Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Oregon fire strike teams who have deployed to southern California to help contain the ongoing wildfires.

These fires are leaving a historic path of destruction in their wake. Already at least 25 people have died, thousands of homes and businesses have burned to the ground, and many more people have been displaced.

As Oregonians, we know firsthand the devastation of wildfires. It makes sense that we would lend a hand to our neighbors to the south. The Oregon fire marshal has sent 21 strike teams and 370 individual firefighters to California to help contain these blazes.

We are already hearing stories of their heroism. Just last week, a Marion County strike team was able to quickly act and save a family's home when it caught fire.

We owe a debt of gratitude to these courageous men and women who are working 24-hour shifts away from their families and putting their lives on the line to help folks who are suffering right now.

I will continue to support our firefighters and deliver the pay and benefits they have earned. I am thankful for these heroes from Oregon and for all those working day in and day out to stop these deadly blazes.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong opposition to H.R. 28.

As a mother to a former child athlete, I get the need to keep our daughters safe and ensure our school sports are fair. Sadly, there is nothing in this bill to improve the safety of our daughters or improve fair play. In fact, the bill subjects girls, cisgender and transgender girls, to harm and ridicule, and it strips fairness from players, parents, and school communities.

The bill sets up an unfair playing field where any parent can raise a concern that a transgender girl might be playing on a girls' team, and we know this is so very rare.

It is unfair to the girls who may be targeted because they grow faster, play harder, or simply may be more talented than their teammates.

This bill is unfair to the school districts that can't navigate the threats of lawsuits but also can't afford to lose Federal funding, leaving students without sports or school meals.

This bill is unfair to the girl athletes who could be subject to genital inspection and subject to humiliation, leaving them with a legacy of trauma rather than the lessons of teamwork and sportsmanship.

Finally, this bill is unfair to the American people, who are demanding that we take their call to address the cost of living seriously.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to leave these decisions in the hands of parents and local sports authorities and vote ``no'' on H.R. 28.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to highlight the work that my colleagues in the Mental Health Caucus and I are doing to address America's mental health and addiction crises.

When I first took office, my home State of Oregon ranked second to last in the Nation in terms of access to mental health services and dead last for the widespread prevalence of mental illness.

It is why I made this issue a top priority and took on a leadership role as co-chair of the Mental Health Caucus, where our Members have introduced around 200 bills during this Congress alone to address various pieces of the mental health puzzle.

Personally, I have introduced my own bills related to mental health and cosponsored dozens more. I have held listening tours, roundtables, and townhalls to hear directly from community members, to understand the challenges they face, and establish strong relationships with advocates and treatment professionals to ensure our solutions are guided by lived experiences.

These actions have helped raise awareness and reduce the stigma around seeking care, but that is merely just the first step. I know there is still so much more work to be done. I remain committed to reaching across the aisle and working with my colleagues in both parties to continue this work to make strides on this issue in the next Congress.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize National Rural Health Day. Approximately, one-fifth of America and about one in three Oregonians lives in a rural or frontier community.

However, many rural areas do not have enough providers or facilities to meet community needs, forcing residents to travel long distances and requiring time off of work.

Your Zip Code should not prevent you from accessing potentially lifesaving care. As a founding member of the Bipartisan Rural Health Caucus, I have championed several pieces of legislation that will help close these gaps and ensure rural America is not left behind.

For example, my Home-Based Telemental Health Care Act would expand access to virtual mental health and substance use treatment services in rural communities.

In addition to making it easier and cheaper for folks to see a provider, the bill would also help reduce stigma by allowing people to get care from the comfort and safety of their own homes. This is just one commonsense idea among many I have supported to expand access to healthcare in our rural communities.

As we approach the start of a new Congress, I remain committed to working with anyone on both sides of the aisle who is serious about finding solutions to the mental health and addiction crisis. Every American deserves high quality, affordable healthcare regardless of where they live.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Tyler G. Brown, an author and constituent from Dallas, Oregon.

Not only is Tyler an author, but he is also a corporal with the Grande Ronde Tribal Police Department.

Late last year, Tyler published his first book, ``Tribal Honor.'' His story is an inspiring one. This is actually the third novel he has written, as the first two did not make it into print. However, the setback did not stop him from realizing his dream of becoming a published author.

In his debut novel, Tyler blends his experience as a law enforcement officer with his passion for thrillers, mystery, and action-packed fiction novels. Unsurprisingly, his first novel quickly climbed the crime action fiction charts.

