SNAP Benefits Fairness Act of 2023

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman from Florida for having this Special Order Hour.

What a privilege to know Donald Payne, Sr., and to know Donald Payne, Jr.

I sat here tonight listening to my colleagues struggle with how they will describe this wonderful giant of a man, each came with their own excellent presentation, and what should we say about our dynamic duo of dad and son.

I thought, again, how privileged I was and am to have traveled with Donald Payne, Sr., the dad, and to have sat next to Donald Payne, Jr., the son, during the course of Homeland Security and a number of other committees.

Let me tell you a thing or two. Both of them knew how to make you laugh. Both of them had a sense of joy and love for people other than themselves.

To his wonderful bride and his wonderful kids--that I would ask about in the early years--let me tell them that he never forgot them and always loved them dearly.

What I loved most about Donald Payne, Jr., was that he took life's journey, and he turned it into making life better for others. He was not so much worried about himself, but about Newark's journey. He wanted to turn the disease that Black men would always be impacted by into the corner that would help Black men have better health.

He would confront this idea of cancer that was so devastating to Black men, to be able to encourage them to learn about their own lives, and to say we are going to fight this thing and we are going to beat it. That was the way Donald Payne led his life, that the cancer that he had to fight was going to be a cancer that he was going to win.

He believed in encouraging Black men to look at their own health, look at yourself in the mirror, Black men, and stand up and be a man and live a longer life and live the life that we can live together.

Let's not shirk away from the challenges that confront our community. Let us talk about that life and have the best life you can possibly have.

So for a life dealing with healthcare and cancer in Black men, he wanted them to be able to confront it head-on, and we did that.

Isn't it interesting that I remember him garnering $900 million for a transportation project, the same $900 million that I got for a transportation project? We were excited that we could take our love of transportation and bring those dollars home to Houston and to New Jersey.

Mr. Speaker, there is much more that one can say, but I wanted to bring home the bacon, if you will, and, no, it will not be that. It will simply be the love we have for our fellow human beings, our neighbors. That is what we both hoped that we taught to each other and to our neighbors, and I hope that in spirit he will rest in power and rest in peace.

Let me remind you, Newark, New Jersey, and to his family, whatever he had in life, he was willing to give to others. That is what he will leave us. Whatever he had he wanted to give to someone else. Let us shout and celebrate his life and his legacy. I see you. Rest in power and rest in peace.

God bless.

Mr. Speaker, I come here today to celebrate the life and legacy of our dear Colleague and friend Congressman Donald Payne Jr.

I am deeply saddened by his passing and know that his family are experiencing the pain of grieving that only time can ease.

It is my hope that our words tonight on the friend we knew as Donald Payne Jr., will offer some measure of comfort.

Congressman Payne was not only a respected colleague but also a man of vision and compassion for the welfare of children.

I had the honor of arriving in the House of Representatives in 1995, as a freshman while Donald Milford Payne Sr. was serving as the U.S. representative for New Jersey's 10th Congressional District from 1989 until his death in 2012.

I enjoyed sitting next to Congressman Payne Jr. on the House Homeland Security Committee during the 118th Congress and knew him well from our work as Members of the Congressional Black Caucus.

During our time together in Congress we worked together on issues related to equity, justice, and fairness in the provision of federal resources for disaster mitigation, public safety, and border security.

I his work and in our conversations, Congressman Payne Jr. always expressed his devotion to ensuring that the needs of children were met.

In addition to his legislative achievements, he championed the cause of children impacted by disasters and staunchly advocated for and won changes in the Department of Homeland Security's approach in addressing the needs of children during disaster mitigation, evacuations, and recovery efforts.

Representative Payne was a man of great integrity and commitment.

He worked relentlessly to better his community.

He followed in his father's footsteps and became Congressman of the 10th Congressional District of New Jersey in 2012.

And as a Congressman, Donald Payne Jr. cared deeply about his constituents living in the Congressional District-10 and in the great state of New Jersey.

He fought tirelessly for New Jersey families and worked to create jobs and grow the economy.

It was important to him to protect and invest in our children, and to ensure the health and safety of each person who called New Jersey home.

Rep. Payne, Jr. began his long career in public service when he founded Newark South Ward Junior Democrats, becoming its first president.

He also served as an adviser to the YMCA Youth in Government program. He attended Kean College (now Kean University), where he studied graphic arts.

His many accomplishments included being a strong supporter of the Affordable Care Act, which provides thousands of New Jerseyans with access to high-quality, affordable health care.

He also advocated for investing in and protecting the health of our children and introduced the TEST for Lead Act to protect children from lead-contaminated drinking water in schools.

