Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I have been to every nook and cranny of the region I represent. I have never spoken to anyone anywhere who thought elected officials should be able to use their public office for personal profit.

I have never spoken to anyone anywhere who believes that elected officials should be able to interfere in independent investigations or to punish whistleblowers.

I have never spoken to anyone anywhere in my district who thinks we should allow foreign countries to interfere in our elections.

Addressing these issues is what the Protecting Our Democracy Act is all about.

Importantly, this bill includes the Honest Ads Act, a bill that I led to increase accountability for online political ads. There are disclaimer requirements for print, broadcast, and radio ads, and our bipartisan bill would set those same requirements for online ads so that the American people can know who is paying for the ads they are seeing online and so we can keep foreign money out.

We know that foreign adversaries have attacked our elections in the past, and we have to stop it. That is why I am proud to cosponsor this legislation, and I encourage my colleagues to pass this bill today.

Madam Speaker, 100 years ago today a group of Dutch Americans, including future President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, established the Netherland-America Foundation to strengthen ties between our two great countries. Over the past 100 years the Netherland-America Foundation has accomplished this mission through organizing and sponsoring cultural exchange programs on topics as varied as art and science to business, public affairs, and historic preservation.

As the son of a Dutch immigrant, I am honored to cochair, with my colleague Representative Huizenga, the bipartisan Dutch Caucus which shares NAF's goals of growing and deepening the exchange of ideas and culture between America and Holland.

A similar message of friendship and goodwill is being delivered to the Dutch Parliament today, speaking to the ever-deepening bond between our two countries and great democracies.

I know I speak on behalf of all members of the Dutch Caucus when I congratulate the foundation on their achievements over the past 100 years and the lasting impact they have had in encouraging the unique friendship between our two countries. I look forward to another century of the U.S. and Netherlands sharing, growing, and working together.

Madam Speaker, I thank Chair McGovern for yielding.

Madam Speaker, I am going to start with a bit of an embarrassing admission. For a number of years, I avoided stepping on a scale because I was about 90 pounds heavier than I am now. Madam Speaker, eventually, I figured out that you can't really get a handle on things by ignoring them. So, occasionally, you have to step on that scale, and that is really the ethic that this bill embraces.

It simply says that if we are going to get a handle on our long-term fiscal challenges and have an economy that works better for everyone, then we have to occasionally hear a clear statement of how we are doing and a clear statement of the Nation's financial realities from a nonpartisan, unbiased source. That is what a fiscal state of the Nation address would do.

As the Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress looked at proposals to improve the budget and appropriations process in the 116th Congress, all 12 members of the committee unanimously recommended this as an important reform. I would acknowledge that there was great bipartisan and bicameral support for this notion as part of the Joint Select Committee on Budget and Appropriations Process Reform as well.

The Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress believed that providing Members of Congress with access to nonpartisan information about the many factors contributing to the Nation's fiscal challenges would allow Congress to develop sound fiscal policies and meet the long-term needs of our Nation. In its final report from the 116th Congress, the committee noted that a fiscal state of the Nation address would also encourage communication between the executive and legislative branches and improve the ability for all parties involved in the budget and appropriations process to make decisions based on a common set of facts. That is why this bill has such strong bipartisan support.

I want to congratulate Congresswoman Rice and Congressman Barr for their progress on this effort. I encourage my colleagues on both sides of the aisle, Democrats and Republicans, to support this bill.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the 25th Anniversary of the Asia Pacific Cultural Center in Tacoma, Washington.

E Pluribus Unum. Out of many, one.

That motto, the motto of our Nation, reflects a truth embodied by the Asia Pacific Cultural Center for the last 25 years--that our region's amazing diversity is a blessing. That the people and cultures that have come from so many places should be celebrated. And, importantly, that the celebration of that diversity can be a force for uniting us.

Since 1996 the Asia Pacific Cultural Center has served as that unifying force in our region--a center of cultural exchange. It has provided programs to support, celebrate, and honor the Asian and Pacific Islander people. It has given us all an opportunity to celebrate art, education, culture, and cuisine--some of the core elements of everyday lives that have been challenged over the course of the last couple of years. It has brought us together.

