Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in opposition to this bill. This should be called the lower healthcare premiums for none act.

Next year, my constituent, Natalie's, insurance will go from $175 to $400 a month, a fifth of her monthly wages. She is a college student who relies on her insurance for mental health care. She wrote to me: I don't want to pick between my dream, mental health, and food.

What does this bill do for her? Nothing. I know Republicans are getting similar calls. Yet, instead of caring about the millions of Americans who are being forced to make impossible choices, they are putting up this sham of a bill. They should be ashamed.

Mr. Speaker, we came here to deliver for our constituents. Let's vote on a clean extension and avert the cliff. Let's put an end to this scam.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 25th anniversary of the Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District and their unwavering commitment to the safety and wellbeing of the Greater Sacramento Area.

Founded in 2000, the Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District ``Metro Fire'' is a testament to the power of unity and a shared passion for public safety. This robust California Special District was forged from the strategic unification of 16 smaller, independent departments, culminating in the final merger of the American River Fire Department and Sacramento County Fire Protection District.

Today, Metro Fire is a vital safeguard for the lives of over 720,000 Sacramentans across a 359-square-mile area. From humble beginnings, it has evolved into one of the largest and most responsive fire agencies in California, operating 41 state of the art fire stations strategically positioned across the region. Sacramentans can rest assured knowing Metro Fire's highly trained professionals are prepared to handle a diverse range of emergency situations.

Beyond emergency response, the Metro Fire district excels in building public trust and ensuring transparency. Their commitment to providing timely and relevant data empowers the public, community leaders, and decision makers to make informed, data driven choices.

My mission as your congresswoman has always been to ensure our region's first responders are equipped with the absolute best tools and technology the federal government can help provide. Our partnership has expanded training for ``front line'' firefighters and advanced rescue capabilities through the acquisition of cutting-edge thermal imaging technologies to better locate victims in low-visibility environments. As we look ahead, I remain committed to working with Metro Fire to keep them on the frontline of emergency and disaster response, with the resources necessary for any situation they may face.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in commending the dedicated men and women of the Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District for 25 years of exceptional service and their enduring promise to the community.

Mr. Chair, I rise today to speak in opposition to H.R. 3898.

Clean water used to be something we all agreed upon. The Clean Water Act was originally passed by an overwhelmingly bipartisan majority because we understood that clean water is not a luxury. It is really a basic right. Now, Republicans in this Chamber are doing everything they can to roll back and repeal what is left of the Clean Water Act.

Among the many disastrous provisions in this bill, the PERMIT Act would give President Trump the authority to declare any body of water exempt from Clean Water Act protections. It is just a stunning betrayal of the American people.

Outside these walls, Americans overwhelmingly support the Clean Water Act. Survey after survey has found that Americans believe the government should do more to protect our lakes, rivers, and streams, not less.

This should not be a hard vote. I urge my colleagues to protect clean water and urge a ``no'' vote on H.R. 3898.

Mr. Speaker, today we will vote on the Destroying Unnecessary, Misaligned, and Prohibitive (DUMP) Red Tape Act, which would require the SBA's Office of Advocacy to codify a Red Tape Hotline to receive submissions on burdensome regulations and to report on those submissions. I will vote ``no'' because this bill is redundant--there is already a hotline in place for reporting red tape. Rather than improving the process, this bill would create an unnecessary layer of bureaucracy that would hinder, not help, the ongoing work of the SBA's Office of Advocacy.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the career and legacy of La Shelle Dozier as she retires from her position as executive director of the Sacramento Housing and Redevelopment Agency (SHRA), where she has served my constituents for over twenty-three years. I ask all of my colleagues to join me to acknowledge her distinguished career.

Since first joining SHRA in 2002, La Shelle has been integral to the agency's operations and has had a transformative effect on affordable housing opportunities in Sacramento. Starting as a management analyst, La Shelle quickly learned every facet of the Sacramento housing industry. She rose very quickly to managing the transformation of South Sacramento's Franklin Villa into the 360-unit Phoenix Park. She also directed resident services and oversaw the Housing Choice Voucher program that today supports more than 13,000 of my constituents with up to 100 percent of their rent needs.

