Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Dr. Steve Phelps, a life-long educator and administrator who dedicated his career to improving opportunities for students of all backgrounds throughout the Bay Area. Dr. Phelps died on December 26th following complications from heart surgery.

Steve Phelps was born on June 9th, 1944 in Los Angeles, but grew up in Oakland. He graduated from San Francisco State University and the University of San Francisco, and received his doctorate in educational leadership--a subject which he would put to great use throughout his career.

Dr. Phelps began his teaching career in San Francisco. In 1972 he started as a social sciences teacher and coach at St. Ignatius, a private Catholic high school in the Sunset District. He quickly made his mark by working to ensure that students from throughout San Francisco could take advantage of the benefits of St. Ignatius' high quality education.

In 1973, Dr. Phelps started SI Uplift, a program aimed at improving the diversity of the student body at St. Ignatius. His efforts to improve diversity including outreach to other elementary schools to encourage minority students to consider St. Ignatius, and he also served as the moderators of the Black Student Union and the Asian Students Coalition.

While at St. Ignatius, Dr. Phelps also served as the head of the school's professional development department; ensuring that teachers were able to attain credentials and advanced degrees in order to provide better outcomes for their students.

In 2005, Dr. Phelps returned home to Oakland when he took the helm as President of Bishop O'Dowd High School. As president, Dr. Phelps helped improve the school's fundraising record, which enabled O'Dowd to fund the renovation of classrooms, the construction of the Center for Environmental Studies, and to initiate a program to provide all students with laptops--the first of its kind at the time in the Bay Area.

Dr. Phelps' leadership also expanded much needed financial aid for students, helping to ensure that cost was not a barrier for families who wanted their children to receive the benefits of a Bishop O'Dowd education.

Throughout his life, Dr. Phelps demonstrated an unwavering commitment to improving the lives of the thousands of students in the Bay Area. His work helped strengthen two schools, but his legacy will be the impact that he had on the lives of his students, and all that they are able to achieve through the support that he provided them.

On behalf of California's 13th Congressional District, I'd like to thank Dr. Phelps for his exceptional and distinguished career, and honor his life of service to our district. I send my sincere condolences to his wife, Susan, his children Amy and Chris, and his entire extended family.

Mr. Speaker, I thank Congressman Evans for yielding, for that gracious introduction, but, more importantly, for his magnificent leadership. He has come to Congress hitting the ground running, and it truly has been and is in the spirit of Dr. King, so I thank the gentleman very much.

And to our chair, Congressman Cedric Richmond, I want to thank him for his steady leadership--and it is steady--of our caucus and for helping us to stay focused on this Special Order on the evenings which we do these to honor the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., who was and is our drum major for justice.

To Congressman John Lewis, I just have to say to him that I owe him a debt of gratitude. I would not be here if it were not for him.

And I want to say, on behalf of my young people at the Martin Luther King Jr. Freedom Center who have a chance to be with him every year-- now it has been about 17 years--how much he and Congresswoman Terri Sewell--how much they have touched their lives and have turned their lives around, and how they understand now what fighting for justice and peace really means by being part of their efforts and by their mentoring them and teaching them that the beloved community is not only a dream but can be real. So I thank Congressman Lewis so much. It is an honor to know the gentleman and to serve with him.

This year, as we remember the man in the movement that transformed really the soul of America, it is really important that we honor the fullness of Dr. King's dream. So while we remember Dr. King's birthday this month, we also are reminded that it was 50 years ago, on April 4, that he lost his life to an assassin's bullet.

Dr. King was a crusader for voting rights and peace, but he was also a warrior for economic justice and ending poverty. In fact, one of Dr. King's most memorable speeches, of course, ``I've Been to the Mountaintop,'' it was given in Memphis, Tennessee, at a time when Dr. King was determined to transform the civil rights movement into an intersectional economic justice revolution.

A few months before his death, two young African-American workers were crushed to death by a faulty truck in Memphis. The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, AFSCME, union members went on strike, and Dr. King was right there with them lending his support.

In a speech to the sanitation workers on strike, Dr. King explained why he was there. He said: ``Now, our struggle is for genuine equality, which means economic equality.'' Dr. King said that to thousands gathered at Mason Temple. He said: ``For we know that it isn't enough to integrate lunch counters. What does it profit a man to be able to eat at an integrated lunch counter if he doesn't earn enough money to buy a hamburger . . . ?''

