Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Pete Rapa for earning the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth Award.

Pete has overcome many challenges along his journey to success, demonstrating perseverance at every step. Students who strive to make the most of their education, like Pete, develop crucial skills and a work ethic that will guide them for the rest of their lives. This award is a testament to Pete's hard work, determination, and perseverance at Arvada High School and is clearly just the beginning of a bright and promising future.

It is my honor to congratulate Pete Rapa on achieving the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth Award.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Christelle Kumeso for earning the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth Award.

Christelle has overcome many challenges along her journey to success, demonstrating perseverance at every step. Students who strive to make the most of their education, like Christelle, develop crucial skills and a work ethic that will guide them for the rest of their lives. This award is a testament to Christelle's hard work, determination, and perseverance at Arvada High School and is clearly just the beginning of a bright and promising future.

It is my honor to congratulate Christelle Kumeso on achieving the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth Award.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Rachelle Martinez Marentes for earning the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth Award.

Rachelle has overcome many challenges along her journey to success, demonstrating perseverance at every step. Students who strive to make the most of their education, like Rachelle, develop crucial skills and a work ethic that will guide them for the rest of their lives. This award is a testament to Rachelle's hard work, determination, and perseverance at Arvada High School and is clearly just the beginning of a bright and promising future.

It is my honor to congratulate Rachelle Martinez Marentes on achieving the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth Award.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Michael Racinowski for earning the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth Award.

Michael has overcome many challenges along his journey to success, demonstrating perseverance at every step. Students who strive to make the most of their education, like Michael, develop crucial skills and a work ethic that will guide them for the rest of their lives. This award is a testament to Michael's hard work, determination, and perseverance at Arvada High School and is clearly just the beginning of a bright and promising future.

It is my honor to congratulate Michael Racinowski on achieving the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth Award.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Valeria Seanz Alvarado for earning the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth Award.

Valeria has overcome many challenges along her journey to success, demonstrating perseverance at every step. Students who strive to make the most of their education, like Valeria, develop crucial skills and a work ethic that will guide them for the rest of their lives. This award is a testament to Valeria's hard work, determination, and perseverance at Arvada High School and is clearly just the beginning of a bright and promising future.

It is my honor to congratulate Valeria Seanz Alvarado on achieving the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth Award.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Nayeli Andazola for earning the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth Award.

Nayeli has overcome many challenges along her journey to success, demonstrating perseverance at every step. Students who strive to make the most of their education, like Nayeli, develop crucial skills and a work ethic that will guide them for the rest of their lives. This award is a testament to Nayeli's hard

work, determination, and perseverance at Arvada High School and is clearly just the beginning of a bright and promising future.

It is my honor to congratulate Nayeli Andazola on achieving the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth Award.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Veronica Quezada for earning the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth Award.

Veronica has overcome many challenges along her journey to success, demonstrating perseverance at every step. Students who strive to make the most of their education, like Veronica, develop crucial skills and a work ethic that will guide them for the rest of their lives. This award is a testament to Veronica's hard work, determination, and perseverance at Arvada High School and is clearly just the beginning of a bright and promising future.

It is my honor to congratulate Veronica Quezada on achieving the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth Award.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Argjend Krasniqi for earning the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth Award.

Argjend has overcome many challenges along his journey to success, demonstrating perseverance at every step. Students who strive to make the most of their education, like Argjend, develop crucial skills and a work ethic that will guide them for the rest of their lives. This award is a testament to Argjend's hard work, determination, and perseverance at Arvada West High School and is clearly just the beginning of a bright and promising future.

It is my honor to congratulate Argjend Krasniqi on achieving the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth Award.

Mr. Speaker, I thank my friend for yielding.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong opposition to this rule which restricts moms and dads from doing their jobs after welcoming a new child. Like so many of our colleagues, it is one of my greatest honors to be a mom. I have two little boys, a son named Davis who is 5, and my little guy here, Sam, who is now 9 weeks old.

It is also one of my greatest honors to have been elected by my constituents to represent them in Congress. I can tell you, Mr. Speaker, after being a mom here and being only the 13th voting Member to have ever given birth while serving in Congress, I can tell you we have a long ways to go to make this place accessible for young families like mine.

