Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate what the House and Senate were able to do with passing the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act.

Across Colorado, families are being squeezed by the skyrocketing cost of housing. Whether it is in the suburbs or our rural communities, there are simply not enough homes.

In Colorado alone, we are short 100,000 units, and that is driving up costs for all of us. We know that owning a home is one of the most important pathways to economic opportunity, stability, and generational wealth. It has also been a cornerstone of the American Dream. Yet, it has never been further out of reach.

Housing affordability is the number one issue that I hear from constituents. It is their greatest pain point. Young families are losing hope that they will ever be able to buy their first home. Seniors looking to downsize have nowhere to go. Teachers, nurses, and firefighters are being pushed out of the communities they serve, and the people who have lived there their entire lives are being forced to move because they can no longer afford to live in the place where they grew up.

That is why addressing the housing crisis has been a top priority for me in Congress and why I am so proud that three of my bills have been included in this package.

Like all significant issues facing this country, this is going to take an all-hands-on-deck approach. This bill does not address all of the problems that we are facing, but I am so proud that we were able to come together to boost the housing supply, remove barriers to construction, and expand access to homes families can afford.

While this was supposed to have been a moment of bipartisanship and celebration, right before coming up here, I was notified that the President has canceled the bill signing. He is holding hostage the most important piece of legislation we have brought for housing in 30 years. He is holding it hostage until he forces through his voter suppression bill that would disenfranchise millions of Americans, especially women who have changed their name after being married.

I am truly appalled. I should expect really nothing from this President, but I am absolutely shocked by his actions. President Trump has said that nobody gives an f about housing, and he has reminded us, once again, that he absolutely does not. This is about consolidating power for President Trump. Everything that he does is about him and has nothing to do with you.

It is just absolutely shameful.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Kenna Parker for earning one of this year's JeffCo Prosperity Partners Graduate Awards.

The Graduate Awards are granted to recognize individuals of the JeffCo Prosperity Partners (JPP) Program and Head Start families who reach significant milestones in education, employment, and economic opportunity. The recipients must successfully complete the JPP Program and develop skills in career development, academics, and financial literacy.

This year's Graduate Award honorees are recognized for their outstanding determination and hard work during the JPP Program. Receiving this award demonstrates dedication to personal growth, distinguishing their drive for professional development and improving their lives on a multigenerational level.

On behalf of the people of Colorado's 7th Congressional District, it is my honor to congratulate Kenna Parker on their incredible accomplishments and for receiving the 2026 JeffCo Prosperity Partners Graduate Award.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize David Golosky for earning one of this year's JeffCo Prosperity Partners Graduate Awards.

The Graduate Awards are granted to recognize individuals of the JeffCo Prosperity Partners (JPP) Program and Head Start families who reach significant milestones in education, employment, and economic opportunity. The recipients must successfully complete the JPP Program and develop skills in career development, academics, and financial literacy.

This year's Graduate Award honorees are recognized for their outstanding determination and hard work during the JPP Program. Receiving this award demonstrates dedication to personal growth, distinguishing their drive for professional development and improving their lives on a multigenerational level.

On behalf of the people of Colorado's 7th Congressional District, it is my honor to congratulate David Golosky on their incredible accomplishments and for receiving the 2026 JeffCo Prosperity Partners Graduate Award.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Shavalene Tenorio for earning one of this year's JeffCo Prosperity Partners Graduate Awards.

The Graduate Awards are granted to recognize individuals of the JeffCo Prosperity Partners (JPP) Program and Head Start families who reach significant milestones in education, employment, and economic opportunity. The recipients must successfully complete the JPP Program and develop skills in career development, academics, and financial literacy.

This year's Graduate Award honorees are recognized for their outstanding determination and hard work during the JPP Program. Receiving this award demonstrates dedication to personal growth, distinguishing their drive for professional development and improving their lives on a multigenerational level.

On behalf of the people of Colorado's 7th Congressional District, it is my honor to congratulate Shavalene Tenorio on their incredible accomplishments and for receiving the 2026 JeffCo Prosperity Partners Graduate Award.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Oli Hinojos for earning one of this year's JeffCo Prosperity Partners Graduate Awards.

The Graduate Awards are granted to recognize individuals of the JeffCo Prosperity Partners (JPP) Program and Head Start families who reach significant milestones in education, employment, and economic opportunity. The recipients must successfully complete the JPP Program and develop skills in career development, academics, and financial literacy.

This year's Graduate Award honorees are recognized for their outstanding determination and hard work during the JPP Program. Receiving this award demonstrates dedication to personal growth, distinguishing their drive for professional development and improving their lives on a multigenerational level.

On behalf of the people of Colorado's 7th Congressional District, it is my honor to congratulate Oli Hinojos on their incredible accomplishments and for receiving the 2026 JeffCo Prosperity Partners Graduate Award.

Mr.Speaker, I rise today to recognize Claudia Ibarra for earning one of this year's JeffCo Prosperity Partners Graduate Awards.

The Graduate Awards are granted to recognize individuals of the JeffCo Prosperity Partners (JPP) Program and Head Start families who reach significant milestones in education, employment, and economic opportunity. The recipients must successfully complete the JPP Program and develop skills in career development, academics, and financial literacy.

