Student Veteran Benefit Restoration Act

Madam 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 my Special Order.

Madam Speaker, we are here talking about the work that we have done, or tried to do, in this past year. This week is the last week Members of this body will gather to work on legislative business for 2023.

The last time I convened the Special Order hour, my colleagues and I came to the floor to discuss the impact that the debt ceiling would have on everyday, working people. We said over and over that a debt ceiling agreement that shortchanged funding for vital programs shortchanges everyday people.

I find that, much like in May, we are in the same place fighting to protect and to preserve the programs our communities need. Just like in May, I am here to remind this body why we were sent here and who sent us here: Our constituents.

Let me be clear. Who sent us here are our constituents, not MAGA extremists, not lobbyists, and definitely not Donald Trump.

This year, my colleagues and I on the Congressional Progressive Caucus have been fighting like hell for policies that protect people, including expanding healthcare for DACA recipients; addressing gun violence; securing protections for the workforce; and centering our policies around equity and justice.

I am proud to say that we have been able to deliver for our communities, yes, even in the midst of chaos. While we were able to accomplish so little--although I know that my colleague tried to talk a little bit about what the GOP tried to do--I am convening this Special Order hour to speak truth to power.

Madam Speaker, let me be clear and say that Republicans have held progress hostage. It has been a year, and we have spent more time on speakership elections--19 to be exact--pointless censures, and political theater, jeopardizing the safety and the well-being of people, instead of moving policy that improves their lives.

We have spent countless hours subjected to words that dehumanize and devalue Brown and Black people, and I have witnessed firsthand as Members across the aisle call immigrants vile names like infestations over and over again, not just here but during my committee hearings; denying their humanity.

I have spent more time attending vigils than celebrating life because Republicans are intent on holding up bills that would address gun violence.

I have spent more time voting ``no'' to protect my constituents from harmful cuts and reckless policies than I have had the opportunity to vote ``yes'' to legislation that prioritizes working people and families.

I have spent more time on picket lines affirming that workers deserve living wages, protection from retaliation, and the right to collectively bargain than actually passing policies that ensure that all workers are compensated well, respected, and valued.

When I was elected to Congress, I told my community that I was committed to delivering results. I am here today to say that in the face of everyday Republican-manufactured obstacles to progress, their political games, their disorganization, and their opposition to honoring our shared humanity, I remained true to my commitments and my values as a Member of Congress.

I have remained focused on delivering results for Illinois' Third Congressional District and honoring our diverse multicultural, multigenerational community.

I am not alone.

My colleagues in the Congressional Progressive Caucus have also remained true to their commitment and their values and focused on delivering for their districts. I am grateful to be flanked by such dedicated, persevering, and courageous leaders.

Madam Speaker, I am pleased to welcome one of my colleagues to share some of the progress that she has made and what Congress must still continue to do to accomplish and deliver for the people.

Madam Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from Pennsylvania (Ms. Lee).

Madam Speaker, as the gentlewoman was talking, I started asking myself that if our colleagues that are in the majority were actually serious about delivering for their constituents, then perhaps we would spend less time in censures; perhaps we would spend less time fighting each other, doing whatever kidney-elbow situation; arguing with each other on the corners, and all the games and all the other things they do, and actually pass legislation that helps people's experiences improve, like legislation around housing, making it more affordable so that no one has to live in a tent.

It is interesting because Republicans seem to really care about homelessness when it is someone that is undocumented, that is an immigrant or asylum seeker, but they have had the opportunity in leadership in these past 12 months to pass legislation to address housing, and instead, they are cutting funds for housing.

They say they care about families and women and their wives and their children, but they refuse to pass paid leave.

They say they care and are worried about healthcare, but are they really? Because if they were worried about healthcare, we would be doing less of the crazy theater here--19 elections for a darn Speaker-- and actually pass quality healthcare.

Let's talk a little bit more about what they haven't done and what we should be focusing on.

I know that the gentleman from Utah attempted to talk about the GOP accomplishments, but I couldn't figure out which one accomplishment he was able to actually tangibly prove.

Let's talk about housing. It is no secret that housing prices are skyrocketing.

In Chicago, for example, we have seen a 5.7 increase in the cost of rent in 1 year. In some communities, it is as high as a 20 percent increase.

As temperatures plummet, more people find themselves in tents suffering cold nights in unsafe conditions, or they are just one paycheck away from homelessness.

You would think that our colleagues would be concerned about government shutdowns since so many people are just one paycheck away from homelessness. While working families are struggling to pay rent, we faced not one, but two threats of a Republican national shutdown.

I have to say it over and over. This is what my constituents ask me about every time I go back home, or message me: We didn't elect you all to spend your time fighting each other because you don't like each other, or because one person said this thing that this other person didn't like. All this time you spend censuring each other and fighting instead of negotiating appropriation bills that would fully fund our communities.

Yet, that is what 12 months in Congress have looked like. The Republicans are leaving everyday American families literally out in the cold.

In spite of Republican chaos, I, along with Representatives Rashida Tlaib from Michigan-12, Ayanna Pressley from Massachusetts-07, Jimmy Gomez from California-34, and Greg Casar from Texas-35 are delivering when it comes to housing.

We introduced H.R. 5827, the Tenants' Right to Organize Act, legislation that will protect the power of tenants with Federal vouchers to organize.

We know that throughout our Nation, from big cities, like Chicago, to smaller cities, tenants have recognized that when we fight, when we come together and claim our power, we win.

Tenant organizing is not only winning battles against unfair housing practices, unjustified evictions, housing discrimination, and uncontrolled price hikes; it is also changing housing public policy.