Congressman Donald Payne, Jr. was also a vocal advocate for cancer prevention, introducing the National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month Resolution to raise awareness about the need for regular cancer screenings.

He introduced the Removing Barriers to Colorectal Cancer Screening Act, so Medicare beneficiaries could get polyp, or cancerous growth, removals covered during routine colorectal cancer screenings.

The bill was signed into law in 2019.

As an addition to this act, Rep. Payne, Jr. introduced the Colorectal Cancer Payment Fairness Act to make sure Medicare provides complete coverage of colorectal cancer screening tests and polyp removals by 2023, so patients don't have to pay for the procedure.

He also introduced the Donald Payne Sr. Colorectal Cancer Detection Act to require Medicare to cover FDA-approved blood-based screening tests and help Americans determine their risk for colorectal cancer.

Throughout Congressman Payne Jr.'s career, he fought to protect the rights of every American.

His unwavering support for equal justice, propelled him to vote for the passage of H.R. 1280, the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act.

This bill increases accountability for law enforcement misconduct, restricts certain policing practices, enhances transparency in data collection and establishes national best practices and training requirements.

Congressman Donald Payne Jr. served as a senior Member of the House Committee on Homeland Security and chaired its Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness, Response, and Recovery during the 116th Congress and was Ranking Member in prior Congresses.

He also served as the Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials for the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.

In that role, Rep. Payne, Jr. improved passenger and freight rail nationwide.

He protected Americans through his work to improve communications between emergency agencies and provide greater resources to aid victims during and after national emergencies.

During his time on the Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials, Rep. Payne, Jr. introduced the INVEST in America Act, which became the bipartisan, $1.2 trillion Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, to provide funds for critical road and rail projects, such as New Jersey's Portal North Bridge and Hudson River Tunnel in the Gateway Program.

Thanks to his efforts, the new law included $66 billion for passenger rail, the largest federal investment in rail in 50 years, and $55 billion to replace lead water pipes nationwide. In addition, the law included $8 billion for New Jersey's highways, $4.5 billion for the state's public transit, and $42 billion to improve New Jersey's traffic safety.

Congressman Payne Jr. built a record of achievement in a divided Congress.

Through his hard work and non-yielding attitude, Representative Payne introduced two bills that were signed into Public Law by President Barack Obama, including the Department of Homeland Security Interoperable Communications Act of 2015.

This bill ensures that Department of Homeland Security personnel can reliably communicate during emergencies.

He also introduced a bill to secure public areas of transportation facilities, such as airports, which was incorporated into the FAA Reauthorization Act and signed into law in October of 2018.

Representative Payne Jr. fought against discrimination and antidemocratic efforts that would seek to limit voting rights.

And as an original cosponsor of the Freedom to Vote, the John R. Lewis Act of 2021, Congressman Donald Payne Jr. help to restore voting protections from the Voting Rights act of 1965, which was abolished in the Supreme Court decision Shelby County v. Holder in 2013.

The Equality Act is yet another bill that Congressman proudly supported.

This bill addresses systemic discrimination in our schools, jobs, and communities.

And for the first time in history, ban discrimination based on actual or perceived sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity in education, federal funding, employment, housing, credit, and the jury selection process.

To empower communities of color, I voted for the passage of the Commission to Study and Develop Reparations Proposals for African Americans.

This bill will increase transparency, unity, healing, and research to address our nation's historically unequal treatment of African Americans, Indigenous Americans, Latino Americans, and minority groups, as well as the effects of systemic racism.

Congressman Donald Payne Jr. meant many things to many people.

He was a steadfast public servant, a proud father, and loving husband.

Congressman Payne was a dedicated public servant, a champion for his constituents, and a staunch advocate for social justice and equality.

His legacy of service will continue to inspire generations to come.

I offer my deepest condolences to his loving wife Beatrice and their triplets, Donald III, Jack, and Yvonne, colleagues, friends, constituents, and his dedicated Subcommittee staff and personal office staff.

Congressman Payne's memory will always remain in our hearts.

As a legislative body we must continue to forward his vision of justice, equality, and a more equitable society.

Congressman Payne Jr. will be missed dearly.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include any extraneous material on the subject of this Special Order hour today.

It is with great honor that I rise today to anchor this joint CBC Special Order hour along with my distinguished colleague, Assistant Leader Joe Neguse. For the next 60 minutes, members of the CBC have an opportunity to honor the life of our late Congressman Donald Payne, a leader of great importance to the Congressional Black Caucus, Congress, the constituents he represented, and all of America.

Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Colorado (Mr. Neguse), who is the assistant leader.

Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Pelosi).

Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Nevada (Mr. Horsford), who is the chairman of the CBC.

Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Waters).

Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Bishop).

Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Mississippi (Mr. Thompson).

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for his comments.

Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Pallone).

Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from California, (Ms. Lee).

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for her comments.

Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Jeffries), our Democratic leader.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman, our Democratic leader, for his comments.

Mr. Speaker, may I inquire as to how much time is remaining.

Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from New York (Ms. Clarke).

Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from the Virgin Islands, Stacey Plaskett.

Mr. Speaker, may I inquire as to the time remaining.

Mr. Speaker, I yield to Representative Bonnie Watson Coleman from New Jersey.

Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Gottheimer).

Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from Texas, Ms. Sheila Jackson Lee.

Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from Minnesota, Representative Ilhan Omar.

Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from Massachusetts (Ms. Pressley).

Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from New Jersey (Ms. Sherrill).

Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Kim).

Mr. Speaker, I yield now to the gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. Carter).

Mr. Speaker, I yield now to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Menendez).

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

It is an honor to stand before you today and express my deepest appreciation for Congressman Donald Payne, Jr.'s outstanding dedication and remarkable achievements. As we gather here tonight, I am reminded of the immense impact that one individual can have, not just on their district, but on the entire Nation.

His dedication to addressing critical issues facing our society, from healthcare to gun violence prevention, economic equality to social justice is a legacy that will endure for generations to come. Furthermore, Congressman Payne, Jr.'s leadership on international issues has been nothing short of exemplary.

As a member of the Congressional Black Caucus, I have had the privilege of working with him on various issues. Let us continue to support and honor his legacy by working together to build a more inclusive future for all Americans.

Thank you, Congressman Donald Payne, for your friendship, dedication, leadership, and service. The 10th Congressional District of New Jersey was truly fortunate to have you as their voice in Congress. May you rest in power.

Congressman Donald Payne would always be here for every Special Order hour. We could all rely on him to be here with his smile and his encouragement. I remember the first days when I first started in Congress, he was always

supportive. He stood with me on issues that affected Haiti and the Caribbean and Black issues. He stood us with us when we had to do Special Order hour and came here. He always had a speech for everyone. He always had a mission to make sure that his district and the communities he served had a place in Congress, but more than that had a voice in Congress.

Donald Payne will be missed, as a great friend to the Congress, as a great friend to me, as a great friend to everyone in Congress who he knew. We will think of him every single day: his smile, his laugh, his joy.

As we remember him today, it is a sad time for us, but we find joy in knowing that he is in a better place.

Mr. Speaker, may I inquire how much time I have remaining?

Mr. Speaker, that concludes our joint CBC and Assistant Leader Joe Neguse's Special Order hour. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague, Representative Cherfilus-McCormick, for leading this very important Special Order hour. I thank all of my colleagues who are here and the assistant Democratic leader, Mr. Neguse, as well.

Mr. Speaker, I rise tonight, as our dear colleague would say to his constituents, Mr. Speaker, with my colleagues of the Congressional Black Caucus and, in fact, the entire House of Representatives to remember a man of the people.

The loss we all feel for our dear friend and colleague, Congressman Donald M. Payne, Jr., is immeasurable. Words really cannot express how deeply he will be missed by our Caucus, but we want to express our heartfelt condolences and our prayers to the Payne family, to his staff, and to anyone and everyone who knew him.

He is forever in our hearts, and we are so sorry for your loss.

As chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus, it is an honor to work with my colleagues each and every day for the betterment of our constituents, this body, and our country. It was an honor to work with a man of such good character, passion, and deep commitment to serving his community and our country as Donald M. Payne, Jr.

He was a kind and thoughtful person, a person who always had a good spirit despite some of the most difficult health conditions that anyone could experience. He always had laughter and a humor about him and an optimism that was truly contagious.

To our Caucus, Donald Payne was prolific, literally prolific, on this floor. He came to this floor to speak for the people. He had a goal of being ``the Michael Jordan of 1-minutes,'' and he would go on to win that award not once, not twice, not three times, but five awards in a row. For those who may not know, a 1-minute speech is when you come to this body and bring attention to an issue that is important to the constituents whom you represent.

Despite sometimes not being in the best of health, he found the time and every opportunity to speak to his constituents and to speak on behalf of them.

That is how many of us will remember him. We will remember him with a smile, always dressed to impress, heading to the House floor to speak to the country on behalf of the people and the community that he loved the most.

