Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, it is with a heavy heart that I rise to recognize the life of my longtime friend, fierce leader, and cancer community advocate, Lainie Jones.

Lainie was a seven-time cancer survivor and known on social media as The Early Detective. Lainie lost her lifelong battle against multiple cancers on October 14, 2025, at the age of 41.

Diagnosed with cancer for the first time at 18 months old, after her third diagnosis in her twenties, she discovered that she had Li- Fraumeni syndrome, or LFS, a rare genetic condition that predisposed her to multiple cancers.

Lainie faced adrenal carcinoma, sarcoma, breast cancer, thyroid cancer, melanoma, lung cancer, and, finally, glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer.

Through it all, she remained positive, ensuring others heard her story as she was deeply committed to the importance of early detection, prevention, and knowing one's risk.

For the last 13 years, Lainie worked with the American Cancer Society, using her story to educate and empower others to take control of their health.

She called herself The Early Detective on social media, believing that asking questions and acting early is what will help others survive.

As a cancer survivor myself, Lainie was always an inspiration to me and so many others in the south Florida community. She tried to help people see cancer as she saw it and not to fear it. Lainie undertook every challenge with a smile and was incredibly generous in sharing her inspirational story with so many people. She lived by the words ``live every day like it is your first.''

It is my honor to soon reintroduce the Lainie Jones Comprehensive Cancer Survivorship Act, which will seek to improve the health outcomes and quality of life for survivors.

Mr. Speaker, Lainie Jones was an inspiration and an example of how one must never lose hope, even in the darkest of circumstances. I hope her story and her spirit continue to inspire others across the country. May her memory be for a blessing.

Recognizing the City of Hollywood, Florida's, Centennial Celebration

Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I rise to recognize the city of Hollywood, Florida's, centennial celebration.

The city of Hollywood was founded by visionary Joseph Young in 1925 as a small seaside dream and has since grown into a charming coastal community and dynamic city.

Over the past century, Hollywood has become known for its beautiful beaches, historic Broadwalk, scenic waterways, and unique blend of natural beauty and urban vitality. It is one of south Florida's most unique and beloved coastal cities.

My husband, Steve, grew up in Hollywood so the city holds a special place in our hearts. Hollywood's residents represent generations of families, new arrivals, and innovators who have built a strong and sustainable community that embraces inclusion, civic engagement, and diversity.

Hollywood is also home to the Seminole Tribe of Florida, its reservation, and ancestral lands. We also honor the

Seminole people for their historic and ongoing contributions to our shared story.

The city of Hollywood is deeply committed to sustainability and innovation, ensuring that future generations can continue to enjoy the city's remarkable natural resources. The city's unique charm lies in its ability to balance progress with preservation.

This 100th anniversary is a time to honor the past and the efforts of those who came before us, as well as celebrate the achievements of today and the next 100 years.

Mr. Speaker, I am grateful to Mayor Josh Levy and the city commission for working tirelessly to ensure that Hollywood remains a world-class destination where residents thrive, businesses prosper, and visitors feel welcome.

Happy 100th anniversary to Hollywood and all its residents.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the visit to the United States of His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, the spiritual leader of the Orthodox Christian Church.

His lifelong advocacy for religious liberty, interfaith understanding, and international peace has earned global recognition, including the Templeton Prize.

According to Orthodox Christian tradition, the Ecumenical Patriarch is a direct descendent of, and successor to, the Apostle Andrew in the see of Constantinople, and His All-Holiness has devoted his ministry to fostering greater understanding among people of faith.

It is an honor to welcome religious leaders to our Nation's capital. I join my Orthodox Christian constituents and communities across America in celebrating the visit of the Ecumenical Patriarch and commending his continued work in service of human dignity and peace.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to oppose this slush fund for Senators bill that will force healthcare costs to explode for millions of Americans.

In fact, this legislation guarantees only two things: Republican Senators suspected of helping Trump try to steal an election will get a whole lot richer, and life will get more expensive for everyone else.

That is because this bill adds rocket fuel to Republicans' larger assault on Americans' access to quality, affordable healthcare.

