Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to join millions of American women in condemning Trump's attempt to gut funding for women's health research.

The Trump administration has rescinded women's research projects at an alarming rate. These projects include lifesaving research on early breast cancer detection and so much more. Trump even shut down the Women's Health Initiative, our Nation's largest and most consequential women's health study.

Millions of women's lives are at stake. That is why I led my Democratic Women's Caucus colleagues in demanding that Trump immediately reverse course. I am relieved to announce that the administration heeded our call and the heartfelt appeals of our constituents and restored this crucial funding.

Mr. Speaker, this fight is far from over. The Trump administration is waging a war on science and women. We must stay vigilant, and we will fight back.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong opposition to the SAVE Act, which is a transparent attempt to disenfranchise millions of voters.

The SAVE Act would change voter registration guidelines to require proof of U.S. citizenship in very narrow ways. However, those documents, as we have heard, a birth certificate or a passport, are not always easy to come by for certain Americans.

This backward legislation would immediately disenfranchise the 69 million women who have changed their names after marriage or divorce and do not have a matching birth certificate. There is no cure in this bill.

Millions of Americans would be forced to navigate the complicated process to change their birth certificate or be forced to pay more than $130 for a passport.

Who would be prevented from voting? Working people who don't have the time to do it and low-income people who cannot afford to do it would be prevented from voting.

House Democrats will not be silenced while Donald Trump and Republicans try to disenfranchise millions of people.

Mr. Speaker, I have a motion to recommit at the desk.

Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the ranking member for yielding me time.

Mr. Speaker, Article III of our Constitution vests judicial power of the United States in the Supreme Court and lower courts.

The Constitution says that this power extends to all cases arising under the Constitution or laws passed by Congress. This is a bedrock principle of American democracy, and it is not up for debate.

Yet, now that the courts are blocking his unconstitutional and unlawful actions, Donald Trump wants to claim the power for himself and his administration. Trump does not subscribe to the principle of judicial review, and he doesn't believe in the sanctity of the Constitution. He cares only about himself and getting his own way.

Mr. Speaker, Trump and his followers are threatening judges with impeachment and far worse. Bomb threats, harassing calls, and swatting all send the same terrifying message: We know where you and your family live, and you better get out of the President's way.

President Trump's attacks on the judiciary are clear violations of his oath of office to protect and defend the Constitution.

Mr. Speaker, threats to judges and their families simply cannot be tolerated, and Members of this body have a profound responsibility to speak with one voice to condemn these reprehensible tactics. I implore my Republican colleagues to set politics aside and do the right thing.

For this reason, at the appropriate time, I will offer a motion to recommit this bill back to committee. If the House rules permitted, I would have offered the motion with important amendments to this bill.

My amendment would simply reaffirm the legislative branch's support for its coequal branch and condemn attacks on all members of the judiciary.

I ask unanimous consent to insert into the Record the text of this amendment.

Mr. Speaker, I hope my colleagues will join me in voting for the motion to recommit.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the memory of Phyllis B. Fulton, who sadly passed away last week.

A native of Elizabeth City, North Carolina, Phyllis dedicated her life to serving her community through her work as a social worker. After graduating from North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University in 1969, she began her career with the Wayne County Department of Social Services. While accompanying her husband on his assignments as a U.S. Air Force officer, Phyllis continued her work as a social worker around the world, helping foster kids, victims of child abuse, and families with adoption.

After returning to North Carolina, Phyllis first worked at the Wake County Department of Social Services before moving to the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, where she was promoted to Program Coordinator of Community Child Protection Teams across the state. In this role, she traveled to all 100 of our state's counties.

In 2013, North Carolina Governor Pat McCrory awarded Phyllis with The Order of the Long Leaf Pine, North Carolina's highest honor--an accolade acknowledging her exemplary service to our state. She was recognized for her contributions to making North Carolina a better place for all of our people over the course of her more than 50-year career in social work.