Dr. King had come to signal the dawn of a new era in the struggle. He was there to stand with workers who were sick and tired of low wages, unsafe working conditions, and the city's refusal to recognize their union. He was there because he believed that labor rights, civil rights, and human rights are one and the same. He was there because he understood the simple truth that there can be no racial justice without economic justice.

Tragically, while fighting to secure the American Dream for all Americans, Dr. King was assassinated on April 4, 1968. Now, that was a day that changed my life. Congresswoman Jackson Lee mentioned where she was. We all remember that moment. I was living in San Jose, California, and was commuting to San Francisco, about an hour away by train. I returned that evening. My car was parked in the train's parking lot. I got off the train, turned on the radio, and the news came through that Dr. King had been killed.

Well, I sat in my car for I don't know how long, and I cried. I was shocked like everyone, saddened, and angry. But I was also motivated to fight for the dream that Dr. King envisioned. My job, I quit my job. At that moment, I knew that I had to do something. So I became involved as a community worker with Bobby Seale and the Black Panther Party. But it was Dr. King's assassination that catapulted me into the movement.

I was determined to prove that even though the assassin killed the dreamer, he could not kill the dream. Right now in this country, the work that Dr. King went to Memphis to achieve, that work remains unfinished, which is what we intend to complete. Forty-seven million Americans remain locked in poverty. Discrimination and institutional racism continue to hold livable wages hostage, and the economic wealth divide, it grows deeper every day in urban and in rural communities.

Now, I represent the 13th Congressional District of California, a great district where there is an explosion of wealth in the bay area, which has recently experienced also a spike in median household income.

It is a hub of innovation and creativity, yet, in many ways, it is a tale of two cities. Black households in my district have been locked out of this explosion of wealth. According to the Census Bureau, the median income in the bay area jumped by 9 percent while the median income for Black households inched up just 2 percent.

It is not just wealth inequality. Twenty-three percent of Black households are poor, and 43 percent of Black children in my district are considered poor in Oakland. These numbers have remained stagnant year after year after year. This is unacceptable.

It is not just my district that experiences this wealth divide. Recent studies show that if trends persist, median Black household wealth could hit zero by 2053.

This alarming possibility makes one thing clear: the work to achieve Dr. King's dream must continue, and members of the Congressional Black Caucus tirelessly continue to work both inside this Congress and in our communities because there is still much that we must overcome.

As the conscience of the Congress, the Congressional Black Caucus fights every day to dismantle barriers that prevent low-income people, poor people, and people of color from having a fair shot at the American Dream. Dr. King's legacy can be found in our efforts to give communities of color, struggling families, and women a fair shot at improving their basic living standards.

There are many bills: Congressman Bobby Scott's bill to raise the minimum wage to $15 an hour, and Congresswoman Alma Adams' Closing the Meal Gap Act. There are many bills that many members of the Congressional Black Caucus really are championing every single day to ensure that Dr. King's life will be remembered, that his death will not overshadow his life, and that his legacy of fighting, as Dr. King said, to make the promises of democracy real will live on for generations to come.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the remarkable life of Mary Alice Cobb-Hill, a singer, and pianist, and impresario of the negro spiritual, who passed away on December 9, 2017.

Ms. Hill was born in Oakland, California on March 16, 1945 to Mary Magdalene and Roosevelt Cobb. Her parents instilled in her from an early age a love of music, and in particular the spiritual and gospel music which was a staple of their family worship services. Mary's mother was a teacher, and she imbued the music with a strong understanding of the history behind it, especially the experiences of the black struggles for freedom from slavery.

Mary attended Golden Gate Academy in Oakland, and later studied at Merritt and Laney Colleges, along with the Pacific Union. She also took private music lessons in classical opera singing.

Mary made the preservation of the Negro spiritual her lifelong passion. Throughout her life, she spent more than 50 years singing and performing in this historical tradition. She also worked to advance the tradition by writing three original musicals, Flowers from Heaven, Dis Train, and The Seven Exaltations of Simeon of Cyrene.