La Shelle formally took leadership of SHRA in 2008, where she successfully pushed the agency to transform legacy projects into model affordable housing developments that continue to inspire communities across the country to

do more to address the housing crisis. In 2012, I worked with La Shelle and SHRA to secure a $300,000 planning grant to begin the process of redeveloping the Twin Rivers public housing project, now called Marisol Village, an affordable housing project. Thirteen years of partnership later, and after securing over $32 million in federal funding, Marisol Village is now double its original size at 427 units. Most importantly the community now provides my constituents with vital resources, like a full suite of resident services, green space, childcare facilities, a light rail station and cultural amenities, right at their doorstep. I am proud to have worked with La Shelle to create real positive impact with Sacramento's federal tax dollars right here in our community.

La Shelle Dozier's tenure at SHRA is a shining example of what makes Sacramento special. La Shelle knows firsthand that often it takes a village to build a village. Time and time again I have joined La Shelle in support of SHRA's projects and witnessed her build a wide coalition of local, state and federal partners to bring a safe and healthy home to those who need it most. The work that La Shelle and her team have done is truly indicative of why I love our region. Here in Sacramento, we lift up our community and seek to create positive and lasting impacts for all Sacramentans.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the career and legacy of the SHRA Executive Director, La Shelle Dozier.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate International Plasma Awareness Week, an annual campaign dedicated to raising awareness about the importance of source plasma collection, recognizing the valued contributions of donors, and increasing understanding about plasma protein therapies and the rare diseases they treat.

As co-chair of the Congressional Rare Disease Caucus and a member of the Congressional Plasma Caucus, this annual event, celebrated from October 6 to 10 this year, is close to my heart.

For many people with rare diseases, plasma-derived therapies mean the difference between life and death, or between a life of diminished health and physical limitations and one filled with hope and possibility.

For example, Guillain-Barre syndrome is a rare but serious neurological disorder that can lead to rapid muscle weakness and, in severe cases, paralysis. A related condition, Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy (CIDP), is characterized by ongoing nerve inflammation that can significantly impair mobility and quality of life. For both these conditions, immunoglobulins reduce inflammation, regulate the immune system, and help patients regain function. Most patients with CIDP require life-long treatment to manage their symptoms.

In the case of primary immunodeficiencies, hemophilia, alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency, and other conditions, the body does not make important proteins, or those proteins are functionally damaged. These patients also rely on plasma-derived medicine to replace their programs and restore their health. In most cases, plasma-derived therapies are the only available treatment for these conditions. That is why it's so important that we raise awareness of the importance of plasma-derived therapies this week, and work to improve access to these unique biologic products.

I'm committed to working to ensure that every individual, regardless of how rare their disease may be, has access to the therapies they need to lead healthier, fuller lives.

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

I rise today to speak in opposition to H.R. 3015. Coal is the dirtiest form of energy and also one of the most expensive.

Coal-fired power plants spew toxic pollutants into the air, including sulfur dioxide, mercury, lead, soot, and arsenic. These pollutants are disastrous for human health, causing neurological damage, lung cancer, and even premature death.

No one wants to breathe this stuff. That is why we closed all of the coal plants in California. You might remember acid rain. That was caused by coal plants. Acid rain didn't magically go away. We put in place regulations that limited basic toxic pollutants from coal, and that is what stopped acid rain.

The Trump administration even acknowledges this. Secretary Kennedy has spent his career railing against the coal energy and its pollution.

The Trump administration's ``Make America Healthy Again'' report celebrates the progress we have made in reducing toxic air pollution, progress we made in part by regulating coal mines.

However, now President Trump and Republicans are rolling back regulations on coal plants, preventing old coal plants from retiring and reestablishing the National Coal Council. They even gave a tax break to coal mining.

