 — Daily Edition116th Congress (2019 - 2020) - 2nd Session
All in House sectionPrev16 of 55Next
EMERGENCY SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATIONS FOR DISASTER RELIEF AND PUERTO RICO DISASTER TAX RELIEF ACT, 2020; Congressional Record Vol. 166, No. 26
(House of Representatives - February 07, 2020)
Text available as:
Formatting necessary for an accurate reading of this text may be shown by tags (e.g., <DELETED> or <BOLD>) or may be missing from this TXT display. For complete and accurate display of this text, see the PDF.
[Pages H941-H962] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] EMERGENCY SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATIONS FOR DISASTER RELIEF AND PUERTO RICO DISASTER TAX RELIEF ACT, 2020 General Leave Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H.R. 5687. The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Vargas). Is there objection to the request of the gentlewoman from New York? There was no objection. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to House Resolution 833 and rule XVIII, the Chair declares the House in the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union for the consideration of the bill, H.R. 5687. The Chair appoints the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Castor) to preside over the Committee of the Whole. {time} 0917 In the Committee of the Whole Accordingly, the House resolved itself into the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union for the consideration of the bill (H.R. 5687) making emergency supplemental appropriations for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2020, and for other purposes, with Ms. Castor of Florida in the chair. The Clerk read the title of the bill. The CHAIR. Pursuant to the rule, the bill is considered read the first time. General debate shall be confined to the bill and shall not exceed 1 hour equally divided and controlled by the chair and ranking minority member of the Committee on Appropriations. The gentlewoman from New York (Mrs. Lowey) and the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Granger) each will control 30 minutes. The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from New York. Mrs. LOWEY. Madam Chair, I yield myself such time as I may consume. In recent weeks, thousands of families in Puerto Rico were forced from their homes, schools were flattened, roads and infrastructure were severely damaged as earthquakes racked an island still struggling to recover from the devastation of Hurricanes Maria and Irma. While President Trump has finally released some of the aid that Congress appropriated for those hurricanes, more support is clearly needed. We must act now on our shared responsibility to assist Americans in need. This emergency supplemental would provide $4.67 billion in targeted assistance to help families and communities recover from these devastating earthquakes and put Puerto Rico on a better path to long- term recovery. It includes: $3.26 billion in Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery funds; $1.25 billion for repairs to damaged road systems; $100 million to restart school operations; $40 million for disaster nutrition assistance in Puerto Rico; and More than $20 million to help address the island's energy needs. In addition, this bill would provide Puerto Rico with flexibility to use this funding in conjunction with earlier disaster relief resources. Critically, it also takes swift action against the Trump administration's outrageous withholding of vital aid to Puerto Rico. This bill would require detailed spending plans and mandate that funding be released in a timely manner. Finally, the bill carries a number of tax-related provisions in the jurisdiction of the Committee on Ways and Means that will complement the emergency appropriations and support working families and encourage economic growth. Madam Chair, our fellow Americans in Puerto Rico need our help. Unless we step up to the plate right now, we further jeopardize their safety and security. With this bill, we can provide families and communities swift relief and put Puerto Rico on the path to long-term recovery. I urge my colleagues to join me in support of this legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time. Ms. GRANGER. Madam Chair, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I rise today in opposition to H.R. 5687. While this bill is being sold as an appropriations bill for Puerto Rico, it has more than $16 billion in unnecessary tax breaks which are largely unrelated to the recent earthquakes that hit the island. Also included in this bill are more than $4 billion in new emergency appropriations, much of that for disasters that haven't happened yet. And finally, this bill is premature, as Puerto Rico has funds from previous bills that have not been used. Over the last 3 years, we have allocated more than $40 billion for Puerto Rico disasters, and less than half of that has been spent. And we have all seen recent press reports about warehouses in Puerto Rico full of water, diapers, and food that have not been distributed to residents in need. As for the recent earthquakes in Puerto Rico, the Federal Government has not completed the required studies and reporting on the extent of the damage. While I, too, have been frustrated with the amount of time it takes the Federal Government to distribute funds after a disaster, appropriating funds before we know what is truly needed is not the answer. There are billions in the FEMA Major Disaster Relief Fund that are already available and can be used toward earthquake response and recovery efforts now, while we wait on a full and accurate report on the damage and estimated cost. When disasters strike, it is our job to ensure that the Federal Government helps those in need. We also have a duty to ensure that taxpayer dollars are used in a fiscally responsible manner. Unfortunately, including tax breaks related to disaster recovery and funds [[Page H942]] for disasters that haven't even occurred yet is not a good use of taxpayer funds. Again, when funds are needed, we will be there, just as we have been there repeatedly for Puerto Rico for the last several years. But at this time, I urge my colleagues to vote ``no.'' Madam Chair, I reserve the balance of my time. Mrs. LOWEY. Madam Chair, I am pleased to yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Ohio (Ms. Kaptur), the distinguished chairwoman of the Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development, and Related Agencies. Ms. KAPTUR. I thank our hardworking chair, Nita Lowey, for yielding me this time. Madam Chair, I rise in support of H.R. 5687, the Puerto Rico earthquake supplemental funding. This $4.67 billion in funding is a vital lifeline for our fellow citizens in Puerto Rico reeling most recently from a series of devastating earthquakes, but also still recovering from the consequential damage of 2017's massive Hurricanes Irma and Maria. Since late December, a series of quakes rattled Puerto Rico, including another magnitude 5 earthquake just this last Tuesday. Today, this body sends a powerful message to the island community: This House will not let you suffer from inaction by this administration. Following the most powerful quake in early January, millions were left without power and running water for days. The electric grid struggled to keep up with demand. Anxiety remains high as more than 30 category 5 or higher earthquakes have hit this month. 30. Unbelievable. As we learned from Hurricane Maria, the aftermath can prove to be even more dangerous and deadly if there is not speedy and effective action. And I want to thank the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and also the Ohio National Guard that has made journeys there, and other defense units that have risen to duty to protect and serve the people of our country in Puerto Rico. This emergency supplemental will provide these hard-hit, anxiety- ridden fellow Americans and communities with strength, hope, and support to begin moving forward again. A failure to act now is not just unacceptable, it is immoral. This bill provides the means to address current challenges inflicted on the human condition. It also includes funds to strengthen infrastructure for future mitigation. The CHAIR. The time of the gentlewoman has expired. Mrs. LOWEY. I yield the gentlewoman from Ohio an additional 30 seconds. Ms. KAPTUR. Within my subcommittee's Energy and Water accounts, the bill provides over $21 million for the Department of Energy to provide technical assistance help restore and rebuild the electric grid in Puerto Rico and other U.S. territories. These funds will allow the Department and our National Labs to provide the expertise necessary to begin the repair. Equally important is the significant financial support to meet the educational needs of island children for disaster nutrition assistance and repair all of the infrastructure. This Nation must help destroyed communities of our fellow citizens to help them recover from these historic disasters. We never know when it will hit our own backyard. I urge my colleagues to support this important emergency supplemental. Ms. GRANGER. Madam Chair, I yield 5 minutes to the gentlewoman from Puerto Rico (Miss Gonzalez-Colon). Miss GONZALEZ-COLON of Puerto Rico. Madam Chair, I thank Ranking Member Granger for yielding. Since December 28, Puerto Rico has experienced more than 2,100 earthquakes that have significantly impacted our southwestern region. Actually, I was on the island on January 6 when a 5.8 earthquake struck us, and then the next day, a 6.4, and then half an hour later another 6.2. I thank the President for immediately issuing an emergency declaration and, days later, a major disaster declaration, which prompted immediate Federal assistance to the now 29 municipalities that have been hit the most. However, the seismic activity has not stopped. Every day the infrastructure weakens. More roads and houses are damaged. The anxiety of the people on the island grows; and that is why I stand here today in support of this disaster supplemental package. I am thankful to Chairwoman Lowey for introducing this bill. And yet, in order to get this legislation enacted into law, in order to truly get the aid to Puerto Rico and other States and jurisdictions affected by natural disasters, it is imperative to have the input of both sides of the aisles, Senate and House administration, and get this ready to go. So it is my sincere hope that, as we move forward with this bill, and the negotiations that may begin as a result of it, that we keep in mind that we are dealing with real people's lives and their suffering here. Every week, every single week, when I go back home, I meet with people who have lost everything due to the earthquakes. And again, we are used to hurricanes, but we are not used to earthquakes, so this is a completely new game in Puerto Rico. I meet parents who are too frightened to send their kids to schools, and families refusing to return home out of the fear that their houses will collapse. {time} 0930 At one point, over 7,000 people were living in shelters, many establishing campsites on the side of the road, in parks, and in open areas. The devastation, my friends, is real. It is true that the island has already allocated over $40 billion, not $90 billion, in funding to respond to the unprecedented Hurricane Maria. However, we are dealing here with an entirely different disaster. And let me say, of all that money that has been allocated, just $1.5 billion has been disbursed, so we don't have the cash, and we don't have the funds that Congress already allocated 2 years ago. The earthquakes are ongoing. The ground has not stopped shaking. While FEMA and the administration officials are onsite, Congress cannot wait until funds are depleted to act. Madam Chair, I want to highlight also the tax provisions included in this bill for Puerto Rico. Although some may argue that they have no place in a supplemental, these provisions are vital for the long-term recovery of the island and all those efforts. I thank Chairman Neal for crafting this package, including legislation that I have previously introduced, such as H.R. 302, to provide families in Puerto Rico with one or more children the same treatment currently given to island families with three or more kids under the child tax credit; H.R. 1786, to make the rum cover-over tax permanent on the island--we managed to include a 5-year extension, but now this will make it permanent; and a provision extended to the earned income tax credit for the island, which is similar to legislation I introduced in H.R. 754. I will always stand with the people I represent. I am the sole representative of the people of the island, 3.2 million Americans. Yet, we don't have a delegation in the House and in the Senate to support and push for these kinds of bills. That is why I am supporting this bill, and I urge all of my colleagues to do the same. What has happened in Puerto Rico, we don't know yet how much longer these earthquakes are going to continue to happen. The U.S. Geological Survey is saying that it may be a year, or it may be months. Every time this happens, the infrastructure weakens. Again, it began with just six towns. Now, we have 29 towns in the disaster declaration. This is an ongoing emergency. I wish nobody would suffer what we are suffering today without having a complete recovery from the hurricanes. Mrs. LOWEY. Madam Chair, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Serrano), the chairman of the Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, and Science. Mr. SERRANO. Madam Chair, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding. I rise in strong support of this emergency supplemental, which will help Puerto Rico recover from damage caused by the ongoing earthquakes that have struck the island. It will help an island that is still struggling to recover in the wake of Hurricanes Maria and Irma. Since December 28, Puerto Rico has experienced thousands of earthquakes, [[Page H943]] including numerous powerful ones. These earthquakes have caused significant damage to the island's roads and schools and left many individuals' homes structurally unsound. Many residents are fearful and uncertain of what comes next. Thousands of Puerto Ricans are in need of assistance to repair the damage to their homes and lives. Many have once again left the island for New York, Florida, and elsewhere, and need help there, also. This bill provides the island with the support necessary to help repair damaged infrastructure, allow students to continue learning, and assist in its economic recovery. It provides nutrition assistance to the most vulnerable members of Puerto Rican society. This bill also puts in safeguards to ensure that the administration spends the money as instructed by Congress so the island's recovery is not hindered by a further man-made disaster. We all know what happened to our fellow citizens of Puerto Rico in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria and how our government's inadequate response hurt the response and recovery efforts. I am thankful that my colleagues here in the House are determined not to let that happen again. I hope our Republican colleagues in the Senate will act quickly to help Puerto Rico, and I urge strong support for this bill in the House. I usually do not comment on any comment made by another Member. The person who made these comments is a person I have the utmost respect and admiration for, but our ranking member to the committee said that the bill is premature. How can it be premature to try to help American citizens still recovering from two hurricanes? How can it be premature to help American citizens? It is never premature. The time is right. Ms. GRANGER. Madam Chair, I reserve the balance of my time. Mrs. LOWEY. Madam Chair, I yield 2\1/2\ minutes to the gentlewoman from Connecticut (Ms. DeLauro), the chairwoman of the Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies. Ms. DeLAURO. Madam Chair, I rise to speak in support of the supplemental bill for Puerto Rico. The island has been rocked by earthquakes and tremors. Thousands of Americans are left without water or power, facing catastrophic property damage. In my district, I met with affected families and community members. We discussed the ongoing disaster and the response and recovery needs. I have staff, people who have family in Puerto Rico who are sleeping outdoors for fear of going back into a home that is badly damaged. There should be no question about providing the resources necessary to recover. This supplemental package provides $4.67 billion for educational needs, transportation infrastructure repairs, and disaster relief activities, including $100 million for education. For K-12 programs, it helps schools restart operations, support reenrollment, and pay for the costs of providing education to students who have been displaced by natural disasters, and yes, it addresses the mental health needs of children as they have experienced a traumatic event. Higher education, the funding helps defray the unexpected costs associated with enrolling displaced students and with rebuilding damaged facilities. This supplemental also extends the child tax credit to all children in Puerto Rico and the U.S. territories. Under the current system, Puerto Rican families are only eligible for the child tax credit for the third or subsequent child. What we need to do is to expand and improve the child tax credit, make it fully refundable, but this is a necessary step in the meantime so that U.S. citizens in the territories are treated exactly like those in the States. Let me just also assure my colleagues on a final note, that we are working with the administration to determine the costs of our ongoing response to the 2019 novel coronavirus. We have urged the administration to work with the Congress on a bipartisan basis to enact an emergency supplemental for that public health emergency. We stand ready to move forward quickly to protect public health and safety. On this supplemental for Puerto Rico, let me urge my colleagues to vote ``yes,'' vote ``yes'' for Americans who are in dire straits on that island, and it is unconscionable that we would have second thoughts about the kind of support that they need during this crisis. Urge the Senate, urge the President to add their support swiftly. Our fellow Americans and Puerto Rico cannot afford for us to delay any longer. Ms. GRANGER. Madam Chair, I reserve the balance of my time. Mrs. LOWEY. Madam Chair, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Price), the chairman of the Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies. Mr. PRICE of North Carolina. Madam Chair, I thank my colleague for yielding, and I am pleased to rise in strong support of this supplemental appropriation. This bill provides $4.7 billion for disaster assistance, including $3.3 billion for HUD's Community Development Block Grant program and $1.25 billion for emergency highway repairs. This funding will provide substantial help to the people of Puerto Rico, where devastating earthquakes have compounded earlier damage from Hurricanes Maria and Irma, as well as other States and territories still recovering from major disasters. I would remind colleagues that CDBG money from earlier disasters cannot be used for earthquake relief. We need this bill. The bill also provides targeted resources for Puerto Rico's school system, as well as nutrition assistance and tax relief for low-income families and small businesses. When it comes to disaster relief, we should be putting politics aside. There should be widespread consensus that the Federal Government should be there as an active partner in the recovery effort. Unfortunately, for far too long, the Trump administration has erected arbitrary barriers that have hindered Puerto Rico's recovery. They have contributed to desperate conditions to many places on the island. For example, HUD refused to provide more than $16 billion in already appropriated recovery funds for nearly 700 days. HUD officials admitted during a hearing before our subcommittee that they willingly ignored a statutory deadline requiring them to move forward. Now, HUD is imposing special grant conditions and other requirements on Puerto Rico, which will slow down the recovery effort even further. While the island has clearly been singled out for disparate treatment, numerous States from Florida to Texas to my home State of North Carolina have also waited longer than they should for HUD to publish Federal Register notices governing the use of disaster recovery funds. This bill responds to the unacceptable administrative delays by including new accountability measures, new deadlines--actually, not so new deadlines; they were included in legislation already passed by this body--deadlines requiring HUD to publish notices, review and approve action plans, and sign grant agreements within a fixed timeframe. Those provisions were included in the bipartisan Reforming Disaster Recovery Act, which passed the House back in November, but unfortunately, like so much else, it is still languishing in the Senate. Madam Chairman, enough is enough. We must provide the vital assistance to Puerto Rico and other communities that are struggling to recover, and we need to send a signal to the administration that Congress, not the White House, holds the power of the purse. I urge all my colleagues to support this emergency disaster supplemental. Ms. GRANGER. Madam Chair, I reserve the balance of my time. Mrs. LOWEY. Madam Chair, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Neal), the distinguished chairman who came to Congress at the same time I did and is now chair of the Committee on Ways and Means. (Mr. NEAL asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.) Mr. NEAL. Madam Chair, I thank Chairwoman Lowey for yielding me the time. I am happy to stand in support of this legislation today. This is a disaster relief package that I worked on [[Page H944]] with Chairwoman Lowey, Congresswoman Velazquez, and Resident Commissioner Gonzalez-Colon. In addition to providing supplemental appropriations to respond to the recent natural disasters that affected Puerto Rico and other U.S. territories, H.R. 5687 includes the Puerto Rico Disaster Tax Relief Act. These provisions will help Puerto Rico rebuild its homes and communities and provide much-needed relief to workers and families after these devastating earthquakes. Specifically, H.R. 5687 provides additional allocations of the low- income housing tax credit, which will allow critical investments in new affordable housing throughout the island. It also makes additional allocations to the new markets tax credit in Puerto Rico, allowing the island to make important