The Tenants' Right to Organize Act, my bill, aims to amplify their efforts by protecting the organizing rights of tenants with housing choice vouchers and tenants living in low-income housing tax credit properties. It also expands protections for mixed-status families and those who may not be eligible for tenant-based rental assistance.

Currently, only public housing tenants have legally recognized the right to organize. By extending this right to housing choice vouchers and low-income tax credit tenants, the bill acknowledges that all tenants deserve decent, safe, stable, and sanitary housing.

The fight for safe, stable, equitable housing must also include tenants, and as we are encountering a worsening housing affordability crisis, we understand that now, more than ever, all tenants must have the right to organize.

Now, let's talk about immigration. This is a place where I find the most dissonance. The same people that love to quote Scripture--God has called me to love him above all things--and then they seem to forget the second commandment: Love your neighbor as you love yourself--it couldn't be more clear as it comes to immigration.

I cannot count the number of times the same people who quote Scripture come to this podium to respond while scapegoating immigrant communities, demonizing them, and then saying that they care about them, ``poor immigrants.''

Well, if you cared about them and if you cared about humanity, and certainly if we were living our Christian values, then we would be looking for legal pathways so no one would have to endure what so many people seeking asylum have to do every single day.

Republicans have repeatedly tried to introduce legislation and resolutions that deport unaccompanied children. These are the same people that say that they are the ones of family values, they are the ones protecting life and children. They want to end asylum, and they want to jail families.

They are trying again right now. They are seeking to extort immoral and deplorable border provisions in exchange for aid for Ukraine. I have said it before and I will say it again and again and again: It is hypocritical, cynical, to target immigrants when many of the people who serve in this Chamber, some of them with me right now, have reaped the benefits of immigrant labor and become wealthy on the backs of immigrant sacrifice.

It takes courage to cross the border, to seek a job, to pursue an opportunity to raise your children in safety. The courage of our people stands in stark contrast with the cowardice of my colleagues.

There is nothing people-centered, nothing noble, nothing redeeming about their extremist approach to border immigration policy. Let's just be clear. They are scapegoating immigrants right now so they can say to their voters that they are doing something about the border, but they are not going to want to do enough, because they want to take the border conversation and issue to the polls in November.

Their unwillingness to negotiate, to actually get to the root cause of migration, is mind-boggling. They don't want solutions. Because if they wanted solutions, they would understand that actually addressing immigration, passing comprehensive immigration reform, would actually prioritize our economy. It would actually address the root causes of migration in Central and South America by creating legal pathways, by working with these countries, by ensuring that we help strengthen their democracies.

Yet, in spite of all the Republican chaos, a number of us have reintroduced the Dream and Promise Act, and we will work and work until we deliver it.

In spite of my Republican colleagues' inability to act beyond the border, we are here taking that first step in the right direction to give Dreamers and immigrants in America an earned pathway to citizenship that reflects our values as a Nation, a multicultural democracy of diversity and inclusion. We are here moving the needle to a real comprehensive immigration reform package that embraces our values as a nation.

Now, let me talk a little bit more about that. There are 9.8 million job openings right now. You can go to your local grocery store, go to Aldi, because some of us shop there still, very proudly, or you can go to absolutely any

other store. You talk about supply chain, and you realize that we don't have the workforce we need in order to address the issues of economy of the moment.

Now, just imagine, if the people that are here already, of the 11 million people living in the shadows, some of them for the last 30 years, if they were able to get a work permit, they would pay taxes, generate revenue for the Federal Government, helping address our issues of budget. They would address supply chain issues, our manufacturing, hospitality, agriculture, and the list goes on in terms of the different trades that are desperately needing workers that would get the workers they need. They would actually extend Social Security by decades if we passed comprehensive immigration policy, but that is not what we want to do.

We are so insecure perhaps about ourselves that we are unable to see the bigger picture of the economy for our country. Comprehensive immigration reform is a solution to the economy. Comprehensive immigration reform is the American way. This country was founded by immigrants, and every single person in this Chamber right now comes from a family who also migrated to this country, unless you are from the original indigenous communities.

Let me say this. As the only Member of Congress married to a Dreamer, this issue is extremely personal to me. I am committed to fighting this fight until we have a humane immigration policy that doesn't question the validity of people's lives and claims, that doesn't impose hurtful limitations on our communities, or doesn't leave anyone behind. No bans. No walls. No raids. Punto.

I want to talk to you a little bit about education and veterans. While extreme Republicans have served up hate and fear from every direction with no regard for the harm it causes our communities, I have been focused on addressing the real issues everyday people face--people like Army veteran Christopher Brown from Des Plaines, Illinois, who was promised by ITT Tech that his GI benefits would cover his tuition, only to be left with $95,000 in student loans, or Navy veteran Bryan Tario from Lisle, Illinois, who was left with a significant debt after DeVry failed to be clear about the amount of money needed to complete his education.

Constituents in our districts have real problems that require real policy solutions. There are bad actors who should be held accountable and whose impact on our constituents can be minimized through prevention and redress.

These are the problems we should be addressing. If we spent the actual time addressing these issues, we would see the American people feel the improvement in their day-to-day lives.

Too many veterans are defrauded by predatory, often for-profit institutions that see the GI Bill education benefits and only see a profitable exploit.

In spite of the Republican chaos, I, along with Representative Mike Levin from California, have introduced the Student Veteran Benefit Restoration Act, my very first piece of legislation in United States Congress.

H.R. 1767 establishes an across-the-board process for student veterans to have their GI Bill education benefits restored in qualifying instances, such as when a student veteran has been defrauded by an educational institution.

While Republicans waste our time doling out impeachments and censures, they deny veterans who have been defrauded justice, leaving them without recourse or the ability to start again in a reputable institution using the benefits they earned while serving our Nation.

It is time to bring H.R. 1767 to the floor, and I know that our veterans are watching closely and deserve it.

