Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, pursuant to clause 2(a)(1) of rule IX, I rise to give notice of my intention to raise a question of the privileges of the House.

The form of the resolution is as follows:

In the matter of Representative Jamaal Bowman from New York;

Whereas, Representative Jamaal Bowman is a Member of the United States House of Representatives;

Whereas, on September 30, 2023, Representative Jamaal Bowman knowingly and willingly gave a false fire alarm in the Cannon House Office Building;

Whereas, on October 26, 2023, Representative Jamaal Bowman pleaded guilty to one count of falsely pulling the alarm; and

Whereas, Representative Jamaal Bowman's actions caused the closing of the Cannon House Office Building and resulted in the disruption of an official proceeding in the Congress.

Now, therefore, be it resolved that pursuant to Article I, Section 5, Clause 2 of the Constitution of the United States, Representative Jamaal Bowman, be and he hereby is, expelled from the House of Representatives.

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

Mr. Speaker, every Member expelled in the history of this institution has been convicted of crimes or were Confederate turncoats guilty of treason. Neither of those apply to me, but here we are.

On what basis does this body feel that precedent must be changed for me?

Mr. Speaker, I am an American citizen, duly elected, and elected to represent the Third District of New York. I have been convicted of no crimes.

My loyalty to this country that gave me life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness is true and unquestionable. I stand here today debating for the second time in less than a month for the same exact reasons that were brought up last time.

The difference is that one can say I have been indicted once more by the findings of the Ethics Committee--a process that, by the admission of the chair himself, was not complete and conclusive because they didn't want to put more time into it, as if this committee runs on a schedule that, quite frankly, is in a rush.

Mr. Speaker, some Members have been under investigation for over 5 years. Some leave while still under investigation. I am not trying to be arrogant or spiteful or disrespectful of the committee, but I am curious to know: What is the schedule of the Ethics Committee?

Why rush this? To deliver a predetermined outcome sought out by some Members of our Conference or some Members of this body?

This is what it looks like to me. It is a predetermined necessity for some Members in this body to engage in this smear campaign to destroy me. I will not stand by quietly. If they want me out of this body--the people of the Third District of New York sent me here--if they want me out, they are going to have to go silence those people and take the hard vote.

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

Mr. Speaker, we hear a lot about process. We hear a lot about findings. Before I yield some time to my colleague from Texas, I just want to point out in the resolution that the distinguished chairman from Mississippi (Mr. Guest) filed, he states that I engaged in sexual misconduct when his own report states otherwise. That is just a clear evidence of how this process has been skewed, how this process is sloppy, and how it is contradictory to the core.

The fact that in the report it states that that was not the case, but they still bring it to the floor of the House of Representatives shows you the lack of respect for one's reputation.

Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Nehls).

Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. Higgins).

Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Gaetz).

Mr. Speaker, you know, I hear a lot the lines, ``I encourage Representative Santos to resign,'' and, ``Do the right thing,'' which is resign. What I hear is people don't want to take this vote.

I am just here. I am willing to take the vote. Take the vote, guys. I am okay with it. This is your time. This is what they have all built up to all year.

The most damning feature of this farce is the total perversion of the priorities of this body and this Conference, which ran on the Commitment to America.

Yes, witch hunting George Santos is great. Right there, I remember that on the top line of the Commitment to America.

This Conference has failed to pass four different appropriations bills, Mr. Speaker. It had rules fail on the floor. We had Members weaponizing the Rules Committee because it didn't do what they wanted. Our borders are wide open. It is a no man's land being run by NGOs.

Yet, this Congress has now taken three measures and the insurmountable amount of time that goes behind them to expel a Member duly elected by the people of the Third District of New York.

I didn't think that my tenure in Congress would be this way, Mr. Speaker. I came here to do work. I came here to pass and work on conservative legislation. I have a stellar conservative record that I am proud of. The work I have done in this body I am proud of. The votes I have taken in this body I am proud of. Every vote that I have taken that might have been against leadership, I stand by those votes not because I disrespect leadership but because I want a more conservative agenda for our country.

Now, I can't say the same thing about some of my colleagues, especially the ones most adamant to remove me, almost as if we remove him, there is no comparison. It is that much simpler. They can go home and say they are conservative. They won't know what a real conservative will look like on Long Island. That is just the reality. The votes are there.

