George Latimer

Madam Speaker, I rise today as we begin Hispanic Heritage Month, a time for members of the Hispanic community to honor their culture and to join together for traditions and gatherings.

Hispanic Heritage Month starts today, September 15, as we commemorate the fight for independence of five Central American countries: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua.

Celebrations across Westchester and the Bronx will take place, including a community-wide event honoring the past, present, and future of the Hispanic community in New Rochelle, with events as well in Port Chester, Yonkers, Elmsford, White Plains, and in Wakefield and Edenwald.

A gathering with Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins in September will occur at the Westchester County office building, as well as many other events celebrating Latino-owned small businesses and cultural organizations, such as 100 Hispanic Women National, Incorporated; El Centro Hispano; Neighbors Link; and others.

I look forward to celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month with our flourishing Latino communities across my district.

Defending Vote By Mail

Madam Speaker, I rise today to defend against attacks on a cornerstone of our free and fair elections: our right as Americans to vote by mail.

The first large-scale absentee voting took place during the Civil War, under the direct order of President Lincoln, to ensure those who were bravely serving our country were still represented. It was a nation divided but then still committed to the democratic principles upon which the Nation was founded.

For over a century, those ballots have allowed rural, disabled, and elderly voters to participate in our democratic process.

Today, mail-in voting is facing unprecedented attacks by President Trump, seeking to prevent hardworking Americans across the country from being represented at the polls. We will not allow Federal overreach, bureaucracy, and conflict to impede our democratic principles.

I implore my colleagues to acknowledge the great benefit vote by mail has brought to our democracy and to do everything in our power to protect it.

Rising Cost of Living

Madam Speaker, 49 percent of Americans cannot afford the true cost of living in our Nation. The Consumer Price Index is on a steady incline, and threats of new tariffs mean

even pricier receipts when shopping for everyday goods.

Hardworking families worry about how they will survive until the next payday. Our elderly go without care. Young people cannot afford their future. This is not the American Dream we were promised.

However, hope to return to an affordable Nation is on the horizon. The goal is simple: lower costs, rein in executive overreach, and restore trust in those in Washington that are working for you, no matter where you are in this country.

It is time to put the financial stability of everyday Americans ahead of partisan agendas. I call on my colleagues in Congress to use this time to chart a path to a better, more affordable future for the American people.

Mr. Speaker, President Trump announced that he promises to send $5,000 to every American adult if his party is kept in power after the midterm elections.

At home in New York, I have been asked by constituents about these checks, not because they want to use it for vacation that they may have been wanting to take or to buy a new car. Rather, they are trying to put food on the table in the face of rising grocery prices and gas in their tanks as fuel prices soar.

Instead of finding ways to practically help Americans afford their basic expenses, the President would rather try to bribe voters to keep power.

I implore my colleagues to come together to condemn a false promise from the President and work to find real solutions to help lower costs for Americans.

Mr. Speaker, President Trump announced that he promises to send $5,000 to every American adult if his party is kept in power after the midterm elections.

At home in New York, I have been asked by constituents about these checks, not because they want to use it for vacation that they may have been wanting to take or to buy a new car. Rather, they are trying to put food on the table in the face of rising grocery prices and gas in their tanks as fuel prices soar.

Instead of finding ways to practically help Americans afford their basic expenses, the President would rather try to bribe voters to keep power.

I implore my colleagues to come together to condemn a false promise from the President and work to find real solutions to help lower costs for Americans.