Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, for 60 years, Peace Corps has been an enduring symbol of peace and friendship between the U.S. and our global community. Peace Corps Volunteers (PCVs) sacrifice over two years of their time, working side by side with local leadership to combat some of the most pressing challenges of our generation.

Unfortunately, I have heard from too many PCVs who have struggled to access and afford menstrual products. PCVs, and Returned Peace Corps Volunteers (RPCVs) have shared with me how menstrual products are not readily available, or these items are far more expensive than they would be in the U.S. So many of these volunteers are also placed in very remote locations--forcing them to travel extremely far distances to access menstrual products.

Additionally, while the Peace Corps Medical Officers in some countries provides these products for PCVs, volunteers in other countries are forced to purchase these products out of the same limited stipend everyone else receives. Other volunteers pay hundreds of dollars out-of-pocket to ship these items from the U.S. to their country of service, or they wait to receive these items in their care packages from loved ones back home.

This is simply wrong. Menstrual products are not luxury items; they are medical necessities. Menstrual equity is a basic health right and human right.

That is why, today, on the 60th Anniversary of Peace Corps, I am reintroducing the Menstrual Equity in the Peace Corps Act to ensure that all PCVs have free and equitable access to menstrual products.

For the 65 percent of PCVs who are women, and the more than 90 percent of PCVs who are under the age of 50, this is simply a matter of equity. The Menstrual Equity in the Peace Corps Act would direct the Peace Corps Director to establish a comprehensive policy that makes available free menstrual products to PCVs who require them, or increase stipends to allow for those expenses.

Today, on the 60th Anniversary of the founding of Peace Corps, I recognize the bravery of all my constituents who have served in Peace Corps, and I am proud to reintroduce this critical bill that upholds the health and safety of all who answer the call to serve in Peace Corps. I thank my colleagues who have joined me in this critical legislation, and I urge its swift passage to ensure menstrual equity for all Peace Corps Volunteers.

Madam Speaker, immigrants are an essential part of our nation. And our nation can only be made stronger if we assist the efforts of new Americans to integrate, contribute to the growth of our economy, and be civically engaged.

The United States is the nation that it is today because of immigrant contributions. In fact, I am proud to represent one of the most diverse congressional districts in the country, in Queens, New York; it is a place where immigrant communities have thrived for decades and decades.

Madam Speaker, I am a proud daughter of immigrants. I know firsthand the difficulties my parents and grandparents encountered when they immigrated to the United States for a better life for their children. This is not an uncommon story. While the levels of hardships of new immigrants vary, there are common challenges--from language barriers to finding work.

That is why, I am so proud to reintroduce the ``New Deal for New Americans Act''. I am honored and grateful to lead this bill with Senators Markey and Hirono and Representatives Jayapal and Garcia. The New Deal for New Americans Act would ensure a more inclusive and welcoming immigration system to help new Americans achieve their American Dream. Among many provisions, this bill would help immigrants overcome common challenges such as language barriers and employment attainment, and help start a business and break down barriers to naturalization.

Specifically, the ``New Deal for New Americans Act'' would:

Establish a National Office of New Americans in the Executive Office of the White House to promote and support immigrant and refugee integration and inclusion and coordinate efforts of federal, state, and local governments to support social, economic, and civic integration of immigrants and refugees.

Establish a Federal Initiative on New Americans to coordinate federal response to address issues that affect the lives of new immigrants and refugees and communities with growing immigrant and refugee populations.

Create a Legal Services and Immigration Assistance Grant Program to support organizations that provide direct immigration assistance to those in need of immigration screening; know-your-rights education; assistance in applying for citizenship, lawful permanent resident status or other legal status (DACA, TPS, asylum, etc.); or seeking relief from a removal order.

Create an English as a Gateway to Integration Program for organizations that teach English or help individuals prepare for naturalization or earn a GED.

Create a Workforce Development Grant Program to ensure that immigrant and refugee adults have equitable access to education and workforce programs that help equip them with occupational skills needed to secure or advance in employment.