Now, let's talk about the fact of due process that everybody seems to say that I have taken and have received. You know, it is no secret in this body that, obviously, I have an ongoing process with the DOJ. I was given a deadline, an unrealistic deadline, to testify before the committee the same day that I had to go to court. They gave us a hard- line, yes or no answer. They wouldn't settle for anything else.

That was the deadline. I could not surpass that date, which means it was either I go to New York City to adhere to my DOJ case or go to the Ethics Committee. No disrespect to the committee--I have incurred over $200,000 of legal fees that have been predominantly paid for, so to suggest that I have not complied with them is yet another lie.

They have received every document they have asked for. Documents we did not have, we have told them that we don't have them. We don't have access to what you are asking for. They persisted and insisted in inventing documents, communication between myself and people that did not exist--thus, communication. We informed them. This was all on the record.

However, I rise and question again to the chairman: Will he set the record straight that his expulsion resolution contradicts the findings of his report? Which one is it? Am I guilty of a sexual harassment claim, or am I not? The report says I am not. His filing on this expulsion resolution says I am. That is a very serious allegation, one that I sought to see the end of where the Office of Congressional Ethics sent a referral to the investigative subcommittee saying that they did not suggest further investigation into the matter because it lacked credibility, yet it sits on their expulsion resolution.

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

Mr. Speaker, I call that hypocrisy, more lying, more swamp behavior from this body, the same reason that Americans have no trust in this body because unfortunately, far too often too many of our colleagues here will speak from both sides of their mouths without regard to who it might hurt.

As it is said, people in this town will hurt people a whole lot so they can benefit just a little bit.

I reserve the balance of my time.

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

Mr. Speaker, may I inquire as to how much time is remaining.

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

Mr. Speaker, I move to have the gentleman from Ohio's words stricken from the record, please.

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

Mr. Speaker, hypocrisy, as I mentioned. My colleague wants to come up here and call me a crook, the same colleague who is accused of being a woman beater.

Are we really going to ignore the fact that we all have pasts, and we all have the media coming out against us on a daily basis?

Every last one of us has struggled with every little ounce of what happens in public service. I can go and read about all my colleagues.

I am not going to stand here to smear them. I am not going to stand here and use the time I have to say ill things about my colleagues. I refuse to stoop to that level.

The only thing I want to make clear is if tomorrow when this vote is on the floor, it is in the conscience of all my colleagues that they believe that this is the correct thing to do, so be it.

Take the vote. I am at peace. Whether I get expelled or I don't, I have accepted that I cannot control that fate, Mr. Speaker.

I have done the best I can to serve in this body and to deliver the best I can in my campaign promises to vote as a conservative voice in this body. I stand by that.

Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. Higgins).

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

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

Madam Speaker, it is a source of immense pride that numerous prospective high school graduates in my district aspire to join a service academy.

Following a rigorous selection process, I have put forth nominations for 29 applicants. Thus far, four of them have received appointments to academies.

Alex Gao from Levittown has been appointed to West Point. David Yoon from Great Neck has been appointed to West Point. Joseph Kim from Little Neck has been appointed to West Point. Tanner Schultz from Northport has been appointed to the Merchant Marine Academy.

Embarking on the journey of attending a service academy is no easy feat. It requires diligent effort to master your chosen major and acquire the necessary knowledge to serve your country upon graduation 4 years later.

I feel privileged to have had the opportunity to nominate all 29 applicants. I anticipate the appointment of many more nominees from New York's Third District to serve in the coming weeks.

Congratulating Richard Xu

Madam Speaker, we just hosted the Congressional App

Challenge recently, and this week, we revealed the winner for New York's Third District. Richard Xu emerged victorious with his innovative creation VolunHour, an app designed to streamline the tracking of volunteer hours.

Among the 17 impressive applicants from my district, each contributing fantastic app ideas, Richard Xu's VolunHour stood out as the winning entry.

Richard cited his passion for volunteering and community service as the driving force behind the creation of this app. He started a volunteer organization with a small group of friends, witnessing its expansion from 5 members to 30. Throughout this experience, he recognized the cumbersome and time-consuming nature of tracking volunteer hours, prompting him to develop a solution.

I congratulate Richard and send a big shout-out to all the participants from the Third District of New York who submitted applications to the Congressional App Challenge. Well done.

