Floor Statements

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 2066, the Investing in All of America Act. Small Business Investment Companies, or SBICs, are an essential part of the small business lending ecosystem. Under this program, SBA works with and licenses private institutions to provide financing to small, high-growth companies.

Unfortunately, due to statutory constraints, investors are often limited in their ability to participate in the program when focusing on rural and underserved communities, small manufacturers, or small businesses critical to national security.

Due to their capital-intensive nature and early revenue profile, these small businesses operating in the critical technology sector need institutional investors with longer term time horizons to raise capital.

That is why this bill makes statutory improvements to provide SBICs with access to additional leverage when they invest in these businesses.

Providing SBICs with additional leverage flexibility will ensure the capital needs of small businesses in our critical technology sector are met by the SBIC program. This will enable the SBA and DOD to successfully implement their joint Small Business Investment Company Critical Technology Initiative.

In addition, this bill provides another avenue to extend private investment to small businesses in rural and underserved communities, something that lenders and policymakers have repeatedly fallen short on. This additional bonus leverage will encourage more investment in communities that need it most.

I applaud Representatives Meuser and Scholten for leading this bipartisan effort, and I thank Chairman Williams and his team for their collaboration on this bill.

Mr. Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to vote ``yes'', and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to close by once again thanking Mr. Meuser and Ms. Scholten for their leadership on this bill and their efforts to extend additional capital to rural and underserved entrepreneurs, as well as the critical technology industry.

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to support this bill and encourage all of my colleagues to do the same. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge and uplift Small Business Saturday this year.

Every year, our country celebrates Small Business Saturday the weekend after Thanksgiving. This year that will be November 29, and I encourage my constituents in California's 31st District and all Americans to participate by shopping small business and supporting our local businesses.

Coming from California's 31st District, I am proud to represent a thriving and diverse community of small businesses in the San Gabriel Valley. From cafes and restaurants, to bookstores, toy shops, party supply stores, and many more, our district is fortunate to have an abundance of locally owned small businesses bringing life and community to our cities.

Mr. Speaker, as we approach Small Business Saturday and the holiday season, I encourage everyone to shop small and take some time to support your local businesses. By doing so, you are supporting your neighbors, growing your local economy, and making your community stronger.

Recognizing Mr. Kenneth Singleton

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize an extraordinary military servicemember now serving our public schools.

Mr. Kenneth Singleton has dedicated decades of service to our community. From serving in the U.S. Army and completing several tours, including in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Saudi Arabia, his commitment to service earned him the Meritorious Service Award five times.

For Mr. Singleton, public service didn't end after the uniform came off, though. His second mission serving our next generation began in the Monrovia Unified School District as the director of food service.

He has been a vital part of the school district, ensuring our students have healthy, nutritious meals every day to focus and thrive on their studies.

Mr. Singleton has brought discipline, leadership, and a commitment to service to our schools in Monrovia Unified. Our community is fortunate to have a dedicated public servant like him.

Mr. Speaker, I thank Mr. Singleton for his military service and his exemplary public service to our students and schools.

Recognizing Penny Stevenson

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize an outstanding community member, veteran, and leader in California's 31st District in the city of San Dimas.

Penny Stevenson is the board president of the San Dimas H.E.R.O.E.S. Organization, whose mission is to honor all San Dimas veterans by engraving their names on a permanent monument at Freedom Park in San Dimas, California.

As a U.S. Marine veteran herself and with a family of veterans, Penny has shown incredible commitment, sacrifice, and leadership serving as president to this organization dedicated to honoring our veterans and servicemembers. This is Penny's last year serving as board president, a position she has held since 2009.

Mr. Speaker, I thank her and commend her for all the work she has done to recognize our servicemembers for the past 16 years. Just this past Veterans Day, I was honored to visit the H.E.R.O.E.S. monument at Freedom Park, and I can attest to the honor it brings to our veteran community. I, again, thank her for her leadership and tireless efforts.

Honoring 2026 Teachers of the Year

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the exciting achievement of two dedicated educators in California's 31st District.

Mr. Rene Romero and Dr. Heather Povinelli were both named 2026 California Teachers of the Year.

