Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I rise today in honor of National Small Business Week, May 2-5, 2022, and to thank Eric Childs of Mind's Eye Comics. Eric's dedication to his community in Burnsville is what fuels Minnesota's Second Congressional District.

Mind's Eye Comics was established in 1998 in Eagan, Minnesota. A dedicated and longtime customer, Eric stepped in to continue the business after the original owner retired from the comic book business. He has continued to ensure that Mind's Eye welcomes all levels of comic enthusiasts in the Second Congressional District, Minnesota, and beyond.

Small businesses like Mind's Eye Comics are the backbone of our economy. I'm proud that Eric is a member of my Small Business Taskforce. I'm thankful for his expertise and guidance as we work to shape policies to benefit and strengthen our small business economy.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in honor of National Small Business Week, May 2-5, 2022, and to thank Jack Kolb-Williams of The Garage. Jack's dedication to his community in Burnsville is what fuels Minnesota's Second Congressional District.

The Garage has supported small, local artists of all ages throughout the Second Congressional District and Minnesota for more than two decades. They provide an important creative and cultural space for the community for all ages to enjoy local music.

Small businesses like The Garage are the backbone of our economy. I'm proud that Jack is a member of my Small Business Taskforce. I'm thankful for his expertise and guidance as we work to shape policies to benefit and strengthen our small business economy.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in honor of National Small Business Week, May 2-5, 2022, and to thank John Swaney of Precision Signs and Imaging. Jack's dedication to his community in Burnsville is what fuels Minnesota's Second Congressional District.

Precision Signs and Imaging has provided important services to business, large and small, throughout Minnesota. John has led Precision Signs and Imaging to not only business success, but also in serving their local community. John and Precision Signs and Imaging showcase the impact that small businesses can have on their local community.

Small businesses like Precision Signs and Imaging are the backbone of our economy. I'm proud that John is a member of my Small Business Taskforce. I'm thankful for his expertise and guidance as we work to shape policies to benefit and strengthen our small business economy.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in honor of National Small Business Week, May 2-5, 2022, and to thank Brian Emerson of Point North Networks. Brian's dedication to his community in Inver Grove Heights is what fuels Minnesota's Second Congressional District.

Point North Networks draws on Brian's experience of developing and implementing solutions to fulfill the IT needs of smaller businesses throughout the Second Congressional District and Minnesota. Brian has ensured that Point North Networks serves its community with honesty and integrity.

Small businesses like Point North Networks are the backbone of our economy. I'm proud that Brian is a member of my Small Business Taskforce. I'm thankful for his expertise and guidance as we work to shape policies to benefit and strengthen our small business economy.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in honor of National Small Business Week, May 2-5, 2022, and to thank Jodi Norgaarden of Quaint and Quirky Boutique. Jodi's dedication to her community in Hastings is what fuels Minnesota's Second Congressional District.

Quaint and Quirky Boutique features over 100 artists, creators, and authors from Minnesota and Wisconsin. Jodi has taken her over 25 years of sales experience and created a small business that supports communities and people throughout the Second Congressional District and beyond.

Small businesses like Quaint and Quirky Boutique are the backbone of our economy. I'm proud that Jodi is a member of my Small Business Taskforce. I'm thankful for her expertise and guidance as we work to shape policies to benefit and strengthen our small business economy.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in honor of National Small Business Week, May 2-5, 2022, and to thank Jon Erickson of Angry Inch Brewing. Jon's dedication to his community in Lakeville is what fuels Minnesota's Second Congressional District.

As Lakeville's first craft brewery, Angry Inch has become a central part of historic downtown Lakeville. When Jon turned his hobby for home brewing into something bigger, he and all the staff at Angry Inch showcased how a small business can serve a community.