Recognizing Dedicated Staff for Casework

Madam Speaker, let me take a moment to discuss my office. Regarding my team, they consistently dedicate substantial effort to handle casework for our constituents.

We operate from three locations, two within the Third District of New York and one in Washington, D.C., ensuring accessibility and a commitment to serving the residents of New York's Third District.

To this day, we have received a total of 1,286 cases. We have successfully resolved 1,149 cases, leaving us with 137 cases currently under the diligent attention of my team.

The completed casework encompasses a variety of matters, including passports, immigration issues, and distinctive cases like securing a Purple Heart medal for the surviving family members of a World War I hero.

The work of my office does not go unnoticed, and I and the constituents of the Third District of New York are extremely grateful. I thank my entire team for all the hard work they have put forward throughout these last couple of months.

On the Matter of Expulsion

Madam Speaker, on the matter of expulsion, we are now going down a third attempt for a privileged resolution to expel me from the House of Representatives this week. One was introduced earlier today, and just earlier this evening, we had a second.

Here is the case in point. In history, five Members of Congress have been expelled. All five had suffered convictions in a court. All five had due process.

This expulsion vote simply undermines and underscores the precedent that we have had in this Chamber. It starts and puts us in a new direction, a dangerous one, that sets a very dangerous precedent for the future.

Are we to now assume that one is no longer innocent until proven guilty, and they are, in fact, guilty until proven innocent? Are we now to simply assume that because somebody doesn't like you, they get to throw you out of your job? Or better more, does the Constitution bear no consequence where a duly elected Member of the House of Representatives is elected by the general public but then a couple of politicians decide that they don't like that person?

These are all matters and questions that can be brought up. I will leave it at this. The process in which the Ethics Committee engaged was incomplete, irresponsible, and littered with hyperbole and littered with biased opinions.

The chairman of the committee himself admitted that it wasn't the full extent of process. Therefore, he couldn't recommend from the committee a punishment or action, therefore cheapening the process of the Ethics Committee, cheapening the process that this country has expected from this Chamber.

It is not a right to be a Member of Congress. The media will always remind me of that every time I talk to them. It is a privilege, a privilege you work hard for. You get elected to Congress as a privilege to represent those who have chosen you.

Madam Speaker, I think we can all agree that due process matters and that we should all be very concerned about the way that we are conducting this process. I ask that all of my colleagues in the House consider and understand what this means for the future.

To set the record straight and put this in the Record, I will not be resigning.

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

Madam Speaker, I move that the House do now adjourn.

The motion was agreed to; accordingly (at 8 o'clock and 10 minutes p.m.), under its previous order, the House adjourned until tomorrow, Wednesday, November 29, 2023, at 10 a.m. for morning-hour debate.

Mr. Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. Chair, one of the biggest infringements on the American people's rights happened shortly after the Chinese Communist Party unleashed a genetically modified coronavirus across the globe, infecting and killing millions.

To combat the virus and save the most vulnerable, President Trump initiated Operation Warp Speed, which put on display American exceptionalism when it successfully created a COVID-19 vaccine in under a year. However, what ensued thereafter was far more un-American than anything. It actually resembled more authoritarianism.

States and Federal agencies made continued employment contingent on vaccine status. Businesses that did not comply were fined. Churches that did not comply were shut down. People who did not comply were fired.

Some States were freer than others, but the Federal Government was the most draconian of them all. Federal workers, including over 8,400 United States servicemembers, lost their jobs because they refused to take a novel vaccine with minimal testing.

I am not standing here before you today questioning the legitimacy of the vaccine or calling the creation of the vaccine a net negative. Actually, I am doing the complete opposite. In fact, it was a net positive for society to give vulnerable individuals with autoimmune diseases an extra layer of protection against COVID-19. However, I am standing before you today raging against the government overreach that is vaccine mandates.

The American people were given freedoms not guaranteed to other populations across the globe. We have the freedom to choose what vaccines we get. Millions of other Americans and I think it is immoral and un-American to force a person to get a vaccine in order to pay their rent or mortgage or feed their families, Mr. Chair.

What my amendment will do is ensure that the funds in the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act be barred from getting allocated to establishing, implementing, or enforcing any vaccine mandate within those agencies.

