Floor Statements

Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding.

Mr. Chairman, few things are as patriotic--as American--as serving our Nation in the United States Armed Forces. My amendment, amendment No. 17, would ensure that noncitizens defending our country receive the resources they need to pursue the citizenship they have earned.

Specifically, my amendment will modify the pre-separation counseling checklist administered to servicemembers to provide them an opportunity to request further information regarding expedited naturalization.

Throughout history, many legal permanent residents have demonstrated their commitment to the United States by volunteering to serve their adopted country by putting on the uniform and joining the United States Armed Forces. Unfortunately, we have all seen reports that there may be thousands of deported U.S. veterans because they failed to apply for citizenship for a variety of reasons. Deporting these patriotic veterans does not reflect our American values.

As a country that honors our veterans, we need to take the appropriate steps to ensure that those who volunteered to serve are not deported because they were unaware of the benefits available to them.

My amendment provides a safety net that ensures noncitizen servicemembers who defended our country are aware of these benefits.

Mr. Chairman, my amendment No. 14 allows veterans who are enrolled in their respective service's Wounded Warrior program to continue their enrollment in the Military Adaptive Sports Program for an additional year after separation.

Currently, once a servicemember separates from the U.S. Armed Forces, they no longer qualify for their respective service's Wounded Warrior program. My amendment would change this by extending eligibility for an additional year during their transition to civilian life.

It is reported that veterans, in their first year after separating from uniformed service, sadly, experience suicide rates at approximately two times higher than the overall veteran suicide rate. This is even higher for wounded veterans. My amendment looks to combat this devastating statistic by providing veterans with continued physical, psychological, and social rehabilitation during the first year of transition.

Mr. Chairman, I encourage my colleagues to support this amendment package.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1569) to amend title 28, United States Code, to add Flagstaff and Yuma to the list of locations in which court shall be held in the judicial district for the State of Arizona.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the bill under consideration.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 1569, a bill unanimously supported by our entire Arizona delegation that will amend title 28 of the U.S. Code to add the cities of Flagstaff and Yuma to the list of locations in which Federal district court can be held in my home State of Arizona.

The U.S. Code is outdated. It has not been amended since it was enacted in 1948. It is preposterous that right now, district court matters can only be held in Globe, Phoenix, Prescott, and Tucson.

That means Yuma and Flagstaff residents must travel at least 100 miles to attend a hearing or report for jury duty. That is totally unacceptable and unnecessary.

A pillar of the United States structure of democracy is for all Americans to have access to the courts, whether that is by literal location or by reducing cost barriers. We are weakening that pillar when residents must drive over 100 miles for their day in court.

Access to justice should not be dictated by where you live. I am proud to support this legislation because it will have a tremendous impact on the residents in these parts of Arizona.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support it, and I hope the Senate acts

swiftly and delivers H.R. 1569 to the President for his signature.

It is time for Arizona to have a more efficient and effective court system.

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

Mr. Speaker, I yield as much time as he may consume to the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. O'Halleran), the sponsor of H.R. 1569.

Mr. Speaker, I thank Congressman O'Halleran for his leadership on this important legislation. I also thank Chairman Nadler for working with me and advancing this bill through the House Judiciary Committee. It is going to make a positive difference to Arizonans. And I thank Representative Collins, as well, for his support.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 6, the American Dream and Promise Act of 2019.

For so many, this day is a long time coming. It would not be possible without so many amazing people and organizations, including in my home State of Arizona, who never stopped fighting, who never gave up hope on this dream.

We are here today to pass a bill that will provide permanent protections and a pathway to citizenship for our Dreamers, a solution that is long overdue, one that will lift up 2 million people across our Nation. For many, giving them a permanent place in the only home, the only country that they have ever known.

But this bill does more than the right thing. It does a smart thing. Make no mistake, this is an economic stimulus bill. The economic gains in communities across the country will be significant, and fewer stand to benefit more than my community.

The Phoenix metro area ranks among the top areas that will experience real economic benefit from the passage of this bill. When we bring stability to eligible immigrants, we bring stability to our local economies as well.

The American Dream and Promise Act of 2019 is a case of doing both the right thing for people and doing the right thing for our economy.