When I was pregnant, I couldn't fly toward the end of my due date because it was unsafe for Sam, and I was unable to board a plane. I was unable to actually have my vote represented here and my constituents represented.

After giving birth, I was faced with an impossible decision. Sam was 4 weeks old. For all the parents here, we know that when we have newborns, that is when they are the most vulnerable in their lives. It is when they need 24/7 care, when taking them even to a grocery store is scary because you are worried about exposure to germs and them getting sick, let alone taking them to an airport, on a plane, and coming across the country to make sure that you are able to vote and represent your constituents.

I was terrified that no matter what choice I made, I would have deep regrets for the consequences. So, Sam and I made the trip out, and this is our third time now coming to the floor, for this vote.

I thank all the people who have stood by us. I thank Representative Luna for being such a champion on this issue.

While Sam is the best baby, I apologize for the noises here.

I thank Representative Luna for being such a champion on this issue, alongside the rest of my colleagues who have led this charge and supported us in our efforts to pass this resolution.

When I hear from Members about their stories, whether they are a mom or a dad doing this job, having a newborn who is in the NICU, and having to make the choice whether or not to leave their child or come here to vote, it is unfathomable that, in 2025, we have not modernized Congress to address these very unique challenges that Members face, these life events, where our voices should still be heard.

Mr. Speaker, first of all, thank you for signing our discharge petition. We are asking you to continue to stand with us because no mom or dad should be in the position that I was in and so many parents have found themselves in.

It is antiwoman. It is antifamily. We need to come together to make sure that we kill this rule and have the opportunity to pass this resolution to make sure that new parents have the ability to continue to represent their constituents.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Chancellor Joe Garcia on his retirement from the Colorado Community College System (CCCS). Joe spent more than 35 years working in higher education and leaves CCCS in a strong position for the future.

Joe is the former Lieutenant Governor and Executive Director of the Colorado Department of Higher Education, becoming the first person in our state's history to hold both roles at once. Joe was a strategic advisor to then-Governor John Hickenlooper to increase the state's investment in higher education and expand opportunities for students from low-income backgrounds. Throughout his career, he has prioritized access to education for students of all ages and backgrounds, fought for college affordability, and invested in workforce development efforts to meet the needs of our changing economy. Joe is a true public servant, and generations of students will remember his dedication to higher education long after his retirement.

On behalf of the people of Colorado's Seventh Congressional District, it is my honor to congratulate Joe Garcia and thank him for his commitment to the people of Colorado.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Nathan Whittington of Broomfield, Colorado for receiving the 2024 Statewide Emergency Manager of the Year Award.

As the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office's Emergency Manager, Nathan leads coordination and response plans during natural disasters and other emergencies. He was instrumental in developing Jeffco's new Emergency Operations Center. During the Quarry Fire in 2024, Nathan managed the EOC and re-entry plans--ensuring all evacuees were able to return home safely. Nathan's commitment to public service extends beyond Jefferson County--he also deployed to Sarasota County, Florida to provide critical support during Hurricane Milton.

Nathan has led the way in adapting innovative technology and strategies that have strengthened our community's preparedness and resilience. We are grateful for his leadership and commitment to keeping our communities safe.

On behalf of the people of Colorado's Seventh Congressional District, it is my honor to thank Nathan Whittington for his service to the Jefferson County community.

Mr. Speaker, I recently gave birth and am unable to travel to DC to vote. Had I been present, I would have voted NAY on Roll Call No. 77, NAY on Roll Call No. 78, AYE on Roll Call No. 79, NO on Roll Call No. 80, NO on Roll Call No. 81, NO on Roll Call No. 82, and NAY on Roll Call No. 83.

personal explanation

Mr. Speaker, I recently gave birth and am unable to travel to D.C. to vote. Had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 74; NAY on Roll Call No. 75; and NAY on Roll Call No. 76.

Mr. Speaker, I recently gave birth and am unable to travel to D.C. to vote. Had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 72, and YEA on Roll Call No. 73.

Mr. Speaker, I recently gave birth and am unable to travel to D.C. to vote. Had I been present, I would have voted NAY on Roll Call No. 58; NAY on Roll Call No. 59; and YEA on Roll Call No. 60.