Remember, Mr. Speaker, Republicans already slashed $1 trillion from Medicaid, $500 billion from Medicare, and let Trump steal billions in medical research. With this bill, Republicans dump massive healthcare price hikes on struggling Americans. Millions will be priced out of any coverage at all, which will drive coverage costs up and health services down for all of us.

It is a health budget nightmare for America's families and a slush fund lottery win for eight Republican Senators. That is because the one thing we can all agree on, unless you are Jeffrey Epstein's best friend in the White House, is that the cost-of-living is out of control. Rent, home insurance, and electric bills are all soaring. The cost of beef, coffee, and vegetables just keep climbing.

People are really struggling to get by, yet Donald Trump continues to block SNAP benefits to 42 million struggling seniors, parents, and veterans.

How anyone could swipe food from the plates of nearly 20 million children like that is simply disgusting, but that same moral bankruptcy is embedded in this bill.

This bill unleashes huge health insurance hikes on 203,000 people in my district alone. Mr. Speaker, 82,000 people will lose coverage altogether due to the impact of the big, ugly law and soaring ACA prices.

Worse, this bill also reneges on our commitment to veterans. As the ranking member of the Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Subcommittee, I take our promises to veterans personally and seriously.

Just this summer, I secured bipartisan support for my amendment to restore $51.7 billion in advance funding for the Toxic Exposures Fund. This is funding, mind you, that President Trump sought in his budget.

Yet, as Republicans slipped a slush fund for Senators into this bill, they gutted a critical funding protection for veterans.

Just so we are all clear, average Americans will see their kitchen table budget blow up from the health coverage price hikes, and veterans will see their future healthcare funding for toxic exposures put in jeopardy, all so billionaires can keep getting huge tax breaks.

It is hard to pick between the worst moral outrages behind this bill. Was it covering up for Epstein's best friend for nearly 2 months just so Republicans could vacation and avoid negotiating a better healthcare plan for our struggling families, or is it the slush fund that personally enriches Republican Senators and will haunt everyone who votes for this bill?

Well, House Democrats will oppose this partisan spending bill that guts America's healthcare, and we will keep fighting to extend healthcare tax credits.

Donald Trump and Republicans broke their promise to lower costs, and this bill certainly cements that betrayal.

Democrats will stand by our promise to lower costs, and we will make sure every American knows Republicans are responsible for this devastating healthcare crisis.

Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I rise to recognize the tremendous work and 20th Anniversary of Sallarulo's Race for Champions, an annual, inclusive 5K run/walk that takes place in my Congressional district.

Sallarulo's Race for Champions was founded by Paul Sallarulo, whose relationship with Special Olympics began more than 45 years ago as a volunteer in high school. Paul's efforts and relationship deepened when his son, Patrick, began participating as an athlete at age eight. Patrick is now 30 years old, and for more than two decades has trained and competed in swimming, bocce ball, bowling and skiing. Patrick and his sister Samantha serve each year as Race for Champions team captains.

This event celebrates respect and compassion for all by providing an opportunity for the entire community to walk or run alongside Special Olympics Florida athletes and each year, grows in size, visibility and fundraising capacity thanks to Paul's leadership and connection to the community.

The funds raised by Sallarulo's Race for Champions benefit Special Olympics Florida and help serve more than 6,000 athletes and their families each year. This includes year-round sports training and competition in a variety of 19 sports, health services, inclusive programming and leadership training. Through the transformative power and joy of sport, Special Olympics Florida and Sallarulo's Race for Champions help athletes live richer, fuller lives.

I am grateful to Paul Sallarulo, his family, and the team at Sallurulo's Race for Champions for improving the lives of thousands in our community. I congratulate them on 20 meaningful years and look forward to many more exciting years to come.

Mr. Speaker, it is with great enthusiasm that I rise to recognize the exceptional work of the New Hope Missionary Baptist Church on their 100th Anniversary.

Founded on a warm Sunday in August 1925, New Hope Baptist Church has stood as a steadfast beacon of hope, compassion, and perseverance for the people of South Florida. From its earliest days, the church has provided not only a place of worship, but a source of strength and solidarity for generations of families in Fort Lauderdale.