In addition to her work as a performer and writer, Ms. Hill also dedicated her life to teaching others about the history and technique of the Negro spiritual. She founded and served as the creative director for the Voices of Legacy, a community choir that performs in churches, schools, and community events, and was selected to perform at the inauguration of then mayor Dianne Feinstein in San Francisco. Through her work as an educator, Ms. Hill has trained scores of new performers and fostered a love of the Negro spiritual tradition in new generations.

Through her tireless efforts, Ms. Hill endeavored to use the Negro spiritual tradition to maintain a link between those whose experience and yearning for freedom initially created the music, and modern generations who can learn from that struggle to continue the push for true equality. I am grateful to her for her dedication to promoting African American culture and history, and keeping alive the stories and traditions of our ancestors.

Ms. Hill is survived by her husband, Carl, and her daughters Maranatha and Gabrielle, as well as her grandchildren Duane, Josiah, and Nicole. She is also survived by her brothers Paul & Michael, her sisters Gloria Jean, and Sharon, and their families.

Today, on behalf of California's 13th Congressional District, it is my honor to commend the life and achievements of Ms. Mary Alice Cobb- Hill. I offer my sincere gratitude for her continued commitment to promote the arts and arts education, and for the profound legacy she has left in our East Bay community. I also offer my condolences to Ms. Cobb-Hill's family and friends as they cope with this immeasurable loss and join together to celebrate her life.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding and for her tremendous leadership on so many issues as a ranking member.

As a member of the Appropriations and Budget Committees, I rise in strong opposition to this continuing resolution, which really could be called the ``Failure to Govern Resolution.''

This bill, as my colleague from Ohio said, shamefully kicks the can down the road once again, this time until January 19.

Why? Republicans have been too busy passing the greatest tax scam in history rather than responsibly funding the government.

This reckless, short-term resolution ignores our critical year-end priorities like passing a bipartisan, long-term reauthorization of the Children's Health Insurance Program or a DACA program.

Every day, 122, DACA recipients are losing their protections. They are afraid. They are fearful. There is so much anxiety. We should not do this today without protecting them.

This continuing resolution does not honor the temporary protected status for immigrants. It does not raise the budget caps equally for defense and nondefense spending. Much-needed funding for the opioid epidemic, community health centers, and our veterans is also not included.

I could go on and on about the problems with the CR, but I just have to tell you that the reality is this bill, like the tax giveaway, underscores the majority's complete lack of regard for everyday Americans and struggling families.

Continuing resolutions leave the American people out on a limb, with no confidence in their Federal Government.

I guess we should not be surprised by this approach, since the playbook for this administration from day one has been, as Steve Bannon said early on, that their goal was deconstruction of the administrative state. That is exactly what is happening with this CR. This is unacceptable.

By passing a short-term spending bill that entirely neglects urgent and vital needs and underfunds job training, affordable housing, and education, we really are selling the American people short.

Unfortunately, this is another effort to disregard the lives of millions of people. It is totally irresponsible, and it does nothing to help create jobs, better wages, or a better future for our children and their families.

I urge a ``no'' vote on this bill. We need to begin to try to do our job here.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong opposition to this rule and the underlying bill, which really is the greatest tax scam in America's history. It is cruel and it is coldhearted.

It steals from the hard-earned paychecks of low- and middle-income families; lines the pockets of millionaires, billionaires, and wealthy corporations; and, yes, it makes it easier for corporations to ship jobs overseas.

Now, for weeks, Republicans have been selling the pipe dream that tax cuts for the rich will somehow trickle down and benefit the majority of Americans. That is so far from the truth.

Just yesterday, the Tax Policy Center revealed that 83 percent of the tax breaks in this bill go to the top 1 percent.

What is worse, 86 million middle-income households will face tax hikes and 13 million Americans will lose healthcare coverage.

Mr. Speaker, constituents in my congressional district are afraid of their futures because this tax scam is going to severely devastate families in California. Nearly 2 million Californians stand to lose their State and local deductions if Republicans succeed.

This is truly a slap in the face to the American people. Republicans have already and have always, yes, made it clear that this tax scam is a Trojan horse for Republicans to take an axe to Medicare, Social Security, and programs that lift people out of poverty. But the public is not going to let them get away with this. They will remember who is shattering their lives.