Small businesses like Angry Inch Brewing are the backbone of our economy. I'm proud that Jon is a member of my Small Business Taskforce. I'm thankful for his expertise and guidance as we work to shape policies to benefit and strengthen our small business economy.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in honor of National Small Business Week, May 2-5, 2022, and to thank the entire Lark Toys family, Kathy and Ron Gray and Miranda and Scott Gray-Burlingame. Their dedication to their community in Kellogg is what fuels Minnesota's Second Congressional District.

Lark Toys has proven that small, family-owned and operated businesses can rise to national prominence. Miranda and the staff at Lark Toys combine a multitude of skills to bring happiness to children and families throughout the Second Congressional District and beyond.

Small businesses like Lark Toys are the backbone of our economy. I'm proud that Miranda is a member of my Small Business Taskforce. I'm thankful for her expertise and guidance as we work to shape policies to benefit and strengthen our small business economy.

Madam Speaker, I thank Chairman Pallone for yielding.

Madam Speaker, diabetes does not care if you are a Republican or a Democrat. This disease is an absolute torrential disease inside working families across our country. This bill has been mischaracterized by the other side. This would lead to a $35 cost for Americans, for Minnesotans, for part D Medicare beneficiaries and commercial plan beneficiaries.

For the vast majority of working families, the price of insulin is simply unsustainable. Many Americans are forced to risk their own lives by rationing doses or skipping treatments entirely. Today, we have an opportunity to save American families thousands of their hard-earned dollars.

Madam Speaker, my bill, the Affordable Insulin Now Act, would cap it at $35 a month. Certainly, our work to lower drug costs and expand access to healthcare across this Nation is not done. But this is a major step forward in the right direction and a chance to make good on our promises to the American people.

Madam Speaker, I encourage all of my colleagues to vote ``yes.''

Mr. Speaker, today for the Jazz and Friends National Day of School and Community Readings hosted by HRC's Welcoming Schools program, I am going to read from the book ``Calvin'' written by JR and Vanessa Ford and illustrated by Kayla Harren of Minnesota.

It is critically important to make sure that transgender and nonbinary youth not only feel supported but valued and affirmed for who they are.

I am reading from the book ``Calvin.''

For as long as I could remember, I knew I was a boy.

I'd draw myself with short hair and a shirt like Papa's.

I'd dream about swim trunks like my dad and brother wore.

I didn't tell my family until the night before our summer

trip to Gigi and Papa's. I was scared they wouldn't believe

me. But I knew it was time to be me.

Whenever I have to do something scary, my dad always says:

``Take deep breaths and count down from five.''

Breathe in. Breathe out. Five, four, three, two, one.

``I'm not a girl,'' I told my family.

``I'm a boy--a boy in my heart and in my brain.''

``We love you if you are a girl, boy, neither, or both. We

love you whoever you are,'' my dad said.

Later, Dad told me the word for how I felt was transgender.

Being transgender means other people think you are one

gender, but inside, you know you are a different one.

I wondered how Gigi and Papa would react. As we got closer,

I squeezed my stuffed lion to my chest. I had already told my

family who I was. Now I needed to tell them my name.

``The same name as your favorite stuffed lion?'' Dad asked.

``It's why I named him that. It's always been my name to

me.''

When we got to Gigi and Papa's, Dad told them my new name.

He introduced me.

Our summer trip turned out to be the best ever. At the

comic convention, Papa bought me my favorite costume. My

favorite superhero signed my poster, using my real name.

At Water World, Gigi bought me and my brother matching swim

trunks. Even the water slides felt better in them.

In line for popcorn, I made a new friend. I felt proud to

tell him my name. We spent the whole day together.

On the last day of vacation, at the big outlet stores near

Gigi and Papa's, I picked out new clothes. That night I gave

my family a fashion show.

``You look so handsome,'' Gigi told me.

School was starting soon, and I knew there was only one

more thing I needed to feel like me.

When I looked in the mirror, I finally saw me.

Dad said there were other transgender people in the world,

but I didn't know any kids like me at my school--and my

school started next week.

