Sheila Jackson Lee: “I thank the gentleman from New York, the ranking member, for yielding additional time. This is not that s-word. I don't…”

“I thank the gentleman from New York, the ranking member, for yielding additional time. This is not that s-word. I don't even want to say it because it means that it is something wrong. This is a good settlement opportunity that will help the public in fighting against bad actors. It will work on improving the criminal justice system, bankruptcies, the environment, civil rights laws, the Fair Housing Act, and the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act. This is a pathway to disaster. That is what H.R. 788 is. Don't be fooled, Mr. Speaker. What we want to do is help the American people and eliminate H.R. 788, which is going to take away the tools to be able to help them. Mr. Speaker, I started out by saying we want to save lives, and that is what we want to continue to do in these dastardly conditions that have happened all over the Nation. We want the Federal Government to be standing next to Americans and to be able to help them. Mr. Speaker, I include in the Record a letter from several organizations that oppose H.R. 788. January 8, 2024. Re Oppose H.R. 788--The Prevention of Community Restoration Act. Dear Representative: We urge you to oppose H.R. 788, the so-called ``Stop Settlement Slush Funds Act of 2023''. The bill prohibits settlement agreements where the United States is a party from including certain ``donations'' to non- federal actors, primarily non-profits, educational, and community-based organizations.…”