Through it all, over the last quarter of a century, the APCC has not only endured--it has thrived. Over the years, so many of us have learned so much from APCC programs. Personally, I have participated in traditional ceremonies at Samoan Cultural Days and at the Korean Chuseok Festival. I got to join with my youngest daughter in making dumplings (I was terrible at it, but my kiddo was terrific). I've joined the APCC in prayer and healing after tragic moments in our country. And I've joined them in great joy and celebration. And I know I'm not alone. Indeed, by hosting cultural events and activities, sponsoring youth programs, and conducting outstanding outreach, the Asia Pacific Cultural Center has become a pillar of our community.

Through its work, the APCC helps us live up to a vision laid out by Gandhi when he said, ``I do not want my house to be walled in on all sides and my windows to be stuffed.'' He said, ``I want the culture of all lands to be blown about my house as freely as possible.'' The Asia Pacific Cultural Center has brought the cultures of 47 countries into our home. The APCC has made our community stronger.

I would like to recognize and congratulate the organization's tremendous leadership, including Executive Director Lua Pritchard, President and Founder Patsy Surh O'Connell, the board, and every person in our community that has supported their extraordinary work. It matters.

As a representative for our region in our Nation's capital, I want to thank the APCC for its partnership and congratulate the organization for 25 years of service and dedication to our community. I look forward to working with the Asia Pacific Cultural Center for years to come.

It is an honor to represent them and our region.

Madam Speaker, had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall No. 352.

Members Recorded Pursuant to House Resolution 8, 117th Congress

Axne (Spanberger)

Barragan (Gallego)

Bowman (Tlaib)

Brown (Mfume)

Cardenas (Gomez)

Cohen (Beyer)

Crist (Castor (FL))

Davids (KS) (Cleaver)

DeFazio (Blumenauer)

Deutch (Rice (NY))

Doggett (Raskin)

Fletcher (Escobar)

Gaetz (Greene (GA))

Gonzalez, Vicente (Gomez)

Hagedorn (Carl)

Kirkpatrick (Stanton)

Larsen (WA) (Connolly)

Lawson (FL) (Evans)

Meng (Jeffries)

Morelle (Rice (NY))

Ocasio-Cortez (Garcia (IL))

Palazzo (Fleischmann)

Payne (Pallone)

Pingree (Kuster)

Rush (Underwood)

Schiff (Thompson (CA))

Sires (Pallone)

Smucker (Joyce (PA))

Speier (Scanlon)

Steube (Franklin, C. Scott)

Strickland (Jeffries)

Swalwell (Gomez)

Thompson (MS) (Butterfield)

Thompson (PA)

(Reschenthaler)

Titus (Connolly)

Trone (Beyer)

Wilson (FL) (Hayes)

Mr. Speaker, E Pluribus Unum, out of many, one.

Our Nation's motto reflects the truth embodied by the Asia Pacific Cultural Center for the last 25 years; that our region's diversity is a blessing; that the people in the cultures that have come from so many places should be celebrated. And, importantly, that the celebration of that diversity can be a force for uniting us.

Since 1996, the Asia Pacific Cultural Center has served as that unifying force in our region, providing programs to support and honor the Asian and Pacific Islander people. It has brought us together.

Over the years, so many of us have learned from APCC programs. Personally, I have participated in traditional ceremonies at Samoan Cultural Days and at the Korean Chuseok Festival. I have tried and even made all kinds of cuisine. I have joined the APCC in healing after tragic moments in our country. Like others, I have joined them in joy and celebration.

I would like to recognize the organization's tremendous leadership, including Lua Pritchard and Patsy Surh O'Connell and congratulate the APCC for 25 years of service and dedication to our community. Here is to many more.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Richard Trumka, a relentless champion for working people.

When I heard from labor leaders across the State of Washington following his passing, without exception they spoke about what a substantial loss his passing was.