investments, like rebuilding community centers and hospitals in low-income neighborhoods. This legislation helps Puerto Rico and other territories implement the earned income tax credit and the child tax credit, two of the most powerful tools we have to combat poverty. Last year, the Committee on Ways and Means reported out similar provisions in our consideration of H.R. 3300, the Economic Mobility Act. {time} 0945 Today, many Puerto Rican residents can be taxed into poverty from the U.S. payroll taxes that they pay. With our changes to the tax credit, we are creating long-awaited parity between the residents of Puerto Rico and the residents of the 50 other States. Additionally, the earned income tax credit is one of the most important work incentives we have in our code. This bill certainly rewards work. And, Madam Chair, I want to acknowledge Bill Pascrell from New Jersey, who did much of the good work in helping get to those success stories. We encourage work, we reduce poverty. This is a win-win for the island. As Puerto Rico and other territories try to recover from natural disasters, it is appropriate that we are taking action to ensure that these territories have access to these critical tools for community development and poverty reduction. It is impossible to deny the suffering on the ground today on the island of Puerto Rico. It is my hope that Congress will come together, as it has in the past, to help all members of the American family. We also urge full support on the other side. We took into consideration what they had to say at the committee. Madam Chair, I want to thank Chairwoman Lowey for moving this legislation swiftly to the floor today. Ms. GRANGER. Madam Chair, I reserve the balance of my time. Mrs. LOWEY. Madam Chair, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Pascrell), a distinguished member of the Committee on Ways and Means. Mr. PASCRELL. Madam Chair, I thank Chairwoman Lowey and Ranking Member Granger. I support this supplemental. It is very necessary. The destruction in Puerto Rico from Hurricane Maria and the terrible earthquake last month, with its ongoing aftershocks, make this relief more necessary than ever. I am thankful that legislation I proposed, H.R. 3307, to provide a Federal supplement to the earned income tax credit in Puerto Rico and the other U.S. territories, was included in the bill. Unlike Americans in every other State, working Puerto Rican taxpayers are excluded from the Federal EITC to supplement their incomes. This is a deeply unfair restriction. It has tied the commonwealth's hands at the worst possible time as islanders are recovering from disaster and facing high unemployment and dreadful levels of poverty. The EITC has repeatedly proven a critical tool to alleviating poverty, improving health outcomes, and encouraging labor participation. Why shouldn't our fellow Americans in Puerto Rico--and they are our fellow Americans--be able to earn the same benefit? With this Federal support, we can provide a very powerful tool for Puerto Ricans to get back on their feet and get a leg up. They deserve that help. Madam Chair, I ask that we support this legislation. Ms. GRANGER. Madam Chair, I reserve the balance of my time. Mrs. LOWEY. Madam Chair, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from New York (Ms. Velazquez), the distinguished chairwoman of the Committee on Small Business, who has been an eloquent, persistent speaker in favor of this aid because she understands that her homeland, where family still resides, needs this money now, and we have an obligation to provide it now. Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Madam Chair, I thank Chairwoman Lowey and all the members of the Appropriations Committee for working diligently to bring this bill to the floor and for recognizing our moral and legal obligation of this Congress. Puerto Rico, an island invaded by the United States Armed Forces, a colony--it is our responsibility to take care of our fellow American citizens. Don't come here and say that we have been there for Puerto Rico. Yes, we passed a disaster relief package. And this administration has done everything within their power to withhold the money flowing to Puerto Rico. Don't come here and say that you have been there for Puerto Rico. Don't tell that to the parents of a 13-year-old girl who died in Vieques because they lack a functional hospital while FEMA has been withholding their money. Just this past Tuesday, Puerto Rico got hit by another 5.0 aftershock. This is one out of more than 3,000 that have stricken the island since December 2019. In fact, the USGS has estimated that aftershocks from the 6.4 January earthquake will persist in Puerto Rico for years, if not decades. Imagine, decades of feeling the ground under you shaking, never knowing when or just how bad it will be on any given day. More than 1,150 houses are destroyed, while another 3,000 homes have suffered some structural damage. Such devastation has left over 4,000 people living in tent shelters, with many more families at risk of losing their homes. The CHAIR. The time of the gentlewoman has expired. Mrs. LOWEY. Madam Chair, I yield an addition 1 minute to the gentlewoman. Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Madam Chair, I thank the chairwoman for yielding. Not only are 194,000 children still out of school, countless more live in fear after they have seen their homes destroyed and loved ones battle the anxiety and mental health battles common after natural disasters. Finally, let me address this administration's recent comments on this bill. Once again, they are misleading the American people about how much money has been spent to aid Puerto Rico. They are using these false numbers as a pretext to oppose assistance following the earthquake. Let me just say, and let me be clear, we will not be deterred. The 1.3 million Puerto Ricans who live in Florida will not be deterred. The thousands and hundreds of thousands who live in Ohio, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, and in every part of this country will not be deterred. We will pass this bill. Ms. GRANGER. Madam Chair, I reserve the balance of my time. Mrs. LOWEY. Madam Chair, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Grijalva), the chairman of the Committee on Natural Resources. Mr. GRIJALVA. Madam Chair, let me thank Chair Lowey and the Speaker for responding with urgency in bringing this legislation that I support, H.R. 5687, to the floor to help the families of Puerto Rico who are enduring, once again, another natural disaster. Beginning on December 28, seismic activity began in Puerto Rico and continued to escalate, including a 6.4 earthquake. These quakes and ongoing quakes have destroyed homes, infrastructure, affected power generation, and triggered blackouts across the island. Close to 7,500 people have left their homes out of fear that they may collapse, seeking shelter wherever they can find it. Staff from the Natural Resources Committee investigated the damage caused by the earthquakes on the southern coast of Puerto Rico. In a committee report, we recommended high-priority actions, including emergency funding, which H.R. 5687 represents. [[Page H945]] The administration's recent statement opposing H.R. 5687 shows total disdain for the people of Puerto Rico. President Trump continues to lie to the American people about the amount of Federal funding spent to address natural disasters on the island. The President and his administration have a responsibility to ensure the people of Puerto Rico are treated as full Americans and not colonized subjects. I hope that, at the National Prayer Breakfast, there was some echo of understanding regarding the teachings of the Good Samaritan, the compassion that we must have for other people, and that those will motivate the House today to pass this bill and move it forward. The disaster recovery funds that have been appropriated for Puerto Rico need to be disbursed. The people of Puerto Rico deserve much more. Our fellow Americans on the island deserve to be treated as we have treated all Americans, from Katrina to Sandy, with the same concern, the same support. Madam Chair, I urge passage of the legislation. The CHAIR. Members are reminded to refrain from engaging in personalities toward the President. Ms. GRANGER. Madam Chair, I yield as much time as he may consume to the gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. Rice), a member of the Ways and Means Committee. Mr. RICE of South Carolina. Madam Chair, I am not here to cast aspersions on disaster relief. I live in a coastal area in South Carolina that has been hit by three storms in the last 5 years: Joaquin, then Matthew, then Florence. I was a tax lawyer before I got here. I didn't know that much about disaster relief, and, unfortunately, I have had to learn way more than I ever wanted to. But one thing that concerns me, and concerns me greatly, is the haphazard way in which disaster relief is granted. And just to understand the order of magnitude that we are talking about here in relief for Puerto Rico, the request of the Governor in Puerto Rico amounts to, just for the two hurricanes--I don't even know what it is for the earthquake; I don't know if they have made an official request yet--but for the two hurricanes, Maria and the other one, amounts to $94 billion. They have been awarded $39 billion, allocated or announced, and they have received, obligated, $20 billion. Now, there were 476,000 applicants approved by FEMA in Puerto Rico. So, if you look at the amount that the Governor requested, $94 billion, that amounts to $200,000 per FEMA applicant, $200,000, roughly. The amount that has been allocated or announced, $40 billion, divided out, it is just under $100,000 per FEMA applicant. And then the amount that has actually been paid works out to--and I have got that exact number here--$41,816 per FEMA applicant for these two storms. And there is, remaining, a tremendous amount of money that has already been allocated that hasn't been paid out yet. And there was disaster money that was made available in the appropriations bill in December for storms that occurred last year plus any storms that occurred within 60 days thereafter, and so these earthquakes are also allowed to access that money. So I don't know that we really need to be rushing in to allocate another $5 billion in aid when there is so much money that is already available to be used for this disaster. I hesitate to do this, but I want to point this out just to show you the order of magnitude. After Hurricane Florence, the Governor of South Carolina requested $1 billion. Puerto Rico has requested $94 billion. The most affected counties in my district were Marion, Dillon, Marlboro, and Chesterfield. Marion, Dillon, and Marlboro are three of the poorest counties in the State. Marion County is 57 percent African American; Dillon County is 51 percent African American; and Marlboro County is 51 percent African American. The average number of people in poverty is 30 percent. The average household income is around $30,000-- just so you know the quality of life of these folks. There were 14,000 houses flooded, water inside the house. Five thousand of those, for some reason, were approved by FEMA. Even though they excluded two-thirds of the people who were damaged in this storm, we were still only awarded $14,000 per FEMA applicant. Puerto Rico, right now, stands at $41,816 per FEMA applicant before this $5 billion that they are talking about adding in here--and keeping in mind that we already did an appropriations bill in December for disaster allocation for last year that this earthquake is already allowed to access. {time} 1000 So that is what I wanted to say about the disaster, the total amounts that are asked to be allocated here. But I want to talk also a little bit about these tax benefits. In addition to the $4.7 billion in additional money that is being asked to be allocated here, over the $40 billion that has already been allocated, there are several tax provisions in this bill that have never been considered by the Ways and Means Committee. Tax bills should arise in the Ways and Means Committee. Tax bills should be debated thoroughly. I have heard over and over again, you shouldn't legislate an appropriations bill. This appropriations bill, this disaster bill, contains a number of very significant changes to the Tax Code. Now, some of these were a part of a bigger bill that was marked up with no debate and with no hearings 6 months ago or a year ago, but they have never been debated. There has never been a hearing on any of this in the Ways and Means Committee. The two biggest things are, we are extending here to residents of Puerto Rico, the child tax credit as it exists under the United States Tax Code and the earned income tax credit. Now, people don't know what that means. But, basically, that amounts to about $4,400 per family. And that is not a one-time thing like this disaster allocation is. That is forever. It goes on forever. The really interesting thing about extending this credit to residents of Puerto Rico, is that residents of Puerto Rico don't pay U.S. income tax. They don't file U.S. income tax returns unless they work for the U.S. Government, or unless their income comes from outside Puerto Rico, which is a small number of people. They don't pay U.S. income tax. So what we are talking about doing here is the U.S. Treasury will pay the child tax credit and the earned income tax credit to residents of Puerto Rico, credits against tax they don't owe and will never owe because they simply don't pay income tax. What this is, is a basically $400 a month entitlement forever to the residents of Puerto Rico and it makes no sense. It is not related to the disaster in any way. It is simply a pork barrel earmark is what it is that lasts forever going to Puerto Rico. Those are the big things: the earned income tax credit and the child tax credit. But let me go further. In addition, this bill would provide New Markets Tax Credits of $500 million to Puerto Rico. Now, the New Markets Tax Credit is a wonderful thing. Again, it is something under the United States Tax Code. Puerto Ricans don't pay taxes under the United States Tax Code, but this would extend that credit. I guess, if people invest in Puerto Rico, they would get a credit on their U.S. tax return, $500 million. Just to put that in perspective, it is designed to get people to invest in rundown areas, in needy areas, and it is a good thing. But last year, the total amount for the whole country that we allocated, that we made available for the whole country, was $3.5 billion. This would give $500 million of that to Puerto Rico which would amount to one-seventh of what was granted to the entire country last year. $500 million. I just want to step back and just look at and consider carefully these tax provisions, in particular, before we move forward with them. In my opinion, again, they are not related to the disaster in any way. They are simply a method of creating a new entitlement in Puerto Rico, credits against U.S. tax for people who pay no U.S. tax. But if we are going to do this, certainly, it should be debated fully on this floor, and, certainly, before it ever gets to this floor, it should be debated fully in every committee--particularly, the Ways and Means Committee--which has any possible jurisdiction. So let me go back and end where I started. And that is, that I am not here to cast aspersions on disaster relief. My poor rural counties in South Carolina have been terribly affected, have [[Page H946]] requested disaster relief, and have received disaster relief. Now they have received far less than we are talking about here in Puerto Rico. Probably, if you looked at all of this, maybe a sixth of what my poor families, my poor African American families, who had nothing to begin with--right in Marion County and Dillon County and Marlboro County--are receiving about a third of what the people in Puerto Rico are going to receive with this disaster bill. We really need to consider the order of magnitude, number one, and when I say these numbers, I am not even counting these tax credits. These tax credits need to be pulled out of this bill and they need to be fully debated. Mrs. LOWEY. Madam Chair, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I would like to remind the gentleman from South Carolina, who is on his way out, that this bill has $25.7 million for South Carolina to deal with the destruction and the needs. I would also urge the gentleman, because he did give a thoughtful analysis, to perhaps visit Puerto Rico as many of us have. See the tarps on the homes, people without roofs, kids that are not in school, homes that don't have water, and don't have heat. I would be happy to work with the gentleman to analyze, visit Puerto Rico, see the needs, and I am happy to come to South Carolina if there are unmet needs that have not been provided for. We are happy to work together. But again, in this bill, there is $25.7 million for South Carolina. Madam Chairwoman, I am pleased to yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from the Virgin Islands (Ms. Plaskett). Ms. PLASKETT. Madam Chair, I thank the gentlewoman for the time. I was actually going to discuss some of the issues and specifics that were in the bill, this incredible bill that is so helpful, but I think the last comments caused me to have to take pause. First of all, I don't know why we have to single out African Americans in South Carolina, as if they are in more need than anybody else for funding or for underfunding when they are more affected by disasters. But the reason that these things are happening in the territories is because of the underfunding of this body to the territories in ways that do not happen in States throughout this country. There is no cap on Medicaid in South Carolina. There is no arbitrary amount of percentage that the Federal Government is paying as opposed to a local government is paying in South Carolina like there is in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands where Congress arbitrarily said: We will only pay 55 percent. You pay 45 percent, based on a number that has nothing to do with your population or its demographics. There is no cap on highways and us being removed from Federal formulas that the rest of the States have. So when we have a disaster, yes, we need more money because we have underfunding and our infrastructure is a lot more fragile than the rest of this country because this body hasn't done its job. The gentleman talks about taxes. Why doesn't the Virgin Islands pay taxes in the same way? Because almost 100 years ago, when we asked this government to be treated in the same way as the others, this government said: You know what, we will let you keep your Federal taxes and then we won't have to give you the same amounts of money that we give the rest of the States, when, in fact, at that time, maybe 100 people met the criteria of income to pay Federal taxes. So it is a sham and it is an okeydoke what this country did to the rest of us. And then everyone wants to hold us to the same standards and make sure that we are not supposed to get money the same way. It is just ridiculous. I think this is an incredible bill. I think it is long overdue. This does not even put us on the same footing as the States in terms of what should happen, and I urge all of my colleagues to support it. Ms. GRANGER. Madam Chair, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. Graves). Mr. GRAVES of Louisiana. Madam Chair, I want to thank the gentlewoman from Texas for yielding me the time. Madam Chair, we are in a situation where we absolutely have needs in terms of disaster victims, whether it is Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Texas, South Carolina, North Carolina, Louisiana, and other States that have been impacted by disasters. We have had hundreds of billions of dollars in damages in those States in just the last 4 years. It is extraordinary. I had the chance to travel to many of those States and territories to see firsthand the impacts, and I wanted to be very clear. Virtually what everyone said on both sides of the aisle, they are right in terms of what the disaster victims are going through. But I do not agree in what folks are prescribing the strategy to be. We don't need to stand here and see who can out-Puerto Rico the other. It is not a money problem. I have been through this with millions and millions of people. We have policy problems. There are literally tens of billions of dollars in the bank today that we are unable to get to disaster victims. Dumping more money on top of the existing more than $40 billion in the Disaster Relief Fund, and the billions and billions of dollars available today for Puerto Rico under the Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery Program, that doesn't solve the problem. There is an amendment coming up later today by our Members from Texas to put more money into a fund because some of the agencies have had trouble even getting law changes interpreted out. This isn't the solution. I want to thank everybody for coming here and trying to solve the problem for disaster victims. But when you investigate this, I assure you, every single one of you will come back and understand that this is a capacity problem. Getting the bureaucracy in both the territories, the States, and also at the Federal level, getting the dollars to the disaster victims, that is why we are having problems today. I want to say this again. There are tens of billions of dollars available. President Trump approved individual and public assistance for disaster victims of the earthquakes in Puerto Rico. We have got to make sure that the money is actually getting to the right people. Dumping additional money on top of the tens of billions of dollars doesn't solve the problem. We need to focus on real solutions and not stand here and practice politics with one another. I urge rejection to this bill. Let's take a step back and fix the policy problems. Mrs. LOWEY. Madam Chair, I am pleased to yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from New York (Mrs. Carolyn B. Maloney), chairwoman of the Committee on Oversight and Reform. Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY of New York. Madam Chair, I rise in strong support of H.R. 5687. When Hurricane Maria hit Puerto Rico, its entire electrical grid was destroyed and millions of its citizens were without power. It took years to rebuild a lot of that infrastructure and just when it was getting repaired, it was struck by another natural disaster, another huge earthquake on January 7. That led to yet another round of power outages and even more suffering and deaths in Puerto Rico. This bill will provide desperately needed disaster relief that will allow the island to rebuild its infrastructure and revitalize its economy. Puerto Rico is home to 3.2 million U.S. citizens, and when disaster strikes, Congress has a duty to step up and provide all the support our fellow Americans need. I want to thank Chairwomen Velazquez and Lowey for their passionate work on this bill and their help for Puerto Rico. I urge a ``yes'' vote on this bill. It is desperately needed. Ms. GRANGER. Madam Chair, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Puerto Rico (Miss Gonzalez-Colon). Miss GONZALEZ-COLON of Puerto Rico. Madam Chairwoman, I thank the ranking member for yielding again. I think we have not understood the magnitude of this event. Yes, we do have $40 billion in approved funds for Puerto Rico, but of that, just $1.5 billion has been disbursed to the island. The rest of the funds go through a different process. Actually, in February of last year, there was the publication of the guidelines to access $8.7 billion. Of that, just 1.7 got a grant agreement in January of [[Page H947]] this year. So, again, in order to get the funds, it will be several months before we have it. {time} 1015 That is the reason one of the concerns is that FEMA is getting the emergency disaster individual assistance as we speak, the same thing as the other Federal agencies that are doing the job on the ground. But at the same time, we did have a power plant on the island that is completely shut down, so we lost the power for a few days. Right now, we don't have 500 megawatts reserved. Actually, if we do have another earthquake or any other replicas, we may run out, again, of power because our power plants were affected as well. I do believe that roads and pipelines were affected. Government buildings were affected as well. We haven't seen yet the amount of destruction. Again, you will see a lot of Puerto Ricans leaving the island. It is happening already. It happened with Hurricane Maria. They flew to Florida. We are depleting, basically, our island because of these kinds of things. Yes, we do need the money. We do need to help our people in this stress. The tax provisions are good in this bill. Let me say, they are not an invention from me. This House and Senate did a report in 2016 recommending the child tax credit, the earned income tax credit, and many other amendments that treat Puerto Rico and the territories differently. That is the reason we don't have enough resources to face a lot of these challenges. Mrs. LOWEY. Madam Chair, I yield 1 minute to the distinguished gentlewoman from New York (Ms. Ocasio-Cortez). Ms. OCASIO-CORTEZ. Madam Chair, I thank the chairwoman for the generous introduction and time on this bill. Madam Chair, the fact of the matter is that innocent children, families, and the elderly in Puerto Rico are dying. They are breathing poisoned air, and they are now enduring the psychological trauma of ongoing earthquakes. My own grandmother is oxygen dependent, and every day when the Earth shakes below her, we don't know if she will have the power to continue her equipment that is medically necessary. While everyone here is arguing over money and over the administration of a colonial state, we have to take a look at the actual reality on the ground. Ninety-five percent of schools in Puerto Rico are not up to code. They are leaving thousands of Puerto Rican children vulnerable to the effects of natural disasters. Many have lost all their belongings, and many more live with psychological trauma. But this administration is not releasing any of these funds that are supposed to be duly allocated for recovery. For that, we have to make sure that we support this bill, and I strongly support H.R. 5687. Ms. GRANGER. Madam Chair, I reserve the balance of my time. Mrs. LOWEY. Madam Chair, I yield 1 minute to the distinguished gentleman from the Northern Mariana Islands (Mr. Sablan). Mr. SABLAN. Madam Chair, I thank the chairwoman for yielding. Madam Chair, I cannot imagine. I come from a district where we are the typhoon alley. A little over a year ago, the second largest storm since 1935 that hit the United States hit my island, and that was subsequent to another typhoon that hit my island just a year before that. But for Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, for Puerto Rico in particular, two major storms hit the islands, and before the people even had a chance to truly get their lives back in order, earthquakes. Those homes that were not destroyed by the storms are now destroyed by the earthquakes. Madam Chair, in a previous administration, I was a Special Assistant for Management and Budget, and we did an analysis of what it would be like to apply the U.S. Internal Revenue Code fully to the Marianas. We would lose more money if we change Federal taxes than if we don't. So I support the bill, and I ask for its passage. Ms. GRANGER. Madam Chair, I yield back the balance of my time. Mrs. LOWEY. Madam Chair, I yield myself the balance of my time to close. Madam Chair, this emergency supplemental is critical to help Puerto Rico get back on its feet and build a better future. In a demonstration of unprecedented hostility to Puerto Ricans, President Trump has turned his back on the island. This Congress must not do the same. With this legislation, Madam Chair, we can feed the hungry, repair damage, rebuild roads, restart schools, and keep the lights on. Madam Chair, I urge my colleagues to vote for this critical assistance. It is absolutely essential. I do wish more of my colleagues had visited the island, seen the tarps on the homes instead of roofs, tried to get back through those roads that are so slushy, walking through, driving through, and talking to the people. It is essential that we pass this critical assistance. Madam Chair, I yield back the balance of my time. The CHAIR. All time for general debate has expired. Pursuant to the rule, the bill shall be considered for amendment under the 5-minute rule and shall be considered as read. The text of the bill is as follows: H.R. 5687 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, short title Section 1. This Act may be cited as the ``Emergency Supplemental Appropriations for Disaster Relief and Puerto Rico Disaster Tax Relief Act, 2020''. table of contents Sec. 2. The table of contents of this Act is as follows: DIVISION A--EMERGENCY SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATIONS FOR DISASTER RELIEF ACT, 2020 DIVISION B--PUERTO RICO DISASTER TAX RELIEF ACT OF 2020 DIVISION C--BUDGETARY EFFECTS references Sec. 3. Except as expressly provided otherwise, any reference to ``this Act'' contained in any division of this Act shall be treated as referring only to the provisions of that division. DIVISION A--EMERGENCY SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATIONS FOR DISASTER RELIEF ACT, 2020 That the following sums are appropriated, out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2020, and for other purposes, namely: TITLE I DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Energy Programs cybersecurity, energy security, and emergency response For an additional amount for ``Cybersecurity, Energy Security, and Emergency Response'', $6,750,000, to remain available until expended, for necessary expenses related to providing technical assistance related to natural disasters in U.S. territories, including technical assistance related to electric grids: Provided, That such amount is designated by the Congress as being for an emergency requirement pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985. electricity For an additional amount for ``Electricity'', $15,000,000, to remain available until expended, for necessary expenses related to providing technical assistance related to natural disasters in U.S. territories, including technical assistance related to electric grids: Provided, That such amount is designated by the Congress as being for an emergency requirement pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985. TITLE II DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION Hurricane Education Recovery (including transfer of funds) For an additional amount for ``Hurricane Education Recovery'' for necessary expenses related to the consequences of earthquakes occurring in calendar years 2019 and 2020 as of the date of enactment of this Act in those areas for which a major disaster or emergency has been declared under section 401 or 501 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5170 and 5191) (referred to under this heading as ``covered disaster or emergency''), $100,000,000, to remain available through September 30, 2022, for assisting in meeting the educational needs of individuals affected by a covered disaster or emergency: Provided, That such assistance shall be provided through any of the programs authorized under this heading in title VIII of subdivision 1 of division B of the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018 (Public Law 115-123; 132 Stat. 95), as amended by section 201 of this Act, as determined by the Secretary of Education, and subject to the terms and conditions that applied to those programs, except that references to dates and school years in such Act shall be deemed to be the corresponding dates and school years for the covered disaster or emergency: Provided further, That [[Page H948]] the Secretary of Education may determine the amounts to be used for each such program and shall notify the Committees on Appropriations of the House of Representatives and the Senate of these amounts not later than 7 days prior to obligation: Provided further, That $1,000,000 of the funds made available under this heading, to remain available until expended, shall be transferred to the Office of the Inspector General of the Department of Education for oversight of activities supported with funds appropriated under this heading, and up to $500,000 of the funds made available under this heading shall be for program administration: Provided further, That such amount is designated by the Congress as being for an emergency requirement pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985. General Provisions--This Title Sec. 201. (a) The second proviso under the heading ``Department of Education--Hurricane Education Recovery'' under title VIII of subdivision 1 of division B of the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018 (Public Law 115-123; 132 Stat. 95) is amended-- (1) in paragraph (2)-- (A) in subparagraph (I), by striking ``and'' after the semicolon; (B) in subparagraph (J) by inserting ``and'' at the end; and (C) by adding at the end the following: ``(K) assistance provided to an eligible entity under paragraph (1)(A) that was affected by Hurricane Maria or earthquakes occurring in calendar years 2019 and 2020 as of the date of enactment of the `Emergency Supplemental Appropriations for Disaster Relief Act, 2020', to assist with restarting school operations, including assistance provided to an eligible entity before the date of enactment of the `Emergency Supplemental Appropriations for Disaster Relief Act, 2020', may be used by the eligible entity to pay the non-Federal share of a project described in section 406 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster and Relief Emergency Act (42 U.S.C. 5172), notwithstanding section 102(e)(3)(A) of title IV of division B of Public Law 109-148 (119 Stat. 2794);''; (2) in paragraph (9), by striking ``and'' after the semicolon; (3) by redesignating paragraph (10) as paragraph (11); and (4) by inserting after paragraph (9) the following: ``(10) if the amount available under paragraph (3) is insufficient to meet the need for such assistance as demonstrated by applications submitted by eligible entities, the Secretary may use additional funds available under this heading to fully fund approved applications; and''. (b) Amounts repurposed pursuant to the amendments made by subsection (a) that were previously designated by the Congress as an emergency requirement pursuant to the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 are designated by the Congress as being for an emergency requirement pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985. Sec. 202. (a) Amounts previously made available for activities authorized under ``Department of Education-- Hurricane Education Recovery'' in title VIII of subdivision 1 of division B of the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018 (Public Law 115-123; 132 Stat. 95) may be used to address unmet needs, as determined by the Secretary, for that heading in this Act and in the Additional Supplemental Appropriations for Disaster Relief Act, 2019 (Public Law 116-20; 133 Stat. 890). In addition, any funds provided under the heading ``Department of Education--Hurricane Education Recovery'' in this Act that are allocated in response to a covered disaster or emergency may be used interchangeably and without limitation for the same activities related to Hurricanes Maria and Irma. (b) Amounts repurposed pursuant to this section that were previously designated by the Congress, respectively, as an emergency requirement or as being for disaster relief pursuant to the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act are designated by the Congress as being for an emergency requirement pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 or as being for disaster relief pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(D) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985. Sec. 203. Not later than 30 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Education shall provide a detailed spend plan of anticipated uses of funds made available in this title, including estimated personnel and administrative costs, to the Committees on Appropriations of the House of Representatives and the Senate: Provided, That such plan shall be updated and submitted to the Committees on Appropriations of the House of Representatives and the Senate every 60 days until all funds are expended or expire. Sec. 204. Section 392 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1068a) is amended by adding at the end the following: ``(d) Waiver Authority With Respect to Institutions Located in an Area Affected by Hurricane Maria.-- ``(1) Waiver authority.--Notwithstanding any other provision of law, unless enacted with specific reference to this section, for any affected institution that was receiving assistance under this title at the time of a covered hurricane disaster, the Secretary shall, for each of the fiscal years 2020 through 2022 (and may, for each of the fiscal years 2023 and 2024)-- ``(A) waive-- ``(i) the eligibility data requirements set forth in section 391(d); ``(ii) the wait-out period set forth in section 313(d); ``(iii) the allotment requirements under section 324; and ``(iv) the use of the funding formula developed pursuant to section 326(f)(3); ``(B) waive or modify any statutory or regulatory provision to ensure that affected institutions that were receiving assistance under this title at the time of a covered hurricane disaster are not adversely affected by any formula calculation for fiscal year 2020 or for any of the four succeeding fiscal years, as necessary; and ``(C) make available to each affected institution an amount that is not less than the amount made available to such institution under this title for fiscal year 2017, except that for any fiscal year for which the funds appropriated for payments under this title are less than the appropriated level for fiscal year 2017, the amount made available to such institutions shall be ratably reduced among the institutions receiving funds under this title. ``(2) Definitions.--In this subsection: ``(A) Affected institution.--The term `affected institution' means an institution of higher education that-- ``(i) is-- ``(I) a part A institution (which term shall have the meaning given the term `eligible institution' under section 312(b)); or ``(II) a part B institution, as such term is defined in section 322(2), or as identified in section 326(e); ``(ii) is located in a covered area affected by a hurricane disaster; and ``(iii) is able to demonstrate that, as a result of the impact of a covered hurricane disaster, the institution-- ``(I) incurred physical damage; ``(II) has pursued collateral source compensation from insurance, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and the Small Business Administration, as appropriate; and ``(III) was not able to fully reopen in existing facilities or to fully reopen to the pre-hurricane enrollment levels during the 30-day period beginning on September 7, 2017. ``(B) Covered area affected by a hurricane disaster.--The term `covered area affected by a hurricane disaster' means an area for which the President declared a major disaster under section 401 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5170) as a result of Hurricane Maria. ``(C) Covered hurricane disaster.--The term `covered hurricane disaster' means a major disaster that the President declared to exist, in accordance with section 401 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5170), and that was caused by Hurricane Maria or Hurricane Irma.''. TITLE III DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Highway Administration emergency relief program For an additional amount for the Emergency Relief Program as authorized under section 125 of title 23, United States Code, $1,250,000,000, to remain available until expended: Provided, That such amount is designated by the Congress as being for an emergency requirement pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985. DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT Community Planning and Development community development fund (including transfers of funds) For an additional amount for ``Community Development Fund'', $2,000,000,000, to remain available until expended, for necessary expenses for activities authorized under title I of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 (42 U.S.C. 5301 et seq.) related to disaster relief, long-term recovery, restoration of infrastructure and housing, economic revitalization, and mitigation in the most impacted and distressed areas resulting from an emergency declaration relating to earthquakes that occurred in 2020 or a declaration of a major disaster that occurred in 2020 pursuant to the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5121 et seq.): Provided, That funds shall be awarded directly to the State, unit of general local government, or Indian tribe (as such term is defined in section 102 of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974) at the discretion of the Secretary: Provided further, That in determining the amount allocated under this heading for any grantee, the Secretary shall include an additional amount for mitigation that is not less than 45 percent of the amount allocated for such grantee for unmet needs: Provided further, That the Secretary shall allocate for grantees, based on the best available data, funds provided for assistance under this heading no later than 60 days after the date the disaster occurs, or the date of enactment of this Act, whichever is later: Provided further, That the Secretary may extend the deadline in the preceding proviso by an additional 30 days if the Secretary jointly certifies with the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency for each such extension, that the Federal Emergency [[Page H949]] Management Agency has not made sufficient information available to the Secretary regarding relevant unmet recovery needs to make allocations in accordance with such deadlines: Provided further, That not later than 5 days after making any such certification, the Secretary shall transmit to the Committees on Appropriations of the House of Representatives and the Senate, and publish in the Federal Register such certification: Provided further, That not later than 90 days after the allocation of funds made to a grantee under this heading and before the Secretary obligates any of such funds for a grantee, the grantee shall submit a plan to the Secretary for approval detailing the proposed use of all funds, including criteria for eligibility and how the use of these funds will address long-term recovery and restoration of infrastructure and housing, economic revitalization, and mitigation in the most impacted and distressed areas: Provided further, That the Secretary shall approve or disapprove such plan not later than 60 days after submission of the plan to the Secretary, and shall immediately notify the applicant of the Secretary's decision: Provided further, That if the Secretary disapproves a plan, not later than 3 days after such disapproval the Secretary shall inform the applicant in writing of (A) the reasons for disapproval, and (B) actions that the applicant could take to meet the criteria for approval: Provided further, That the Secretary shall, for a period of not less than 45 days following the date of disapproval, permit amendments to, or the resubmission of, any plan that is disapproved: Provided further, That the Secretary shall approve or disapprove a plan amendment not later than 30 days after receipt of such amendments or resubmission: Provided further, That the Secretary shall ensure that all grant agreements necessary for prompt disbursement of funds allocated to a grantee are executed no later than 60 days after the date of approval of a grantee's plan: Provided further, That prior to making any grant of funds provided under this heading the Secretary, (1) must receive from the grantee information that allows the Secretary to certify that such grantee has in place proficient financial controls and procurement processes and has established adequate procedures to prevent any duplication of benefits as defined by section 312 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5155), to ensure timely expenditure of funds, to maintain comprehensive websites regarding all disaster recovery activities assisted with these funds, and to detect and prevent waste, fraud, and abuse of funds, and (2) shall certify in advance that such grantee has in place such controls, processes and procedure: Provided further, That the Secretary shall not prohibit the use of funds made available under this heading for non-Federal share as authorized by section 105(a)(9) of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 (42 U.S.C. 5305(a)(9)): Provided further, That with the amounts made available under this heading, grantees may establish grant programs to assist small businesses for working capital purposes to aid in recovery: Provided further, That with respect to any such duplication of benefits, the Secretary shall act in accordance with section 1210 of the Disaster Recovery Reform Act of 2018 (division D of Public Law 115-254; 132 Stat. 3442) and section 312 