Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize International Plasma Awareness Week (IPAW) from October 5 to October 9, 2026, an annual campaign designed to raise awareness about plasma donation and plasma-derived therapies (PDTs), recognize plasma donors, and educate the public and policymakers about patients who depend on these therapies.

As a Co-Chair of the Congressional Rare Disease Caucus, I have had the privilege of meeting countless individuals and families whose lives have been affected by rare and chronic diseases. I have heard about their challenges, but I have also seen the incredible difference in their lives when life-saving treatments are available.

For many members of the rare disease community, PDTs are an essential part of that story. Human plasma, the liquid portion of our blood, contains important proteins that perform critical functions in our bodies. PDTs made from these proteins are used to treat patients with primary immunodeficiencies, bleeding disorders, rare neurological diseases, Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency, hereditary angioedema and other serious conditions. They are also used in emergency medicine to treat patients suffering from shock, trauma, or burns.

But there is something particularly remarkable about PDTs: they begin with another person. Plasma cannot be manufactured in a laboratory. It cannot be distilled from a plant or synthesized using chemicals. Producing these therapies requires eligible donors to take the time to donate. And it takes many donors to meet the needs of patients. Depending on the condition and therapy, it can take hundreds--and in some cases as many as 1,200 plasma donations to provide one patient with treatment for one year. That is why increasing awareness about plasma donation is so important.

A new global survey conducted for the Plasma Protein Therapeutics Association illustrates both the importance of plasma donation and the gratitude patients feel toward the people who donate. Before receiving plasma-derived medicine or caring for someone who did, only 12 percent of respondents said they were very well informed about plasma donation. And only 44 percent knew that providing therapy for one patient for a year can require as many as 1,200 donations.

But when patients were asked how they feel about plasma donors, their response was overwhelming: 77 percent said they were grateful, 47 percent respectful, and 34 percent supportive. More than 400 people took the time to write personal messages thanking donors. Those numbers tell an important story.

For someone living with a rare disease, a plasma donor may be a person they will never meet. But that donor can nevertheless have a profound impact on their life--helping make it possible for them to go to school, pursue a career, raise a family, travel, and participate more fully in their communities.

During International Plasma Awareness Week, I encourage Americans to learn more about plasma donation and the patients who rely on plasma- derived medicines. And most importantly, I want to thank our plasma donors. I thank them for their time. I thank them for their commitment. And I thank them for giving patients with rare and serious diseases something extraordinarily valuable: the possibility of living healthier, fuller lives.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak in support of H.R. 2140, and I am proud to lead the Diesel Emissions Reductions Act. I am thankful to Representatives Calvert, Langworthy, and Pingree for working with my office to advance this bill and to secure consistent annual funding for the Diesel Emission Reductions Act program, known as

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in opposition to H.J. Res. 210. Once again, congressional Republicans are doing everything they can to harm the health of Californians for seemingly no other reason than to score political points.

Large cargo ships and oil tankers are a major source of pollution for communities living and working around California's ports. More than 30 percent of all container cargo arriving in the U.S. passes through California's ports, and that is a lot of ships.

When those ships dock at California's ports, they are running diesel generators day and night. That creates a lot of pollution, and that pollution has serious health impacts on the communities that live around our ports.

Like many industrial areas, communities living around ports are often disadvantaged, minority communities who are overburdened with pollution from many different sources, so this is also an environmental justice issue. That is why California has taken commonsense steps to regulate pollution for large ocean-going vessels.

The solution is very simple. We are not talking about some futuristic, science fiction technology. We just want to plug it in and run the ship on electricity supplied by the port.

This is 100 percent feasible and, in fact, most industries are already in compliance. This simple solution is expected to reduce cancer risk in communities living near major ports by as much as 55 percent and save $2.3 billion in public health costs.

California's regulations are saving lives. They are saving money. They are achievable and, most importantly, they don't impact any other States whatsoever.

Once again, I have to wonder why are congressional Republicans attacking California's port pollution regulations other than to score points in a cynical, political game. It is playing with Californians' lives, and we won't stand for it.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

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

Mr. Speaker, before I turn it over to my colleague from California, I will dispel some misinformation.

My Republican colleague asserted that the technology needed to comply with California's at-berth amendments doesn't exist or that it will force ocean-going vessels into retirement and disrupt supply chains. However, would the compliance rate for 2025 be 95 percent if the technology was nonexistent? Of course not.