But in the brief time that I have here to reflect on his life, I want to talk about what a gain it was to have him as a leader in our Nation: A gain for folks who, because of his work, can retire with dignity, a gain for workers who, because of his leadership, are safer and better compensated, a gain for every worker who can collectively bargain.

In fact, when I spoke to him last, we talked about how important it was to support our Federal workers throughout the region I am proud to represent, the brave public servants that protect our sailors through their work at the shipyard, that prepare our timber sales in the Federal forests, that welcome visitors to our national parks, that care for our veterans, that ensure citizens get the services that they need, and that keep us safe. We agreed that we need to do everything we can to have their backs, and throughout his life, he did.

I also admire that not only did Mr. Trumka advocate for our workplaces to work better for the American people, but he also wanted our country and our democracy to work better for working people. Advocating to protect access to the ballot box and to get big money out of politics.

As president of the AFL-CIO, he proudly represented millions of workers throughout our country and hundreds of thousands of workers in Washington State: Shipbuilders and electrical workers, ironworkers, letter carriers, machinists and pipefitters, and paper workers and teachers and healthcare workers. I could go on and on and on. These workers are the heartbeat of our Nation.

In honor of his life, we should commit to continuing his legacy to ensure workers have dignity, to ensure workers have the right to organize, so that they can seek fair pay and better benefits and safer working conditions and to make our democracy work better for all Americans.

Madam Speaker, my sincere condolences to his family, to his friends, and to every worker and American who was touched by his life.

General Leave

Madam Speaker, I rise today to speak on behalf of J.D. Grom, an exceptional staffer and someone I'm proud to have called a colleague and partner.

J.D. left Capitol Hill as the longest-serving Executive Director of the New Democrat Coalition, and I consider myself lucky that he held the role during my Chairmanship of the Coalition.

We talk a lot in the NewDems about ``the future of work'' and the fundamentally changing nature of our economy. Our Nation--and our world--have seen massive, disruptive economic change. I've even seen it personally. My first job was working at Westside Video in Port Angeles, Washington. As J.D. has heard me say countless times, it kind of bums me out that the words ``Be Kind, Please Rewind'' mean nothing to my two kids. They live in this extraordinary world of seemingly unlimited streaming video and on-demand content. That's good for them but was really disruptive if you worked at a video store. There are countless other examples. The reality is that today's kids are growing up in an economy that is globalized, interconnected and rapidly changing. That can lead to growth and prosperity, but too often leaves a swath of workers and even whole communities struggling to compete.

To J.D.'s credit, under his leadership, the NewDems kept these issues front and center. We worked closely together on issues like workforce development and lifelong learning accounts, portable benefits and placebased economic development.

J.D. never took his eye off the economic ball, and we're better for it as a Coalition. More than that, J.D. was a kind leader and a strong mentor to his staff. He's someone I could always look to as well for sound judgment and clear-eyed, strategic advice.

This Coalition has never been stronger, thanks in no small part to the service of J.D. Grom. I wish him luck in his new role. To J.D.--as well as to his wife, Stacy, and his two kids, Emma and Jack, from whom we borrowed J.D. on many late nights and weekends--I offer my congratulations, my best wishes, and my sincere thanks for years of service.

The Force is strong with this one. We're expecting big things from J.D. ahead.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Meredith McGehee, the executive director of Issue One, who is leaving her post at the end of this month.

Meredith is one of the Nation's most knowledgeable and dedicated experts on Congress and ethics in politics. She is a true public servant and has devoted her career to making Congress and the Federal Government more transparent, more effective, and to making it work better for the American people.

In fact, she is among the leading advocates for many of the key laws that shape the way that Congress operates today, contributing to the formulation of the Gift Ban, the Lobbying Disclosure Act, the Congressional Accountability Act, the Bipartisan Campaign Finance Reform Act, the STOCK Act, and the establishment of the bipartisan Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress, which I now have the honor of chairing.

Of all of the ways that Meredith has had an impact, she is first and foremost, a devoted daughter of Albuquerque, a wife, and mom to Timo who, himself, is now pursuing a career in service to our country.