Reduce barriers for individuals to naturalize by establishing a flat application fee for naturalization, amending the English and civics exam requirements for older individuals, and exempting eligible U.S. high school graduates from taking the naturalization exams.

Limit USCIS's ability to raise fees without Congress' approval, plus require authorization of appropriations to cover USCIS' need to operate and adjudicate cases.

Promote civic engagement through automatic voter registration of newly naturalized individuals.

Expand family integration by reducing the age of citizens who are able to petition eligible family members from 21 years old to 18 years old.

Increase Refugee Admissions level to 125,000 per fiscal year.

Provide social, economic, and civic support to refugees and rebuild the capacity and infrastructure of local communities to welcome refugees.

Amend the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) to no longer allow deportation of an individual deemed to have become a public charge.

Madam Speaker, the rich tapestry of our nation that is comprised of diverse cultures, languages, and experiences have always been America's strength--and that is why improving our system to welcome new Americans will ensure our nation continues to thrive. This bicameral legislation is a down payment for future generations to succeed in the United States. I urge my colleagues to support this legislation and join me in moving our diverse nation forward by helping new Americans.

Madam Speaker, it has been over a year since we have seen continued COVID-19 related threats and attacks against the Asian American and Pacific Islander community. As millions across our nation continue to be impacted by the coronavirus, many continue to live in fear following the dramatic increase of threats and attacks against those of Asian descent. Recently, we have seen further escalation of horrific incidences of elderly AAPIs assaulted--resulting in even death.

Due to perpetuating anti-Asian rhetoric, misinformation, racism, discrimination, and unfounded blame for the spread of COVID-19, there has been over 3,000 reported incidents of anti-Asian hate crimes, including AAPIs being threatened, harassed, or assaulted, or having had their businesses vandalized. Just recently, in my district of Flushing, New York, a 52-year-old Asian woman was attacked and forcefully shoved while waiting in line outside of a bakery--resulting in her needing ten stitches on her head. Additionally, a 61-year-old Filipino man was viciously attacked and slashed across his face on a New York City subway.

It breaks my heart that, for over a year, in the midst of the COVID- 19 crisis, Asian Americans have been left fighting an additional front--that of hate and bigotry.

That is why I am reintroducing my resolution condemning all forms of anti-Asian sentiment as related to COVID-19. This resolution denounces the anti-Asian sentiment and recognizes the safety and well-being of all Americans during these unprecedented times.

Madam Speaker, I was proud that in the last Congress, the House passed this resolution 243 to 164. However, in light of the recent dramatic increase of anti-Asian hate incidents across our country, we must coalesce and renew our efforts to condemn all manifestations of racism, xenophobia, discrimination, and anti-Asian sentiment and scapegoating. We must denounce any and all anti-Asian sentiment of any form.

Madam Speaker, the House must remain strong, and stand against the sickening intolerance, bigotry, and violence that is leaving a terrible stain on our nation's history, especially during this moment of an unprecedented public health crisis. I urge my colleagues to join me in this effort to keep all Americans safe.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the cultural and historical significance of International Mother Language Day. Established by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in 1999, International Mother Language Day raises awareness of linguistic diversity and multilingualism. Every year since I have been a Member of Congress, I have introduced legislation to recognize the significance of International Mother Language Day.

International Mother Language Day is celebrated around the world on February 21st and holds special importance for the Bangladeshi American community. On February 21, 1952 Bangladeshi students died while demonstrating for recognition of Bengali as a national language of Pakistan. International Mother Language Day is an important day to commemorate those who have fought for the right for their language to be recognized.

Madam Speaker, the United States has a diverse and rich linguistic and cultural heritage. The Census Bureau reports there are over 300 spoken languages in the United States, 169 of these are native languages. According to UNESCO, 145 languages in the United States are classified as ``endangered.''

Preserving existing languages is an essential component of preserving our rich and diverse heritage.