Dreamers are an integral part of our community, our neighbors, our coworkers, our friends. They are woven into the social and economic fabric of our entire region, and we have a responsibility to make sure that they can continue to contribute and participate fully without fear.

When our Dreamers succeed, our communities will be stronger.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and to include extraneous material on the subject of this Special Order.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today with my fellow colleagues from Arizona to celebrate the life of a phenomenal woman. Geraldine Emmett, ``Jerry'' to most of us, was 104 years old when she passed away on April 30, 2019.

Many Americans got the chance to see Jerry sparkle in 2016 at the Democratic National Convention, where she served as an honorary delegate and, along with Congressman Gallego, proudly announced our State's votes for Hillary Rodham Clinton.

But her devotion to the democratic process started long before that. Part of what captured the attention of the rest of the country during the national convention is that Jerry symbolized just how far women in America had come. She was born before the 19th Amendment granted women the right to vote. She lived through the civil rights movement, the women's liberation movement, and the women's suffrage movement.

She brought a sign to the convention that read ``Centenarian for Hillary,'' a reminder that you can be politically active at any age.

Jerry represented the best of our State. She graduated from Northern Arizona University, and in her first job she instructed children with disabilities and chronic illness on the Navajo Reservation.

She served as a public schoolteacher in Arizona for 43 years and actively promoted civic engagement and participation. She was a pillar in Democratic politics in Arizona for decades.

Each of us here today had a chance to witness Jerry's fierce passion up close. We wanted to take this opportunity to celebrate her life and contributions to our community.

Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. O'Halleran).

Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from Arizona (Mrs. Kirkpatrick).

Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Gallego).

Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the members of the Arizona delegation for those beautiful words about Jerry Emmett.

Now the rest of the country can see why she was such a treasure to those of us in Arizona and what an honor it was today to honor her life.

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

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 5, the Equality Act. I want to thank my friend and fellow recovering mayor, Congressman Cicilline, for his strong and unwavering leadership on this historic civil rights legislation.

When it comes to equality, there is no doubt that we have come a long way. But following the landmark Supreme Court ruling that legalized gay marriage in all 50 States, the hard truth is that discrimination based on sexual orientation is still permitted under the law.

LGBTQ individuals face this reality every day--that they may receive different, unfair treatment in employment, housing, public accommodations, public education, and more. We are better than that. We are a nation that believes all are created equal, that this truth is self-evident.

I rise today in fervent support of the Equality Act because everyone should be treated equally no matter who they are, whom they love, or how they express themselves. Whether you are in Phoenix or Philadelphia, Mesa or Montgomery, you deserve to be seen, to be heard, and to be welcomed.

Madam Speaker, today I want to recognize the Honorable Stan Furman who passed away on April 1, 2019 at the age of 87 in Phoenix, Arizona.

The two-term Arizona State Senator was born in St. Louis, Missouri in 1932 and experienced a humble, often difficult upbringing. He lost both his parents before he turned 10 years old and spent his formative years in the Vista Del Mar orphanage in Los Angeles.

This experience shaped him, contributing to his strong beliefs in justice and equal rights. It formed Stan's social conscience as he developed a profound need to stand up for those who couldn't stand up for themselves. That

time also instilled his deep love and appreciation of his family and friends--people he never took for granted.

From 1952 to 1956, Stan served our country in the U.S. Air Force which took him to Japan during the Korean War. After an honorable discharge, Stan moved to Mexico City where he earned a degree in business and foreign trade from Mexico City College. His time in Mexico would forever change the course of his life.

It was there that he met Gloria, his soulmate and wife of 58 years. They married in Mexico City in 1960 and moved back to California where Stan worked for a fabric wholesaler. Their three children were born in California.

In 1969, the Furman family moved to Phoenix where Stan opened and managed a new branch for the fabric company. After some years in Arizona, Gloria entered local politics as a volunteer, which inspired Stan to get involved-and ultimately led to him running for public office himself.

Stan was elected to the Arizona State Senate and served two terms from 1991 to 1995. During his tenure, Stan focused on the issues that were instilled in him early on: civil rights, criminal justice, education. He served with compassion and dignity, always motivated by doing the right thing. He advocated for the 1992 referendum to make Martin Luther King, Jr. Day a paid state holiday in Arizona--an accomplishment that made him incredibly proud. And between his lawmaking, he found time to volunteer, and encouraged his colleagues in the legislature to volunteer at a local elementary school, too.