Mr. Chair, to be clear, I am not standing here spewing and spreading anti-vax talking points. In fact, I am standing up for the working men and women of this great country, giving power back to the people, and taking it out of the clutches of government and government mandates.

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

Mr. Chair, there might not be any vaccination mandates today, but what is stopping my colleagues on the other side of the aisle or the President of the United States from wanting to institute those same draconian mandates tomorrow?

If we believe and take the word of my colleague that they don't exist today, they didn't exist prior to 2020 but miraculously appeared and destroyed lives and destroyed careers.

The reality is we need this to guarantee protection for the American people so that they are not lambasted yet again with more draconian rules coming out of the Federal Government.

Mr. Chair, I strongly ask my colleagues to support my amendment and support the working class by never again forcing them to choose between a vaccine they do not feel convicted to get and feeding their families.

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

Mr. Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. Chair, flight patterns have become a silent threat to the health and well-being of Americans. One might ask: What does that have to do with this amendment?

Well, citizens of New York's metropolitan area and the continental United States are ceaselessly burdened by aircraft noise and pollution.

Residents in NY-3 have been begging elected officials like me to support mitigation efforts to give citizens plagued by ceaseless, noisy, and polluted skies a reprieve.

Taking aim at Deputy Secretary of Transportation Polly Trottenberg is not a punishment but rather a wake-up call holding her accountable for her inaction.

By reducing her salary to $1, we send a strong message that the well- being of Americans should be the top priority, not the convenience of a select few.

Mr. Chair, the fight against harmful flight patterns doesn't end with Polly Trottenberg. We must also demand transparency, accountability, and a comprehensive review of flight patterns across the country.

It is time to put the health of our communities first and ensure that every decision made in the aviation industry reflects our values.

Let's work together in this body of Republicans and Democrats alike to make a real difference in our communities.

For years, NY-3's constituents and communities just like it have asked for help, and now I will put it in the Record and let it be known that a ``no'' vote is a vote against accountability for the people who allow millions of Americans to suffer under the arbitrary rules of the Department of Transportation, FAA, and air traffic control, to name a few agencies.

I urge adoption of my amendment to set a new tone and to have accountability for the people suffering from a lack of leadership on this segmented issue of our decaying transportation infrastructure under this administration.

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

Mr. Chair, my colleague from across the aisle, he speaks with honesty, and I believe so, but I will say this: To call a public servant a bureaucrat, I think that is disingenuous, and the American people are sick and tired of us considering people who fail at their jobs continuously to continue to keep their jobs.

I think it is cutting back bad government, I think it is holding government accountable, and I think it is holding people who are inept accountable.

Ms. Trottenberg's time as FAA administrator was abysmal with very little accountability, with very little done. I stand strong that we should adopt my amendment.

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

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

Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Goldman).

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time for closing.

Mr. Speaker, efforts taken by other Members in this body to act as judge, jury, and executioner are unconscionable and reckless to our Republican system of government and to the integrity of this body.

I stand today to continue to prove my innocence of these allegations and charges leveled against me. I would like to say I understand the point of view of my colleagues, but I don't.

One can't say that they are pro-Constitution and at the same time act as judge, jury, and executioner.

Where is the consistency, Mr. Speaker?

The actions taken within this body are delicate, and consistency is essential. Now is not the time to set a dangerous precedent.

Consider this: The last time a Member of Congress was expelled was in 2002, following a criminal conviction. In fact, both expulsions in the last two centuries took place after the defendants had been convicted.

To my colleagues on the other side of the aisle, I would like to remind you that many of you are supporting another Member of Congress who is under investigation--it is the second time he has been indicted--and even one who recently pleaded guilty to a crime. Rather than calling for their resignation, here we are.

I must warn my colleagues that voting for expulsion at this point would circumvent the judicial system's right to due process that I am entitled to and desanctify the long-held premise that one is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

It is unconscionable to think that this body, which is at war with the DOJ over their politically motivated practices, would blindly accept their accusation against a member of another branch of government.

We were each elected to Congress because our constituents supported our pledge to uphold the Constitution, protect our liberties, and put their needs first. We swore with our palms to the Bible to do so.

This expulsion, unfortunately, is politically motivated by some Members within this body. They believe that by attempting to expel me, they will garner political points, capitalize on political fundraising, and receive congratulations from those who do not approve of my voting record.