Now, I want to talk about health. Every person in Illinois' Third Congressional District has a right to achieve their dreams. As Members of Congress, our policy choices should enable them to realize their full potential.

Access to healthcare and healthcare services are critical supports to that end. That is why, while Republicans have made it their mission to cut funding for hospitals, healthcare providers, on-the-ground organizations that support health equity efforts, and programs that enable the healthcare ecosystem to function, my colleagues and I have made expanding access to healthcare services a priority.

Republicans proposed a Labor-HHS appropriation bill that cuts vital programs and services by 28 percent, equivalent to $64 billion. Democrats held the line, and this bill did not pass. However, my colleagues, of course, did not stop there.

In spite of their chaos, I, along with so many of my colleagues, continue to deliver for our communities. Our fearless chair, Representative Jayapal, also introduced the Medicare for All Act, which would expand healthcare coverage to everyone, and I am a proud cosponsor of it.

We advocated for and we are proud to see the proposed rule from the Department of Health and Human Services that would grant eligibility for healthcare coverage to Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, DACA, recipients.

I introduced an amendment to the Labor-HHS appropriation bill that affirmed how critical it is for the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau to maintain its independence from congressional meddling so that it can continue to address practices that harm consumers, especially predatory lending that leads to medical debt.

Medical debt puts people in an impossible position, having to choose between seeking necessary healthcare services and paying for their basic needs, like housing, food, and heat.

We didn't do that work alone. Achieving health equity requires collective action, which is why I am proud to highlight the work of the AIDS Foundation of Chicago. In partnership with over 200 organizations and with funding support from the Ryan White program, the AIDS Foundation of Chicago served over 8,000 individuals last year through case management, housing, emergency financial assistance, and food support. Services include, but are not limited to, connections to housing, medical care, transportation, and behavioral health support.

The last thing I want to talk about is appropriations, something that this leadership doesn't seem to figure out. We are on our second continuing resolution, and the way things are going, we might have to go to a third one in January.

Let's not forget that Democrats have effectively kept the government open amid Republican infighting and, goodness, so much disorganization.

If we remember their first attempt at a continuing resolution, it included terrible anti-immigrant provisions and about a 30 percent cut to government services, which would have meant that in Illinois' Third District, 10,901 women and children would have gone hungry, 28,187 active and reserve servicemembers would have gone without payment in Illinois, and 5,000 residents in Illinois' Third District would have lost access to Federal help and vouchers.

These are not the goals of people who care about working families. How can you say that you are the party of family and then do everything you can to slash resources for them? To me, on the contrary, it is a vicious attack on working families.

At that time we said that if the Republicans were serious about averting a shutdown, they would bring a clean CR to the floor to keep our government running and to continue bipartisan conversations about funding priorities.

With less than 24 hours to avoid a shutdown, Republicans presented another CR. In spite of the Republican chaos, I, along with so many of my colleagues, delivered.

We defeated the extremist CR, and that victory made the clean CR that averted a shutdown possible.

We forced them to, at least momentarily, back down from their anti- immigrant demands and their cold disregard for working families. Let's remember that fight is not over.

You just heard a number of my colleagues, particularly the last one, talk about H.R. 2. H.R. 2 is the most anti-immigrant bill we have ever seen pass the Homeland Security Committee. We call it the child deportation act.

They want to bring back draconian Trump-era border policy. In the same sentence, they talk about how they are concerned about the women and children crossing the border. If that is not dissonance and hypocrisy, I don't know what is.

Let me say this loud and clear. It is our responsibility to deliver for the

people who sent us here. We are looking like chaos under Republican leadership. We must continue to double down, push back, and fight for working families.

I am committed to continuing the fight for an appropriations package that protects essential safety net programs and vital services, brings Federal resources back to my district and the State of Illinois, and prevents further cuts that threaten the well-being of our communities.

Madam Speaker, I thank Congresswoman Summer Lee for joining me today as we talked about the Progressive Caucus' Special Order hour, the things that we continue to work on, and the victories in the midst of the chaos.

Here is what I want to say as I wrap up. Two days ago, I got back from Guatemala and Honduras. I went on my first committee delegation trip. As I visited Guatemala as a United States Congressperson, I couldn't stop thinking about my mother and how she has reminded me over the years of the 1,800-mile journey she took, walking and suffering as she was pregnant with me. She left poverty. She left a place she loved to have a better opportunity for me, her daughter.

I think about the moment that we are in today. I am very proud that I am the daughter of Guatemalan immigrants. I am very proud that I am the very first Latina of many to come from the Midwest. But I am more proud and honored to be able to be in this place, in this Chamber, fighting every single day for working families.

I am fighting for women who deserve paid leave and for constituents across the country who deserve quality healthcare.

I am fighting for clean water, clean energy, affordable housing, and the ability of the American people not to have to worry about living paycheck to paycheck.

I am fighting for that senior in my district who calls me crying: ``If the government shuts down and I don't get my Social Security check, at 74 years of age, I am out in the street.'' These are the people who send us to Congress.

Madam Speaker, most of my colleagues, while celebrating and partying at holiday celebrations, perhaps having many spirits, should be reminded why they were sent to this Chamber. They were sent to represent the people who see them as their voice.

I will say to women, women of color, immigrants, the working class, children and our youth, Brown and Black people, the LGBTQ community, advocates and activists, on-the-ground organizations providing critical services, and anyone who feels afraid or invisible right now, to friends and allies of the progressive movement, and to my constituents in Illinois: I see you. I am fighting for you every single day.

There have been hard days in Washington, D.C., when I have been the only woman, the only Latina, the only elected official with a mixed- status family where people are making decisions that will impact my life and your life, things that will impact the people I care about and the people you care about.