Mr. Romero is an 11th and 12th grade international baccalaureate language and literature teacher at South Hills High School in the Covina Valley Unified School District. He has been teaching for 21 years and has developed an outstanding reputation for his creativity, compassion, and dedication to his students.

His inclusive and supportive classroom has exemplified good teaching, and he has well-earned the title of Teacher of the Year.

Dr. Heather Povinelli is a second grade teacher at Bradoaks Elementary Science Academy in the Monrovia Unified School District.

For 25 years, she has dedicated her career to teaching in elementary classrooms. Living with dwarfism, Dr. Povinelli uses her own lived experience as an opportunity to empower students and teach about disabilities, inclusion, and equity.

Not only is she an incredible teacher, but she is an inspiration and a trailblazer to students of all backgrounds.

Mr. Speaker, I thank both Mr. Romero and Dr. Povinelli for their commitment to teaching our future generations and congratulate them on these immense achievements.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to address the dangerous actions of the Health and Human Services Secretary in regard to vaccines.

Vaccines play a critical role in protecting our entire population in the United States. They are the most powerful tool we have against serious infectious diseases. They help our immune system learn how to fight against viruses and prevent disease from spreading to our neighbors, communities, and loved ones.

A 2024 CDC study showed that routine vaccines have prevented over 508 million cases of illness in children. The impact is immeasurable. That is hundreds of millions of children who are saved from having to suffer through a miserable illness. On top of that, their family, friends, neighbors, classmates, and loved ones are all able to stay guarded from these viruses and diseases.

It is really all thanks to modern medicine, science, research, and the proven success of vaccines.

The United States military administers 17 vaccines to military personnel on the basis of occupation, location of their deployment, and mission requirements.

Once common diseases like polio, tetanus, and hepatitis B are now almost unheard of, thanks to routine vaccinations.

Vaccines have become so effective that people have forgotten the serious threat that they guard against in our communities, and now, they are trying to politicize one of the most revolutionary developments of modern medicine.

Health and Human Services Secretary Kennedy has been on a mission to spread misinformation and fear-mongering to scare parents away from getting their kids lifesaving vaccines. Not only that, he is attacking the research and medical institutions that advance our health systems. He has canceled nearly $500 million in contracts to develop vaccines.

This blatant disregard for the health of our communities is reckless and puts all of us in danger.

As Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness at the Pentagon, I oversaw public health efforts at the Pentagon during the COVID-19 pandemic, which included acquiring and distributing vaccines to military personnel.

In order to maintain the strength of our military, we need people equipped for whatever the world throws at them, and that includes diseases.

Operation Warp Speed was a success. Over 95 percent of Active-Duty personnel were vaccinated. While no vaccine is perfect, only three individuals who took the vaccine while on Active Duty died from COVID- 19 complications.

Operation Warp Speed was so much of a success that Secretary Esper included a binder labeled ``Operation Warp Speed'' in his official portrait. It is just too bad that no one can any longer see it hanging in the Pentagon.

I find it ironic that the President who spoke out against the distribution of the vaccines for so long is now trying to embrace its success.

Our society has become healthier and more productive because of vaccines. Vaccines have become a global investment in a strong public system.

In our modern times, we no longer need to worry about sending our kids to school, going to large sporting events or concerts, or even traveling, all because of the major reduction in the spread of disease. Vaccines are to thank for that.

There are several consequences to rejecting vaccines and the science behind them. Mr. Kennedy's recent comments attacking vaccines are destroying decades of work and community trust that has fostered safer and healthier communities, trust that is based on good science. It is careless and dangerous, but he continues to follow in the footsteps of the President and create false narratives to spread fear and distrust.

This anti-vaccine mission he is on is going to prevent families and children from getting the proper healthcare that they need. It is going to significantly limit the resources that families have to keep themselves healthy and protect themselves against infectious disease.

It should not be a political issue. This is about the health of our people, the health of our Nation.

Every American should be alarmed about the detrimental impact that this will have on our communities across the Nation and globe, which is why I am fully committed to keeping our country safe and healthy, lowering the cost of healthcare, and making medical resources more accessible.