The industry has proven that compliance with the standard is achievable and not forcing vessels into retirement. The reality is that over 3,400 vessel visits used shore-power technology, where the operator shuts off the vessel's auxiliary engines and switches to shore-side power to supply the electricity needs of the dock vessels.

This is going to be very achievable, and all of the arguments put forth are moot.

Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as she may consume to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Lofgren).

Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers, and I yield myself the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, in closing, Republicans claim we need to nullify this waiver because the cost of compliance is being passed on to consumers. This simply isn't true.

My colleagues conveniently ignore the fact that the price of diesel is at a record high, at least $6 per gallon, thanks to Trump's reckless war in Iran.

Gas prices are 35 percent higher compared to this time last year, and Americans have spent more than $105 billion more on gasoline and diesel fuel since the start of Trump's war in Iran.

The cost of compliance with the At-Berth Rule is estimated to be a fraction of a cent per gallon of fuel. Even if this were to be entirely passed through consumers, it is estimated to be only $3 per year for the average California driver, for $2.4 billion in net public health benefits. Those benefits would be lost if this resolution is enacted.

What is more, this resolution would drive an increase in expensive diesel fuel use and cause consumer prices to skyrocket even more, not to mention

that repealing protections that are already working will lead to billions in stranded assets at ports across the State.

Industry has already achieved over 95 percent compliance with this rule in 2025. There is no reason to abandon these standards now.

Nullifying this waiver does nothing to save Americans money. It drives up toxic diesel pollution that endangers the public health of our communities at a time when our healthcare system is already decimated, thanks to Republicans and the big, ugly bill.

Mr. Speaker, I urge a ``no'' vote on this resolution, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 9616, the Environmental Monitoring and Remediation Technology Assessment Initiative Authorization Act.

This bill would help us reach the dual goals of cleaning up toxic sites while also ensuring critical minerals found at those sites don't go to waste. This bill authorizes the Environmental Protection Agency to establish a grant program to identify and recover critical minerals from contaminated sites.

There are countless Superfund and other contaminated industrial sites across the country, including in my home district. Many of these sites have been abandoned for decades, with local communities suffering the consequences.

While we clean up through public funds, we could also help replenish our domestic supply of critical minerals needed for clean energy projects to save American families money on soaring energy bills, and those bills are soaring now thanks to Trump's reckless war of choice in Iran.

This program is a shot in the arm for emerging technologies to extract critical minerals from contaminated sites and waste that would otherwise sit in landfills. It also has an added benefit of incentivizing cleanups of some of the world's worst toxic sites in the Nation.

This program is a clear win-win for the environment and our domestic supply chain. I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 9616, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the California Energy, Power, and Innovation Collaborative, or Cal EPIC, for its significant contributions to advance the region's zero-carbon goals, strengthen the local workforce, and establish the Greater Sacramento area as a national hub for clean mobility innovation.

In 2019, four distinguished regional institutions: the Sacramento Municipal Utility District, the Greater Sacramento Economic Council, Sacramento State University, and the University of California, Davis, came together to establish the California Mobility Center, now known as Cal EPIC, with a bold and forward looking vision to strengthen the clean energy workforce, foster innovation, and position the Sacramento region as a leader in the clean energy economy.

Cal EPIC has reached another significant milestone with the opening of its Innovation Hub. This 33,000-square-foot research, development, manufacturing, and workforce accelerator brings together cutting-edge technology, hands-on training, and industry collaboration under one roof. The Hub includes dedicated office, classroom, and meeting space; 5,000 square feet for EV technician training in partnership with Rivian Automotive; a 3,500-square-foot manufacturing and prototyping lab; and the 10,000-square-foot Capital Charge Yard, a $4 million EV charger testing center funded by the California Energy Commission. Through interoperability testing, vehicle-to-grid experimentation, and workforce development, the Innovation Hub is creating new opportunities for innovation, preparing workers for the clean-energy economy, and helping position Greater Sacramento at the forefront of the Nation's transition to clean transportation.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the California Energy, Power,

and Innovation Collaborative for its leadership and commitment to build a stronger, more innovative, and prosperous clean energy economy in the Sacramento region.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the Cosumnes River College (CRC) Athletics Department as it celebrates 55 years of athletic excellence.

File CRC Athletic Program has become a model of academic and athletic achievement in the Sacramento region and across California's community college system.

Competing in one of the most demanding conferences in the state, CRC student-athletes have distinguished themselves not only through their performance in competition, but through their leadership, character, and service to the campus and community they represent.