During this Congress, we have seen the world set aflame, our allies attacked, recession looming, crime out of control, an unprecedented border crisis, and the diminishment of American power, prestige, and respect at home and around the globe. We should focus on solving these pressing issues that plague our Nation and that affect our citizens every single day. Instead, we are prioritizing petty politics and undermining the integrity of our system of government, all for political cheap gains.

Pettifog all you want, but you can never say I am not committed to serving my constituents of New York's Third Congressional District. I have strived to build relationships and institutional acumen to represent and legislate for my people back home. Since I took office, over 1,100 cases for constituents have been solved, key relationships with stakeholders in the district have been built, and a fresh voice of common sense and servant leadership has returned to New York.

My office has no strings attached to political parties and apparatuses back home, so I am free to represent them openly here without the overlords of the GOP over my head in New York and Nassau County.

My office has done instrumental work regarding passports, collaborating with State and local agencies, working with the Department of State throughout this ongoing Israel crisis for constituents overseas, and countless other requests.

In addition, I am proud to have two fully staffed district offices serving the constituents of New York's Third District, participating in the service academy nominations for dozens of exceptional candidates from Long Island and Northeast Queens, and being involved in the Congressional Art Competition.

One of my highest honors of being in Congress was presenting a Purple Heart medal to a World War I hero's surviving family member after years of them attempting to garner this from my predecessor. I will never cease to honor those who have defended this Republic and our homeland.

From my involvement in assisting residents of New York's Third District being held hostage by Hamas terrorists to my contributions in the effort to close the migrant shelter at the Creedmoor facility in Bellerose, being a champion for the Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, and my resolve to clamp down on China's growing influence against American interests, there is one thing consistent and unwavering, and that is dedication to selfless service. This motivates me to work day in and day out on behalf of them and to represent their interests and values.

I am proud to have one of the most conservative voting records in the 118th Congress and the most conservative voting record in New York's delegation. I will never apologize for voting in line with conservative principles and my district.

Let us remember our commitment to justice ensures that the presumption of innocence is upheld in all cases.

I requested that my evaluation be based on the work I do in this body, and you granted me a reprieve earlier this year on the advice of former Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy. I am asking the Chamber to please uphold those same principles today.

I hope that my colleagues come to their senses and recognize that the perilous consequences of a trial by media are damaging. The loss of the presumption of innocence establishes a dangerous precedent that threatens the very foundation of our legal system, and we risk losing the trust that the American people have placed in us by passing judgment without due process.

If we work together, we can protect the integrity of our system and the rights of all citizens.

I am fighting tooth and nail to clear my name in front of the entire world, Mr. Speaker. It hasn't been easy, but I am fighting by God's grace.

On a final note, as we wear these pins and stand within these Chambers as elected Members of Congress, we cannot speak out of both sides of our mouths. Promising to uphold the principles of the Constitution while simultaneously trampling on the principles that underpin our fundamental rights granted by the Constitution is hypocrisy.

I hope that the House will understand the scope of this vote and have the courage to do what is right, not what is politically expedient.

I stand firmly in my innocence and my passion to represent the people of New York's Third District if the voters would continue to have me. It is their responsibility and their responsibility alone to elect or remove me from Congress.

Mr. Speaker, thank you for allowing me to make my case directly to you.

For God, for country, for liberty. God bless the United States of America, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Chair, I have an amendment at the desk as the designee of Mr. Nehls of Texas.

Mr. Chair, my amendment would reestablish the Victims of Immigration Crime Engagement Office, also known as the VOICE office, within the Department of Homeland Security.

In 2017, President Donald J. Trump, the greatest President of my lifetime, established the VOICE office. Its mission was to provide support for the victims and family members of crimes committed by illegal aliens, also known as angel families, and to hold criminal illegal aliens accountable for these heinous actions.

American citizens should never have to pay the consequences of Biden's open border policies. Sadly, angel families are becoming far too common.

Just a couple of weeks ago, a criminal illegal alien murdered yet another American citizen in the State of Texas. The family of this American would have had access to the critical services that the VOICE office offered, but by the stroke of a pen, the Biden administration converted the VOICE office in 2021 to instead help criminal illegal aliens.