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5155): Provided further, That the Secretary shall require grantees to maintain on a public website information containing common reporting criteria established by the Department that permits individuals and entities awaiting assistance and the general public to see how all grant funds are used, including copies of all relevant procurement documents, grantee administrative contracts and details of ongoing procurement processes, as determined by the Secretary: Provided further, That such funds may not be used for activities reimbursable by, or for which funds have been made available by, the Federal Emergency Management Agency or the Army Corps of Engineers: Provided further, That funds allocated under this heading shall not be considered relevant to the non-disaster formula allocations made pursuant to section 106 of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 (42 U.S.C. 5306): Provided further, That a State, unit of general local government, or Indian tribe may use up to 5 percent of its allocation for administrative costs: Provided further, That in administering the funds under this heading, the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development may waive, or specify alternative requirements for, any provision of any statute or regulation that the Secretary administers in connection with the obligation by the Secretary or the use by the recipient of these funds (except for any requirements related to fair housing, nondiscrimination, labor standards, the environment, and any timelines specified under this heading), if the Secretary finds that good cause exists for the waiver or alternative requirement and such waiver or alternative requirement would not be inconsistent with the overall purpose of title I of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974: Provided further, That, notwithstanding the preceding proviso, recipients of funds provided under this heading that use such funds to supplement Federal assistance provided under section 402, 403, 404, 406, 407, 408(c)(4), or 502 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5121 et seq.) may adopt, without review or public comment, any environmental review, approval, or permit performed by a Federal agency, and such adoption shall satisfy the responsibilities of the recipient with respect to such environmental review, approval or permit: Provided further, That, notwithstanding section 104(g)(2) of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 (42 U.S.C. 5304(g)(2)), the Secretary may, upon receipt of a request for release of funds and certification, immediately approve the release of funds for an activity or project assisted under this heading if the recipient has adopted an environmental review, approval or permit under the preceding proviso or the activity or project is categorically excluded from review under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.): Provided further, That the Secretary shall publish via notice in the Federal Register any waiver, or alternative requirement, to any statute or regulation that the Secretary administers pursuant to title I of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 no later than 5 days before the effective date of such waiver or alternative requirement: Provided further, That of the amounts made available under this heading, up to $5,000,000 shall be made available for capacity building and technical assistance, including assistance on contracting and procurement processes, to support States, units of general local government, or Indian tribes (and their subrecipients) that receive allocations pursuant to this heading, or may receive similar allocations for disaster recovery in future appropriations Acts: Provided further, That of the amounts made available under this heading, up to $2,500,000 shall be transferred, in aggregate, to ``Department of Housing and Urban Development--Program Office Salaries and Expenses-- Community Planning and Development'' for necessary costs, including information technology costs, of administering and overseeing the obligation and expenditure of amounts under this heading: Provided further, That the amount specified in the preceding proviso shall be combined with funds appropriated under the same heading in prior appropriations Acts without limitation: Provided further, That the Secretary shall transmit each certification made under the authorities provided in this Act to the Committees on Appropriations of the House of Representatives and the Senate no later than 3 days after making any such certification: Provided further, That such amount is designated by the Congress as being for an emergency requirement pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985: Provided further, That amounts repurposed under this heading that were previously designated by the Congress as an emergency requirement pursuant to the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act are designated by the Congress as an emergency requirement pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985. GENERAL PROVISIONS--THIS TITLE Sec. 301. For an additional amount for ``Department of Housing and Urban Development--Community Planning and Development--Community Development Fund'', $1,260,000,000, to remain available until expended, which amounts shall be allocated and used under the same authority and conditions as the additional appropriations under the heading ``Department of Housing and Urban Development--Community Planning and Development--Community Development Fund'' of title XI of the Additional Supplemental Appropriations for Disaster Relief Act, 2019 (Public Law 116-20; 133 Stat. 896): Provided, That not less than $1,530,000,000 of the funds made available in this section and under the heading ``Department of Housing and Urban Development--Community Planning and Development-- Community Development Fund'' of title XI of the Additional Supplemental Appropriations for Disaster Relief Act, 2019 (Public Law 116-20) shall be allocated to grantees, no later than 60 days after the date of enactment of this Act, for mitigation activities in the most impacted and distressed areas resulting from a major disaster that occurred in 2018 or 2019: Provided further, That such allocations shall be made in the same proportion that the amount of funds each grantee received under this section, under the heading ``Department of Housing and Urban Development--Community Planning and Development--Community Development Fund'' of title XI of the Additional Supplemental Appropriations for Disaster Relief Act, 2019 (Public Law 116-20), and under the same heading in division I of Public Law 115-254 bears to the amount of all funds provided to all grantees that received allocations for disasters that occurred in 2018 or 2019: Provided further, That none of the funds made available under this section or under the heading ``Department of Housing and Urban Development--Community Planning and Development-- Community Development Fund'' of title XI of the Additional Supplemental Appropriations for Disaster Relief Act, 2019 (Public Law 116-20) may be used for any part of a major disaster that was declared in 2020: Provided further, That in administering funds made available under this section and title XI of the Additional Supplemental Appropriations for Disaster Relief Act, 2019 (Public Law 116-20), the fourth proviso under the heading ``Department of Housing and Urban Development--Community Planning and Development--Community Development Fund'' in Public Law 116-20 and the first proviso of section 1102 of such Public Law shall have no force or effect: Provided further, That such [[Page H950]] amount is designated by the Congress as being for an emergency requirement pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985: Provided further, That amounts repurposed by this section that were previously designated by the Congress as an emergency requirement or as being for disaster relief pursuant to the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act are designated by the Congress as being for an emergency requirement pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 or as being for disaster relief pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(D) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985. Sec. 302. (a) Amounts previously made available for activities authorized under title I of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 (42 U.S.C. 5301 et seq.) related to disaster relief, long-term recovery, restoration of infrastructure and housing, economic revitalization, and mitigation in the most impacted and distressed areas resulting from a major disaster, including funds provided under the heading ``Department of Housing and Urban Development--Community Planning and Development--Community Development Fund'' in prior appropriations Acts, that were allocated in response to Hurricanes Irma and Maria, may be used interchangeably and without limitation for the same activities funded under the heading ``Department of Housing and Urban Development--Community Planning and Development-- Community Development Fund'' in this Act. In addition, any funds provided under the heading ``Department of Housing and Urban Development--Community Planning and Development-- Community Development Fund'' in this Act may be used interchangeably and without limitation for the same activities in the most impacted and distressed areas related to Hurricanes Irma and Maria. (b)(1) Until the date on which the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development publishes a Federal Register Notice implementing this provision-- (A) grantees may submit for approval by the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development revised plans for the use of funds related to Hurricanes Irma and Maria that expand the eligible beneficiaries of existing programs contained in such previously approved plans to include those activities funded under the heading ``Department of Housing and Urban Development--Community Planning and Development--Community Development Fund'' in this Act; and (B) approval of any such revised plans shall include the execution of revised grant terms and conditions as necessary. (2) Beginning on the date of the publication of the implementing Notice, any plan revisions shall follow the requirements contained in such Notice. (c) Amounts repurposed by this section that were previously designated by the Congress as an emergency requirement or as being for disaster relief pursuant to the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act are designated by the Congress as being for an emergency requirement pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 or as being for disaster relief pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(D) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985. Sec. 303. For funds appropriated under the heading ``Department of Housing and Urban Development--Community Planning and Development--Community Development Fund'' in subdivision 1 of division B of the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018 (Public Law 115-123) or the Additional Supplemental Appropriations for Disaster Relief Act, 2019 (Public Law 116- 20), the Secretary shall execute all grant agreements for disbursement of funds allocated to a grantee no later than 60 days after the date of approval of a grantee's plan for the use of funds: Provided, That amounts repurposed by this section that were previously designated as an emergency requirement or as being for disaster relief pursuant to the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 are designated by the Congress as being for an emergency requirement pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 or as being for disaster relief pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(D) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985. Sec. 304. (a) The Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, the Secretary of Energy, the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and other Federal partners, shall complete the interagency consultation and coordination of Federal investments necessary for the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to develop administrative requirements for funds provided for enhanced or improved electrical power systems under the heading ``Department of Housing and Urban Development--Community Planning and Development--Community Development Fund'' in title XI of subdivision 1 of division B of the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018 (Public Law 115-123) no later than 30 days after the date of enactment of this Act. (b) With respect to amounts made available for enhanced or improved electrical power systems under the heading ``Department of Housing and Urban Development--Community Planning and Development--Community Development Fund'' in title XI of subdivision 1 of division B of the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018 (Public Law 115-123), the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development shall publish in the Federal Register the allocations to all eligible grantees, and the necessary administrative requirements applicable to such allocations no later than 60 days after the date of enactment of this Act. (c) Amounts repurposed pursuant to this section that were previously designated by the Congress as an emergency requirement or as being for disaster relief pursuant to the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 are designated by the Congress as being for an emergency requirement pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 or as being for disaster relief pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(D) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985. TITLE IV--GENERAL PROVISIONS--THIS ACT Sec. 401. In addition to other amounts made available by section 309 of division A of the Additional Supplemental Appropriations for Disaster Relief Requirements Act, 2017 (Public Law 115-72; 131 Stat. 1229), and by section 104 of title I of the Additional Supplemental Appropriations for Disaster Relief Act, 2019 (Public Law 116-20; 133 Stat. 874), there is appropriated to the Secretary, out of any moneys in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2020, $40,000,000 to provide a grant to the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico for disaster nutrition assistance in response to a major earthquake disaster or emergency designated by the President under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5121 et seq.): Provided, That the funds made available to the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico under this section shall remain available for obligation by the Commonwealth until September 30, 2021, and shall be in addition to funds otherwise made available: Provided further, That such amount is designated by the Congress as being for an emergency requirement pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985. Sec. 402. (a) Section 20601 of the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018 (Public Law 115-123) is amended by striking ``and DR- 4335-USVI'' and inserting ``DR-4335-USVI, and for all major disasters declared under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Recovery Act (42 U.S.C. 5122) for Puerto Rico or the United States Virgin Islands during calendar year 2020''. (b) Subsection (a) shall be applied as if it were in effect beginning on January 1, 2020. (c) Amounts repurposed by this section and the amendments made by this section that were previously designated by the Congress as an emergency requirement or as being for disaster relief pursuant to the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 are designated by the Congress as being for an emergency requirement pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 or as being for disaster relief pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(D) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985. Sec. 403. Each amount appropriated or made available by this Act is in addition to amounts otherwise appropriated for the fiscal year involved. Sec. 404. No part of any appropriation contained in this Act shall remain available for obligation beyond the current fiscal year unless expressly so provided herein. Sec. 405. Unless otherwise provided for by this Act, the additional amounts appropriated by this Act to appropriations accounts shall be available under the authorities and conditions applicable to such appropriations accounts for fiscal year 2020. Sec. 406. Each amount designated in this Act by the Congress as being for an emergency requirement pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 shall be available (or rescinded or transferred, if applicable) only if the President subsequently so designates all such amounts and transmits such designations to the Congress. Sec. 407. Any amount appropriated by this Act, designated by the Congress as an emergency requirement pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 and subsequently so designated by the President, and transferred pursuant to transfer authorities provided by this Act shall retain such designation. This division may be cited as the ``Emergency Supplemental Appropriations for Disaster Relief Act, 2020''. DIVISION B--PUERTO RICO DISASTER TAX RELIEF ACT OF 2020 short title Sec. 101. This division may be cited as the ``Puerto Rico Disaster Tax Relief Act of 2020''. qualified puerto rico disaster zone defined Sec. 102. For purposes of this division, the term ``qualified Puerto Rico disaster zone'' means any area-- (1) with respect to which a major disaster was declared by the President under section 401 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act by reason of the earthquakes occurring in or near Puerto Rico beginning on December 28, 2019, and ending on the date which is 60 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, and [[Page H951]] (2) which was determined by the President to warrant individual or individual and public assistance from the Federal Government under such Act by reason of such earthquakes. child tax credit for puerto rico and other possessions of the united states Sec. 103. (a) Puerto Rico.-- (1) Same treatment of families in puerto rico with one child or two children that is currently provided to families in puerto rico with three or more children.--Section 24(d) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph: ``(4) Residents of puerto rico.--In the case of an individual who is a bona fide resident of Puerto Rico (within the meaning of section 937(a)) for the taxable year, paragraph (1)(B)(ii) shall be applied by substituting `1 or more qualifying children' for `3 or more qualifying children'.''. (2) Effective date.--The amendment made by paragraph (1) shall apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2019. (b) Mirror Code Possessions.--The Secretary of the Treasury shall pay to each possession of the United States with a mirror code tax system amounts equal to the loss to that possession by reason of the application of section 24 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 with respect to taxable years beginning after 2019. Such amounts shall be determined by the Secretary of the Treasury based on information provided by the government of the respective possession. (c) American Samoa.--The Secretary of the Treasury shall pay to American Samoa amounts estimated by the Secretary of the Treasury as being equal to the aggregate benefits that would have been provided to the residents of American Samoa by reason of the application of section 24 of such Code for taxable years beginning after 2019 if the provisions of such section had been in effect in American Samoa. The preceding sentence shall not apply unless American Samoa has a plan, which has been approved by the Secretary of the Treasury, under which American Samoa will promptly distribute such payments to the residents of American Samoa in a manner which replicates to the greatest degree practicable the benefits that would have been so provided to each such resident. (d) Definitions and Special Rules.-- (1) In general.--No credit shall be allowed against United States income taxes for any taxable year under section 24 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to any person-- (A) to whom a credit is allowed against taxes imposed by a possession with a mirror code tax system by reason of the application of section 24 of such Code in such possession for such taxable year, or (B) who is eligible for a payment under a plan described in subsection (c) with respect to such taxable year. (2) Mirror code tax system.--For purposes of this section, the term ``mirror code tax system'' means, with respect to any possession of the United States, the income tax system of such possession if the income tax liability of the residents of such possession under such system is determined by reference to the income tax laws of the United States as if such possession were the United States. (3) Treatment of payments.--For purposes of section 1324(b)(2) of title 31, United States Code, the payments under subsections (b) and (c) shall be treated in the same manner as a refund due from the credit allowed under section 24 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986. application of earned income tax credit in possessions of the united states Sec. 104. (a) In General.--Chapter 77 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by adding at the end the following new section: ``SEC. 7529. APPLICATION OF EARNED INCOME TAX CREDIT TO POSSESSIONS OF THE UNITED STATES. ``(a) Puerto Rico.-- ``(1) In general.--With respect to calendar year 2021 and each calendar year thereafter, the Secretary shall, except as otherwise provided in this subsection, make payments to Puerto Rico equal to-- ``(A) the specified matching amount for such calendar year, plus ``(B) in the case of calendar years 2021 through 2025, the lesser of-- ``(i) the expenditures made by Puerto Rico during such calendar year for education efforts with respect to individual taxpayers and tax return preparers relating to the earned income tax credit, or ``(ii) $1,000,000. ``(2) Requirement to reform earned income tax credit.--The Secretary shall not make any payments under paragraph (1) with respect to any calendar year unless Puerto Rico has in effect an earned income tax credit for taxable years beginning in or with such calendar year which (relative to the earned income tax credit which was in effect for taxable years beginning in or with calendar year 2019) increases the percentage of earned income which is allowed as a credit for each group of individuals with respect to which such percentage is separately stated or determined in a manner designed to substantially increase workforce participation. ``(3) Specified matching amount.