Mr. Speaker, I want to thank Meredith for her service and wish her all the best in the days ahead.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to extend my sincere congratulations and birthday wishes to one of my constituents, Herman Kleiner, who is celebrating his 100th birthday on Tuesday, August 24, 2021.

Herman was born into a Jewish family to Pauline and Morris Kleiner, in Tacoma, Washington, August 24th, 1921. A proud product of the Tacoma Public School system, Herman attended Bryant, Jason Lee, and Stadium High School and went on to attend the College of Puget Sound where he majored in sociology and became a member of the Delta Kappa Psi fraternity. During World War II, Herman served in the United States Air Force and, upon his return, went into business with his father, Morris, at Model Lumber Company.

Mr. Kleiner recalls working with his father for many years--including his school age years--as the two had a wonderful relationship. He would work at the lumberyard during the year and then go to Aleph Zadik Aleph (AZA) summer youth camp at the end of every summer. He became a member of the AZA and was presented with an opportunity to attend a national AZA Convention with the debate team, which he really enjoyed doing. Mr. Kleiner and many friends formed the first Aleph Zadik Aleph chapter in Tacoma.

After his retirement in the early 1990's, Mr. Kleiner and his spouse Barbara had the pleasure of welcoming Russian Jews from the Soviet Union who were coming to the United States. Through their work and service, they were able to aid in the resettlement of about 33 Jewish families from the Soviet Union, helping to secure apartments before they arrived, assisting with furnishings and household goods, and transporting them from the airport to their new homes. Recounting his experience Mr. Kleiner recalled, ``It was absolutely one of the most wonderous parts of our life.''

In addition to his work welcoming Russian Jews into our community, Mr. Kleiner's passion for serving his community and giving back can be seen in his active engagement with numerous civic organizations throughout Tacoma, including: Temple Beth El, United Jewish Appeal, the Jewish Cemetery Board, and the Stadium Alumni Association.

Madam Speaker, it is an honor today to celebrate Mr. Herman Kleiner on his 100th birthday, whose love for his community has never wavered and whose service to his country and community is greatly appreciated and will be long remembered.

Madam Speaker, I would like to take this moment to commemorate the 100th Anniversary of United Way of Pierce County.

United Way of Pierce County has been an integral part of our community since its founding on May 14, 1921--100 years ago. Established by an organizing committee composed of nine women and led by Emily R. Seymour, the organization was originally known as the Federation of Social Service Agencies. Founded to coordinate work among multiple Tacoma social agencies and serve more people, this organization has gone forward to provide services and leadership to our community for a century.

Over the last hundred years, United Way of Pierce County's mission has remained focused on breaking the cycle of poverty for local families. Since its founding, this organization has raised and reinvested 350 million dollars in our community.

United Way of Pierce County is also a leader in supporting diversity and inclusion efforts in our region. Their commitment to confronting systemic racism and recognizing its role in perpetrating persistent socioeconomic disparities strengthens their impact as they work for the prosperity and dignity of every person in the community.

Their current goal is to lift 15,000 households out of poverty and into financial stability by 2028. I look forward to working with United Way of Pierce County in continued partnership to address poverty and care for our community. They are difference makers.

I'd like to congratulate the organization's tremendous leadership, including President & CEO Dona Ponepinto, the board, and every person in our community that has supported their extraordinary work.

Madam Speaker, Members of Congress, please join me in celebrating the 100th Anniversary of United Way of Pierce County.

Mr. Speaker, as we prepare to bring American troops home from Afghanistan, it is important to recognize those who weren't able to make it home.

With that in mind, I rise to honor our Nation's Gold Star families, mothers, fathers, husband, wives, siblings, and children with a loved one who died in service to our country.

I have deep gratitude for the families who have suffered such a painful loss, families like that of Captain Joseph Schultz, who was killed in action in Afghanistan in 2011. Captain Schultz's mother, Betsy, channeled her grief over losing her only child into action, forming a nonprofit respite home for other Gold Star families, the Captain Joseph House in Port Angeles, Washington.