This year's Graduate Award honorees are recognized for their outstanding determination and hard work during the JPP Program. Receiving this award demonstrates dedication to personal growth, distinguishing their drive for professional development and improving their lives on a multigenerational level.

On behalf of the people of Colorado's 7th Congressional District, it is my honor to congratulate Claudia Ibarra on their incredible accomplishments and for receiving the 2026 JeffCo Prosperity Partners Graduate Award.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Christine Eze for earning one of this year's JeffCo Prosperity Partners Graduate Awards.

The Graduate Awards are granted to recognize individuals of the JeffCo Prosperity Partners (JPP) Program and Head Start families who reach significant milestones in education, employment, and economic opportunity. The recipients must successfully complete the JPP Program and develop skills in career development, academics, and financial literacy.

This year's Graduate Award honorees are recognized for their outstanding determination and hard work during the JPP Program. Receiving this award demonstrates dedication to personal growth, distinguishing their drive for professional development and improving their lives on a multigenerational level.

On behalf of the people of Colorado's 7th Congressional District, it is my honor to congratulate Christine Eze on their incredible accomplishments and for receiving the 2026 JeffCo Prosperity Partners Graduate Award.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Amber Stokes for earning one of this year's JeffCo Prosperity Partners Graduate Awards.

The Graduate Awards are granted to recognize individuals of the JeffCo Prosperity Partners (JPP) Program and Head Start families who reach significant milestones in education, employment, and economic opportunity. The recipients must successfully complete the JPP Program and develop skills in career development, academics, and financial literacy.

This year's Graduate Award honorees are recognized for their outstanding determination and hard work during the JPP Program. Receiving this award demonstrates dedication to personal growth, distinguishing their drive for professional development and improving their lives on a multigenerational level.

On behalf of the people of Colorado's 7th Congressional District, it is my honor to congratulate Amber Stokes on their incredible accomplishments and for receiving the 2026 JeffCo Prosperity Partners Graduate Award.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today during Mental Health Awareness Month to talk about something that impacts every family in this country.

Whether it is struggling ourselves or someone we know, all of us have been touched by mental health challenges. Far too often, people don't have access to the critical care that they need.

For me, it was my brother Justin. After years of struggling and falling through the cracks, we lost him to suicide in 2008. There isn't a day that goes by that I don't think about him.

Justin was one of the smartest people I have known. He was passionate, an avid reader, and was working to become a history teacher. He had recently been married and had his entire life ahead of him.

Through all the moments of our lives, big and small, our family grieves that he is not with us today.

Mr. Speaker, the most important thing we can do to reduce the stigma is to tell our stories, and that is why I am here telling mine.

To the individuals and the families who are struggling in this country, I want you to know that you are not alone, and there are so many of us here in Congress who are not going to stop fighting for you.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Women's Health Week and the catastrophic impact Trump and Republicans have had on women's health in this country.

This week, the Trump administration launched moms.gov, another performative political stunt pretending to support moms, but the health and well-being of women and families has never been under greater threat than under this administration.

Our access to healthcare is being decimated with cuts to Medicaid and

the ACA, while women are also dealing with the ongoing consequences of the Dobbs decision across this country and, somehow, it might even get worse.

Republicans are working on a backend national abortion ban by trying to eliminate access to mifepristone, an abortion pill that is utilized for 63 percent of abortions in the United States. This move will disproportionately impact women in poverty and women in rural communities who face significant barriers to being able to see a doctor.

Despite their lies, we know that mifepristone is a safe, effective medication, but access to this lifesaving drug now hangs in the balance before the Supreme Court. Any restrictions of this medication for miscarriages and abortions will be another devastating attack on our ability to make our own decisions about our health, our bodies, and our futures.

Let's be clear that this has nothing to do with science. It is about controlling women and taking away our access to reproductive healthcare and our ability to make our own decisions.

During Women's Health Week, let's remember that Donald Trump has consistently put us last. As a woman, as a mom, and as an American, I am horrified. We cannot stand on the sidelines.

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

Abel 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 Abel, develop crucial skills and a work ethic that will guide them for the rest of their lives. This award is a testament to Abel's hard work, determination, and perseverance at Jefferson Jr./Sr. High School and is clearly just the beginning of a bright and promising future.

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

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

Alfonze 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 Alfonze, develop crucial skills and a work ethic that will guide them for the rest of their lives. This award is a testament to Alfonze's hard work, determination, and perseverance at Jefferson Jr./Sr. High School and is clearly just the beginning of a bright and promising future.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Arturo Aro Calvillo for earning the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth Award.

Arturo 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 Arturo, develop crucial skills and a work ethic that will guide them for the rest of their lives. This award is a testament to Arturo's hard work, determination, and perseverance at Jefferson Jr./Sr. High School and is clearly just the beginning of a bright and promising future.

It is my honor to congratulate Arturo Aro Calvillo on achieving the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth Award.

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

Ashley 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 Ashley, develop crucial skills and a work ethic that will guide them for the rest of their lives. This award is a testament to Ashley's hard work, determination, and perseverance at Drake Middle School and is clearly just the beginning of a bright and promising future.

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

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

Delylah 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 Delylah, develop crucial skills and a work ethic that will guide them for the rest of their lives. This award is a testament to Delylah's hard work, determination, and perseverance at Jefferson Jr./Sr. High School and is clearly just the beginning of a bright and promising future.

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