Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I was not present during today's vote series. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall No. 287, ``yea'' on rollcall No. 288, and ``nay'' on rollcall No. 289.

Mr. Speaker, I was not present during today's vote series. Had I been present, I would have voted ``nay'' on rollcall No. 284, ``nay'' on rollcall No. 285, and ``nay'' on rollcall No. 286.

Mr. Speaker, St. Louis and I rise today in defense of Social Security because Republicans are trying to take it away.

Regular, everyday people in our country have long been promised that if you take a part of your paycheck and contribute to Social Security, you will be able to retire with grace and with dignity and you will have enough money to put food on the table, pay your bills, and keep the heat on in the winter.

Nearly 65 million people rely on Social Security benefits, including 131,000 in my home State of Missouri. People with disabilities, retired workers, and their dependents are relying on a fully funded Social Security program.

Instead of strengthening and protecting Social Security, extreme MAGA Republicans in D.C. want to end Social Security as we know it. We are talking about taking away from folks who rely on these benefits, who rely on what this government allows. They want to be able to attack that.

People are already relying on Meals on Wheels. They rely on the Circuit Breaker program. They rely on them in ways that they should have because they have given their hearts and their souls to working for this country. Every single day for decades here in this country, they rely on the fully funded Social Security program that extreme MAGA Republicans want to end.

They would rather protect gas stoves than protect retired workers or protect seniors. We cannot and we will not allow this to happen. We must ensure that lifesaving social programs are here to stay.

As Democrats, we are committed to strengthening Social Security. As Democrats, we are committed to strengthening Medicare, to strengthening the programs that everyday people in this country rely on.

We will continue to fight back against any extreme MAGA Republican attempts to cut these lifesaving benefits. We believe in saving lives, and we show up that way because we are Democrats.

Madam Speaker, St. Louis and I rise against the Speaker of this House sending Members of Congress home on a break as he is taking our economy hostage in service of his dangerous, MAGA Republican agenda designed to gut social programs that save lives.

We are on the brink of economic disaster because of a fabricated Republican ultimatum, and the Speaker has decided to send everyone home.

This is not a game. Real people and real lives hang in the balance, but the Speaker seems intent on holding our economy hostage and rewarding himself with a break, as he is bringing us to the brink of a default that would devastate communities like mine in St. Louis.

Just over 2 years ago, the Republican Party tried to hold our democracy hostage. Now they are holding our economy hostage. They are gambling with Social Security checks, with Medicare and Medicaid benefits, with food for children, and with people's rent money, and that is a bad deal.

The Dems are here. The Dems are here. The Dems are here, and we are saying: Where are the Republicans? Sign the discharge petition.

Madam Speaker, will you sign the discharge petition? Where are the Republicans? Sign the discharge petition.

The Speaker needs to do his job.

Mr. Speaker, St. Louis and I rise today in honor of National Nurses Week and to honor the life and legacy of America's first professionally trained Black nurse, Mary Eliza Mahoney.

Today, I am proud to introduce a resolution supported by the National Black Nurses Association and National Nurses United to uplift and celebrate the timeless contributions of Mary Eliza Mahoney.

Mary Eliza advanced the nursing profession by confronting issues affecting professional nurses, such as poor working conditions and racial discrimination.

She was one of the founders of the National Association of Colored Graduate Nurses, whose mission was to improve access to educational and nursing practices for all Black Americans.

Her legacy lives on in the hearts and minds of Black nurses across this country.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in celebrating America's first Black nurse and in honoring Black nurses who are saving lives across our country every day.

Mr. Speaker, due to health reasons, I was not present during today's vote series. Had I been present, I would have voted ``nay'' on rollcall No. 190, ``yea'' on rollcall No. 191, and ``nay'' on rollcall No. 192.

Mr. Speaker, due to health reasons, I was not present during today's vote series. Had I been present, I would have voted ``nay'' on rollcall No. 188 and ``yea'' on rollcall No. 189.

Mr. Speaker, due to a medical emergency, I was unable to vote during today's vote series. Had I been present, I would have voted ``nay'' on rollcall No. 187.

Mr. Speaker, St. Louis and I rise today for the equal rights amendment.

We rise on this historic occasion, on the eve of the birth of the Congressional Caucus for the Equal Rights Amendment, a caucus I am proud to be founding tomorrow alongside my co-chair-in-service, my sister-in-service, Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley.