Madam Speaker, I believe we must continue to promote linguistic diversity and linguistic education in our country. We cannot allow the 145 endangered languages in our nation to become extinct. I urge all my colleagues to support this legislation.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to announce the reintroduction of the Refugee Sanitation Facility Safety Act of 2021. This bill will ensure women and girls in refugee camps are able to access bathrooms without fear of violence.

Refugees awaiting resettlement are fleeing conditions like war, violence, and persecution. While many hope to find safety in temporary refugee camps, violence and insecurity can also follow, especially for women and girls. Women are at a greater risk of experiencing sexual assault and violence if they do not have separate bathrooms. During the COVID-19 pandemic, refugees are even more vulnerable and even more in need of secure access to sanitation.

The measure would remedy this problem by ensuring recipients of U.S. aid provide safe and secure access to sanitation facilities, with a special emphasis on women and girls, and vulnerable populations.

Women and girls deserve and need sanitation facilities that are safe and free from harm. It is disheartening that today's refugee camps create conditions that allow sexual assault and violence to occur. This is why I am leading this legislation with Congressman Zeldin to ensure women, girls, and other vulnerable populations have access to safe and secure restrooms. Last Congress, this bill unanimously passed the House of Representatives. I urge my colleagues to support this measure so that it can finally be signed into law.

Madam Speaker, I rise today with a desperate cry for help and a call to action for the millions of moms who have been pushed to the brink of economic, social, and emotional disaster due to the COVID- 19 pandemic. Since the start of the pandemic, moms--especially moms of color--have been facing the brunt of the economic fall out of this pandemic as a result of existing social barriers and policy failures that have been compounded by enduring racism and gender injustices.

What a year can do. At the beginning of 2020, even in the face of continued gender and racial wage gaps, women made up the majority of the workforce for the first time in almost a decade. A year later, women have lost over 5.4 million net jobs and account for 55 percent of overall net job loss since the start of the pandemic. Today, there are over 2 million fewer women in the labor force than there were before the pandemic. The pandemic has triggered a financial and emotional calamity for America's moms, who are shouldering the majority of child care, domestic work, and remote school responsibilities--and this against the backdrop of women who were already overrepresented in low- wage jobs and underrepresented in high-wage jobs.

We know that mother's wages are key to their families' economic security and survival, even as they are leaving the workforce in droves or are reducing work hours--otherwise known as the ``she-cession''. American moms are breadwinners in nearly half of families with children under 18, and yet the wage gap for moms is larger than for women overall, such that moms with full-time, year-round jobs are paid 70 cents for every dollar paid to dads. Adding to the tragedy is that moms permanently leaving the workforce are disrupting their career trajectory and endangering their future Social Security earnings and other potential retirement income. Furthermore, child nutrition is inextricably linked to mothers in the workforce, such that almost one in four children experienced food insecurity in 2020. This is a moral failure.

Madam Speaker, moms are screaming out for help. I hear constantly from other moms that this is just not sustainable. The unprecedented burdens of child care, work, remote learning--on top of the social isolation--have strained the mental and emotional health of moms. As a mom of two young boys, this issue is especially personal to me. Moms everywhere are saying: something has to give, before something ultimately breaks.

That is why I am introducing the Marshall Plan for Moms to revitalize and restore moms in the workforce. After all, any meaningful and sustainable economic recovery from this pandemic must recognize and rebuild moms in the labor force. As such, the Marshall Plan calls for robust paid leave; saving our child care industry, with a vision toward universal child care and early learning; investment in our education system, including broadband connections; strengthening child poverty tools, such as child tax credit and earned income tax credit; expanded unemployment insurance benefits; strong SNAP benefits; federal minimum wage increase to $15; and mental health support for moms.

We need a Marshall Plan for Moms because we need transformational structural change. Moms, especially moms of color, were already fighting an uphill battle against societal norms and economic injustices. They are hurting today, because, like so many other things, this pandemic has exacerbated already existing injustices and inequities.