Every year, the Readers' Favorite International Book Award contest announces the top books in a variety of categories, and this year they had a record amount of entries. The contest showcases thousands of authors from around the world, and ``Tribal Honor'' won the gold medal in the action-fiction category.

As the daughter of a police officer, I know firsthand the challenges that come with being in law enforcement.

Mr. Speaker, I want to let Tyler know how grateful I am for his dedication to keeping the Grande Ronde Tribe safe and how pleased I am to see his novel get the recognition it deserves. I thank him for inspiring people and showing them that they should always chase their dreams. I extend my heartfelt congratulations to him and his family. He has made Oregon's Sixth District immensely proud.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor America's brave wildland firefighters and first responders. In Oregon and across the West, we

are seeing deadly wildfires on the rise. They are starting earlier and growing larger than in previous years.

Throughout this fire season, I have spent a lot of time attending interagency briefings, visiting fire camps, and talking with first responders on the ground. Just last week, I visited a camp near Mount Hood where wildland firefighters are battling through a heat wave to contain the Sandstone fire.

These heroes put their lives on the line to keep us safe. In return, we must provide them with the resources and support they need to continue doing their jobs and protecting our communities.

I have introduced legislation to do just that, including a bipartisan bill to help the U.S. Forest Service recruit, train, and place wildland firefighters in our communities to expand their firefighting capacity.

Understandably, fighting these blazes and being separated from home and family for weeks on end can be emotionally taxing. Another bill of mine would actually connect more firefighters with mental health services and help them cope with the trauma they face on a daily basis.

To our brave heroes: Thank you for your sacrifices. I will keep working to deliver the pay, benefits, and support you rightfully deserve.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize BIPOC Mental Health Awareness Month.

As the co-chair of the bipartisan Mental Health Caucus and as a proud Latina myself, I know how important it is to bring culturally relevant, multilingual mental health resources directly to our communities.

Between cultural differences, stigma, and language barriers, it makes it so hard for folks to receive potentially lifesaving mental health care.

Growing up, I watched my sister fight her battle in complete silence, pushing through her pain until it was so great that she attempted suicide, something that no family should ever have to experience.

Her story is like so many others across the Nation. BIPOC and Tribal people face lower rates of mental health treatment yet face higher rates of attempted suicide--22 percent for Hispanic and Latino youth.

This is totally unacceptable, and I am committed to working across the aisle to find evidence-based solutions and to prioritize policies that will make mental health care more accessible and affordable.

Not just in July but every single day of the year, we must ensure that our BIPOC neighbors and loved ones have access to these resources and know that they are not alone in this fight. Together, we will end the stigma around mental health and put an end to this crisis.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the St. Paul Rodeo.

For nearly 88 years, St. Paul, Oregon, has been home to the beloved, longstanding tradition of the Nation's greatest Fourth of July rodeo.

They sure do live up to their moniker. Just last year, the St. Paul Rodeo was inducted into the esteemed ProRodeo Hall of Fame as one of the Nation's greatest rodeos. This honor will bring more folks into St. Paul, which is a huge boon to the local economy.

The momentum of achievements keeps on coming because for the first time ever, the rodeo will now feature the women's breakaway roping event, an event that requires careful precision and dedication.

I know from personal experience how hard they work. When I was a kid, I competed in barrel racing for a hot minute.

Though I have since changed my career, I am so proud of these decorated and talented cowgirls who stand as a beacon of excellence, not just in Oregon but across the Nation.

Not to mention, celebrating America's birthday among the traditions of our Western heritage feels like an appropriate way to honor our country's freedom and liberty.

Here is to another successful rodeo, St. Paul.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Salem High

School Class of 1944 and congratulate them on a successful 80th reunion.

This incredible group of Oregonians holds a Guinness World Record for the longest running high school reunion, which usually takes place at their favorite Denny's restaurant in southeast Salem, Oregon.

Their determination and school spirit are admirable. This is a class that grew up in the shadow of the Great Depression and held its commencement just 5 days before Allied troops stormed the shores of Normandy on D-Day.

This is a generation--America's Greatest Generation--that has witnessed some of the highest and lowest points of our Nation's history. They have lived through times of war and peace, raised families during economic booms and downturns, and watched the tides of change sweep over our country.

Through it all, they still found time to come together to remember their roots and celebrate their bonds. That is a special kind of fellowship you don't often see today.

Again, congratulations to the Salem High School Class of 1944. Here is to many more years of great memories and even stronger friendships. They make our community proud.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today as a mother and as a proud ally of the LGBTQ+ community to celebrate Pride Month. First and foremost, this month is about joy. It is about recognizing how far we have come in the fight for full equality.

