House Record — Thursday, 11/30/2023
66 pages: H5987-6052
House Congressional Record (PDF) + 95 Activities
10:00:00 a.m. - The House convened, starting a new legislative day.
10:02:21 a.m. - The Speaker designated the Honorable Marcus J. Molinaro to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.
10:02:58 a.m. - MORNING-HOUR DEBATE - The House proceeded with Morning-Hour Debate. At the conclusion of Morning-Hour, the House will recess until 12:00 p.m. for the start of legislative business.
REALITIES AND NECESSITIES OF WAR (H5987-4)
HONORING EXCEPTIONAL AMERICAN HEROES FOR THEIR SELFLESS COMMITMENT TO SERVING OUR NATION (H5988-2)\
CELEBRATING TOLUCA LAKE'S CENTENNIAL (H5988-3)
PROMOTING HOUSING ACCESS (H5989-2)
HONORING DR. JAMES WEST (H5991)
END HUNGER NOW (H5992)
GUN HOMICIDES (H5992-3)
REMEMBERING SAUNDRA GRAHAM (H5993-2)
HISTORY OF CIVIL RIGHTS ABUSES AT THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE (H5994-2)
GOD REST YE MERRY, GENTLEMEN (H5995)
COMMEMORATING THE LIFE AND SERVICE OF MRS. SUE NELL BOENKER (H5996)
ISRAEL'S RIGHT TO EXIST (H5996-2)
ENERGY INDEPENDENCE (H5997)
11:38:54 a.m. - The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for 12:00 p.m. today.
12:00:00 p.m. - The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of November 30.
12:02:12 p.m. - Today's prayer was offered by the House Chaplain, Chaplain Margaret Grun Kibben.
12:03:56 p.m. - The Speaker announced approval of the Journal. Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Journal stands approved.
12:03:59 p.m. - PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE - The Chair designated Mr. Thompson of PA to lead the Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
12:04:19 p.m. - ONE-MINUTE SPEECHES - The House proceeded with one minute speeches, which by direction of the Chair would be limited to 15 per side of the aisle.
CONGRATULATING EMMA ZACHERL (H5998-2)
RECOGNIZING MILTON "RUSS" BULLOCK (H5998-3)
CONGRATULATING UBLY BEARCATS FOOTBALL (H5998-4)
RECOGNIZING JENNIFER KUMIYAMA (H5998-5)
REMEMBERING CASEY HATCHER (H5998-6)
RECOGNIZING NATIONAL ADOPTION MONTH (H5998-7)
HONORING KEVIN FUHR (H5999)
HONORING PACE ROBINSON (H5999-2)
ACHIEVING THE AMERICAN DREAM (H5999-3)
CONGRATULATING WISCONSIN STATE CHAMPIONS (H5999-4)
HONORING JIM HOESSLE (H5999-5)
12:20:34 p.m. - NOTIFICATION OF INTENT TO OFFER RESOLUTION - Mr. Santos notified the House of his intent to offer a privileged resolution pursuant to clause 2(a)(1) of rule IX. The Chair announced that a determination will be made at the time designated for consideration of the resolution.
MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT (H6000)
12:23:11 p.m. - The House received a communication from Shri Thanedar, Member of Congress. Pursuant to Rule VIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives, Mr. Thanedar notified the House that he had been served with a third-party subpoena to testify in litigation before the 36th District Court for the State of Michigan and that after consultation with the Office of General Counsel, he had determined that compliance with the subpoena is inconsistent with the rights and privileges of the House.
NO FUNDS FOR IRANIAN TERRORISM ACT (H6000-3)
12:23:55 p.m. - H.R. 5961 - Considered under the provisions of rule H.Res. 891. H.R. 5961 — “To freeze certain Iranian funds involved in the 2023 hostage deal between the United States and Iran, and for other purposes.”
12:24:00 p.m. - H.R. 5961 - Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 5283, H.R. 5961 and S.J.Res. 32. The resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 5283 and H.R. 5961 under a structured rule and S.J.Res. 32 under a closed rule. Rule provides for one hour of general debate on each measure with one motion to recommit on H.R. 5283 and H.R. 5961 and one motion to commit on S.J.Res. 32.
12:24:22 p.m. - H.R. 5961 - House resolved itself into the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union pursuant to H.Res. 891 and Rule XVIII.
12:24:23 p.m. - H.R. 5961 - The Speaker designated the Honorable Julia Letlow to act as Chairwoman of the Committee.
12:25:30 p.m. - H.R. 5961 - GENERAL DEBATE - The Committee of the Whole proceeded with one hour of general debate on H.R. 5961.