After leaving elected office, Stan's passion for service never wavered. He served on many Arizona boards and commissions and worked for the Arizona Corporation Commission. Following many years of extensive work with the Arizona Civil Liberties Union, Stan served as the President of ACLU Arizona from 2002 to 2006 and was honored to be named Arizona Civil Libertarian of the Year in 1995. He also served for several years on the National ACLU Board of Directors. It was no surprise, when in 1998; Stan was named `` Mediator of the Year'' by the Phoenix Community Mediation Program.

In his personal life, Stan was a man of many passions. He was an avid tennis player and golfer, quick-witted and a natural joke teller. He loved crossword puzzles and all word games. He enjoyed playing board games and online games with his children and grandchildren. He loved going to the beach while enjoying time at the family's vacation home in Rocky Point, Mexico. But those close to Stan knew that his work brought him as much joy as any of his hobbies. Stan Furman is survived by his wife and love of his life, Gloria, his daughters Diane (Randy) and Susan, his son Phil (Deb), his grandsons Spencer, Dylan, Nate, Harrison, Alex (Jessi), Hugo and Oscar, and his great-granddaughter Cheyanne.

Stan had a life well lived and will be deeply missed.

Madam Speaker, in its most recent annual infrastructure report card, the American Society of Civil Engineers gives our nation's drinking water and wastewater systems a grade of D and D- respectively, meaning they are in fair to poor condition. For the state of Arizona, drinking water and wastewater systems rank slightly better, C- and C respectively.

Over the next 20 years, Arizona will have $1.93 billion in drinking water and $6.77 billion in wastewater infrastructure needs. Unfortunately, small and rural communities across Arizona often lack the financial resources to do the necessary repairs and replacement of their aging infrastructure. To help address these infrastructure challenges, I am introducing the Environmental Infrastructure Assistance Act to provide federal assistance through the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for the communities in Arizona.

The bill would provide financial assistance to public entities, in the form of design and construction for water-related environmental infrastructure, and resource protection and development projects. Projects could include: wastewater treatment and related facilities; water supply, storage, treatment and related facilities; environmental restoration; and surface water resource protection and development. Additionally, funds could be used for technical assistance for water planning and access to water resources.

The Environmental Infrastructure Assistance Act would provide another resource for communities to use to meet their water infrastructure needs, and I am pleased to have the support of the Rural Water Association of Arizona and the Arizona Water Association for this legislation.

It is my hope that as we focus on infrastructure this Congress that we make sure investments are not only made in our roads, bridges and airports, but that we also address water infrastructure needs of communities in Arizona and across the country.

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

Mr. Chairman, access to high-speed internet is absolutely essential in today's economy. It is the key component to our Nation's innovation infrastructure.

Yet, on Tribal lands across this country, a digital divide exists. According to the estimate from the U.S. Census Bureau, only 53 percent of Native Americans living on Tribal lands have access to high-speed internet, compared to 82 percent of households nationally.

A recent report by the Government Accountability Office examined how the Federal Communications Commission collects, validates, and uses data on broadband availability. It found that the FCC overstates the availability of broadband internet service on Tribal lands.

For example, if a service provider reports that it could provide broadband service internet access to at least one location in a census block, the FCC considers broadband to be ``available'' in that census block. That doesn't make much sense, and the GAO agreed.

It found that the FCC's available status is applied too broadly, sometimes including communities without infrastructure that connects homes to a service provider's network.

It also found that the FCC does not collect information on factors such as affordability, quality, and denials of service. FCC data that accurately captures the availability of broadband is critical because the Federal Government relies on the data to make important investments.

Without accurate data, the Federal Government will have difficulties identifying the true needs and cannot make appropriate investments. Part of the challenge in the lack of reliable data stems from the lack of meaningful consultation and engagement with Tribal Nations.

Tribal consultation is more than just checking a box. It is important for the FCC to not only listen to Tribes, but to actively engage and learn from them. Only by doing so will we be better able to get information on where the needs are. That will lead to better decisions and better outcomes.