The 2025-26 academic year stands among the most successful in the departments history. Eight of CRC's ten athletic programs earned postseason berths, and the softball program advanced to the 2026 3C2A State Championship. The CRC Athletics Department earned twenty-five All-Conference selections and three All-American honors. The achievements on the field were matched in the classroom, where the department posted a cumulative 3.401 grade-point average: the highest in CRC Athletics history. One hundred and eight student athletes earned the Scholar-Athlete recognition, including thirty-six who achieved a perfect 4.0 grade-point average overall.

Under the leadership of Athletic Director Collin Pregliasco, CRC Athletics has built a culture in which academic excellence and top- notch-on-the-field performance go hand in hand. Early mornings, long bus rides and countless hours of training have shaped CRC student athletes to embody the discipline, accountability, and perseverance that define Hawks tradition and generational success.

Mr. Speaker, I invite all my colleagues to join me in honoring the Cosumnes River College Athletics Department on fifty-five years of excellence. We celebrate the student-athletes, coaches and staff whose dedication continues to build a legacy of triumph, leadership, and opportunity for generations to come.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Paul Lau on his retirement as Chief Executive Officer and General Manager of the Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD), capping an extraordinary 44 years of service to our region.

Paul's remarkable journey at SMUD began in 1982 as an electrical engineering student at California State University, Sacramento. After graduating in 1984, he returned as an assistant electrical engineer and steadily rose through the organization. He joined SMUD's executive leadership team in 2008, served as chief grid strategy and operations officer, and was appointed CEO and General Manager in October 2020. Paul never saw SMUD as simply a utility. He saw the way it could improve people's lives. He approached every challenge with curiosity, humility, and a profound commitment to the community.

Under Paul's leadership, SMUD became a national model for innovation, reliability, affordability, and community partnership. Its rates remain among the lowest in California, saving customers more than $1.9 billion each year. Paul also led SMUD to become the first publicly owned utility in California to join the Western Energy Imbalance Market, an initiative saving customers more than $350 million. Long before many utilities were seriously confronting the challenges of decarbonization, grid resilience, and electrification, Paul demonstrated how those goals could be achieved without losing sight of reliability or affordability. Through initiatives like the Neighborhood Electrification Program, he also worked to ensure that underserved communities could share fully in the benefits of our clean energy future.

Paul's service extended far beyond SMUD. He helped strengthen the Sacramento region through his work with the Greater Sacramento Economic Council, Valley Vision, and the Sacramento Asian Pacific Chamber of Commerce. He also shaped the national energy conversation through his service with the Smart Electric Power Alliance, the American Public Power Association, and the Large Public Power Council.

Mr. Speaker, I ask all my colleagues to join me in honoring Paul Lau for his 44 years of dedicated service to SMUD, his visionary leadership in advancing clean energy and economic opportunity across the Sacramento region, and his lifelong commitment to the 1.5 million people SMUD proudly serves.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Christian Brothers High School as it celebrates 150 years of distinguished service and education in the Sacramento region.

Since its founding in 1876, Christian Brothers High School has served as one of Sacramento's most respected institutions, dedicated to the Lasallian tradition of faith, community, and service. For a century and a half, Christian Brothers has remained committed to providing a rigorous academic foundation while fostering integrity, leadership, and compassion in its students. From its original home downtown to its current campus in Oak Park, the school has continually adapted to the needs of its neighbors while preserving its core mission: ``Enter to Learn, Leave to Serve.''

Over the course of its 150-year history, Christian Brothers has expanded its academic programs, strengthened its commitment to inclusive education, and earned numerous national honors. The school's faculty has consistently upheld the values of St. John Baptist De La Salle, encouraging students to pursue curiosity, service, and personal growth. Its celebrated arts programs, competitive athletics, and wide variety of student-led clubs and initiatives reflect a campus culture rich in leadership and fellowship.

This milestone is a testament to the thousands of lives affected by Lasallian education, the wisdom and insight of its educators, and the core principles instilled across generations.

Mr. Speaker, I ask all my colleagues to join me in honoring Christian Brothers High School's 150 years of education and service to the Sacramento community.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and commemorate June 14, 2026, through June 20, 2026 as Familial Adenomatous Polyposis (FAP) Awareness Week.