--For purposes of this subsection-- ``(A) In general.--The term `specified matching amount' means, with respect to any calendar year, the lesser of-- ``(i) the excess (if any) of-- ``(I) the cost to Puerto Rico of the earned income tax credit for taxable years beginning in or with such calendar year, over ``(II) the base amount for such calendar year, or ``(ii) the product of 3, multiplied by the base amount for such calendar year. ``(B) Base amount.-- ``(i) Base amount for 2021.--In the case of calendar year 2021, the term `base amount' means the greater of-- ``(I) the cost to Puerto Rico of the earned income tax credit for taxable years beginning in or with calendar year 2019 (rounded to the nearest multiple of $1,000,000), or ``(II) $200,000,000. ``(ii) Inflation adjustment.--In the case of any calendar year after 2021, the term `base amount' means the dollar amount determined under clause (i) increased by an amount equal to-- ``(I) such dollar amount, multiplied by-- ``(II) the cost-of-living adjustment determined under section 1(f)(3) for such calendar year, determined by substituting `calendar year 2020' for `calendar year 2016' in subparagraph (A)(ii) thereof. Any amount determined under this clause shall be rounded to the nearest multiple of $1,000,000. ``(4) Rules related to payments and reports.-- ``(A) Timing of payments.--The Secretary shall make payments under paragraph (1) for any calendar year-- ``(i) after receipt of the report described in subparagraph (B) for such calendar year, and ``(ii) except as provided in clause (i), within a reasonable period of time before the due date for individual income tax returns (as determined under the laws of Puerto Rico) for taxable years which began on the first day of such calendar year. ``(B) Annual reports.--With respect to calendar year 2021 and each calendar year thereafter, Puerto Rico shall provide to the Secretary a report which shall include-- ``(i) an estimate of the costs described in paragraphs (1)(B)(i) and (3)(A)(i)(I) with respect to such calendar year, and ``(ii) a statement of such costs with respect to the preceding calendar year. ``(C) Adjustments.-- ``(i) In general.--In the event that any estimate of an amount is more or less than the actual amount as later determined and any payment under paragraph (1) was determined on the basis of such estimate, proper payment shall be made by, or to, the Secretary (as the case may be) as soon as practicable after the determination that such estimate was inaccurate. Proper adjustment shall be made in the amount of any subsequent payments made under paragraph (1) to the extent that proper payment is not made under the preceding sentence before such subsequent payments. ``(ii) Additional reports.--The Secretary may require such additional periodic reports of the information described in subparagraph (B) as the Secretary determines appropriate to facilitate timely adjustments under clause (i). ``(D) Determination of cost of earned income tax credit.-- For purposes of this subsection, the cost to Puerto Rico of the earned income tax credit shall be determined by the Secretary on the basis of the laws of Puerto Rico and shall include reductions in revenues received by Puerto Rico by reason of such credit and refunds attributable to such credit, but shall not include any administrative costs with respect to such credit. ``(b) Possessions With Mirror Code Tax Systems.-- ``(1) In general.--With respect to calendar year 2021 and each calendar year thereafter, the Secretary shall, except as otherwise provided in this subsection, make payments to the Virgin Islands, Guam, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands equal to-- ``(A) 75 percent of the cost to such possession of the earned income tax credit for taxable years beginning in or with such calendar year, plus ``(B) in the case of calendar years 2021 through 2025, the lesser of-- ``(i) the expenditures made by such possession during such calendar year for education efforts with respect to individual taxpayers and tax return preparers relating to such earned income tax credit, or ``(ii) $50,000. ``(2) Application of certain rules.--Rules similar to the rules of subparagraphs (A), (B), (C), and (D) of subsection (a)(4) shall apply for purposes of this subsection. ``(c) American Samoa.-- ``(1) In general.--With respect to calendar year 2021 and each calendar year thereafter, the Secretary shall, except as otherwise provided in this subsection, make payments to American Samoa equal to-- ``(A) the lesser of-- ``(i) 75 percent of the cost to American Samoa of the earned income tax credit for taxable years beginning in or with such calendar year, or ``(ii) $12,000,000, plus ``(B) in the case of calendar years 2021 through 2025, the lesser of-- ``(i) the expenditures made by American Samoa during such calendar year for education efforts with respect to individual taxpayers and tax return preparers relating to such earned income tax credit, or ``(ii) $50,000. [[Page H952]] ``(2) Requirement to enact and maintain an earned income tax credit.--The Secretary shall not make any payments under paragraph (1) with respect to any calendar year unless American Samoa has in effect an earned income tax credit for taxable years beginning in or with such calendar year which allows a refundable tax credit to individuals on the basis of the taxpayer's earned income which is designed to substantially increase workforce participation. ``(3) Inflation adjustment.--In the case of any calendar year after 2021, the $12,000,000 amount in paragraph (1)(A)(ii) shall be increased by an amount equal to-- ``(A) such dollar amount, multiplied by-- ``(B) the cost-of-living adjustment determined under section 1(f)(3) for such calendar year, determined by substituting `calendar year 2020' for `calendar year 2016' in subparagraph (A)(ii) thereof. Any increase determined under this clause shall be rounded to the nearest multiple of $100,000. ``(4) Application of certain rules.--Rules similar to the rules of subparagraphs (A), (B), (C), and (D) of subsection (a)(4) shall apply for purposes of this subsection. ``(d) Treatment of Payments.--For purposes of section 1324 of title 31, United States Code, the payments under this section shall be treated in the same manner as a refund due from a credit provision referred to in subsection (b)(2) of such section.''. (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections for chapter 77 of such Code is amended by adding at the end the following new item: ``Sec. 7529. Application of earned income tax credit to possessions of the United States.''. low-income housing credit allocations for puerto rico Sec. 105. (a) In General.--For purposes of section 42 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, the State housing credit ceiling for Puerto Rico for calendar year 2020 shall be increased by $50,000,000. (b) Qualified Puerto Rico Disaster Zones Treated as Difficult Development Areas.-- (1) In general.--For purposes of section 42 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, in the case of a qualified building placed in service in a qualified Puerto Rico disaster zone (as defined in section 102), such area shall be treated as a difficult development area under subclause (I) of section 42(d)(5)(B)(iii) but shall not be taken into account for purposes of applying the limitation under subclause (II) of such section. (2) Qualified building.--For purposes of this subsection, the term ``qualified building'' means any building which is allocated a housing credit dollar amount during calendar year 2020 or 2021. (3) Other definitions.--Terms used in this section which are also used in section 42 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 shall have the same meaning when used in this section as when used in such section 42. new markets tax credit allocations for puerto rico Sec. 106. (a) In General.--For purposes of section 45D of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986-- (1) the new markets tax credit limitation otherwise determined under subsection (f)(1) thereof for each of 2020 and 2021 shall be increased by $500,000,000, to be allocated among specified community development entities to make qualified low-income community investments in Puerto Rico, and (2) section 45D(f)(3) shall be applied-- (A) separately with respect to the amounts of the increases under paragraph (1), and (B) solely with respect to the amounts of the increases described in subparagraph (A), the last sentence of such section shall not prevent such amounts from being carried to calendar year 2026. (b) Specified Community Development Entities.--For purposes of this section, the term ``specified community development entity'' means any qualified community development entity if such entity has a history of making qualified low-income community investments in federally declared disaster areas or Puerto Rico. (c) Other Definitions.--Terms used in this section which are also used in section 45D of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 shall have the same meaning when used in this section as when used in such section 45D. cover over of distilled spirits taxes Sec. 107. (a) Repeal of Limitation on Cover Over of Distilled Spirits Taxes to Puerto Rico and Virgin Islands.-- (1) In general.--Section 7652 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by striking subsection (f) and by redesignating subsections (g) and (h) as subsections (f) and (g), respectively. (2) Conforming amendment.--Section 7652(f)(1) of such Code, as redesignated by paragraph (1), is amended by-- (A) striking subparagraph (B), and (B) by striking ``as if--'' and all that follows through ``the use and tax'' and inserting ``as if the use and tax''. (3) Effective date.--The amendments made by this subsection shall apply to distilled spirits brought into the United States after December 31, 2019. (b) Transfer to Puerto Rico Conservation Trust Fund of Portion of Puerto Rico Rum Cover Over.-- (1) In general.--Section 7652(e) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by redesignating paragraphs (3), (4), and (5) as paragraphs (4), (5), and (6), respectively, and by inserting after paragraph (2) the following new paragraph: ``(2) Transfer to puerto rico conservation trust fund of portion of rum cover over.-- ``(A) In general.--From any amount otherwise required to be covered over to the treasury of Puerto Rico under this section with respect to taxes collected on rum under section 5001(a)(1) or subsection (a) of this section, the Secretary of the Treasury shall transfer to the Puerto Rico Conservation Trust Fund an amount equal to $0.46 per proof gallon of rum to which such cover over is attributable. Any amount transferred under the preceding sentence shall be treated for purposes of this section (other than this paragraph) as having been covered over to the treasury of Puerto Rico. ``(B) Puerto rico conservation trust fund.--For purposes of this section, the term `Puerto Rico Conservation Trust Fund' means the fund established pursuant to a Memorandum of Understanding between the United States Department of the Interior and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, dated December 24, 1968.''. (2) Effective date.--The amendments made by this section shall apply to rum brought into the United States after December 31, 2019. (c) Cover Over Determined Without Regard to Certain Rate Reductions.-- (1) In general.--Section 7652 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended by subsection (a)(1), is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection: ``(h) Cover Over Determined Without Regard to Certain Rate Reductions.--For purposes of subsections (a)(3), (b)(3), and (e), the amount of taxes imposed and collected under section 5001(a)(1) shall be determined without regard to section 5001(c).''. (2) Conforming amendment.--Section 7652(e) of such Code, as amended by subsection (b)(1), is amended by striking paragraph (6). (3) Effective date.--The amendments made by this subsection shall take effect as if included in section 13807 of Public Law 115-97. employee retention credit with respect to individuals employed in the qualified puerto rico disaster zone Sec. 108. (a) In General.--The Secretary of the Treasury shall pay to Puerto Rico the amount determined under subsection (b) for the purpose of providing an employee retention credit with respect to individuals employed in a qualified Puerto Rico disaster zone (as defined in section 102). The preceding sentence shall not apply unless Puerto Rico has a plan for implementing such employee retention credit-- (1) which is similar to the plan approved under section 504(d)(1)(B) of the Disaster Tax Relief and Airport and Airway Extension Act of 2017, (2) under which Puerto Rico will promptly distribute such payments to its residents, and (3) which has been approved by the Secretary of the Treasury for purposes of this section. (b) Determination of Payment Amount.-- (1) In general.--The amount determined under this subsection is the product of-- (A) the aggregate amount of payments made under section 504(d)(1)(B) of the Disaster Tax Relief and Airport and Airway Extension Act of 2017, multiplied by (B) the population adjustment ratio. (2) Population adjustment ratio.--For purposes of this subsection, the term population adjustment ratio means the ratio of-- (A) the number of individuals estimated by the Secretary of the Treasury to have been present in the qualified Puerto Rico disaster zone (as defined in section 102), over (B) the number of individuals estimated by the Secretary of the Treasury to have been present in the Hurricane Maria disaster zone (as defined in section 501(c) of the Disaster Tax Relief and Airport and Airway Extension Act of 2017). (c) Report to Congress.--Not later than 90 days after substantially all of the employee retention credits under this section have been paid or allowed to taxpayers in Puerto Rico, the Secretary of the Treasury of Puerto Rico shall submit a written report to Congress documenting the implementation of such credits. DIVISION C--BUDGETARY EFFECTS budgetary effects Sec. 101. (a) In General.--The budgetary effects of division B and each succeeding division shall not be entered on either PAYGO scorecard maintained pursuant to section 4(d) of the Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Act of 2010. (b) Senate PAYGO Scorecards.--The budgetary effects of division B and each succeeding division shall not be entered on any PAYGO scorecard maintained for purposes of section 4106 of H. Con. Res. 71 (115th Congress). (c) Classification of Budgetary Effects.--Notwithstanding Rule 3 of the Budget Scorekeeping Guidelines set forth in the joint explanatory statement of the committee of conference accompanying Conference Report 105-217 and section 250(c)(8) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985, the budgetary effects of division B and each succeeding division shall not be estimated-- [[Page H953]] (1) for purposes of section 251 of such Act; and (2) for purposes of paragraph (4)(C) of section 3 of the Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Act of 2010 as being included in an appropriation Act. The CHAIR. No amendment to the bill is in order except those printed in part C of House Report 116-392. Each such amendment may be offered only in the order printed in the report, by a Member designated in the report, shall be considered read, shall be debatable for the time specified in the report, equally divided and controlled by the proponent and an opponent, shall not be subject to amendment, and shall not be subject to a demand for division of the question. Amendment No. 1 Offered by Ms. Shalala The CHAIR. It is now in order to consider amendment No. 1 printed in part C of House Report 116-392. Ms. SHALALA. Madam Chair, I have an amendment at the desk. The CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment. The text of the amendment is as follows: Page 3, line 25, after the dollar amount, insert ``(increased by $1,000,000)''. The CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 833, the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Shalala) and a Member opposed each will control 5 minutes. The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Florida. Ms. SHALALA. Madam Chair, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Chair, our fellow Americans in Puerto Rico have suffered greatly in the last few years, from fiscal calamity to a monster hurricane to the Earth shaking and continuing to shake. I have seen the suffering personally. These disasters have resulted in many Puerto Ricans leaving the island, and many are children or young adults who are still in school. This amendment increases funding to conduct a study on the impacts that these young people face when they have to disrupt their education. The truth is, we don't know the best way to help children who have to leave their homes to pursue their education in another State or have to miss weeks of school because their school building is structurally unsound after an earthquake. But we need to. We need to know the best way to make sure that all children can reach their full potential and are able to cope with whatever trauma they may have faced. Ultimately, this amendment will save us money because we will have future natural disasters where children will have to move away from their schools or pause their education. Unfortunately, there will be more Marias and more Katrinas, and there will be more wildfires. We need to make sure that we are serving both children and the taxpayers. We should spend our money in the most impactful way possible. The study will guide us on the most effective policies and the most effective way we can use disaster funds to help our children. I thank my distinguished colleague, Congresswoman Gonzalez-Colon, for her work and her support on this amendment, as well as Congresswoman Stephanie Murphy, Congressman Alcee Hastings, and Chairman Jim McGovern. Madam Chair, I support the underlying bill. I urge my colleagues to support this amendment, and I reserve the balance of my time. Miss GONZALEZ-COLON of Puerto Rico. Madam Chair, I claim the time in opposition, although I am going to be in favor of the amendment. The CHAIR. Without objection, the gentlewoman from Puerto Rico is recognized for 5 minutes. There was no objection. Miss GONZALEZ-COLON of Puerto Rico. Madam Chair, first, I want to thank Congresswoman Shalala. I thank the gentlewoman for visiting the island several weeks ago with Congressman Posey and Congresswoman Murphy. Madam Chair, let me tell you what this amendment is about. This will provide $1 million to conduct a study on the impacts of educational attainment, long-term economic opportunities, as well as the well-being of students from Puerto Rico who have had to disrupt or change their educational path due to a natural disaster. Although the full extent of the damage is still being assessed, it is evident that the ongoing earthquakes impacting Puerto Rico have been particularly harmful for our students and educational system. Following the collapse of this public school in Guanica--thank God it was 4:24 in the morning, and there were no students and teachers in that school. It completely collapsed. The Department of Education delayed the start of the semester across the island in order to conduct structural inspections of all public schools. To this day, 69 schools have already been deemed unsafe and thus unable to reopen. Another 234 have been classified as partially adequate, which means that only some parts of the school's buildings are safe. In fact, although inspections are ongoing, the Puerto Rico Department of Education is projecting that 25 percent of the island's public schools will be unable to be reopen during this semester. In Guanica, this town, there are six schools. All of them are closed. As we speak, tents are being installed as outdoor classrooms to ensure students don't lose their semester, specifically seniors going off to college. The disruptive nature of the event cannot be overstated. Puerto Rico will need to identify alternative and/or temporary sites to open schools and relocate misplaced students. Many will probably leave the island altogether, the way it happened with Maria. The provision of counseling and mental health services will be crucial to address the fear and similar challenges among the impacted student population and their families. Therefore, I support the $100 million included in the supplemental to help us meet the educational needs of those affected by disasters. The study funded by this amendment will provide us with vital information to help address challenges faced by students impacted by earthquakes, mitigate additional impacts on their educational attainment, and better prepare them for future disasters. I want to conclude by thanking Ranking Member Granger for allowing me the time and Congresswoman Shalala for her hard work in working together on behalf of the people of Puerto Rico. Madam Chair, I reserve the balance of my time. Ms. SHALALA. Madam Chair, I yield 2 minutes to the distinguished gentlewoman from Connecticut (Ms. DeLauro). Ms. DeLAURO. Madam Chair, I rise in support of this amendment. It is $1 million that provides funds for a study on the impacts of natural disasters on the well-being and educational paths of affected students and children in Puerto Rico. The children in Puerto Rico have been struggling from the trauma of multiple natural disasters. It has been resulting in unbelievable disruptions to their lives at home and at school. After Hurricane Maria, Congresswoman Grace Meng from New York and I went to Puerto Rico. We visited the schools, and the teachers told us that the children were not coming to school. Why? We asked the question: Why? They were scared that if they went to school and they returned home, they would not find their families, their home, or anything else that gave them their strength and the hope with their families, so they weren't going. They also couldn't go because the power was out, and the heat was too much for them to be there. What is it that you can't understand? What is it that this administration doesn't understand about what is happening to children, American children, in Puerto Rico? {time} 1030 We included $3 million in the 2019 Labor-HHS appropriations bill to provide behavorial health services and counseling to children in Puerto Rico. These services are being provided through the National Child Traumatic Stress Network, which is a national network of grantees that provide services for children and adolescents exposed to traumatic events. Schools are the center of our communities. They offer students stable schedules, warm meals, and support from teachers and school professionals. They