He was a man of purpose and a man of humility. He was a public servant through and through. This House has been made better for his leadership.

Congressman Payne, Jr., will always be a part of the history that we make here on behalf of the American people. I join my colleagues in honoring his memory, his legacy, and his life by continuing the work to fight for the people on the issues that matter to them most.

May God bless your soul, Congressman Donald Payne. Thank you for giving us the opportunity to know you, to be friends with you, and to serve with you.

Your legacy will live on, and may God bless you.

Mr. Speaker, I am honored to have an opportunity to highlight the legacy of our colleague and my friend, Donald Payne, Jr.

Last week, New Jersey lost a great public servant far too soon. Many knew Don for his trademark bow tie, big smile, and friendly demeanor.

Let me tell a bit more about his life and journey. Don's mother died when he was just 5 years old, and after his mother's passing, Don and his siblings were raised by his father. I think many know his father, Donald Sr., also my colleague, was the first Black Member of Congress from New Jersey. He was also a Congressional Black Caucus chairman.

However, Don Jr. tended to the trail blazed by his father by fighting for healthcare for all, delivering Federal funding to the largest and most important transportation project in American history, and replacing lead drinking water pipes that made kids in his district sick. In honor of his father, he led bipartisan efforts to research, prevent, and treat colorectal cancer.

Don was a powerful politician in New Jersey, as both a county commissioner and Newark City councilman. New Jersey allowed you to hold both offices at the same time. Many felt it was a step down for him to come to Congress, but he felt it was an obligation and duty to follow his father's footsteps, and he was determined to make the best of it.

Now, Don was always struggling with health issues from the very first day that he came here, but it didn't stop him from his work, from voting, from doing more special orders than any other Member, as was mentioned by my colleagues tonight. In a town known for sharp elbows, Don always showed kindness. He always took the time to ask how you were doing. He made sure you knew that you had a friend who had your back no matter what.

Don Payne can serve as an example for all of us. He didn't care if you were Black or White, Christian or Jewish, rich or poor. We were all in this effort together to get things done that would make a difference in our quality of life.

Don didn't worry about himself. He was funny and self-deprecating. If there was anything he didn't like, it was conceit or thinking that you were better than other people. Don's goal was always to help others, and that is what he would ask of us: Work every day to make a better life for your community, your State, and your country.

This week, the American flag flies at half-mast at the Capitol in his honor. We join his wife, Beatrice, and his children, the triplets, Donald III, Jack, and Yvonne, in mourning his passing. Donald Payne, Jr., made his family and constituents proud. His work is done, but it won't be forgotten.

Mr. Speaker, I join my colleagues in Congress and the Congressional Black Caucus in honoring a committed public servant and dedicated champion: Congressman Donald Payne, Jr.

Mr. Speaker, I did not have the blessing of serving alongside Congressman Payne for as long as some here tonight.

But I rise today to pay tribute to a man who showed me the same kindness when we first met as he showed to his lifelong friends and loved ones.

I will never forget his willingness to chat in the cloakroom--to impart some wisdom on this new kid.

When we spoke, Congressman Payne encouraged me to use my voice to help others. He knew, more than most, that the personal is political and the political is personal.

Congressman Payne followed in the footsteps of his father--Donald Payne, Sr.--a former chair of the Congressional Black Caucus and New Jersey's first Black Member of Congress.

There is no question that Congressman Payne was a fierce advocate for the interests of his Newark district.

As a member of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and the Committee on Homeland Security, he focused on investing in our rail and transit systems, championing men's health for all communities, and keeping Americans safe.

Most of all, he never lost sight of what his neighbors felt and needed. And he was uncommonly open about his personal health and his years-long battle with diabetes.

If there is a lesson to remember from Congressman Payne's service, it is that we can help everyday Americans feel less alone if we lead with kindness, empathy, and understanding.

In this era of infallible politics--where every vulnerability and human moments are picked apart and attacked--is it not courageous to use your struggles to lift those up around you?

Is it not heroic to foster deep connections between the work we do and the struggles that everyday Americans face?

In 2022, when Democrats passed the Inflation Reduction Act, insulin was capped at $35 a month cap for Medicare patients.

Congressman Payne's declaration after the bill's final passage went right to the very heart of why it mattered.

He addressed how insulin is life-saving medication for diabetics, highlighting how patients have been gouged for years. And he underscored that no American should choose between food and medicine.

I will always appreciate his fierce advocacy and the warm compassion he showed me when I was first sworn in.

Congressman Donald Payne, Jr. will be sorely missed. May his memory guide us forward as we carry on the legacy he forged in Congress.