FAP is a rare, inherited genetic condition that causes the development of thousands of colorectal polyps, and without early detection and treatment, it carries a near certainty of progression to colorectal cancer. It is estimated to affect approximately 1 in 10,000 to 1 in 22,0000 individuals, with many cases arising from spontaneous genetic mutations. While FAP is rare, its impact is profound, often affecting multiple generations within a family and requiring lifelong medical management, genetic counseling, and proactive surveillance beginning in adolescence.

As someone committed to improving rare disease care, I believe FAP Awareness Week highlights the need for greater publilc education and earlier screening. When identified early, FAP can be effectively managed to dramatically reduce the risk of cancer and save lives. However, many individuals remain undiagnosed until the disease has progressed. Hence, there is the urgent need for increased awareness among both the public and healthcare providers.

This week highlights the importance of raising awareness about hereditary colorectal cancer syndromes, supporting individuals and families impacted by them, and expanding access to genetic testing and specialized care. It also underscores the vital role of research, advocacy, and early detection in improving outcomes for people living with rare genetic conditions.

This recognition honors patients, families, clinicians, and advocates who continue to raise awareness of FAP and work tirelessly to ensure that no diagnosis comes too late.

Mr. Speaker, I ask all my colleagues to join me in honoring June 14, 2026, through June 20, 2026, as Familial Adenomatous Polyposis Awareness Week.

Mr. Speaker, for decades, the Sacramento Area Sewer District has played a vital role in safeguarding the health and well- being of our communities by maintaining and operating one of the Nation's most extensive wastewater collection systems. Serving more than 1.6 million residents across the Sacramento region, the District manages over 5,000 miles of sewer pipelines and 112 pump stations, ensuring reliable wastewater service throughout the region.

The District's Septic-to-Sewer Conversion Projects have become especially important in rural and underserved communities where aging and failing septic systems pose significant risks to groundwater, waterways, and public health. With support from federal funding, alongside critical state and local investments, the Sacramento Area Sewer District successfully connected 57 households in Hood and 28 households in Franklin to reliable public sewer service. These projects reduce the threat of septic leakage and contamination to nearby drinking wells and sensitive waterways, including Franklin Creek, Stone Lake Slough, and the Sacramento River.

Beyond infrastructure improvements, these conversion projects represent an investment in environmental justice and quality of life for Sacramento County residents. By replacing outdated septic systems with modern sewer connections, the District is helping to protect

and ensure safer and cleaner neighborhoods for future generations. This achievement reflects the dedication and expertise of the Sacramento Area Sewer District's leadership, engineers, field crews, and community partners who continue to work tirelessly to deliver essential services to the people of Sacramento County. Their efforts have strengthened regional infrastructure while preserving the natural resources that are vital to California's future.

Mr. Speaker, I ask all my colleagues to join me in recognizing the Sacramento Area Sewer District for its leadership and continued commitment to advancing public health, environmental protection, and infrastructure modernization through its Septic-to-Sewer Conversion Projects.

Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 5200, the Emergency Reporting Act, and I urge my colleagues to support it.

Emergencies can happen anywhere at any time, and in those moments every second counts. When a family calls 911, they should never be met with silence.

During major disasters, we have seen communications fail, and too often we are left without clear answers about what went wrong or how to prevent it from happening again.

That is why I am proud to lead the Emergency Reporting Act, a bipartisan bill, with Congressman Bilirakis that helps fix this. My bill directs the FCC to report after natural disasters on the extent to which people couldn't reach 911 and to recommend ways to improve outage reporting, resiliency, and coordination with State and local officials.

It also addresses unreported outages, so 911 call centers and first responders aren't left in the dark when services are disrupted.

I am really glad that we are advancing this bill today alongside other bipartisan efforts to strengthen our emergency communications systems and save lives.

Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of this bill.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding. I rise in support of H.R. 5201, Kari's Law Reporting Act.

In an emergency, there is no room for confusion or delay. Every second counts, and every American should have confidence that when they dial 911, help is on the way.

This is why Congressman Bilirakis and I partnered in this bipartisan bill. It builds upon Kari's Law, which Congress passed in 2018, to require multiline telephone systems to allow direct dialing of 911 without needing to dial an extra digit.

That law came from the tragic murder of Kari Hunt when her daughter couldn't reach emergency services from a hotel phone because she didn't know she needed to dial an extra 9 first.

Our bill helps ensure the law is working as intended by directing the FCC to report on compliance in hotels, offices, and facilities nationwide.

That kind of accountability matters, and we need to make sure these lifesaving protections are being followed and practiced.

Mr. Speaker, I urge support of the Kari's Law Reporting Act.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services as it celebrates 50 years of distinguished service to the Sacramento region.