If there is ever a moment I falter, I think about my roots. I think about who I was sent here to fight for, and I find my footing again. My community is with me wherever I go, no matter how far away from home I might be.

While Republicans and their destructive agenda seek to decay the trust we have with one another, and they seek to divide us by holding resources hostage, community holds us together.

I refuse to allow Republicans and their obstruction of justice stop my colleagues and I from achieving true progress. I believe that progress is possible and that we can build a country that honors and respects the humanity and dignity of all marginalized people.

I believe that seeking asylum is a human right. I believe housing is a human right. In a country as rich as ours, no one should ever go hungry. No one should be trapped by crippling debt, whether it be student loan debt or medical debt. Brown and Black people are not disposable.

I fiercely fight for a world in which no one has to make impossible choices between going hungry or keeping the lights on at home.

I fight for a world where my loved ones like my uncle, who has been waiting for so long, can finally feel like this country is his home; where the color of our skin isn't a death sentence; and where we don't have to protest to ensure that climate change is taken seriously and the land and the people who take care of it are respected.

I believe in a self-determined future where all Palestinians and Israelis are free and safe. Our futures are intersected, and that realization can provide a path to coexistence.

A more just and loving world is possible. Progress is possible. It is possible because of the collective movement we are building--a progressive movement that does not move in fear but moves in courage.

The work is nowhere near done. Whether Republicans like it or not, I am here to stay and do the work that secures the future for all people. May we be reminded in this new year why we are here, who sent us here, and the responsibility we have to represent our constituents.

Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise to express my support for S. 2795.

Before I speak on the bill, I would like to note that September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. I remind everyone that help is available any time of day or night. If you are a veteran in crisis, or if you are concerned about a veteran, confidential help is available by calling 988 and selecting 1, or you can text 838255. You are not alone.

The House and Senate Committees on Veterans' Affairs have worked together in a bipartisan manner on S. 2795, which extends expiring authorities for the Department of Veterans Affairs.

The Senate passed this bill by unanimous consent, and I hope my colleagues will support it. This bill must be signed into law before Sunday so that important programs at VA do not lapse.

It is a bit ironic that we all recognize the need to pass this bill before Sunday because of how important VA programs are and that we work to extend them the same week that we are facing a

government shutdown that will shutter some important services at VA.

Nevertheless, this is a must-pass piece of legislation. Section 1 of the bill extends VA's authority to enlist medical professionals across State lines for the purposes of conducting disability medical exams on behalf of veterans.

When a veteran files a claim with VA for a service-connected disability, they are often required to receive an exam to document and substantiate their injury or illness and its severity. This exam requires a medical professional who is well-versed in the injuries and illnesses that are unique to the veterans population and in the forms VA requires to be submitted. It may be the case that a provider with this expertise is not reasonably near the veteran.

To alleviate this problem, Congress enabled VA to authorize certain medical professionals to practice across State lines. This vital authority has been used by VA and its contract examiners to tremendous effect, greatly reducing the potential wait time a veteran may face in scheduling their exam and also reducing the distance many veterans must travel to attend that exam.

Extending this authority means removing roadblocks to veterans accessing the care and benefits they have earned.

Section 2 of S. 2795 provides relief to veterans who are affected by the closure or disapproval of an educational institution.

Student veterans should not be the ones penalized when their school closes. While we can't give student veterans back their time when their higher education institution closes, at the very least we should give them back their GI eligibility. Section 2 of this legislation extends the relief established in the Isakson and Roe law for more than 2 years.

Our committee remains committed to making it straightforward for student veterans to get their benefits back when a school fails to uphold its promise. While it is important to make sure that the authority being extended in the legislation before us today does not lapse on Sunday, I note that a permanent solution authored by Representative Ramirez, H.R. 1767, the Bipartisan Student Veterans Benefit Restoration Act, has been favorably reported out of the committee and is widely supported by the veterans service organizations but is still awaiting a vote before the full House.

Representative Ramirez' bill would address the inequity in protections and relief for current and former student veterans who have lost their GI Bill benefits due to fraud when their benefits were not restored while their nonveteran classmates have had their student loans discharged.

It is inexplicable that, in our current system, these student veterans are still waiting for their relief and that Congress allows this inequity to persist.

Mr. Speaker, I urge the House to take up and pass H.R. 1767 as soon as possible. It would grant relief to thousands of student veterans who have lost their GI Bill benefits due to fraud and would finally ensure that GI Bill beneficiaries have the same protections as student loan borrowers.

Section 3 of the bill before us today will extend VA's authority to prepare for and respond to disasters and emergencies for the next 5 years.

This authority is commonly referred to as ``VA's Fourth Mission.'' The bill authorizes appropriations to carry out this authority.

Under its Fourth Mission, VA carries out several major responsibilities. First and foremost, it ensures VA medical facilities are prepared to protect veterans and staff during a public health emergency.

Second, under this authority, VA serves as a contingency backup to the Department of Defense medical system during a national emergency. VA can also provide support under this authority, such as staff or medical supplies, to assist civilian patients.

Finally, VA may furnish hospital care or medical services at its own facilities to nonveteran patients on a humanitarian basis during emergencies.

The COVID-19 emergency proved what a vital role VA's Fourth Mission authority plays in protecting public health, not just for veterans but for all Americans. I could not be prouder of how heroically the Department of Veterans Affairs carried out this mission during the height of the pandemic. VA not only sustained its own capacity to provide care to veterans and prevent the spread of the virus among its workforce, but it also provided critical care to civilians, serving as the backstop to the American healthcare system through Fourth Mission assignments in nearly every State and territory.