This bill is ruthless. It makes clear that Republicans only value the lives of the wealthy and their donors. That is whose side they are on.

Well, Democrats are on the side of middle- and low-income families who are working hard just to make ends meet, to take care of their children, to make better wages, and who are fighting for a better future.

Mr. Speaker, we should oppose this bill and this rule. It is really a raw deal for the American people. The public knows whose side we are on, and the public knows whose side that the Republicans are on.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise with a very heavy heart upon learning of the passing of a great human being: San Francisco's Mayor Ed Lee.

My thoughts and prayers are with his family--his wife, Anita, and two daughters--and the entire city and county of San Francisco and the bay area.

My condolences are also with Leader Pelosi and Congresswoman Jackie Speier, two San Francisco leaders who loved Ed and will miss him tremendously.

Ed was an unshakable champion for social justice, a tireless public servant, and, personally, a friend. He always put a smile on my face when he considered me as and called me his sister, being two Lees.

He was such a kind and thoughtful person and a truly great leader. Even before he was mayor, Ed was a champion for the people of San Francisco as a community organizer and a civil rights attorney. As the first Asian-American mayor of San Francisco, he broke new ground for the city. As mayor, he fought to expand affordable housing, address the homelessness crisis, and ensure that residents could earn a living wage.

Ed will be missed tremendously. He helped so many people in his life and he touched so many lives. Mayor Lee set the higher standards for mayors and all elected officials as a true public servant. As we grieve, we take comfort in knowing that he has left an inspiring and lasting legacy of uplifting and empowering families. We will always remember his beautiful smile and his passion for making life better for others. May his soul rest in peace.

Mr. Speaker, I thank Congresswoman Kelly for her tremendous leadership on so many fronts, especially as chair of the Congressional Black Caucus Health Braintrust and for her tireless work in helping us focus on the fact that gun violence should be treated as a public health crises and that it is just that.

Congress needs to do something to stop this epidemic of gun violence that is destroying so many communities all around the country. On an average day, 93 innocent lives in America are cut short, due to gun violence. These senseless deaths also disproportionately impact communities of color.

As a Representative from California's 13th Congressional District, I know all too well the devastating impact that gun violence has on our communities.

In fact, the Center for Disease Control recently reported that African-American children have the highest rates of firearm mortality overall. They are about 10 times more likely than White children to be killed by guns. Latino children are twice as likely as White children to be killed by guns. But no child--and I mean no child--regardless of their background, wealth, ZIP Code, or race, should be killed by gun violence. No child. It pains me, and I know it pains their parents and family members, to know that such promising young people have left us too soon.

Tonight, let me just read the names of a few of Oakland's children who have lost their lives to gun violence this year:

Anibal Andres Ramirez, who was only 13. He was Oakland's youngest gun victim this year. He was shot outside the new Walnut Plaza community center in east Oakland.

Luis Urquidez, who was 17 when his friend accidentally shot him. What in the world was that gun doing around this young boy?

Deangelo Hal, who was 17 when he, once again, accidentally shot himself with a stolen gun.

Keith Lawrence, who was 17 and a student at Skyline High School. Keith was found shot dead in a parking lot.

Soane Mausia, who was 18 when he and his brother were shot by men outside of their east Oakland home.

Joaquin Byrd, who was 18 and also a student at Skyline High School. He was shot during a fight at a fast food restaurant.

Sultan Bey, who was 18. He was college-bound and had dreams of becoming a computer engineer. He was shot while picking up a friend.

Mr. Speaker, this only happens in America. There are too many guns in America. At some point, we have to stand up and say: Enough is enough.

Let me say that 5 years ago this week, a deranged gunman walked into Sandy Hook Elementary School and massacred 20 children--20 beautiful elementary school children, whom we continue to remember, murdered in cold blood. Yet Republicans in Congress refuse to lift a finger in support of legislation to prevent these kinds of tragedies from happening.

Shame on every Republican who chooses devotion to the NRA over the lives of Americans. We simply must take action to bring commonsense gun reform to our Nation's gun laws. That is what the American people sent us here to do, to govern in their best interest.