are the center of learning. We need to act with urgency to support the school recovery and restore this stability for the children in Puerto Rico, [[Page H954]] but we must take a careful look at the long-term impacts of these disasters on student well-being and educational access and success. Madam Chair, this amendment provides those resources. I support it, and I urge my colleagues to do the same. Miss GONZALEZ-COLON of Puerto Rico. Madam Chair, may I inquire how much time is remaining. The CHAIR. The gentlewoman from Puerto Rico has 2 minutes remaining. The gentlewoman from Florida has 1 minute remaining. Miss GONZALEZ-COLON of Puerto Rico. Madam Chair, the school that I am showing you here is one from Guanica. Maybe many people here will not know that the schools in Puerto Rico are used for shelters during hurricanes, so this is having the place for shelters being destroyed and many of them not compliant right now and during the assessment. Let me give you an example. When we had the first earthquake, 6.4, and then the replica, the government of Puerto Rico has to do an assessment of the infrastructure in all schools. But weeks later, we got more aftershocks of 5, 5.4, 4.9. So that assessment continued to happen, and it is an ongoing situation every week in order to have our kids and teachers safe. So right now, I told you already the number of schools that are deemed unsafe to return to classes. But if we do have another replica of 5 or 4.9 during these next days, and we are having between 8 and 12 tremors a day, that may be that many more schools can be included. Actually, originally, there were just six towns included in the mayor's declaration of disaster. Right now, it is 29, because the infrastructure gets weakened with all the tremors, and that is the reason I do support this amendment. The mental health issue for students, for parents, for kids is a real situation on the island. We don't want to lose more kids. We don't want kids to lose their semester. So I think this amendment would provide that much-needed help. Madam Chair, I yield back the balance of my time. Ms. SHALALA. Madam Chair, this amendment is simply about helping American children, and I urge my colleagues to support it. Madam Chair, I yield to the gentlewoman from New York (Mrs. Lowey), the chair of Committee on Appropriations. Mrs. LOWEY. Madam Chair, I am pleased to support this excellent amendment. Ms. SHALALA. Madam Chair, I yield back the balance of my time. The CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Shalala). The question was taken; and the Chair announced that the ayes appeared to have it. Mrs. LOWEY. Madam Chair, I demand a recorded vote. The CHAIR. Pursuant to clause 6 of rule XVIII, further proceedings on the amendment offered by the gentlewoman from Florida will be postponed. Amendment No. 2 Offered by Miss Gonzalez-Colon of Puerto Rico The CHAIR. It is now in order to consider amendment No. 2 printed in part C of House Report 116-392. Miss GONZALEZ-COLON of Puerto Rico. Madam Chair, I have an amendment at the desk. The CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment. The text of the amendment is as follows: Page 27, line 7, after the dollar amount, insert ``(increased by $170,000,000)''. The CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 833, the gentlewoman from Puerto Rico (Miss Gonzalez-Colon) and a Member opposed each will control 5 minutes. The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Puerto Rico. Miss GONZALEZ-COLON of Puerto Rico. Madam Chair, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Chair, today, I rise in support of this amendment. It is a bipartisan amendment to increase the amount of disaster nutrition assistance for Puerto Rico to $210 million. The island has been experiencing constant seismic activity since December 28 of last year, and thousands of Puerto Ricans have lost their homes and all their belongings. This challenges their safety and job security, as well as their ability to provide food for themselves and their family members. Puerto Rico does not participate in the national Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, as do our counterparts in the mainland; Washington, D.C.; Guam; and the Virgin Islands. Instead, Puerto Rico has the Nutrition Assistance Program, or NAP, which receives significantly less funding. Excluding us from SNAP--and that is another issue that this House addressed and we are making a study in that sense. Excluding us from SNAP also excludes us from the disaster portion of this program, known as D-SNAP. This means that every time there is a natural disaster like the one we are experiencing now, Congress needs to step up and appropriate Federal funding for disaster nutrition. We saw that after Hurricane Irma and Maria. And now, we are facing another emergency, and that is the reason Congress needs to approve funds for this food nutrition assistance. This amendment will help support beneficiaries of the program and allow an increase in enrollment, ensuring that those impacted by disasters were supported in their effort to maintain food security. The earthquakes have caused widespread infrastructure damage. Over 15,000 residents have reported damage in their homes. Of those, more than 1,000 are damaged to a point of being unlivable or destroyed. This is a wide infrastructure issue that has impacted private homes, public buildings, and private businesses, including supermarkets, pharmacies, and stores in that region. Since the seismic activity is ongoing, we expect the infrastructure problems to worsen. Some structures have survived seismic movements thus far, but there is no telling us when or if they will be destroyed or affected by future aftershocks. People are living in fear; people are living in desperation-- especially in the southwestern region of the island. At one point, over 7,000 people were living in shelters without a clear idea of when they will be able to return to their homes. I have experienced these tremors myself, and I can firmly state that fear during these times is more than justified. The unpredictability of earthquakes challenges any forecast capabilities. According to the U.S. Geological Survey, there is no telling when the earthquakes will stop. However, one thing we do know is that the island needs help, and we need it now. Madam Chair, this is why I am supporting the underlying bill and why I am offering this amendment. There are close to 397,000 NAP beneficiaries in the affected municipalities, of which over 92,000 are children. These numbers may grow, contingent on more municipalities being affected and more residents joining the program. Madam Chair, food security is a critical part of any recovery effort. My amendment will ensure earthquake victims can count on disaster nutritional funds to get them through this difficult time. I thank Congresswoman DeLauro, Congresswoman Velazquez, Congressmen Soto and Jose Serrano for sponsoring this important amendment for the people of Puerto Rico. Madam Chair, I urge my colleagues to vote in favor. And, again, I cannot vote for the bill. I cannot have Members in the House and in the Senate representing Puerto Rico, but I can, with all of you, vote for Puerto Rico in this amendment. Madam Chair, I yield back the balance of my time. Ms. DeLAURO. Madam Chair, I ask unanimous consent to claim the time in opposition, although I am not opposed to the amendment. The CHAIR. Is there objection to the request of the gentlewoman from Connecticut? There was no objection. The CHAIR. The gentlewoman is recognized for 5 minutes. Ms. DeLAURO. Madam Chair, I look forward to the day when my colleague, Miss Gonzalez-Colon from Puerto Rico, can vote in this House of Representatives. I also want to add one thing. A colleague from South Carolina said earlier that folks in Puerto Rico do not pay taxes. They pay payroll taxes. We [[Page H955]] all understand payroll taxes; and, quite frankly, that is the basis on which the child tax credit is determined. So they are paying taxes. Madam Chair, I rise in support of this amendment. I am honored to colead it with my colleague Jenniffer Gonzalez-Colon, with Congresswoman Nydia Velazquez, and Congressmen Serrano and Soto. It increases funding for Puerto Rico's Nutrition Assistance Program to $210 million. The $40 million in the underlying bill provides a strong foundation on which to build; and, in light of a new analysis from leading nutrition experts which has shown how great the need is, the amendment increases the resources to what the experts are now calling for. Thousands have been left without food, water, or power. We cannot turn our backs on the people of Puerto Rico. We need to meet basic needs so that they can rebuild. It is not only a responsibility, but it is a moral responsibility. And why is this necessary? Because Puerto Rico receives a block grant for nutrition assistance. It is known as the Nutrition Assistance Program, or NAP. Because the value of the block grant is fixed, their nutrition assistance is unable to meet the heightened needs of children and families in times of disaster. It is fundamentally different from how food stamps work for the millions of other Americans elsewhere in our country. But we know where this administration falls on the food stamp program. They are willing to deny 3 million people access to food stamps, take 2 million kids off of the School Lunch Program. Folks here are in need, but the people in Puerto Rico, the children in Puerto Rico are in need. An island ravished by earthquakes and tremors--Wednesday saw a 5.0 magnitude earthquake. In her request to the Congress, Puerto Rico's Governor warned: ``Puerto Ricans are currently suffering economic and job loss, displacement and interruption of essential services, and thousands of refugees currently located in camps are children and the elderly.'' We offer a bipartisan amendment today to build on the underlying bill. I commend the committee chair, Congresswoman Lowey, and the subcommittee chair, Congressman Bishop, for their hard work on this fast-moving matter. To my colleagues: Have a sense of what food means to people. We live in a land of plenty. We should not be about the business of denying food and nutrition help to others, and especially American children and American families from Puerto Rico, the nutrition assistance, the food that they need in order to survive. Madam Chair, no one should go to bed hungry in this country or in those countries where we have American citizens, and that is Puerto Rico. Madam Chair, I urge my colleagues, please--please--deal with what our moral responsibility is in this body. We have the power to make this happen. Let's make it happen today. Madam Chair, I yield back the balance of my time. The CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the gentlewoman from Puerto Rico (Miss Gonzalez-Colon). The amendment was agreed to. Amendment No. 3 Offered by Ms. Plaskett The CHAIR. It is now in order to consider amendment No. 3 printed in part C of House Report 116-392. Ms. PLASKETT. Madam Chair, I have an amendment at the desk. The CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment. The text of the amendment is as follows: Page 3, line 5, after the dollar amount, insert ``(increased by $3,000,000)''. The CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 833, the gentlewoman from the Virgin Islands (Ms. Plaskett) and a Member opposed each will control 5 minutes. The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from the Virgin Islands. Ms. PLASKETT. Madam Chair, I rise in support of my amendment. This amendment would increase the Department of Energy technical assistance for electrical grid recovery in the U.S. territories by $3 million. High energy costs have bedeviled the U.S. insular territories for many years, harming consumers, limiting development, and draining capital from our islands' economies. The average price of electricity paid by U.S. Virgin Islands residents in mid-2019 was about three times higher than the average power price in the mainland United States. These islands have suffered at least one tropical cyclone, typhoon, or hurricane in the last 3 years, storms made stronger by warming oceans. As a result of unprecedented recent disasters and the impact of enormous physical damage, the Virgin Islands are currently going through an energy crisis. Hurricanes Irma and Maria damaged approximately 80 to 90 percent of the electrical transmission and distribution systems in the territory. Rolling blackouts persist to this day. {time} 1045 Successfully incorporating resiliency measures into the electrical system recovery effort, including by building microgrid systems, and adding renewable generation capacity to the system does require significant technical assistance from the Department of Energy. I am pleased that the House, through this bill, will be taking action to make appropriations for technical assistance with rebuilding electric systems in the insular areas. However, given the current state of the islands, including Puerto Rico, which has had the unique challenge of natural disasters reoccurring over the past several months, I am concerned that the amount of $15 million may not be enough to adequately address the urgent needs for assistance to improve grid resiliency and to lower the cost of electricity. That is why I requested this modest uptick of $3 million. It is to see that utilities in the smaller territories like my district can get the technical assistance they need to solve energy problems that are unlike any other in the United States. Madam Chair, I yield 1 minute to the distinguished gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Hoyer), who is the majority leader. Mr. HOYER. Madam Chair, I thank the gentlewoman from the Virgin Islands (Ms. Plaskett) for yielding. I lament that, as Miss Gonzalez- Colon pointed out, she will not be able to vote on the final passage of this bill. I lament that Puerto Rico is not a State. If it were a State or if the Virgin Islands were a State, they would have already been addressed and helped, consistent with what we have done for States. Madam Chair, history will remember this generation of Puerto Ricans for their perseverance, their courage, and their strength. Having endured two devastating hurricanes in 2017, they have had to cope with their heartbreaking aftermath, characterized by the Trump administration's failure to allocate resources properly, fairly, effectively, and timely. Now a series of powerful earthquakes have struck the island, causing additional damage and, sadly, loss of life. We have heard reports that, while much of the power transmission infrastructure that was rebuilt stronger after the hurricanes were able to hold up, the aging power plants they serve sustained substantial damage. Madam Chair, I will remind my colleagues that the people of Puerto Rico are our fellow American citizens. They are our brothers and our sisters, our fellow Americans. Their well-being is our concern. Their capacity to rebuild, and rebuild stronger, is our responsibility as the representatives of the American people--of all the American people. That is what we do after natural disasters: We help our fellow Americans in need. Madam Chair, I and several of my colleagues will be traveling to Puerto Rico over the President's Day district work period next weekend. We will be visiting communities in the south of the island that have been hardest hit by the earthquakes. Many of the same communities are still trying to rebuild from Irma and Maria. I was there in 2017, in Puerto Rico, and in the Virgin Islands with Representative Plaskett. I was there with the Republican leader, Mr. McCarthy. We visited with families who lost their homes, who lost loved ones, and who asked us to come back here to Washington and help. We worked together, Republicans and Democrats, to pass emergency funding and partnered on an effort to amend the Stafford Act to promote resilience [[Page H956]] by ensuring that structures are built to 21st century standards. Madam Chair, when I return to the island later this month, I want to tell the people I meet that Congress has not and will not forget them, that their brothers and sisters on the mainland are with them. I want to tell them that we took action to provide the additional funding the island needs to recover from this most recent disaster. I want to tell them that the Congress came together to approve the necessary funds to help communities on the island restore critical infrastructure and rebuild schools and housing. I want to tell them that we came through with assistance for repairing the energy grid and making it more resilient. I also want to be able to share with them that Congress made key tax reforms to give low-income Puerto Ricans some help with childcare and affordable housing as they rebuild, as we do for people here on the mainland. Madam Chair, that is why I am asking my colleagues to join me in passing this bill and making all of those things possible. When I go down to Puerto Rico in just over a week, I want to be able to tell the people there that this House did its job. Sadly, we have seen the administration's veto threat, which was little more than a denigration of our fellow Americans, accusing Puerto Ricans of corruption and being untrustworthy of receiving emergency aid. Ironic that his administration would make such a charge. Shame on them for making that allegation, and shame on them even more if they veto disaster aid to Puerto Rico under such a spurious and hateful belief. House Democrats will continue to conduct oversight in order to ensure that the administration does not continue to withhold critical, congressionally appropriated disaster aid from the people of Puerto Rico who need it to rebuild. The stronger they are, the stronger our Nation will be. Madam Chair, I want to thank the chairwoman of the Appropriations Committee, Mrs. Lowey, as well as the chairman of the Ways and Means Committee, Mr. Neal, along with members of their committees for their hard work on this package. Madam Chair, I want to thank Representatives Velazquez, Serrano, Soto, Ocasio-Cortez, and, yes, Miss Gonzalez-Colon, as well, for advocating for Puerto Ricans in Congress. Madam Chair, I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to vote ``yes'' on this package. Keep faith with our fellow citizens wherever they might live, in the East, in the West, in the South, or in Puerto Rico, all Americans worthy of having confidence that we will stand with them in hours of distress. Vote ``yes.'' Miss GONZALEZ-COLON of Puerto Rico. I would like to claim the time in opposition, and although I am claiming the time in opposition, I am in favor of the amendment presented by Ms. Plaskett. The CHAIR. Without objection, the gentlewoman from Puerto Rico is recognized for 5 minutes. There was no objection. Miss GONZALEZ-COLON of Puerto Rico. Madam Chair, I think it is important to understand that living on an island puts us in a different mode than the rest of the States where you can receive and manage electricity at the power plants differently. Our infrastructure is weakened by hurricanes, and by many years of hurricanes in our case. So I do believe that this allocation of funds for technical assistance from the Department of Energy will help us to get through this situation and allow the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico as well, to figure out what is going to be the kind of energy we are going to be using. We approved $1.9 billion for technical assistance in CDBG funds for the electrical grid on the island of Puerto Rico, but the guidelines have not been published yet. So that means we don't have access to those funds, even though the Department of Energy has been doing the assessments on the islands of Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands. Because of that, I do support the amendment. Madam Chair, I reserve the balance of my time. Ms. PLASKETT. Madam Chair, I yield 30 seconds to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Green). Mr. GREEN of Texas. Madam Chair, I am greatly honored to support this piece of legislation, especially honored that Chairwoman Lowey has put language in there that will streamline the process that Mr. Hoyer helped to develop. I would just like to add this. I know what it is like to live in harm's way. In Houston, Texas, we have billion-dollar floods that take lives, and these are supposed to be 100-year floods. Unfortunately, they are happening all too often, and sometimes on a yearly basis. So I stand here today to say thank you to all involved, especially to Mrs. Lowey for what she has done to streamline this process. It will be helpful to persons in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, but, also, in the long run, it will be helpful to the people of Houston, Texas. Miss GONZALEZ-COLON of Puerto Rico. Madam Chair, I yield back the balance of my time. Ms. PLASKETT. Madam Chair, I urge adoption of this amendment. This is important to the territories. As you heard from my colleague from Puerto Rico, islands are very fragile, and we do not have the scale that others have, nor do we have grids that can be attached to other areas. So this is really important to us, and the technical assistance of this Nation, from the Department of Energy, would go a long way in supporting a more resilient grid. Madam Chair, I yield back the balance of my time. The CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the gentlewoman from the Virgin Islands (Ms. Plaskett). The amendment was agreed to. Amendment No. 4 Offered by Mr. Crenshaw The CHAIR. It is now in order to consider amendment No. 4 printed in part C of House Report 116-392. Mr. CRENSHAW. I have an amendment at the desk. The CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment. The text of the amendment is as follows: Page 20, line 7, after the dollar amount, insert ``(increased by $45,000,000)''. The CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 833, the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Crenshaw) and a Member opposed each will control 5 minutes. