José E. Serrano: “I thank Chairwoman Lowey for yielding me the time. Mr. Speaker, as incoming chairman of the Commerce, Justice, Science…”

“I thank Chairwoman Lowey for yielding me the time. Mr. Speaker, as incoming chairman of the Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Subcommittee, I would like to take a couple of minutes to discuss that section of this bill and the agencies it funds. We are currently on day 33 of the Trump shutdown. The impact is growing as employees miss paychecks, individuals and groups dependent upon Federal assistance go without, and our public safety and scientific innovation is undermined. This is particularly true for the agencies under the jurisdiction of the Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Subcommittee. Just last week, the Department of Justice had to scramble to find cash to allow recipients of grant programs under the Violence Against Women Act to be funded for 1 additional month. The New York City field office of the FBI had to set up a food bank for employees who are currently working without pay. We have heard reports that individual FBI agents are asking not to be called back to work so they can find paying jobs and that agents in training are quitting the process, with no paycheck in sight. The shutdown is also undermining scientific research and our next generation of scientists. The National Science Foundation, NOAA, and NASA are currently unable to award grants for ongoing research or scholarships to ensure that our future scientists have the ability to continue their studies.…”