Madam Speaker, as you have always said: When Women Succeed, America Succeeds. For the sake of our economy, we must prioritize addressing this precipice facing moms and immediately implement the Marshall Plan for Moms, so that moms have a fighting chance, and that they are protected against any future economic calamities. I urge all my colleagues to support this legislation.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the cultural and historical significance of Lunar New Year in 2021, the Year of the Ox. This year, Lunar New Year officially begins on February 12th.

With the continued expansion of Asian diaspora, Lunar New Year is now observed by millions of Asian Americans and by many non-Asian Americans in the United States. Lunar New Year is traditionally a time to wish upon others good fortune, health, prosperity, and happiness. It is a special time for families to come together and celebrate the occasion with community activities and cultural performances. Having lots of delicious food is a major part of New Year festivities. A dish my family traditionally enjoys is noodle soup, which brings luck for the year ahead.

Of course, this year's celebration is very different from all the previous celebrations. Due to the pandemic, there will be less in- person celebrations--whether with our families or within our communities. But I still hope that we

can gather virtually to celebrate some of the traditions.

Madam Speaker, every year since I have been a member of Congress, I have introduced legislation to recognize the significance of Lunar New Year. I am proud to be joined by 61 fellow Representatives in today's introduction of this resolution to recognize the cultural and historical significance of the holiday. I believe Lunar New Year is not only about recognizing the many contributions the Asian American community has made, and continues to make, but also about honoring and acknowledging that our nation's strength lies in its diversity. I wish everyone a very Happy Lunar New Year. And Happy Year of the Ox.

Madam Speaker, with over 25 million people across our nation who have limited English proficiency, there is a critical need for translated COVID-19 outreach materials during this pandemic response.

We must ensure language barriers do not prevent individuals from accessing vital and potentially lifesaving COVID-19 information, especially as our federal, state, and local governments are working to get every single individual in the United States vaccinated.

Madam Speaker, the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated already existing vulnerabilities, inequalities, and disparities, particularly in access to health care. Inadequate access to health care for reasons such as language barriers increases health disparities among vulnerable populations, especially those of communities of color.

Health disparities are often magnified for individuals who have limited English proficiency. For weeks after the COVID-19 public health emergency was declared, the government provided little to no information about COVID in languages other than English and Spanish, which left millions of people in the dark. No one should be left in the dark.

That is why I am re-introducing the COVID-19 Language Access Act, which would require any federal agency that receives coronavirus- related funding to provide COVID-19 written resources to the public in 20 languages: Spanish, Arabic, Cambodian, Chinese, Haitian Creole, French, Hindi, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Russian, Tagalog, Urdu, Vietnamese, Greek, Polish, Thai, Portuguese, Laotian, and Hmong. These selected languages are based on the languages required in the Federal Emergency Management Agency's Language Access Plan for Disaster Assistance dated October 1, 2016. And Hmong has been added to reflect existing federal standards, including at Department of Homeland Security, for requiring Hmong translations in addition to Laotian.

I am proud that my bill has served as a basis for President Biden's presidential memorandum to address cultural and linguistic barriers to COVID-19 relief and recovery, especially for Asian Americans. President Biden's executive actions underscores the inequities of language access particularly in the midst of this COVID-19 outbreak.

Madam Speaker, fighting this pandemic requires everyone to have the right information and to be vaccinated. But to do so, we must eliminate any language barrier so that everyone is best prepared, informed, and ready to defeat this pandemic together. I urge my colleagues to support this legislation.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to announce the reintroduction of my Divided Families Reunification Act, and to raise the voices of families who have been separated for decades both across the DMZ and across the Pacific Ocean.

Over seventy years ago, millions of Koreans were plunged into a harrowing war that brought misery, death, and destruction to their lives. Since then, the war has been frozen by an armistice agreement-- signed on July 27, 1953--that persists to today. The division of the Korean Peninsula into South and North Korea separated millions of Koreans from their family members. Through the years, there have been some agreed upon reunions between South and North Koreans. For Korean Americans, however, there is no pathway for such reunions, as they have not been permitted to participate in these inter-Korean family reunions. Many of these Americans are in their 70s through 90s, and time is of the essence to be reunited with their families. I have had the honor to meet some of these divided Korean American family members, and it breaks my heart that their chance of a reunion with their loved ones grows less likely each day.

