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the drug must represent or intend for the drug to have an effect that is similar to a schedule I or II controlled substance. If prosecutors successfully prove a substance is a controlled substance analogue under the new definition, those who traffic the drug could face higher penalties than those assigned to schedule A, because the penalty would be associated with the drug it mimics. Finally, those trafficking these substances do not market them as synthetic drugs. Instead, they mislabel the products, which are often sold at gas stations and convenience stores. To prevent this from happening, the bill requires all schedule A substances to be properly labeled and establishes civil penalties for failure to do so. This provision will allow civil enforcement action to be taken to remove mislabeled products from the shelves of gas stations and convenience stores. I want to close by sharing the story of one of my constituents, a young man named Connor Eckhardt. Unfortunately, a synthetic drug known as Spice claimed his life. Connor took one hit of the drug, which, according to the Drug Enforcement Administration, is a mixture of herbs and spices that is typically sprayed with a synthetic compound chemically similar to THC, the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana. His brain swelled, causing him to go into a coma, and he never woke up. Sadly, Connor’s story has become all too common. And this is unacceptable. That is why I am pleased to be an original cosponsor of the Stop the Importation and Trafficking of Synthetic Analogues Act. Law enforcement must have the ability to swiftly bring those who manufacture, distribute, and dispense these deadly drugs to justice. I look forward to working with and obtaining feedback from my colleagues and other stakeholders on this bill, which provides new and necessary authorities to combat synthetic drugs. By Mr. KAINE (for himself, Mr. VAN HOLLEN, Ms. BALDWIN, Ms. WARREN, Ms. HASSAN, Mr. LEAHY, Mrs. GILLIBRAND, Mr. WYDEN, Mr. MARKEY, Mr. FRANKEN, Mr. MERKLEY, Mr. BOOKER, Mr. BLUMENTHAL, Ms. CORTEZ MASTO, and Mr. BROWN): S. 1328. A bill to extend the protections of the Fair Housing Act to persons suffering discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity, and for other purposes; to the Committee on the Judiciary. Mr. KAINE. Mr. President, today, I am introducing the Fair and Equal Housing Act of 2017, legislation to ensure equal housing opportunities for all Americans. This bill would protect Americans from housing discrimination based on gender identity and sexual orientation. No American should be turned away from a home they love because of who they love.
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I am a former civil rights attorney. And during my practice, I focused on fair housing and I learned that a home is more than just a door, a roof, rooms, and walls. Your home is critical to your identity and central to the life of every American. And a home becomes even more important when you are searching for a safe, stable place to live. But, say you run into problems as you’re trying to rent that dream apartment and it is not because you are not a good tenant or a good neighbor. Instead, you learn that the apartment you wanted is suddenly no longer available because, after you met the landlord in person, they don’t approve of your personal life or your appearance. Or you learn your rental application cannot be processed because you and your partner share the same sex. Housing discrimination is real. And it is a reality for LGBT Americans because of incomplete protections in the Fair Housing Act (FHA), the landmark federal housing law. The FHA only prohibits housing discrimination based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, familial status, or disability. And if someone thinks this is not a real problem, more than 20 states and over 200 localities protect sexual orientation and gender identity in their own housing discrimination statutes. This is about equality, plain and simple. I want to thank my fellow Virginian, Representative SCOTT TAYLOR, for his leadership on this issue. I also want to thank all the civil rights attorneys across the nation who fight for justice on this issue every day. This is the right thing to do. By Mr. WYDEN (for himself and Mr. MERKLEY): S.J. Res. 45. A joint resolution condemning the deadly attack on May 26, 2017, in Portland, Oregon, expressing deepest condolences to the families and friends of the victims, and supporting efforts to overcome hatred, bigotry, and violence; considered and passed. S.J. RES. 45 Whereas, on May 26, 2017, 3 brave community members—Rick Best, Taliesin Myrddin Namkai-Meche, and Micah David-Cole Fletcher—were stabbed as they protected 2 young women who were the targets of threatening anti-Muslim hate speech while riding on the Metropolitan Area Express Light Rail (commonly known as the ‘‘MAX’’) in Portland, Oregon; Whereas Rick Best and Taliesin Myrddin Namkai-Meche lost their lives and Micah David-Cole Fletcher was gravely injured as a result of the attack; Whereas acts of heroism and sacrifice for the safety and sake of others in the face of acts of domestic terrorism were demonstrated by the deceased and surviving victims; Whereas Oregonians and people across the United States grieve for the families of all people affected by this needless tragedy; and Whereas the people of the United States stand in solidarity against terrorism, white supremacy, hate, and intolerance: Now, therefore, be it Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That Congress—
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(1) condemns the deadly attack on May 26, 2017, in Portland, Oregon, in which 2 innocent people were killed and 1 other person was injured while standing up to hate and intolerance; (2) offers deepest condolences to the families and friends of Rick Best and Taliesin Myrddin Namkai-Meche; (3) expresses hope for the swift and complete recovery of Micah David-Cole Fletcher; (4) supports community efforts to heal from this terrible crime; and (5) supports nationwide efforts to overcome hatred, bigotry, and violence. f
SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS SENATE RESOLUTION 188—CONDEMNING THE RECENT TERRORIST ATTACKS IN THE UNITED KINGDOM, THE PHILIPPINES, INDONESIA, EGYPT, IRAQ, AUSTRALIA, AND IRAN AND OFFERING THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS AND SINCERE CONDOLENCES TO ALL OF THE VICTIMS, THEIR FAMILIES, AND THE PEOPLE OF THEIR COUNTRIES Mr. CORKER (for himself and Mr. CARDIN) submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to: S. RES. 188 Whereas since May 22, 2017, the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS)has claimed responsibility for multiple terrorist attacks against civilians that have left more than 180 dead and many more wounded. Whereas ISIS frequently claims attacks perpetrated by individual actors or other groups for propaganda purposes. Whereas the people of the United Kingdom are grieving following two terrorist attacks claimed by ISIS in London on June 4 and Manchester on May 22 that targeted and killed innocent men, women, and children. Whereas government forces in the Philippines are currently fighting ISIS militants in Mindanao, including ISIS-affiliated fighters from the Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, Chechnya, Saudi Arabia, and Yemen, who launched an assault in Marawi City on May 23 in an apparent effort to establish a caliphate in Southeast Asia. Whereas ISIS has claimed responsibility for two explosions in Jakarta, Indonesia, killing three policemen. Whereas ISIS targeted Coptic Christians in Egypt during an attack on a bus on May 26, killing 29 people. Whereas 22 people were killed when ISIS detonated a car bomb at a Baghdad ice cream parlor, killing Iraqi families gathering with their children to break the Ramadan fast, and then detonated a second bomb killing elderly Iraqis collecting their pensions. Whereas a terrorist attack claimed by ISIS killed one person in Melbourne, Australia and wounded three police officers. Whereas on June 7, in an attack claimed by ISIS, at least 12 people were killed when gunmen and suicide bombers targeted Iran’s parliament and a shrine in two coordinated attacks across Tehran. Whereas these reprehensible attacks have no place in a peaceful world: Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the Senate— (1) condemns ISIS’ horrific terrorist attacks in the United Kingdom, the Philippines, Indonesia, Egypt, Iraq, Australia, and Iran;
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