That is why we stand here tonight with Congresswoman Kelly and demand that the Speaker take action and bring commonsense legislation for a vote.

Give us a vote, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to sound the alarm against the Federal Communications Commission's misguided proposal to repeal net neutrality rules.

Now, let me be clear. Net neutrality rules protect Americans' access to an open, free, and fair internet. The rules prevent internet companies from blocking websites or slowing down their load time simply because they disagree with what the website says. Repealing them would be undemocratic and very dangerous.

What is worse, we know that gutting net neutrality would have a detrimental impact on communities of color. From entrepreneurs to social justice advocates, the internet has been a powerful tool for communities of color to help draw attention to injustices in our society.

This new proposal will essentially kill this free expression and innovation. This is ridiculous. We can't allow democracy and access to the internet to be restricted in the name of corporate profits.

I urge the FCC to reject this plan and stand with the vast majority of Americans who want to keep the internet open and free.

Mr. Speaker, first, let me thank the gentlewoman for yielding time to me and also for her tremendous leadership on so many issues, especially on the Rules Committee.

As a members of the Appropriations and Budget Committees, I rise in strong opposition to this rule and the underlying bill, H.J. Res. 123, the fiscal year 2017 continuing resolution.

This bill kicks the can down the road for 2 weeks just so Republicans can continue focusing on the greatest tax scam in history.

As Ranking Member Lowey has said: What do Republicans think that they can accomplish in the next 2 weeks that they haven't accomplished in the last 2 months?

Well, I say: Except, of course, trying to give tax breaks to their wealthy donors, millionaires, billionaires, and corporations, and raising taxes on middle-income and low-income families. That is what this is about.

This reckless, short-term resolution ignores many of our critical year-end priorities, like passing a clean Dream Act, a temporary protective status provision we need in the CR; raising budgetary caps; and emergency disaster funding for hurricanes and wildfires, children's health insurance programs, and community health centers. I could go on and on. That is what we should be debating and what should be in this resolution. Now is not the time for Congress to be asleep at the wheel. We need action, Mr. Speaker, and we need it now.

Despite the fact that Republicans control the House, the Senate, and the White House, once again, they refuse to do their job. It is so wrong to string people and communities out not knowing whether their government will function or stay open.

How irresponsible can you get?

We need to fully fund the government. Across the country, millions of people are living on the edge. Forty million Americans are living in poverty. Millions more are struggling to put food on the table and keep a roof over their head.

Mr. Speaker, this is unacceptable. We are passing a short- term funding bill that underfunds education and workforce training at a time that Americans need it the most.

Instead, once again, what are they doing?

They are taking time to give tax cuts to corporations to send jobs overseas.

The American people expect us to create jobs, to strengthen our economy, to provide a basic standard of living for all. With sequester cuts looming, it is past time that we focus on our spending here at home and stop these increases to a bloated military budget, which really does nothing for our national security.

Instead of bringing our Nation to the brink of self-inflicted crisis, Republicans should work with us to meet the needs of our Nation and a strong national security, which requires resisting these cuts to our State Department and to our foreign assistance. Unfortunately, this 2- week continuing resolution does just the opposite.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote ``no'' on this rule and ``no'' on the underlying bill, and let's do our job. Let's do what the American people expect us to do, and that is to fully fund

the government and look out for them in terms of not giving tax cuts to millionaires and billionaires and raising their taxes, because they deserve better from us.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the memory and service of a pillar of the Oakland community, the Honorable Carter Gilmore. Although Mr. Gilmore passed away in 2006, the Oakland African American Museum and Library will be unveiling an exhibit focused on his life and career on December 9th, 2017.

Carter Gilmore was born on May 30th, 1926 in Grapeland, Texas, and served in the US Navy during World War II. In 1947 he married Liz Hampton, and the couple soon moved to Oakland, where Mr. Gilmore worked as a plant manager for Granny Goose Foods.

In 1977, Mr. Gilmore made history when he became the first African American elected to the Oakland City Council. During his tenure, which lasted until 1990, Mr. Gilmore made important contributions to the City of Oakland through his role in the creation of the citizen's police review board, and the city's anti-blight ordinance, among many other initiatives and accomplishments.