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Texas. Mr. CRENSHAW. Madam Chair, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Chair, I rise today to support the people from the great State of Texas. It has been 2\1/2\ years since Hurricane Harvey. Many of my constituents are still struggling to finance their rebuilding. And it is not as if Texans simply waited on Federal aid. We passed a local bond for $2.5 billion to address recovery and future prevention. Additionally, many took out SBA loans, a low-cost loan to get themselves back on their own feet. Here is the problem: My constituents never thought that taking out an SBA loan, a loan that they would be paying back, would prevent them from also receiving other Federal aid. This problem of dual benefits was addressed in law recently by my friend Representative Garret Graves from Louisiana, but the fix came too late for some. Many victims of disasters who would be eligible for Federal aid such as CDBG-DR are not able to access that aid. This amendment will not be able to provide the estimated nearly $3 billion that the Texas General Land Office believes would be needed to help all of those affected, but my amendment will solve this problem for some of the most vulnerable people who unfairly fell through the bureaucratic cracks. I urge my colleagues to vote in support of this amendment, and I reserve the balance of my time. Mrs. FLETCHER. Madam Chair, I ask unanimous consent to claim time in opposition, although I do not oppose the amendment. The CHAIR. Is there objection to the request of the gentlewoman from Texas? There was no objection. The CHAIR. The gentlewoman from Texas (Mrs. Fletcher) is recognized for 5 minutes. Mrs. FLETCHER. I yield myself such time as I may consume. [[Page H957]] Madam Chair, I rise today to offer this bipartisan amendment with my colleague and neighbor, Mr. Crenshaw, to help families who, through no fault of their own, were denied disaster recovery funding--in our case, for our constituents affected by Hurricane Harvey. As Members of this body will recall, Hurricane Harvey landed on the Texas Gulf Coast in August of 2017. It was the second costliest hurricane in United States history. It took 68 lives, it dropped more than 60 inches of rain, and it caused nearly $125 billion in damages. Our community came together to help, and we showed each other and the Nation how much we can accomplish when we work together to help our neighbors in need. This body worked, too, appropriating funds quickly to help those affected for immediate assistance and for long-term rebuilding. But the needs were great and the funds, though well-intentioned, were slow. So many of our constituents took out loans from the Small Business Administration, where they could get low-interest loans to begin the necessary and immediate work of rebuilding. When they applied for the SBA loans, they were told that taking out a loan would not disqualify them from other disaster aid. Unfortunately, they were, in fact, disqualified from other forms of Federal aid because they had taken out an SBA loan. {time} 1100 If they had taken out a loan from a friend or a bank, they would not have been in this situation. They would still be eligible for the Federal aid. But because they chose to take out an SBA loan in the midst of an unprecedented disaster, they were disqualified from receiving further Federal assistance. Of course, that is inconsistent with the program, it is inconsistent with the intent of this body to punish people for seeking help from the agencies that are there to help them in their times of need. I have heard from so many constituents who have been left behind by what, by all accounts, was a mistaken interpretation of the intent and the rules that need to be corrected. We simply cannot leave them behind. We now have the opportunity to correct this error here and to bring meaningful relief to disaster victims. This amendment will fund $45 million to those in Texas who were wrongfully denied assistance because they took out SBA disaster recovery loans. We have a chance today to right this wrong and to deliver the help that our neighbors have been waiting on for years. During Harvey, our community demonstrated that we are at our best when we are working together to solve problems, and this amendment does the same. I urge my colleagues to support this amendment, and I reserve the balance of my time. Mr. CRENSHAW. Madam Chair, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. Graves). Mr. GRAVES of Louisiana. Madam Chair, I thank the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Crenshaw) for fighting for the disaster victims of the awful hurricanes that his constituents and others have gone through in Texas, Florida, North Carolina, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands. And I want to thank Congresswoman Fletcher for her co-sponsorship of this amendment and efforts to get this wrong fixed. Madam Chair, I want to very simply explain what is happening here. So you have people that have experienced disasters; that have been through some type of flood or other disaster. The immediate assistance that is available to those disaster victims, and this is for homeowners, for renters, not for businesses--but the Small Business Administration offers loans, disaster loans, to individuals. They offer it to businesses, too, but they offer loans to individuals. And that is the only money that is largely available in the immediate aftermath. There may be a small grant available from FEMA, but it is the only money. So if you want to be proactive, if you want to lean forward, those are the resources that are available. You apply for a loan. So that is one of your options. The other option that you have is that you can sit back in a FEMA- supplied hotel room, or you can sit back in a FEMA-supplied trailer. The trailers, by the way, cost about $150,000 a piece, under FEMA's ridiculous process. So you can have one option where your thousands and thousands of dollars of taxpayer funds are paying for your hotel room. You can have another option where $150,000 is going toward a trailer to house you temporarily, while you sit back and wait. The other option is you lean forward, you get the loan, and you help to rebuild. You help to get your community back on its feet. You help to get the tax base. Under our ridiculous Federal policies, the people that were proactive are penalized. The gentleman from Texas, the gentlewoman from Texas, they are exactly right. The people are penalized that are trying to get recovered faster; that are trying to get their community recovered faster; that are trying to not spend more taxpayer funds on hotel rooms or trailers. Yet, our Federal policy penalizes them for it; tells them that when grants are available, grants that you don't have to pay back; that they are ineligible. We are rewarding the wrong type of behavior. So, with the help of many people in this room, we changed the law. The Disaster Recovery Reform Act of 2018 changes, section 1210(a). We fixed this. The problem is, it took HUD over a year to write guidance, and they totally missed it. They invented criteria that is not in the law. They totally missed it. They introduced discriminatory criteria and make it virtually impossible for many people to get assistance. So what this amendment does, it is adding money to help fix a wrong. It shouldn't have to be done. I urge adoption of this amendment. But most importantly, Madam Chair, we have got to fix these policies that are causing the Federal Government to re-victimize disaster victims. That is not why we are here. That is not representing. I will say it again; I urge adoption of this amendment. I want to thank my friends from Texas for their work on this. We need to move forward and fix this long-term. The CHAIR. The time of the gentleman from Texas has expired. Mrs. FLETCHER. Madam Chair, I yield 30 seconds to the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Price), the chairman of the Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Subcommittee. Mr. PRICE of North Carolina. Madam Chairman, I rise in support of this amendment. I know the amendment doesn't fully address the Member's concerns, but it addresses them substantially, and I look forward to working with them further to engage both HUD and the Texas Land Office to work toward a solution for this issue. So I thank both of my colleagues for putting this constructive amendment forward, and their effort to highlight this issue that is of great importance. I am happy to offer my support. Mrs. FLETCHER. Madam Chair, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Pelosi), the distinguished Speaker of the House. Ms. PELOSI. Madam Chair, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding, and I thank her and Mr. Crenshaw for this very wise amendment to this important legislation. I thank them for their leadership. The experience that they had in Texas is one that is shared in the rest of the country as well. I urge an ``aye'' vote on that important Crenshaw/Fletcher amendment. Madam Chair, many of us remember that nearly 2\1/2\ years ago, Hurricanes Maria and Irma tore through Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands and left a trail of heartbreak and devastation in their wake. Thousands of Americans, all Americans citizens, tragically lost their lives. Following the hurricanes, many Members traveled to the islands. We saw firsthand the homes that were destroyed, the communities that were ravaged, and the businesses and schools left in ruin. And we saw that the incompetence and indifference of many from here compounded this terrible humanitarian crisis. It is unacceptable that the administration illegally withheld for a full [[Page H958]] year the assistance that Congress appropriated and that Puerto Rico needs, both to recover from Maria, and to prepare for future disasters in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. In recent weeks, tragedy has once again hit Puerto Rico as more than 1,000 earthquakes--1,000 earthquakes have rocked the island since December 28. Schools have crumbled, hospitals are in disarray, and houses have been destroyed. Thousands of people are staying in shelters or sleeping outside out of fear that their homes could collapse as they sleep. And tragically, two Americans have lost their lives, including a 13- year-old girl in Vieques, where too many are still waiting for the Federal assistance needed to modernize hospitals and improve access to care. Madam Chair, as Members of Congress, our most important responsibility is to keep the American people safe. Two weeks after devastating earthquakes struck Puerto Rico, our fellow Americans on the island still face serious challenges to their safety, health, and well- being. Every family that is sleeping outside, every child who no longer has a school to go to because of seismic dangers, every person who dies because they can't access a hospital, each is a challenge to the conscience of our country. Today, with this strong supplemental assistance package, the Democratic House and, hopefully, with strong bipartisan support, is showing the people of Puerto Rico that we are there for them now, and throughout the road to recovery. I salute Chairwoman Nydia Velazquez, our fearless, persistent champion of Puerto Rico in the Congress, born there, family there. Thanks also to the members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus for raising a relentless drumbeat on behalf of the families on the island. Today, I also salute the distinguished chair of the Appropriations Committee for working right away, as soon as we came back into session in January, to provide assistance to Puerto Rico, the best route there. That guidance was led by our distinguished chair of the subcommittee of jurisdiction, Mr. Price. So I thank Chairwoman Lowey and Chairman Price. Thank you for bringing us to the floor today on this important legislation. This supplemental assistance package provides the relief that is urgently needed to help Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands rebuild and recover today. And it invests billions in efforts to prevent damage and loss of life in the future. Although the earthquake was in Puerto Rico, the ramifications are in that region. The package, as has been noted, provides more than $3 billion for disaster relief and long-term recovery; $1.25 billion for highway emergency relief, which will also go to disaster-struck States on the mainland; hundreds of millions for critical investments in education, nutrition assistance, electric grid recovery, and strong tax relief for Puerto Rico and other territories, including permanent changes to the Earned Income Tax Credit and the Child Tax Credit, and new investments to boost local economies and create good-paying jobs on the island. I thank our distinguished chair of the Ways and Means Committee, Richie Neal, for his leadership in having this part of the package. Sadly, there are some who have some obstacles to sending this emergency money to Puerto Rico following the earthquake. As Members of Congress, we have a responsibility to act because our fellow Americans deserve to know that their government will be there for them without question or hesitation in this dark hour. Might I say, I am reminded, so many people in our country don't realize Puerto Ricans are American citizens. Many of them, if you visit there, you will visit veterans' centers where so many of them come together. They are American patriots who help our country. We are so proud of them, and we salute them; and in this time of need we want to help them. I urge a strong vote to provide help, healing, and hope for Puerto Rico. Mrs. FLETCHER. Madam Chair, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I thank my colleagues for their collaboration on this bill. I thank Mr. Crenshaw for working with me on this important effort for our community and for communities across our State and, of course, our country. I thank everyone for their collaboration and support in this effort, and for the eloquent statements and important statements made this morning in support of this amendment on the floor. I urge all of my colleagues to support this amendment. And I yield back the balance of my time. The CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Crenshaw). The amendment was agreed to. Amendment No. 5 Offered by Ms. Tlaib The CHAIR. It is now in order to consider amendment No. 5 printed in part C of House Report 116-392. Ms. TLAIB. Madam Chair, I have an amendment at the desk. The CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment. The text of the amendment is as follows: Page 16, line 11, insert after ``information'' the following: ``, ensuring meaningful access for individuals with limited English proficiency in accordance with the Final Guidance issued by the Department of Housing and Urban Development on January 22, 2007 (72 Fed. Reg. 2732),''. The CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 833, the gentlewoman from Michigan (Ms. Tlaib) and a Member opposed each will control 5 minutes. The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Michigan. Ms. TLAIB. Madam Chair, I would like to begin by thanking Congresswoman Lowey, our Subcommittee Chairman Price, and their staff for working with me on this amendment and for their critical leadership on this bill. I would also like to thank my sisters in service, Congresswoman Velazquez and Congresswoman Ocasio-Cortez, for leading this amendment with me. I am so proud to partner with them to make our government more accessible, especially in times of disaster. This amendment ensures meaningful access to fellow Americans with limited English abilities to the public information maintained by grantees of the Department of Housing and Urban Development's Community Development Fund. The amendment rests on two principles, Madam Chair. First, the Puerto Rican people have a right to know how this relief money is being spent in their own communities. Second, no one is in a better position to hold officials and grant recipients accountable and to ensure that the money we allocate today is used in the best interests of the community than the people of Puerto Rico themselves. That is why it is critical that we ensure that any information made available is easily accessible to all people, regardless of what language they speak. I cannot overstate how important it is that we pass this bill. The people of Puerto Rico are struggling and persevering through some of the most difficult circumstances that any of us have ever experienced. The bill provides over $4 billion in critical disaster relief and long-term recovery assistance, and funds programs and grants to get kids back in fully-functioning schools, repairing damages to infrastructure and roads, and to rebuild the island's electrical grid that has been damaged because of disasters and so forth, and ensure that no one else is affected, or that children don't go to sleep hungry. It is time--it is time to release these funds. To hold the money that can save lives is not only inhumane and immoral, but it is, more dangerously, a form of oppression. The disconnection to human suffering that we cause by doing nothing is what will continue to fail the American people. Passing this bill fulfills the central promise of our democracy governed ``of the people, by the people, and for the people.'' {time} 1115 Passing this amendment in this bill ensures that some of the most vulnerable people have full access to democracy, regardless of who they are, where they are from, and what language they speak. I urge my colleagues to please support this amendment. Madam Chair, I yield as much time as he may consume to the gentleman [[Page H959]] from North Carolina (Mr. Price), my distinguished fellow colleague and chairman of the Subcommittee on Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies. Mr. PRICE of North Carolina. Madam Chair, I thank my colleague for yielding. I am happy to rise in support of this amendment. It is a very well- considered amendment, one that is an important addition to this bill. Access to linguistically appropriate materials, understandable materials, in the CDBG-DR program is vitally important. Meaningful access to program materials is essential for transparency, for public input, and for knowledge on how you take advantage of these benefits and these programs and what is available under the disaster assistance programs. While HUD currently requires all grantees to provide meaningful access, this puts a finer point on it, and we need to do that. It is important to underscore HUD's responsibility and the grantee's responsibility to provide access in dispensing this aid. I thank my colleagues for this amendment. Ms. TLAIB. Madam Chair, I want to reiterate the importance of this amendment. As a person who was born and raised in this country and who didn't speak English when I started school, and who is now a Member of this Chamber, I can tell my colleagues personally how critical this is to our democracy and to protecting all of us. I thank my colleagues again for their tremendous support, and I yield back the balance of my time. The CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the gentlewoman from Michigan (Ms. Tlaib). The amendment was agreed to. Amendment No. 6 Offered by Mr. Levin of Michigan The CHAIR. It is now in order to consider amendment No. 6 printed in part C of House Report 116-392. Mr. LEVIN of Michigan. Madam Chair, I have an amendment at the desk. The CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment. The text of the amendment is as follows: Page 12, line 18, after the dollar amount, insert ``(reduced by $1,000,000)(increased by $1,000,000)''. The CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 833, the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Levin) and a Member opposed each will control 5 minutes. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Michigan. Mr. LEVIN of Michigan. Madam Chairwoman, I thank Chairwoman Lowey and subcommittee Chairman Price for their leadership and for bringing this much-needed package to the floor today. I am pleased to see that this bill includes funding for the long-term recovery of territories impacted by recent disasters, including continued support for the electric grid's recovery. After Hurricane Maria hit Puerto Rico in 2017, it took an entire year to restore power to the whole island. Then last month, back-to-back earthquakes damaged Puerto Rico's main power plants and caused yet another major blackout. The people of Puerto Rico--and all Americans, for that matter--cannot be forced to grapple with blackout after blackout, especially when climate change has made catastrophic storms all too frequent. As we think about what is needed to ensure the long-term recovery of these areas, it is absolutely essential that renewable resources be part of that conversation. That is why I have introduced this simple amendment to prioritize funding for renewable energy projects, like wind and solar power, that will enhance the long-term resiliency of Puerto Rico's infrastructure. We have already seen what renewable energy can do in the aftermath of a disaster. During the blackout that followed Hurricane Maria, Puerto Rican homeowners, businesses, and hospitals waiting for repair crews actually installed their own solar panels and batteries to get their power back faster. Last year, Puerto Rico passed a law setting a timeline to power the island entirely by renewable energy by 2050. That is a great step, but it is not nearly enough, and Puerto Rico needs our Nation's help. We have to ensure renewables are prioritized for Puerto Rico's recovery, for the sake of their ability to survive disasters like Hurricane Maria and for the sake of our planet. Power generation from fossil fuels is a major source of the greenhouse gas emissions that are making climate change worse. We have to make major changes fast. Shifting to renewables is one change that will help combat climate change and help the American people cope in the aftermath of major disasters. Again, I thank Chairwoman Lowey for her work on this bill, and I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Price), the subcommittee chairman and my dear colleague. Mr. PRICE of North Carolina. Madam Chairman, I thank my colleague for yielding. I am happy to rise in support of this amendment. This amendment highlights the importance of prioritizing funding for renewable energy projects that will enhance the long-term resilience of Puerto Rico's infrastructure. A reliable and resilient power grid is critical to Puerto Rico's ability to withstand and quickly recover from future disasters. Madam Chairwoman, if I might, I want to take just a moment also to highlight section 304 of the bill. Section 304 requires HUD and other Federal partners to finish the consultation on the $2 billion provided in the Bipartisan Budget Act for electrical grid improvements in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands within 30 days and for HUD to issue a notice in 60 days. Mr. LEVIN of Michigan. Madam Chairwoman, I will close by saying that I really appreciate our ability to take this small step, but I think we ought to all dream big for this beautiful part of our country. Puerto Rico has been subject to misfortunes, and we can think about a different future for Puerto Rico where it moves very quickly not just to renewable energy but to localized renewable energy, so that each community has