Over the past century, New Hope has evolved from a modest wooden structure into a vital cornerstone of spiritual and community life in Broward County. The church has been shepherded by 13 pastors, each adding to its legacy through the establishment of new ministries, outreach programs, and community partnerships.

Under the leadership of current pastor Reverend Ricky Scott, the church continues to move forward with a renewed vision for spiritual growth and community engagement. New Hope has continually lived out its mission to serve the Lord by serving others. Through its ministries and outreach the church has fed the hungry, uplifted youth, and comforted families in times of need.

Notably, the church's participation in ``Souls to the Polls'' has helped strengthen democracy and amplify the voices of those too often unheard. Through efforts like these, New Hope Baptist Church demonstrates that faith and civic duty can work hand in hand to build a more just and compassionate society.

As New Hope Baptist Church marks its centennial year, we celebrate its unwavering commitment to faith, service, and community empowerment. Its century-long legacy stands as a testament to what can be achieved when a congregation dedicates itself to love, justice, and hope.

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the United States Congress, I extend heartfelt congratulations to Pastor Ricky Scott and the entire New Hope Baptist Church family for 100 years of ministry and community leadership. May the next century be filled with continued blessings, growth, and service to all.

Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I, along with Rep. Moskowitz, rise to recognize the tremendous achievements of Diana Nyad.

Diana Nyad was born in New York City on August 22, 1949, and raised in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. She is a legendary endurance swimmer, author, inspirational speaker and sports journalist. She attended Pine Crest School in Ft. Lauderdale and later graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Lake Forest College.

Ms. Nyad gained fame by setting a new speed record for both men and women when she circled Manhattan Island in 1975 in 7 hours and 57 minutes. She was the first person to swim North to South across Lake Ontario in 1974, and was the world champion on the marathon circuit that year. Her first attempt to swim from Havana, Cuba to Key West, Florida was in 1978 and 35 years later, at the age of 64, Diana became the first to ever swim from Cuba to Florida without the aid of a shark cage--110.86 miles, 52 hours and 54 minutes.

Ms. Nyad was inducted into the United States National Women's Sports Hall of Fame in 1986. She is also an International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame Honoree and an ISHOF Al Schoenfield Media Award recipient. In addition to her illustrious career as an athlete, Ms. Nyad founded the national walking initiative EverWalk and wrote and starred in the off-Broadway play, The Swimmer.

In 2014, the City of Key West honored Ms. Nyad with an historic bronze plaque installed at Smathers Beach where she walked ashore at the end of her Cuba crossing. On November 6, 2025, a State of Florida Historic Marker tribute to Diana's inspirational life will be unveiled and eventually be on permanent display at Las Olas Beach in Ft. Lauderdale.

It is with great enthusiasm that I congratulate Ms. Nyad on her accomplishments and ask Floridians to join me in thanking her for contributing to our state's rich cultural history.

Mr. Speaker, it is with a heavy heart that I rise to recognize the extraordinary life of Hollywood, Florida Police Lieutenant John Marino.

Lieutenant John Marino dedicated his life to the City of Hollywood and the Hollywood Police Department, serving more than two decades with honor, courage, and a deep commitment to both his fellow officers and the community he loved. He was not only a trusted leader within the department but also a devoted husband to his college sweetheart, Tara, for 29 years, and a proud father of three sons. Throughout their upbringing, he coached youth football across Hollywood, Plantation, Pembroke Pines, Davie, and Cooper City, shaping the lives of countless young athletes and mentoring them as if they were his own.

Beyond his police service, Lieutenant Marino also served as a liaison at Memorial Healthcare System, running the detail that protected and safeguarded doctors, nurses, and caregivers--ensuring that those who heal others could do so in safety. He gave selflessly of his time, his heart, and his strength, whether to his family, his neighbors, or his brothers and sisters in blue.

At the young age of 53, only 14 months shy of 30 yrs of service, Lieutenant Marino was taken far too soon by a sudden heart attack, leaving behind a void that can never be filled. Yet his legacy endures--as a protector, a coach, a mentor, a husband, a father, and a dear friend.