Let me repeat that, Mr. Chair. An office intended to help families who had fallen victim to criminal illegal aliens, individuals who should have never been here in the first place, is now helping those very same criminals.

Secretary Mayorkas himself said: ``All people, regardless of their immigration status, should be able to access victim services without fear,'' at U.S. tax dollar expense.

What part of America First do Democrats not understand, Mr. Chair?

When the VOICE office was fully operational, it assisted thousands of angel families, connected them to crucial services, and worked to hold criminal illegal aliens accountable for their heinous actions.

It is a shame that the VOICE office must exist, but until the Biden border crisis and full-scale release of criminal aliens are stopped, angel families need this support.

To my Democrat colleagues, mark my words: If you haven't already, you or someone you know will reap the consequences of an open border, and you will wish you had the support offered by the VOICE office.

Mr. Chair, I hope my colleagues across the aisle will start to put America first.

Mr. Chair, I urge adoption of my amendment, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Chair, as my colleague said, we already have the service, and it is supported. The problem that I find is taking this office and converting it into a mechanism to support the same people we were supposed to give refuge to our victims from.

Mr. Chair, I urge my colleague to come clean, come to the table, and tell the American people why he opposes funding another office to help victims on a very targeted basis instead of funding the office to actually go help the people who are causing harm and the purpose of why the office was established.

Mr. Chair, I find it troubling that we can't simply put America first when it comes down to discussing it with the other side of the aisle. It is a sad day for America, and it is very unfortunate that my colleagues on the other side of the aisle don't see the necessity to protect angel families.

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

Madam Speaker, today Congress returns to session after a 6-week break, and I hope we are all motivated by the input we heard while back home with the same people who sent us here to represent them in the body.

I am urging my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to put the partisan rhetoric aside and get to work on delivering results for the American people.

I ask that we start by addressing the funding of our government via the appropriations process to ensure we do not have a government shutdown.

A vast majority of Americans are struggling to make ends meet, and a lot of those folks are in our Nation's Armed Forces. A shutdown would only hurt the very people who are putting their lives at risk for all of us.

Madam Speaker, I am certain that we can all rise above the din of the media's attempts to influence what comes out of these Chambers.

I believe we can set aside our political differences and work together for the sake of our country, just as we did 22 years ago following the tragedies of 9/11.

Let's not forget that in the most solemn times in our Nation, we all banded together the strongest to advance America's interests.

Madam Speaker, I would like to end with observing a moment of silence in recognition of all who have fallen due to the unspeakable acts of September 11, 2001.

Mr. Speaker, today, I rise to bring attention to the state of chaos that the Biden administration's border policies have created in New York's Third District.

Today, at 1 p.m., there is a press conference taking place back home in front of the new mega-structure tent being built at Creedmoor Center across the street from an elementary school, P.S. 18, in Queens.

Mr. Speaker, when I visited the border just a couple of weeks ago, I toured a similar facility to the one being built in my district. It is safe to say what is going on at the southern border can be felt as far north as New York.

This problem is no longer out of sight, out of mind. Thanks to the Biden administration's policies, all districts are border districts.

I am calling on Mayor Eric Adams to stop this madness, declare a state of emergency for New York City, and stop taking in these migrants. The city is overwhelmed by a constant influx of migrants, alongside being plagued by rising crime.

As the only Republican representing Queens in Congress, I call on my counterparts on the other side of the aisle to join me in efforts to end this madness in our county and in our city. New Yorkers deserve a better quality of life

than the one imposed by its one-party rule government.

Mr. Speaker, today, I rise to address an issue that we can no longer ignore.

The Chinese Communist Party has manifested all over South America, and, most importantly, overpowering the United States in every single one of those relationships.

Today, I will be talking about Brazil, the largest economy in South America, the 10th-largest economy in the world, and the 4th-largest food producer in the world.

We have much to gain from our relationship with Brazil, but we still need to act.

Now, the CCP has seized its opportunity to assert its dominance. China is the largest trading partner of Brazil, Chile, Peru, and Uruguay, and the second-largest trading partner for many other countries.

According to the American Enterprise Institute's China Global Investment Tracker, Chinese entities invested a total of $148 billion in Latin America and the Caribbean countries between 2005 and 2022, with Brazil accounting for 44 percent of those investments, a total of $66 billion.