1:23:35 p.m. - H.R. 5961 - An amendment, offered by Mr. Fitzpatrick, numbered 1 printed in Part C of House Report 118-280 to add findings that condemn Hamas and Iran-backed terror groups for using “human shields” and that only the unconditional surrender of Hamas and other Iran-backed terror groups will save innocent civilian lives.
1:23:45 p.m. - H.R. 5961 - DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 891, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Fitzpatrick amendment No. 1.
1:26:38 p.m. - H.R. 5961 - POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Fitzpatrick amendment No. 1, the Chair put the question on agreeing to the amendment and by voice vote announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Fitzpatrick demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings until a time to be announced.
1:26:53 p.m. - H.R. 5961 - An amendment, offered by Mrs. Cherfilus-McCormick, numbered 2 printed in Part C of House Report 118-280 to add a Sense of Congress that the Iranian regime should receive no additional funds but that basic humanitarian assistance for the people of Iran is important.
1:27:08 p.m. - H.R. 5961 - DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 891, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Cherfilus-McCormick amendment No. 2.
1:31:18 p.m. - H.R. 5961 - On agreeing to the Cherfilus-McCormick amendment; Agreed to by voice vote.
1:31:40 p.m. - H.R. 5961 - An amendment, offered by Mr. Gottheimer, numbered 3 printed in Part C of House Report 118-280 to correct the number of hostages being held by Hamas.
1:31:57 p.m. - H.R. 5961 - DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 891, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Gottheimer amendment No. 3.
1:37:25 p.m. - H.R. 5961 - On agreeing to the Gottheimer amendment; Agreed to by voice vote.
1:37:42 p.m. - H.R. 5961 - An amendment, offered by Mr. Norman, numbered 4 printed in Part C of House Report 118-280 to require a 45-day waiting period between Presidential certification and removal of sanctions to provide an opportunity for congressional oversight.
1:38:05 p.m. - H.R. 5961 - DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 891, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Norman amendment No. 4.
1:43:04 p.m. - H.R. 5961 - On agreeing to the Norman amendment; Agreed to by voice vote.
1:43:26 p.m. - H.R. 5961 - An amendment, offered by Mr. Ogles, numbered 5 printed in Part C of House Report 118-280 to express a Sense of Congress that all US allies in the Middle East should publicly and unequivocally condemn the antisemitism displayed by Iranian-backed terror groups, including Hamas.
1:43:42 p.m. - H.R. 5961 - DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 891, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Ogles amendment No. 5.
1:48:24 p.m. - H.R. 5961 - POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Ogles amendment No. 5, the Chair put the question on agreeing to the amendment and by voice vote announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Ogles demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings until a time to be announced.
1:48:45 p.m. - H.R. 5961 - An amendment, offered by Mr. Ogles, numbered 6 printed in Part C of House Report 118-280 to prohibit the use of federal funds to make any funds (as such term is defined in section 2339C(e)(1) of title 18, United States Code) available to Iran.
1:48:59 p.m. - H.R. 5961 - DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 891, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Ogles amendment No. 6.
1:55:02 p.m. - H.R. 5961 - POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Ogles amendment No. 6, the Chair put the question on agreeing to the amendment and by voice vote announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Ogles demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings until a time to be announced.
1:55:21 p.m. - H.R. 5961 - An amendment, offered by Mr. Ogles, numbered 7 printed in Part C of House Report 118-280 to express a Sense of Congress that Qatar should condemn Hamas, turn over Hamas leadership to US and Israeli custody, and pledge never to facilitate the transfer of covered Iranian funds to Iran.
1:55:40 p.m. - H.R. 5961 - DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 891, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Ogles amendment No. 7.
2:08:33 p.m. - H.R. 5961 - On agreeing to the Ogles amendment; Agreed to by voice vote.
2:08:56 p.m. - H.R. 5961 - An amendment, offered by Mr. Ogles, numbered 8 printed in Part C of House Report 118-280 to express the sense of Congress that the Houthis continue to benefit from the administration's “failure to unequivocally condemn it.”
2:09:10 p.m. - H.R. 5961 - DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 891, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Ogles amendment No. 8.
2:19:50 p.m. - H.R. 5961 - POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Ogles amendment No. 8, the Chair put the question on agreeing to the amendment and by voice vote, announced the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Ogles demanded a recorded vote, and the Chair postponed further proceedings until a time to be announced.
2:20:07 p.m. - H.R. 5961 - An amendment, offered by Mr. Pfluger, numbered 9 printed in Part C of House Report 118-280 to prohibit the president from exercising the waiver authority described in section 1245(d)(5) of the 2012 NDAA and sections 1244(i) and 1247(f) of the Iran Freedom and Counter-Proliferation Act of 2012.