We rise in the tradition of those who led this fight before us, those whose shoulders we now stand upon: shoulders like Pauli Murray, Shirley Chisholm, and Barbara Jordan.

On this ERA caucus eve, as we near the close of Women's History Month, it is only fitting that we are here on the floor of this U.S. House of Representatives with our Congressional Black Caucus colleagues, because Black women have always been leaders of the fight to enshrine equality in our Nation's Constitution, but we haven't always been in the headlines for leading that work. Today, we are here to declare that the reason the ERA is a priority for the CBC is because everyone in our communities has something to gain from its finalization. Black women, girls, and queer folk have the most to gain. We are here continuing to lead, demanding exactly what is owed to us: equality.

Because, you see, the Constitution, in all its wisdom, guaranteed fundamental inalienable rights, but stopped short of guaranteeing those rights for everyone. Women? We were written out. Black women? Not only were we written out, but too many authors of the Constitution were busy enslaving, exploiting, and extracting the labor of our ancestors for profit and were unconcerned with what was owed to us: equal rights, nothing less.

We need to start by being honest about who is harmed the most when equal rights are not enshrined in our Constitution. We know that without the ERA, the patchwork legislation that we have in place to protect women--including provisions of the Equal Pay Act, the 1964 Civil Rights Act, Title IX, and the Violence Against Women Act--has primarily benefited and made gains for White women. Now is the time to build on those gains and expand protections for all women and LGBTQ+ folks, all of us, too.

This is our moment. One hundred years since the ERA was introduced in this body, 100 years. This is our moment to finalize the ERA so that we modernize the Constitution and make sure the fight for equality not only includes but centers the people who have been left behind, because we were written out of this document.

One hundred years, and all we are asking for is 24 words. In 24 words, 24 simple words, the equal rights amendment will add to our Constitution that: ``Equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex.''

That is it. In other words, this amendment would make the ``we'' in the ``we the people'' become ``us,'' all of us. In doing so, the ERA can protect people from gender-based discrimination by simultaneously acting as a vehicle for progress.

We see it here. This is just a portion. It can work to ensure permanent protections, like fair wages, like violence prevention, like healthcare equity, like reproductive freedom, like LGBTQ+ rights, and like much else we not only deserve but are entitled to and are owed. Equality and nothing less. That is what we are asking for.

But we need the ERA, and we need it now, because equality is overdue. Equality is overdue.

I rise in support of the equal rights amendment today, on the shoulders of the scores of Black women and LGBTQ+ people who have toiled on this initiative for 100 whole years, to amplify their calls, calls they made in this very Chamber and outside of it, calls that resonate today even as the attacks against us intensify, calls to publish the ERA now. Publish the ERA now. Publish the equal rights amendment now, because equality is overdue.

Madam Chair, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Madam Chair, St. Louis, House Democrats, and I rise today to strongly oppose H.R. 347, the Reduce Exacerbated Inflation Negatively Impacting the Nation Act.

While Democrats passed numerous laws last Congress that are successfully reducing inflation every month, House Republicans have come up with nothing more than a study in response. This is unbelievable.

The substance and process of this bill amount to nothing more than political theater to distract from and undermine the immense successes of congressional Democrats and the Biden administration.

If Republicans were serious about fighting inflation and cutting costs for regular, everyday people, they would have joined with Democrats to pass critical legislation like the Inflation Reduction Act to rebuild American manufacturing and lower the cost of prescription drugs, healthcare, energy, and other goods and services for the people of our country rather than pushing an extreme MAGA messaging bill that accomplishes nothing. Nothing. Not a thing.

The global spike in inflation has been caused by food and fuel disruptions resulting from the illegal and unprovoked Russian invasion of Ukraine, as well as auto part supply shortages connected to the COVID-19 pandemic. There is no evidence that government spending or executive orders by President Biden have increased inflation.

The President and congressional Democrats have taken steps to enact policies; not studies, not reports, but actual, tangible policies and dollars delivered to our communities to lower costs for regular, everyday people. Yet, we understand that still much more work remains.

For over 20 years, while I was a single mother of 2, I experienced countless times what it was like to see costs rise faster than my wages. I know what it is like to have to choose between paying the electric bill or paying rent.

I remember thinking to myself, who is it that is fighting for me and for other people in my situation?

Lawmakers in Congress can help alleviate that pain. Lawmakers in Congress can prioritize enacting policies to raise wages and lower costs, and that is what congressional Democrats have done.