For five decades, the Sacramento Food Bank has strengthened our community through advocacy and an unwavering commitment to those in need. That legacy is built on the dedication of their leadership, board, and staff; people who have given their time, their creativity, and their heart to this work.

Guided by a mission to nourish our community members, the Sacramento Food Bank has worked tirelessly to fight poverty and hunger in Sacramento County by removing barriers for families and individuals. This organization has ensured that no child goes hungry, struggling families get back on their feet, seniors are nourished, and immigrants and refugees make Sacramento home, setting up those in need for self- sufficiency and financial independence.

Through their 112 partner agencies, the Sacramento Food Bank delivers accessible programs, including neighborhood distributions, CalFresh outreach, Food for Seniors, diaper distribution, legal services, SMUD Energy Help, and unwavering advocacy in addressing root causes of food insecurity and poverty. Their work has advanced policy reforms and strengthened programs at the local, state and national levels.

This milestone honors the resilience of those in need, the commitment of staff and volunteers, and the partnerships that help them meet demands.

Mr. Speaker, I ask all my colleagues to join me in honoring the Sacramento Food bank's 50 years of compassion and advocacy for Sacramento.

Mr. Speaker, it is with profound sadness that I rise today to honor the life of Phyllis Johnson, who passed away on January 13, 2026. Phyllis was a pillar of our community, and her life was marked by unwavering dedication and service to others.

Ms. Johnson worked with California State Retirees, Chapter 2, in Sacramento. As a devoted member, she generously gave her time and energy in numerous leadership roles, serving as both President and Vice President, and contributing her talents on the Membership Committee. Phyllis had a deep passion for supporting fellow members and strengthening the organization she cared so deeply about. She was known for her steady leadership, her willingness to lend a helping hand, and her genuine concern for the well-being of others.

In addition, Phyllis worked with SEIU Local 1000 as DLC 762 President and with the Sacramento Central Labor Council, where she was a tireless advocate. She also served as a member of the City of Galt Commission on Aging. Phyllis represented state workers, state retirees, working families, and seniors.

Mr. Speaker, as family, friends, and the community gather to celebrate the life of Phyllis Johnson, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring her remarkable legacy of service and compassion. She will be deeply missed by all whose lives she touched.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today because history is not just being forgotten, it is being erased.

In 1942, President Roosevelt signed Executive Order 9066, approving the removal of American citizens of Japanese descent to remote camps. My parents and grandparents were among the 120,000 forced to leave their homes and their businesses.

They were sent by their own government, our government, to a camp in Poston, Arizona. They lived in appalling conditions, surrounded by barbed wire and armed guards, solely because of who they were.

I was born in that internment camp, and that history lives with me every day. It drives me to fight for my neighbors, for their rights, for their dignity

because that injustice didn't begin with barbed wire and armed soldiers. It began with fear, with racist, incendiary rhetoric, and with leaders who decided unjustly to single out an entire community as a threat.

That is why the National Park Service's decision to remove references to the incarceration of Japanese Americans, along with other hard truths about our history, is not benign. It is deeply reckless.

History is not just something we remember. It is something that teaches. When we strip away the truth, we strip away all the warnings that go along with it.

In fact, during World War II, Fort Bliss in Texas was used as a detention center for Japanese Americans. Today, you don't see a sign. You see another active detention center.

This administration is detaining children on the same ground used to unjustly hold people during one of our country's darkest chapters. We are, once again, seeing people singled out because of who they are.

ICE is ripping families apart. Innocent people are being hurt. Children are being detained. Again, we hear incendiary rhetoric at the highest levels of power, language that dehumanizes, that scapegoats, that tells people who to fear, and who to blame.

We have been down that road before. When fear is normalized, when lies are repeated, injustice is excused, and when history is erased, it becomes easier to repeat it.

Our national parks are not just places of beauty. They are public classrooms. They carry the responsibility to tell the full American story, especially the parts that expose how fragile our freedoms truly are.

That is why I have fought to expand and protect the Japanese American Confinement Sites grant program to make sure that these places are preserved and accessible, not hidden, not sanitized, not erased. Because civil liberties are not self-sustaining. Democracy is not self- fulfilling. We must work at it.

History does not protect us unless we are willing to tell it. I believe that this is a great and wonderful country, but that promise only survives if we confront our past honestly and refuse to let fear write our future.

Mr. Speaker, I will not be silent about our past. I will not stop fighting for our future.