The Captain Joseph House, and organizations like it, provide a network of support and comfort for the surviving family members. Their work matters, and we should be grateful for it.

Mr. Speaker, I offer my gratitude to all who have lost a loved one in service to our country.

Madam Speaker, people in the Pacific Northwest have faced horrific news this week regarding potential catastrophic die-off of salmon populations resulting from rising water temperatures from this week's heatwave.

Sadly, in our region, deteriorating infrastructure and failing culverts have long had a negative impact on water quality and have threatened the salmon that are so important to our economy and to our identity.

But today, through this bipartisan amendment, we have some good news. This amendment would create a new grant program within the U.S. Department of Transportation for culvert restoration to aid fish passage and recovery efforts.

It provides $800 million for the new National Culvert Removal, Replacement and Restoration Grant Program.

By providing this dedicated funding for culvert restoration, the Federal Government can restore fish passages and provide critical access to upstream habitat for aquatic species.

I am grateful for Senator Cantwell's partnership and that of Chair DeFazio and for the support of bipartisan Members from the Pacific Northwest, who know how important this effort is to protecting clean water and recovering salmon populations in our region.

This is good news, and I encourage my colleagues to support this amendment.

Madam Speaker, I am proud to rise in support of the Promoting United Government Efforts to Save Our Sound Act, or the PUGET SOS Act, and I thank my good friend and colleague, Representative Strickland, for her partnership on this important legislation.

Madam Speaker, those of us who are lucky to call the better Washington home know that Puget Sound is our most iconic body of water. Generations of our friends and neighbors have built their lives and earned their livelihoods on the Sound.

We know the Puget Sound is critical to the environmental and economic future of our region. And some of our region's most iconic species, including salmon, orca, and Dungeness crab, rely on a healthy Puget Sound.

But despite years of efforts to protect and restore Puget Sound, we still have a lot of work to do to address the significant challenges, including storm water runoff, habitat loss, and harmful algal blooms, that continue to threaten this crown jewel of our region's identity and economy.

That is why I am proud to see the House advance this critical bill, which will finally bring to bear the coordinated Federal resources necessary to save our Sound. If we are going to recover our salmon and orca populations, if we are going to ensure future generations can dig for clams, if we are going to respect and uphold Tribal treaty rights, we need the Federal Government to step up and support the work already being done by the State, Tribes, local communities, and businesses that all depend on a vibrant and healthy Puget Sound.

Madam Speaker, I am proud that this bill represents meaningful progress toward these goals. If future generations, including my two kiddos, are going to have the opportunities to enjoy these treasures and to build their livelihoods in our region, we have to act now to protect and restore the Sound.

Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this critical bill.

Mr. Speaker, staff are the backbone of this institution. In fact, the Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress, over the course of the last few weeks, has had hearings specifically related to how this institution can recruit, retain, and have more diverse staffs.

The staffs who work in Congress are dedicated public servants who are here because they want to do meaningful work for our country. Today, I want to rise to say thank you to some very talented and very special staffers who were instrumental to the success of the Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress in the 116th Congress: Allie Neill, Jake Olson, Danielle Stewart, Mariah Harding, and SoRelle Gaynor.

As chair of the Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress, I was fortunate to have Ms. Neill and Mr. Olson at the helm leading our staff and guiding our members through an incredibly productive 2 years. Their dedication to our bipartisan mission along with their institutional expertise was critical to the committee's success. To their credit, when they came in to do the work of our committee, they weren't wearing red jerseys or blue jerseys. They were wearing jerseys that said: Let's try to make Congress work better for the American people.

On top of that, Ms. Stewart did an extraordinary job of amplifying the work of our committee and sharing it with the American people. Ms. Harding handled the critical behind-the-scenes work like a pro. Under Ms. Gaynor's direction the committee produced an outstanding final report for the 116th Congress.

These staffers exemplify public service at its finest, and I want to rise today to thank them for their contributions.