We will forever remember his devotion to service, his love for family, and his unwavering commitment to giving back to others. I am grateful to Lieutenant Marino and his family for the sacrifices they have made to serve and protect our community. May his memory be for a blessing.

Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I rise to recognize the Town of Davie, Florida's Centennial Celebration: 100 Years of Trailblazing.

A century ago, visionaries and pioneers laid the foundation of Davie with hopes, dreams, and a commitment to building a better future. And that vision has certainly come to life. Over the years, the people of Davie faced challenges, embraced change, and celebrated countless achievements. It is truly a town known for its spirit, resilience, and diversity.

The Town of Davie is home to nearly 107,000 residents who live across a lush 35 square miles within central Broward. The Town's rural atmosphere, western-themed district, and sprawling educational complex foster an environment that separates Davie from all other municipalities in Broward County. Green open spaces, numerous parks, over 165 miles of trail system, and the opportunity to live an equestrian lifestyle are amenities you won't find in today's growing South Florida.

The Town of Davie is also the nexus of higher education in South Florida where several nationally known colleges, technical institutes, and universities make up the South Florida Educational Center. And Davie's business climate ranges from entrepreneurial small businesses to the headquarters of Fortune 500 firms.

And the Town of Davie holds a special place in my heart. It's where my husband Steve and I bought our first home as we began our life together.

This 100th anniversary is a time to honor the past and the efforts of those who came before us, as well as celebrate the achievements of today and the next 100 years.

Congratulations to Mayor Judy Paul and the Town Council for working tirelessly to ensure Davie remains a warm, close-knit community with a hometown ambiance for all who live, work, and visit.

Mr. Speaker, it is a heavy heart that I rise to recognize the extraordinary life of David Schaecter. President of the Holocaust Survivors Foundation USA, who passed away on September 4, 2025, at the age of 96.

David was born in a small town in Slovakia in 1929. At age 11, after witnessing the murder of his father, he and his family were rounded up by the Nazis and sent to the Auschwitz death camp. He survived the hell of Auschwitz, and even a transfer to Buchenwald. But the entire rest of his family; his

mother, father, sisters, brother, aunts, uncles and cousins were all brutally killed in the Holocaust--105 family members in total. After the war, as a lone survivor, David fled to Prague and eventually came to America in 1950. He learned English in only nine weeks and graduated from UCLA with a degree in industrial engineering.

David was a shining spiritual light even though he experienced such horror and despair. He spent his life sharing his story with others with the hope that it would end the scourges of antisemitism, hate, and violence. He became a national spokesperson on behalf of survivors, visited schools in 18 states to educate our young people, and remained active and engaged until very recently, having testified before the U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging on the subject Never Again: Addressing the Rise of Antisemitism and Supporting Older Americans.

At home, David co-founded the Holocaust Memorial in Miami Beach that has served as a cornerstone for Holocaust education for South Floridians and visitors from around the world. This lion in our midst was a relentless and powerful advocate for the Holocaust survivor community and a true Zionist, a supporter of the state of Israel as the rightful homeland of the Jewish people. He was an icon who used his experiences to teach us all about the perils of antisemitism, so the words ``Never Again'' have meaning.

His work on behalf of survivors was inspiring, and I was proud to call him my friend. My heart is with David's wife Sydney, his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. May his memory be for a blessing.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to object to this Republican funding scam that simply continues the relentless financial pain America's families, seniors, and businesses face right now.

The reason I object so strenuously is because it absolutely does not have to be this way. Democrats have a funding proposal that cancels cruel cuts, lowers costs, and saves Americans' healthcare coverage. Our plan prevents 24 million Americans from enduring a massive 93 percent spike in their healthcare premium costs.

How could any Republican vote for a funding bill with that kind of financial sledgehammer hanging over your constituents' heads? The Democrats' plan values families, not billionaires and big corporations. It prevents nursing homes from closing. It ensures 15 million Americans don't lose health coverage.

Republicans refuse to sit down and figure this out, just like every family does at their kitchen table each week. Republicans are choosing to go it alone no matter the consequences. What Democrats will not do is support a partisan spending bill that guts healthcare for the American people. We will not support a plan that lets Trump freeze funds promised to our communities and hold up lifesaving medical research, including for kids with cancer.