Being the only one felt scary.

How would everyone treat me?

What if my friends wouldn't call me ``he''?

What if, what if, what if?

The first day of school, I dragged my feet to the door.

Breathe in. Breathe out. Five, four, three, two, one.

``Welcome back to school! We're glad you are here!''

When the principal said my name, I felt safe and happy.

Violet skipped up to me, calling out my new name, too.

``You know my name?'' I asked.

``Yup! Your dad told my mom you are a boy now.''

``I have always been a boy inside. Are we still friends?''

``Yes! Did you bring your jump rope for recess?''

When I stepped inside my classroom, I couldn't believe what

I saw. The cubby, the lunch chart, the homework station, and

the mailboxes, the name tag on the table, my new name was

everywhere, everywhere it should be.

I felt my fears start to go away.

``Welcome back, class! For morning meeting, we'll all share

about our summers.''

I knew just what I would say when it was my turn.

I stood up proudly to share my summer story. But first, I

introduced myself. ``Hi,'' I said. ``My name is Calvin, C-a-

l-v-i-n.

And I felt my what-ifs melt away.

Madam Speaker, the Build Back Better Act follows through on our commitment to expand access to and lower the cost of healthcare for Americans across this country and back home in Minnesota.

Included in this bill are the most far-reaching and impactful prescription drug reforms to pass this Congress in my lifetime. Not only will Medicare have the power to negotiate the prices of critical drugs for America's seniors, we are installing annual caps for Medicare recipients, capping the cost of insulin at $35 a month.

We have designed a package that would lower out-of-pocket healthcare costs for hardworking Americans by strengthening the ACA, extending the premium tax credits for millions of families nationwide.

This is our chance to make good on our promise to deliver a real, immediate impact that will lower the cost of healthcare to make it more affordable, more accessible for every person across this country.

I, for one, could not be more proud, and I encourage my colleagues to get this done.

Mr. Speaker, years ago, I began running for Congress because I believed that hardworking Americans shouldn't have to pay three times what people in other countries pay for the same exact medicines.

I ran for Congress because I believed that none of our constituents should have to pay $20,000 a year for insulin, a medication they quite literally cannot live without.

I ran for Congress because I believe that Minnesotans deserve a Representative who will fight to lower the cost of drugs, even in the face of millions of dollars in attack ads funded by Big Pharma.

My fellow colleagues, this week we have a real opportunity to make a difference in our constituents' lives, to save American families thousands of hard-earned dollars every single year, while finally standing up to an industry that has raked in record-breaking profits at the expense of hardworking Americans.

We cannot allow this opportunity to pass us by.

Empowering Medicare to negotiate drug prices would not only grant long overdue relief to struggling constituents but save the American taxpayers billions of dollars annually.

We may not get everything we wanted in this package, but we must take the power back from Big Pharma. Big Pharma has had way too much power over this town for way too long. This is our opportunity to demonstrate to our constituents that we work for them, not for Big Pharma. We cannot return to our districts without delivering on our promise to lower the cost of prescription drugs.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to do what is right and fight for these critical provisions in the Build Back Better Act.

Madam Speaker, I am so incredibly honored to be appointed to the Select Committee studying economic disparities and fairness in growth. I welcome my Republican colleagues.

I am especially grateful to be taking a fresh look at how we build economic growth in our rural communities. The challenges facing rural America, while longstanding, have been made even more urgent as a result of the COVID-19 public health crisis. In Congress, it is our responsibility and our moral duty to respond to the unique needs of our rural communities.

Right now, in small towns across my district a lack of reliable internet access is preventing entrepreneurs from growing their small businesses. Higher insurance premiums and out-of-pocket healthcare costs are putting a strain on families' bottom lines. Access to healthcare sometimes means driving an hour to the nearest hospital. We must enter this work with an open mind to examine the issues, and we must build a roadmap that ensures our rural communities are not left behind.