For so many people in my community of St. Louis and around the country, skyrocketing rents and high utility costs are consistent barriers to

keeping families safe and fed, and that is a moral and policy failure.

We have seen how people's lives improved when the Federal Government stepped up to enact a moratorium on evictions or sent urgently needed stimulus checks to families or expanded the child tax credit or capped insulin at $35 a month.

Those are the actions that saved lives. That is what we need, and we need more of that now. Yet, here we have a report.

However, what my House Republican colleagues have demonstrated this Congress and what they are demonstrating here today with this bill is that they are not serious about governing. They have circumvented regular order to bring this hollow bill to a vote on the House floor. Even as people continue to suffer the consequences of inflation and flawed responses that exacerbate unemployment, corporations, especially in the energy industry, have capitalized on this crisis to raise prices for everyday people and for families.

Last year, Exxon made $56 billion in profits, using inflation as a cover to fleece regular, everyday people just trying to get to medical appointments or to school.

I oppose this bill because I am aware of what it is. It is a distraction from our work for our constituents. It is a waste of government resources, and it is a squandering of time that we should be using to rein in corporate greed and support those of our neighbors who need our help the most. I oppose this bill because it isn't a meaningful way to legislate. It is a political stunt.

Madam Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Chair, I yield 5 minutes to the gentlewoman from New York (Ms. Ocasio-Cortez).

Madam Chair, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Raskin), the ranking member of the Oversight Committee,

Madam Chair, I yield an additional 1 minute to the gentleman from Maryland.

Madam Chair, I yield myself the balance of my time.

Madam Chair, over the past 2 years, through the Inflation Reduction Act, the American Rescue Plan, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, and other successes, Democrats and President Biden have made historic investments in public transit, renewable energy, healthcare, and economic stability.

We have created jobs. We have advanced justice. We have advanced equity. We have reduced greenhouse gas emissions, and we have slowed down inflation.

We put hundreds of dollars in people's pockets. We capped the price of insulin. We invested in people.

As a result, when adjusted for inflation, wages have risen for so many families over the last 7 months, and unemployment remains at its lowest level since 1969.

However, we need to do so much more. Many of our neighbors, particularly those with the greatest need, are suffering from the consequences of high costs across the board.

I am glad House Democrats controlled the House during the pandemic. This bill makes a mockery of people living in poverty who need meaningful relief.

The Republicans' big idea, the big plan that we have been told about and waiting on is to write a flawed bill that mandates--guess what-- more paperwork. Give me a break, as my ranking member just said.

I know what it is like to be at risk of eviction. I know what it is like to be hungry. I know what it is like to be cold, so cold that you don't know if you will survive the nights.

Never one time when I was living out of my car with my two babies did I ask for a report from Congress for help. I needed diapers. I needed food. You can't eat a report.

If this bill was to move forward, no one will be saying, I am so glad I used this report to pay the rent. Let me take shelter with this report because Congress did their job.

Let's take real care, real actual care of the people. I oppose this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, St. Louis and I rise in support of Congresswoman Ilhan Omar. I have been to her district. I have spoken with her constituents. We visited marginalized communities globally together. This institution is better because of her leadership, and the Foreign Affairs Committee benefits from her perspective.

Let's talk about what is really happening. Republicans are waging a blatantly Islamophobic and racist attack on Congresswoman Omar.

I have said it before, and I will say it again: The white supremacy happening is unbelievable. This is despicable.

It is Congresswoman Omar who has been harassed at her job for simply existing as a Muslim woman in Congress. It is she who has been attacked by a Member of this body, ridiculing her as a potential terrorist for simply existing as a Muslim woman in this Congress.

Rather than bring actual accountability, any accountability, to Congress, they bring this offensive resolution to the floor. This is just a bunch of racist gaslighting. We all know it. Vote ``no.''

Madam Speaker, St. Louis and I rise today to remind my colleagues that there is no place in a humane society for State- sanctioned violence.

On Tuesday, Kevin ``KJ'' Johnson was taken from his family by capital punishment. From the systemic racism that tainted his conviction and the State's continuing use of executions to the Missouri Supreme Court's and the U.S. Supreme Court's denial of a stay of execution, KJ was failed by our criminal legal system.

Missouri intends to move forward with the executions of four more people in the coming months. Congress must act. Congress must pass legislation to abolish the Federal death penalty and encourage States to follow suit.

