On the recordJanuary 16, 2019
I have no further speakers. Mr. McGOVERN. Madam Chair, how much time do I have remaining? The Acting CHAIR. The gentleman has 1\1/2\ minutes remaining. Mr. McGOVERN. Madam Chair, I want to thank Representatives Velazquez, Hastings, Torres, Jackson Lee, Jayapal, Pocan, and Escobar for cosponsoring this amendment with me. This is not about whether or not you believe a border wall is necessary or not. I don't believe it is. Some of my friends on the other side believe it is. But when the President said he was going to declare an emergency and dip into emergency funds, disaster funds, that are dedicated to helping people deal with real disasters to pay for this wall, that set off alarm bells here. So no matter what side you are on on this border wall issue, you should support this amendment, because this President, and no President, should dip into disaster relief money to use it for something different than what Congress intended. The people who this money is aimed at helping are not interested in building a wall; they are interested in rebuilding their homes. Let us not put these moneys in jeopardy. Let's have a bipartisan moment when we all can agree that the disaster money ought to be disaster money, period. Madam Chair, I urge a strong vote in favor of this amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time.