To be sure, the Build Back Better Act has many provisions designed to address growth in rural America, most notably, the President's Rural Partnership Program, which would empower local communities to shore up unreliable electric grids, childcare, and support small businesses that power local communities.

These long overdue investments won't reverse all of the economic decline we have seen in our rural communities, but it is a start to put into place an economic foundation that paves the way for consistent, longstanding growth that has eluded our rural communities for decades.

I came to Congress to deliver these solutions for my constituents, and now we have an opportunity to step back and examine these issues with fresh eyes. We cannot let this opportunity pass us by.

Madam Speaker, I thank the chairman for all of his work, and I appreciate the opportunity to be on this Select Committee.

Madam Speaker, it is with great pride that I come to the House floor today to honor my constituent, David Brown, from Shakopee, Minnesota, who was recently awarded the Carnegie Medal for an extraordinary act of heroism in our community.

On May 26, 2019, two men began to struggle after entering the frigid water of the Gull River. They were trying to save their friend who was having trouble getting back to shore due to the strong current.

Despite the risk to his own safety, David jumped into the water and successfully brought both men back to the shore while another saved their friend.

It is so important that this heroic act be recognized here on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives, and it is my honor to do so.

Madam Speaker, I thank David for his outstanding commitment to our community and his life-saving action.

Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 2008, the Local Water Protection Act.

Madam Speaker, in the Land of 10,000 Lakes, we take water quality very seriously. Not only are our lakes and waterways critical for transporting agriculture goods, but they are at the core of Minnesota's natural beauty and tourism economy.

That is why I was so proud to introduce the bipartisan Local Water Protection Act to reauthorize funding for pollution mitigation efforts in our communities.

From 1987 to 1991, Congress authorized funds each year for the Environmental Protection Agency's Nonpoint Source Management grants program, which provides grants to State and local governments to reduce water pollution.

Our Local Water Protection Act would reauthorize funding for this important task with $200 million annually to help protect our lakes, rivers, and streams, and protect them for future generations.

This program would give State and local governments the authority to create locally-focused, voluntary conservation programs that are tailor-made for their own communities. And recent history in my home district demonstrates that these programs are incredibly effective.

In fact, the Goodhue County Soil and Water Conservation District is currently working to reduce pollutants in the Mississippi River-Lake Pepin watershed by 20 percent. And I would add, I was out there on Lake Pepin just this last weekend with some great folks.

In Wabasha County, these projects provided low-interest loans to improve residential infrastructure and help farmers come into compliance with pollution standards.

And the South Washington Watershed District integrated a stormwater reuse plan that is estimated to reduce potable water usage by more than 40 million gallons annually. There is no doubt that these programs can be effective, and there is no good reason why we shouldn't prioritize them.

As we look toward preserving our environment, I urge my colleagues to support this bipartisan legislation, and I thank my colleague, the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Mast) for introducing the bill with me.

Madam Speaker, thank you so much, and I urge my colleagues to support this piece of legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairwoman Waters for yielding and for including my amendment in this en bloc.

Mr. Speaker, years ago, a bright and talented young man from Eagan named Ryan Frascone took out student loans to enroll in classes at Metro State University. Ryan studied engineering. He was a kind, engaging, and hardworking young man. But, in 2013, Ryan passed away-- one of thousands who have tragically fallen victim to the opioid epidemic plaguing this Nation.

In the midst of that tragedy, I am sure student loans were the last thing on his parents, Julie and Mark's minds. But to this day, 8 years after losing their son Ryan, his parents must still write a check every month to pay for his student loans.

I think we can all agree that the last thing that any American parent should have to undergo is a monthly reminder of such tragedy and loss in the form of a student loan payment. Today, we have an opportunity to right that wrong with this amendment.

Please join me in supporting the Ryan Frascone Memorial Student Loan Relief Act. And to Mark and Julie, I want to say to you, on the anniversary of his death this week, we are going to make this right in this country.