2:20:25 p.m. - H.R. 5961 - DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 891, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Pfluger amendment No. 9.
2:28:36 p.m. - H.R. 5961 - POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Pfluger amendment No. 9, the Chair put the question on agreeing to the amendment and by voice vote, announced the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Meeks demanded a recorded vote, and the Chair postponed further proceedings until a time to be announced.
2:29:00 p.m. - H.R. 5961 - An amendment, offered by Ms. Porter, numbered 10 printed in Part C of House Report 118-280 to require the president to report to Congress on its policy related to human rights, nuclear proliferation, the ballistic missile program, and regional terrorism in Iran.
2:29:15 p.m. - H.R. 5961 - DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 891, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Porter amendment No. 10.
2:32:55 p.m. - H.R. 5961 - POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Porter amendment No. 10, the Chair put the question on agreeing to the amendment and by voice vote, announced the ayes had prevailed. Ms. Porter demanded a recorded vote, and the Chair postponed further proceedings until a time to be announced.
2:33:09 p.m. - H.R. 5961 - An amendment, offered by Ms. Porter, numbered 11 printed in Part C of House Report 118-280 to require the Treasury and State secretaries to report on Iranian internet censorship and applicable U.S. licensing requirements.
2:33:20 p.m. - H.R. 5961 - DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 891, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Porter amendment No. 11.
2:36:14 p.m. - H.R. 5961 - On agreeing to the Porter amendment; Agreed to by voice vote.
2:36:39 p.m. - H.R. 5961 - An amendment, offered by Mr. Jackson (IL), numbered 12 printed in Part C of House Report 118-280 to sunset the measure after five years.
2:36:50 p.m. - H.R. 5961 - DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 891, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Jackson (IL) amendment No. 12.
2:43:28 p.m. - H.R. 5961 - POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Jackson (IL) amendment No. 12, the Chair put the question on agreeing to the amendment and by voice vote, announced the noes had prevailed. Mr. Jackson (IL) demanded a recorded vote, and the Chair postponed further proceedings until a time to be announced.
2:44:18 p.m. - H.R. 5961 - Mr. Self moved that the committee rise.
2:44:35 p.m. - H.R. 5961 - On motion that the committee rise Agreed to by voice vote.
2:44:52 p.m. - H.R. 5961 - Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union rises leaving H.R. 5961 as unfinished business.
RAISING A QUESTION OF THE PRIVILEGES OF THE HOUSE (H6015)
2:44:53 p.m. - H.Res. 878 - QUESTION OF THE PRIVILEGES OF THE HOUSE - Mr. D'Esposito rose to a question of the privileges of the House and offered the resolution. The Chair directed the Clerk to report the resolution. Upon examination of the resolution, the Chair determined that the resolution did constitute a question of the privileges of the House.
2:52:21 p.m. - H.Res. 878 - Considered as privileged matter. H.Res. 878 — “Providing for the expulsion of Representative George Santos from the United States House of Representatives.”
2:52:36 p.m. - H.Res. 878 - DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.Res. 878.
3:54:53 p.m. - H.Res. 878 - The previous question was ordered without objection.
3:55:01 p.m. - H.Res. 878 - POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on H.Res. 878, the Chair put the question on agreeing to the resolution and by voice vote announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Santos demanded the yeas and nays and the Chair postponed further proceedings until a time to be announced.
NO FUNDS FOR IRANIAN TERRORISM ACT (H6021)
3:57:10 p.m. - H.R. 5961 - Considered as unfinished business. H.R. 5961 — “To freeze certain Iranian funds involved in the 2023 hostage deal between the United States and Iran, and for other purposes.”
3:57:32 p.m. - H.R. 5961 - The House resolved into Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union for further consideration.
4:29:42 p.m. - H.R. 5961 - On agreeing to the Fitzpatrick amendment; Agreed to by recorded vote: 412 - 11, 1 Present (Roll no. 680).
4:34:09 p.m. - H.R. 5961 - On agreeing to the Ogles amendment; Agreed to by recorded vote: 422 - 1, 1 Present (Roll no. 681).
4:38:05 p.m. - H.R. 5961 - On agreeing to the Ogles amendment; Agreed to by recorded vote: 241 - 181, 1 Present (Roll no. 682).
4:41:06 p.m. - H.R. 5961 - On agreeing to the Ogles amendment; Agreed to by recorded vote: 226 - 199, 1 Present (Roll no. 683).
4:44:38 p.m. - H.R. 5961 - On agreeing to the Pfluger amendment; Agreed to by recorded vote: 231 - 198, 1 Present (Roll no. 684).
4:48:05 p.m. - H.R. 5961 - On agreeing to the Porter amendment; Agreed to by recorded vote: 399 - 28, 1 Present (Roll no. 685).
