Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 1372, the Homeland Security for Children Act.

Mr. Speaker, children are not tiny adults, as was stated, but too often that is how the Federal policy treats them when there is not a deliberate effort to do otherwise.

The Department of Homeland Security, through its components, interacts with children regularly, and its policies have a direct impact on them. That is why I introduced H.R. 1372, the Homeland Security for Children Act.

H.R. 1372 would make integrating the unique needs of children a priority at the Department of Homeland Security. The bill directs the DHS Under Secretary for Strategy, Policy, and Plans to solicit and incorporate feedback from children's organizations into Department-wide policies and activities.

Additionally, H.R. 1372 would formally authorize the existing children's technical expert position at the Federal Emergency Management Agency. The position was established by former Administrator Fugate in response to a March 2015 recommendation by the FEMA National Advisory Council.

At the time, the National Advisory Council had concluded that FEMA had made progress integrating the unique needs of children into disaster plans since Hurricane Katrina, despite the fact that it did not have a technical lead to emphasize and address children's issues. As a result, State and local governments and emergency managers were unaware of guidance related to children's needs at the State and local level, leaving children vulnerable.

According to Save the Children, 80 percent of the National Commission on Children and Disasters' recommendations from 2010 still remain open. Whatever progress has been made in integrating the needs of children in disasters, it is clear there is still work left to be done.

H.R. 1372 will ensure FEMA and DHS has the expertise necessary to do its part to ensure the unique needs of children are integrated into relevant activities, plans, and policies.

The legislation has been endorsed by Save the Children, and former Administrator Fugate has said he supports efforts to authorize the children's needs technical expert at FEMA.

Mr. Speaker, the Homeland Security for Children Act is commonsense, bipartisan legislation that will ensure that the needs of the most vulnerable among us are adequately integrated into homeland security and disaster policies planning.

I would like to just state, Mr. Speaker, that this bill has been a long time coming. I was just reminded of its importance by a program that I watched on television the other day about the tornadoes in Oklahoma, where we lost 7 children in a school building that fell. It showed the disarray in the rest of the parents being able to be reunited with their children. This is a timely bill.

Before I yield back, I would like to thank Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Shuster and Ranking Member DeFazio for agreeing to exchange letters to expedite consideration of H.R. 1372 on the floor.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, 100,000 people in South Sudan are at risk of starvation. Turmoil in the country could push another 5.5 million people into life-threatening hunger by summer. This hunger crisis in Sudan is manmade, the result of a civil war that has decimated the agriculture and destroyed the economy, and it will take humanitarian action to fix it.

I am proud to be a cosponsor of H. Res. 187, introduced by Congresswoman Karen Bass. This resolution aids the people of South Sudan by increasing emergency assistance to address the famine, and it calls on the Government of South Sudan to allow unrestricted humanitarian access to displaced and starving populations.

I urge my colleagues to pass this resolution. It is essential that the South Sudanese Government and opposition forces cease their inhumane blocking of humanitarian workers and permit the delivery of assistance to the South Sudanese. Millions of lives are at stake.

As my late father, Donald Payne, the Member in this seat prior to me, fought for this Nation to exist over a decade of work here in the Congress, to now see what is going on, he was able to get the situation in Darfur labeled a genocide. I hope the next generation of Paynes does not have to do the same thing in South Sudan.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 38th Anniversary of the Taiwan Relations Act (TRA), which has played an essential role in advancing the shared interests and values of the United States and Taiwan. Taiwan has become the United States' 10th largest trading partner and is a beacon of democracy in East Asia.

Along with the TRA, the ``Six Assurances'' have also guided our relationship with Taiwan. Three years after the TRA was enacted, President Reagan issued the ``Six Assurances,'' reaffirming our nation's support for Taiwan. There is one area that, because of China's intransigence, needs further consideration. China has blocked Taiwan's entrance into international organizations where Taiwan could play a meaningful role.