As a member of the State and Foreign Operations Subcommittee on the House Appropriations Committee, I am proud to have secured provisions in the Fiscal Year 2020 and 2021 accompanying reports that support the reunification of Korean Americans and their families in North Korea.

The unresolved status of the war continues to impact multiple generations of Korean Americans, particularly women, in myriad ways. All these years later, many survivors of the war are still haunted by their trauma. And younger generations who are responsible for their caregiving often internalize this unresolved grief.

This is why I am proud to reintroduce the Divided Families Reunification Act with Congressman Van Taylor, which requires the Secretary of State or a designee to consult with officials in South Korea on potential opportunities to reunite Korean American families with family members in North Korea. This bill will also require the Special Envoy on North Korean Human Rights to submit a report on the opportunities for video reunions between Korean Americans and family members in North Korea.

I encourage all my colleagues to cosponsor this bipartisan bill, which unanimously passed the House of Representatives during the 116th Congress.

Madam Speaker, throughout our nation's history--from the Vietnam war-era movement that sparked the 26th Amendment to the students of Stoneman Douglas High School demanding action against gun violence--the power of youth activism has undeniably and profoundly impacted cultural and political movements throughout our nation's history. The modern fight against climate change continues to be led by young adults who recognize they will face the consequences of decisions that we make today.

Madam Speaker, it is time to give them a voice in our democracy by permitting them to be heard at the ballot box.

Sixteen-year-olds are legally permitted to work and pay federal income tax on their earnings. They are legally permitted to drive motor vehicles, and if they commit crimes they are tried as adults. If 16- year-olds are impacted by our laws, it is only fair that they be allowed to choose their representatives. Granting 16- and 17-year-olds the right to vote ensures that their concerns and voices are heard by policymakers. Lowering the voting age can also strengthen civics education in our schools by making content relevant to students lives, and incentivizing schools to prioritize civics.

Madam Speaker, research has shown that voting is a habitual behavior, which is why 16 is a better time than 18 to acquire the habit of voting. Numerous cities across our nation have already passed ordinances allowing 16-year-olds to vote in local municipal elections. Data from five cities in Maryland--which were among the first in America to lower the voting age to 16 for local elections--shows 16- and 17-year-olds have turned out to vote at equal or higher rates than voters from older age groups.

When individuals participate in democratic processes from a young age, they form lifelong habits of civic participation and voter engagement. Nineteen states already allow for 17-year-olds to vote in primary elections prior to them turning 18.

Madam Speaker, lowering the voting age to 16 will only strengthen our democratic institutions by exposing youth to our most sacred civic duty of voting. I urge my colleagues to support this legislation as we empower America's youth to help shape and guide our nation by allowing them to vote in all elections.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to announce the reintroduction of the Safe from the Start Act of 2021. This bill will reduce incidences of gender-based violence (GBV); ensure quality services for survivors from the very onset of emergencies through timely and effective humanitarian action; and promote standards for prevention, mitigation and response to such crises.

The largest flow of refugees in recorded history are being forced from their home countries and their time spent displaced has increased from years to generations. Climate change continues to spur temporary and permanent displacement, as floods and fires destroy homes and livelihoods.

During times of crisis, GBV increases as chaos and tensions within households and communities grow. An estimated 1 in 5 women in conflict settings have experienced sexual violence, although numbers are likely higher given the barriers associated with disclosure. GBV is often used by armed actors as an intimidation tactic to exert power and control over the opposing side.