My amendment would implement one of the GAO's recommendations. It would direct the FCC to seek feedback from Tribal stakeholders and providers on the effectiveness of its Tribal consultation, as well as ensure accessible and affordable broadband on Tribal lands.

Mr. Chair, I urge my colleagues to support this amendment, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Chairman, I appreciate the comments from Congressman Walden.

I would say, in this particular case with this particular amendment, this is not the government asking for information from entities that don't want to provide it. Just the opposite, the Tribal communities in my State and across the United States of America want to provide this information and want this very detailed consultation with the FCC so that we can provide better investments on Tribal lands.

This is a situation where government involvement is very much welcomed by the entities that we are asking the FCC to better consult with. This is welcome government intervention.

Mr. Chairman, I yield the balance of my time to the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Michael F. Doyle).

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

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding, and I thank him for his leadership as chairman of the Natural Resources Committee and as a senior member of the Arizona delegation for his leadership on this important legislation.

Mr. Speaker, the importance of the Colorado River to the West and my State of Arizona cannot be overstated. Forty million people in seven Western States get water from the Colorado, and nearly 40 percent of the water used in Phoenix comes from the Colorado. We must absolutely protect it, and we must do so without delay.

To prepare for the impact of the changing climate and a drier future, water users in the seven Colorado River Basin States reached agreements to voluntarily conserve water and better manage the river to mitigate the risk of water levels falling to perilously low levels in Lakes Mead and Powell, the two largest man-made reservoirs in the United States.

A little over a week ago, a Natural Resources subcommittee heard testimony from representatives from all seven basin States on the urgency to authorize the drought contingency plan as quickly as possible.

This urgency was also expressed by U.S. Bureau of Reclamation Commissioner Brenda Burman, who described the consequences of not advancing the drought contingency plan. She said: ``This is a dangerous situation, where we could be reaching critically low elevations that affect the drinking water of 40 million people; that affect 5.5 million acres that could go dry; that affect species, both endangered and not endangered; that affect entire economies and the recreation of the Southwest. Action is needed now.''

The legislation before us today is critical because it directs the Secretary of the Interior to immediately execute the agreements reached so water conservation efforts can get underway this year.

This is by no means a permanent long-term solution. We all recognize that more must be done. But this legislation is an important step, and it must be advanced without delay.

It is also important to note that this legislation has strong support from a wide variety of interests across the State of Arizona, from our Tribal leaders, including the Gila River Indian Community and the Colorado River Indian Tribes, to cities and municipalities across the State, including the city of Phoenix. Industrial users support it, as do environmental organizations.

I urge my colleagues to join us in supporting this bill.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to address perhaps the most important reform legislation to protect and strengthen our democracy in a generation: H.R. 1, the For the People Act.

We have a responsibility, an obligation, to make sure that our government always remains one of the people, by the people, and for the people. But the truth is Congress has not done enough to protect the voices of everyday Americans and to make sure that our government institutions are working for them.

The American people know it, and, Mr. Speaker, I believe that is exactly why they voted for new leadership in our people's House. They know what is happening to our political system. The dark money, the attack ads from secret, fly-by-night groups, the incredible influence special interests seem to have over too many political leaders. They see it every day when the system that used to work so well for the middle class is now rigged against them.

So much of it is the result of the Supreme Court's Citizens United decision. Consider the facts: From 2008 to 2016, the amount of outside spending to influence our elections has increased tenfold, reaching an astonishing $1.4 billion during our last presidential election.

These billions being spent to influence elections and politicians, they aren't coming from everyday Americans, but are more likely coming from Wall Street, Big Pharma, and other high-powered interests working against the rest of us. We can do better and, with H.R. 1, we will do better.

This transformative set of reforms will shine a light on dark money and return power to the people. It puts disclosure front and center by requiring political groups to disclose their large donors, bringing dark money out of the shadows for good.

H.R. 1 recognizes a simple principle: The American people ought to know who is writing big checks to their elected officials and candidates for office.

By curbing the influence of special interests, we can lift the voices of everyday Americans and we can better focus on the issues that matter most, like quality jobs, affordable healthcare, clean air and water, and strong infrastructure.

Mr. Speaker, history has its eyes on us today. Let us, once again, resolve to make sure that our government remains one of the people, by the people and, of course, for the people.