4:51:45 p.m. - H.R. 5961 - On agreeing to the Jackson (IL) amendment; Failed by recorded vote: 194 - 236, 1 Present (Roll no. 686).
4:52:01 p.m. - H.R. 5961 - The House rose from the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union to report H.R. 5961.
4:52:59 p.m. - H.R. 5961 - The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
4:53:10 p.m. - H.R. 5961 - The House adopted the amendments en gross as agreed to by the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union.
5:00:04 p.m. - H.R. 5961 - On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 307 - 119, 1 Present (Roll no. 687).
5:00:05 p.m. - H.R. 5961 - Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
PROTECTING OUR COMMUNITIES FROM FAILURE TO SECURE THE BORDER ACT OF 2023 (H6027)
5:00:16 p.m. - H.R. 5283 - Considered as unfinished business. H.R. 5283 — “To prohibit the use of Federal funds to provide housing to specified aliens on any land under the administrative jurisdiction of the Federal land management agencies.”
5:00:29 p.m. - H.R. 5283 - The House resolved into Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union for further consideration.
5:04:41 p.m. - H.R. 5283 - On agreeing to the Velazquez amendment; Failed by recorded vote: 206 - 223, 1 Present (Roll no. 688).
5:04:49 p.m. - H.R. 5283 - The House rose from the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union to report H.R. 5283.
5:05:46 p.m. - H.R. 5283 - The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
5:06:11 p.m. - H.R. 5283 - The House adopted the amendment as agreed to by the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union.
5:12:15 p.m. - H.R. 5283 - On passage Passed by recorded vote: 224 - 203, 1 Present (Roll no. 689).
5:12:16 p.m. - H.R. 5283 - Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
REPORT ON FRAUD RELATING TO CERTAIN COVID-19 LOANS (H6029)
5:12:27 p.m. - H.R. 4666 - Considered as unfinished business. H.R. 4666 — “To require the Inspector General of the Small Business Administration to submit a quarterly report on fraud relating to certain COVID-19 loans.”
5:12:57 p.m. - H.R. 4666 - On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.
5:13:01 p.m. - H.R. 4666 - Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
RETURNING ERRONEOUS COVID LOANS ADDRESSING ILLEGAL AND MISAPPROPRIATED TAXPAYER FUNDS ACT (H6029-2)
5:13:01 p.m. - H.R. 4667 - Considered as unfinished business. H.R. 4667 — “To require the Administrator of the Small Business Administration to issue guidance and rules for lenders and the Small Business Administration on handling amounts of Paycheck Protection Loans returned by borrowers, and for other purposes.”
5:13:41 p.m. - H.R. 4667 - On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.
5:13:45 p.m. - H.R. 4667 - Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
5:13:46 p.m. - H.R. 5961 - The Clerk was authorized to correct section numbers, punctuation, and cross references, and to make other necessary technical and conforming corrections in the engrossment of H.R. 5961.
REMOVAL OF NAME OF MEMBER AS COSPONSOR OF H.R. 972 (H6029-4)
5:14:53 p.m. - The Speaker laid before the House a message from the President transmitting written approval, authorization, and determination of an Agreement for Cooperation between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of the Republic of the Philippines Concerning Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy and an unclassified Nuclear Proliferation Assessment Statement concerning the Agreement. - referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs and ordered to be printed (H. Doc. 118-86).
5:20:17 p.m. - ONE-MINUTE SPEECHES - The House proceeded with further one minute speeches.
CELEBRATING THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF SHERIFF CULLEN TALTON (H6030)
HONORING THE LIFE AND SERVICE OF CHIEF BRADLEY HAAS (H6030-3)
TYING ASYLUM CHANGES TO AID FOR ALLIES (H6030-5)
CELEBRATING THE BLESSING OF OSCAR ORTIZ IN OUR LIVES (H6031)
LOURDES UNIVERSITY LEADS THE WAY (H6031-2)
PROGRESS IN NORTH CAROLINA (H6031-3)
REMEMBERING TRINIDAD "TRINI" GARZA (H6031-4)
5:33:25 p.m. - SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES - The House has concluded all anticipated legislative business and has proceeded to Special Order speeches.
THE AMERICAN DREAM (H6032)
ISRAELI HOSTAGE CRISIS (H6037)
THE STATE OF QATAR (H6042)
ADJOURNMENT (H6048)
7:57:20 p.m. - Mr. Bergman moved that the House do now adjourn.
7:57:37 p.m. - On motion to adjourn Agreed to by voice vote.
7:57:38 p.m. - The House adjourned. The next meeting is scheduled for 9:00 a.m. on December 1, 2023.