Floor Statements

Mr. Chair, I thank the chairman for yielding, for his tremendous leadership on this and so many issues.

Mr. Chairman, I rise today in support of H.R. 9, the Climate Action Now Act. This piece of legislation is an extremely important first step in protecting our environment--major first step--and we have to move forward and do even more.

H.R. 9 ensures that the United States remains in the Paris Agreement and prohibits Federal funding to exit the agreement. It is critical that the United States takes the lead on addressing climate change on the world's stage.

Let me be clear. The Trump Administration is plugging their ears and pretending that climate change doesn't exist.

America was once a global leader in fighting climate change. It was our leadership that led so many nations to commit to climate action. Yet this administration has abandoned plans to address climate change and, instead, has weakened our leadership in the world. It is really shameful, and this needs to stop.

Climate change is an urgent matter. It creates more flooding and superstorms, threatening the safety of millions of Americans and people around the world.

People around our country and throughout the world are breathing in polluted and unhealthy air. Here in our own country, communities of color and low-income communities also, disproportionately, are impacted by the effects of climate change and have a lack of access to adequate healthcare services on top of that.

We owe it to our children and future generations to do more for the environment. I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on H.R. 9 and ``yes'' on fighting climate change.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 1664, the Save the Internet Act, which just passed the House this morning. This important bill would restore net neutrality by reinstating FCC regulations that were repealed under the Trump administration.

Now, let me be clear. Net neutrality protects America's access to open, free, and fair internet. It also prevents internet companies from blocking websites or slowing down their load time simply because they disagree with what the website says.

Your ZIP Code, income, or geography should not determine the quality of access to the internet that every American should have. That is why this legislation is so important. It empowers the FCC to stop abusive corporate practices online, promotes competition and innovation, and supports broadband access and adoption for low-income communities.

Mr. Speaker, we need net neutrality because consumers, not service providers, should control what you can access online. So it is time to give power back to the people once and for all.

I am pleased that the House passed H.R. 1644 today, and I hope that the Senate will take up this bill immediately.

Madam Speaker, first of all, let me thank Chairman Engel for yielding and also for his leadership.

Also, I want to just mention Congressmen Khanna, Pocan, and McGovern. I want to also thank them in addition to Chairman Engel for bringing this critical measure to the floor.

Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of S.J. Res. 7, which, of course, is a joint resolution directing the removal of U.S. Armed Forces from hostilities in Yemen.

This critical resolution, which we are taking now for the second time this Congress, would end America's unconstitutional participation in the war in Yemen.

Since 2015, the United States has participated in the Saudi-led military campaign in Yemen without authorization from Congress. We have helped create and worsen the world's greatest and largest humanitarian crisis.

Madam Speaker, 22.2 million Yemenis--that is 75 percent of the population--needs humanitarian assistance.

At least 85,000 children under the age of 5--85,000--have died from war-related hunger and disease.

Our involvement in this war is shameful. That is why this bipartisan and bicameral measure to end the United States' unconstitutional role in this war is so important.

Yes, Madam Speaker, I voted against that 2001 resolution, because I knew it was open-ended and would set the stage for endless wars. It was a blank check. We see this once again today in Yemen. We must repeal this 2001 blank check for endless wars.

Over the past 18 years, we have seen the executive branch use this AUMF time and time again. It is a blank check to wage war without congressional oversight.

It is past time for Congress to reassert our Constitutional duty to debate on matters of war and peace, and it is past time to end this illegal, horrific war in Yemen.

Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' and to support this bipartisan bill to end the United States' role in Yemen.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding, and also for her tremendous leadership.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 1585, the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act. This critical bill will expand crucial protections for all Americans making very important enhancements to VAWA.

When I was in the California legislature, Mr. Speaker, I authored the Violence Against Women Act for the State of California, and, yes, it was signed by a Republican Governor.

In addition to the protections this bill has provided for 26 years, it will now expand protections for Native American women and will protect the transgender community. Every woman has the right to live free from abuse.

Although my Republican colleagues argued differently in committee, sexual orientation or gender identity should not put victims in a second-class status. This bill will now make sure that every victim of sexual violence has access to support.

VAWA is critical for the 1.3 million individuals who benefit from this program. We must continue to improve these services for victims and survivors by passing this bill here today.

Mr. Speaker, I know from personal experiences, yes, the life-and- death implications of this very important bill. So I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on this bill to ensure that all women are protected from sexual and domestic violence.

Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairman Smith for his leadership and for yielding time.