Democrats will never support that. What we will support is our plan which saves a family of four earning $64,000 a year from seeing their annual healthcare premiums go up by $2,571, or 197 percent. Democrats will support permanently extending health insurance tax credits to keep coverage affordable.

What we will not do is make this Republican-created healthcare coverage crisis worse. We need to pass a budget that doesn't force Americans to raid their 401(k), cancel vacations, or go to the pawn shop just to pay for skyrocketing premiums.

In my State alone, more than 4 million people will feel the financial crunch from these higher premium costs, and they will feel it each and every month. A quarter of the Americans facing higher premiums have a chronic illness they are managing, and these price spikes will also put 1.6 million children at risk of losing essential healthcare.

How can any Republican claim to be a champion of small businesses and entrepreneurs when 3.3 million small business owners and self-employed workers would see premiums skyrocket? That will cripple startups and handcuff mom-and-pop shops across America.

Budgets reflect values and priorities, and Republicans chose a spending plan that guts healthcare and lavishes the wealthy and big corporations. That is the Republicans' choice that they must live with. Democrats stand ready to pass a funding bill that cancels the cruel Republican spending cuts, lowers costs for everyone, and saves the healthcare coverage of millions of Americans.

That is what Democrats fight for, and we will not support this Republican spending plan that drags families

further into the healthcare crisis created by Republicans.

Madam Speaker, I thank the ranking member for his indulgence in yielding time to speak in support of my bill, the Fallen Servicemembers Religious Heritage Restoration Act. I thank Chairman Bost for advancing this legislation through his committee and for his indulgence in reordering its consideration on the floor so that I could make it here to actually speak on the bill. I very much appreciate it.

My bill, as you have heard, is straightforward and bipartisan. It rights a wrong that occurred in some cases by accident where a Jewish servicemember was laid to rest under a headstone misidentifying their religion.

It ensures the United States properly honors the religion and heritage of the men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for our Nation. It does so by creating a program with the American Battle Monuments Commission to identify American-Jewish servicemembers buried in U.S. military cemeteries in ABMC purview under headstones that incorrectly represent their religion and heritage.

World War I and World War II were brutal and devastating, leading to challenges of ensuring every fallen American servicemember received the honor and respect of a proper burial.

From World War II alone, it is estimated that 600 American-Jewish servicemembers killed in action remain improperly buried under Latin crosses rather than Stars of David. While some of these improper burials were due to clerical errors, we have heard many stories of Jewish war heroes not wanting to display their faith on their dog tags while fighting against the anti-Semitic and genocidal Nazi regime.

Sadly, this issue is not limited to World War II.

This past spring, I had the honor of participating in a ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery to properly honor two World War I fallen American-Jewish servicemembers, Private David Moser and Private First Class Adolph Hanf. Both were laid to rest for over 100 years under a headstone etched with a Latin cross.

In a moving ceremony sponsored by Private Moser's family, these American heroes' headstones were replaced, properly honoring their heritage after all these years. It was so moving to honor the tremendous sacrifices Jewish Americans paid in service to our Nation, fighting for the same rights and freedoms every American cherishes.

At a moment when anti-Semitism is at record highs, this moment of healing was incredibly special. Knowing that there are hundreds of additional fallen Jewish servicemembers who deserve the same recognition as Private Moser and Private First Class Hanf makes this bill all the more important.

I have been honored by all the wide-ranging organizational support for the bill and for my colleagues who have partnered with me on this mission.

Madam Speaker, I thank Congressman Max Miller for being my co-lead and Senators Moran and Rosen for championing this bill in the Senate.

As the ranking member of Appropriations' Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Subcommittee, which provides funding for the ABMC, I am acutely aware that the programs that Congress authorizes require funding to ensure proper implementation.

In both fiscal year 2026 House and Senate MILCON-VA appropriations bills, we secured $500,000 to carry out this mission with ABMC, and I look forward to working with my colleagues to ensure that it stays in the bill as we continue consideration during conference negotiations.