More than 6,000 VA employees volunteered to deploy to assist civilian or Tribal health systems. VA provided nearly 1.2 million pieces of PPE, such as masks, gloves, and gowns to non-VA facilities. VA admitted nearly 700 nonveterans for care at its medical facilities.

The difference VA made through its Fourth Mission authority cannot be overstated. Countless lives have been saved, and it is imperative that we extend this authority.

Finally, this bill includes a noncontroversial section regarding housing loan fees that provides an offset to the small cost of this bill.

Congress has extended these authorities countless times with the support of the VSO community, which ensures that this legislation does not increase the debt or deficit.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Jackson Lee), my good friend who holds a seat on the House Budget Committee, Homeland Security Committee, and the House Judiciary Committee. She is indeed a staunch advocate for all of our military servicemembers and veterans.

Mr. Speaker, I yield an additional 30 seconds to the gentlewoman from Texas.

Mr. Speaker, how much time is remaining?

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

Mr. Speaker, it is important that we pass this legislation, but it is cold comfort when the operation of the entire government is hanging in the balance this week.

We aren't any closer to extending funding for the Department of Veterans Affairs, or any other Federal agencies that servicemembers and veterans depend on.

I think we all need to consider what a shutdown means for servicemembers and veterans. It will undermine the PACT Act by delaying the onboarding of much-needed veteran service representatives, and negatively impact customer service for veterans. The claims backlog will grow, delaying benefits and services.

Important research will come to a halt, including life-improving prosthetics research.

There will be no setting of headstones at veteran cemeteries.

Student veterans will have counseling appointments canceled.

Hiring and training of new employees will stop, creating delays that will last for months.

The Veterans Benefits Administration, the office that oversees student veteran benefits, veteran housing, pensions, and servicemember transition will have 40 percent of its staff furloughed.

At the Department of Defense, over 1 million soldiers, sailors, airmen, marines, space guardians, and their families will go without pay.

Training will stop, impacting our long-term readiness and security.

Commissaries will be closed on many bases, making it harder to get basic essentials that military families need.

At the Department of Agriculture, the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children, commonly known as WIC food assistance, will be cut off. Nearly a quarter, 24 percent of the Active-Duty servicemembers and families are food insecure, and 9 percent of those families depend on WIC. You heard that right--9 percent of our military families depend on WIC.

How are our servicemembers supposed to focus on their job, which is inherently dangerous, or a deployment when they are worried if their family has enough to eat?

My colleagues may not think about these issues as they relate to veterans. They are too busy giving lip service to half-hearted attempts to cut the deficit

that they helped create rather than thinking about the actual consequences of their rhetoric.

There is growing evidence that both older and disabled veterans are suffering from food insecurity, as well as student veterans and Native veterans. The Rand Corporation released a study examining the issue of food insecurity among veterans.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Rand report be included in the Record.

Mr. Speaker, food insecurity is linked to many poor outcomes for physical and mental health, including increased risk of suicide. Food insecure veterans have a 400 percent higher rate of suicidal ideation. Food insecure veterans with a diagnosed mental health issue have a 900 percent higher rate of suicidal ideation.

We, as Members of Congress, like to stand here on the floor of the House or in front of the press or at a Memorial Day parade in our districts saying that we are working every angle, trying with all our might to eliminate or at least bring down the rate of veteran suicide. But how we spend or don't spend taxpayer money reveals our true values.

When we are trying to do everything possible to address veteran suicide, these pernicious cuts around the edges are simply increasing risk for vulnerable Americans, and this includes veterans, servicemembers, and their families.

Maybe my colleagues don't want to think about the ugly truth of members of the military not getting paid. The ugly truth is that those who serve are being asked to go without. Is that fair?

As noted in a recent article in Task and Purpose, cost of living and food insecurity are ongoing concerns for military families and veterans.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to include in the Record the Task and Purpose article titled ``More than a million veterans experience food insecurity.''

Mr. Speaker, the plain truth is that military families depend on programs like SNAP and WIC to make ends meet. I have been working with my Democratic colleagues over the last several months on ways to address the barriers faced by veterans to access important services like SNAP and housing vouchers. We should be focused on increasing access rather than looking to undermine or cut services for veterans.

The plain truth is just that the threat of a government shutdown, the uncertainty created by the House Republicans' inability to govern creates unknowns and stress for our servicemembers and families. We should be providing predictability and stability to those who serve. Instead, the Speaker can't even tell us what funding measures we will be voting on this week.

This looming shutdown is a self-inflicted wound by the House majority, who are choosing politics over the responsibilities of governance.

Mr. Speaker, the impact of this shutdown will be felt worldwide by military and veteran families.

Mr. Speaker, S. 2795 is a good bill and I urge its support by all my colleagues. It is impossible to pass this legislation, which we should do, without recognizing what House Republicans aren't doing.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I remind my esteemed colleague and friend-- and I do believe the gentleman from Illinois is my friend--that we are about to tonight bring up, again, the rule for the Defense appropriations bill. This body failed to even pass a rule and to bring to the floor the Defense appropriations bill.

Barring an ability to fund a continuing resolution before October 1, which is this Sunday, we are facing our military servicemembers going without a paycheck. This is a very serious moment. As far as I know, none of the 12 appropriations bills have been agreed to and been sent to the President's desk.

The bill before us today, this moment, is a bipartisan, noncontroversial bill that needs to be signed by the President before Sunday. Time is of the essence, but we can't forget all the things that we are not accomplishing for veterans today, that we are not accomplishing for our servicemembers who are in harm's way.

Servicemembers, veterans, and their families deserve to have access to food, deserve to have access to housing, and deserve to have access to healthcare and mental health care. If we look at the reauthorization of the agriculture bill, it is atrocious what is done to all the nutrition programs that our veterans and our military families depend on.