In addition to security, the United States and Taiwan have a close economic partnership. In 2016, bilateral trade was slightly over $65 billion. Taiwan and New Jersey also have very close trade ties. In 2015, Taiwan was New Jersey's 6th largest export market in Asia, with New Jersey's exports to Taiwan reaching $491 million.

This week, Chinese President Xi visited the United States and met with President Trump. While this meeting presented a constructive opportunity, the interests must in no way be marginalized. The commitments made in the Taiwan Relations Act and the ``Six Assurances'' must never be compromised.

Mr. Speaker, it is my privilege to be a friend of Taiwan and her people, and to recognize the anniversary of the TRA.

Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the gentlewoman from the District of Columbia's leadership throughout the years on many of these issues.

Mr. Speaker, confirmation of Judge Gorsuch to the Supreme Court would be detrimental to the interests of working Americans, particularly African-Americans and other vulnerable communities.

Just as President Trump's agenda prioritizes special interests, Judge Gorsuch's record shows that he favors powerful interests and businesses over regular people. His hostility to class action lawsuits would threaten protections for workers, especially African-Americans and other minorities.

What is particularly of concern to me is Gorsuch's opinion in what is known as the ``frozen trucker'' case. Gorsuch ruled against an African- American truck driver who, after breaking down in freezing weather, ignored his supervisor by unhitching the broken trailer from his truck and driving away in search of assistance.

In freezing cold weather, the truck driver is nearly freezing to death. He has a truck that won't work with frozen brakes. They are telling him to move--to use the truck and drive away. If he takes his truck with frozen brakes, the harm potentially to other citizens is great. An 18-wheeler truck with no brakes, that doesn't seem logical.

Gorsuch believed that the employee should have followed the orders, even though the driver's life was at risk. Gorsuch was the sole vote against the driver, who was put in the position of having to choose between freezing to death, driving an unsafe vehicle and endangering the lives of others, or unhitching his trailer and seeking help.

Judge Gorsuch's record is also troubling when it comes to issues around police accountability. Gorsuch believes in granting police qualified immunity, which protects law enforcement from being held liable for any excessive use of force. Now, this is deeply concerning given the widespread use of excessive force against African Americans by police and the increasing number of police shooting deaths of unarmed African Americans.

This is particularly concerning to me. I come from Newark, New Jersey, and the police department is being overseen by a Federal monitor following a 2014 review that determined officers repeatedly violated citizens' civil rights.

Additionally, Gorsuch's record on civil rights is deeply troubling. The National Bar Association, our Nation's oldest and largest national association of predominantly African-American lawyers and judges, notes that Gorsuch has shown a strong tendency to be biased in favor of powerful corporate interests and unapologetically biased against workers and victims of civil and human rights violations.

The confirmation of Gorsuch would threaten the protections and the rights of African Americans. Gorsuch is in lockstep with the President, favoring the wealthy over ordinary Americans. This is why I oppose his confirmation.

Even those who disagree that Gorsuch would bring a biased view to the Court should see the necessity in delaying consideration of Gorsuch, given the ongoing controversy over the Trump-Russia connection. It is inappropriate to rush forward with a lifetime appointment made by a President who is under investigation by the FBI and trapped in scandal. The Senate should delay consideration of Gorsuch until an independent commission investigates Russia's election interference and any ties between Trump and Russia.

Let me just say that Judge Gorsuch has put on a very good show in front of the Senate, seeming to be very confident and thoughtful, but never really answering a lot of the questions that were asked of him.

We feel that this jurist should not sit on the highest court in the land because of the bias that he has shown against working people and regular citizens in this country. Justice is supposed to be blind, but it seems that this jurist has a bias against the American working class person, the normal Joe, the minority looking for an equal break, and to have him sit on the highest court in the land would be a grave, grave mistake.

Mr. Speaker, on March 8, 2017, I inadvertently recorded a vote of YEA

on H.R. 1301, making appropriations for the Department of Defense for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2017, and for other purposes (Roll Call 139). I oppose H.R. 1301, and my vote should be recorded as NAY.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Rutgers men's basketball team on a tremendous accomplishment.