solar, microgrids, and battery storage, so that they really aren't subject to these disasters in the same way at all. Madam Chairwoman, I yield back the balance of my time. The CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Levin). The amendment was agreed to. Amendment No. 1 Offered by Ms. Shalala The CHAIR. Pursuant to clause 6 of rule XVIII, the unfinished business is the demand for a recorded vote on the amendment No. 1 printed in part C of House Report 116-392 offered by the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Shalala) on which further proceedings were postponed and on which the ayes prevailed by voice vote. The Clerk will redesignate the amendment. The Clerk redesignated the amendment. Recorded Vote The CHAIR. A recorded vote has been demanded. A recorded vote was ordered. The vote was taken by electronic device, and there were--ayes 257, noes 149, not voting 29, as follows: [Roll No. 52] AYES--257 Adams Aguilar Allred Axne Bacon Barragan Bass Beatty Bera Beyer Bishop (GA) Blumenauer Blunt Rochester Bonamici Bost Boyle, Brendan F. Brindisi Brooks (IN) Brown (MD) Brownley (CA) Buchanan Bucshon Bustos Butterfield Carbajal Cardenas Carson (IN) Cartwright Case Casten (IL) Castor (FL) Castro (TX) Chu, Judy Cicilline Cisneros Clark (MA) Clarke (NY) Clay Clyburn Cohen Connolly Cooper Correa Costa Courtney Craig Crist Crow Cuellar Cunningham Curtis Davids (KS) Davis (CA) Davis, Danny K. Davis, Rodney Dean DeFazio DeGette DeLauro DelBene Delgado Demings DeSaulnier Deutch Diaz-Balart Dingell Doggett Doyle, Michael F. Engel Escobar Eshoo Espaillat Evans Finkenauer Fitzpatrick Fletcher Foster Frankel Fudge Gallego Garamendi Garcia (IL) Garcia (TX) Gianforte Golden Gomez Gonzalez (OH) Gonzalez (TX) Gonzalez-Colon (PR) Gottheimer Graves (LA) Green, Al (TX) Grijalva Haaland Harder (CA) Hastings Hayes Heck Herrera Beutler Higgins (NY) Himes Horn, Kendra S. Horsford Houlahan Hoyer Huffman Hurd (TX) Jackson Lee Jayapal Jeffries Johnson (GA) [[Page H960]] Johnson (TX) Joyce (OH) Kaptur Katko Keating Kelly (IL) Kennedy Khanna Kildee Kilmer Kim Kind King (NY) Krishnamoorthi Kuster (NH) Lamb Langevin Larsen (WA) Larson (CT) Lawrence Lawson (FL) Lee (CA) Lee (NV) Levin (CA) Levin (MI) Lieu, Ted Lipinski Loebsack Lowenthal Lowey Lujan Luria Lynch Malinowski Maloney, Carolyn B. Maloney, Sean Matsui McAdams McBath McCaul McCollum McEachin McGovern McNerney Meeks Meng Meuser Moore Moulton Mucarsel-Powell Murphy (FL) Nadler Napolitano Neal Neguse Norcross Norton O'Halleran Ocasio-Cortez Omar Pallone Panetta Pappas Pascrell Payne Perlmutter Peters Peterson Phillips Pingree Plaskett Pocan Porter Posey Pressley Price (NC) Quigley Raskin Richmond Rose (NY) Rouda Roybal-Allard Ruiz Ruppersberger Rush Ryan Sablan San Nicolas Sanchez Sarbanes Scanlon Schakowsky Schiff Schneider Schrader Schrier Scott (VA) Scott, David Serrano Shalala Sherman Sherrill Sires Slotkin Smith (NJ) Smith (WA) Soto Spanberger Speier Stanton Stauber Stefanik Stevens Suozzi Swalwell (CA) Takano Thompson (CA) Thompson (MS) Titus Tlaib Tonko Torres (CA) Torres Small (NM) Trahan Trone Turner Underwood Upton Van Drew Vargas Veasey Vela Velazquez Visclosky Walden Waltz Wasserman Schultz Waters Watson Coleman Welch Wexton Wild Wilson (FL) Woodall Yarmuth Young NOES--149 Abraham Aderholt Allen Amash Amodei Armstrong Arrington Babin Baird Balderson Banks Barr Bergman Biggs Bilirakis Bishop (UT) Brady Brooks (AL) Buck Burchett Burgess Calvert Carter (GA) Carter (TX) Chabot Cheney Cline Cloud Cole Collins (GA) Comer Conaway Cook Crawford Crenshaw Davidson (OH) DesJarlais Duncan Dunn Emmer Estes Ferguson Fleischmann Flores Fortenberry Fulcher Gallagher Gibbs Gohmert Gooden Gosar Granger Graves (GA) Graves (MO) Green (TN) Griffith Grothman Guest Guthrie Hagedorn Harris Hartzler Hern, Kevin Hice (GA) Higgins (LA) Hill (AR) Holding Hollingsworth Huizenga Johnson (LA) Johnson (OH) Johnson (SD) Jordan Joyce (PA) Keller Kelly (MS) Kelly (PA) King (IA) Kinzinger LaHood Lamborn Latta Lesko Long Loudermilk Lucas Luetkemeyer Marshall Massie Mast McCarthy McClintock McKinley Miller Mitchell Moolenaar Mooney (WV) Mullin Newhouse Nunes Olson Palazzo Palmer Pence Perry Ratcliffe Reschenthaler Rice (SC) Riggleman Rodgers (WA) Roe, David P. Rogers (AL) Rogers (KY) Rooney (FL) Rose, John W. Rouzer Roy Rutherford Scalise Schweikert Scott, Austin Sensenbrenner Shimkus Simpson Smith (MO) Smith (NE) Smucker Spano Steil Steube Stewart Stivers Taylor Thompson (PA) Thornberry Tipton Wagner Walberg Walorski Watkins Weber (TX) Wenstrup Westerman Williams Wittman Womack Wright Yoho Zeldin NOT VOTING--29 Bishop (NC) Budd Byrne Cleaver Cox (CA) Foxx (NC) Gabbard Gaetz Hudson Kirkpatrick Kustoff (TN) LaMalfa Lewis Lofgren Marchant McHenry Meadows Morelle Murphy (NC) Norman Radewagen Reed Rice (NY) Roby Sewell (AL) Timmons Walker Webster (FL) Wilson (SC) {time} 1149 So the amendment was agreed to. The result of the vote was announced as above recorded. The Acting CHAIR (Mr. Horsford). There being no further amendments, under the rule, the Committee rises. Accordingly, the Committee rose; and the Speaker pro tempore (Ms. Castor of Florida) having assumed the chair, Mr. Horsford, Acting Chair of the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union, reported that that Committee, having had under consideration the bill (H.R. 5687) making emergency supplemental appropriations for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2020, and for other purposes, and, pursuant to House Resolution 833, he reported the bill back to the House with sundry amendments adopted in the Committee of the Whole. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under the rule, the previous question is ordered. Is a separate vote demanded on any amendment reported from the Committee of the Whole? If not, the Chair will put them en gros. The amendments were agreed to. The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the engrossment and third reading of the bill. The bill was ordered to be engrossed and read a third time, and was read the third time. Motion to Recommit Mr. COLE. Madam Speaker, I have a motion to recommit at the desk. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is the gentleman opposed to the bill? Mr. COLE. Madam Speaker, I am in its current form. The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Clerk will report the motion to recommit. The Clerk read as follows: Mr. Cole moves to recommit the bill H.R. 5687 to the Committee on Appropriations. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from Oklahoma is recognized for 5 minutes in support of his motion. Mr. COLE. Madam Speaker, I rise in reluctant opposition to this bill. Long before I was privileged to come to this House, I was Secretary of State in Oklahoma at the time of the Oklahoma City bombing, and I was tasked by the Governor to work with my friend, our colleague Mr. Lucas, to work with the Congress to see that we received timely assistance for a disaster that was clearly not of our own making. We got that assistance, and I am forever grateful to this body and the people in it that worked with us at that particular time. Madam Speaker, since I arrived in Congress, I never forgot the help that we received from the Congress of the United States. So I routinely voted for almost every supplemental that related to disaster relief. I was one of 49 Republicans who voted for Sandy relief, and I have no doubt that our fellow Americans in Puerto Rico are in dire need and certainly need help at this particular time. I was very proud, as I know many Members were in the last Congress, to vote for over $40 billion of relief to Puerto Rico. It needed that money. There was no question about it. Madam Speaker, we are moving prematurely here. That money, that $40 billion, roughly half has yet to be expended. It is available for immediate use right now. We still have $42 billion in the Disaster Relief Fund. That money is available for immediate use right now. There is an ongoing FEMA investigation to determine the precise needs of Puerto Rico. That has yet to be completed and reported to Congress. We should wait for that disaster relief, not because it may tell us that we need less, but it might actually tell us that we need more. We should not act without appropriate information. So, Madam Speaker, I think the appropriate thing to do is to send this back to the committee and wait for the information to move. If we move now, precipitously, it is almost certain that the United States Senate will not pick up this relief, and the President will probably not sign this bill if it got to his desk. If we wait for the appropriate information, use the available funds that we have right now to help people in Puerto Rico, we have a much better chance of getting our fellow Americans the help they need, when they need it, in the right amounts, and in the right way. There is no doubt in my mind that this Congress will respond appropriately to an emergency. I have seen us do it time and time again on a bipartisan basis. I know we will do it again at the appropriate time. So Congress will respond, if necessary. Frankly, Madam Speaker, I simply move that we recommit the current legislation to the Appropriations Committee, wait on the information, and then act in the interests of our fellow Americans. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time. Mr. SOTO. Madam Speaker, I rise in opposition to the motion to recommit. The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentleman from Florida is recognized for 5 minutes. Mr. SOTO. Madam Speaker, the gentleman from Oklahoma talked about timely assistance for his State. I think that is important because that is what we are asking for for Puerto Rico here today. We talked about the $42 billion for hurricanes. We all know that less than [[Page H961]] half that money has still gotten to the island already, and we are talking now about earthquakes, a totally different disaster in the southwestern portions of the island, unique in character. These funds may not even cover some of these other issues happening. When you look at the schools, in particular, that are all across the island, this is unique because they were made to withstand hurricanes, not earthquakes. I agree, if we need more funds, we can always supplement with another bill. Why are we waiting? Why would we wait today when the people of Puerto Rico, our fellow Americans, need our help? That is why we are here today. Imagine a thousand earthquakes since December and imagine those thousand earthquakes happening after Hurricane Maria--nearly a hurricane five--hits and destroys most of your island. My guest was Jessica Carrillo who left the island and had to come to central Florida because she was weary from sleeping in her car or sleeping on her porch, day in and day out for over a month. I had the opportunity to go firsthand to Puerto Rico and see that damage as the grounds shifted below our feet. We talked about the schools. We talked about the folks who were in the disaster relief camps, and the Costa Sur Power Plant, which is closed, that now puts them in a tough position. So I ask: Let's put together and pass this bill that will provide $4.67 billion in disaster relief and vote against the motion to recommit because we can't wait any longer. I ask you to vote ``yes'' on the ultimate package, to rise above the politics of disaster relief because but for the grace of God go you and your families, your districts, and your States. We rose together for Hurricane Michael in my State of Florida and for Hurricane Harvey in Texas. I ask this House to get the job done here today. Vote ``no'' on the motion to recommit and vote ``yes'' on this very good bill to help Americans in Puerto Rico. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Without objection, the previous question is ordered on the motion to recommit. There was no objection. The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion to recommit. The question was taken; and the Speaker pro tempore announced that the noes appeared to have it. Recorded Vote Mr. COLE. Madam Speaker, I demand a recorded vote. A recorded vote was ordered. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 9 of rule XX, this 5- minute vote on the motion to recommit will be followed by a 5-minute vote on passage of the bill. The vote was taken by electronic device, and there were--ayes 178, noes 223, not voting 28, as follows: [Roll No. 53] AYES--178 Abraham Aderholt Allen Amash Amodei Armstrong Arrington Babin Bacon Baird Balderson Banks Barr Bergman Biggs Bilirakis Bishop (UT) Bost Brady Brooks (AL) Brooks (IN) Buchanan Buck Bucshon Burchett Burgess Calvert Carter (GA) Carter (TX) Chabot Cheney Cline Cloud Cole Collins (GA) Comer Conaway Cook Crawford Crenshaw Curtis Davidson (OH) Davis, Rodney DesJarlais Diaz-Balart Duncan Dunn Emmer Estes Ferguson Fitzpatrick Fleischmann Flores Fortenberry Fulcher Gallagher Gianforte Gibbs Gohmert Gonzalez (OH) Gooden Gosar Granger Graves (GA) Graves (LA) Graves (MO) Green (TN) Griffith Grothman Guest Guthrie Hagedorn Harris Hartzler Hern, Kevin Herrera Beutler Hice (GA) Higgins (LA) Hill (AR) Holding Hollingsworth Huizenga Hurd (TX) Johnson (LA) Johnson (OH) Johnson (SD) Jordan Joyce (OH) Joyce (PA) Katko Keller Kelly (MS) Kelly (PA) King (IA) King (NY) Kinzinger LaHood Lamborn Latta Lesko Long Loudermilk Lucas Luetkemeyer Marshall Massie Mast McCarthy McCaul McClintock McKinley Meuser Miller Mitchell Moolenaar Mooney (WV) Mullin Newhouse Nunes Olson Palazzo Palmer Pence Perry Posey Ratcliffe Reschenthaler Rice (SC) Riggleman Rodgers (WA) Roe, David P. Rogers (AL) Rogers (KY) Rooney (FL) Rose, John W. Rouzer Roy Rutherford Scalise Schweikert Scott, Austin Sensenbrenner Shimkus Simpson Smith (MO) Smith (NE) Smith (NJ) Smucker Spano Stauber Stefanik Steil Steube Stewart Stivers Taylor Thompson (PA) Thornberry Tipton Turner Upton Wagner Walberg Walden Walorski Waltz Watkins Weber (TX) Wenstrup Westerman Williams Wittman Womack Woodall Wright Yoho Young Zeldin NOES--223 Adams Aguilar Allred Axne Barragan Bass Beatty Bera Beyer Bishop (GA) Blumenauer Blunt Rochester Bonamici Boyle, Brendan F. Brindisi Brown (MD) Brownley (CA) Bustos Butterfield Carbajal Cardenas Carson (IN) Cartwright Case Casten (IL) Castor (FL) Castro (TX) Chu, Judy Cicilline Cisneros Clark (MA) Clarke (NY) Clay Clyburn Cohen Connolly Cooper Correa Costa Courtney Craig Crist Crow Cuellar Cunningham Davids (KS) Davis (CA) Davis, Danny K. Dean DeFazio DeGette DeLauro DelBene Delgado Demings DeSaulnier Deutch Dingell Doggett Doyle, Michael F. Engel Escobar Eshoo Espaillat Evans Finkenauer Fletcher Foster Frankel Fudge Gallego Garamendi Garcia (IL) Garcia (TX) Golden Gomez Gonzalez (TX) Gottheimer Green, Al (TX) Grijalva Haaland Harder (CA) Hastings Hayes Heck Higgins (NY) Himes Horn, Kendra S. Horsford Houlahan Hoyer Huffman Jackson Lee Jayapal Jeffries Johnson (GA) Johnson (TX) Kaptur Keating Kelly (IL) Kennedy Khanna Kildee Kilmer Kim Kind Krishnamoorthi Kuster (NH) Lamb Langevin Larsen (WA) Larson (CT) Lawrence Lawson (FL) Lee (CA) Lee (NV) Levin (CA) Levin (MI) Lieu, Ted Lipinski Loebsack Lowenthal Lowey Lujan Luria Lynch Malinowski Maloney, Carolyn B. Maloney, Sean Matsui McAdams McBath McCollum McEachin McGovern McNerney Meeks Meng Moore Moulton Mucarsel-Powell Murphy (FL) Nadler Napolitano Neal Neguse Norcross O'Halleran Ocasio-Cortez Omar Pallone Panetta Pappas Pascrell Payne Perlmutter Peters Peterson Phillips Pingree Pocan Porter Pressley Price (NC) Quigley Raskin Richmond Rose (NY) Rouda Roybal-Allard Ruiz Ruppersberger Rush Ryan Sanchez Sarbanes Scanlon Schakowsky Schiff Schneider Schrader Schrier Scott (VA) Scott, David Serrano Shalala Sherman Sherrill Sires Slotkin Smith (WA) Soto Spanberger Speier Stanton Stevens Suozzi Swalwell (CA) Takano Thompson (CA) Thompson (MS) Titus Tlaib Tonko Torres (CA) Torres Small (NM) Trahan Trone Underwood Van Drew Vargas Veasey Vela Velazquez Visclosky Wasserman Schultz Waters Watson Coleman Welch Wexton Wild Wilson (FL) Yarmuth NOT VOTING--28 Bishop (NC) Budd Byrne Cleaver Cox (CA) Foxx (NC) Gabbard Gaetz Hudson Kirkpatrick Kustoff (TN) LaMalfa Lewis Lofgren Marchant McHenry Meadows Morelle Murphy (NC) Norman Reed Rice (NY) Roby Sewell (AL) Timmons Walker Webster (FL) Wilson (SC) {time} 1204 Mr. O'HALLERAN changed his vote from ``present'' to ``no.'' So the motion to recommit was rejected. The result of the vote was announced as above recorded. The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the passage of the bill. Pursuant to clause 10 of rule XX, the yeas and nays are ordered. This is a 5-minute vote. The vote was taken by electronic device, and there were--yeas 237, nays 161, not voting 31, as follows: [Roll No. 54] YEAS--237 Adams Aguilar Allred Amodei Axne Barragan Bass Beatty Bera Beyer Bishop (GA) Bishop (UT) Blumenauer Bonamici Boyle, Brendan F. Brindisi Brooks (IN) Brown (MD) Brownley (CA) Bucshon Bustos Butterfield Carbajal Cardenas Carson (IN) Cartwright Case Casten (IL) Castor (FL) Castro (TX) Chu, Judy Cicilline Cisneros Clark (MA) Clarke (NY) Clay Clyburn Cohen Connolly Cooper Correa Costa Courtney Craig Crist Crow Cuellar Cunningham Davids (KS) Davis (CA) Davis, Danny K. Davis, Rodney Dean DeFazio DeGette DeLauro DelBene Delgado Demings DeSaulnier Deutch Diaz-Balart [[Page H962]] Dingell Doggett Doyle, Michael F. Engel Escobar Eshoo Espaillat Evans Finkenauer Fitzpatrick Fletcher Foster Frankel Fudge Gallego Garamendi Garcia (IL) Garcia (TX) Golden Gomez Gonzalez (TX) Gottheimer Green, Al (TX) Grijalva Haaland Harder (CA) Hastings Hayes Heck Higgins (NY) Himes Horn, Kendra S. Horsford Houlahan Hoyer Huffman Hurd (TX) Jackson Lee Jayapal Jeffries Johnson (GA) Johnson (TX) Kaptur Katko Keating Kelly (IL) Kennedy Khanna Kildee Kilmer Kim Kind King (NY) Krishnamoorthi Kuster (NH) Lamb Langevin Larsen (WA) Larson (CT) Lawrence Lawson (FL) Lee (CA) Lee (NV) Levin (CA) Levin (MI) Lieu, Ted Lipinski Loebsack Lowenthal Lowey Lujan Luria Lynch Malinowski Maloney, Carolyn B. Maloney, Sean Matsui McAdams McBath McCaul McCollum McEachin McGovern McNerney Meeks Meng Moore Moulton Mucarsel-Powell Murphy (FL) Nadler Napolitano Neal Neguse Norcross O'Halleran Ocasio-Cortez Omar Pallone Panetta Pappas Pascrell Payne Perlmutter Peters Peterson Phillips Pingree Pocan Porter Posey Pressley Price (NC) Quigley Raskin Richmond Rose (NY) Rouda Roybal-Allard Ruiz Ruppersberger Rush Ryan Sarbanes Scanlon Schakowsky Schiff Schneider Schrader Schrier Scott (VA) Scott, David Serrano Shalala Sherman Sherrill Sires Slotkin Smith (NJ) Smith (WA) Soto Spanberger Speier Stanton Stefanik Stevens Suozzi Swalwell (CA) Takano Thompson (CA) Thompson (MS) Titus Tlaib Tonko Torres (CA) Torres Small (NM) Trahan Trone Underwood Van Drew Vargas Veasey Vela Velazquez Visclosky Waltz Wasserman Schultz Waters Watson Coleman Welch Wexton Wild Wilson (FL) Yarmuth Young NAYS--161 Abraham Aderholt Allen Amash Armstrong Arrington Babin Bacon Baird Balderson Banks Barr Bergman Biggs Bilirakis Bost Brady Brooks (AL) Buchanan Buck Burchett Burgess Calvert Carter (GA) Carter (TX) Chabot Cheney Cline Cloud Cole Collins (GA) Comer Conaway Cook Crawford Curtis Davidson (OH) DesJarlais Duncan Dunn Emmer Estes Ferguson Fleischmann Flores Fortenberry Fulcher Gallagher Gianforte Gibbs Gohmert Gonzalez (OH) Gooden Gosar Granger Graves (GA) Graves (LA) Graves (MO) Green (TN) Griffith Grothman Guest Guthrie Hagedorn Harris Hartzler Hern, Kevin Herrera Beutler Hice (GA) Higgins (LA) Hill (AR) Holding Hollingsworth Huizenga Johnson (LA) Johnson (OH) Johnson (SD) Jordan Joyce (OH) Joyce (PA) Keller Kelly (MS) Kelly (PA) King (IA) Kinzinger LaHood Lamborn Latta Lesko Long Loudermilk Lucas Luetkemeyer Marshall Massie Mast McCarthy McClintock McKinley Meuser Miller Mitchell Moolenaar Mooney (WV) Mullin Newhouse Nunes Olson Palazzo Palmer Pence Perry Ratcliffe Reschenthaler Rice (SC) Riggleman Rodgers (WA) Roe, David P. Rogers (AL) Rogers (KY) Rooney (FL) Rose, John W. Rouzer Roy Rutherford Scalise Schweikert Scott, Austin Sensenbrenner Shimkus Simpson Smith (MO) Smith (NE) Smucker Spano Stauber Steil Steube Stewart Stivers Taylor Thompson (PA) Thornberry Tipton Turner Upton Wagner Walberg Walden Walorski Watkins Weber (TX) Wenstrup Westerman Williams Wittman Womack Woodall Wright Yoho Zeldin NOT VOTING--31 Bishop (NC) Blunt Rochester Budd Byrne Cleaver Cox (CA) Crenshaw Foxx (NC) Gabbard Gaetz Hudson Kirkpatrick Kustoff (TN) LaMalfa Lewis Lofgren Marchant McHenry Meadows Morelle Murphy (NC) Norman Reed Rice (NY) Roby Sanchez Sewell (AL) Timmons Walker Webster (FL) Wilson (SC) {time} 1212 Mr. McCLINTOCK changed his vote from ``yea'' to ``nay.'' So the bill was passed. The result of the vote was announced as above recorded. A motion to reconsider was laid on the table. Stated for: Mr. CRENSHAW. Madam Speaker, I was unavoidably detained and missed the vote. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall No. 54. PERSONAL EXPLANATION Mrs. KIRKPATRICK. Madam Speaker, I was absent today due to a medical emergency. Had I been present, I would have voted: ``yea'' on rollcall No. 52, ``no'' on rollcall No. 53, and ``yea'' on rollcall No. 54. PERSONAL EXPLANATION Ms. LOFGREN. Madam Speaker, on February 7, I was unavoidably absent. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall No. 52, ``nay'' on rollcall No. 53, and ``yea'' on rollcall No. 54. PERSONAL EXPLANATION Mr. MORELLE. Madam Speaker, I regrettably missed rollcall votes 38 through 54 on February 6th and 7th of 2020. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall No. 38, ``yea'' on rollcall No. 39, ``yea'' on rollcall No. 40, ``aye'' on rollcall No. 41, ``no'' on rollcall No. 42, ``no'' on rollcall No. 43, ``aye'' on rollcall No. 44, ``no'' on rollcall No. 45, ``no'' on rollcall No. 46, ``aye'' on rollcall No. 47, ``aye'' on rollcall No. 48, ``no'' on rollcall No. 49, ``yea on rollcall No. 50, ``yea'' on rollcall No. 51, ``aye'' on rollcall No. 52, ``no'' on rollcall No. 53, and ``yea'' on rollcall No. 54. PERSONAL EXPLANATION Mr. BUDD. Madam Speaker, I had to miss votes today because I am attending an event in Charlotte, NC, with the President of the United States. Had I been present, I would have voted ``nay'' on rollcall No. 52 (Shalala amendment), ``yea'' on rollcall No. 53 (Motion to recommit), and ``nay'' on rollcall No. 54 (H.R. 5687). PERSONAL EXPLANATION Miss RICE of New York. Madam Speaker, I was necessarily absent from votes on Friday, February 7, 2020. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall No. 52, ``nay'' on rollcall No. 53, and ``yea'' on rollcall No. 54. PERSONAL EXPLANATION Mr. HUDSON. Madam Speaker, I was unavoidably detained. Had I been present, I would have voted ``nay'' on rollcall No. 52, ``yea'' on rollcall No. 53, and ``nay'' on rollcall No. 54. ____________________
All in House sectionPrev16 of 55Next