I am also urging our President to continue leading on this issue and act now. Commute the sentences of all those on Federal death row, condemn State executions, and urge his administration, this administration, to stop seeking the death penalty. Let's abolish the death penalty once and for all.

Mr. Speaker, St. Louis and I rise today in full support of President Biden's student debt relief plan in the face of Republican efforts to block economic relief for millions of people.

The $1.9 trillion student debt crisis has cost people more than just money. It has stripped countless people of the opportunity to start a family, buy a home, start a business, or further their education.

My office has been collecting heartbreaking stories from constituents across Missouri's First District about how student debt relief would impact their lives for the better. Here are some of their stories.

Michelle H. writes: ``The ongoing gloom and constant worry of student loan debt will lessen significantly. Even if some of the debt I have accumulated through student loans was forgiven, my entire quality of life will drastically increase, and my mental health would also increase. This would be absolutely life-changing.''

Amy V. notes: ``We will be able to buy a house, my first mortgage. This will allow me to pay off other bills and increase my credit score. I cannot afford the monthly payment of over $900 per month.''

Alison M. writes: ``I have been swimming in debt since I graduated college with a degree and a job. At one point, I couldn't even afford to move out of my parents' because my student loans were over $1,000. Sallie Mae ruined my credit score, and now that I finally have somewhat of a stable income. If this debt relief comes through, I can actually see a light at the end of still a long tunnel. But, before, I never even thought there was such a light.''

These are just three of the 43 million borrowers who are depending on transformative student debt relief measures that will change their lives forever.

I share my own personal story of my journey grappling with immense student loan debt. As a single mom of two, working an hourly job that made less than $10 an hour, even after working there for 10 years, I struggled to provide for my family and myself. I knew I needed a change, a career change, but that meant I would need to go back to school and that I would ultimately incur student debt.

I thought that once I graduated and got a steady job, I would be able to pay it back quickly. So, I enrolled in nursing school, took out loans, and a few years later, I was a registered nurse.

For the most part, everything went as I expected, and it wasn't until I was faced with that first payment that I realized just how astronomical this debt burden became. Even with a job that paid more money than I had ever made before, it still felt impossible to be able to pay it off.

Ultimately, I was able to pay off my student loans, but it took years. During those years I struggled to pay these loans, I faced multiple eviction notices and was evicted, had difficulty feeding my two babies and affording childcare as I worked long and odd hours as a nurse. It was hard, and at times it felt impossible. I would have welcomed debt relief, and it is why I am pushing so hard to remove that economic burden for current and future generations.

Education should be affordable, equitable, and accessible to absolutely everyone. It should lead to prosperity and opportunity, not debt.

I share these stories with you, my colleagues, and implore us all to continue supporting the Biden administration in backing down the dark money and right-wing attacks on student debt relief and to continue standing with borrowers by extending the payment pause beyond December 31st and using every single legal authority to deliver student debt relief. We have a responsibility and an obligation to cancel student debt now.

Madam Speaker, St. Louis and I rise today in honor of a beloved member of our community.

Cora Faith Walker was truly a one-of-a-kind leader. She constantly found innovative ways to advocate for those in our communities who had the most need.

No matter the role she was called to serve in, Cora was unwavering in her commitment to uplifting those around her. Above all else, Cora always stood for what is right; for herself, for her loved ones, for her neighbors, for St. Louis, and for Missouri.

Cora's warmth and genuine spirit translated seamlessly to her legislative leadership, and she relentlessly advocated for at-risk women, children, and families.

Cora has left an indelible mark on me and on our district. Though we deeply mourn this painful, untimely loss, St. Louis and I celebrate her beautiful life.

Madam Speaker, St. Louis and I rise today in support of the CROWN Act.

As a Black woman who loves my braids, I know what it is like to feel isolated because of how I wear my hair.

For the last time, we say no more to Black people being demeaned and discriminated against for the same hairstyles that corporations profit from, no more to Black people being made to feel like we have to cut our locs just to get a job.

For the last time, we say no more to Black people being made to feel like we have to straighten our hair to be deemed professional, no more to Black children being suspended from school because their hair doesn't align with their school's dress code. This is actually a thing.

We are American, and we stand up and say no more for the last time. We are American. Black hair is not to be policed.

Madam Speaker, I commend my colleagues for their work on the CROWN Act, and I urge my colleagues to support it.