Do not be fooled by the fact that we have passed a military construction bill that fully funds VA but has not yet been agreed to because of all of the poison pills that have been put into that bill. We stand here waiting to see if the House Republicans can fulfill the most basic role of Congress, which is to fund the government.

The brinksmanship of extremists in control of this Chamber is putting servicemember pay and the WIC program at risk. This situation is both unconscionable and was totally avoidable, yet we are here at the precipice.

Madam Speaker, again, I ask all my colleagues to join me in passing S. 2795. Fund the government. Feed veterans, feed servicemembers, and feed their families.

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I am pleased that the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Bost), my friend and colleague, would like to feed cabbage to his hogs, but I want to feed America's veterans, America's military families, and America's servicemembers.

I ask all of my colleagues to join me in not only passing S. 2795, but we also need to fund the government, and we need to make sure that our military families, our veterans, and our servicemembers have enough to eat.

Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (S. 2795) to amend title 38, United States Code, to extend and modify certain authorities and requirements relating to the Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks on

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of S. 2795, a bill that extends VA's expiring authorities.

The Veterans' Affairs Committee works on an extender bill every year. This year, it was introduced by my friends, Senators Tester and Moran.

The 2023 extender bill does three things.

It would extend VA's participation in the National Disaster Medical System for 5 years. VA has a mission to protect veterans and staff and support public health during disasters or emergencies.

Second, the bill would also allow medical professionals who are contracted to perform veterans' disability exams to continue practicing across State lines. Now, VA depends on the contractors to perform most of the disability exams, and the contractors depend on this authority. This bill would continue the authority for 2 more years.

Finally, the bill would continue to protect student veterans if their school closed or gets disapproved under the GI Bill. It would also allow the Secretary to restore the entitlement to education benefits for 2 more years.

I support this legislation because it gives VA important tools to take care of all of our veterans. Without extending these authorities, serious impacts to operations might mean VA's ability to protect Americans during disasters would be limited, veterans' claims for disability compensation would grind to a halt, and student veterans would be left out in the cold if they attended a college that closed due to fraud or mismanagement. We can't let that happen.

I once again thank Senators Tester and Moran for working on this legislation in the Senate, and I also thank Dr. Murphy for his work to lead and champion the legislation here in the House.

Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to support S. 2795, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Murphy), the author on our side of this Chamber for this piece of legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, many people know that I was in the State legislature prior to coming to Congress, I was a foreleader there and I knew and could identify when, for some reason, whether it is leadership on one side of the aisle or the other side of the aisle, who wants to drag the debate out. So I am going to do whatever I can to help them out here.

Some things that were claimed here--I think it is amazing that the claims that actually cause fear through our Nation and through people who are providing services--we are going to try to work every way we can not to have a shutdown, but we have a responsibility, and that responsibility is to pass a budget.

That is not what we were supposed to be debating here at this time, but I am glad to do that. If you remember when we were working on the cap, where we would increase the cap, I think the other side of the aisle said we were going to cut benefits for veterans. Veterans were scared all over the United States because they claimed we were going to cut benefits for veterans.

Oh, and what happened?

I told that--not only I as chair, but the Speaker and others--we are not cutting benefits for veterans. Okay.

Let's see what actually--if the shutdown occurs, what actually is still covered at the VA? I think it is very important that the American people know.

Healthcare will not be cut. It won't even slow down. Compensation and pension benefits and processing of claims on appeals, they will still be done. The Veterans Crisis Line, it is most important, and I know both myself and the ranking member know it is vitally important to make sure that those veterans--the veteran numbers right now are 17 per day that are committing suicide--we want to make sure that is open.

Housing benefits for the homeless, open. National cemeteries and burial services and benefits, still going to be done. Essential IT functions, network data centers, cybersecurity operations, are still all going to be done with VA. The Office of General Counsel is still going to operate.

The financial accounting and debt management center, maintenance and management of VA facilities, VA customer service operations, workforce management for electronic health records, the modernization office, VA appeal court operations, small and disadvantaged veterans business support operations--all not cut. Why?

Because we have been working already with the Secretary of the VA to make sure those services remain in place.

Are there certain things that will slow down, paperwork and things like that? I hope we don't go into the shutdown, but those essential services we are going to make sure are provided for our veterans. Why?

Because our veterans deserve it.

We want to make sure that we don't have fearmongering and concern in that way.

I think there are people that should be concerned about a shutdown. I am concerned about a shutdown. That is why we are going to be--and this is very important for the American people to know--I know for a fact that I am possibly going to be offering an amendment tonight somewhere around 1 o'clock in the morning.

We are going to work through the day and through the night. We are going to do it all this week to try to take care of the business of this Nation. People should feel secure that we are.

That is not why we were here today. We wanted to talk about this bill and the importance of it. Why?

Because these are essential services we must also pass by the end of the month. As you can see, we are going to continue to do the work. We are going to continue to work in this way, and I hope in a bipartisan manner that we are.

We can go out and do press conferences and stand on this floor and claim, oh, this isn't getting done or that isn't getting done. I understand that. I have been around this process a long time. But understand, we are here to do our job and we are going to do our job.

There are 435 Members in this Chamber, and all of them have opinions and all of them have ideas.

You know what? We are doing a thing called regular order because many people called for that.

You know what? There are two things in this life you should not watch being made because it ruins the taste of both--sausage and law. Now we are making law. We are coming together and running our heads together and arguing and debating.

We are debating on our side of the aisle with our own colleagues, we are debating on that side of the aisle with their colleagues, and we are debating together to come up with the answers that we need to for this Nation to do it right.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, may I request the time remaining for each side?

Madam Speaker, I am so proud to be on this floor and for what we do for the people, but it is interesting to watch the debates that occur on this floor sometimes to try to stretch, as I said, and draw things out.