Phyllis was a beloved wife, mother, sister, grandmother, and friend. She embodied the true meaning of public service and made a lasting impact on her community and state. I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the inspiring life and service of Phyllis Fulton.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and legacy of my dear friend, Sepi Saidi, who passed away on March 24, 2025. Sepi was a trailblazer and beloved member of the Wake County community who nurtured her company from the ground-up in a male-dominated field. Her contributions to our community will live on for years to come in her children, friends. and the many members of our community she touched throughout her life.

Born on October 10, 1962, Sepi spent the first 15 years of her life in Tehran, Iran, where she was raised in a household with both a college-educated mother and grandmother. She moved to Raleigh as a high school transfer student in 1978 as the Iranian Revolution was unfolding in her home country, graduating from North Carolina State University with degrees in Civil & Agricultural Engineering. Sepi embraced opportunity, leaving a position at the North Carolina Department of Transportation in 2001 to found SEPI Engineering and Construction with a home equity loan, three employees, and two contracts. Within two decades, she grew SEPI Engineering and Construction to employ 300 workers and $40 million in revenue, becoming one of the top 500 private engineering firms in the country.

Sepi was well-known as an energetic, innovative leader in the Triangle, Beyond the success of SEPI Engineering and Construction, she held leadership positions at several important nonprofits and government organizations. Her wisdom and insights were valued at the Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority and the North Carolina Chamber of Commerce, earning her recognition as a Top Entrepreneur, Career Woman of the Year, and Top CEO. She was inducted into the North Carolina Business Hall of Fame in 2016 and the North Carolina Women Business Owners Hall of Fame in 2022.

However, more than any of these prestigious accolades, Sepi will be remembered for living life with intention and compassion. She always took the time to learn everything she could about her employees and was a conscientious friend and mentor to many who aspired to follow in her footsteps. She was also a fierce advocate for women's equality in the workplace and in society. She credited her mother and grandmother for encouraging her and her sister to pursue an education and pursue careers they could be passionate about.

I have known Sepi for more than 20 years, both personally and professionally. We collaborated on transportation, immigration, and women's issues. Together, we tried our best to make North Carolina a more prosperous and welcoming place. I will miss her as a dear friend and as an inspiring leader. Her son, Bardia, has been a valuable and trusted member of my team since I first ran for Congress. Every day, I see that he embodies her spirit, determination, and grace.

Sepi was an extraordinary woman who lived a remarkable life, and I will always be grateful that I had the immense privilege of knowing her. She was a devoted mother, compassionate friend, visionary thinker, and dear friend. She will be forever missed by her children Nakisa Asefnia and Bardia Asefnia, her siblings Sofey Saidi and Taher Saidi, and her many friends and colleagues. She left an immeasurable mark on our community, and her legacy will live on for generations to come.

Mr. Speaker, I thank Congresswoman Scholten for yielding.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor former Ambassador Jeanette Hyde, who, sadly, passed away last month.

A North Carolina native, Ambassador Hyde was a trailblazer who paved the path for generations of women in our State. Her contributions to our community span industries, from her time as a social worker and teacher to serving as the first woman on the North Carolina Board of Transportation.

Ambassador Hyde was an active philanthropist, never forgetting her roots and always giving back to North Carolina causes and organizations.

It is especially meaningful to celebrate her legacy during Women's History Month.

As a leader and influential advocate, she pushed for ratification of the equal rights amendment and women's full participation in the political process. She never gave up on her vision of an America where every woman has a chance to make her voice heard.

At a time when women are facing unprecedented attacks from the Trump administration, we should all seek to emulate Ambassador Hyde's grit and grace over the next 4 years. Like Jeanette, we cannot back down in the face of threats to women's healthcare, accessible childcare, equal pay, and more.

Mr. Speaker, I am deeply concerned about the Trump administration's act to fire more than 1,000 EPA scientific researchers who have

dedicated their careers to protecting the American people.