In addition to his work on the City Council, Mr. Gilmore was also an active member of his church, Bethel Missionary Baptist, starting when he first moved to Oakland in the 1950's.

Mr. Gilmore's life was guided by a belief that we should all work to improve our communities, and the lives of our neighbors. He was also staunchly committed to civil rights.

That belief in social justice led him to join the Alameda branch of the NAACP, and he later served as the chapter president. He also served as president of the NAACP's Northern California division. In 1990, he helped lead the investigation into racial discrimination against African American employees at UPS, resulting in the largest settlement in the NAACP's history to that point.

On a personal note, Carter was one of the first people to act as a mentor and advisor to me as I began my career working for Congressman Dellums. He always took time to

help clarify issues for me, and he was a true trailblazer who educated our community about the importance of black political power. I will always remember his wise counsel and his friendship.

Though Carter Gilmore died in 2006, his trailblazing legacy as the City of Oakland's first African American elected to the City Council continues to inspire younger generations to aspire for heights that they may not have ever considered without his example.

Today, the Oakland African American Museum and Library is unveiling an exhibit dedicated to Carter Gilmore's life and legacy. Therefore, on behalf of California's 13th Congressional District, I join the family and friends of Carter Gilmore in celebrating his life of public service. I offer my sincerest gratitude to him for all that he did to pave the way for future generations of community-oriented leaders.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate World AIDS Day. The theme this year is Increasing Impact Through Transparency, Accountability, and Partnerships.

First, I would like to thank Leader Pelosi for her steadfast commitment to fighting HIV and AIDS and for guaranteeing strong United States leadership in this area.

As the cofounder and co-chair of the bipartisan Congressional HIV/ AIDS Caucus with my good friend, Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, we have seen significant progress that we have made in the global fight against HIV.

Year after year, Congress has come together in a bipartisan way to stop the spread of this disease. From PEPFAR and the Global Fund to fight AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria--which I was very proud to help write--to the Ryan White CARE Act and the Minority AIDS Initiative, the United States has been a global leader in committing the critical resources needed to end this disease both here at home and abroad.

Partly due to our efforts, over 20 million people around the world have access to lifesaving antiretroviral treatment. Twenty million people getting lifesaving medicine is more than the population of the State of New York. So in memory of those who died much too soon, let's recommit ourselves to ending AIDS by 2030 and realizing an AIDS-free generation.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the late Robert Lee Brown, Jr., who passed away peacefully on Tuesday, July 11, 2017 and will be interred in the Arlington National Cemetery for his service to our nation in the United States Army.

Robert Lee Brown was born on July 21, 1938, the third child of Robert and Minerva Brown. In his early age, he was baptized in Brodnax, Virginia and received his early education in Brunswick County, Virginia.

Mr. Brown and his siblings believed firmly that happiness must be found in service to others and that the most noble professions required public service. His sister was an elementary school teacher. He and his brothers contributed over 100 years of combined military service to our nation.

In 1956, Mr. Brown reached the age of 18 and was drafted in the United States Army, initially serving at the Army Depot in Richmond, Virginia. In time, his service took him on tours through Korea, Panama; and he served in Vietnam during the Vietnam.

Robert also spent fifteen years of his military service at the Military District of Washington Ceremonies and Special Events in Washington, D.C. where he retired from the United States Army in 1989. After his retirement, he accepted a position as Superintendent of the Soldier's and Airmen's Home National Cemetery in Washington, D.C.

In 1962, Robert Brown married his best friend, Yvonne Mushaw, to whom he devoted 54 years until the day of his passing. Together, Robert and Yvonne had two sons, Darrell and Derreck Brown, both of whom Robert was extremely proud.

Following his second retirement, Robert and Yvonne returned to Brodnax, Virginia where he dedicated himself to the Miles Bethel Memorial CME Church as a member of the Steward Board, President of the Men's Chorus, and Chairperson for Ministry of Men. He also offered his skills to Oris P. Jones Funeral Establishment.

I want to recognize and offer my condolences to Robert's surviving family: his widow, Yvonne, his son Darrell and daughter-in-law Robin Pena Brown, his son Derreck and friend Christopher Johnson; aunts, Alma Jenkins-Davis, and Mary Boyd-Lewis Salley; brothers,

Willard Tanner (Christine) and James Brown (Bessie); brother-in-law, Frederick Mushaw (Shirley); sister-in-law, Josephine Tanner; and cousins, nieces and nephews.