Energy projects accounted for 62 percent of the investments and metal mining accounted for 21 percent.

The database also shows that the Chinese construction projects in Latin America and Caribbean countries were valued at $68.6 billion over the same period, mainly in the energy, 50 percent, and transportation, which is another 30 percent--in those two respective sectors.

The CCP has metastasized to the extent that it influenced the 2022 Presidential elections in Brazil and successfully reinstated a convicted criminal into the Presidency.

We must remember that China has even gone so far as to support a veto of a 2019 U.S.-backed resolution in the United Nations calling for free and fair Presidential elections globally.

Luisa Inacio Lula da Silva, also known as Lula, is the current occupier of the Presidency as a direct result of the CCP's successful attempt to destabilize Brazil.

Let's be clear: The honest Lula, is a man deemed unelectable by the Brazilian courts due to his conviction for his involvement in one of the most significant political corruption scandals in Brazil's history, which subsequently led to the demise of the country's economy.

In doing so, he has weaponized the judicial system in Brazil to launch an assault like never before, prosecuting political opponents, silencing the media, and targeting everyday civilians.

Lula has shielded himself behind the nation's highest court, with his ally, Justice Alexandre de Moraes, granting his every wish.

You see, most Americans are quick to judge Brazil as a third-world country and pass up its value as an ally. This is only the beginning of the end for Brazil, our once great ally.

I want to make sure that the American people understand that value; however, being the first Brazilian American to serve in Congress, I hope and hold that Brazil will stand firm.

When Americans fought in World War II, Brazil was the only South American country to send troops; 50,000 men from Brazil fought alongside U.S. ally troops.

I present that fighting spirit on the House floor today, Mr. Speaker. I want to stress that Brazil's population yearns for a capitalist market similar to ours and appreciates our world-leading example for democracy.

Today, Brazilians suffer high inflation, arbitrary laws, and absolute devastation regarding infrastructure and healthcare.

I am calling on my colleagues to urge President Biden to suspend all foreign aid to Brazil until a review is conducted via the United Nations to assess the humanitarian crimes taking place under the power of Lula's tyrannical regime.

While we have an arrest warrant for Nicolas Maduro, the murderous Venezuelan dictator, it should come as no surprise that Lula parades him and hosts him with official visits legitimizing him while undermining us.

With this kind of egregious behavior as an elected official, it is only natural that we ask why Lula would align with some of the world's most monstrous dictators presently in the crosshairs of U.S. sanctions or conflicts.

Brazil is not the only country impacted by China's election interference. The Maduro regime has become reliant on China for disinformation campaigns and social control programs, including ID cards that serve as scorecards of Venezuelan citizens loyal to the regime.

When we examine who funds Venezuela, it is none other than China through their insidious and smoke-and-mirror charade toward world domination that the CCP has titled the Belt and Road Initiative, aka the BRI, a lending gambit that grants China's over 140 allied countries billions of dollars under the pretense of economic integration and interconnected development.

It is only a matter of time before Lula leads Brazil down the same path.

This is the perfect example of the kind of destabilization the CCP is known for, preying on countries via unsustainable and corrupt lending while ignoring global labor and environmental standards for their own economic gain.

The CCP will stop at nothing to reach their goal of world domination, and as time goes on, we have fewer opportunities to preserve Brazil's achievability and viability as our number one trade partner and ally.

Lula is nothing more than a repressive and destructive tyrant who aligns with underhanded puppeteers to make his case for power.

Lula is actively parroting CCP propaganda, saying we are prolonging the Ukraine-Russia conflict for commercial gain, undermining us at every single turn, not to mention the BRICS agreement created under Lula's direction by former impeached President Dilma Rousseff, whose main goal today is to undermine and replace the U.S. dollar as the global currency.

Mr. Speaker, as the first Brazilian American elected to this Chamber, I urge my colleagues to assist Brazil in restoring democracy and to stop legitimizing the Lula regime today. We must

ensure that an honorable and bona fide government can be installed and lead the country forward out of the clutches of the CCP.

This serves a great benefit to us Americans, all of us in this body, all of us in this country, to keep a good relationship with our fellow ally, Brazil.

(English translation of the statement made in Portuguese is as follows:)

To my Brazilian friends, be strong. We are together in this fight.

A meus amigos brasileiros, forga Brasil. Estamos juntos nessa luta.