I represent part of the Research Triangle Park, home to the largest EPA facility in the Nation, where researchers and scientists are solving some of our most complex environmental problems.

In North Carolina, these committed public servants are working to combat PFAS and address our air quality issues. They were on the front lines of helping our citizens during Hurricane Helene.

The Trump administration is attacking Federal research offices because they expose disastrous policies and hold polluters accountable. Eliminating the Office of Research and Development not only violates the law, it puts our people, public health, and the environment in danger.

I will fight this dangerous plan to fire Federal workers and silence scientists with everything I have.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my profound appreciation for the staff who serve the people of the Second District of North Carolina.

This is an exceptionally challenging time for public servants in America. Congressional staff are no exception. Yet, despite an increasingly hostile political environment, my office continues to deliver superlative results for my constituents.

Last year, my district staff hosted or attended almost 200 events in Wake County, closed more than 1,500 constituent cases, and returned more than $22.3 million in federal benefits to the people of North Carolina. Over the same period, the staff in my Washington, D.C. office researched hundreds of policy questions, drafted 32 bills, amendments, and resolutions, and responded to more than 43,000 messages from constituents.

These numbers are an impressive but inadequate measure of my staff's contributions. In ways large and small--sometimes splashed on the frontpage of the newspaper but more often known only to a single family--they touch the lives of the people I represent.

Their service isn't just about providing information on legislation or assistance with benefits. In moments of hardship and frustration, my staff offer hope and wise counsel. They make people feel heard and understood and appreciated. In a very practical sense, they make real our Constitution's promise to every American of the right to ``petition the Government for a redress of grievances.''

Mr. Speaker, in recognition of their dedicated service and long hours on behalf of the people of North Carolina, I wish to include in the Record the names of each staffer currently employed by my office:

Puj Adusumilli, Kimberly Moore, Nadia Alston, Samantha Crane, Caroline Spencer Sparks, Josie Feron, Maura Haydin Thompson, Walker Beard, Tom Koester, Matthew Lee, Katie Paulson, Ally Tannenbaum, Jackie Gonzalez, Daphne Moore, Bardia Asefnia, Huston Wallace, Sam Upah, Alisa Sarkisian-Tatarian, Sophia Jacome, Sophie MacOmber, Erendira Ramirez, Easton Inman, and Chalina Morgan-Lopez.

Mr. Speaker, March 7th was National Employee Appreciation Day. On that day and every day, I am grateful that my staff have chosen to invest so much of their precious time and talent to making a difference for North Carolina. Their enthusiasm energizes me. Their creativity inspires me. At this difficult time, their positivity in the face of so much turmoil fills me with hope for the future.

Mr. Speaker, for 3 years, Ukraine has fought for its survival

against Russia's brutal assault. For 3 years, America has supported the Ukrainian people in their brave fight for freedom.

Mr. Speaker, Trump is halting military aid, blocking intelligence sharing, and betraying a democratic ally. This risks our national security and emboldens dictators around the globe.

History will judge us for abandoning a democracy under attack and for leaving innocent people to defend themselves against an aggressive authoritarian regime.

Mr. Speaker, there is still time for my Republican friends to speak up.

There is still time for Republicans to reaffirm to the world that America does not bow to our foreign adversaries.

There is still time for Republicans to join with Democrats and remind Donald Trump that America does not abandon our friends.

For our future and theirs, we cannot--we must not--betray the courageous people of Ukraine.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to share the story of a Federal scientist who was fired by President Trump and Elon Musk.

In their own words, this researcher wrote:

I was a biologist with USDA's Animal and Plant Health

Inspection Service. I worked to mitigate human-wildlife

conflict and protect American agriculture. As a Wildlife

Services biologist, I was also designated as an emergency

response official and was preparing to deploy to help the

efforts combating the avian influenza epidemic.