It is critical that Jewish Americans who served our Nation in uniform and paid the ultimate price are able to be laid to rest honoring their religious heritage. Unfortunately, due to the fog of war, hundreds of Jewish servicemembers were denied that last opportunity.

This bill is an important step to allow for the research necessary to correct these errors and ensure there are resources for that work. This will make it possible for these brave Jewish servicemembers' descendants to know that their loved one's military service, life, and religious heritage are properly honored.

Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support passage of H.R. 2701 so we can properly honor our fallen Jewish-American servicemembers.

Mr. Speaker, it is with great enthusiasm that I rise to recognize the exceptional work of the Urban League of Broward County on its 50th Anniversary.

The National Urban League is a historic civil rights organization dedicated to elevating the standard of living in historically underserved urban communities. The Urban League of Broward County was founded in 1975 as an affiliate of the National Urban League, and since then, this community-based organization has been dedicated to empowering communities and changing lives.

The League helps communities in need gain power and independence by promoting civil rights, economic self-reliance, and social equality. They offer programs in education, job training, housing, and entrepreneurship to empower residents.

The League helps our community achieve these goals through a variety of programming--from their Summer Enrichment Program, which offers students the opportunity to create, discover, and learn, to ADVANCE-U, which offers a full range of essential economic resources for residents to help them succeed in the workforce, stabilize their finances and build assets.

The Urban League of Broward County's commitment to the health and wellness of Broward's families is extensive and impressive. And the pivotal role it plays for South Florida families is invaluable. I am grateful to the leadership and staff for their tireless efforts to fight for the rights of my constituents and all Americans to live with freedom, dignity, and prosperity.

I thank President and CEO, Dr. Germaine Smith-Baugh, and everyone at the Urban League of Broward County for improving the lives of those in Florida's 25th Congressional District and across Broward County. I congratulate them on 50 remarkable years.

Mr. Speaker, due to weather related travel delays outside of my control, I was not able to be physically present for votes today. Had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 191, YEA on Roll Call No. 192, and YEA on Roll Call No. 193.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to oppose this vile Republican plunder of working families, seniors, and veterans, all so the richest Americans can be showered with even more wealth.

This billionaire bailout would strip healthcare coverage from 17 million Americans, nearly 2 million in my State of Florida. It would push millions into crowded, costly emergency rooms and saddle them with medical debt.

Trump's big, ugly bill also steals record food assistance from millions of kids, seniors, and veterans.

It makes cancer screenings and prenatal care harder to get by defunding Planned Parenthood.

It cripples solar and wind projects and kills millions of clean, green manufacturing and construction jobs, all so the rich can get huge tax breaks.

No family is unscathed because this bill also blows up the national debt by $4 trillion, which drives up interest rates on car loans and mortgages and triggers billions in Medicare cuts, cutting healthcare for our seniors.

This bill makes life less affordable and more painful. Instead of uplifting lives, it will end them.

When history looks back on this bill, its legacy will be: Trump lied, and people died.

Vote ``no.''

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Barbara Collura, a long-time advocate for family-building equality, who is stepping down after more than 20 years of leadership with RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association.

During her tenure, Barbara's leadership was key to furthering RESOLVE's missions: lifting up the voices of millions of Americans struggling with infertility and fighting to ensure that everyone, regardless of background, income, or geography, can access the care they need to build their families.

Her work included testifying before Congress, meeting with lawmakers and federal agencies, organizing advocates, and working toward a world where infertility is recognized as a disease that deserves attention, compassion, and coverage.

Her tenure has been marked by meaningful policy progress, including expanded insurance coverage for fertility care at the state level, and increased protections for IVF.

As someone who relied on access to IVF to have my twins, I know personally how important it is to raise more awareness about infertility and expand access to fertility treatments. I have been proud to work with RESOLVE under Barbara's leadership to push for common sense legislation that would offer hope to millions of families struggling with infertility.

At a time when reproductive freedom is under attack, Barbara has stood firm in defense of all paths to parenthood--because infertility is not only part of the reproductive health conversation, but central to it.

I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Barbara Collura for her extraordinary contributions to the infertility community. Her legacy is one of hope, progress, and an unwavering commitment to the idea that everyone deserves the chance to build a family.