I actually had the opportunity earlier this afternoon during 5-minute speeches to talk about a friend of mine from the Illinois State legislature who did this very, very well. He was a floor leader in the State of Illinois. His name was William ``Bill'' Black. Bill was a great orator, and he could talk on every issue.

I explained during that time that because he was an educator and then the president of a community college, when he became a legislator, he knew how to explain the issues exactly the way they needed to be explained so that whether you were a scholar or just an average person on the street, you could understand what was going on.

Basically, he used a good southern Illinois term that said he would put the cabbage down where the hogs could eat it. Let me tell you, that is what I would like to do.

As we have listened here, going off and leaving the bill we were actually debating on, we have talked about everything that is going on around here. I said earlier that it will continue to go on. Why? Because we have been elected by the people to work through this process. We are going to work through this process.

I hope that there is not a shutdown. If there is a shutdown, is this the first time we have shut down? No, it is not. What we have to know is that we want to make sure we are getting it right. The American people want us to get it right.

What legislators discover once we are here, with the 435 districts, what is happening in the ranking member's district, quite often his people feel different than the people of the Illinois 12th District, which I represent. They feel different because they come from different cultures. It is our job to try to come up with something that is balanced and that can actually operate this Nation the way we need to have it operated.

Let me also say this: We also know that we can do a whole lot of things at the same time. Right now we are working on appropriation bills, and my colleague from the other side of the aisle said that we have not passed an appropriation bill. Well, we actually had one appropriation bill out, and there wasn't a single Democrat vote on it. It is kind of interesting to watch on this floor when somebody claims you haven't done anything. However, not a single vote came in from that side of the aisle. As we are moving forward, though, we do have the 12 budget bills to move.

Now, will there be a CR? I don't know. Let me tell you the first thing we are going to do is we are going to move rules because that is what we do. We are going to move the rule, and we are going to have debates. I thank the members of the Rules Committee who worked all weekend long to try to make sure that through this process they are crossing the T's and dotting the I's.

As I said in a speech on this floor earlier today, every comma, every dot, and every word matters. Every comma, every dot, and every word matters. Why? It matters because it is going to affect generations to come. It will affect people next week, next year, and 10 years down the road.

What we do here is serious business. I am getting concerned sometimes that the only thing people want to see is the rhetoric back and forth when they don't understand how much time we do

spend working across the aisle together to having successful pieces of legislation that actually get things done.

We both knew, the Senate knew, with Senator Moran and Senator Tester, that this piece of legislation that we are working on today needed to be moved by the last of this month or these services would fail. Rightfully so, in a bipartisan manner, we have and we will move this tonight, and it will move on to the President so those vital services are not removed or even say a flaw in them where a problem could happen. Remember, all I said about the words and the dots and the commas: They aren't just words; they affect people's lives. That is why we have got to get it right, and we are going to work to get it right.

Madam Speaker, I am ready to close, but I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding, and I thank him for the spirited debate. Once again, that is the rhetoric I was talking about, to think that people on this side of the aisle don't want to take care of our veterans and feed our veterans, don't want to make sure that SNAP programs are passed and that those people in need are taken care of, that is the rhetoric we have got to stop.

In this particular bill, this bill actually does provide and make sure that we can carry on these three areas of service in the VA that are vitally important. We want to make sure that our colleagues on both sides of the aisle support this legislation. I will encourage mine. I just heard the ranking member support and encourage his Members to support this legislation as well.

Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from California, particularly for his extended leadership and work on behalf of the Nation's veterans. I thank our manager, who is leading on the majority.

This is an important and bipartisan effort to ensure the promise that we make to the men and women of the United States military that ultimately serve--and I always use this term--particularly, for those who have come from the city of Houston, and Texas, and then for the Nation. These men and women put on the uniform unselfishly. They are ready to serve. They own up to their responsibilities. They are going away from their families, and they come back and are in need of important services.

This bill is important because it extends from 3 to 5 years the authority for additional licensed healthcare professionals to perform medical disability examinations as part of an existing VA pilot program related to the use of contract physicians for disability examinations.

If you do casework in your district, you are well aware of the challenges of our veterans in getting assessed for disability. Some feel unfairly treated and analyzed for the percentages that they get.

This is certainly extremely important with 18.5 million veterans in the United States, and with 1.5 million of them from my own State of Texas.

Several initiatives that I have designed in the past have aided Active-Duty servicemen and servicewomen, along with veterans, such as enforcing accurate reporting of maternity mortality rates among the Armed Forces, addressing physical and mental health concerns, and securing triple negative breast cancer funding.

This legislation is extremely important because it adds, if you will, additional services, expands additional services, and it also reflects our commitment to every soldier, sailor, airman, and marine that is welcomed back with all the care and compassion that this grateful Nation can show.

Our Nation has a proud legacy of appreciation and commitment to the men and women who have worn the uniform in defense of this county. Veterans continue to have unanswered needs.

Mr. Speaker, veterans continue to have many unanswered needs, and I will continue to fight for their rights.

The reason why it is important to move quickly on the extension in this bill is because in addition to the ability to assess one's benefits, it is, of course, recognizing the myriad of issues they face, such as homelessness.

Mr. Speaker, I will conclude by saying, should we not focus on their service, their commitment, and realize that shutting down the government is not in any way an expression of gratitude to those men and women who serve us unselfishly?

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to support S. 2795, and for us to proceed in a way that honors this Nation.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of S. 2795, a bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to extend and modify certain authorities and requirements relating to the Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes.

S. 2795, a bill passed by the Senate on September 13, 2023, is an important and necessary measure that I encourage all of my colleagues to vote in favor of today because it will serve as a critical and necessary source of support for our veterans by extending the eligibility or applicability of various Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) programs and benefits.