Bird flu cases are popping up across the country, including in my district, yet Trump is firing the public servants who are responsible for fighting the disease.

Donald Trump is not only jeopardizing the livelihoods of thousands of

Federal employees and their communities, but he is recklessly firing scientists and endangering the health and safety of every American. His actions are dangerous and cruel.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong opposition to President Trump's attempt to dramatically reduce NIH grant funding for research institutions, including those in my home State of North Carolina.

Immediately after Trump implemented these extreme funding cuts over the weekend, my staff and I heard directly from universities and researchers in The Triangle about how devastating this decision would be. By slashing NIH funding, Trump would undercut groundbreaking research on cancer, Alzheimer's, heart disease, and other conditions that kill millions of Americans.

While I am relieved that the Federal judge temporarily blocked these cuts from taking effect, the fight is far from over. This is just another example of Trump's complete lack of concern for the health of the American people. His actions would cost lives and jobs. I won't stop fighting until these lifesaving resources are permanently restored.

Madam Speaker, I rise with grave concern about reports that President Trump is scheming to eliminate the Department of Education and similar concerns about legislation that has been introduced to do just that.

This move would be detrimental for Wake County students and public school students around the country. Our community is home to world- class K-12 schools, community colleges, universities, and HBCUs that are shaping the bright minds of tomorrow.

Our schools rely on resources from the Department of Education to support teachers, assist students with disabilities, and ensure that young people get healthy meals. In addition, thousands of North Carolina students depend on grants and loans managed by the Department to pay for college. Their future is our country's future.

Let's be clear. The President does not have the authority to unilaterally abolish agencies that were created by Congress. Under this plan, Donald Trump and Elon Musk are attacking our kids and their teachers. We will fight this every single way that we can.

Mr. Speaker, yesterday we marked 52 years since the Supreme Court issued its landmark ruling in Roe v. Wade. We should be celebrating 52 years of reproductive freedom. Instead, nearly 3 years after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, we live in a very different America.

In North Carolina and across the country, women cannot access vital healthcare services, and doctors are being criminalized for simply doing their jobs.

We now have a President back in the White House who is bent on restricting access to women's healthcare even further. On President Trump's first day in office, his administration even removed a Federal web page that offered important reproductive health information.

While the next 4 years will bring immense challenges, we cannot give up the fight for a country where women can make decisions about our own bodies and our own healthcare.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the memory of Private Charles T. Norwood and to recognize the significant contributions of the Charles T. Norwood American Legion Post 157.

Private Charles T. Norwood served with distinction in Company H, 365th Infantry Regiment, 92nd Infantry Division during World War I. On November 11, 1918, mere hours before the Armistice, Private Norwood was wounded in action. He succumbed to his injuries and Lobar Pneumonia on January 17, 1919, becoming the first African American soldier from Raleigh, North Carolina, to make the ultimate sacrifice in World War I. Private Norwood was laid to rest with full military honors in the Raleigh National Cemetery on August 1, 1921. He rests in Section 8, Site 1226.

The Charles T. Norwood American Legion Post 157 was chartered on December 19, 1924, to honor his memory and service. At a time when American society was segregated, including Veterans Service Organizations, the charter members of Post 157 were African American veterans of World War I. These founding members represented a cross- section of Raleigh's African American community, including medical professionals, businessmen, educators, administrators, and community leaders.

For more than 100 years, the Charles T. Norwood American Legion Post 157 has served as a beacon of community service, veteran support, and civic engagement in Raleigh. Its establishment and ongoing legacy stand as a testament to the contributions of African American veterans to our nation's history and to the enduring spirit of service that defines the American Legion.

I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the heroism of Private Charles T. Norwood on the 106th anniversary of his death and commending the Charles T. Norwood American Legion Post 157 for its commitment to veterans and the Raleigh community for more than a century. May this legacy continue to inspire future generations to serve our nation and support our veterans.