All Americans deserve access to quality healthcare, including critical preventive care like vaccines.

Secretary Kennedy should be lauded for his campaign to remove dyes from food, and I think that is admirable, but removing dyes from drinks and foods won't protect kids from the threat of measles, chicken pox, polio, or other diseases.

Vaccines are safe, effective, and our best defense against life- threatening diseases.

I urge all Americans to trust our scientists, our doctors, and decades of research. Get vaccinated to protect yourself, your families, and our communities. We have the power to maintain a healthy society and prevent deadly infectious disease.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate and honor the achievements of Glendora letter carrier John Bromstead.

John recently retired after a 40-year career in the U.S. Postal Service. Throughout this time, he drove 1 million accident-free miles, delivering letters, packages, and smiles across our community.

John was honored as a member of the National Safety Council Million Mile Club, and he received the Million Mile Award, a truly remarkable achievement.

Too often the stellar work of letter carriers like John goes unnoticed, but they play an essential role in ensuring our society, commerce, and community functions effectively.

I thank John for all the years of connecting our community through mail and spreading cheer around our neighborhoods. Now it is time for him to put his feet up and enjoy his well-earned retirement.

Madam Chair, I rise in opposition to this amendment.

Madam Chair, I thank the gentleman for recognizing me. This highly partisan amendment would prevent DOD from contracting with entities that perform fact-checking for recruitment purposes.

Explain to me how we are enhancing national security, deterring our adversaries, and, most importantly, increasing servicemember quality- of-life needs by going after a contract.

In my previous role, I oversaw recruiting for the military services. Never did one of them ever come to me stating they couldn't recruit because of this tool.

As the gentleman said, it had to do with COVID. It was because the services weren't putting money into their recruiting budgets. That is why recruiting went down.

It is amendments like this that not only put our national security at risk but make this bipartisan process crumble before us in the House.

Madam Chair, do you know who loves to feed this information through sites that don't fact-check? Russia, Iran, the People's Republic of China, and other adversaries do.

Republican leadership has continued to fail the American people by making this bipartisan bill a rightwing culture war process. When we should be debating the administration deploying Active-Duty servicemembers on U.S. citizens in our cities or managing the destructive mess Hegseth and Trump have turned the Pentagon into, we are dealing with this nonsense.

Madam Chair, I urge my colleagues to vote ``no'' on this amendment.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the retirement of a dedicated public servant from California's 31st District. Assistant Fire Chief Mike Fountain has served the community of West Covina and the West Covina Fire Department since 1995.

Over his 30-year distinguished career, he has served as a firefighter, paramedic, fire captain, and assistant fire chief. He has worked tirelessly to ensure the community has the medical supplies and equipment it needs at all times.

His impact on the community extends well beyond the firehouse walls. Mr. Fountain committed countless hours to mentoring newly minted firefighters and leading the firefighters' union as president.

Through his example, Mike Fountain has shown us what leadership is all about. Mike has ensured the readiness of the West Covina Fire Department and made the firefighters and the community a top priority. That community is safer because of his work.

Mr. Speaker, we congratulate Mr. Fountain on an incredible career and a well-deserved retirement.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor and celebrate Leslie Rook of Monrovia, California.

Earlier this year, Leslie completed a truly impressive feat of running 50 marathons in all 50 States with an average of three marathons each year.

Over the past 14 years of this challenge, Leslie ran more than 1,300 miles during these marathons alone, but thousands more to train for this incredible accomplishment.

Leslie balanced her love of running with her already busy life as an occupational therapist, wife, and mother of two. I am truly amazed by Leslie's dedication, stamina, and drive.

Madam Speaker, I congratulate Leslie on this remarkable achievement. She has made our district proud.

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 rise today to recognize and congratulate John Michael Spaun, Jr., or J.J. Spaun, on his U.S. Open victory.

J.J. is a proud product of California's 31st Congressional District, a graduate of San Dimas High School, where he played on the golf team and was a CIF Southern Section finalist 2 years in a row. He went on to play for San Diego State University, and after graduation he went professional.