Since the onset of COVID, the impact of the virus has increased exposure of women and girls to domestic violence, lack of access to medicine and telehealth, and disruptions in income. Crises like COVID exacerbate risks for GBV, which is exactly what Safe from the Start is set up to mitigate. In this moment, people around the world are living through multiple kinds of emergencies, in some cases simultaneously. Gaps in services and humanitarian protection frameworks have made it difficult to adequately prevent GBV in humanitarian contexts and mitigate its impact. Humanitarian agencies are often underequipped to address GBV specifically or close gaps between services and accountability that have led directly to GBV, such as the exploitation of women in exchange for supplies by aid workers. To address this, the humanitarian donor community has begun investing in the building standards, guidelines, and capacities of humanitarian actors to better respond to the needs of women and girls in emergencies.

The Safe from the Start Act would support the State Department and USAID's ongoing work to protect and prevent violence against women and girls in humanitarian emergencies by codifying it, and providing Congressional oversight over its implementation.

I want to thank my colleagues, Representatives Chris Stewart, Lois Frankel, Mario Diaz-Balart, and Chrissy Houlahan for once again leading this bill with me. I urge the rest of my colleagues to support this bill and look forward to its enactment.

Madam Speaker, immigrants make up the fabric of our nation. America has always been stronger when we embrace and assist immigrants in their transition as they contribute to our communities, economy, and culture.

In order to ensure a welcoming and inclusive system for new Americans, I am introducing the National Office of New Americans Act. This bill would create an office within the Executive Office of the President to assist and support new immigrants and refugees in employment attainment, language access, and civic engagement. Furthermore, it would also oversee the coordination of efforts by federal, state, and local governments to support integration efforts, such as helping to attain citizenship.

Madam Speaker, this issue is also of personal importance because when I was a member of the New York State Assembly, I had envisioned a statewide office to assist new immigrants with overcoming these challenges. Now, I am expanding that vision to a national office and seeking to fix the systemic challenges immigrants and refugees must face.

Immigrants make indelible contributions to our nation, and it is long past time that we create an entity in the Executive Office of the President that ensures our country is welcoming and helpful toward those who come to our shores. While we aspire to be a beacon of hope and opportunity, we must match word with deed.

Madam Speaker, we cannot allow immigrants to be treated as an afterthought; we must ensure their path to becoming ``New Americans'' is clear and well resourced. After the atrocious last four years of an administration that demonized, criminalized, and dehumanized immigrants and refugees at every turn, my bill would ensure a welcoming and inclusive system for all new Americans. I urge my colleagues to support this legislation as we look to building a more prosperous country that recognizes the humanity and dignity of all immigrants and refugees.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to announce the introduction of the Equal Deferment Opportunity Act and to impress upon my colleagues the importance of all servicewomen having equal protections after childbirth. Current law permits a 12-month deferment from deployment after an active duty servicemember gives birth--thereby ensuring that, before putting their lives on the line to defend America, servicewomen are physically recovered during postpartum.

These same protections, however, do not apply to servicewomen in the Reserves or National Guard; my bill would fix this by expanding the 12- month postpartum deployment deferment to all servicewomen.

Across all branches of the military, women serve with honor and distinction. Their service ensures our nation is safe from hostile actors that seek to do harm to us. Retaining talent is a critical issue and Congress must ensure the Defense Department is permitting all members of the military have equal access to benefits that allow for critical healthcare needs. As such, this fix is desperately needed.

I also applaud Chairman Smith, Ranking Member Thornberry, and my House colleagues on the passage of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020. This bill represents a clear vision of a national security strategy that keeps our nation safe, and advances programs and policies that prioritize the wellbeing of our servicemembers and their families. I was especially pleased to see the adoption of my three amendments that include:

Permanent Authorization of the Suicide Prevention and Resilience Program: The Suicide Prevention and Resilience Program provides members of the Reserves and National Guard and their families with training in suicide prevention, resilience, and community healing.

Equal Deferment After Childbirth: This provision extends existing allowances for active duty servicewomen to defer deployment after childbirth to all members of the armed services, including the Reserves and National Guard.

Lead Service Lines Report: This requires the DOD to submit a report on the number of military installations that may have water lines made out of lead, and whether DOD has established an awareness campaign to inform servicemembers and their families about them.