With their win last night over The Ohio State University, the Scarlet Knights celebrated their first Big Ten Tournament victory since joining the conference in 2014. Their hard work this season has paid off, and they now advance to play Northwestern tonight.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to congratulate the team, first-year head coach Steve Pikiell, and the entire Rutgers program.

Following their win, Coach Pikiell said that the team learned how to compete this year. Well, last night it certainly showed, and I look forward to watching the Scarlet Knights play tonight and wish them continued success in the tournament.

Mr. Speaker, it took 7 years, but it is finally here: the House Republican plan to make America sick again.

Under this plan, millions of Americans will lose their health insurance, and millions of other families will pay more for worse coverage. At the same time, the Republicans' bill rolls back Medicaid expansion and allows insurers to charge older enrollees more.

We always knew that the House Republican plan would harm the most vulnerable Americans, but we still do not know how much this bill will cost and how many Americans it will cover.

Now, House Republicans prefer it this way. They know that their bill will cover far fewer people than the Affordable Care Act does. They want to hide this fact from the American people and rush this bill through committee.

Mr. Speaker, this is an obvious and embarrassing display of cowardice from the House Republicans. The American people deserve to know the consequences of this bill just as they deserve quality and affordable access to health care. With the Republican plan, it looks like the American people will get neither.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor all those lost in the Khojaly Massacre. On February 25, 1992, a little more than 25 years ago, over 600 people were brutally murdered in Khojaly, Azerbaijan. These were mostly elderly men, women, and children--innocent victims that should have never been part of such a heartbreaking tragedy. It is essential that we take the time every year to remember those who lost their lives during this horrific event in Azerbaijan. Their unwilling sacrifice continues to serve as a reminder to hold fast to the principles of democracy.

Azerbaijan is a strong partner of the United States in a strategically critical and compound region of the world. I ask my colleagues to join me and our Azerbaijani friends in commemorating the tragedy that occurred in the town of Khojaly.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize March 2017 as National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month.

This month offers us an opportunity to raise awareness about colorectal cancer and to recommit to taking action against this disease. Colorectal cancer is one of the most preventable forms of cancer, yet it remains the second leading cause of cancer death among men and women, combined, in the United States.

This year, more than 130,000 individuals in the United States will be diagnosed with colorectal cancer. Approximately 50,000 more will die from it. Too often, individuals are forced to forego screening because of high insurance costs. In order to get more people screened and save lives, we need to break down the financial barriers to treatment.

Last month, I joined the Congressman Charlie Dent and Leonard Lance to introduce the Removing Barriers to Colorectal Cancer Screening Act. Our bill eliminates colonoscopy cost-sharing for Medicare patients so that every patient has access to this lifesaving treatment.

Mr. Speaker, we cannot let cost stand in the way of care. I urge Congress to quickly advance this legislation. Patients are counting on it.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the newly formed partnership between the Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey and University Hospital, located in Newark, New Jersey. This landmark agreement, designated by the National Cancer Institute, brings Rutgers' NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center services, as the only one in the state of New Jersey. This will expand the offering of advanced cancer-related services for residents of Newark and the greater Essex County--which includes many constituents in the 10th Congressional District of New Jersey.

The partnership expands the offering of advanced cancer-related services, including clinical trials only available at NCI-designated cancer centers, community outreach and education programs focusing on cancer prevention, and early detection including increased screenings. The focus on early detection and preventions is very important as March is National Colorectal Cancer Month. Colorectal cancer is the third most common type of cancer in men and women in our country. According to the American Cancer Society, it is the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States when men and women are considered separately, and the second leading cause when both sexes are combined. In 2016, it was estimated that 134,490 new cases would be diagnosed, and that 49,190 people would die from colorectal cancer. The availability of the latest treatment options and clinical trials at the Rutgers Cancer Institute at University Hospital are expected to improve patient outcomes and increase awareness of early detection and prevention to help reduce cancer incidence and burden in the 10th Congressional District.