Just 20 years ago, gay marriage was still illegal in almost every State and territory. I didn't know it back then, but I was about to become a mom to a beautiful queer child. Thank God things changed and my daughter was able to grow up in a country that recognizes her freedom to love and be who she is.

That is reason enough to be proud, but we still have work to do. As a Member of the Congressional Equality Caucus, I will keep fighting until every American can live out their truth and fulfill their potential without fear.

That is why I have championed bills to combat bullying and create a safer environment for our LGBTQ+ kids in schools, and I will continue to stand up for the trans community and push back against hateful, false narratives.

It is on us as elected officials to defend the rights of all Americans, no matter who they love or how they identify. I promise to do just that, not just this month, but every day of the year.

Happy Pride.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today as the daughter of a Vietnam veteran and the Representative for Oregan's Sixth District, home to nearly 40,000 veterans.

These brave Oregonians served our country, and now I have the great honor of serving them in Congress. They are hardworking people, some of whom carry with them scars both visible and invisible of their service.

Returning to civilian life can be challenging. Mental health problems are all too common, and many veterans struggle to find stable jobs in housing. They put country first and their own comfort second.

As Members of Congress, the least we can do is to show them we care.

That is why I was shocked to see House Republicans proposing $30 billion in cuts to SNAP in their farm bill proposal.

Cutting SNAP was never on the table for Democrats, yet my Republican colleagues have chosen to move forward with this reckless plan and take away up to 2 days' worth of food every month from hungry veterans, kids, and seniors.

Why must my Republican colleagues deprive veterans of food when they fall on hard times? Why the unnecessary cruelty?

Instead, we need to protect SNAP and ensure that those who have sacrificed so much for our freedom will have healthy, nutritious food on the table. It is our job--no, our duty and responsibility to pay them back.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to share a simple truth: Mental health care is healthcare. We have to start treating it as such because these challenges are more common than people may think.

Several members of my own family have struggled with mental health challenges, so I know from personal experience how hard it is to watch the people you love suffer and not be able to help them.

It is why I have introduced several bills that would put an end to the stigma, bring down costs, and expand access through peer support programs and telehealth to ensure more Oregonians and Americans get the care they need.

May is also Mental Health Awareness Month, but raising awareness alone doesn't go far enough. We need bipartisan action on this issue. It is the only way we can put an end to the mental health and substance use crisis in America.

As co-chair of the Mental Health Caucus, I am working across the aisle to find consensus and get more policies passed that will actually help people who are struggling, people like my family members and probably yours, too.

I invite every single one of my colleagues, regardless of party affiliation, to join me in this fight. My door is always open, and I am open to forging solutions together.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize my constituent Clarice Lafreniere, who was just awarded the Congressional Gold Medal for her service as a real-life Rosie the Riveter during World War II.

I had the honor of meeting Clarice and her granddaughter in my office last week and hearing firsthand her story of courage and conviction during a very dark time in our Nation's history.

Clarice gave birth to her daughter just hours after the attack on Pearl Harbor, but like many Americans, she felt the need to spring into action and support the war effort. So, Clarice went on to work at the Kaiser shipyard in Portland, where she cut and welded steel for ships.

She wasn't the only one. In total, about 16 million women across the country served as riveters, buckers, welders, and electricians during the war. These real-life Rosies were critical to ensuring American victory.

Today, Clarice is 102 years young, remains very active in her community, and is eager to share her story with younger generations.

I can't think of anyone more deserving of our Nation's highest civilian honor, and I am so grateful to Clarice and her family for their service.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to highlight the important role that community and school-based health centers play when it comes to Americans' mental well-being. These centers provide a wide range of mental and physical health services, regardless of a patient's ability to pay.

I recently visited several community health centers in my district along with SAMHSA Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary Tom Coderre. During our visit, we met with staff, providers, and local stakeholders to learn more about how Congress can better support these facilities.

What I gained from those conversations is that we simply do not have enough mental health providers to meet community needs, especially in rural areas.

Addressing the mental health workforce shortage has to be a top priority. For my part, I have introduced legislation that will help create a strong workforce pipeline and relieve the pressures on individual providers. I will continue to push for more funding for community health centers and other organizations that are truly helping to fill the gaps in mental healthcare because mental health is just as important as our physical health, but we can't expand access to care without also increasing support for providers who are on the ground working to put an end to the mental health crisis in America.

Mr. Speaker, I was unable to be present for the recorded vote on Roll Call No. 58. Had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 58.