Today, on behalf of California's 13th Congressional District, I join the family and friends of Robert Lee Brown, Jr. in celebrating his life of service and sacrifice. I offer my sincerest gratitude to Mr. Robert Lee Brown, Jr. for his selfless dedication to our nation.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to sound the alarm about our deepening military operations in Somalia.

This Monday, the United States conducted its 30th airstrike in Somalia since Donald Trump took office. This number is almost greater than the amount of airstrikes President Obama conducted in 8 years in office. What is worse, we now have the largest United States presence in Somalia since 1993--some 500 United States troops--which has doubled in 2017 alone.

Mr. Speaker, why are we conducting so many airstrikes and ramping up our military presence in Somalia with no congressional oversight?

Why are we sending our troops to fight a war that the American people know nothing about?

Congress has been left in the dark about these operations. At a minimum, we should have some basic knowledge of the missions we are asking our servicemembers to risk their lives for.

But we know it is not just Somalia. These U.S. shadow wars are taking place all across the world, as we saw so tragically in Niger last month.

Mr. Speaker, we need to rip up the 2001 Authorization for Use of Military Force and hold a real debate and vote on these new, ongoing wars. The people deserve to know the costs and consequences of these wars.

Yes, Congress has been missing in action once again. We owe it to our servicemembers to do our job.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong opposition to H.R. 2810, the Fiscal Year 2018 National Defense Authorization Act. This bill authorizes $700 billion in defense spending for our already out-of- control Pentagon budget. It would also increase funding by $66 billion for wars that Congress has never debated or voted on. And once again, my Republican colleagues have used an off-the-books spending gimmicks to further expand the already-bloated Pentagon budget.

Mr. Speaker, enough is enough.

Instead of writing blank checks to the Pentagon, Congress needs to live up to its constitutional obligation to debate matters of war and peace. We need to rip up the 2001 blank check for endless war. We need to stop funding wars without end.

Simply put, Mr. Speaker, we need to do our job.

And this Defense Authorization Act does just the opposite. It allows Congress to kick the can down the road again, while funding wars with no debate on the costs and consequences to our troops or to the American people.

Mr. Speaker, I do have to say that I am pleased by the passage of my amendment, which I co-authored with my good friend Congressman Burgess, to report on the audit-readiness of the Pentagon. This is a good first step, but much work remains to bring some accountability to Pentagon spending.

So I call on Speaker Ryan to act to actually audit bloated Pentagon spending and to bring forth an authorization so Congress can vote up or down on these wars.

I urge my colleagues to vote `NO' on this bill and reject this wasteful spending.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding and also for his tremendous leadership on the Ways and Means Committee and for really telling the truth.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong opposition to this bill, H.R. 1, which really is a tax scam. Republicans are really trying to pull a fast one on the American people.

This bill would steal from the hard-earned paychecks of millions of middle-income families to line the pockets of billionaires and corporations. In fact, 80 percent of the tax breaks would go to the top 1 percent. It also eliminates student loan deductions and eradicates medical expense deductions.

If this isn't cruel enough, this bill makes it easier for corporations to ship jobs overseas, so people will actually lose their jobs. This tax plan does nothing to create better jobs or better wages or a better future for the middle class. It does just the opposite.

In my home State of California, one in five middle-income families will see a tax hike next year. The State and local tax deduction would be particularly hard on my State, where 6.1 million households will see a tax increase.

Public sector jobs, like firefighters, will lose their jobs, not to mention the vital services our most vulnerable will need. These will be cut.

This bill really is a disgrace. Stealing from families who need help the most to give more to donors--millionaires and billionaires and corporations--this is really a new low.

Thirty-six million middle-income households, working families, will pay more in taxes.

We can't forget, also, that this tax scam sets the stage, really, for a heartless $1.5 trillion cut to Medicare and Medicaid, as we saw in the Republican budget.

We need to reject this mean-spirited tax scam and vote ``no'' and then come back and look at how we can support middle-income families, working families, so everyone has a chance and an opportunity at the American Dream.