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

Mr. Speaker, I move that the House do now adjourn.

The motion was agreed to; accordingly (at 8 o'clock and 33 minutes p.m.), under its previous order, the House adjourned until tomorrow, Thursday, July 27, 2023, at 10 a.m. for morning-hour debate.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to talk about the FAA Reauthorization Act.

Since before I was elected to Congress, my district has been afflicted by excessive aviation-related noise. I campaigned on addressing this issue, and yesterday, I gave testimony on my amendments in the Rules Committee. I am following through on my commitment to offer relief to my constituents.

If enacted, the changes I proposed would lower the permissible decibel levels from 65 to 55, reevaluate the technology known as NextGen, and put up for questioning its impact on communities all around the United States that suffer with the issue of constant flight paths.

Since taking office, I have visited with the people of New York's Third District who have begged me to take action on this matter, often with tears in their eyes.

Most people will suppose this is an exaggeration, but most people have no idea what it is like to live right next to one of the largest airport hubs in the country.

I am here today to make sure my constituents and many others around the country know that they are not alone and that their plight is not in vain. I urge this body to take these amendments into consideration.

Madam Speaker, today, I rise to address a grave concern about our relationship with Brazil. This nation, which holds non-NATO ally status with the United States, has constantly undermined us in recent years in ways that warrant our undivided attention.

Just recently, the former convicted criminal and now reinstated President of Brazil, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, known as Lula, hosted and praised the infamous dictator Nicolas Maduro from Venezuela.

Lula's actions have legitimized a man who is currently sought by the U.S. Department of Justice for narcoterrorism, a man who, because of his alleged humanitarian crimes, cannot even set foot on U.S. soil without fear of arrest. In addition, Lula has publicly criticized the United States for support to Ukraine and has even suggested that our Nation is purposely prolonging the war for commercial interests.

This is the same leader who has actively sought to undermine U.S. currency through their BRICS agreements with Russia and China and who maintains strong ties with the Chinese Communist Party.

Madam Speaker, Brazil is not a minority player on the world stage. It is the largest economy in South America and the 10th largest globally, the 4th largest food producer in the world, the 2nd largest producer of iron ore, and a significant player in the energy sector. It holds strategic importance in the Southern Hemisphere, a fact that the CCP seems to understand better than us.

We should be working to forge stronger ties with Brazil, encouraging it toward democratic and capitalist values rather than standing by as it deepens its ties with communistic and autocratic regimes around the globe.

Brazil's growing alignment with the Chinese authoritarian government is already yielding dangerous impacts on its democracy. Even mainstream USA media outlets' reports are showing an unsettling trend: a rise in state-sanctioned actions against free speech, free press, and civil liberties in Brazil. Increasingly, the country's judicial system is being weaponized, and censorship is on the rise.

We must take decisive action to condemn Brazil's current engagement in suppressing civil liberties, its deepening ties with authoritarian regimes, and the serious risk this trend poses to Western democracies.

Madam Speaker, as the first Brazilian American elected to this House, I implore all my colleagues to treat this matter with the urgency it deserves. It is a matter that affects not only America but the free world as a whole.

Mr. Speaker, in March, I introduced H.R. 1736, also known as the Equality and Fiscal Accountability Protection Act of 2023.

This bill will cut off the cash faucet the U.S. Government gives away to countries such as Uganda that persecutes, criminalizes, or discriminates against individuals based on their sexual orientation.

Since June is Pride Month, I thought this bill would be a great way to remind the American people and this body that the best way to celebrate the history and achievements of gay rights is to stand up to countries actively oppressing the LGBT community. Many countries are light-years behind everything we have worked for to be treated civilly and humanely in this country.

In fact, many countries are still persecuting their citizens for the simple fact that they are gay. Uganda is just one of many countries executing and prosecuting its people based on their sexual orientation; however, they received hundreds of millions of dollars in 2022 alone from President Biden's emergency plan for AIDS relief, or PEPFAR.

While waving rainbow flags and changing corporate logos is pleasant enough lipservice and virtue signaling, we need to send a clear message that the United States will not offer Federal aid to countries that habitually violate basic human rights based on sexual orientation.

We, as a Nation, have a responsibility to stand up for the human rights of all people, regardless of race, religion, or sexual orientation.