On the morning of Sunday, June 15, Father's Day, J.J. woke up early to tend to his daughter who wasn't feeling well. Just a few hours later, he was on his way to the U.S. Open.

On the 18th hole, J.J. sunk a 64-foot putt to clinch his first major championship. The 31st Congressional District wants to congratulate him on his incredible victory, and we wish him the best of luck at The Open Championship in Northern Ireland.

Honoring the Retirement of Captain Daniel Regan

Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the retirement of Captain Daniel Regan of the Covina Police Department.

He was promoted to captain in 2022 and managed the Investigations, K9, Firearms, and Records units. As a well-distinguished and awarded police officer, Captain Regan's 35-year-long career exemplifies true service and sacrifice. He has defined what it means to protect and serve our community.

Mr. Speaker, I thank him for all he has done to keep our families and our communities safe. I congratulate him on his well-deserved retirement and we wish him all the best.

Commending Glendora and San Dimas High School's Varsity Baseball Teams

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Glendora and San Dimas High School's baseball teams for reaching the CIF Southern Section Division 3 championship game.

After a hard-fought pitchers' duel, Glendora was victorious with a 2- 0 shutout victory. This was Glendora High's first baseball CIF championship in 15 years. It was a remarkable season, capped by a historic victory.

Mr. Speaker, both teams are to be commended for their hard work and dedication, and I wish them both good luck for next season. Go Tartans.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the retirement of a dedicated public servant in California's 31st District.

Enrique Zaldivar has served the city of Baldwin Park as chief executive officer since 2021.

Demonstrating years of leadership and honoring a commitment to serve the nearly 80,000 residents of Baldwin Park as the city's first Mexican-American chief executive officer, Mr. Zaldivar paved his own path to enhance city operations and make our community a better place.

Throughout his tenure, he helped establish the city's Mexican Consulate on Wheels, oversaw new public safety upgrades, and brought vibrant programming to the community.

Mr. Zaldivar is a respected and revered leader. Our community is better because of him.

I congratulate Mr. Zaldivar on his well-deserved retirement.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to denounce the ICE raids in southern California carried out this past weekend and the President's unilateral decision to deploy the National Guard and, now, the Marines.

The President claims to be going after violent criminals, but in reality, ICE is rounding up individuals off the street with no warrants, including children. Local and State law enforcement did not ask for assistance.

Donald Trump is escalating the situation and making it more dangerous for everyone. Just today, he said the National Guard is preventing the violence on the street, and that is a flat-out lie. The National Guard is standing on the sidelines, watching as local law enforcement handles the situation.

Now, he is sending in the Marines. This is not the mission of the Marines. They aren't trained for this. Sending them on ICE raids will only provoke confrontation.

The President is playing with the lives of Californians, and the military is the pawn in his political game. He wants to create a conflict that will allow him to invoke the Insurrection Act or martial law--God only knows why--but California will never ever bend to the will of a tyrant.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the ranking member for her leadership on this issue and in the committee.

Mr. Speaker, this legislation does not actually address the safety of the SBA. Workers are small businesses. Since my colleagues on the other side of the aisle disagree with the city's policy, the majority chooses to punish all small businesses in that area.

Let's be clear: This bill strips resources not from cities but for millions of small businesses, and it makes it harder for Americans to access assistance to start and grow their businesses.

Supporting small businesses should not be a partisan issue. We in the Committee on Small Business have heard in our hearings that targeting SBA resources in major cities will be critically detrimental.

For this reason, at the appropriate time, I will offer a motion to recommit this bill back to the committee.

If the House rules permitted, I would have offered this motion with an important amendment to this bill. My amendment would prevent the legislation from taking effect until Congress receives reporting from the SBA on the proposed relocation of covered offices, including a justification for how these moves could possibly serve small businesses.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to insert into the Record the text of this amendment immediately prior to the vote on the motion to recommit.

Mr. Speaker, I hope my colleagues will join me in voting for this motion to recommit.

I also submitted a separate amendment for consideration that would have prevented the implementation of this bill if the cost of relocating these offices out of Main Street would be more than zero dollars. Unfortunately, the Republican majority has blocked my amendment from receiving a floor vote today.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to oppose this bill and to vote in favor of my motion to recommit.