I look forward to seeing these amendments enacted into law. Above all else, we must ensure our servicemembers and their families are fully valued.

Madam Speaker, I rise to bring attention the growing mail theft crime in the United States that is known as mail fishing. Mail fishing is the process in which thieves ``fish'' mail out of blue collection boxes. Specifically, criminals use a contraption as simple as a string connected to a sticky substance to ``fish'' out envelopes from these mailboxes, then open the letters to steal people's personal information such as bank, credit card, and Social Security numbers. Tragically, this has resulted in many incidents of identity theft and bank fraud.

In the last year alone, there were 3,000 incidents of mail fishing in New York City. These criminals also engage in check washing to rewrite the name of the payee and/or the amount. Many of my constituents became victims of bank fraud, some losing thousands of dollars, as a result of having their mail fished. That is why, in 2017, I made the push to have the United States Postal Service retrofit all standard mail collection boxes in Queens, NY. Currently, 77 percent of these mailboxes in Queens have been retrofitted. As a result, mail fishing crimes have significantly decreased in Queens. However, as only some mail collection boxes are retrofitted, mail fishing crime shifts to regions without this security feature.

Madam Speaker, it is unacceptable that our constituents cannot safely leave their mail in the United States Postal Service mail collection boxes.

This is why I am introducing the ``Keep Mail Safe Act''. This bill would require the Postmaster General to conduct a study on retrofitting all standard mail collection boxes in the United States with narrow mail slots. Retrofitting all mail boxes would deter and prevent incidents of mail fishing, ensure the security of our constituents' mail, and restore their trust in utilizing the United States Postal Service.

As mail fishing incidents are on the rise, our diligence in protecting our constituent's mail is more important than ever. I urge my colleagues to support this legislation and join me in the fight against mail fishing.

Madam Speaker, community colleges play a critical role in American higher education. There are over 1,000 community colleges across the United States. Nearly 40 percent of undergraduates are enrolled in community colleges. Of these students a large portion are first-generation, low-income college students, and half are students of color. Community colleges indeed play a crucial role in closing our nation's skills gap through education and workforce training. Unfortunately, many of these institutions are often under-resourced. This leaves students without the necessary support to complete their degrees.

Access to college means little without degree completion. Studies show that only 20 percent of full-time community college students graduate after three years and just 35 percent graduate after five years. Research is also clear that students who do not complete a degree are at greater risk of defaulting on their loans.

That is why, today, I am introducing the Community College Student Success Act of 2019, a bill that will help community colleges around the country by giving under-resourced colleges with high percentages of low-income and minority students the necessary funding to develop and implement comprehensive student support services.

First, the Community College Student Success Act would provide academic advising, wherein, advisors will provide ongoing, academic, and personal advising to students including helping to clearly lay out a three-year graduation plan and creating strong transfer pathways for students interested in continuing their education.

Second, this bill would provide academic and career support, wherein, students on academic probation or who have been referred to developmental courses will be required to meet weekly with a tutor. These students will also meet with an on-campus career counselor or participate in career services events at least once a semester to promote career planning and success.

Third, this bill would provide financial support, wherein, students will receive a tuition waiver to cover the gap between the tuition and fees and financial aid. Additionally, students satisfying all the meeting requirements will receive a financial incentive, such as a transportation pass or gas card, at least once per month.

Additionally, the goal of this legislation is to replicate the remarkable and proven success of the Accelerated Study in Associate Programs (ASAP)--a program that was created and instituted by the City University of New York (CUNY) in 2007. This program has been found to consistently double the graduation rates of participating students.

Madam Speaker, the Community College Student Success Act of 2019 ultimately seeks to help achieve student success through holistic and student-centered services.

I urge my colleagues to support this legislation and join me in helping community college students across the nation by providing pathways to upward economic mobility and more opportunities. If Congress truly values the importance of educating our next generation, we must increase our investment in these institutions and the students they serve. Each person deserves a quality education--no matter their background--because education is a civil right.