I also want to recognize Congressman Kennedy for his tremendous leadership on this issue.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H. Res. 124, rejecting the President's discriminatory ban on openly transgender servicemembers in the military.

Transgender servicemembers have served with honor and distinction in the defense of our country for decades, yet President Trump announced on Twitter that transgender servicemembers would no longer be allowed to serve, despite the fact that many military leaders concluded that being transgender does not impact our readiness. President Trump's own Chief of Staff said he hadn't received any reports of problems with unit cohesion or morale regarding transgender servicemembers.

The President's cowardly ban makes it clear that prejudice, not patriotism, guides his decisions.

As the daughter of a career military officer who served in a segregated military, I know what it is like for our country to betray our American values. As a person of faith, I was taught to treat everyone equally. As an African American woman, I will fight discrimination wherever it surfaces.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on this resolution.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the memory of Victor McElhaney, the son of my friend, Oakland City Councilwoman Lynette McElhaney, and his father, Clarence, and to offer my deepest condolences on behalf of the 13th Congressional District.

Victor was tragically slain in a senseless act of gun violence early Sunday morning in Los Angeles. He was killed in a robbery attempt while heading home from a friend's house.

Victor was just 21 years old and a senior at the University of Southern California's Thornton School of Music, where he was pursuing his lifelong love of music. He was a talented drummer and was often playing at jam sessions, displaying his musical genius.

Victor was a son of Oakland, and his passing is a loss for Oakland and the entire East Bay community. My heart is heavy for Lynette and her family and all those who loved and cared for Victor.

Victor was killed in Los Angeles, but his murder reflects the epidemic of gun violence in my district and all around the country, especially communities of color. Even before Victor's tragic passing, combating gun violence in Oakland was a priority for his mother as a city council member.

May God comfort Victor's family as we mourn his loss. May his spirit lead and guide us in the work that we must do to end gun violence in his memory.

May Victor's legacy live, and may he rest in peace.

Madam Speaker, first, I would like to thank Congressman McGovern and Congressman Tonko for leading this effort in memory of our beloved friend and colleague Congresswoman Louise Slaughter.

Madam Speaker, it's almost hard to believe it's been a year since the passing of my dear friend and mentor, Louise. Her death was a monumental loss for Congress, our country, and the world. But I know we can all find solace in the amazing legacy she left for all of us.

Louise stayed true to the communities that believed in her. She loved the people of Rochester fiercely and fought for them with every breath.

Right after I was elected, Louise invited me to come with her to attend the Seneca Falls 150th anniversary in her district. She didn't even know me that well, but she said ``Honey, I want to be your friend and I want you to see my district.'' I knew right then that Louise was something special.

A trailblazer in every respect, she made history by becoming the first woman to chair the powerful House Rules Committee. She would work late into the night, staying engaged and energized no matter how late the Committee worked. She never stopped fighting for everyday families, children, women, and communities of color.

What I miss the most about Louise was her humor. She was just hilarious. Ask any Member of Congress--Republican or Democrat--and they'll have a story about her cracking a joke.

Louise's legacy will live on in the millions of lives that she has touched and enriched. And she will live on in the halls of Congress, where none of us will ever forget her passion, her grace, or her infectious sense of humor.

We all miss Louise so much.

Mr. Chairman, I want to thank Chairwoman Lofgren for yielding, but also for her tireless leadership on so many issues that confront our country today.

I rise in strong support of H.R. 1, the For the People Act of 2019. It is a historic bill to restore the promise of our Nation's democracy and repair our democratic institutions. H.R. 1 represents a coordinated effort to protect and promote the voting rights of all Americans.

H.R. 1 would also end the culture of corruption in Washington; reduce the role of big money in politics; and make it easier, not harder, to vote.

Mr. Chairman, let me be clear. The right to vote is a sacred civil right in our Nation, but we know that there are those who want to turn the clock back on voting rights and suppress minority voters. There are those who want to undercut the power and representation of communities of color and, really, lock us out of the political process.

With this historic bill before us we say, ``Enough is enough.'' Instead, H.R. 1 will ensure that every eligible voter has the chance to participate in our democracy.

This bill also includes important provisions to ensure clean and fair elections. I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on this bill and vote ``yes'' to restoring our democracy once and for all.

Mr. Speaker, let me thank the gentlewoman for yielding and, also, for her tremendous leadership on the House Rules Committee.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of the rule and Congressman Castro's resolution to stop President Trump's fake, so- called national emergency at the border.