This partnership embraces University Hospital's patient-centered care model, and will

create a multidisciplinary team of experts that will include: medical, surgical, and radiation oncologists, oncology certified nurses, patient navigators, social workers, registered dietitians, pharmacists, and other specially trained support personnel. The Cancer Institute is also physically connected to University Hospital, which allows patients to access additional clinical services, clinical research opportunities, screening and education programs and administrative offices. Additionally, the new partnership will create educational opportunities for community partners in the Newark area to work with University Hospital to identify cancer-related needs and develop culturally appropriate education. These activities will form the basis for future cancer-focused outreach initiatives, which will focus on improving cancer literacy and communication between patients and healthcare providers.

This collaboration is essential to expanding comprehensive cancer services, including prevention, education, early detection, increased screenings, and clinical trials in Newark and Essex County, New Jersey and I am honored to recognize this exciting partnership between the Rutgers Cancer Institute and University Hospital.

Mr. Speaker, last night President Trump delivered a speech that was long on campaign themes but short on specifics. It seems the President is more interested in political theater than leadership, and it showed. He was very vague on every topic he discussed, from health care to trade, to tax reform.

The campaign is over, but it is clear President Trump hasn't moved on. Where is his interest in governing and in leading this Nation? I don't see it. Just the day before, in his speech, he discovered that health care is unbelievably complex.

Every day since the inauguration President Trump has shown that he is ill-prepared, ill-tempered, and ill-informed, and he does not understand what governing is about. His speech did not change that.

It is time for President Trump to stop talking about bringing this country together and actually make an effort to do so. He needs to engage Congress, including the Congressional Black Caucus. He needs to move from platitudes to plans, and he also needs to act on the priorities of the American people.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my Republican colleagues to think about the message that President Trump's Muslim ban sends to our young people. What the President is telling them is that our doors are closed, that the tired, the poor, the persecuted, and the oppressed are no longer welcome.

I reject that message, and I am glad to say that I have heard from many young people who reject that message.

I want to read from a letter sent by a middle school student from West Orange, New Jersey, in my district. Her name is Calixta.

Calixta wrote: ``Immigrants are basically what America is made of. . . . Immigrants work very hard in the country, they get things done. These people fight for their lives.''

I am glad that Calixta recognizes President Trump's ban as a threat to American values, but I am concerned that other young people will see it and think it is okay to reject others based on how they look, how they worship, or where they come from.

Mr. Speaker, the President's ban is illogical, it is dangerous, and it sends a terrible message to the young people of this Nation.

Mr. Speaker, I was not present for the following Roll Call votes.

Had I been present, I would have voted the following:

1. ``NAY'' on the Motion on Ordering the Previous Question on the Rule providing for consideration of H.J. Res. 43 and H.J. Res. 69.

2. ``NAY'' on H. Res. 123.

Mr. Speaker, I was not present for the following Roll Call votes.

Had I been present, I would have voted the following:

1.``NAY'' on the Motion on Ordering the Previous Question on the Rule providing for consideration of both H.R. 428 and H.J. Res. 42

2. ``NAY'' on H. Res. 99

3. ``NAY'' on the Motion on Ordering the Previous Question on the Rule providing for consideration of both H.J. Res. 66 and H.J. Res. 67

Mr. Speaker, are we witnessing the first Manchurian presidency in the history of the United States?

This resignation of President Trump's National Security Adviser, Michael Flynn, has done nothing to end the controversy surrounding the administration's relationship with Russia. I am calling for an independent investigation into Flynn's actions.

The White House knew for weeks that Flynn misled about his secret communications with the Russian Ambassador, but apparently that was not a problem for the Trump administration as long as it was hidden from the public.

Did the White House authorize Flynn's secret communications? Did the President? Why wasn't Flynn gone sooner?

We don't know yet the answers to these and other questions. What we do know is that the Trump administration is not prepared to protect this Nation.

For all their talk of national security, Republicans are giving President Trump a pass. An independent investigation into Flynn's actions is needed. The investigation must determine if improper relationships between the Trump administration and the Russian Government exist.

Mr. Speaker, the American people are demanding to know, and they deserve to know just how tight Russia's grip is on the Trump administration.