It is not just dangerous. It is expensive. Coal power is now 28 percent more expensive than it was just 4 years ago. In fact, it is often cheaper to build an entirely new solar power plant than it is just to keep a coal plant running. That is why nearly 800 coal power plants have been retired in the last 25 years. They are just too expensive, and we have cheaper, cleaner options.

I really thought that President Trump and Republicans campaigned on lowering costs. Well, more coal power means higher electric bills. I don't know about you, but I think Americans are already paying too much for electricity.

Once again, Republicans are selling out their own constituents to boost the profits of big, polluting corporations.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote ``no'' on this bill.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the retirement of Colonel Chad W. Caldwell after a distinguished career with the United States Army of Engineers and over 25 years of service to our Nation.

Colonel Caldwell most recently served as Commander of the Sacramento District, South Pacific Division. A graduate of West Point, he holds advanced degrees in structural and civil engineering and has served in key command and academic roles both stateside and overseas.

Throughout his career, Colonel Caldwell exemplified integrity, discipline, and excellence. He began his service in 1999, first assigned to Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, and went on to hold a variety of leadership positions, including company commander in Iraq and Afghanistan, and as the first commander of the 5th Brigade Engineer Battalion at Fort Carson. His leadership helped strengthen our national defense and bolster critical infrastructure in California and beyond. His influence will be felt for years to come through the projects he led and the soldiers he mentored.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in thanking Colonel Chad W. Caldwell for his years of faithful service and in wishing him and his family all the best in this new chapter of life.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to amend the rule to make in order the amendment at the desk that protects against any cuts to Medicaid and SNAP.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak in opposition to S.J. Res. 31.

Once again, Republicans are gutting our most fundamental pollution regulations.

This bill overturns air quality regulations for the most polluting industrial facilities in the country, giving a green light for polluters to pump more cancer-causing pollutants into the air we breathe.

Without these safeguards, nearly 2,000 of the Nation's largest polluters would get a free pass. Oil refineries, chemical manufacturers, pesticide producers, they would all be allowed to shut off their pollution controls and start spewing some of the most dangerous chemicals directly into our air: lead, mercury, arsenic, benzene. When inhaled, these pollutants are known to have significant health impacts, including cancer, birth defects, infertility, organ failure, and developmental disorders in children.

The science is clear. Pollution kills. Study after study has shown that air pollution is linked to higher rates of hospitalizations and death.

Every year, air pollution kills over 100,000 Americans, and nearly half of Americans now live in areas with harmful levels of pollution, up 20 percent from just last year.

This is a health crisis in the making. Republicans aren't cutting red tape. They are sentencing thousands of Americans to die in communities across our country. This isn't a partisan issue. This affects everybody. Red States and blue States, Republican and Democrat, every American deserves clean air.

Yet, my Republican colleagues would rather prioritize their donors in the oil and chemical business instead of protecting the health of their own constituents.

Let's not forget, while Republicans are attacking Americans' access to clean air, they are also ramming through their big, ugly reconciliation bill, which slashes funding for pollution reduction and prevention programs, ends clean energy and climate programs, and strips away healthcare from almost 14 million Americans.

The Republicans' agenda will make Americans sicker and poorer, sending more Americans to the hospital, and ensuring fewer Americans can afford the healthcare they need.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote for clean air. Vote ``no'' on S.J. Res. 31.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to share the impacts of Republicans' big, bad bill.

I don't want us to forget that healthcare is a matter of life and death, and the proposed Medicaid cuts are a death sentence for people like Jessica, who lives in my district.

Jessica fled an abusive relationship when she was 25. Then she found out she was pregnant. Only through Medicaid, Jessica was able to access prenatal care.

Then, late in her pregnancy, her doctor discovered a knotted umbilical cord. She was rushed into surgery. Thankfully, Jessica gave birth to a healthy baby.

Without Medicaid, Jessica might not be a mom today. She and her daughter might not have survived. These massive cuts will force hospitals and birthing facilities to close. That means that no one has a safe place to give birth.