Mr. Speaker, I have a motion to recommit at the desk.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in memory of Baldwin Park Police Officer Samuel Riveros, who lost his life in the line of duty while attempting to rescue a fellow officer.

Known for his infectious smile, love of the Dodgers, and snowboarding, Officer Riveros served in the Baldwin Park Police Department for over 8 years and was a member of the SWAT team.

Officer Riveros' absence leaves a wake of grief that will only be tempered by time, never to subside.

However, amidst our sorrow, may we find solace in his courage, character, and the oath he kept until the end. Officer Riveros' legacy as a hero will live on in the hearts and minds of the Baldwin Park community and the 31st Congressional District.

This devastating event also claimed the life of Darius Wong, a resident of Hacienda Heights and a beloved son, brother, husband, and father.

Both of these men should still be here, and it breaks my heart that their lives were cut so short from this disgusting act of cruelty.

Let us keep them and their families in our thoughts. May they rest in peace.

Mr. Speaker, Donald Trump was elected with a mandate to improve the lives of hardworking Americans, to lower housing costs, to make groceries, childcare, and medicine more affordable, and to help our seniors get the care they need.

What has he done instead? He has used his position to inflate his own wealth and pad the pocketbooks of billionaire donors, all at the expense of the very people who elected him.

Unlike every single President before him, Donald Trump has refused to divest his business interests. He didn't even put them in a blind trust. Instead, he handed them over to his family, who continues to profit.

In the past year alone, Donald Trump has doubled his fortune from $2.3 billion to $5.1 billion. He now has over $5 billion. How is he doing that? By treating public office like a personal business opportunity.

Crypto investments make up $2.9 billion of the Trump family's net worth. Just days after the inauguration, Trump announced a Trump meme coin used to funnel money into his and his family's pockets. Now, the Trump family crypto mining scheme is going public as their payouts grow larger.

This is more than a conflict of interest. It is blatant corruption. He is now considering accepting a $400 million jet from Qatar dubbed a ``palace in the sky.'' How is this even ethical? Even some of my Republican colleagues agree that not only is this wrong, but it is a national security risk.

As a Member of Congress, I can't even accept a gift of more than $50, let alone $400 million. It is a slap in the face of millions of people who work long hours just to put food on the table and afford the roofs over their heads.

He isn't looking out for the best interests of the American people. He is only looking for what is good for the Trump business.

While House Republicans are out here snatching SNAP benefits away from children, Trump is making sure his billionaire buddies get higher tax breaks.

While families stress over how to make ends meet with high costs, Trump is flaunting hotels and golf courses.

While House Republicans debate which critical funding to cut, Donald Trump is raking in the excess to expand his personal empire.

Donald Trump is making a mockery of public office by continuing to enrich himself at the taxpayers' expense. If a Democrat were in the White House, my friends across the aisle would be losing their minds right now. Wrong is still wrong, regardless of which party this President belongs to.

We need to put an end to Donald Trump's pay-for-play political gifts for the sake of our reputation, our democracy, and our future.

Mr. Speaker, I thank my generous colleague for allowing me to speak today.

As Members of Congress, we are elected to champion the voices of our people and pass legislation to make their lives better. Instead, House Republicans are using their position to introduce a nonsense bill to rename the Gulf of Mexico.

The Gulf has been known as the Gulf of Mexico since the 16th century. Why are they making a big deal out of this now? It is because they want to stroke the ego of Donald Trump.

Back home in California, my constituents are concerned about putting food on the table. They are feeling crushed by high rent and afraid that they won't be able to buy a home one day. They are worried about how they can afford healthcare once these Medicaid cuts take effect. Seniors are scared their Social Security checks are going to dry up, but Republicans want to focus on renaming a body of water thousands of miles away from where we are today.

Instead of addressing the things that actually matter to people back home, House Republicans are trying to distract us from the harmful policies they are forcing on all of us. This does nothing to improve the lives of our constituents. It does nothing to make our country safer, lower costs, help parents feed their kids, or give our seniors the support they deserve.

This is a waste of time, and it is a disgrace to the people who elected us to serve in this body.