Providing for Consideration of H.R. Damon Paul Nelson and Matthew Young Pollard Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Years and Relating to the Consideration of House Report and An Accompanying Resolution; Relating to the Consideration of Measures Disapproving of Sales, Exports, or Approvals Pursuant to the Arms Export Control Act; and Providing for Consideration of H.Res. Condemning President Trump's Racist Comments Directed At Members of Congress

Floor Speech

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Mr. JORDAN. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding.

Mr. Speaker, the Department of Commerce and the Department of Justice have given 31,000 pages of documents to the Congress. They provided witnesses. In fact, we have another one coming in for a transcribed interview later this month.

Secretary Ross came and testified for over 6 hours. He came in front of the committee, raised his hand, swore to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help him God. He testified for 6 hours.

Secretary Ross and Attorney General Barr are doing their jobs. What is their reward? The Democrats are going to hold them in contempt, hold them in contempt because they are so focused on this citizenship question.

As Mr. Comer, who has introduced legislation, said just a few minutes ago, the citizenship question is nothing but common sense.

Listen to what Justice Alito said 2 weeks ago, ``No one disputes that it is important to know how many inhabitants of this country are citizens.'' And the easiest way to figure it out is to ask a question on the Census.

That is about as common sense as it gets. It is so common sense, we have only been doing it for 200 years, in one form or another. The long form, the short form, the 10-year form, the annual form, we have been doing it for 200 years.

But somehow, this year: No, you can't do it this year. You can't do it this year.

As Mr. Comer said, the United Nations says it is a best practice. Lots of countries do it. But somehow, the Democrats don't want us to do it this year.

I support the legislation that the Representative from Kentucky has introduced. I support the good work of our Rules Committee member from Georgia. Certainly, I don't support the rule and the resolution that is going to hold Secretary Ross and Attorney General Barr in contempt. Again, doing their job and what do they get? A contempt resolution from the Democrats.

Ask yourself a question or, better yet, go ask your constituents a question. I would encourage Democrats to go to their districts and ask anyone in their districts: Do you think we should ask a question on the Census about whether you are a citizen of this country? My guess is just about every single person you talk to in your district will say: Heck, yeah, aren't we doing that already? Of course, my colleagues would have to respond: Yes, we are, and we have been doing it for 200 years.

This is common sense. This resolution is not appropriate.

Mr. Speaker, I urge defeat of the rule, defeat of the previous question, and if it gets to the floor, defeat of the resolution.

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