The result is a tragic domino effect for moms and kids.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to speak in opposition to H.J. Res. 87.

Heavy diesel trucks are some of the most polluting vehicles on the road. Even though they make up just 10 percent of all vehicles, heavy- duty vehicles produce more than half of all pollution and smog-forming NOX. The soot and smog pollution from these vehicles kill thousands of Americans every year.

For over 50 years, California has had the authority to set its own stronger vehicle emissions rules because California has, to quote the Clean Air Act, ``compelling and extraordinary circumstances'' that justify stronger emissions standards than the Nation as a whole. This was true in 1970, and it is still true today.

According to the American Lung Association's 2025 State of the Air report,

5 of the top 10 most polluted cities in America are in California, and that includes my district. I-5 and I-80, which crisscross my district, are both major heavy-duty trucking corridors. The diesel emissions along these corridors create serious air quality issues that directly affect the health and well-being of my constituents.

Not only that, these emissions are also a significant contributor to severe weather events. California receives the brunt of climate change's most severe impacts, from wildfires to atmospheric rivers to droughts. In Sacramento, we have faced deadly flooding from more intense winter storms as well as longer and more extreme droughts, and the foothills above Sacramento are still scarred from the many wildfires we have seen in recent years.

California's emission standards are a matter of life and death for my constituents. To protect my constituents, I spent much of my career in Congress fighting for stronger emissions standards.

I am once again stunned by the hypocrisy of my Republican colleagues, who claim to defend States' rights while they do everything in their power to stop California from setting its own statewide emissions standards.

This is even more absurd because the Government Accountability Office, GAO, has already ruled that the EPA waiver for California's emissions standards is not eligible for repeal under the Congressional Review Act. In other words, the legislation we are debating here today is a pointless political exercise, a waste of time because perhaps my colleagues have nothing better to offer today.

The President is playing with tariffs, sending the cost of groceries soaring, and kneecapping American manufacturers. My Republican colleagues will maybe stop debating this meaningless resolution and reassert congressional authority over tariffs. They can end the tariffs this week and bring down costs for families.

Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote ``no'' on H.J. Res. 87.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak in opposition to H.J. Res. 88.

It shouldn't be controversial to say that air pollution is dangerous. Every year, particulate-matter pollution kills more than 50,000 Americans. Study after study has linked air pollution to higher rates of cancer, heart disease,

diabetes, cognitive decline, and, of course, respiratory conditions. The evidence is overwhelming that clean air saves lives.

If my colleagues are like me and grew up in California, then Members know the impacts of air pollution. I remember what it felt like to breathe smog and particulate pollution before we had the strong pollution standards that we have today.

In California, we have been dealing with the impacts of air pollution for a long time. California's unique geography, with its valleys, coastal basins, and surrounding mountain ranges, creates natural barriers that trap pollutants and contribute to unique air pollution challenges. As a State, we have long recognized the dangers of air pollution, and we have been a pioneer in addressing the root causes.

In fact, California's efforts to control air pollution predate Federal efforts in 1967. In 1967, California was the first State to establish a State air pollution control agency. The country soon followed with the Clean Air Act of 1970, which created the EPA and established the First national air pollution standards.

In light of California's unique air pollution challenges and our State's early leadership in tackling air pollution, the Clean Air Act grants California the authority to set its own stronger vehicle emission standards. Over the last 50 years, California has used this authority more than 100 times to update and strengthen our pollution standards, and these actions have actually saved countless lives across California.

Yet, this resolution would strip California's rights to manage deadly air pollutants within our own State, stripping away our right to protect ourselves. Why? Why are Republicans trying to degrade California's air quality? It is my constituents, my neighbors, and my fellow Sacramentans who will suffer if Republicans succeed in killing California's emission standards.

Mr. Speaker, I ask again: Why are Republicans willing to put the health and safety of our communities at risk? I think the real answer is that California's leadership helps to support automotive innovation. The catalytic converter and electric car are thanks to California's visionary leadership and re-imagining a future without air pollution.