Let me be clear: This emergency declaration is a blatant attempt to subvert the Constitution and get around Congress' sole power of the purse. Let me remind you also, that this is a democracy, not a dictatorship. We have three branches of government, not one, and Congress has the power of the purse strings.

Also, let's make one thing clear: There is no emergency at the border. The only crisis at the border is the humanitarian crisis that the President created himself through his hateful family separation policies.

And instead of protecting our national security, this President is doing just the opposite: He is stealing money from military construction projects to try to build an unauthorized wall.

As a member of the Appropriations Committee, I can tell you that we will not allow this President to circumvent our authority at any cost. I am proud to cosponsor this resolution to put a strong check on this President and terminate his ability to declare this fake national emergency.

I call on my Republican colleagues and the Senate to vote ``yes'' on this rule and ``yes'' on this resolution. It is past time to stand up for the Constitution and to stand up for our immigrant communities and to stand up for our three branches of government.

Mr. Speaker, I thank Congressman Raskin for yielding and for his tireless leadership.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of the rule and H.R. 8, Congressman Thompson's bipartisan bill that makes gun sale background checks universal.

This bill is an important step to ensure that individuals who should not be allowed to purchase a gun are no longer able to purchase a gun.

Since 2014, nearly 400 of my constituents have died by gun violence. Our community feels their loss every single day. Here are just a few of their names and tragic stories.

Davon Ellis: Davon was a star football player and an excellent student at Oakland Tech High School. He was shot and killed while walking home from school. My nephew was walking with him when he was gunned down.

Travon Godfrey: Travon was killed in 2016 while sitting in a car with his friends in front of his home. Every time I think about Travon, my heart breaks. Travon came to a town meeting that I held on gun violence in January of 2016.

Sadly, these heartbreaking stories are all too familiar in communities across the country. More than 30,000 Americans lose their lives to gun violence each year. Shootings now kill as many Americans as car accidents, and that is why this bill is so important.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman very much for yielding me additional time.

Mr. Speaker, this bill is a good first step to ensure that our background checks are strengthened, that we keep guns out of the wrong hands, and that we close these loopholes.

Mr. Speaker, we must end this epidemic of gun violence in our country. This is a national emergency. This bill will save lives, so I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on the rule and ``yes'' on the bill.

Mr. Speaker, first of all, let me thank Chairwoman Lowey for yielding. Also, I must thank her for her tireless work, day and night, on behalf of the American people.

Also, let me thank our Homeland Security chairwoman, Lucille Roybal- Allard, for her brilliance and her hard work. She pushed hard for a bill that reflects our American values, and I appreciate her leadership.

The phenomenal work of Chairwoman Lowey, Chairwoman Roybal-Allard, all the members of the conference committee, and all the Appropriations chairs and ranking members has just been amazing. I really do salute them for that. This has been a very, very difficult negotiation, but they all did it.

This legislation, of course, Mr. Speaker, is not perfect. It is not the bill that I would have written or chosen. And, yes, I have serious concerns with several of the provisions, which I will discuss.

But let me tell you, this bill will keep the government open. It will prevent another shutdown, which caused so much misery for Federal workers and their families. And it provides funding for humanitarian assistance, which is desperately needed at the border.

Once more, the package of bills includes funding increases for six other spending bills, including housing for people living with AIDS, transportation grants for low-income communities, increased funding for homelessness, and Section 8 vouchers.

As a member of the Department of Homeland Security Conference Committee, I was proud to fight for many of our priorities in this bill, which really reflect our American values.

Being born and raised in the beautiful border town, as I have said before, of El Paso, Texas, I understand what it means to live in a border community and why these issues are so important. They speak to our sense of morality and who we are as a country and, yes, as well as our security.

With this bill, Democrats held the line, Mr. Speaker, in denying the President $5.7 billion in funding for an unnecessary concrete wall. Instead, it includes $1.3 billion in border fencing only. And it includes strong language to protect sensitive locations.

Last year, I traveled to Brownsville and McAllen, Texas, where I saw the horrors of the Trump administration's family detention jails. I saw children sleeping on concrete floors. It was cruel and inhumane.

Not only did we secure $415 million in this bill for humanitarian relief, including for enhanced medical support, transportation, and food at our border, but we got many, many programs and funding for alternatives to detention.

Finally, Mr. Speaker, let me just say it is the first step. It is far from perfect, but it does lay the groundwork that really addresses many of the issues that myself and my colleagues on the conference committee have fought so hard for.

Mr. Speaker, I support this bill, and I ask for an ``aye'' vote.

Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman for yielding. Also, I thank Representative Khanna, Representative Pocan, and Chairman McGovern for their work in bringing this very critical measure to the floor.

Of course, I rise in strong support of H.J. Res. 37. Today, I am remembering our dear friend and colleague, Congressman Walter Jones, who was an original cosponsor. I miss him tremendously. I know he would be down here speaking on behalf of this resolution.

Since 2015, the United States has participated in the Saudi-led military campaign in Yemen without authorization from Congress. We have helped create and worsen the world's largest humanitarian crisis. 22.2 million Yemenis, 75 percent of the population, need humanitarian assistance. At least 85,000 children under the age of 5 have died from war-related hunger and disease.

Our involvement in this war, quite frankly, is shameful. That is why this bipartisan measure to end the United States' unconstitutional role in this war is so important. I have long pushed efforts to repeal the overly broad 2001 Authorization for Use of Military Force.

Mr. Chairman, I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on H.J. Res. 37 and to support this bipartisan bill to end the United States' role in the war on Yemen.

Mr. Speaker, I want to offer my condolences and prayers to my dear friend, Congressman Walter Jones, and also to the people of North Carolina, who lost a tireless champion.

Throughout his time in service, Congressman Jones never lost sight of those he served: the families in North Carolina, people across the country, and, of course, our brave servicemembers around the globe.

Congressman Jones will be remembered for his limitless compassion and his willingness to reach across the aisle and to find common ground.

I worked with him on many issues over the years, but our greatest collaboration was on our shared effort to draw down our endless wars and bring our brave troops home. He was a colead on several of my bills, including the one to repeal the 2001 and 2002 Authorization for Use of Military Force to finally end our limitless wars abroad.

It fills me with unspeakable sadness, Mr. Speaker, that Congressman Jones did not live to see the end of these wars, but his memory will live on. We will fight harder in his memory to ensure that Congress does its job on matters of war and peace.

I was honored to call Congressman Jones my colleague and my friend. His spirit will be greatly missed in the Halls of Congress, and tonight I again offer my condolences to his family, his friends; and also, I celebrate his life, because it was truly a life well lived.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H. Res. 79, a resolution expressing the sense of the House that shutdowns are detrimental to the Nation and should not occur.

And as a Member of the Appropriations Committee, I know firsthand how terrible this shutdown has been. This past weekend I met with Coast Guard families impacted by the 35-day government shutdown.

Families told me they were skipping medications and couldn't afford to put gas in the car because of the shutdown.

Mr. Speaker, these families did nothing wrong.

In fact, they have gone Above and Beyond the call of duty by signing up to serve in the Coast Guard.

And how did President Trump reward their sacrifices?

By inflicting a needless, 35-day government shutdown on these families. By using these families as political pawns.

Let me be clear: these Coast Guard families deserve far better than this. And so do all our federal workers--who bore the brunt of this shutdown through no fault of their own.

The CBO estimates that this shutdown cost our economy 11 billion dollars--including 3 billion dollars that will never be recovered.

It also caused immeasurable fear and anxiety for families.

So, while we can never fully repair the damage that was caused by this dangerous, irresponsible shutdown, I hope that President Trump and Congressional Republicans will take these stories to heart and learn from the damage they caused.

Simply put, families can't afford another shutdown.

So, let's pass this resolution and get back to work for the American people. I urge my colleagues to vote yes.

Madam Speaker, I rise to echo the pain and suffering experienced by Federal workers and their families in my district during this reckless McConnell-Trump shutdown and also the important work that they do as public employees.

One is a constituent who is a proud African American TSA agent out of the Oakland airport, who has been working without pay for more than a month. He must pay to get to work, though, buy his own lunch and gas, but has no paycheck coming in. He can't borrow from his family because eight of his relatives also work for the Federal Government.

His story resonates with so many African Americans who work for the Federal Government. But now with this shutdown, the Black community has been deeply affected, like everyone else.

While African Americans account for 12 percent of the population, 18 percent

of the Federal workforce is African American. This is, of course, due to discrimination against African Americans in the private sector. The Federal Government has provided good-paying jobs and a path into the middle class.

My grandfather worked for the Postal Service. He was a letter carrier. My mother worked for Social Security.

Another constituent has been furloughed from the Food and Drug Administration. He told me that he and his husband both rely on their incomes to afford rent on their one-bedroom apartment.

I urge President Trump and Senator McConnell to stop playing games with people's lives. Let's reopen the government and get workers the paychecks that they deserve.