First, the bill extends from three to five years the authority for additional licensed health care professionals (i.e., physician assistants, nurse practitioners, audiologists, and psychologists) to perform medical disability examinations as part of the existing VA pilot program related to the use of contract physicians for disability examinations.

Currently, when an individual transfers fewer than 12 credits from a program of education that is closed or disapproved, the individual is deemed to have not received those credits, and no charge from the individual's entitlement to education assistance may be made for that period of enrollment.

Under the bill, this period of relief for those affected by a closure or disapproval is extended by two years to apply to programs that close or discontinue before September 30, 2025.

This bill also extends authorization for VA emergency preparedness for public health emergencies through FY2028.

Additionally, the bill also extends the applicability of certain loan fee rates under the VA's home loan program through November 15, 2031.

These proposed changes align with my longstanding support for veterans.

Of the 18.5 million veterans in the United States, 1.5 million of them are from my own state of Texas.

Several initiatives I have designed in the past have aided active- duty servicemen and women along with veterans, such as enforcing accurate reporting of maternity mortality rates among the Armed Forces, addressing physical and mental health concerns, and securing authorization for Triple Negative Breast Cancer as well as Post- Traumatic Stress Disorder.

In 2015, I was also proud to introduce the H.E.R.O.E.S. Act which offers assistance and materials to help veteran's transition from the battlefield to the workforce.

I am very proud of the work Congress has done to address the health concerns of active duty and veteran servicemen and women, but there are still improvements to be made.

According to Texas State University researchers, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has found ``a lack of effective interventions persist for the veteran population from public agencies such as the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs VA) and private organizations.''

In other words, although programs and resources have been implemented to assist veterans, there is still work to be done, as the veteran community is still suffering.

According to CDC Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System data, ``the overall health of the average U.S. veteran is far worse than that of the average American, with veterans suffering more from such conditions as obesity, skin cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), arthritis, kidney disease and mental health disorders.''

Members of the armed forces are vital to our nation, and I am committed to ensuring that veterans receive the quality healthcare and other services that they deserve.

We must be united in seeing that every soldier, sailor, airman, and marine is welcomed back with all the care and compassion this grateful nation can bestow.

Our nation has a proud legacy of appreciation and commitment to the men and women who have worn the uniform in defense of this country.

Veterans continue to have many unanswered needs, and I will continue to fight for the rights of our most patriotic Americans.

Madam Speaker, during the 118th Congress, Democrats have worked persistently to advance legislation and policies that support the American people.

This Congress, Democrats have been met with fighting and incompetency from Republicans, an unwillingness to work together, and one of the most unproductive sessions in the history of Congress.

Despite the chaos, we have kept the government from defaulting on its debts and made sure that the government stayed open to do the work of the people.

I have worked with my colleagues to fight for the 18th Congressional District of Texas and my constituents, ensuring that the work of the federal government continues despite the chaos from Republicans.

House Democrats stand firm in our commitments to protect essential safety net programs and vital services, deliver for our districts, and prevent further cuts that would threaten the wellbeing of our constituents.

Democrats are united in putting People Over Politics to lower costs and grow the middle class.

As we wrap up the 1st session of the 118th Congress and look forward to the 2nd session, it is the job of Congress to fund our government, pass legislation that betters the lives of the American people, and ensure that we advocate for our constItuents.

Extreme MAGA Republicans have had a difficult time coming to a consensus on how to pass their wildly unpopular and harmful legislation.

Instead of working in a bipartisan matter, they are wasting time and taxpayer dollars by bringing legislation to the floor that has no chance of passing the Senate and being signed by President Biden.

Congress should be working to lower costs and protect of national security instead of focusing on partisan politics.

As we go home for the holidays to our constituents and families, we bring with us a looming government shutdown, a result of incompetency and disfunction from extreme MAGA Republicans.

When we come back in January we must get back to our work.

The American people deserve a Congress that is serious in manner and functions to the best of its ability.

My friends across the aisle have not been willing to compromise during any of the most time-sensitive and dire moments in the 118th Congress.

While they have been focused on division and fear, House Democrats have worked to advocate for their communities while simultaneously offering to collaborate on the most crucial legislation on a bipartisan basis.

In this Congress, I have worked tirelessly to improve the lives of my constituents in Houston.

I have worked to fight against sex trafficking and introduced legislation to stop human trafficking in school zones, introduced gun safety legislation as well as legislation to stop the trafficking of fentanyl, and have brought over $200 million in grants to my district.

While I am proud of the work that I have done for the 18th congressional district of Texas, there is still much work that we need to do.

We have been kicking the can down the road for months, and rather than address the main duty as members of Congress--funding the government--House Republicans instead are launching baseless accusations against our President to score cheap political points.

Under Republican leadership we have just barely avoided two government shutdowns by the skin of our teeth and have been unable to pass meaningful legislation that would improve the lives of Americans.

This is not to say Democrats have not tried to reach across the aisle.

We indicated we would be open to negotiation to avert the first shutdown, and we were

rebuffed until the situation was at its most critical point.

We indicated we would be open to negotiation to avert the second shutdown, and our friends across the aisle took to the media to express countless times that they would refuse to work with Democrats to find a solution.

By trying to suppress Democratic voices, Republican leadership is silencing half of the country simply because they have a different worldview.

Moreover, by not passing serious legislation, Republicans are stifling the very constituents who put them in office.

To serve the people who elected us to Congress, we all must work together to enact positive change born from compromise and a combined desire to serve as a voice for our constituents.

The performance of Republican leadership in this Congress has been utterly disappointing, and I urge my colleagues across the aisle to remember that to serve the people, we must work together to provide comprehensive and meaningful legislation.