Mr. Speaker, the oil industry is afraid of electric vehicles. Once again, Republicans are doing the bidding of oil lobbyists. Once again, the majority is on the wrong side of history, fighting to hold back the future for as long as they can. It is shameful and indefensible.

Mr. Speaker, for this reason, I urge my colleagues to vote ``no'' on H.J. Res. 88.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to speak in opposition to H.J. Res. 89, which would nullify California's Low NOX rule. My Republican colleagues will talk about the supposed EV mandate and how California is forcing the rest of the country to drive EVs. This is obviously ridiculous. California's regulations are for California. We aren't forcing anyone else to do anything.

It is especially ridiculous to call California's Low NOX rule an EV mandate. The Low NOX rule for heavy-duty trucks does not mandate zero-emission vehicles. It is specifically and narrowly targeted to reduce NOX production which is a primary ingredient in forming smog.

Anyone who grew up in California knows the health impacts of smog. Thick clouds used to hang over our city, burning our eyes and lungs. We have come a long way since then,

thanks to our State's strong pollution regulations.

California cities still take 5 of the top 10 spots for the worst smog pollution. Smog increases the incidence of asthma and other respiratory conditions, especially among children and the elderly. It is linked to a host of other metabolic, cardiovascular, and developmental impacts.

These impacts add up. Reducing smog-forming NOX is expected to have health benefits for California, saving approximately $36.8 billion in avoided health costs. That is not just dollars and cents. That is thousands of lives that will be saved if this regulation goes into effect.

California has long been a global leader in the fight against air pollution, recognizing early on the serious health risks posed by dirty air. For 50 years, we have worked hard to protect our communities through strong, forward-thinking air pollution regulations.

After establishing the first tailpipe emission standards in 1966, California established the first NOX standards in 1971, followed by the first particulate matter standards in 1982. California was also the first State to outfit vehicles with catalytic converters, a decision that transformed efforts to reduce harmful smog-forming emissions from vehicles.

The country has benefited greatly from California's leadership, not because California forced the rest of the country to follow suit but rather because the country saw the health benefits that California has enjoyed.

None of this would have been possible without California's leadership and California's authority under the Clean Air Act to set our own air pollution standards.

Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote for clean air and vote ``no'' on H.J. Res. 89.

Mr. Speaker, I thank Representative Dingell for yielding me time, and I thank the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Latta), my friend, for his bipartisan partnership on this important issue.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the NTIA Reauthorization Act. We introduced this bill to ensure America continues to stand as a global leader in communications and technology.

The National Telecommunications and Information Administration, or NTIA, plays a vital role in ensuring the United States' strong technological leadership.

This Federal agency is integral for getting people connected, ensuring we can communicate in emergencies, and bolstering our cybersecurity infrastructure. Yet, Congress has not reauthorized NTIA in over 30 years.

The pace of innovation and demand for connectivity has increased dramatically over the last few years. We need strong leadership and expertise to help us meet this demand.

NTIA advises on the rapid deployment of artificial intelligence and manages the efficient uses of our airways. NTIA is also charged with carrying out the bipartisan infrastructure law's historic $65 billion investment to expand affordable and reliable high-speed internet access to communities across America, communities like the Sacramento region where, just 20 minutes outside the city, rural areas still suffer major gaps in broadband coverage.

Progress to close the digital divide, however, is currently at a standstill. This critical broadband funding must not be delayed. We cannot risk changes that waste taxpayer dollars and strand Americans with less affordable and more expensive internet.

We need NTIA to get back to helping our communities access Federal funding. This includes giving our States the flexibility to move ahead with their plans to expand affordable internet to the tens of millions of Americans who still lack access.

While I am glad and very happy to co-lead this bipartisan bill to modernize NTIA's mission in areas like Federal spectrum management and international negotiations, I know there is a lot of work ahead.

Today, we must pass this legislation to empower NTIA to keep the United States as the leader of global tech.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of this legislation.