Bill Pascrell: “On a question of the privileges of the House under rule IX, clause 1, questions of the privileges of the House are those…”

“On a question of the privileges of the House under rule IX, clause 1, questions of the privileges of the House are those affecting the rights of the House collectively, its safety, dignity, and the integrity of its proceedings. Congressional oversight is a power granted by the Constitution in public law and in House rules. Mr. Speaker, just 2 days ago, FBI Director James Comey confirmed that there was an investigation of Donald Trump's campaign's ties to the Russian agents. We know that, following six bankruptcies, Donald Trump had trouble getting loans and financing for his real estate businesses. We know that German Bank Deutsche stepped in when Wall Street stopped lending, giving at least $300 million in loans for those properties and, more personally, to his daughter, Ivanka, and son-in-law. We know that Deutsche Bank has been fined for criminally transferring $10 billion out of Russia. We also know that Donald Trump, Jr. said that the Trump organization saw money ``pouring in from Russia'' and that ``Russians make up a pretty disproportionate cross-section of a lot of our assets.'' We know that Donald Trump repeatedly attempted to secure trademarks in Russia--the record is the record--to develop real estate in Russia-- the record is the record--and to sell products in Russia--the record is the record. We have seen how just two pages summarizing the President's 2005 tax returns, which many laughed off, showed that he paid a low rate of 25 percent.…”