The President's firing of FBI Director Comey Tuesday night was a shocking development.

The timing of Director Comey's dismissal to me and to many members on this committee on both sides of the aisle is especially troubling.

It is important to restate the critical importance of protecting the independence and integrity of Federal law enforcement.

An independent special counsel must be appointed.

In short, Russia's direct interference in democratic processes around the globe is a direct assault that we must work on together and it's clearly one of the top worldwide threats.

The President's decision to remove Director Comey was related to this investigation. And that is truly unacceptable.

I think, in light of what's happened in the last 48 hours, it's critically important that we have that assurance.

We will not be deterred from getting to the truth.

They have not closed the case in effect on that question as the White House and the president have repeatedly claimed.

is collusion still a subject of your investigation? They said without equivocation, yes, indeed, it is.

Mr. Speaker, I remind my colleague that his vote for this bill could take healthcare protections away from over a million people in Tennessee with preexisting conditions. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from Oregon (Ms…

Mr. Speaker, would the Speaker advise again how much time is remaining? The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentleman has 3\1/4\ minutes remaining.

Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. David Scott) for the purpose of a unanimous consent request.

Mr. Speaker, I yield the balance of my time to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Pelosi), the Democratic leader, for our closing statement.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2\1/4\ minutes to the gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. Clyburn).

Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from New Hampshire (Ms. Shea-Porter). (Ms. SHEA-PORTER asked and was given permission to revise and extend her remarks.)

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume, and I remind my colleague that her vote for this bill could increase premiums for people with breast cancer in Tennessee by over $38,000. Mr. Speaker, let's begin with a few facts…

Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Walz), the highest ranking enlisted soldier ever elected to Congress. (Mr. WALZ asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)